tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-390212600085410382024-02-19T01:33:18.951-06:00You Be The MomI'll Be The FishEmhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.comBlogger357125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-77530262931802332502023-10-04T10:03:00.001-05:002023-10-18T17:08:30.619-05:00Ten<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHckvB99BmblzOwyKHVxvGQNXxAHLF5NAtSEwkYsW7D4OdxYMn6k0OzjQ4FsQAojZlY_Lc6f-EDGfLJxGF53fW868k1LskNwXIn1YZoeq59XNoYexEY4g3u8TrjR0_LeRFzLBMekU8NmZnRerlo7bu3mclxdHYGOwNjCw8P8vOichZeAzerYCDnQF/s3264/136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHckvB99BmblzOwyKHVxvGQNXxAHLF5NAtSEwkYsW7D4OdxYMn6k0OzjQ4FsQAojZlY_Lc6f-EDGfLJxGF53fW868k1LskNwXIn1YZoeq59XNoYexEY4g3u8TrjR0_LeRFzLBMekU8NmZnRerlo7bu3mclxdHYGOwNjCw8P8vOichZeAzerYCDnQF/s320/136.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn Christopher.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhQgKZWhuPT3wWmVieLLtZ6tqsTTdIYtpHDLogdsuR4Fkf2QXWHVWS70PDinHOovlVdWeBnDLNMBkjvLCfQUAaRoCJS1nj4FJqe8l0TgBVMowm-vGZ5hjPi35KZUoZH2GG0rkzsLKc38OPRoBx4B0mkHPahcZ3IgGJlXQQ5KEb9FmPaZOpRdi-Xh5/s4032/IMG_20180930_123343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhQgKZWhuPT3wWmVieLLtZ6tqsTTdIYtpHDLogdsuR4Fkf2QXWHVWS70PDinHOovlVdWeBnDLNMBkjvLCfQUAaRoCJS1nj4FJqe8l0TgBVMowm-vGZ5hjPi35KZUoZH2GG0rkzsLKc38OPRoBx4B0mkHPahcZ3IgGJlXQQ5KEb9FmPaZOpRdi-Xh5/s320/IMG_20180930_123343.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5-year-old Christopher.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTA6219eTv-hCDicKQilNzelvcu72vzEgaDm__XG49b4mJDRHEew_pAf96cy1efwgrkT_P8DYzbUqH1r9eP2-Z_t1YVloJ1mBnq-6pd6uWJKC_FyrVdUeISOxQ9f-bS2302vnYkPU4uTj5Pd3PdtVr7rMQl0QzCicyzfUnNWPnpIXzGY4ENlNCMGW/s4080/PXL_20231005_194343100.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvTA6219eTv-hCDicKQilNzelvcu72vzEgaDm__XG49b4mJDRHEew_pAf96cy1efwgrkT_P8DYzbUqH1r9eP2-Z_t1YVloJ1mBnq-6pd6uWJKC_FyrVdUeISOxQ9f-bS2302vnYkPU4uTj5Pd3PdtVr7rMQl0QzCicyzfUnNWPnpIXzGY4ENlNCMGW/s320/PXL_20231005_194343100.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10-year-old Christopher.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ten!</p><p>I was feeling very nostalgic before Christopher's birthday this year. Partly because of the double digits, and partly because it feels like the end of an era. I have been an at-home mom (aside from various contract projects) for so long, and now both of my babies are getting older. (Also, I now have a job "outside of the home" even though I work from home 99 percent of the time.) </p><p>I made the mistake of telling Christopher I was feeling sad about him turning 10, which meant that I later found out that he was also sad about his birthday. Because that is the kind of sweet, empathetic boy that he is. Empathetic to a fault, sometimes. I quickly went into overdrive assuring him that I was very excited to celebrate him, and he ended up having a fun birthday. (I mean, who wouldn't like laser tag with a BFF and sister; a trip to the Rainforest Cafe, or Jungle Cafe as he calls it; and pizza and ice cream cake with the in-town cousins? Yes, it was a lot of birthday, but I love celebrating the kids.)</p><p>Christopher is in 4th grade. It has been a bit of a rough transition. He had the same wonderful teacher for the past 3 years. And they were tumultuous years, starting with first grade in the fall of 2020. This year, the expectations for classroom work are much higher, and he misses his friends who are no longer in his class. I know this will be good for him, though. Clare had the same teacher for fourth and fifth grade, and she was more than ready for middle school. (Although can I credit the teacher here? It is Clare, after all.)</p><p>Christopher struggles with transitions, but we try to ease the way for him where we can. Some of this he will just need to figure out on his own. Ah, growing up.</p><p>Some of Christopher's favorites at 10: video games, video games, video games, and oh did I mention video games? (Current favorites include Minecraft, Pokemon Sword, Super Smash Bros., Fortnite, and the OG Super Mario Bros and Age of Empires.) He also loves reading (especially Big Nate and Diary of a Wimpy Kid), drawing, swimming, riding his bike around the block, playing board games, our new kitten, stuffies, and legoes.</p><p>Dislikes at 10: Being told to turn off the video games, basketball, school (sad), Harry Potter, cleaning the cat's litter box, when Clare gives him a "fresh cut". </p><p>Christopher still loves all animals. Not coincidentally, he is also still a vegetarian. (14 months and counting!) </p><p>He is full of random facts from books he's read, so I always believe him when he says something is true. He said this to me the other day, "I used to worry about all of the stars running out of juice, but then I read that when a supernova explodes it makes 1,000 stars." </p><p>He is taking a Parkour (free running) class at a local gymnastics gym, which he loves. He is in Cub Scouts, and played baseball over the summer. We are trying to encourage him to try some other sports, like soccer, but so far he is not interested. </p><p>He told me recently that he loves our family road trips and exploring new places. This year, we went to Utah and camped near Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. He likes exploring these places, but his favorite parts of any camping trip seem to be s'mores and playing games as a family. Oh, and Ghost in the Graveyard when we camp with our friends.</p><p>It's so hard to capture Christopher in a post like this, but he is just so funny. He loves to make people laugh, although he hasn't yet figured out that the joke is less funny the more it is repeated. I am sure he will get there! </p><p>Here is a conversation I had with Christopher recently, which I enjoyed and I think captures some of his quirkiness:</p><p>Christopher after his shower: I used so many things in there! Two conditioners, the body and hair wash, shampoo.</p><p>Me: I was wondering what was taking you so long.</p><p>Christopher: That wasn't why I took so long. I spent half the time putting soap into my belly button.</p><p>Me: That was a good use of your time.</p><p>Oh, Christopher. You are the best boy. I love how you still let me hug and kiss you, even though you are 10. I love talking to you and listening to all of your interesting observations on the world. Happy birthday!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxNj7uNKGZBn_gcoMbrgiAekvJvpj5hGYT6yZGbwsW1YMNyfTmY0MQEqz9-wLT9qtM2MDSek473EcBFz7Labqv2m-amo_QHh4JougWPz-ORE7SsOUVOiGBwrtRPnYbJ3qE0KiqjpzK2LfuPbuY7fblWg8eio4d_BmeH8-7ayDlFI3ny_3jwerWSv5/s4080/PXL_20230925_160202923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwxNj7uNKGZBn_gcoMbrgiAekvJvpj5hGYT6yZGbwsW1YMNyfTmY0MQEqz9-wLT9qtM2MDSek473EcBFz7Labqv2m-amo_QHh4JougWPz-ORE7SsOUVOiGBwrtRPnYbJ3qE0KiqjpzK2LfuPbuY7fblWg8eio4d_BmeH8-7ayDlFI3ny_3jwerWSv5/s320/PXL_20230925_160202923.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX7FWG0En3YFD2Kr6q8lvZia_Yqt6MGDEw5OQfTfgAMOItBJGOttOYzArrE-SAAG2j2M6Fc9m-dW6-bLDqT4ROAs3dWjUmlvPkxrb_1TUdrdEpiFkpka0pC6As0uC_-NlgC1Fy2oQnRNZSEBvZI3pbcoG2sYNht7Mx14Blwnwyh4bflnEQByONE_b/s4080/PXL_20230930_012717146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghX7FWG0En3YFD2Kr6q8lvZia_Yqt6MGDEw5OQfTfgAMOItBJGOttOYzArrE-SAAG2j2M6Fc9m-dW6-bLDqT4ROAs3dWjUmlvPkxrb_1TUdrdEpiFkpka0pC6As0uC_-NlgC1Fy2oQnRNZSEBvZI3pbcoG2sYNht7Mx14Blwnwyh4bflnEQByONE_b/s320/PXL_20230930_012717146.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvOEWosvHVrh_zH5WB862CB8jx13vsK4S7cnhav3BK8JOlv8WG9nQTv9wBYQFAMhyphenhyphenfZXkb2oAmTv1ltT0B9Fwd25_z3i_6Iqj3w_hKi-sgcTn62XkeZp0w0nn2nZRIqbS-oheMvBrgJretniTsYCl7N9l_Sj5mWaONpfUGzdkI7tH_oiLbaSmwVy7/s4080/PXL_20231004_223329894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvOEWosvHVrh_zH5WB862CB8jx13vsK4S7cnhav3BK8JOlv8WG9nQTv9wBYQFAMhyphenhyphenfZXkb2oAmTv1ltT0B9Fwd25_z3i_6Iqj3w_hKi-sgcTn62XkeZp0w0nn2nZRIqbS-oheMvBrgJretniTsYCl7N9l_Sj5mWaONpfUGzdkI7tH_oiLbaSmwVy7/s320/PXL_20231004_223329894.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtCqnujixt07xkDSqySJoPl76aoLl1mGfnXrVzNWgJ6dDK4xo83Lhpe_7gSn1invY-AmUmdPsWCuPNhpiNYYix9ekQzCvp1O-GFye-TMYG-g0ThbosAIZrr_jRTBt4wUezcKnP3vOR5ohCSoOgTBV0qnUWlyLHMyp2P_Czcl23K1LcZkD8Zw1KktA/s4080/PXL_20231005_002020880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtCqnujixt07xkDSqySJoPl76aoLl1mGfnXrVzNWgJ6dDK4xo83Lhpe_7gSn1invY-AmUmdPsWCuPNhpiNYYix9ekQzCvp1O-GFye-TMYG-g0ThbosAIZrr_jRTBt4wUezcKnP3vOR5ohCSoOgTBV0qnUWlyLHMyp2P_Czcl23K1LcZkD8Zw1KktA/s320/PXL_20231005_002020880.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht73sYiuv1Qg19XKljOMFQAdGVQspkPV3F5VvbQoMpzMSW67fbVkEbYqVg3jyVvwzZiPRHcbFpMOYSk-md4NYBmaXroYOZly0qUUH4MAVBfDh3i8qBa-mGVoQMTYBDctJ7cCIV1Id3LapnBcE4J_UzZC55Q07MMAZIlBU8GZZDCWdKpsmMZRq3bc6V/s4080/PXL_20231009_003902183.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht73sYiuv1Qg19XKljOMFQAdGVQspkPV3F5VvbQoMpzMSW67fbVkEbYqVg3jyVvwzZiPRHcbFpMOYSk-md4NYBmaXroYOZly0qUUH4MAVBfDh3i8qBa-mGVoQMTYBDctJ7cCIV1Id3LapnBcE4J_UzZC55Q07MMAZIlBU8GZZDCWdKpsmMZRq3bc6V/s320/PXL_20231009_003902183.MP.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-50466681498182838042023-06-07T17:57:00.001-05:002023-06-14T17:58:27.490-05:00Twelve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdeIBgUnaoWl4hvr7Zs2ltRzzWR8n-whBYTVaI2i_dDNm2h1q_0eKD_HVRfpK4tFy2tp1YKgQGBbznGZ030h3ti6sWrYiEPZkRJz5rTeMm-04Fd_cxESJg6WL6r_l5IM4C5qpOK8KEuPJzrU4MqSOKx4FweovE8daly7B9KetJIzYHiFJkXQVaA/s4080/PXL_20230614_210300303.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdeIBgUnaoWl4hvr7Zs2ltRzzWR8n-whBYTVaI2i_dDNm2h1q_0eKD_HVRfpK4tFy2tp1YKgQGBbznGZ030h3ti6sWrYiEPZkRJz5rTeMm-04Fd_cxESJg6WL6r_l5IM4C5qpOK8KEuPJzrU4MqSOKx4FweovE8daly7B9KetJIzYHiFJkXQVaA/s320/PXL_20230614_210300303.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Twelve! Somehow. </div><div><br /></div><div>Clare is just finishing 6th grade, and it has been a stellar year for her. She was in the school play, is a member of the Student Library Council, is doing well in school, and has a great group of friends. She is at a 6-12 grade school, and it is small, but so far she loves it. I was incredibly proud of her this year, especially when she told me that she extricated herself from a group of friends that didn't feel right and found friends that like her for her. (She told me that she told herself when she started middle school that she was only going to be friends with people she felt like she could be herself around. This was after reading lots of books in 5th grade that took place in middle school.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Clare at 12 is still supremely confident, smart, logical (Vulcan, from her Dad), fun to talk to, and kind in many ways. (For example, when Ben had surgery last month she made him a card, left him snacks and a bell so he could ring for help, and set up a very comfortable bed for him on the couch.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Clare wants to dye her hair blue. This seems to be the thing to do with her age group, as I know several unconnected kids her age who have blue hair. (One of her birthday presents is going to be a trip to the salon.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Clare experienced the second best day of her life this year, according to her. She went to a live performance of Hamilton. (The first best day? When she visited the sets of the Harry Potter movies when we were in England last year.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Clare still plays soccer year round. Would I be sad if she quit? No. Is she likely to quit? Also no. </div><div><br /></div><div>She is also still taking piano lessons, although she doesn't practice often.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her number one hobby is reading. She likes mystery and literary fiction, but isn't big on fantasy (except Harry Potter, of course). </div><div><br /></div><div>She loves the show Wednesday and is still into American Ninja Warrior.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some likes at age 12: Slime, fidgets, sticker books, Lego, Minecraft, reading, camping, ice cream (especially drumsticks), getting take out (local places Shish and Tavial are favs), experimenting with make-up, arguing, begging for a cat, needling her brother.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some dislikes at age 12: Bugs, thunder, running, doing any chores that don't have something in it for her, most vegetables, meat with a "sweet" sauce, brushing her hair, not having a cat, when her brother cuts his hair really short.</div><div><br /></div><div>This summer she is doing a few camps (clay and soccer), taking swimming lessons, and wants to do several summer reading programs. </div><div><br /></div><div>Clare had a soccer game the night of her birthday, but we ate her favorite dinner early (chicken kabobs, rice pilaf, Italian salad) and opened presents and had cake after her game. She also went to SkyZone on Sunday. I said she could bring a friend, but she chose to just go with Christopher. They had a blast.</div><div><br /></div><div>(As for the cat. I have put it off for 3 years. How long can I go?)</div><div> </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRzQG3I1dkdXXpUHFVyWCkaaA3XTmGQMVEn05cPTXrjpQYHIO0wQLfY7x5vayoHh-G6vHQd-INwiM5IZMhu1qA_GO142dVvKQ1CvfjOne5GK3HO7W5zmQTP0j1qTgjhdNX4JYboJX77kaJo91cZ-RCr4lW0jxTnLxtAa5RZx9MTfSuF0HxWJ9tQ/s4080/PXL_20230606_214404049.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRzQG3I1dkdXXpUHFVyWCkaaA3XTmGQMVEn05cPTXrjpQYHIO0wQLfY7x5vayoHh-G6vHQd-INwiM5IZMhu1qA_GO142dVvKQ1CvfjOne5GK3HO7W5zmQTP0j1qTgjhdNX4JYboJX77kaJo91cZ-RCr4lW0jxTnLxtAa5RZx9MTfSuF0HxWJ9tQ/s320/PXL_20230606_214404049.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzocxkXwgVKS-xGnZNAywFdFfpOi7dnz9pr953ZAL4VIUQ9p4HzoT7RLfibY8QiXHO3ZlNTfm1XjX7wJQdqymSTDq2VrdH6kF2dpIRUVNimStK-aV5mWVHJl1CFYv1j2sFm-kVBO1d7Z8EcRPAq53XZ35HNWGPtOt1A6jNP1nnhj0PaBklpJeaqA/s4080/PXL_20230614_210321323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzocxkXwgVKS-xGnZNAywFdFfpOi7dnz9pr953ZAL4VIUQ9p4HzoT7RLfibY8QiXHO3ZlNTfm1XjX7wJQdqymSTDq2VrdH6kF2dpIRUVNimStK-aV5mWVHJl1CFYv1j2sFm-kVBO1d7Z8EcRPAq53XZ35HNWGPtOt1A6jNP1nnhj0PaBklpJeaqA/s320/PXL_20230614_210321323.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-30267341825826896842022-10-05T15:39:00.000-05:002022-10-05T15:39:04.121-05:00Nine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0z0Mn9HtVsXMCB8bn5jOwKFgLz_hZzZX-IB6zPXdkOHdnuIOEr1q-lTCGMTxGII2ean1nOMoFBCLAYt3Vn5-BvFxcdv33R6WSWau0HV-Ubfrwu-OCSbUVLqNO7GYqWIrCFjSYaGPEavb2VpANvYJfEfQ_-cD84rJQlerkwzDCFCVgWFVQA8Odw/s4080/PXL_20221005_203137762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij0z0Mn9HtVsXMCB8bn5jOwKFgLz_hZzZX-IB6zPXdkOHdnuIOEr1q-lTCGMTxGII2ean1nOMoFBCLAYt3Vn5-BvFxcdv33R6WSWau0HV-Ubfrwu-OCSbUVLqNO7GYqWIrCFjSYaGPEavb2VpANvYJfEfQ_-cD84rJQlerkwzDCFCVgWFVQA8Odw/s320/PXL_20221005_203137762.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One year left in the single digits for our Christopher Lewis. As I say frequently, birthdays always take me by surprise. I mean, isn't Clare still nine? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div>Christopher is in third grade, and the year has started off fairly well. He was worried before school started, but has been happy to go (most) days and his teacher reports that he is doing very well. He is in a first, second, third grade combination class, and his leadership skills have emerged this year. I think this may be partly due to some newfound independence - we let him roam the neighborhood with his friends this summer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher is still as sweet as ever. He told me to make a list for my birthday (which is 12 days following his) and is very concerned about when my party is going to be. He likes to sit on my lap and snuggle, and even though he is getting quite tall and doesn't fit as well as he used to, I am not about to say no.
He still wants to make money (he is currently saving up for an ice cream maker, which he thinks he is going to use to sell ice cream to the neighbors). He held a lemonade stand on his own during the neighboring school's large festival in September. He made $21, which he was pretty pleased with. I had COVID, so I watched from inside as he tried to charm passersby. </div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher has great fun running around the neighborhood with Jackson, Owen, and Colin, all neighbors. The three boys joined us for pizza and ice cream cake last night, which was Christopher's request for his birthday dinner. He has lots of friends at school as well, although they seem to be ever-changing. He gets along with most everybody, which is a good skill to have. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, I almost forgot the biggest change since last year! Christopher has become a vegetarian. While we were at the State Fair this summer, Christopher was able to pet a baby pig and see many other animals. After that, he decided he could no longer eat them. It is a pain, I admit, but I am trying to support his choice. Clare joined him for awhile, but she is already back on the meat wagon. Our whole family is now eating less meat, which isn't a bad thing, I suppose. (It is hard for me because of my plethora of food allergies.) </div><div><br /></div><div>Christopher plays the violin, reluctantly most of the time, but he plays well. He is in Cub Scouts, which I have mixed feelings about. He played baseball this summer and will play basketball this winter. He loves swimming, which is a nice change from when he was younger. Reading and playing video games are his two favorite hobbies. He is currently reading the Harry Potter series, and he received a few video games for his birthday. His favorite video games are Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Roblox, and Minecraft. He is into Pokemon cards and trading hockey cards with his friend Jackson. (I don't think he knows anything about hockey. He's been to some U of M women's games, but that's about it. But still, I guess the trading is fun for him.) He likes camping, and has even started to like going on hikes. (Although he still brings up a scary hike we did in Glacier last year and how much he hated it.) He also enjoys riding his bike and his scooter. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some likes at nine: Books, especially the Amulet Series, Big Nate, Diary of Wimpy Kid and Harry Potter; the aforementioned video games;four square, kickball, gaga ball, basically anything with a playground ball; playing with his friends and cousins; not eating meat. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some dislikes: Practicing violin; cleaning his room; when his class is too rowdy at school; when Clare annoys him on purpose (shocking); sharing personal information about himself in a group setting ("It is not their business!"); eating meat. </div><div><br /></div><div>He was given some new video games and books for his birthday, so as soon as he gets home from school he will be all set to spend some time on his two favorite hobbies. Then I'll have to tell him to practice his violin. A typical day.
Christopher, happy birthday. We love you so much!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFzyRmNN8qk-xP4wa8ZxlWikiCNKgU5hJLqr1Wi3ykI7z_4TGeqNH-Q2_h7pplwk95VpqQROXdZ8k0pp6OYv6Ykh5PmiDCA3X4x7NwOQhAc641NXteGDVEAX8h9z9FyRziDRy9sjA_EjwQ0LOSgf5asP37eLeD2TCwvu1h0rZIo6EDwzg7ScKvA/s4080/PXL_20221005_203119789.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4080" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFzyRmNN8qk-xP4wa8ZxlWikiCNKgU5hJLqr1Wi3ykI7z_4TGeqNH-Q2_h7pplwk95VpqQROXdZ8k0pp6OYv6Ykh5PmiDCA3X4x7NwOQhAc641NXteGDVEAX8h9z9FyRziDRy9sjA_EjwQ0LOSgf5asP37eLeD2TCwvu1h0rZIo6EDwzg7ScKvA/s320/PXL_20221005_203119789.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeDYiQkUUyKXz9Rbj9aIZjStAB2C6r-2-M-0jTooa1C3_OBRfVKIx1tEEQfy7ZAum5rgZaP58GaDBEBm585kZfJamQH3Ysknr1x1gjnkc9NalpxNjT-PGN3DVHbyNamR8JXHgB47NDdQWn9maQQa5zibFJZQnKr7dNZZYhiypoORj1Qb-lBYatA/s4080/PXL_20221004_232507094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeDYiQkUUyKXz9Rbj9aIZjStAB2C6r-2-M-0jTooa1C3_OBRfVKIx1tEEQfy7ZAum5rgZaP58GaDBEBm585kZfJamQH3Ysknr1x1gjnkc9NalpxNjT-PGN3DVHbyNamR8JXHgB47NDdQWn9maQQa5zibFJZQnKr7dNZZYhiypoORj1Qb-lBYatA/s320/PXL_20221004_232507094.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvy68YzRkvbBF70brCujvcZl9wUi__N3CEVDNhd9OvLIItrSmBvFC6_29X9YYF5h3mrceQPIaJ0renwqxGwgTjysz2SBPB-GO5Y-fSfGI32GpKcTe9Apv7sPAbuXvnMnbhej-JvULpdM5ZlCoEhuzKpPkLhy3c5U_ZUG82bI52aY5NoJPb3L52w/s4080/PXL_20221004_233129362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvy68YzRkvbBF70brCujvcZl9wUi__N3CEVDNhd9OvLIItrSmBvFC6_29X9YYF5h3mrceQPIaJ0renwqxGwgTjysz2SBPB-GO5Y-fSfGI32GpKcTe9Apv7sPAbuXvnMnbhej-JvULpdM5ZlCoEhuzKpPkLhy3c5U_ZUG82bI52aY5NoJPb3L52w/s320/PXL_20221004_233129362.jpg" width="241" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFzyRmNN8qk-xP4wa8ZxlWikiCNKgU5hJLqr1Wi3ykI7z_4TGeqNH-Q2_h7pplwk95VpqQROXdZ8k0pp6OYv6Ykh5PmiDCA3X4x7NwOQhAc641NXteGDVEAX8h9z9FyRziDRy9sjA_EjwQ0LOSgf5asP37eLeD2TCwvu1h0rZIo6EDwzg7ScKvA/s4080/PXL_20221005_203119789.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><br /></a></div>
</div>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-86756132894442441292022-09-11T15:27:00.003-05:002022-09-18T14:04:44.516-05:00Summer 2022<p>This summer was jam-packed. It was mostly, but not always, fun. It is now over. The end.</p><p>Just kidding, here are a bunch of pictures. </p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt32r838DA8cQXItYWczL-I8QjThJJDB-iDrpg4O-EMgbsBt5kk2M4kBMijnjY2dqUYNtAEsJzWI-_MqWaMyV_V_VqPshbMT0UGxitvpitrtH-kGcm60uvME9TNYDlr6vkVIAEgXgNDuhEWmtI4UBy39dd1iztZ7ykkSndfB9JfxGT7NTez-t1Rw/s4032/PXL_20220612_144939096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt32r838DA8cQXItYWczL-I8QjThJJDB-iDrpg4O-EMgbsBt5kk2M4kBMijnjY2dqUYNtAEsJzWI-_MqWaMyV_V_VqPshbMT0UGxitvpitrtH-kGcm60uvME9TNYDlr6vkVIAEgXgNDuhEWmtI4UBy39dd1iztZ7ykkSndfB9JfxGT7NTez-t1Rw/s320/PXL_20220612_144939096.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first weekend of summer, Ben and Christopher went on a Cub Scout camping trip. Clare and I went to her soccer tournament (she scored two goals!), and had a Sunday morning breakfast and shopping day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YvJJB4FS7LM1UVeieb7QePRuCmfS27lK_uU57U3r01DpZuLelkDbLCkjpM_4gb8wjgG9g04njtM6wOrADeXpe1buOk5qf75UXW7JuQsKX5hgVRy5AsUmrKhDw7FW22wRNwngIxQqLKmWV35U8OrP1zgzg7hZAs9P3XSBodwk6xk_42e73cykdg/s4032/PXL_20220612_200729729.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YvJJB4FS7LM1UVeieb7QePRuCmfS27lK_uU57U3r01DpZuLelkDbLCkjpM_4gb8wjgG9g04njtM6wOrADeXpe1buOk5qf75UXW7JuQsKX5hgVRy5AsUmrKhDw7FW22wRNwngIxQqLKmWV35U8OrP1zgzg7hZAs9P3XSBodwk6xk_42e73cykdg/s320/PXL_20220612_200729729.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The peony always blooms around Clare's birthday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP8nXGVYvbKwKdv0lcZYNSGIpLwQvB3GiLth5xMnKBILa9v5FK9cHin_6zxWoNUx3ZZGKYQI8UVj6h4J4vANyQOzpjt_DTL724MRBBS3-f1PQ-Q3VYo1e4NIviwNP5armC-WfJYkqln07WXci8Hx6aOL1nV076kUsGkKNH3BuDPhqKW7Sml_Yrg/s4032/PXL_20220612_222742884.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkP8nXGVYvbKwKdv0lcZYNSGIpLwQvB3GiLth5xMnKBILa9v5FK9cHin_6zxWoNUx3ZZGKYQI8UVj6h4J4vANyQOzpjt_DTL724MRBBS3-f1PQ-Q3VYo1e4NIviwNP5armC-WfJYkqln07WXci8Hx6aOL1nV076kUsGkKNH3BuDPhqKW7Sml_Yrg/s320/PXL_20220612_222742884.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids had a violin and piano recital in person. They both did great!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF-OdnrxsZamypy_IOa9Lu7hB3J9qG23LLIQdMVMuYIoaue7WwhT-SWekVQMBVIBQT53yaHohadbZCUQSeciThAutrIlUM9xeLPqFTQDllTzl9UltycRX768kEEKKBtbCy4pkkaKOq5ulXrS4azCPmWuQqPKq5auDG2htnIdNBziZDazKs6zYuA/s4032/PXL_20220614_164234929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDF-OdnrxsZamypy_IOa9Lu7hB3J9qG23LLIQdMVMuYIoaue7WwhT-SWekVQMBVIBQT53yaHohadbZCUQSeciThAutrIlUM9xeLPqFTQDllTzl9UltycRX768kEEKKBtbCy4pkkaKOq5ulXrS4azCPmWuQqPKq5auDG2htnIdNBziZDazKs6zYuA/s320/PXL_20220614_164234929.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to Red Balloon book store and then had lunch out at Cafe Latte early in the summer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdY9hWIDwbSj7BkNvWCWCXpvUdH12g-oqcqHy6yPNFMwnmmIuKpREhqdW0VzAXxs5G2GZZ-5RvEAIf0O98KFr-2dig__MwJZGoL0wq5mZCWHfZi4vcNWST93TLJfIzXJknWLuC89ROrg9AzgFVD_DkSjSXPllyvaXfYh8F7r2uZY_Ei3HsMGkOQ/s4032/PXL_20220625_013233184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVdY9hWIDwbSj7BkNvWCWCXpvUdH12g-oqcqHy6yPNFMwnmmIuKpREhqdW0VzAXxs5G2GZZ-5RvEAIf0O98KFr-2dig__MwJZGoL0wq5mZCWHfZi4vcNWST93TLJfIzXJknWLuC89ROrg9AzgFVD_DkSjSXPllyvaXfYh8F7r2uZY_Ei3HsMGkOQ/s320/PXL_20220625_013233184.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and I snuck away to our neighborhood bar for dinner by ourselves.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhHhuIPIrh3ozV3IbVqou-3OWjhYk3hjzLO9boqkKJQIlZS52xTrVZugiKrseqwENwAyv26c5FQa7bclPaY-lYObQYsf0O6hJzpiL9SYm3GgvnHGi0zqaLz9oecnXTyyoCHNNqHUiIwLYhIQ1QmXnqoaQyg8XbUr6sWRpy_w6343zxoQIczUSbA/s4032/PXL_20220618_161343415.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhHhuIPIrh3ozV3IbVqou-3OWjhYk3hjzLO9boqkKJQIlZS52xTrVZugiKrseqwENwAyv26c5FQa7bclPaY-lYObQYsf0O6hJzpiL9SYm3GgvnHGi0zqaLz9oecnXTyyoCHNNqHUiIwLYhIQ1QmXnqoaQyg8XbUr6sWRpy_w6343zxoQIczUSbA/s320/PXL_20220618_161343415.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare went horseback riding with her Girl Scout troop.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek6VlMww-uVvObQgwjsjH80k7WpIrMoTOh47mDpjOpnWwbIX9T35Zamz3EVTsgDCS4vmaZmLVxVeTh8Ul-sP1XfyJGKofL4zaTNuq51AuqQoiYPiSyLIiotPcNxAxBcz66JDhy7WR2sPvydXqPSTTGDZhW38vs-fFIayrfibWb68xPVwvOenHmg/s4032/PXL_20220617_184531587.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgek6VlMww-uVvObQgwjsjH80k7WpIrMoTOh47mDpjOpnWwbIX9T35Zamz3EVTsgDCS4vmaZmLVxVeTh8Ul-sP1XfyJGKofL4zaTNuq51AuqQoiYPiSyLIiotPcNxAxBcz66JDhy7WR2sPvydXqPSTTGDZhW38vs-fFIayrfibWb68xPVwvOenHmg/s320/PXL_20220617_184531587.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding the carousel during our annual (and possibly last, the kids are getting too big) Como Town visit.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvt7C0v--CZqK8twav-dtpb7DuGBPtEfXDXq4ZAJd4c6f2xr66FYwg0MBsfoRoiXH2VZcGEfNb0WXdGYK0RMuNzjpHCS_QabEEgzukTWPLTNzHnovyhZKbbtwhnd9ijpnN8lur1h3m0xQjLpblDW-89uzODROdumdBp6s1DJ6ytuTEs1-ayyd0AQ/s4032/PXL_20220617_184526166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvt7C0v--CZqK8twav-dtpb7DuGBPtEfXDXq4ZAJd4c6f2xr66FYwg0MBsfoRoiXH2VZcGEfNb0WXdGYK0RMuNzjpHCS_QabEEgzukTWPLTNzHnovyhZKbbtwhnd9ijpnN8lur1h3m0xQjLpblDW-89uzODROdumdBp6s1DJ6ytuTEs1-ayyd0AQ/s320/PXL_20220617_184526166.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaOQZ67SmXmHi8NGyPQbAQ2QVQQMHgskPs5Qs7YHhh16z9ZtJ5ICsFbnJjrpWfN1Kr2oXTRIfGEnjzThbj-MQxnPzFJEt0in1ZSP-nJaUwJB4Sj5Bhoxoes-_HM9q2eYcO5hXdl7gAozDwOuxe0B5qid6F7aR6sfb25pvSD-NdX4SJ2wgisqqHA/s4032/PXL_20220617_181817257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaOQZ67SmXmHi8NGyPQbAQ2QVQQMHgskPs5Qs7YHhh16z9ZtJ5ICsFbnJjrpWfN1Kr2oXTRIfGEnjzThbj-MQxnPzFJEt0in1ZSP-nJaUwJB4Sj5Bhoxoes-_HM9q2eYcO5hXdl7gAozDwOuxe0B5qid6F7aR6sfb25pvSD-NdX4SJ2wgisqqHA/s320/PXL_20220617_181817257.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPuuBrjb9W5Jlqhn0oVOXdRFzBFFd-11MtBmEZiF2XZYun_BFmcSBMWBH1miZ6m5VfmrTNYnsjArt0rgmXLLIGvDdT0kL0_iKE5Sp-O__7lYTmwTCKhonPepZ1QhVhwyJhYatDBm5lmV-nY0-FBjSv5lCKsXqDXGFEKMzHvrX601Xoo3Bz6xI1g/s4032/PXL_20220617_180333846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSPuuBrjb9W5Jlqhn0oVOXdRFzBFFd-11MtBmEZiF2XZYun_BFmcSBMWBH1miZ6m5VfmrTNYnsjArt0rgmXLLIGvDdT0kL0_iKE5Sp-O__7lYTmwTCKhonPepZ1QhVhwyJhYatDBm5lmV-nY0-FBjSv5lCKsXqDXGFEKMzHvrX601Xoo3Bz6xI1g/s320/PXL_20220617_180333846.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38IA8U0NveSpTCH8u-wpnIpyYjB1SDe2GXO9KxTIcdCXVrY6FhX2uWRoFyse18sA6zu9NUSoNTLkgbuV1oEfUctqELvAuKEezPqmT6T69D8WVykxkFkIOqboO1yBojlh-o3-SkpZ7_-Hue8aJiyeCfvqUAHCCl7pwoQHnF7rpsYhxrgW7O5dyjg/s4032/PXL_20220617_173213274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38IA8U0NveSpTCH8u-wpnIpyYjB1SDe2GXO9KxTIcdCXVrY6FhX2uWRoFyse18sA6zu9NUSoNTLkgbuV1oEfUctqELvAuKEezPqmT6T69D8WVykxkFkIOqboO1yBojlh-o3-SkpZ7_-Hue8aJiyeCfvqUAHCCl7pwoQHnF7rpsYhxrgW7O5dyjg/s320/PXL_20220617_173213274.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSesdRdBIrtul0P1dywTwLV5gRTOuF8-SDabmYcUrpA6eh77-BKDmcGzRGxfvcnIFacWZhenZf5vLZAG9gfwyZmMp0jaMyq5BLoLPqJS7OZYuexqfldcSQo_PMwNX3H-aTb-d2eJZeZqSWrlInNJwgWTZA4AQQP-hSx1sQMcx8X75XsAQvcVTLQ/s4032/PXL_20220617_165144103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdSesdRdBIrtul0P1dywTwLV5gRTOuF8-SDabmYcUrpA6eh77-BKDmcGzRGxfvcnIFacWZhenZf5vLZAG9gfwyZmMp0jaMyq5BLoLPqJS7OZYuexqfldcSQo_PMwNX3H-aTb-d2eJZeZqSWrlInNJwgWTZA4AQQP-hSx1sQMcx8X75XsAQvcVTLQ/s320/PXL_20220617_165144103.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtzNDIIEQoYkU_-HbN9FvG7x6907ZIenOYYOv7dqbI-GRwOq7ZwYA8zqKpK0kXpTsIoIJFmSLauj7ClOnmdBfgZ_q8N0yCCY8HcCzWPlDWucbqyxQJxS-giVK8alx7yk8F4t4SQjS6qboi40pKEsT8KFWESny9zkb7KhgzJgqBUBJh4P8vKomDw/s4032/PXL_20220617_164245413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXtzNDIIEQoYkU_-HbN9FvG7x6907ZIenOYYOv7dqbI-GRwOq7ZwYA8zqKpK0kXpTsIoIJFmSLauj7ClOnmdBfgZ_q8N0yCCY8HcCzWPlDWucbqyxQJxS-giVK8alx7yk8F4t4SQjS6qboi40pKEsT8KFWESny9zkb7KhgzJgqBUBJh4P8vKomDw/s320/PXL_20220617_164245413.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94IRNvC6FlvijZMuoqhYhluCdTFtXfnuK6plJP5XFum_4Zs-5L_DqOeL3F8LpnayMeQGHOGWpR6ifhKNUhxMdEUA6iAI2bkXgE8aA0oUzQ6xQCRYihRCNUKzqYWJUm-RrO0pKnkWtGQmSGKu1xk9ClbsT0WSJqzzR3uH0pkzQEGCgnZ0OoL9KTA/s4032/PXL_20220627_191021475.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94IRNvC6FlvijZMuoqhYhluCdTFtXfnuK6plJP5XFum_4Zs-5L_DqOeL3F8LpnayMeQGHOGWpR6ifhKNUhxMdEUA6iAI2bkXgE8aA0oUzQ6xQCRYihRCNUKzqYWJUm-RrO0pKnkWtGQmSGKu1xk9ClbsT0WSJqzzR3uH0pkzQEGCgnZ0OoL9KTA/s320/PXL_20220627_191021475.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent a week at family camp at Camp Northern Lights. It was great, if sometimes a little cheesy. (I refused to participate in the all-camp sing-along, for example.) The kids had a great time in age group activities, and we all had fun taking advantage of all the camp had to offer. Clare especially loved the water trampoline in the (freezing) lake. She's on it in this picture, and poor Ben is floating in the lake to supervise. The kids also got up every morning and participated in Little Dippers, which involved running into the lake at 7:30 a.m. I did it a few times, and it was actually invigorating. We want to go back next year.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHNpLHYZ6upR-rrf3CzT7yKaL0vWDZRIkuBlM2MoG2rByACmgRcy9HdWQaguT6DyzHiCoEWjEOnb6Atgojha829vHKrhJA78YlbEtfGPuIIhbR2okX1ufdALTBLanfEzrlinLjQ-X69vpdF1WsiJgXRrzMxgcRSS0BKYPnGLQAeDAQVpgeOTD2w/s4032/PXL_20220627_214243015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivHNpLHYZ6upR-rrf3CzT7yKaL0vWDZRIkuBlM2MoG2rByACmgRcy9HdWQaguT6DyzHiCoEWjEOnb6Atgojha829vHKrhJA78YlbEtfGPuIIhbR2okX1ufdALTBLanfEzrlinLjQ-X69vpdF1WsiJgXRrzMxgcRSS0BKYPnGLQAeDAQVpgeOTD2w/s320/PXL_20220627_214243015.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had some bad weather, including hail!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcaPr_wsqb9XeIaDjNrQGKeaVNEV79Bi13TQ6pVcz_pjsPpGu4dtpr_sy0CtHZwAUE7p9F8kuchk3g4j1Sk7E6ZEO6FYC8VJbrXlRmM07VWVJer9ogFlyTPZk5Utux9nxzIQpINihkUFTLuiLsXXA99Mn-h9w3z4PPRJyI6-eoJ4I_h_vj2U6MA/s4032/PXL_20220628_014119354.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUcaPr_wsqb9XeIaDjNrQGKeaVNEV79Bi13TQ6pVcz_pjsPpGu4dtpr_sy0CtHZwAUE7p9F8kuchk3g4j1Sk7E6ZEO6FYC8VJbrXlRmM07VWVJer9ogFlyTPZk5Utux9nxzIQpINihkUFTLuiLsXXA99Mn-h9w3z4PPRJyI6-eoJ4I_h_vj2U6MA/s320/PXL_20220628_014119354.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset paddle.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v6wqA04qzyQLEhGO7depjvFimep1KkHXPlsJUqtywkhn5b5ep3zrh5OGREJWQY93DXIgjjGYLaqBL2IfZvUvLOWhu8Nm3t7fB1QlqABSr2hNm7MxCLefhrXvjwpnkw2VO343h1-kGU1W-mFe-tq_CxhYEgU4RCYvDGszDYrQZmPDkKYfOo2HCw/s4032/PXL_20220628_021429219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0v6wqA04qzyQLEhGO7depjvFimep1KkHXPlsJUqtywkhn5b5ep3zrh5OGREJWQY93DXIgjjGYLaqBL2IfZvUvLOWhu8Nm3t7fB1QlqABSr2hNm7MxCLefhrXvjwpnkw2VO343h1-kGU1W-mFe-tq_CxhYEgU4RCYvDGszDYrQZmPDkKYfOo2HCw/s320/PXL_20220628_021429219.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camper.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJHxNUuGddWlUMT61rI2AzIkDjOIKjywmGc2Jmlsv4yp_LFIG9jMl8MuJXB2ceBmCVFqkuNjCfLIAHuiCo1gCbP547-NHZ1M662sLrxPeg4xNSdcc7BK2cMwEViGTqZIqrwuz_3tqnjnyyyGZ7jFLVMTzNSRgc1-e0Q6IscrmNe4N3M65SDk6Aw/s4032/PXL_20220629_012150935.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJHxNUuGddWlUMT61rI2AzIkDjOIKjywmGc2Jmlsv4yp_LFIG9jMl8MuJXB2ceBmCVFqkuNjCfLIAHuiCo1gCbP547-NHZ1M662sLrxPeg4xNSdcc7BK2cMwEViGTqZIqrwuz_3tqnjnyyyGZ7jFLVMTzNSRgc1-e0Q6IscrmNe4N3M65SDk6Aw/s320/PXL_20220629_012150935.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrvtUHmYPyXG-MuyjrYf9OBjjBOcu5JatRs_XJzF7vsOis_yu7OxQ2Nx7Woi2EZAWXBrL6TAX9yb85etY9wjR2Tbu-DtB3lCZewnW88zDYkOq5ckvmnHTaQ1JA1VLR8EJYz2Yz-CdqPnMJK5XfYuQIFPo6stoljVlxfo0RGoXpqo_WErI6PxEjA/s4032/PXL_20220629_021820011.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrvtUHmYPyXG-MuyjrYf9OBjjBOcu5JatRs_XJzF7vsOis_yu7OxQ2Nx7Woi2EZAWXBrL6TAX9yb85etY9wjR2Tbu-DtB3lCZewnW88zDYkOq5ckvmnHTaQ1JA1VLR8EJYz2Yz-CdqPnMJK5XfYuQIFPo6stoljVlxfo0RGoXpqo_WErI6PxEjA/s320/PXL_20220629_021820011.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnocywZHon_du_bTJfzur0bOHgV_VLoolbCp3cUKOa8qklP-jco39OOQTggUiAnOnuMnaQCGgirs99ZQC-nZGPPGlHYzjn8K4_op_cbZMHJrr3JjvNeV5D_n70pJVXRX2cenxm1m5dMyeKH4NbNKd-MbJYQcHGNQbdTQkaCLAVX8U7ld6PHLYkw/s4032/PXL_20220630_023130402.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCnocywZHon_du_bTJfzur0bOHgV_VLoolbCp3cUKOa8qklP-jco39OOQTggUiAnOnuMnaQCGgirs99ZQC-nZGPPGlHYzjn8K4_op_cbZMHJrr3JjvNeV5D_n70pJVXRX2cenxm1m5dMyeKH4NbNKd-MbJYQcHGNQbdTQkaCLAVX8U7ld6PHLYkw/s320/PXL_20220630_023130402.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading together during a storm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawsjS8BzTeKOcw3jvEBhEN91Du_mRiwgvCTYdINIBwgHJ2HWWLjdj3kC4MIP2ASc2neZlC5Z9RxhNcML7U7j3yoeOGAewzEQsaVcgWyVRvCDov0uyQVAIxiLyrvX6FCfLiCJiNE9JlM-ul1mBq0J4IjkFW-taoaF-CAozgVzZltIucFtImNwNVA/s4032/PXL_20220630_173127238.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawsjS8BzTeKOcw3jvEBhEN91Du_mRiwgvCTYdINIBwgHJ2HWWLjdj3kC4MIP2ASc2neZlC5Z9RxhNcML7U7j3yoeOGAewzEQsaVcgWyVRvCDov0uyQVAIxiLyrvX6FCfLiCJiNE9JlM-ul1mBq0J4IjkFW-taoaF-CAozgVzZltIucFtImNwNVA/s320/PXL_20220630_173127238.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdVMU-n4ygFJjac89FiH04QAwQHOGXDhHQzUiiEAh0M1RMhVu7erFp8gAmLHB2ZkPcnnvpGyqubZ0UZRg3g0pdgNlWel-aCdg5WqCo7AK6qn1K9NDGfLOz9yAKwgCJf1UHP1IZxppGthzi9pKesez7ZqLBJpyG-JgZNQ0IGRQ3vgbByY4YqvyEQ/s4032/PXL_20220630_191556076.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdVMU-n4ygFJjac89FiH04QAwQHOGXDhHQzUiiEAh0M1RMhVu7erFp8gAmLHB2ZkPcnnvpGyqubZ0UZRg3g0pdgNlWel-aCdg5WqCo7AK6qn1K9NDGfLOz9yAKwgCJf1UHP1IZxppGthzi9pKesez7ZqLBJpyG-JgZNQ0IGRQ3vgbByY4YqvyEQ/s320/PXL_20220630_191556076.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the Art Barn.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBNQNEoAsX-VyEaOj2M3QGCm9Qyxg0roKrsd2kEDKokIJV9GCUkSa9Iv_n7oc5xmywxp8B4qd8TU5igP1jBBaB6soReNoti1SsmWBG792CHnclvb89MBSwmhyMZYnKysrKdlRGDnvHgNa5yy2DzzkS9qzsUbzeoNBmodrMDt2tIlODhY11m_k4Q/s4032/PXL_20220704_123128199.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBNQNEoAsX-VyEaOj2M3QGCm9Qyxg0roKrsd2kEDKokIJV9GCUkSa9Iv_n7oc5xmywxp8B4qd8TU5igP1jBBaB6soReNoti1SsmWBG792CHnclvb89MBSwmhyMZYnKysrKdlRGDnvHgNa5yy2DzzkS9qzsUbzeoNBmodrMDt2tIlODhY11m_k4Q/s320/PXL_20220704_123128199.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Onto 4th of July! We had all of our annual events in Evansville, minus the fireworks, which were cancelled because of storms. Here, Christopher is warming up for the 1 mile run. He finished first of the participating cousins. Clare carried Otto on her back for most of the run. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1_WT4b38OcfXeerEytt974VH4PaP3kS1zoedRu4onCAJI7-h4FiWJs3NWwoCQM4ZNpCiczsBvd4a4oldpiUayH_40-c8UhDdUH06zg1Q24uk6LwAhAKLIo9_IL9I6z3jH3Mhrln4W_ddrigYNdHIlJx1urooVLsCTrZVhFU39dAKOXaD03851w/s4032/PXL_20220704_144745086.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA1_WT4b38OcfXeerEytt974VH4PaP3kS1zoedRu4onCAJI7-h4FiWJs3NWwoCQM4ZNpCiczsBvd4a4oldpiUayH_40-c8UhDdUH06zg1Q24uk6LwAhAKLIo9_IL9I6z3jH3Mhrln4W_ddrigYNdHIlJx1urooVLsCTrZVhFU39dAKOXaD03851w/s320/PXL_20220704_144745086.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtyPP8NVKrJwL1Hu6NgCwtobcmCgCMMw_hsUGXJ327_zoCuEnwRShNB3PtpCAk7Lm044BbIRfkOQj3dmstkCS87G-mdkq9bRpfg4ix2d2r-cOfyDv6ZB88JKYJWTbdz8lWEOy6f3pnpq5sHcnh4mALemLpNGS3-NM5vS6Mie-8bzDd4IYNKVSbw/s4032/PXL_20220704_154701405.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBtyPP8NVKrJwL1Hu6NgCwtobcmCgCMMw_hsUGXJ327_zoCuEnwRShNB3PtpCAk7Lm044BbIRfkOQj3dmstkCS87G-mdkq9bRpfg4ix2d2r-cOfyDv6ZB88JKYJWTbdz8lWEOy6f3pnpq5sHcnh4mALemLpNGS3-NM5vS6Mie-8bzDd4IYNKVSbw/s320/PXL_20220704_154701405.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhTnnzoatdLfkthaW04ZPx2nb2PtlAnxXcYNI5sl54lL7OH4GJ52CBWe03numS_1YI2h8t2RmPanrQk3EE9zd68CiHRR5NIkrwqORh5Lu3F0MprQnR6uN3BtFll2csilRy3zHtc82-Vmb_Ac6NnVG0hwKW2Ii-ri7HheeHAcRfbfMLYsHIVGcsg/s4032/PXL_20220704_155126120.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhTnnzoatdLfkthaW04ZPx2nb2PtlAnxXcYNI5sl54lL7OH4GJ52CBWe03numS_1YI2h8t2RmPanrQk3EE9zd68CiHRR5NIkrwqORh5Lu3F0MprQnR6uN3BtFll2csilRy3zHtc82-Vmb_Ac6NnVG0hwKW2Ii-ri7HheeHAcRfbfMLYsHIVGcsg/s320/PXL_20220704_155126120.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4kMjnVq4DgKlQJp6Wvkq9iVai2655j8l8YaNLiZKp8LdOAUYk06-jfEKaV5pqx6nxgeWRbDyVhjsPoYpW1wg4I7ywDnEQGjAyeygPH5J8oNjcCHJ7NgJolnfFF6XtREVwzmHuOw2g-fherPcFZT26Fr28XEFw27FWka2EhTHioAQ0dnSP5y_OQ/s4032/PXL_20220704_194900461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy4kMjnVq4DgKlQJp6Wvkq9iVai2655j8l8YaNLiZKp8LdOAUYk06-jfEKaV5pqx6nxgeWRbDyVhjsPoYpW1wg4I7ywDnEQGjAyeygPH5J8oNjcCHJ7NgJolnfFF6XtREVwzmHuOw2g-fherPcFZT26Fr28XEFw27FWka2EhTHioAQ0dnSP5y_OQ/s320/PXL_20220704_194900461.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flag cake!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdSZSSi0v8kgICm_wZT5pVKNIOM_Wg4HLrkpxUo_kYO8FELeU6gYBKl_u89FGA87vKo_ReB8RFM29wNGhMR59Vf2u0yuQelWdKrRY5NiQmtc86SNo2Aa5oMf-36zwAq6LHvG5EIiNQtqJLmKyKwvfXXJF3rsaeQEheOhl34jAi7VeaJu9xsuvFw/s4032/PXL_20220706_165901435.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTdSZSSi0v8kgICm_wZT5pVKNIOM_Wg4HLrkpxUo_kYO8FELeU6gYBKl_u89FGA87vKo_ReB8RFM29wNGhMR59Vf2u0yuQelWdKrRY5NiQmtc86SNo2Aa5oMf-36zwAq6LHvG5EIiNQtqJLmKyKwvfXXJF3rsaeQEheOhl34jAi7VeaJu9xsuvFw/s320/PXL_20220706_165901435.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pool to themselves!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePYvsIRDqTgkfEnPg8eGEL8XIhlEuBgo9i5NzYkIvcrSxMHooyUCBsny4IzlYnEg_4ds5bNL14dBGtCtitNVyc2tf6FLW3_2bi1_Tm2Ep4hr9h8zwVYQ61PZIQricShCBDtaBzFMhV2_CopKzGN3LqIWi0IAVme4cwCDXU462BzlgDD1PsgFvlQ/s4032/PXL_20220712_163926380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePYvsIRDqTgkfEnPg8eGEL8XIhlEuBgo9i5NzYkIvcrSxMHooyUCBsny4IzlYnEg_4ds5bNL14dBGtCtitNVyc2tf6FLW3_2bi1_Tm2Ep4hr9h8zwVYQ61PZIQricShCBDtaBzFMhV2_CopKzGN3LqIWi0IAVme4cwCDXU462BzlgDD1PsgFvlQ/s320/PXL_20220712_163926380.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went for lunch at Noodles and all read our books. I just love that the kids love reading as much as I do.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEm5MCsP6we9I0BDqYtt03LAUSuc9nr8GtLTwhif4fAnC9cET54gOHLRJ-Fd9vJ5pZ0JiSMdotpkoYUOD8Yy7taPyy3Hw4WeZr8WnMSmOwg23rVmvjx6dz5WCnYRVfXd3oomFhluhSlgPSg-uOOWQ55KmT9zPloNNbHbfcmmTAlEsuuH2kBCGwg/s4032/PXL_20220713_010143173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEm5MCsP6we9I0BDqYtt03LAUSuc9nr8GtLTwhif4fAnC9cET54gOHLRJ-Fd9vJ5pZ0JiSMdotpkoYUOD8Yy7taPyy3Hw4WeZr8WnMSmOwg23rVmvjx6dz5WCnYRVfXd3oomFhluhSlgPSg-uOOWQ55KmT9zPloNNbHbfcmmTAlEsuuH2kBCGwg/s320/PXL_20220713_010143173.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soccer player.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb1R93XEX2hvNeOXH2CBDePkWiuFzhsWRH0O2E0XGttXlD6rgCE5aTyKPjhidRyRQkCD8YD3SidTOuuytDIxSsg3qDsBpS5UOrT8Jz6RdCkvQmQUeMlvifW_bz09DOE1vpGw4FKtsER_HjH8JDRVaIyD4mRhqQX9uZcStGfVa3tmEUnZ2fGJEjQ/s4032/PXL_20220711_184558377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimb1R93XEX2hvNeOXH2CBDePkWiuFzhsWRH0O2E0XGttXlD6rgCE5aTyKPjhidRyRQkCD8YD3SidTOuuytDIxSsg3qDsBpS5UOrT8Jz6RdCkvQmQUeMlvifW_bz09DOE1vpGw4FKtsER_HjH8JDRVaIyD4mRhqQX9uZcStGfVa3tmEUnZ2fGJEjQ/s320/PXL_20220711_184558377.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I read my book while the kids went down water slides at Jim Lupient in Minneapolis. I also read my book while the kids went on water slides at Bunker Beach in the north suburbs. I basically read my books all over Minnesota (and Wisconsin) this summer.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWysbRXHYKrWnjBt9pohYuRIr94OB77BWzIwfJJ-F1pTGWSIA227z4DWoVERx28zSJv8Klf5qbFw9pI9Yhz4g_VYnb4P-fXYFa8GzE6tvqIgKmbpcmpuahEXnestUSlZnkwgp_th7jutSu17IoYBpn4h6IehrXa6h5m04jd75PrUhm-YST3aTvEA/s3264/PXL_20220713_170831000.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWysbRXHYKrWnjBt9pohYuRIr94OB77BWzIwfJJ-F1pTGWSIA227z4DWoVERx28zSJv8Klf5qbFw9pI9Yhz4g_VYnb4P-fXYFa8GzE6tvqIgKmbpcmpuahEXnestUSlZnkwgp_th7jutSu17IoYBpn4h6IehrXa6h5m04jd75PrUhm-YST3aTvEA/s320/PXL_20220713_170831000.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and I snuck away for a Twins (Brewers?) game with my sister and brother-in-law.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM4TjUYEPRbvMNyV5F4SgxN2X0sFHf36YLCqwDsubzkh6EvFLPW7aMw4y6XadeVjV7NZXcA6U3LKluIIgjqRc7soyu3LS8xg_65_zDNgwxpqafPsJXGRqPFZtwZfgNgocAOM2uMtXWsZ1lNrrLNkuKix3BOR5slVLzNgDCp9OTo4FNeIgWSVktw/s4032/PXL_20220717_182337372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM4TjUYEPRbvMNyV5F4SgxN2X0sFHf36YLCqwDsubzkh6EvFLPW7aMw4y6XadeVjV7NZXcA6U3LKluIIgjqRc7soyu3LS8xg_65_zDNgwxpqafPsJXGRqPFZtwZfgNgocAOM2uMtXWsZ1lNrrLNkuKix3BOR5slVLzNgDCp9OTo4FNeIgWSVktw/s320/PXL_20220717_182337372.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare went to sleep away Girl Scout camp again this year. I was worried because she was a bit younger than the other girls in her bunk (who looked like full-fledged teens), but in typical Clare style she made friends with everyone and had a great time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RZbXDx-68p2bmWDmsxsdq7p0SSz-Snx3yQwXbcDhE32BdTOuGL_CTGfbh1_C2eQgZ4TiSPR-11k5uFYtKvVyjifMJhEVT9GJwICyNTlnghF0bV6S3WobJMI-rbgDEnsNeLKEQaYoTm50Lc2gyeJD_J3yqszT4qMCEVm9cHdv4dmfCGxdd_PEBA/s4032/PXL_20220718_213247373.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2RZbXDx-68p2bmWDmsxsdq7p0SSz-Snx3yQwXbcDhE32BdTOuGL_CTGfbh1_C2eQgZ4TiSPR-11k5uFYtKvVyjifMJhEVT9GJwICyNTlnghF0bV6S3WobJMI-rbgDEnsNeLKEQaYoTm50Lc2gyeJD_J3yqszT4qMCEVm9cHdv4dmfCGxdd_PEBA/s320/PXL_20220718_213247373.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While she was gone, I took Christopher for root beer floats. He also participated in an engineering camp at the Works Museum, which he loved.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUSTqJBSnWRGd9nLSpGj1kvsfRBl1Bk4pSzfcvUtTDINi0hJimOgOuUzMP0nxT8YInHdHeg9OTPAZBtkHeShuo2WpibmKeaTSkmiH9bjlV-dCUGUt57qXoTKlzGeSVj6PfA3NZHRKV5lYC8eH_JKaIs_W_f20EgZm6UNd9d15UZlTxCHsZttzMg/s4032/PXL_20220723_012528600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUSTqJBSnWRGd9nLSpGj1kvsfRBl1Bk4pSzfcvUtTDINi0hJimOgOuUzMP0nxT8YInHdHeg9OTPAZBtkHeShuo2WpibmKeaTSkmiH9bjlV-dCUGUt57qXoTKlzGeSVj6PfA3NZHRKV5lYC8eH_JKaIs_W_f20EgZm6UNd9d15UZlTxCHsZttzMg/s320/PXL_20220723_012528600.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went back to Lake Superior (one of my favorite places on Earth), with Ben's parents. We stayed in a lovely cabin and had a relaxing time. Ben and I even went on a 9 mile hike one morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyW7nFQ5P34IQbXuG6GVEKfFDXg0REb95P_t43tQA3nrysy8zgh2qC8f_Kj1OBbzqs242HkJ1udgfixg0-VEQfER7Vj9Lch66FOpjudTHsE9fsL_j2ODxpqW-wj9Xpk9vJIKdy2MSVpo7ZoR_5s6mvz7LTLZ81AOkXgfzvAopCFK104fBtUA9Wg/s3264/PXL_20220723_012240400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnyW7nFQ5P34IQbXuG6GVEKfFDXg0REb95P_t43tQA3nrysy8zgh2qC8f_Kj1OBbzqs242HkJ1udgfixg0-VEQfER7Vj9Lch66FOpjudTHsE9fsL_j2ODxpqW-wj9Xpk9vJIKdy2MSVpo7ZoR_5s6mvz7LTLZ81AOkXgfzvAopCFK104fBtUA9Wg/s320/PXL_20220723_012240400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uYt4qqDr-hJB-m0EPRSCJ80d6lVctPpiXQLNWE3QGb9XYFBs0kcj4ZitjwcpyQmKccWU2SHkHKpm0kpYpRV5e3xN9SZ40HH8VdqYXVq7G60iwxEtDkRoqe0ZEiGzqKpqWNJMgv-NztWffmTv2LTb3B7JXS8l-OAW4J1kojAF3J5wdurwKzEAMA/s4032/PXL_20220724_191748033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uYt4qqDr-hJB-m0EPRSCJ80d6lVctPpiXQLNWE3QGb9XYFBs0kcj4ZitjwcpyQmKccWU2SHkHKpm0kpYpRV5e3xN9SZ40HH8VdqYXVq7G60iwxEtDkRoqe0ZEiGzqKpqWNJMgv-NztWffmTv2LTb3B7JXS8l-OAW4J1kojAF3J5wdurwKzEAMA/s320/PXL_20220724_191748033.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Cascade River.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfWf9CFjmvbxAbRwMl6kEpAbWU2vW0KHax-21vCKQUXvbgTcZ386BdoovF2sGuMWBLq-ZwBZnDWkiuoXjApRh1_q0JZxfNgJzU1-5sJ9XuQMHBLcMaSiYOtVr771xGC7EWEdV5QKyNwjfCxmXuRI-I2_8mU772ixldZl9zi93jFVyjlI15BdANw/s4032/PXL_20220725_152938821.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfWf9CFjmvbxAbRwMl6kEpAbWU2vW0KHax-21vCKQUXvbgTcZ386BdoovF2sGuMWBLq-ZwBZnDWkiuoXjApRh1_q0JZxfNgJzU1-5sJ9XuQMHBLcMaSiYOtVr771xGC7EWEdV5QKyNwjfCxmXuRI-I2_8mU772ixldZl9zi93jFVyjlI15BdANw/s320/PXL_20220725_152938821.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Grand Marais. I would argue they are the world's second best donuts (after our local donut shop).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fzNuZh-tbdug0xkcd66LBuVglBL7QrRZNtrp0-ldTfy2xubh2zxC91fzCx_520hghW-QQvVJMV-cDTSE62YJzSmD8AcGqDBvRM8dPd08eJj8HofE9k60ZYGE8kjogt9_nyz0LICAeA0ASlsHH3ZaUfPiDVwsYpcREYlf0GbNnpwYEjEEuzmMNA/s4032/PXL_20220725_154042380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fzNuZh-tbdug0xkcd66LBuVglBL7QrRZNtrp0-ldTfy2xubh2zxC91fzCx_520hghW-QQvVJMV-cDTSE62YJzSmD8AcGqDBvRM8dPd08eJj8HofE9k60ZYGE8kjogt9_nyz0LICAeA0ASlsHH3ZaUfPiDVwsYpcREYlf0GbNnpwYEjEEuzmMNA/s320/PXL_20220725_154042380.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEIfyCrqKwywspXwZPrFPT_KWRY56nC791aIuwtYV7vfqOrg9wN-AdORBfhLbqMOxZrTyhH3y--x0ozpYFJE8GJV9AbjlqodenoMViuoI30vQn1LrJAGeh5mvE-B8uMJrAoO3yvw_9Ls8CvW5_uDM75Akc4TeYQTTXeKTgFm1ET0sJ7jk73bj_w/s4032/PXL_20220725_231043629.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEIfyCrqKwywspXwZPrFPT_KWRY56nC791aIuwtYV7vfqOrg9wN-AdORBfhLbqMOxZrTyhH3y--x0ozpYFJE8GJV9AbjlqodenoMViuoI30vQn1LrJAGeh5mvE-B8uMJrAoO3yvw_9Ls8CvW5_uDM75Akc4TeYQTTXeKTgFm1ET0sJ7jk73bj_w/s320/PXL_20220725_231043629.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K2eXrG1qFeUjAOk4YAva9kU_RK8uOSCdjGhXooNmWBLZEeA2FDVHrcc9jqmtlbIAnK7BtMC4IDS1xkcOGSYjSGWd1afGMrxpqX9l15Lv4VnqVE_wKEg9f9I3sZF855C0PFumPfBh9U63wt4jfvZu0GMCiWY5eiNcsLCAB-nRHtoDeVIP0I6UMg/s4032/PXL_20220726_213023858.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9K2eXrG1qFeUjAOk4YAva9kU_RK8uOSCdjGhXooNmWBLZEeA2FDVHrcc9jqmtlbIAnK7BtMC4IDS1xkcOGSYjSGWd1afGMrxpqX9l15Lv4VnqVE_wKEg9f9I3sZF855C0PFumPfBh9U63wt4jfvZu0GMCiWY5eiNcsLCAB-nRHtoDeVIP0I6UMg/s320/PXL_20220726_213023858.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and I took Christopher with us when we went to a local winery. The wine was not good.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANDXj4sB8cuv05004g96GIKwUy3iC9-6AUoulSpmHbAd4hhDHwCGf9mZxiDgFCWMFLjDu7DLUIXzIgA6csWekUe0FAqpM3LkqZVRn04jB_jQzxlmywC2prXr_N_gRmZBpOkjeTtNj7ce_yW16G2P23fJ_2GnqxBcAtKhv8O197UmTjD8FldSjHQ/s4032/PXL_20220726_181433175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgANDXj4sB8cuv05004g96GIKwUy3iC9-6AUoulSpmHbAd4hhDHwCGf9mZxiDgFCWMFLjDu7DLUIXzIgA6csWekUe0FAqpM3LkqZVRn04jB_jQzxlmywC2prXr_N_gRmZBpOkjeTtNj7ce_yW16G2P23fJ_2GnqxBcAtKhv8O197UmTjD8FldSjHQ/s320/PXL_20220726_181433175.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and I had a mother-daughter outing, complete with chocolate cake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqy8mm3kuty-xHlvHPZV7LIt0NlMIldAbFqqUhk9K3qsk9lp-BDrLzih0fQfbXBAp6d7M_RuSNvo5uPV5mDXml9d5l0vm3BqmAl4Cy4BlzXW8d4JAzdmEh8b0_A0ZggTIwnQg2S8WzRkZIrLEj-3RH13RKrjUhOrNNs2sXoeYHmrcgqTdy4AajQ/s4032/PXL_20220727_223117390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgqy8mm3kuty-xHlvHPZV7LIt0NlMIldAbFqqUhk9K3qsk9lp-BDrLzih0fQfbXBAp6d7M_RuSNvo5uPV5mDXml9d5l0vm3BqmAl4Cy4BlzXW8d4JAzdmEh8b0_A0ZggTIwnQg2S8WzRkZIrLEj-3RH13RKrjUhOrNNs2sXoeYHmrcgqTdy4AajQ/s320/PXL_20220727_223117390.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfD8OKj8VraPhBtqiK408e1ieozWwnhKNECefLnG9VbTf1WporzLXkbb5I-kghBCP_SAa58JMO07nHA3N3aR5poByugmZG7v5AnIuNWMpnmh6uitxcFrlDc7VCi2lbGDO2uewF0GrnBM-iahIij2hs_JXzl3yQCnwmvYSJk3XPP-GcSaClG095w/s4032/PXL_20220728_204427511.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlfD8OKj8VraPhBtqiK408e1ieozWwnhKNECefLnG9VbTf1WporzLXkbb5I-kghBCP_SAa58JMO07nHA3N3aR5poByugmZG7v5AnIuNWMpnmh6uitxcFrlDc7VCi2lbGDO2uewF0GrnBM-iahIij2hs_JXzl3yQCnwmvYSJk3XPP-GcSaClG095w/s320/PXL_20220728_204427511.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini golf!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHKKnGLiEJTrvAgX7mKTXIT19YkHwO6VdGpcJilokLQ4scKk0FUcqzEj5T5eYw0MBtW6_pdhudeeKDtHSUN5EY5ZwTqeAlh2FUcAfZJpUIJ4Br5k_4nYqzCNCvdl1aoQEXHE1OpiqWfvW__JHaETNV-evW5VUerq-ohQV6_nWVmMLMyWDWNCQfA/s4032/PXL_20220728_213802145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguHKKnGLiEJTrvAgX7mKTXIT19YkHwO6VdGpcJilokLQ4scKk0FUcqzEj5T5eYw0MBtW6_pdhudeeKDtHSUN5EY5ZwTqeAlh2FUcAfZJpUIJ4Br5k_4nYqzCNCvdl1aoQEXHE1OpiqWfvW__JHaETNV-evW5VUerq-ohQV6_nWVmMLMyWDWNCQfA/s320/PXL_20220728_213802145.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got a hole in one, which they recorded in chalk.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSb2omrJrktK9WvmokNR--dCeXC-ZFsncq3iaaPiKaGp6ovKXHsJ85y7c-kAwgjMCSih2dOgWTkMGaNNdA8HbNuZIU6tc6ZbzGzKR_DAIIAcqGYQsi5Ij8uAzUTUqT5tNyckN7-UtEfgtoTjtlVPldTDINuXaCAHJvw7w-SRu-GjqVHW7M1AsHg/s4032/PXL_20220729_175134363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSb2omrJrktK9WvmokNR--dCeXC-ZFsncq3iaaPiKaGp6ovKXHsJ85y7c-kAwgjMCSih2dOgWTkMGaNNdA8HbNuZIU6tc6ZbzGzKR_DAIIAcqGYQsi5Ij8uAzUTUqT5tNyckN7-UtEfgtoTjtlVPldTDINuXaCAHJvw7w-SRu-GjqVHW7M1AsHg/s320/PXL_20220729_175134363.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream in Duluth on our way home.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpFjoLplfeSUQvNS6xkIFa_vXNq69CBfSN4-H1-ubHB_H8wUEZFtglvo3gdy7FUSRsymYPmSLbphbDUeW1ytW-SiuB3xj1ATtJ9UIyLV9ZisOqQeeWQHxWl7hSlCSxrJbkeghDY9LRZ9O5mlTVul9rI-Z0ukxOrdze-0XyW1m-kiXtyWl18dV6Q/s4032/PXL_20220803_174534547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpFjoLplfeSUQvNS6xkIFa_vXNq69CBfSN4-H1-ubHB_H8wUEZFtglvo3gdy7FUSRsymYPmSLbphbDUeW1ytW-SiuB3xj1ATtJ9UIyLV9ZisOqQeeWQHxWl7hSlCSxrJbkeghDY9LRZ9O5mlTVul9rI-Z0ukxOrdze-0XyW1m-kiXtyWl18dV6Q/s320/PXL_20220803_174534547.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare went to a daycamp, and Christopher and I went out to lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqx9A769pAefpMI-i2drqlkuwarXAHYoyR2fkuhkWPB7z5L643bbDG_Cb1D93KOBs-KVlH7Lkeu42XuFQeaiUJGo5BUxcWeplycbH2gwEDchqB2cn1wyD-YLR8PmgU0cHYrY6JDdC0HLGoB1XoVKOlD_ng5Y1Juafwxk5pmgSpTdhinQA_SJC0w/s4032/PXL_20220813_230516309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqx9A769pAefpMI-i2drqlkuwarXAHYoyR2fkuhkWPB7z5L643bbDG_Cb1D93KOBs-KVlH7Lkeu42XuFQeaiUJGo5BUxcWeplycbH2gwEDchqB2cn1wyD-YLR8PmgU0cHYrY6JDdC0HLGoB1XoVKOlD_ng5Y1Juafwxk5pmgSpTdhinQA_SJC0w/s320/PXL_20220813_230516309.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only shot from our friends camping trip in Bear Head Lake State Park, near Ely. We had a great time - no bugs, mostly good weather.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9wsyGvw6b6OEFiiNxLoBSnAYzUo8exdYd8vlMhE0nIiJF2igTh-aOyqI5rsik_MDuJ-3XXNA3YVgfujYBzwTC9koS3No2jLxRnIAc4RiYvvxl7ei3c42aBMAciPhve5L34I_q9GLK1g7NXyOPku6FKac0bw4W6i5WvhDtA78CMa4m0rOKEeTHg/s1362/IMG-20220817-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1362" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9wsyGvw6b6OEFiiNxLoBSnAYzUo8exdYd8vlMhE0nIiJF2igTh-aOyqI5rsik_MDuJ-3XXNA3YVgfujYBzwTC9koS3No2jLxRnIAc4RiYvvxl7ei3c42aBMAciPhve5L34I_q9GLK1g7NXyOPku6FKac0bw4W6i5WvhDtA78CMa4m0rOKEeTHg/s320/IMG-20220817-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our London family came to visit! We spent a week at my parents' house, and a week at a cabin near Hayward. It was so good to have that time together.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpY_J4wagtb4FZ_J1SVWOzy9zHxHrWtGNZJGzUU81jTI3NeMYNqC2i4TdcdN_TwYSg3X24kGTNhnUl4VNcwIg_i0tFCD-czoO0pjPKosLVy0mWQas2H4swkHND3Q-AOiw-VrHnx2YxBLFsienRoCv48QnAyMkbTXK0-SJFnyYNvYBDjs0vIgGqw/s1024/IMG-20220816-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVpY_J4wagtb4FZ_J1SVWOzy9zHxHrWtGNZJGzUU81jTI3NeMYNqC2i4TdcdN_TwYSg3X24kGTNhnUl4VNcwIg_i0tFCD-czoO0pjPKosLVy0mWQas2H4swkHND3Q-AOiw-VrHnx2YxBLFsienRoCv48QnAyMkbTXK0-SJFnyYNvYBDjs0vIgGqw/s320/IMG-20220816-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilihiAiYfWm6G46yn6s3VOnrGK6o9aRX1DO56E-7zmdGiOYtv9Kr9CJqsUKE3GS8oH_BxssK-aTZIgmMl0k3_NShLjC7RNOXzNT2IFHlQ6wz3vuHqp6osXGyoqxNsig29FDD5KXTmoM-g7N6bsWaDXjQbeDrwM5tNvKoJaNvnkj0xilUM6RbZ-Eg/s2048/IMG-20220816-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilihiAiYfWm6G46yn6s3VOnrGK6o9aRX1DO56E-7zmdGiOYtv9Kr9CJqsUKE3GS8oH_BxssK-aTZIgmMl0k3_NShLjC7RNOXzNT2IFHlQ6wz3vuHqp6osXGyoqxNsig29FDD5KXTmoM-g7N6bsWaDXjQbeDrwM5tNvKoJaNvnkj0xilUM6RbZ-Eg/s320/IMG-20220816-WA0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEM7SQN0U8Eq7RKHn_RYg6_6aQechK_RbGuT-_OvLRPCPbHdDlLRHUKE_vHme3I-0byp18D2VDdkkspj8ICw8tFPoQV1UTvs9oFzy7enKD2BCGMsl05T4nUOlOjLkW-JJnVr_vsLsQBOQSZzJHuIQ6kKFzWFKWqXNtS1LmjkcZlxOo12xJMVueQ/s4032/PXL_20220820_222526721.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEM7SQN0U8Eq7RKHn_RYg6_6aQechK_RbGuT-_OvLRPCPbHdDlLRHUKE_vHme3I-0byp18D2VDdkkspj8ICw8tFPoQV1UTvs9oFzy7enKD2BCGMsl05T4nUOlOjLkW-JJnVr_vsLsQBOQSZzJHuIQ6kKFzWFKWqXNtS1LmjkcZlxOo12xJMVueQ/s320/PXL_20220820_222526721.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vsJQDl_j_jy4xT2StngHdWX4W9eRogenBP3xCeH3xePThaHt2ANZBjg-JJI85X0NNABoCtwKVw4oTU9xgfmfdw8IJ1xVdn0H0kWtRhOKvQqLtd-ma7CsUpblyiyRG6DQUciOD_KZQEeXsf6CNs2cOQ1fKbHmXePxswvEOS7yM3KuEKw0OctYcw/s4032/PXL_20220822_214304563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_vsJQDl_j_jy4xT2StngHdWX4W9eRogenBP3xCeH3xePThaHt2ANZBjg-JJI85X0NNABoCtwKVw4oTU9xgfmfdw8IJ1xVdn0H0kWtRhOKvQqLtd-ma7CsUpblyiyRG6DQUciOD_KZQEeXsf6CNs2cOQ1fKbHmXePxswvEOS7yM3KuEKw0OctYcw/s320/PXL_20220822_214304563.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX2gvX6-kClC2BwIFemK2_0MtPzvl1nimhOp0jhDmK2wDFdLFeUh_aMr8M1KTK3W9hwnYElyK9CmTzCbSnVt07yv8C4U2INq10wdvWCnXYNHD4Muu53qnDvEXyFVGK0xgvy_6uOJYf3xQtiJirAtxyh51zPUnBJJtCppbScX9fWPykTRa0cc7Zw/s1024/IMG-20220823-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsX2gvX6-kClC2BwIFemK2_0MtPzvl1nimhOp0jhDmK2wDFdLFeUh_aMr8M1KTK3W9hwnYElyK9CmTzCbSnVt07yv8C4U2INq10wdvWCnXYNHD4Muu53qnDvEXyFVGK0xgvy_6uOJYf3xQtiJirAtxyh51zPUnBJJtCppbScX9fWPykTRa0cc7Zw/s320/IMG-20220823-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzI9RUsjIQ8HlaKJnTLXOp0LmZE8XwLOITeaCBmGg40dzWfXf_Zxrx6tGj2IcBfUgZkLH38vPus_vJ4oUZrZfVnf3tG9BFjHTAg5VNFdenFXSKRx0OSHoDvjf8sX2YMfo1j_DrLTPjuL6ZkL9BdoNU9OkRVwYlUrzRql7E9yMB6oUT_Osowrrlg/s4032/PXL_20220823_193244079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzI9RUsjIQ8HlaKJnTLXOp0LmZE8XwLOITeaCBmGg40dzWfXf_Zxrx6tGj2IcBfUgZkLH38vPus_vJ4oUZrZfVnf3tG9BFjHTAg5VNFdenFXSKRx0OSHoDvjf8sX2YMfo1j_DrLTPjuL6ZkL9BdoNU9OkRVwYlUrzRql7E9yMB6oUT_Osowrrlg/s320/PXL_20220823_193244079.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3hyc-4mcdrxGPo_M4QGGYUp64z9nhsuW0XF6b5TBHupK2fn-5U4-rFJbs3L-Bm8b6WWhbLUyzHe7QILDv_fWOXMoN-PYhsQQ4ryi0MpNTXR6L74a0hqldwptrrKdMvE4hZDBBlI6dRW61S0c5o9D4T6oQ0ohwwtwR1_pT1W7n30F94ymaX7OqA/s4032/PXL_20220824_193644159.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3hyc-4mcdrxGPo_M4QGGYUp64z9nhsuW0XF6b5TBHupK2fn-5U4-rFJbs3L-Bm8b6WWhbLUyzHe7QILDv_fWOXMoN-PYhsQQ4ryi0MpNTXR6L74a0hqldwptrrKdMvE4hZDBBlI6dRW61S0c5o9D4T6oQ0ohwwtwR1_pT1W7n30F94ymaX7OqA/s320/PXL_20220824_193644159.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMytVggeRgNx7zxtKWestwPvPp0ta0i-7pnopIINZIzhLyne2-CnQAqBXO6WFx2vrVORl4xRqmI8Yo_ENZDjZYQu-k_3tiDEEMbKyPi-6JT3jmt1VpPg58mmNO2rVqxnTlTKHuJOmGUSrKD3Gm2IoGc42ZnYPmRp70mUiH-6bgxSTuzuJotmvzA/s3264/PXL_20220825_185713146.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbMytVggeRgNx7zxtKWestwPvPp0ta0i-7pnopIINZIzhLyne2-CnQAqBXO6WFx2vrVORl4xRqmI8Yo_ENZDjZYQu-k_3tiDEEMbKyPi-6JT3jmt1VpPg58mmNO2rVqxnTlTKHuJOmGUSrKD3Gm2IoGc42ZnYPmRp70mUiH-6bgxSTuzuJotmvzA/s320/PXL_20220825_185713146.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7gW485o7C9Xw5TN1ejaBs0KkEFBj7k-tqRHaLDbEdO6iQ5lIbmdkpGAtSznI-qMooBqZReYv_wiKQSSP_zLaHp2KH-Czi4IAAp-_sTVnPsgPd1IyzTxSPB_opBHaGK_rsHCdeYVGfsKBfbUD1N1afyqowSo6n7GVQZaBUl_LtaJtO7KYlnDDNA/s4032/PXL_20220831_141055931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7gW485o7C9Xw5TN1ejaBs0KkEFBj7k-tqRHaLDbEdO6iQ5lIbmdkpGAtSznI-qMooBqZReYv_wiKQSSP_zLaHp2KH-Czi4IAAp-_sTVnPsgPd1IyzTxSPB_opBHaGK_rsHCdeYVGfsKBfbUD1N1afyqowSo6n7GVQZaBUl_LtaJtO7KYlnDDNA/s320/PXL_20220831_141055931.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">State Fair! It was fun to be back after a two year break, but it was hot. The kids had a great time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZVw-s8rtvj5OMm5FzPxQTDSKQ_mMTW2UL523n8HWipf4Brev4V_oDa_a2PDXopj7eZfeEaOszqp7P5NBjLE6TQNoyw8sZP9Yj9cEDYQ8tftJDlKi80qK7Ws90--c9-5G5xZxglRrAihAOXJzjoxxmvWasnvrkcG-RDL7sMZQOGNGoQ0NEcqvaw/s4032/PXL_20220831_151910366.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBZVw-s8rtvj5OMm5FzPxQTDSKQ_mMTW2UL523n8HWipf4Brev4V_oDa_a2PDXopj7eZfeEaOszqp7P5NBjLE6TQNoyw8sZP9Yj9cEDYQ8tftJDlKi80qK7Ws90--c9-5G5xZxglRrAihAOXJzjoxxmvWasnvrkcG-RDL7sMZQOGNGoQ0NEcqvaw/s320/PXL_20220831_151910366.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They even entered a butter carving contest and won state fair ribbons!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fq3kztbbhL3dBIpjWU1J4JOJSu24PpS7W2x5N-RzDGVpLsRm7rLqgdh5FvTxuNPUEWJ1Fl038TjEtr9rdaqmT2j7Vt8SfaAn3Uv3Lmn-O7E8yuwf_4kBG92PiZU9MzGpDD90HiB2-7bByrWzSNaY-qJW-5YEo8hzu_H4l7V02MTTNBkbbYywEQ/s4032/PXL_20220831_151928032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3fq3kztbbhL3dBIpjWU1J4JOJSu24PpS7W2x5N-RzDGVpLsRm7rLqgdh5FvTxuNPUEWJ1Fl038TjEtr9rdaqmT2j7Vt8SfaAn3Uv3Lmn-O7E8yuwf_4kBG92PiZU9MzGpDD90HiB2-7bByrWzSNaY-qJW-5YEo8hzu_H4l7V02MTTNBkbbYywEQ/s320/PXL_20220831_151928032.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAE74SdGQ9GM-swGDuK5-uvRBS8-baRNc5LfLroYkthCaBGyXg5ZjKm3iPzCRkr65HEc-dT0jYEn2ZxAzQLBFGu8MkkzrWcEZl13rQF2FVB7cDrOZMGNBvvXzkZlwBMByxKU__ukMvRk8E_nVYv6ylrvk0xiik0E6Br0kBZUej3H62CfV2S660A/s4032/PXL_20220831_152520767.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAE74SdGQ9GM-swGDuK5-uvRBS8-baRNc5LfLroYkthCaBGyXg5ZjKm3iPzCRkr65HEc-dT0jYEn2ZxAzQLBFGu8MkkzrWcEZl13rQF2FVB7cDrOZMGNBvvXzkZlwBMByxKU__ukMvRk8E_nVYv6ylrvk0xiik0E6Br0kBZUej3H62CfV2S660A/s320/PXL_20220831_152520767.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2nRVTwFc4952Dre1vpFCp6CReY7LUrKWn3ARLWbLsi93G0zGt7YbV36EHgzGDmv-mkHaTFdJsb-UkgVHACcL52KBT-JtkN5FG8g7cgWXL6FRgU68s4-Mmjmtx9EFNfcIUL5aW12UUce4J1JxjPc5dlunp3xwFqoA0Z6bTxQEA4uSIn89AlQ12Q/s4032/PXL_20220831_164125125.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2nRVTwFc4952Dre1vpFCp6CReY7LUrKWn3ARLWbLsi93G0zGt7YbV36EHgzGDmv-mkHaTFdJsb-UkgVHACcL52KBT-JtkN5FG8g7cgWXL6FRgU68s4-Mmjmtx9EFNfcIUL5aW12UUce4J1JxjPc5dlunp3xwFqoA0Z6bTxQEA4uSIn89AlQ12Q/s320/PXL_20220831_164125125.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGXN3A16HBKQzM7pnyoyJIFpNLaISvy5LuTUuGSz6BJS8uruf0UPEfc_SqAkdvNpbuIwGQLIfwd0cDWcAqkGoqCovzyRAfb4UlFJk8byKZ5Pw6aChd3HaJW4KfKo6Oxb5AO6OK23XT10xecIPSgegTxvbW232wK1b0cYewUEqPKMNXl1DSqwAJA/s4032/PXL_20220831_173707201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGXN3A16HBKQzM7pnyoyJIFpNLaISvy5LuTUuGSz6BJS8uruf0UPEfc_SqAkdvNpbuIwGQLIfwd0cDWcAqkGoqCovzyRAfb4UlFJk8byKZ5Pw6aChd3HaJW4KfKo6Oxb5AO6OK23XT10xecIPSgegTxvbW232wK1b0cYewUEqPKMNXl1DSqwAJA/s320/PXL_20220831_173707201.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb8y2BRghr4H0RAS48QhPgETUpfl5zcFMZFlyyFK2pmEzf2xX4YB8cHlUNTouzG5VoxXU1fW8ztMGl9CUqMBgNJtuo44AcjQqnXm1U5aCQPCkL1ptTQ1LzIax1BAMfI_YGQJYywl_dGdzytZDOPUPaq--msRMEVdkTXAvN6_bKUQl9KJpMIlrHA/s4032/PXL_20220831_175831831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb8y2BRghr4H0RAS48QhPgETUpfl5zcFMZFlyyFK2pmEzf2xX4YB8cHlUNTouzG5VoxXU1fW8ztMGl9CUqMBgNJtuo44AcjQqnXm1U5aCQPCkL1ptTQ1LzIax1BAMfI_YGQJYywl_dGdzytZDOPUPaq--msRMEVdkTXAvN6_bKUQl9KJpMIlrHA/s320/PXL_20220831_175831831.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo2Y0hK0GQZM4-ZaaoVusH8bfNrpTJ3Kqe-tscfzF35IeJCIhJFGEng0hDMdAQ7Pl_dfq6R93Z4fLRwj4-wjgCVvDwPh8R9uaDFnYZUUKPYfoFNcOXwZTe-ZdodQimnQOcTIGmMyblvR_fux-ZG5R3qSBkkHrsNZwneZVtDTl_mvcT14zrCG_Eg/s4032/PXL_20220831_180500080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpo2Y0hK0GQZM4-ZaaoVusH8bfNrpTJ3Kqe-tscfzF35IeJCIhJFGEng0hDMdAQ7Pl_dfq6R93Z4fLRwj4-wjgCVvDwPh8R9uaDFnYZUUKPYfoFNcOXwZTe-ZdodQimnQOcTIGmMyblvR_fux-ZG5R3qSBkkHrsNZwneZVtDTl_mvcT14zrCG_Eg/s320/PXL_20220831_180500080.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDMH7w8MNoA-D_sjKsXAfdKKD665O8EN-fxRgHqJohG_P1uqspULuHzU3mbbv-yw6bLST5ftZrq2F0DiBplhNF2QawvBhNdaRKGI6sf7Ez6OBCTlMUebBlsck-ptfeGehtXDSdgvD1JGxUFCyCxrzZZKxrlOUxd9F87ImuEbZXUgqIcwLUnAK5Q/s4032/PXL_20220831_181119956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDMH7w8MNoA-D_sjKsXAfdKKD665O8EN-fxRgHqJohG_P1uqspULuHzU3mbbv-yw6bLST5ftZrq2F0DiBplhNF2QawvBhNdaRKGI6sf7Ez6OBCTlMUebBlsck-ptfeGehtXDSdgvD1JGxUFCyCxrzZZKxrlOUxd9F87ImuEbZXUgqIcwLUnAK5Q/s320/PXL_20220831_181119956.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They became obsessed with the "spinny wheels" where they could win prizes. Christopher got this great bandana from the MPR booth.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUjkEtynLd2Qd25hKGNFReCuzi9ge5ABtbqIswDI0PUUjDMANkoo5omg1tmFj4oyzLDz8Qa-93D3UAO1r46Dn_arM4WwrNyuVDMazoizTsgp2fYDQSGeWDRtN3HyC3l8OBodF9-cxs3KDqZPskfRmOWHNSsdiLYPSzmHMAT7H_jBfudTlGJEzZA/s4032/PXL_20220831_200639045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdUjkEtynLd2Qd25hKGNFReCuzi9ge5ABtbqIswDI0PUUjDMANkoo5omg1tmFj4oyzLDz8Qa-93D3UAO1r46Dn_arM4WwrNyuVDMazoizTsgp2fYDQSGeWDRtN3HyC3l8OBodF9-cxs3KDqZPskfRmOWHNSsdiLYPSzmHMAT7H_jBfudTlGJEzZA/s320/PXL_20220831_200639045.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Farmhands. Clare will do this until she is stopped.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLRr7csqebcqswOJJqNdEgKrt89rDAh8AI55P_C6k6wGs1eQaeX92B1Je9fIbOQr-_m9gZ9k5ICUgIROJqPc0N4bOeOmCiCQxtXSEUPZW7GPwx5pdU7WZnpS-GxbTcmLGow9ZeIIy3xuUXMXwstqrCXBd_jiPCVvhaf46YnRhQ69WoaWr10nh0Q/s4032/PXL_20220831_202753389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLRr7csqebcqswOJJqNdEgKrt89rDAh8AI55P_C6k6wGs1eQaeX92B1Je9fIbOQr-_m9gZ9k5ICUgIROJqPc0N4bOeOmCiCQxtXSEUPZW7GPwx5pdU7WZnpS-GxbTcmLGow9ZeIIy3xuUXMXwstqrCXBd_jiPCVvhaf46YnRhQ69WoaWr10nh0Q/s320/PXL_20220831_202753389.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgb0yr4LPrsN5IgFrrL7Dq4Mj6w8v_JJ0s5XHOpJz3VX2bAtdLATrWU-4wKi27d1iktGOmWAuDEnndBYvw2uQUXwIpJrfk0OKsQY0-Lulu7zWUNt4PQz-sWRSEwe4sKijcCYwzR1Gn2_Y5mXaWoHkHa0CBiBIYuQIgOwl3hu1e8bQLQ-OWZF4eQ/s4032/PXL_20220831_202858918.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgb0yr4LPrsN5IgFrrL7Dq4Mj6w8v_JJ0s5XHOpJz3VX2bAtdLATrWU-4wKi27d1iktGOmWAuDEnndBYvw2uQUXwIpJrfk0OKsQY0-Lulu7zWUNt4PQz-sWRSEwe4sKijcCYwzR1Gn2_Y5mXaWoHkHa0CBiBIYuQIgOwl3hu1e8bQLQ-OWZF4eQ/s320/PXL_20220831_202858918.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsyY-0qwirUl7XrchvhVeZOASJJoB68Y_kxwpAGOekWs7PPfbGYhikv-v-oZThA4C5CJERjQ6vaAm8Ni9E9t-PKY1Q8tHiq4me0bIMCQWY1bFN8mGkJQAzO99Y9lB_K3OZQfkavJS0fTvbVAOcCuvYIJ9qZfKJZUydhtUbBLXtLGDw4EIfolauw/s4032/PXL_20220903_184449222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsyY-0qwirUl7XrchvhVeZOASJJoB68Y_kxwpAGOekWs7PPfbGYhikv-v-oZThA4C5CJERjQ6vaAm8Ni9E9t-PKY1Q8tHiq4me0bIMCQWY1bFN8mGkJQAzO99Y9lB_K3OZQfkavJS0fTvbVAOcCuvYIJ9qZfKJZUydhtUbBLXtLGDw4EIfolauw/s320/PXL_20220903_184449222.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and I had a lunch date at Cafe Latte and toured the James J. Hill house over Labor Day weekend. It was fun to have that time together before she started middle school.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6BZrROl4P9XuwAHhgiXjJPK0-JDySdIquqhGwePaw9AZLGYTIb0NSB5oiVCqfgWO1kcYWNm6af67azxd4gFXc4-DCoq7EekVy_d8cuvOS4kYAoyXE0rj9dHAq9_cS0L-bXWEtXxUZPXtAP9o_osQ4Bt3Nxy5EiwVVAkpa9t81OZ10I-mHnToKg/s4080/PXL_20220905_005026637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4080" data-original-width="3072" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6BZrROl4P9XuwAHhgiXjJPK0-JDySdIquqhGwePaw9AZLGYTIb0NSB5oiVCqfgWO1kcYWNm6af67azxd4gFXc4-DCoq7EekVy_d8cuvOS4kYAoyXE0rj9dHAq9_cS0L-bXWEtXxUZPXtAP9o_osQ4Bt3Nxy5EiwVVAkpa9t81OZ10I-mHnToKg/s320/PXL_20220905_005026637.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had friends over for an end of summer party. Clare dyed her hair blue.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uuzLzyCyt9IDYu3UYHXFUer1bQ88iwKFSYkjIACVbf05KTWb9UdpAE_2hQ9tua15CC23T9ibmQmcGUOWQ5Pp5_Nn9lpdgqqQIScm7RgEKuguSJ_a45G0q2FMBX1dSGy6qu0eqMQrjRMf9Jbb_zZ0i4-k5B8rPgOmX0teAZrIo0H7Tj2f0wnJEw/s2592/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uuzLzyCyt9IDYu3UYHXFUer1bQ88iwKFSYkjIACVbf05KTWb9UdpAE_2hQ9tua15CC23T9ibmQmcGUOWQ5Pp5_Nn9lpdgqqQIScm7RgEKuguSJ_a45G0q2FMBX1dSGy6qu0eqMQrjRMf9Jbb_zZ0i4-k5B8rPgOmX0teAZrIo0H7Tj2f0wnJEw/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These kids have known each other most of their lives. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-74932407563912484132022-06-08T14:46:00.001-05:002022-06-08T14:46:59.587-05:00Eleven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbisRFactf2rBPYLrIWInKf92y9MYEZouSPZmHWhhqFcpkXFF-F6pcL6o0De-ujgWV7xafbP3KjhFf7UczavzOeMyJje0nigfGh2IEvzcYtCtKokBT6Va1TREHp5ZXc3IzheD9ckdKHRf4tvZGpQMISQxDExymDsfOgwk8SuaotDvcpJijDMbJRw/s4032/PXL_20220608_194136972.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbisRFactf2rBPYLrIWInKf92y9MYEZouSPZmHWhhqFcpkXFF-F6pcL6o0De-ujgWV7xafbP3KjhFf7UczavzOeMyJje0nigfGh2IEvzcYtCtKokBT6Va1TREHp5ZXc3IzheD9ckdKHRf4tvZGpQMISQxDExymDsfOgwk8SuaotDvcpJijDMbJRw/s320/PXL_20220608_194136972.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>At eleven, Clare has one foot in the kid world and one foot in the tween world. When her friends talk about crushes, she rolls her eyes. She wants to wear mascara, but doesn't brush her hair. She watches TV shows that star teenagers (Lizzie Maguire), but still likes Octonauts. For her birthday, she wants a cell phone, but wants Legoes nearly as much. She wants to be in on the adult conversations at gatherings, but she'll still play dolls with her cousins or on her own. She also doesn't want elementary school to end, which it will at the end of this week. </p><p>So it is a bittersweet time for my Clare, who is as much herself as she always has been. For example, she recently gave a very detailed presentation about why our family should adopt a cat. She did a PowerPoint. My favorite slide included a direct quote from me. Here is what it says in her notes from the presentation:</p><p>"Two years ago during distance learning, Mom said, 'When the Humane Society opens we can get a cat.' The Humane Society has been open for about a year and a half. We have conducted presentations before, but we still have not gotten a cat."</p><p>Well. I do remember saying lots of things during distance learning that I maybe shouldn't have. So we'll probably have to get a cat. Moving on.</p><p>Clare is currently very busy with soccer, which she now plays year round. She likes it, but also likes to complain about it. She plays the piano very well. She is a Girl Scout. And she still loves to read. She reads a few books a week most weeks. She is a good student and works hard at school. She enjoys board games, swimming, Roblox, and hanging out with friends. She is looking forward to attending a sleep-away girl scout camp this summer. (She is still braver than I have ever been.) </p><p>I know I've written this before, but it remains true. Clare wants to be a lawyer when she grows up and she is oh so good at arguing. She will remember everything you've said word for word and won't let you forget it. And she certainly knows how to push my buttons, although we've been in a good place lately.</p><p>She is supremely confident. At Halloween, we were across the street from our house when we saw a group of teenagers emptying our candy bowl despite our friendly "take one" sign. Well, Clare sprinted across the street to confront them, and they all sheepishly put some of the candy back. I hope she hangs on to her amazing sense of self in the years to come. Her brain works very much like her father's. Logic rules the day. They are both part Vulcan, I think. She doesn't like to hug most people, but luckily for me she still likes to snuggle with me. I'll take every hug I can get.</p><p>Middle School will start in the fall, without Clare's BFF Natalie. They are going to different schools, but hopefully can stay in touch. Luckily, her good friends Luisa, Kaia and Benjamin are all going with her to middle school. (Along with about 30 other kids she knows. It is a popular school among her current classmates.)</p><p>Clare's other BFF Amelia is still on her soccer team, and she came with us last weekend to celebrate Clare's birthday with rides at the Mall of America. (The girls loved it. Christopher had mixed feelings. I hate that place.) (Clare very sweetly included Christopher in all of the plans, even though the two of them don't always get along. On the Log Chute ride, I saw Clare hugging Christopher when they came down because he was scared. I like to think that despite their seemingly constant bickering, they'll always have each other's backs.) Amelia slept over. We had Clare's family party on Sunday with pizza and ice cream pie. This afternoon she will open presents and then it's off to a soccer game. And yes, she is getting both legoes and a cell phone (with so many parental controls on it all she can do is basically text and call, but still.).</p><p>Happy 11th birthday to Clare, my favorite girl in the world!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CB6Kfw3Vxr04P3MZBmUlsKyUVmspRsIIyZhi0fGCpzLhOCrec713AWgET5LVSgCGzA2Ugj6cYyoznMWOj6sU9QJXx_iYXuGmXzY-NGptQtPhuFYo8WFy5O6K5BCb_mP0dhz72_5iNQyvMgWnRmPDZvvglo-ORYRriLc65hi-9-ax4aE7-84fqw/s4032/PXL_20220604_192806273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CB6Kfw3Vxr04P3MZBmUlsKyUVmspRsIIyZhi0fGCpzLhOCrec713AWgET5LVSgCGzA2Ugj6cYyoznMWOj6sU9QJXx_iYXuGmXzY-NGptQtPhuFYo8WFy5O6K5BCb_mP0dhz72_5iNQyvMgWnRmPDZvvglo-ORYRriLc65hi-9-ax4aE7-84fqw/s320/PXL_20220604_192806273.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QzMZ5j9LMrH7XbRpwgklxtqUpBRhZPJENbAk9w4p8Pao8fvx2J9LtEuN8sL-EqhI4IStA-QDZ_XKMs4nLVZ1_5EIQVRO12MobHWavHUEDT55fjVMzd076xVRy2Rv3WG2xCEolGXX7FEfMLUD-iEOn2dYInIcbrVjvzH6B4VwrTfV1z_H8Cd-rg/s4032/PXL_20220605_221100859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QzMZ5j9LMrH7XbRpwgklxtqUpBRhZPJENbAk9w4p8Pao8fvx2J9LtEuN8sL-EqhI4IStA-QDZ_XKMs4nLVZ1_5EIQVRO12MobHWavHUEDT55fjVMzd076xVRy2Rv3WG2xCEolGXX7FEfMLUD-iEOn2dYInIcbrVjvzH6B4VwrTfV1z_H8Cd-rg/s320/PXL_20220605_221100859.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61e-wZrlYAqEs2aQ8rUEjwpk65DYlegn7OLYfWuKBf1JMlf6TuihL6oWIkkPUCfxTl8OVsYf4FlKdhZF7StxlZ7KzKtB3a7tgjt-k6QIlSQJO7SFNe7-lTZqILqwDfcTK2Kn0C6K4sN2RErbHgqI3TBEpRvxObZ_Yj4-6YLlVyZTv_wFmXfcpVA/s4032/PXL_20220605_232458935.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi61e-wZrlYAqEs2aQ8rUEjwpk65DYlegn7OLYfWuKBf1JMlf6TuihL6oWIkkPUCfxTl8OVsYf4FlKdhZF7StxlZ7KzKtB3a7tgjt-k6QIlSQJO7SFNe7-lTZqILqwDfcTK2Kn0C6K4sN2RErbHgqI3TBEpRvxObZ_Yj4-6YLlVyZTv_wFmXfcpVA/s320/PXL_20220605_232458935.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTfSL_iku0KXq69n74TolXOqhkYUIOZpLnzZM5IlNfzVkPoYIeemKC53I3pGhtFCZLsKjKURuEhfFTnBqIwx6TWUIV0paxWapt8hhaOf3-oZFhe4_-6I-M_3-ZpGNMqtzN7KNHnbB2PsdoGzBN0bkZnbGNZpaXQ92RqaibXOSDq83DUkhiAKAXA/s4032/PXL_20220605_232619290.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTfSL_iku0KXq69n74TolXOqhkYUIOZpLnzZM5IlNfzVkPoYIeemKC53I3pGhtFCZLsKjKURuEhfFTnBqIwx6TWUIV0paxWapt8hhaOf3-oZFhe4_-6I-M_3-ZpGNMqtzN7KNHnbB2PsdoGzBN0bkZnbGNZpaXQ92RqaibXOSDq83DUkhiAKAXA/s320/PXL_20220605_232619290.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-68785375016982144842022-01-28T10:02:00.000-06:002022-01-28T10:02:51.405-06:00January<p>I meant to write a year-end wrap up post awhile ago. I didn't, obviously. And now I am at the point in January where I don't feel like doing anything and I am sick of being cold. I will say that the change in light has started to be noticeable, and that helps my mood somewhat. What else?</p><p>I have read a few excellent books. That is also a mood lifter.</p><p>Right now, Josie and Christopher are making lemon squares in the kitchen. The smell of lemon and their chatter is making me happy.</p><p>Clare has been practicing for her winter piano recital. I enjoy the sound of her playing.</p><p>The kids are in school. (Knock on wood.)</p><p>Christopher made a stop-motion movie with some friends. He had this to say about it:</p><p>"Mom, parental warning: there is violence. Most of these animals are going to die."</p><p>We are healthy. (Knock on wood.)</p><p>Clare and I went to a gymnastics meet. It was so nice to get out of the house and have some one-on-one time.</p><p>We had a birthday party for my mom last week. Clare got really into planning games and activities (including my favorite, pin the glasses on Meema Jo).</p><p>And even though it feels like a million years ago now, we had a nice Christmas. My dear friends and I all took tests and were able to have our annual Office Party (minus Heather). It was wonderful. We got to go to Ben's family party this year. I worried, but now that I know we didn't get sick I am glad we went. The week before Christmas, I really wasn't feeling it. But when the day actually came, I enjoyed it. Christmas Eve we had Ben's parents here for lunch, and Christmas Eve was spent at Katie's. That is always a highlight. Christmas day we hosted dinner for Ben's family. We missed Sally and Mike, who were sick, but were happy that Ben's parents and brother and sister-in-law were able to join us. New Year's was spent in Wisconsin. Despite some car problems, we had a great weekend at the Cuckoo House.</p><p>So I guess that summary of the holidays is my 2021 wrap-up. January is almost over, and I know February will be long. I'll just have to come up with some more things to be happy about that month. I know it won't be the Packers winning the Super Bowl. But maybe the Olympics will be fun to watch?</p><p>Anyway, without further rambling, here are some pictures from December. They are out of order, and once again I am too lazy to fix it. So we'll start with New Year's Day and work our way back.</p><p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3xP4oCXxYfB35dEUQLy150nAzWM_cVagdrrJpTtYt5B45e8fRH1mL-MNNkqjnOKSXUelwQRHn8KwbJqm-Sy0Ayw-PdQTZAxAtbyqcLU_hOoWwYDNWwpeLVUdi4g9UY-DW1liVmc7-oPSiIUlhdObXCjWkWTA67MZAJ1o1cBIactJKxnz_tlMZ_w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3xP4oCXxYfB35dEUQLy150nAzWM_cVagdrrJpTtYt5B45e8fRH1mL-MNNkqjnOKSXUelwQRHn8KwbJqm-Sy0Ayw-PdQTZAxAtbyqcLU_hOoWwYDNWwpeLVUdi4g9UY-DW1liVmc7-oPSiIUlhdObXCjWkWTA67MZAJ1o1cBIactJKxnz_tlMZ_w=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Day Poker match. Christopher is super into poker and received chips for Christmas. He's not bad, either. (Note: yes, I started dry January a day late so I could drink a martini.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEQEGcqMVPN1JcCe-pNkAn9VmcBlB28TeZ_q6oZP5Ahn8YokQmkO_RZ4yYN7eHqXSeoJaD16TkdMlzZKQNHEvx91o7Q2omsgraLSi_eacroiAuxYnsRNOZGQiN1PvGqZi8gAbqq18H0KI6JrAZDr2WD7d74yxYH6uVdxUVd9b7Natd5Uv8J7NzMA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEQEGcqMVPN1JcCe-pNkAn9VmcBlB28TeZ_q6oZP5Ahn8YokQmkO_RZ4yYN7eHqXSeoJaD16TkdMlzZKQNHEvx91o7Q2omsgraLSi_eacroiAuxYnsRNOZGQiN1PvGqZi8gAbqq18H0KI6JrAZDr2WD7d74yxYH6uVdxUVd9b7Natd5Uv8J7NzMA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy football watching at the Cuckoo House.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijmQm2n6l0addQUZgJ5WrfnxjB2lMhe_YUpOdVN9CwlsMVV8AMKN7J6qPI0AqP8HzapjHZftM7siNgNSwTiEJ1CWtAvSp3cbjMwXrf0FMuxaMSR4pklxLiKNkgHcmhH-buxS2hieRYhx8G5eDjBCLjmUu2zkmDcIMmRYnTYYN5sOnNoOMBrbnj1w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEijmQm2n6l0addQUZgJ5WrfnxjB2lMhe_YUpOdVN9CwlsMVV8AMKN7J6qPI0AqP8HzapjHZftM7siNgNSwTiEJ1CWtAvSp3cbjMwXrf0FMuxaMSR4pklxLiKNkgHcmhH-buxS2hieRYhx8G5eDjBCLjmUu2zkmDcIMmRYnTYYN5sOnNoOMBrbnj1w=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading with Pikachu, another favorite Christmas gift.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC3nHKXJpPkbXXMLo1w3GJCf3bZCPCr8LSj__1pfkuZY2yCmExS4Hv0KjhONIzlkMZiXZuZlKdaOCxEXE1nXCl5iwScSrRROEgi9GW2XzPE5h4UPBhhmySpwt29_6LhCVsRQ0Ayd9l5ZGAs0r2V6qOH6HToGO0RD1dOk8xkLXHt-4Y_LPqH1_l7g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiC3nHKXJpPkbXXMLo1w3GJCf3bZCPCr8LSj__1pfkuZY2yCmExS4Hv0KjhONIzlkMZiXZuZlKdaOCxEXE1nXCl5iwScSrRROEgi9GW2XzPE5h4UPBhhmySpwt29_6LhCVsRQ0Ayd9l5ZGAs0r2V6qOH6HToGO0RD1dOk8xkLXHt-4Y_LPqH1_l7g=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to this neat light display in Janesville. Christopher hated it and complained the whole time, but the rest of us enjoyed it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8UmrtKetulnkwfUCFYfYDA-7dl-chlW7l3ykzxjBmd4QqRagqUlTjwaf2C9bNC2xYllLC1Z2oYVM_cjRXjizLNWO2fsxyV71GGE2LSmQQRqiLoDOyamcOy9R5KN5HTpIZTCA45ewPGNF-jvq9n6z2TxL0UPMv6Bzy4QtzyN1NF3rwHjeCMn95Jg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj8UmrtKetulnkwfUCFYfYDA-7dl-chlW7l3ykzxjBmd4QqRagqUlTjwaf2C9bNC2xYllLC1Z2oYVM_cjRXjizLNWO2fsxyV71GGE2LSmQQRqiLoDOyamcOy9R5KN5HTpIZTCA45ewPGNF-jvq9n6z2TxL0UPMv6Bzy4QtzyN1NF3rwHjeCMn95Jg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVWMTa6VsxtV87KATfBR1OBlfyGOOQ-XJZvlYJRbIYQ7jt9NtxheMrZCZdQv5pjjTt6exf7BSX5fI5WHB-N11cXcovweJ2HfFUBBBuqqMHS7MoYSuW5_M6dT1RRJLztIx-B4BRkT0kOBOnPYLzcNJmSYGz8tK_QWNUW-3w2Mt4WjXSlbx8EleNfQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgVWMTa6VsxtV87KATfBR1OBlfyGOOQ-XJZvlYJRbIYQ7jt9NtxheMrZCZdQv5pjjTt6exf7BSX5fI5WHB-N11cXcovweJ2HfFUBBBuqqMHS7MoYSuW5_M6dT1RRJLztIx-B4BRkT0kOBOnPYLzcNJmSYGz8tK_QWNUW-3w2Mt4WjXSlbx8EleNfQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presents the day after Christmas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4ifU3E7TKc-JqbLTMHZ13IbQQvlqndIjttUK8Sv2l67XdyOwa13SaDXiNaJoscG672iMhBE8ot5PQr3w97bLcx4UX8l_EkMFV4UXeTY2q3hIJfniF4saqogs_3PnJ3QCBwcA36xypSf2Nkl6ZFwXtCLjxNKsVnRm55stjejBL2H2WIC3EheYbFg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4ifU3E7TKc-JqbLTMHZ13IbQQvlqndIjttUK8Sv2l67XdyOwa13SaDXiNaJoscG672iMhBE8ot5PQr3w97bLcx4UX8l_EkMFV4UXeTY2q3hIJfniF4saqogs_3PnJ3QCBwcA36xypSf2Nkl6ZFwXtCLjxNKsVnRm55stjejBL2H2WIC3EheYbFg=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas dinner!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8ft1KvF_JTx26uQq6OGdUzXhPEdFfxPJ50q_j_ilNcYC1uP8CblUqHXKZ8wKID7ZATW-AL1QIj8ARQuDcT_86cMVLYvRaklMfAzXnw6bpJGojpeDSbM7remshWhQUAk8Dd_CMjV9_XKt7n4yMK6KVrq1irhY1prMA3c-eCoXNFbcWBfxNKrcu7A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8ft1KvF_JTx26uQq6OGdUzXhPEdFfxPJ50q_j_ilNcYC1uP8CblUqHXKZ8wKID7ZATW-AL1QIj8ARQuDcT_86cMVLYvRaklMfAzXnw6bpJGojpeDSbM7remshWhQUAk8Dd_CMjV9_XKt7n4yMK6KVrq1irhY1prMA3c-eCoXNFbcWBfxNKrcu7A=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas breakfast!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifO6lgKzlOcBvlCJWb5pRKQYfm9jvrt_iYMGUuJ-XLQ0xVO0ciDNa4hV1L-QHD5iSpv15jReqVdg113ungv62VTsytYR912aFSlYTgoB_TAlHByqSELRu11R2Pz6nHefLkdV3KesbyE__gssxBSLLWN97JE9axlIrpR2N4fFSLsthvqAbFlnf01w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEifO6lgKzlOcBvlCJWb5pRKQYfm9jvrt_iYMGUuJ-XLQ0xVO0ciDNa4hV1L-QHD5iSpv15jReqVdg113ungv62VTsytYR912aFSlYTgoB_TAlHByqSELRu11R2Pz6nHefLkdV3KesbyE__gssxBSLLWN97JE9axlIrpR2N4fFSLsthvqAbFlnf01w=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very excited about his waffle maker. We've had some delicious waffles since.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHpi7i-LkH2eU2ru3u2PfHYvR9owXL1frEWZybtPI-bg72JvYuZtJkKC6K7-momGYO-O-SbV2GgmlNnzj7D2cOSmLuRdGkw7r9ptIdPbDR3ZOy9zegcc6ePcL1T8WlqWyKbsDvc3t8EYJHU9uKllNDjJ7UfKCKpmFjlo_vtkLQcSdjiRwoUDxt5w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHpi7i-LkH2eU2ru3u2PfHYvR9owXL1frEWZybtPI-bg72JvYuZtJkKC6K7-momGYO-O-SbV2GgmlNnzj7D2cOSmLuRdGkw7r9ptIdPbDR3ZOy9zegcc6ePcL1T8WlqWyKbsDvc3t8EYJHU9uKllNDjJ7UfKCKpmFjlo_vtkLQcSdjiRwoUDxt5w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQjrw7nerWwr5bBa4u4IyBneRobVGy78_i3jTk1BnDvT0xV18-5V7yrolejgGpRimGHy1Q2g9RxgSmBzlMICkyZz328lY6Fpuv6JfEiBpFcD_SO-JtoULqsb_eD1nZf4NOobHTKel2i_goB3xATx6byBM5_siRntQsI3IQzxTpMrRXcnCsFcm7OA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQjrw7nerWwr5bBa4u4IyBneRobVGy78_i3jTk1BnDvT0xV18-5V7yrolejgGpRimGHy1Q2g9RxgSmBzlMICkyZz328lY6Fpuv6JfEiBpFcD_SO-JtoULqsb_eD1nZf4NOobHTKel2i_goB3xATx6byBM5_siRntQsI3IQzxTpMrRXcnCsFcm7OA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigxWkYnx4IXtiNjxeO5AC748r_SeptZMqk6jRlKXUAeuH9G6tYtkztSXQ6WznCOG_pIdOOcB1ZtbFt4swUGxO2D55JEUuViGLxv3-YN4juypfI2R3_8XW-eBnQhU4NFvzuqs8y1AG0S5Vws3WyzqiwOXILLDesv8-7ieT80EZRAJDBiQsQopDA5g=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEigxWkYnx4IXtiNjxeO5AC748r_SeptZMqk6jRlKXUAeuH9G6tYtkztSXQ6WznCOG_pIdOOcB1ZtbFt4swUGxO2D55JEUuViGLxv3-YN4juypfI2R3_8XW-eBnQhU4NFvzuqs8y1AG0S5Vws3WyzqiwOXILLDesv8-7ieT80EZRAJDBiQsQopDA5g=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting to be allowed downstairs on Christmas morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_0gQuWlqSTn8y3QyMJz2bM9fM_aX2_zl85L4XyoZoln3voPoXvYy2LXZJN-dsBab6PmLYwOkTmsldj1jalRL_w1IqTaRYT7h_3wdhSmwIdAgWdnA4lZpyQpyc--kfh1ULpOCwXBk4r2koCKstwuvE8y_K954KjreoK0CZ8IV0bbmTT4_fWWfXPQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_0gQuWlqSTn8y3QyMJz2bM9fM_aX2_zl85L4XyoZoln3voPoXvYy2LXZJN-dsBab6PmLYwOkTmsldj1jalRL_w1IqTaRYT7h_3wdhSmwIdAgWdnA4lZpyQpyc--kfh1ULpOCwXBk4r2koCKstwuvE8y_K954KjreoK0CZ8IV0bbmTT4_fWWfXPQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting out treats for Santa, even though neither of them believe anymore. Which is sad in a way, but also easier.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuHi8MC828mr19UjfdI13jsndL_TWozifcWdZrD0I82tmpPoPXLfWbaPGg4-AXFsuDssCB79jzjdd4pKpi0Z9yQnuIxGAgolt9C0VbURvNVAkys2mU8lsWQExvO2tJDpxdTGcYht47Ivn4pshd2myFgmM_dlAeYrEp4LGsbI8Wrw1IktzzEL72uA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjuHi8MC828mr19UjfdI13jsndL_TWozifcWdZrD0I82tmpPoPXLfWbaPGg4-AXFsuDssCB79jzjdd4pKpi0Z9yQnuIxGAgolt9C0VbURvNVAkys2mU8lsWQExvO2tJDpxdTGcYht47Ivn4pshd2myFgmM_dlAeYrEp4LGsbI8Wrw1IktzzEL72uA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating a gingerbread house, before it all went to crap. We are done with those, I think.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNPRwHjWtZydueKgu5QuBuUnf02c8zsvps6Mxjliu9Ncydp9Zwj9OXtrdRnXApqlP6UOX0MR3Gl3GURqREiAGXQMfxlkEwHDXv5P8wjN7vTWPEE44Hv76jRrV254Y6DgjBPJTAKOn0FVTDQLNhybdFdLPvKOGIBHXW_BtHfZzJajm__jpezcfgQA=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNPRwHjWtZydueKgu5QuBuUnf02c8zsvps6Mxjliu9Ncydp9Zwj9OXtrdRnXApqlP6UOX0MR3Gl3GURqREiAGXQMfxlkEwHDXv5P8wjN7vTWPEE44Hv76jRrV254Y6DgjBPJTAKOn0FVTDQLNhybdFdLPvKOGIBHXW_BtHfZzJajm__jpezcfgQA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to the Nutcracker! I have to say, it was one of the worst performances I've seen, but blah blah probably due to COVID limiting rehearsal time. We still had fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY-V3CkzOuXYEghb257iKy-n4dzevTrIHOhAkysTxEvtYfXLH80yyc9kkEWZsjdDBiiVWHhbfHJmDPawbF8UwFTTyf4iDRHoZ83uBCK75P87aCfVzI0OLpT1nPfrlb6ReDT0P43YaLxgUE7oyZknA4U_M3704lnoy-ZXLhtWPYbWey2DtDGkGeSQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgY-V3CkzOuXYEghb257iKy-n4dzevTrIHOhAkysTxEvtYfXLH80yyc9kkEWZsjdDBiiVWHhbfHJmDPawbF8UwFTTyf4iDRHoZ83uBCK75P87aCfVzI0OLpT1nPfrlb6ReDT0P43YaLxgUE7oyZknA4U_M3704lnoy-ZXLhtWPYbWey2DtDGkGeSQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivras3rf_90p5nuXDvPfPXoBL6H24CEks2pEJk26WUECT9lkF4bQI_FPPBHnkhjYoZCoaemHtzZyOSFyldJ2mLd5mAxC_l-EeGcfG07J0dsxVf0BB4CmBJEyShoaNSUKH4R_3YyOYp6HB5n4Nmuc98ToNqNIXHvndSCrzHE2uKhAslquCxlt7WFg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEivras3rf_90p5nuXDvPfPXoBL6H24CEks2pEJk26WUECT9lkF4bQI_FPPBHnkhjYoZCoaemHtzZyOSFyldJ2mLd5mAxC_l-EeGcfG07J0dsxVf0BB4CmBJEyShoaNSUKH4R_3YyOYp6HB5n4Nmuc98ToNqNIXHvndSCrzHE2uKhAslquCxlt7WFg=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas cookie decorating! I made lots of all of my usual cookies this year. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFOOD8sojwdA73_01HzJGc9w1DDatZF6mduFU_VLPh8UDsZFR3Tok-NcSdapHdjQMe9bBagUQ0-7YMso7SIC1009CSXbUsXD_Fp8zvHH6CGtY8ux5lfiAFJlWsZ2uD_-7EChYgL0w1nwq49UuhhzN7ub_i_rplTX9MCOyygAxW_0rJVdz1JNiS1A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFOOD8sojwdA73_01HzJGc9w1DDatZF6mduFU_VLPh8UDsZFR3Tok-NcSdapHdjQMe9bBagUQ0-7YMso7SIC1009CSXbUsXD_Fp8zvHH6CGtY8ux5lfiAFJlWsZ2uD_-7EChYgL0w1nwq49UuhhzN7ub_i_rplTX9MCOyygAxW_0rJVdz1JNiS1A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-V8Sqr0WrQ70N_5unF1QBFhBbvBW-pYUj9cOqBnTUrh42HTrL_jABegfVoiHqjL4AHJHDs_fXi-T7esAe7N-x4H2V-AzV9UwG-6OY32b_r8j7HprvKfdTK7zJh_008XLctFMS_keGZg0vGLtgSzm5QW4LR_G8ipzIMRfO_T4iy1YUEN6ytLCWOA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj-V8Sqr0WrQ70N_5unF1QBFhBbvBW-pYUj9cOqBnTUrh42HTrL_jABegfVoiHqjL4AHJHDs_fXi-T7esAe7N-x4H2V-AzV9UwG-6OY32b_r8j7HprvKfdTK7zJh_008XLctFMS_keGZg0vGLtgSzm5QW4LR_G8ipzIMRfO_T4iy1YUEN6ytLCWOA=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virtual cookie decorating with Josie and Otto.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicuQRFl9lVcflNglbYCjK33_ryXmLaJGEK40aysxhe2e0qEeMKWcnUyaYV7KDKwRgKKk-UrFmegnzufCV368GSAWkI7zJg9X36HLBquhpnAtmQ_KB-nDqYk30J0ao6qOfLh0yOx5jvuokjQChaM4Dkj34l1IinLrXME1EY3j9_P-oTKsK-IuNA_A=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicuQRFl9lVcflNglbYCjK33_ryXmLaJGEK40aysxhe2e0qEeMKWcnUyaYV7KDKwRgKKk-UrFmegnzufCV368GSAWkI7zJg9X36HLBquhpnAtmQ_KB-nDqYk30J0ao6qOfLh0yOx5jvuokjQChaM4Dkj34l1IinLrXME1EY3j9_P-oTKsK-IuNA_A=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual shopping trip plus peppermint mocha with Clare.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpjSjuC0hnyaIyBDDq39Glo0nme_6UUQ0DxH7BED2v0h15AeWKasBaP4XAdiOxdLA_SM1TCk23sXaOxGH8VVKwcJIVF4xGCn5cPPHuEG2BFAYO5aLiPMtHuVVa6BpPR-ipn9g41lpg7Csjb0Nau2Z_hqKSzAQa7JQMefIrt5GYyH85m0b2fJ7JRA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpjSjuC0hnyaIyBDDq39Glo0nme_6UUQ0DxH7BED2v0h15AeWKasBaP4XAdiOxdLA_SM1TCk23sXaOxGH8VVKwcJIVF4xGCn5cPPHuEG2BFAYO5aLiPMtHuVVa6BpPR-ipn9g41lpg7Csjb0Nau2Z_hqKSzAQa7JQMefIrt5GYyH85m0b2fJ7JRA=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tree decorating.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGc8B1HZjX_5cYRk3UaoWKnpLTApCgoQsT7IYc2nrm5uhLLk4dWz0GJN-g8lZG_YbMj_7UymrhcBJNCT7NijTxmKy-ICK9_X5UjetCabVDn8XcvoBrW7CJc5desbSaV1REPwc4XzGRuTu5xuwAWsBkQcJAdwnOsrfCtVFnSPo40L0N25vlWGI-IA=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGc8B1HZjX_5cYRk3UaoWKnpLTApCgoQsT7IYc2nrm5uhLLk4dWz0GJN-g8lZG_YbMj_7UymrhcBJNCT7NijTxmKy-ICK9_X5UjetCabVDn8XcvoBrW7CJc5desbSaV1REPwc4XzGRuTu5xuwAWsBkQcJAdwnOsrfCtVFnSPo40L0N25vlWGI-IA=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMUr81Xae6uo_XDRFE0Au2Kf-hQMxOHSxuh4XhVaElNUKWo5tgMhbJSGuvOD-zDlNqz-QzBG_KdGuCINyh0kv6O6IzSrUbsGAwH5WImCDAhIXAqEMiUx9hHh6LP_c4Ac0WjMrO6gG_AOBdTYCqdtqmKiOMAGg-9i7Jv1E705INr0xe63xAkrPzxw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMUr81Xae6uo_XDRFE0Au2Kf-hQMxOHSxuh4XhVaElNUKWo5tgMhbJSGuvOD-zDlNqz-QzBG_KdGuCINyh0kv6O6IzSrUbsGAwH5WImCDAhIXAqEMiUx9hHh6LP_c4Ac0WjMrO6gG_AOBdTYCqdtqmKiOMAGg-9i7Jv1E705INr0xe63xAkrPzxw=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrying our tree home from the tree lot next to our house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT4XM8a0YkHHxr3kVUgyxutoTyLFNRMUZ4_g79aY2ug-J_ISZ0LXhb2h97t1kRIw_FbRWcVcd-6t3RznQTY-XclaGmpfglipr1e32_eyT72ywzH4RWQkwZ_917kMhlb27sKnIxZDS0lmyDw42qhnj5JpIr1_QThxeNCivVN6KEqTH28b_QcnHb_A=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgT4XM8a0YkHHxr3kVUgyxutoTyLFNRMUZ4_g79aY2ug-J_ISZ0LXhb2h97t1kRIw_FbRWcVcd-6t3RznQTY-XclaGmpfglipr1e32_eyT72ywzH4RWQkwZ_917kMhlb27sKnIxZDS0lmyDw42qhnj5JpIr1_QThxeNCivVN6KEqTH28b_QcnHb_A=s320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking out the tree!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-29416923165797243512021-11-07T17:38:00.000-06:002021-11-07T17:38:15.352-06:00Bits and Pieces: September and October<p>I know it is November, but I still like to do these posts, mostly for myself because I like looking back at them. I am happy if other people enjoy them, too. Anyway. I am writing this while watching the Packers lose to Kansas City. What is wrong with Aaron Rodgers? We won't go there.</p><p>Speaking of vaccines, the kids got their first dose on Friday! Yay! I am so happy they are on the road to immunity. Real immunity, not the fake kind.</p><p>September included going a trip to a friend's cabin (we stayed in our camper because COVID), back to school, the fair at the school next door, some hikes, and lots of soccer.</p><p>October was filled with more soccer, two family birthdays (Christopher's and mine), a camping trip with dear friends, a visit to an apple orchard, a few nights out with friends (for me), a few days off school, a trip to the Science Museum, visits with grandparents, and of course, Halloween.</p><p>And now we are hurtling our way towards Christmas, which I have already started prepping for because I am nervous about not being able to find things this year thanks to the supply chain problems. November should be pretty relaxing, though, I think. (Famous last words, I know.) </p><p>Without further ado, here are some of our September and October pictures!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJhOfl9GT2gI03P6xwFVhuPJVJxGApOb_1fii4tMwFeOF5Jo1O4SI64oOR7qEub-nvLIYtS1IMnZJRlwkqSNBP24MK8BYMEDmDSGN7EnvLZ6bakCXiT5hBkkdbcvyolCH5jwx5RwP8A/s4032/PXL_20210904_203242252.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtJhOfl9GT2gI03P6xwFVhuPJVJxGApOb_1fii4tMwFeOF5Jo1O4SI64oOR7qEub-nvLIYtS1IMnZJRlwkqSNBP24MK8BYMEDmDSGN7EnvLZ6bakCXiT5hBkkdbcvyolCH5jwx5RwP8A/s320/PXL_20210904_203242252.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJH897uI9vVsxZYodmkH-iCm31rGjnnrT2pqgf2RXvhskGQd663ilI21Do9IgI0GYFD7SC4dL99G3Ugm-LP7iWLcoDLCiub8zGdEV9yISZeWJM_SHYQuGkW4CZ7by3w3IEzqcQfMDww/s4032/PXL_20210904_202904327.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJH897uI9vVsxZYodmkH-iCm31rGjnnrT2pqgf2RXvhskGQd663ilI21Do9IgI0GYFD7SC4dL99G3Ugm-LP7iWLcoDLCiub8zGdEV9yISZeWJM_SHYQuGkW4CZ7by3w3IEzqcQfMDww/s320/PXL_20210904_202904327.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C&C both took a turn driving our friend's boat at their cabin in Wisconsin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOPYfBXuWeosN6qjg_FxTkTwjgK7AygrXT9y2q0UyWZ4iton4gUr6JtXi0rHMXHzLpKLXXDI6c4l9mZVVkm9SNwOhlABv4ipgdaAsqrX74T2cex6N6CKIrLnn98cGU4m62NzQepMiFQ/s4032/PXL_20210909_120408989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOPYfBXuWeosN6qjg_FxTkTwjgK7AygrXT9y2q0UyWZ4iton4gUr6JtXi0rHMXHzLpKLXXDI6c4l9mZVVkm9SNwOhlABv4ipgdaAsqrX74T2cex6N6CKIrLnn98cGU4m62NzQepMiFQ/s320/PXL_20210909_120408989.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of Fifth Grade and first day of Second Grade!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UuEA_d_mpK4XPi5i75weCqax9kSW3xu5aW6NuzqdNZTtNZVVplBb6oc5qOjeCksMZAa9SVYbYio8xnWeg-9y9w7wBFQmcP_KplrYdf_JkuXogdVKj_XI_DlFkC_rZetJIc0kvDzkKQ/s4032/PXL_20210919_001703386.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UuEA_d_mpK4XPi5i75weCqax9kSW3xu5aW6NuzqdNZTtNZVVplBb6oc5qOjeCksMZAa9SVYbYio8xnWeg-9y9w7wBFQmcP_KplrYdf_JkuXogdVKj_XI_DlFkC_rZetJIc0kvDzkKQ/s320/PXL_20210919_001703386.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebrating Meema Mary Theresa's birthday outside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4aLmsfAqGM-S8gqqcGvsLw0oIcrXgrLNLsQDdKB8N_3b8qrx35UsmuB63S1nkFwxFYLAN_x6RWaKZw1PgVGFDHAPYr-CCKhUwY5TLAdwI3e_k5I5T81KdQMSDTURD3wOmuHmcNrA2A/s4032/PXL_20210918_175833627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif4aLmsfAqGM-S8gqqcGvsLw0oIcrXgrLNLsQDdKB8N_3b8qrx35UsmuB63S1nkFwxFYLAN_x6RWaKZw1PgVGFDHAPYr-CCKhUwY5TLAdwI3e_k5I5T81KdQMSDTURD3wOmuHmcNrA2A/s320/PXL_20210918_175833627.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare with a friend at the fair next door.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUUd6ETa3Nh22BbCuQSL_wFz0DQgfG-RDYBAuJi1ezccCXo-LotWbQ-yOOd5ZJIAClsxxKZVrjIEfOEMIEGaUtZGvvSEVbP6m3VFBp4EU0s1RKmIQa91_H1JHcV933FZtxx-XDRYzZQ/s3264/PXL_20210919_021512032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNUUd6ETa3Nh22BbCuQSL_wFz0DQgfG-RDYBAuJi1ezccCXo-LotWbQ-yOOd5ZJIAClsxxKZVrjIEfOEMIEGaUtZGvvSEVbP6m3VFBp4EU0s1RKmIQa91_H1JHcV933FZtxx-XDRYzZQ/s320/PXL_20210919_021512032.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On top of the Ferris Wheel.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp16Rl6HXUwP6HdNu6hJVPbPEnQHSFDMkq1z_RodB2IfmqUhgfLHn0HiHbl7eGq2oc6-yR2cssSMaNbVw47R3noUEBe_U4b2cuULVbGRyO2sH8hPToLCIn9w7oKywCniGiK02HGXuxQ/s4032/PXL_20210919_011004192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp16Rl6HXUwP6HdNu6hJVPbPEnQHSFDMkq1z_RodB2IfmqUhgfLHn0HiHbl7eGq2oc6-yR2cssSMaNbVw47R3noUEBe_U4b2cuULVbGRyO2sH8hPToLCIn9w7oKywCniGiK02HGXuxQ/s320/PXL_20210919_011004192.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Game time.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogI2tXy4ow4ztONJKsTYgDon0-aUfmOlhmXgV2Uh5pTkA1695GFMVwOgj2RqpleiW_yt-PZ3e7xgpCe0-qOw8OTXGokeETLHOUiTUmAXhmHy6ep2fSooNCVjewvAyKVYh_hE25Ms2GQ/s4032/PXL_20210926_192600203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogI2tXy4ow4ztONJKsTYgDon0-aUfmOlhmXgV2Uh5pTkA1695GFMVwOgj2RqpleiW_yt-PZ3e7xgpCe0-qOw8OTXGokeETLHOUiTUmAXhmHy6ep2fSooNCVjewvAyKVYh_hE25Ms2GQ/s320/PXL_20210926_192600203.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing near the Mississippi with friends.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LvW1HSDBhBgMSCitMslRX8YfYMydc6rEhnyVMIlTf8F2ZbF0YNKZ4vO450Yj1D9ySv8s8Q2iXxTQtZ-MOPi1sl38UnJM1fydExZFCql02b6FxIqJpOr_lwlXyAyWQsd9M0jo0Hsq-Q/s1280/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LvW1HSDBhBgMSCitMslRX8YfYMydc6rEhnyVMIlTf8F2ZbF0YNKZ4vO450Yj1D9ySv8s8Q2iXxTQtZ-MOPi1sl38UnJM1fydExZFCql02b6FxIqJpOr_lwlXyAyWQsd9M0jo0Hsq-Q/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping crew at Flandrau State Park in New Ulm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl4SJiF9XugS6fmsY2fqWEV2DZy3LV37y_VBEwDeTRiIZ3eak5-lbqC6T6YKZGnf7F8iHmCsmrvQVXx0q6M8QRMenpy9GlpZ1wSFG9kULC5U_p3SKTtqx34i7qUCjZaNjWv2Ommf7hA/s2048/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl4SJiF9XugS6fmsY2fqWEV2DZy3LV37y_VBEwDeTRiIZ3eak5-lbqC6T6YKZGnf7F8iHmCsmrvQVXx0q6M8QRMenpy9GlpZ1wSFG9kULC5U_p3SKTtqx34i7qUCjZaNjWv2Ommf7hA/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SRD50meMY8CIjSx8cZ4P3nLr67mwiZhuvMh0DIvANDyCyZVso9ExAV2Kv6ZmZAh-7fbdsqjQmSsPMkMtZiteATQMUoIWGGU5PDYJcJCuD5JGDJx7rkJbAjVip3fusSQW2a_ZB5R4Pw/s4032/PXL_20211004_191442629.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SRD50meMY8CIjSx8cZ4P3nLr67mwiZhuvMh0DIvANDyCyZVso9ExAV2Kv6ZmZAh-7fbdsqjQmSsPMkMtZiteATQMUoIWGGU5PDYJcJCuD5JGDJx7rkJbAjVip3fusSQW2a_ZB5R4Pw/s320/PXL_20211004_191442629.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday ice cream for the birthday boy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegFZDMNGVcuyu6Gs-foiMSWmVjz5arT9rY21OzbceuSRhxeWJjFFWIo8GgrtyMTgA5qr5ChWgkHxX42PYKnst9y4AkwRjXuyKTwzmr9Erw8wKeW0ji2uoLoxnJ26i4ui_n3ZlN_sl1A/s4032/PXL_20211004_212103656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegFZDMNGVcuyu6Gs-foiMSWmVjz5arT9rY21OzbceuSRhxeWJjFFWIo8GgrtyMTgA5qr5ChWgkHxX42PYKnst9y4AkwRjXuyKTwzmr9Erw8wKeW0ji2uoLoxnJ26i4ui_n3ZlN_sl1A/s320/PXL_20211004_212103656.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12i5CBOsXgKs7IOYDqBt5ExTkHoGwhwLQJdEa1tVCV9e2-UmWCfsPg9JT_55oJzNc9qO3owBaO_UpVjK0ID3zny7NYgSUfc9pRRFO1UpKYKEdBL_XwgRtRMyQ8VZiXe3P4djJpOZ3NA/s4032/PXL_20211009_190700463.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi12i5CBOsXgKs7IOYDqBt5ExTkHoGwhwLQJdEa1tVCV9e2-UmWCfsPg9JT_55oJzNc9qO3owBaO_UpVjK0ID3zny7NYgSUfc9pRRFO1UpKYKEdBL_XwgRtRMyQ8VZiXe3P4djJpOZ3NA/s320/PXL_20211009_190700463.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whistling Well apple orchard with cousins.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAICX5vcN3cR00zDPObfHN67MfsHUA0FP_f1xYFGoLhCfQx8wP5XqRjqNhTAquojkr9GW-w78LHZNUDjpdslL9zApwO8NmV02fkNcHjAh5YFOynaznkPcFMNSB6O3nRscgrNM8ksKzXw/s3264/PXL_20211016_190250999.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAICX5vcN3cR00zDPObfHN67MfsHUA0FP_f1xYFGoLhCfQx8wP5XqRjqNhTAquojkr9GW-w78LHZNUDjpdslL9zApwO8NmV02fkNcHjAh5YFOynaznkPcFMNSB6O3nRscgrNM8ksKzXw/s320/PXL_20211016_190250999.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating ice cream on a fall color drive for my birthday. (They liked the ice cream. They didn't like the drive.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DGfWBMp2tTxYPzQRv_VfHDmpacqYEYTBn8G0N3hPI-IovQO4NjvNEIJkuTdAqTrudq7l99GgDVfVw5v2l2mqfnE18qe2wW_uVotmlWX9DQNIOMkXxNlBAXrnIVw5Uc4IgJ760jDEew/s4032/PXL_20211019_214217301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9DGfWBMp2tTxYPzQRv_VfHDmpacqYEYTBn8G0N3hPI-IovQO4NjvNEIJkuTdAqTrudq7l99GgDVfVw5v2l2mqfnE18qe2wW_uVotmlWX9DQNIOMkXxNlBAXrnIVw5Uc4IgJ760jDEew/s320/PXL_20211019_214217301.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating outside on a warm October day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYALvV1J5mUbjEPuvTHxqCQd2VEOlECG8btv7UMqpo5OBadAi-V4H88VMUiuiVN6cMosbP8oCKNbkr0ORlTk7uG-3zWo8us8uB2_MQAxljqLjgLCtUGnj3NCC0VdV8wnoiJUleK7aQg/s4032/PXL_20211019_202030195.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYALvV1J5mUbjEPuvTHxqCQd2VEOlECG8btv7UMqpo5OBadAi-V4H88VMUiuiVN6cMosbP8oCKNbkr0ORlTk7uG-3zWo8us8uB2_MQAxljqLjgLCtUGnj3NCC0VdV8wnoiJUleK7aQg/s320/PXL_20211019_202030195.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pickle Ball! My friend gave me paddles for my birthday.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAD5O7mSEJ2oqOnOuW8SGVjuxLy7JSHWcHtBtnZrv8Ev6BwMtpNHQQ-Zb_Kjz5VJl7ZJ4qYSVo3QyunBHa_r10DhZbaPM8JKQj1V_4kB0R2AQrSiM_dkcqDxulOzGqC8vmuXHMHCWwA/s4032/PXL_20211021_161011463.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinAD5O7mSEJ2oqOnOuW8SGVjuxLy7JSHWcHtBtnZrv8Ev6BwMtpNHQQ-Zb_Kjz5VJl7ZJ4qYSVo3QyunBHa_r10DhZbaPM8JKQj1V_4kB0R2AQrSiM_dkcqDxulOzGqC8vmuXHMHCWwA/s320/PXL_20211021_161011463.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the History Center on a day off school.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LXMdN69QalSCX-AJzFZl0GkCYI3_rnjk8zWDtYyzOd4DOMq26oSzh_vuncYKegUzMPdTaoG3gjGSVF1Z0eoQymNl58ghHcz7GQtA_vMrJ_4481JRZTi2gI5ttiFa9LANEfn-In7XWQ/s4032/PXL_20211022_192646942.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LXMdN69QalSCX-AJzFZl0GkCYI3_rnjk8zWDtYyzOd4DOMq26oSzh_vuncYKegUzMPdTaoG3gjGSVF1Z0eoQymNl58ghHcz7GQtA_vMrJ_4481JRZTi2gI5ttiFa9LANEfn-In7XWQ/s320/PXL_20211022_192646942.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubble tea. She ended up not really liking it, but we had fun walking to a neighborhood tea shop to try it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmocDa_4HIiG4P12NPm8DwX1EwMkHfOBcmLSay0Bqs6af8pn6XaLlmcdhyphenhyphenNNF5NylL4maswpASpHf0LNdArwhRSCeQa7sRUZBU6ZU5tW6JeK14TWjJH0VeU4D58dGLcz-jyf4xPxNiDg/s4032/PXL_20211022_145946700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmocDa_4HIiG4P12NPm8DwX1EwMkHfOBcmLSay0Bqs6af8pn6XaLlmcdhyphenhyphenNNF5NylL4maswpASpHf0LNdArwhRSCeQa7sRUZBU6ZU5tW6JeK14TWjJH0VeU4D58dGLcz-jyf4xPxNiDg/s320/PXL_20211022_145946700.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Science Museum on a day off school.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_hLG9kLsQcVUCP9oTaNS765pQCZZLK7b02z29sEyk8bgawadnQ-4C2Is1n5tFcbq5gpx6JKXHTWfEeppnPTLysKxDnyuhZciczVCumu5zHh9hMzAYfds_1AWNE9wCkOiW1GVp9DYAg/s4032/PXL_20211026_214126316.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_hLG9kLsQcVUCP9oTaNS765pQCZZLK7b02z29sEyk8bgawadnQ-4C2Is1n5tFcbq5gpx6JKXHTWfEeppnPTLysKxDnyuhZciczVCumu5zHh9hMzAYfds_1AWNE9wCkOiW1GVp9DYAg/s320/PXL_20211026_214126316.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and Ben went to a U.S. Women's National Team game. Clare thought it was the best. It was Carli Lloyd's last game, and she saw Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan score goals (among others). I am so glad she got a chance to see these amazing women in person!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJzVbIgYCpfmXt_z_x-L22IMDB_Gd-cRiiwh4lYh-24ClVImtwBzULFZAFqxahqIYC1CyqHCjNcnsMWH1KstnUGHUqyvNk0QTGdMy8l1JjqqmAmvLIxjEpzaYWwUZdTffpeqYw7GT1w/s4032/PXL_20211028_115845297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJzVbIgYCpfmXt_z_x-L22IMDB_Gd-cRiiwh4lYh-24ClVImtwBzULFZAFqxahqIYC1CyqHCjNcnsMWH1KstnUGHUqyvNk0QTGdMy8l1JjqqmAmvLIxjEpzaYWwUZdTffpeqYw7GT1w/s320/PXL_20211028_115845297.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dressed up as RBG for school.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wHr9P44c8OXI5wTDmKUFvXl2tokjNlOPR6Xx-phLsexfGPFX3TH_4TJbn5WR08MAfj5V7UxlnxYDLKmrw8V7lbc2gUcgi2VspOlRUmO2jeVQQrrg-E9KHcYgXaJXGV7uxzWKoV6rsQ/s4032/PXL_20211029_230409938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wHr9P44c8OXI5wTDmKUFvXl2tokjNlOPR6Xx-phLsexfGPFX3TH_4TJbn5WR08MAfj5V7UxlnxYDLKmrw8V7lbc2gUcgi2VspOlRUmO2jeVQQrrg-E9KHcYgXaJXGV7uxzWKoV6rsQ/s320/PXL_20211029_230409938.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin carving.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfnYaJJXyE0Aon2Mnl1nUNFBEvBpS28M5MuWHuKaVQNoTu01BcTGV4DroMEibK0EdfC7GS6FQ8vrjoA6GIOARk0D-QLocvxrD1R69Hd1bMFzKynV9y6FTWI6EVkItzzOp3qcmaYeELQ/s4032/PXL_20211031_212201819.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfnYaJJXyE0Aon2Mnl1nUNFBEvBpS28M5MuWHuKaVQNoTu01BcTGV4DroMEibK0EdfC7GS6FQ8vrjoA6GIOARk0D-QLocvxrD1R69Hd1bMFzKynV9y6FTWI6EVkItzzOp3qcmaYeELQ/s320/PXL_20211031_212201819.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for trick or treating!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqJhaSiZlDM0o63xE1dJ0PINherfQwzhAB89-qqte0QSZVo-sEvqYRNdLifdaqcH2u_hUzxBGWlohPm-7f_jJwz0BAOOZAQtu8CYT-N10ux8XXfCYnJ5XUpBKfgif6S0XcBjKBONBBQ/s4032/PXL_20211031_210222113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqJhaSiZlDM0o63xE1dJ0PINherfQwzhAB89-qqte0QSZVo-sEvqYRNdLifdaqcH2u_hUzxBGWlohPm-7f_jJwz0BAOOZAQtu8CYT-N10ux8XXfCYnJ5XUpBKfgif6S0XcBjKBONBBQ/s320/PXL_20211031_210222113.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher with Baba and his pumpkin.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWvcqzx4fg4KfwFztBaXSJsLxI9w6oE7_2MrzmPgEhVKeZhrrmTw5LpEKgHG_2r89LoQEW4pOyNju5_AT8f_jvkv8D-nc-aGODbnOmk3zwT9_CFON-l1SzVrom1BtqnxrSpG0RZnGZQ/s3264/PXL_20211031_230234140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOWvcqzx4fg4KfwFztBaXSJsLxI9w6oE7_2MrzmPgEhVKeZhrrmTw5LpEKgHG_2r89LoQEW4pOyNju5_AT8f_jvkv8D-nc-aGODbnOmk3zwT9_CFON-l1SzVrom1BtqnxrSpG0RZnGZQ/s320/PXL_20211031_230234140.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We split up to trick or treat this year - Clare and I went together and met up with friends for the neighborhood block party. Ben and Christopher went with the next door neighbors. We also had a super fun Halloween party on the 30th with the Katie and family and my parents! I somehow have no pictures of the fun, but Josie was in her element has party coordinator. We all had fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-86484723329731091232021-10-07T14:49:00.000-05:002021-10-07T14:49:08.213-05:00Eight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBIxVczmvIzpLPkxme8VtQRNjeByxezHWJicr5MUF88E4WWUxdLx-d1icvx25s-APMpYnJ2Zt2iitxsyLFMljSZMqKKcFfkBv887_WoZ8T1C500kCsFzpy1L2DVEumJlvi7GhjZo_oA/s4032/PXL_20211007_194245724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlBIxVczmvIzpLPkxme8VtQRNjeByxezHWJicr5MUF88E4WWUxdLx-d1icvx25s-APMpYnJ2Zt2iitxsyLFMljSZMqKKcFfkBv887_WoZ8T1C500kCsFzpy1L2DVEumJlvi7GhjZo_oA/s320/PXL_20211007_194245724.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Eight! My sweet boy is eight. </p><p>We were talking about the day he was born, and he found it to be absolutely hilarious when I told him he'd peed on me pretty much immediately after birth. Bodily functions are pretty much his favorite thing to talk about right now. That's normal for an 8-year-old, right?</p><p>Christopher has been running all over the neighborhood for the past few weeks with a newly discovered group of boys. We have new neighbors who have twin boys his age, and he has met a few other boys in the neighborhood as well. I love it when the doorbell rings and one of the boys is there asking for Christopher to come out and play. He was given rollerblades for his birthday, and he intends to use them to race another friend on his scooter. I am sure that will end well.</p><p>School is going well so far. I think he spends most of the day reading the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, but hopefully he is doing some math, too. </p><p>We were recently driving in the car, and Christopher was making up a song. The lyrics involved Chuck E. Cheese flying the in sky, and Clare declared Christopher to be the most "random person" she knows. He is constantly coming up with different songs and stories. I frequently hear him talking to himself in his room or in the bathroom. </p><p>He loves playing outside games, including Sandman and Ghost in the Graveyard. We camped with friends last weekend and he spent the entire weekend covered in mud.</p><p>He is still a sweetheart and tries to help me out around the house or do nice things for me. He is also brilliant at manipulating me into doing whatever he wants. I know he is doing this, but it is hard to resist his huge blue eyes.</p><p>He is constantly coming up with new business ideas or moneymaking schemes. Few have panned out. The latest is that he wants to learn the trumpet so he can stand on the street corner and make money. I had to gently explain that he probably wouldn't earn much that way, especially as a beginner. </p><p>He wants to play basketball this winter, and to do Cub Scouts. He had fun playing baseball this summer. He did not have fun at theater camp, which is too bad, because he is so funny and creative.</p><p>Some favorites at 8: reading (mostly graphic novels), playing outside, the Nintendo Switch, Roblox, Octonauts (we are back on that show for some reason), pizza, Annie's mac and cheese (although he assures me he likes my homemade version, too), fruit of all kinds, talking incessantly about business plans.</p><p>Some dislikes: taking showers, COVID tests, attending Clare's soccer games, spinach, hiking (although he loves exploring in the woods - just don't mention the word hike), when Clare "looks at me in that way she knows I don't like."</p><p>We had a family party for his actual birthday, which was Monday, that included presents and a trip to Culver's for ice cream and cheese curds. We are having another extended family get together on Friday, which will include pizza and a Dairy Queen cookie dough blizzard cake.</p><p>Happy birthday, Christopher! I can't believe you are 8.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmA9tHCQw0OZ2E6oxgdpf3bKWPVVuN6xpG9uBQ8RKhJDK2SVhX6jLZYsm0XeCqhoV5WG65omPiWsYkswNQJOS5bRiw9XPMPNMkd5Mcx9MDxw2p19D7QtafqBh_FWFxDM4aUeKWF1x2hw/s4032/PXL_20211007_194256443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmA9tHCQw0OZ2E6oxgdpf3bKWPVVuN6xpG9uBQ8RKhJDK2SVhX6jLZYsm0XeCqhoV5WG65omPiWsYkswNQJOS5bRiw9XPMPNMkd5Mcx9MDxw2p19D7QtafqBh_FWFxDM4aUeKWF1x2hw/s320/PXL_20211007_194256443.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E1ZGf4rnnpt2TQlj-iKQYb88pWm7v99p7u05pYOozMZvKpDL7S3BePTocfdbQzEaHtHHM4k0ANRc75Vf1UyDq70p8AcuhW81Hjqad3ifDZuxcqHFuiM4r4I-L8huarriQdzUEPYLEQ/s4032/PXL_20211007_194305588.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2E1ZGf4rnnpt2TQlj-iKQYb88pWm7v99p7u05pYOozMZvKpDL7S3BePTocfdbQzEaHtHHM4k0ANRc75Vf1UyDq70p8AcuhW81Hjqad3ifDZuxcqHFuiM4r4I-L8huarriQdzUEPYLEQ/s320/PXL_20211007_194305588.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-1723576859123626102021-09-21T14:36:00.001-05:002021-09-22T15:23:18.196-05:00Out West<p>Summer trip by the numbers:</p><p>Four states. (North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota)</p><p>2,500-plus miles driven.</p><div>11 nights in our camper.</div><p>One night in a hotel. (Highlight of the trip for both kids. Sigh.)</p><p>Nine days in a row without a shower.</p><p>Four grizzly sightings.</p><p>Two black bears.</p><p>One cannister of bear spray purchased.</p><p>Six moose spotted, including one 20 feet away from us in the woods. We slowly backed away.</p><p>Two National Parks. (Theodore Roosevelt and Glacier)</p><p>One National Forest. (Custer Gallatin)</p><p>One National Monument. (Devil's Tower)</p><p>One party size bag of Doritos eaten almost entirely by me.</p><p>One dinner of Bugles and cheese when we couldn't find a restaurant with outdoor seating.</p><p>8,367 calories delivered to our hotel room in the form of pizza and mozzarella sticks. </p><p>Zero hours of screen time while at a destination.</p><p>Countless hours of screen time in the car.</p><p>Two people reaffirming that they are afraid of heights, while hiking on the edge of a mountain. (Me and Christopher.)</p><p>One person falling in love with mountain lakes. (Clare)</p><p>One person wanting to hike more than we did. (Ben) (Although we hiked a lot.)</p><p>33 fights between Clare and Christopher. (Estimated)</p><p>One inch worm habitat built by Clare and Christopher. </p><p>One campsite with a double-decker hammock. (Highlight of the trip for Christopher)</p><p>Four horses ridden through the North Dakota badlands. (Lakota, Whiskey, Miko, Houdini)</p><p>Lots of beers. (Can't be more specific.)</p><p>Zero campfires because of dry conditions and nearby wildfires.</p><p>Several books read and rounds of Hearts played.</p><p>Many hours of fun family time, in between the 33 fights.</p><p>Hundreds of pictures taken. Here are a few:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0K7SYUBin0F5tLjiC85PhG39bCP0LeAHPv4TXgeWumWN_qfZjAMmQjFBV6n7gUmeASA6iOPsqBhaqkoCTEiMVavfBRsb6oYPIOpzrcLN8UI1FA7VQK3zs9lBP0WW2NR1BqsnkHJSSg/s4032/PXL_20210808_170158124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR0K7SYUBin0F5tLjiC85PhG39bCP0LeAHPv4TXgeWumWN_qfZjAMmQjFBV6n7gUmeASA6iOPsqBhaqkoCTEiMVavfBRsb6oYPIOpzrcLN8UI1FA7VQK3zs9lBP0WW2NR1BqsnkHJSSg/s320/PXL_20210808_170158124.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started the trip with a visit to an old timey village in Jamestown, N.D. (Actually, we started with a 4:30 a.m. wake up call and a trip to McDonald's and Caribou, but this is the second thing we did.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeuzKB3XuRgixMAj0jLj7vFJtcsuVpyiLljxz8aaj_xT9Ptk3KJg1NlPxwC0-pTT5GMueHd2LlGkPCf86O0X9SQGp07F4uzFqT8JXOOzCg-Q7hwiHlvi2xtFIIf5xCOqOD3Rx56Ee9w/s4032/PXL_20210808_170617788.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeuzKB3XuRgixMAj0jLj7vFJtcsuVpyiLljxz8aaj_xT9Ptk3KJg1NlPxwC0-pTT5GMueHd2LlGkPCf86O0X9SQGp07F4uzFqT8JXOOzCg-Q7hwiHlvi2xtFIIf5xCOqOD3Rx56Ee9w/s320/PXL_20210808_170617788.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR4IWcfZ_aeVjUhHizb_JUA8XtMkHkAi4g36aa1KCaxXvArcz_qVaAhKGVMBkFSw6TtZJ-yDsGf4Hsk8V2SHTRUqqV1QWEwSv2NbX0BE3VOYzvt8YR-8mm32HP1yuekTYmTBTfUdmYw/s4032/PXL_20210808_170634481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgR4IWcfZ_aeVjUhHizb_JUA8XtMkHkAi4g36aa1KCaxXvArcz_qVaAhKGVMBkFSw6TtZJ-yDsGf4Hsk8V2SHTRUqqV1QWEwSv2NbX0BE3VOYzvt8YR-8mm32HP1yuekTYmTBTfUdmYw/s320/PXL_20210808_170634481.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxlLaX5zHio1AhvGD9ZYMlRiNxbuWtOlpeaFX-kgV0JEl4dd9BQXRyBduq2UMy-I-VM5Dtovf8SHvtgrZ7eQ0V3nA-6VOOkdOaYEbyyggwfTQlL12OGV4kfPkMe_ZPHM16ykfUseiog/s4032/PXL_20210808_171050648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWxlLaX5zHio1AhvGD9ZYMlRiNxbuWtOlpeaFX-kgV0JEl4dd9BQXRyBduq2UMy-I-VM5Dtovf8SHvtgrZ7eQ0V3nA-6VOOkdOaYEbyyggwfTQlL12OGV4kfPkMe_ZPHM16ykfUseiog/s320/PXL_20210808_171050648.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Largest buffalo in the world. Allegedly.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi95JFQkrYHojCo4PAGc_VQ9lNkVPdDcxg7Hks8_ormdGG5e4I1urUxQAZg4Ql47xLGGpeCEREk-7lpOKmkjxkzegdEiK2TpOs0G8JcGJven2zHNmwQHAC79yPFoZ1TTlBcWluZ8hhA/s4032/PXL_20210809_005042338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi95JFQkrYHojCo4PAGc_VQ9lNkVPdDcxg7Hks8_ormdGG5e4I1urUxQAZg4Ql47xLGGpeCEREk-7lpOKmkjxkzegdEiK2TpOs0G8JcGJven2zHNmwQHAC79yPFoZ1TTlBcWluZ8hhA/s320/PXL_20210809_005042338.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the views from Sully Creek Campground, our home while visiting Theodore Roosevelt.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsg_i4Wl5PbPxb_haTXo8_R7mClRp7tkPQ79uGW_GCHbxzd3sfs7Hy1CFwqyoScBgGHj6POWQf_OsxMSLz1Do9EhWiTksKewdVuAgGwVBMNDCgHQqzNai_1i2qxvMaN_0nzY7fGYMkw/s4032/PXL_20210809_172347024.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsg_i4Wl5PbPxb_haTXo8_R7mClRp7tkPQ79uGW_GCHbxzd3sfs7Hy1CFwqyoScBgGHj6POWQf_OsxMSLz1Do9EhWiTksKewdVuAgGwVBMNDCgHQqzNai_1i2qxvMaN_0nzY7fGYMkw/s320/PXL_20210809_172347024.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prairie dog town in Theodore Roosevelt.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXraE_Jswt4DeliM1GIwdTtojZjHcapChDC6IzOL_meyn8hJZUmgTw7ZS693iX7xB5IC1VyrGo8MIkHBEu01ZTXRcBQ4QrVC671aMJqlvYauulJpZrVXLfSt11VnaG1UOu2XEv-3u5fw/s4032/PXL_20210809_182700404.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXraE_Jswt4DeliM1GIwdTtojZjHcapChDC6IzOL_meyn8hJZUmgTw7ZS693iX7xB5IC1VyrGo8MIkHBEu01ZTXRcBQ4QrVC671aMJqlvYauulJpZrVXLfSt11VnaG1UOu2XEv-3u5fw/s320/PXL_20210809_182700404.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the North Dakota Badlands, which are uniquely beautiful. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDnwsCNcpIU1mUIE8ee1Dhma0kajbFtQhiF2yTMwCJJl8DK854eTRT7KFCaS1Dp4IzHO3BndG59jH1WU2_D1uYGoFkLU0oXzVpBtgcVHshx3aP3L7gYy3QK9AAfCDwsQVHtOh83Cx9Q/s4032/PXL_20210810_182208395.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDnwsCNcpIU1mUIE8ee1Dhma0kajbFtQhiF2yTMwCJJl8DK854eTRT7KFCaS1Dp4IzHO3BndG59jH1WU2_D1uYGoFkLU0oXzVpBtgcVHshx3aP3L7gYy3QK9AAfCDwsQVHtOh83Cx9Q/s320/PXL_20210810_182208395.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building a bridge in Sully Creek.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6IiEiZ_Fg-tfKlBk2NCLEYeDiOx76YZvqDLPLsI8rfA9wZS2aa_l5x7fn0qv4w3iKRlbnBJlk0yxZ7DofuBwLgiplR36ABgIspeNbz3xrqkAayCNlTwMRO5nhWqcNeuyu6XDQzUZEQ/s2048/PXL_20210809_214815679.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6IiEiZ_Fg-tfKlBk2NCLEYeDiOx76YZvqDLPLsI8rfA9wZS2aa_l5x7fn0qv4w3iKRlbnBJlk0yxZ7DofuBwLgiplR36ABgIspeNbz3xrqkAayCNlTwMRO5nhWqcNeuyu6XDQzUZEQ/s320/PXL_20210809_214815679.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Badlands hiking. The North and South Dakota Badlands are not related geographically - they are both called Badlands because they aren't suitable for farming. Here, the kids are standing in front of a petrified tree from thousands of years ago.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe2bSjGHb3ptYuOeEiD3pieA60ufGroMTNKT4tZCxl8RfgfDpbSZobAW2wOZngsIW-Qvayko5UxYuQd5JS0zVuvTrFgGnJbJaJiSRFs4xQx8ZHWWJzkZesgJnDaJyN9K9vvM89zdvIA/s2048/PXL_20210810_002135473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhe2bSjGHb3ptYuOeEiD3pieA60ufGroMTNKT4tZCxl8RfgfDpbSZobAW2wOZngsIW-Qvayko5UxYuQd5JS0zVuvTrFgGnJbJaJiSRFs4xQx8ZHWWJzkZesgJnDaJyN9K9vvM89zdvIA/s320/PXL_20210810_002135473.jpg" width="320" /></a><br /><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Sully Creek. Ben took them here while I made dinner and drank wine at the campsite.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8YQaZWyBeJ_qnePhrHtKkuF36N36r8DLBIBndVdBp-d91v3m6QhmXhUnRM5-UX-40bt2UKszAdSFaVHjcIqb0_A1r2SulJfdZrpuEtqPLQ7To-ZuJFs0FKu3y-qwoPPnpQKcJGHGEw/s2048/PXL_20210810_145743698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK8YQaZWyBeJ_qnePhrHtKkuF36N36r8DLBIBndVdBp-d91v3m6QhmXhUnRM5-UX-40bt2UKszAdSFaVHjcIqb0_A1r2SulJfdZrpuEtqPLQ7To-ZuJFs0FKu3y-qwoPPnpQKcJGHGEw/s320/PXL_20210810_145743698.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseback riding! Christopher was on the biggest horse, naturally.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63lindMjFb98CG9xRi1pL0HXtVMIOdbE_iDQ1BMf6ZDZQ906rbfD0TzeAeLl1RzfpLXBQwwl2cgYt_CzEq81rQSQ-YovSVNaP9n2-EmfLSbz2OcnStZZNjngDxtRzE-xVotGZtAyrDA/s2048/PXL_20210810_154255957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63lindMjFb98CG9xRi1pL0HXtVMIOdbE_iDQ1BMf6ZDZQ906rbfD0TzeAeLl1RzfpLXBQwwl2cgYt_CzEq81rQSQ-YovSVNaP9n2-EmfLSbz2OcnStZZNjngDxtRzE-xVotGZtAyrDA/s320/PXL_20210810_154255957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3jSIKiS_iOTNDHHa1_8vkjG1Zqy6-1PAqmSdMcZXkPicloT2nTMnI2XqZBF0rYIR90AHdnsm-DiOj02FVBhcak70C2_16HjbMHSxZthlXllgcxlTfhzEreSLXyYP0LLrn4cO1zBL3Q/s2048/PXL_20210810_155813974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3jSIKiS_iOTNDHHa1_8vkjG1Zqy6-1PAqmSdMcZXkPicloT2nTMnI2XqZBF0rYIR90AHdnsm-DiOj02FVBhcak70C2_16HjbMHSxZthlXllgcxlTfhzEreSLXyYP0LLrn4cO1zBL3Q/s320/PXL_20210810_155813974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9Rgjbyr42-sYQliPvYMJvp0PezUfkOyUy1IEl663jjIwT478OrmXZOU3RFcl0OAd5tJzp6plGoymRAtI1m73PF8Mj8_DxerYVBWnqt1YQAARUR-bwTpdWIjla_tcfDKHQKl3MTxzdQ/s3264/PXL_20210810_214709663.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9Rgjbyr42-sYQliPvYMJvp0PezUfkOyUy1IEl663jjIwT478OrmXZOU3RFcl0OAd5tJzp6plGoymRAtI1m73PF8Mj8_DxerYVBWnqt1YQAARUR-bwTpdWIjla_tcfDKHQKl3MTxzdQ/s320/PXL_20210810_214709663.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painted canyon.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMpM928mD5_GIY1NtUKMmGDSN1ULpNgl4T7kMWq2F5ObX-8Zd4BXCbnGJIo92h2aMk0xT7ANAn3RKdXumvaeKJ88gr-DgRgz5c6IC0VroJiurGfvp8YMeigJaiowAD5Qpu1TMlZN9pQ/s4032/PXL_20210810_200457387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpMpM928mD5_GIY1NtUKMmGDSN1ULpNgl4T7kMWq2F5ObX-8Zd4BXCbnGJIo92h2aMk0xT7ANAn3RKdXumvaeKJ88gr-DgRgz5c6IC0VroJiurGfvp8YMeigJaiowAD5Qpu1TMlZN9pQ/s320/PXL_20210810_200457387.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite in North Dakota.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-NFLdi1Hrc99XWBEgZNgAb8I31F-p9rvq9cLkG8Q1jTh4ODV5WGV0_QUA1DeBHtviwyogY7xh2Xgu7EPI3gsguMndoqugtChco-DwvmH0Ik7hL0Fg_lxH8StOZVtItPnG42aU2W12A/s4032/PXL_20210811_193047531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-NFLdi1Hrc99XWBEgZNgAb8I31F-p9rvq9cLkG8Q1jTh4ODV5WGV0_QUA1DeBHtviwyogY7xh2Xgu7EPI3gsguMndoqugtChco-DwvmH0Ik7hL0Fg_lxH8StOZVtItPnG42aU2W12A/s320/PXL_20210811_193047531.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How an introvert gets alone time on a family trip.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoGLzpV0KVaANmrn2Vogi9DdkTREyZofq7LjPKzojViqCPPkpJ7vuEFM4qgA0Oj_UkagsC_xVax2VIDbm_-Zlv4qLYVaAkXpr5pDCKnUdF9v4-wBqiD-3TMkvFkzlBcNx4G-LiYY13w/s2048/PXL_20210812_133147595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtoGLzpV0KVaANmrn2Vogi9DdkTREyZofq7LjPKzojViqCPPkpJ7vuEFM4qgA0Oj_UkagsC_xVax2VIDbm_-Zlv4qLYVaAkXpr5pDCKnUdF9v4-wBqiD-3TMkvFkzlBcNx4G-LiYY13w/s320/PXL_20210812_133147595.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our campsite in Glacier. We camped at Many Glacier, which was lovely, though crowded.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0EadHA76f1BjVtZn5LIigQie21agYGG3hd9g8XyyMISLp1lgInYgE-YE5yhn0g352H7OuGDRslRCxXhq2J30MYTlSv8y4x6rGNnOldSog2RbTlW4EoUqdW5ayt5x6zIwrF_2CzFMrQ/s4032/PXL_20210812_204143937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs0EadHA76f1BjVtZn5LIigQie21agYGG3hd9g8XyyMISLp1lgInYgE-YE5yhn0g352H7OuGDRslRCxXhq2J30MYTlSv8y4x6rGNnOldSog2RbTlW4EoUqdW5ayt5x6zIwrF_2CzFMrQ/s320/PXL_20210812_204143937.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The start of Going to the Sun Road.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDipvmwFUKxklPJT9PSJ-pSMbKXsjPD8BMHJxX_ZPqT27gXeRABB7agGaXX1kl-HwrrbVbi68Gr5JDy4AS8yHwVm8_wwF24ILLOcNjkTi2H5n7FMhQQAHzKzYK2E3yQPhDl8ClgsJMuA/s4032/PXL_20210812_204041143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDipvmwFUKxklPJT9PSJ-pSMbKXsjPD8BMHJxX_ZPqT27gXeRABB7agGaXX1kl-HwrrbVbi68Gr5JDy4AS8yHwVm8_wwF24ILLOcNjkTi2H5n7FMhQQAHzKzYK2E3yQPhDl8ClgsJMuA/s320/PXL_20210812_204041143.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5bPlABOPopnn-0CF1sT8uKtsS2208hjgLmgyMXpK-q-1Rw3AGMt-akSGKwttbQeLDUSpmUNb4otUJbXtTMj_j1qX1nDFvodr9o7zPHzgk16JBojllNlEP0eZhNgVQosApoyIWY_OgQ/s4032/PXL_20210812_210352750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5bPlABOPopnn-0CF1sT8uKtsS2208hjgLmgyMXpK-q-1Rw3AGMt-akSGKwttbQeLDUSpmUNb4otUJbXtTMj_j1qX1nDFvodr9o7zPHzgk16JBojllNlEP0eZhNgVQosApoyIWY_OgQ/s320/PXL_20210812_210352750.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld7JyWy-cWOaxcZVNJlznug3eRA4C_brZuF0g7jYsoyGu90B51JF2izLxKmTyev-N1JZKSPb-AvxD1CQHXmI7iQyioLinTMb-X0-JsU_6nyW2oGQR4MVRFIeDmBU1y9q-E16NeUEAlA/s4032/PXL_20210812_230233259.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld7JyWy-cWOaxcZVNJlznug3eRA4C_brZuF0g7jYsoyGu90B51JF2izLxKmTyev-N1JZKSPb-AvxD1CQHXmI7iQyioLinTMb-X0-JsU_6nyW2oGQR4MVRFIeDmBU1y9q-E16NeUEAlA/s320/PXL_20210812_230233259.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare loved this lake, and swam even though it was frigid. It was crystal clear and beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUvkarLqtqj3ieYJIbgvYOT4PATjK9Hul1vMX6Kc7m0owAxGzMeuK4WcU7D9hWn6F2yyT26znWWP5GAZduY1Qv2S-8idxvUqjTuYytJTzpSiv1s6h1veM5Iq4IYy8NF39pRFNvUaj4A/s4032/PXL_20210813_162131038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUvkarLqtqj3ieYJIbgvYOT4PATjK9Hul1vMX6Kc7m0owAxGzMeuK4WcU7D9hWn6F2yyT26znWWP5GAZduY1Qv2S-8idxvUqjTuYytJTzpSiv1s6h1veM5Iq4IYy8NF39pRFNvUaj4A/s320/PXL_20210813_162131038.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apikuni Falls hike in Many Glacier.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rRj5xcnWDqLsHvgLxqpMFZuwOmgalhJ6z3hrxinS476t3bEIGG7AvRvhLlQwMqvRFYwQUOF5bzEyPzcg7yD0qKgOJPHt8jR2OlMeu4vvlCFa2xfrGqQ7O8powM8YG8nOIGoKrV1Ikg/s4032/PXL_20210813_162723354.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rRj5xcnWDqLsHvgLxqpMFZuwOmgalhJ6z3hrxinS476t3bEIGG7AvRvhLlQwMqvRFYwQUOF5bzEyPzcg7yD0qKgOJPHt8jR2OlMeu4vvlCFa2xfrGqQ7O8powM8YG8nOIGoKrV1Ikg/s320/PXL_20210813_162723354.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU28rbPHohha0jsLGAwgNLlskrfMLnAtYyitrp2aU2SzduIlzKphk8lxtqilnvnhv6VQr_2oopfZ3kr7Cj25A5TCMeG20IX3phJwRsg72cHmaaWy9jtF-cSA4AsB79dmmweC6UiJXHQQ/s4032/PXL_20210813_164441667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU28rbPHohha0jsLGAwgNLlskrfMLnAtYyitrp2aU2SzduIlzKphk8lxtqilnvnhv6VQr_2oopfZ3kr7Cj25A5TCMeG20IX3phJwRsg72cHmaaWy9jtF-cSA4AsB79dmmweC6UiJXHQQ/s320/PXL_20210813_164441667.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdIQn9eA0DTe9yyOM9pPKotAONZ84lavOWFT2yfHSR1E2O4oR0sLHt5OuYzEln4s9YCQ3cNaPBxPuHMdsHjtzg0shdeNDIQX2szDBHEKMbHFO8OPPLP1uLSSO3tMjh4AFdMzeTo6FXw/s3264/PXL_20210813_162929194.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFdIQn9eA0DTe9yyOM9pPKotAONZ84lavOWFT2yfHSR1E2O4oR0sLHt5OuYzEln4s9YCQ3cNaPBxPuHMdsHjtzg0shdeNDIQX2szDBHEKMbHFO8OPPLP1uLSSO3tMjh4AFdMzeTo6FXw/s320/PXL_20210813_162929194.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfgQvu5kvPm4TZYmtXMvdZNuh4kS1h6FoHIGdSoA09auWbWuoW-kne3WwqvfRTO0HR7b-yDT2EfVVyqzkzzDosViiURQlrnyNsYanxUtDHAzzHyEmlYL7_2OKLNxAvGTxKj4fj_z-Jg/s4032/PXL_20210813_202334883.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfgQvu5kvPm4TZYmtXMvdZNuh4kS1h6FoHIGdSoA09auWbWuoW-kne3WwqvfRTO0HR7b-yDT2EfVVyqzkzzDosViiURQlrnyNsYanxUtDHAzzHyEmlYL7_2OKLNxAvGTxKj4fj_z-Jg/s320/PXL_20210813_202334883.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red Rock Lake hike in Many Glacier. We went on a guided hike with a ranger, which we all found really interesting. We saw several moose and ate many Huckleberries.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziqLApYxuv8sfwTaXEiMIm8FPKAwcmpiyMbDSodA7XTIJWyTC1DPD9ZpsLSLdBTpSqdzvko9W2SXqdbM85dOc-QCo5lAqRa4uZNkDYE7lktHMUY4KY88PMFQz_YFDr3y21CiDn7VOgg/s4032/PXL_20210813_220850369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziqLApYxuv8sfwTaXEiMIm8FPKAwcmpiyMbDSodA7XTIJWyTC1DPD9ZpsLSLdBTpSqdzvko9W2SXqdbM85dOc-QCo5lAqRa4uZNkDYE7lktHMUY4KY88PMFQz_YFDr3y21CiDn7VOgg/s320/PXL_20210813_220850369.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0RMGSqFmJxmy5SZzeKuLo5FSRx3V8Pv-0eFIi7yy-ENSiDCc8CNsIUlxNaE5PnG8Zg0CG47sJ6zvgUO7kRkD_jdkDF8GxXZ4imMfQHH3TNB402Pysa45fGY3jpJ8syAKowVtulYGHQ/s4032/PXL_20210813_221616244.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC0RMGSqFmJxmy5SZzeKuLo5FSRx3V8Pv-0eFIi7yy-ENSiDCc8CNsIUlxNaE5PnG8Zg0CG47sJ6zvgUO7kRkD_jdkDF8GxXZ4imMfQHH3TNB402Pysa45fGY3jpJ8syAKowVtulYGHQ/s320/PXL_20210813_221616244.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOYRj0GdjkZ4vQz_m1b4ZqcRw9VThn1cXGUm0bYQybXwXWUadAj1r6zZW0CE9b9v3RIbIUSja0vTZUbjg8kHTL21TIfNIM2yK3eNI0Ysr45kwrVtz-yIa1T5zA8MRf6rWOpqcdsZaeg/s4032/PXL_20210813_220356764.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOYRj0GdjkZ4vQz_m1b4ZqcRw9VThn1cXGUm0bYQybXwXWUadAj1r6zZW0CE9b9v3RIbIUSja0vTZUbjg8kHTL21TIfNIM2yK3eNI0Ysr45kwrVtz-yIa1T5zA8MRf6rWOpqcdsZaeg/s320/PXL_20210813_220356764.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgWl3OfFawZIFF6V5Hw9o11aBFvbGT7RXCnfAv_PNcIovRyASlpXV7-iwpaGL2YRf5AHFskPfP779-A6o-ATgd5fbgP2FLkuaXnxXaOD8mvR_SwLiFdgiwGb2mCYxgOy5Q4Um-z3a0A/s4032/PXL_20210814_012700502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgWl3OfFawZIFF6V5Hw9o11aBFvbGT7RXCnfAv_PNcIovRyASlpXV7-iwpaGL2YRf5AHFskPfP779-A6o-ATgd5fbgP2FLkuaXnxXaOD8mvR_SwLiFdgiwGb2mCYxgOy5Q4Um-z3a0A/s320/PXL_20210814_012700502.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream and a ranger talk.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NHQb-BtoEY4j3WrdWQKxIBAD-PhAujcUmzjzQZbb8CP9wWan1TVlAzRSoGYbUR4Et22gd269KImfLt4Jm2dksJxAp-u-pMVhawhDsjYx9F0qVoWoXvdigdx8NWKQCS57zejEPa20Fw/s4032/PXL_20210813_232439869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NHQb-BtoEY4j3WrdWQKxIBAD-PhAujcUmzjzQZbb8CP9wWan1TVlAzRSoGYbUR4Et22gd269KImfLt4Jm2dksJxAp-u-pMVhawhDsjYx9F0qVoWoXvdigdx8NWKQCS57zejEPa20Fw/s320/PXL_20210813_232439869.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building a habitat for an inch worm they adopted as a pet. Briefly.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pstyvJTNVPGNfp6ThzPF-iH_3PFm9Sgxo-D5bi5cTxlpIP0XZU7RQQIamm_AC22yQxNWg9ZaKHLRVYjlIMzypoecZj51BhKykDLLGKghGvw6YSiNSQ9dAKAa_4Rj23UECJo-Gpv9FA/s4032/PXL_20210814_023332305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0pstyvJTNVPGNfp6ThzPF-iH_3PFm9Sgxo-D5bi5cTxlpIP0XZU7RQQIamm_AC22yQxNWg9ZaKHLRVYjlIMzypoecZj51BhKykDLLGKghGvw6YSiNSQ9dAKAa_4Rj23UECJo-Gpv9FA/s320/PXL_20210814_023332305.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inchy's habitat.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlS1YYgdU9pTXWZobpAqS7wOVo3oN7GbCWvHD5TXhVOkOxyZpqDXp7t5P93TCflGRom-1mHSEvjfIwLVLwXu7zhtQjYJkbhEWtvYq_G4gCm-T4Rqa2nZHx49CcUnnoyTm8IFWAKNZiA/s4032/PXL_20210814_131727137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlS1YYgdU9pTXWZobpAqS7wOVo3oN7GbCWvHD5TXhVOkOxyZpqDXp7t5P93TCflGRom-1mHSEvjfIwLVLwXu7zhtQjYJkbhEWtvYq_G4gCm-T4Rqa2nZHx49CcUnnoyTm8IFWAKNZiA/s320/PXL_20210814_131727137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavG0t52LWZTdopuawAAmYEaqtg8z2aTSDGir55EDD8mmzxV0THryihwa8XbF3GZriGK5Hv6x6xdXHBykv5ewwqBGOoSPDaauUmpbQ8e4DOe8ExFAhm6QhCSS9Dca_zdBPx6QrAXL6ng/s4032/PXL_20210814_162537046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavG0t52LWZTdopuawAAmYEaqtg8z2aTSDGir55EDD8mmzxV0THryihwa8XbF3GZriGK5Hv6x6xdXHBykv5ewwqBGOoSPDaauUmpbQ8e4DOe8ExFAhm6QhCSS9Dca_zdBPx6QrAXL6ng/s320/PXL_20210814_162537046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hidden Lake hike at Logan Pass. It was fairly smoky this day, but still beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4gDD_7QpeHrCY2D1QB001C81Y9nXMHUyU0Ehg3QZX2Xf8rJT9e186MxrrOwjcACqFzsUFSmaoDYT8Gd730cN49wZhaa_xA1VPR6LdJRnJwP9-30K3XbYBKX21H-THkQHCb5auUR8AA/s4032/PXL_20210814_164923857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4gDD_7QpeHrCY2D1QB001C81Y9nXMHUyU0Ehg3QZX2Xf8rJT9e186MxrrOwjcACqFzsUFSmaoDYT8Gd730cN49wZhaa_xA1VPR6LdJRnJwP9-30K3XbYBKX21H-THkQHCb5auUR8AA/s320/PXL_20210814_164923857.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gEBk_WwuZJyYKszvnsiVqmLbz2HdwhjFEzlmVALnCTAFEx-CHhfqLbJeYraA5t45D86QPuMP-pmQykwQdp0vHp4-snHpNc6BGl98OIx7CGJVxGIU_DxB81iyD8K503_leXzuzaw3GQ/s4032/PXL_20210814_173446956.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6gEBk_WwuZJyYKszvnsiVqmLbz2HdwhjFEzlmVALnCTAFEx-CHhfqLbJeYraA5t45D86QPuMP-pmQykwQdp0vHp4-snHpNc6BGl98OIx7CGJVxGIU_DxB81iyD8K503_leXzuzaw3GQ/s320/PXL_20210814_173446956.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare being sworn in as a Junior Ranger.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PbZeE3-7JGb4UBQ7oNadhCOzM0KNQermsHuPQ0SMKAtTk98IL47S_T66otHRI9Nxsg8zOAnXLS4MU_whZBJ-VwjjJzAXenOZgis8T54VV5FuX6Csyv1RFoxhcA4hvuOhG5w-rXsXLA/s4032/PXL_20210814_180124959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PbZeE3-7JGb4UBQ7oNadhCOzM0KNQermsHuPQ0SMKAtTk98IL47S_T66otHRI9Nxsg8zOAnXLS4MU_whZBJ-VwjjJzAXenOZgis8T54VV5FuX6Csyv1RFoxhcA4hvuOhG5w-rXsXLA/s320/PXL_20210814_180124959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmaKBbMsBWIluhP8AjxnNlFRkuZ__SkbMJzRdPais2tBIAhaL6ywXgu1_EZulWxvZEcbDOEgVE3SNi4Ovq5Rk0c_Y2Rj5We2W6XIQNnDXIjrTsX4IpFlJaPEWXYU-lWozZrs0eCQROg/s4032/PXL_20210814_200400207.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmaKBbMsBWIluhP8AjxnNlFRkuZ__SkbMJzRdPais2tBIAhaL6ywXgu1_EZulWxvZEcbDOEgVE3SNi4Ovq5Rk0c_Y2Rj5We2W6XIQNnDXIjrTsX4IpFlJaPEWXYU-lWozZrs0eCQROg/s320/PXL_20210814_200400207.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking in the Trail of the Cedars in Glacier. This wooded area was beautiful and peaceful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuajlG7Dn8Dtr_LE4KzHjy8effgBKHaAmKhfU7r8PQnvqv0ZJQBAiHolKkMdNhgrpXs_Hyna9JsUw6bVWb13xOngGJEGr2YDlJ6qrJR1pz80vLEHNOqDl0Yr_X135O0Kg7NFweq8nCJg/s3264/PXL_20210814_210507070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuajlG7Dn8Dtr_LE4KzHjy8effgBKHaAmKhfU7r8PQnvqv0ZJQBAiHolKkMdNhgrpXs_Hyna9JsUw6bVWb13xOngGJEGr2YDlJ6qrJR1pz80vLEHNOqDl0Yr_X135O0Kg7NFweq8nCJg/s320/PXL_20210814_210507070.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepy time on the shuttle.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMFvaR3ZdkiH_E-rVdVgLBmKoLZvsJ0_XN3jPI21DHbcXCUWD1hT6ociHKwNL3X3P7IZdcNwjxjLotuUYvBdA2y5S7A2z9Z5gX7om5lUbcNdOIopfxe0BWEg8XO84heFAtCJh9e1ACA/s4032/PXL_20210815_231709365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMFvaR3ZdkiH_E-rVdVgLBmKoLZvsJ0_XN3jPI21DHbcXCUWD1hT6ociHKwNL3X3P7IZdcNwjxjLotuUYvBdA2y5S7A2z9Z5gX7om5lUbcNdOIopfxe0BWEg8XO84heFAtCJh9e1ACA/s320/PXL_20210815_231709365.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare rescuing our camper's crank from the roof. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzlTvCUuGU39_-zBE8ESIq70l-GjOyDibgqOnqTW5bycHS9MkuIohlDwiRI_rH6p2nAV6OPziSSVmgOhqCuIcw-ch0WxQjydpmH-tljTCYLuPFhmuokI5G2KTq2HnQ9bZZvEOdGaAsw/s4032/PXL_20210816_022947236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtzlTvCUuGU39_-zBE8ESIq70l-GjOyDibgqOnqTW5bycHS9MkuIohlDwiRI_rH6p2nAV6OPziSSVmgOhqCuIcw-ch0WxQjydpmH-tljTCYLuPFhmuokI5G2KTq2HnQ9bZZvEOdGaAsw/s320/PXL_20210816_022947236.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Double-decker hammock!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_mkUPWUGCL3tZvbhpxz9pbnrPPPdZ3NvfNjuXtYIa3cHnB-fqDbSxURYs66DyEsZwi18tpQbdN0Hqws2EK5y51hOn8L4SPYvR9kLfqGnL9N8Ex5w8Uq1axlZsFDA_kSFNzdG71owgA/s4032/PXL_20210816_150117726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ_mkUPWUGCL3tZvbhpxz9pbnrPPPdZ3NvfNjuXtYIa3cHnB-fqDbSxURYs66DyEsZwi18tpQbdN0Hqws2EK5y51hOn8L4SPYvR9kLfqGnL9N8Ex5w8Uq1axlZsFDA_kSFNzdG71owgA/s320/PXL_20210816_150117726.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pancake breakfast at Custer Gallatin near Red Lodge, Montana.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdDCJ4eGkc_B29MbtBfrczK9MdAcTse5Por4ih-ZAHg5gRg_Jtxk3xrqcXAc95mfaiwRTQbRXYAIo51mYrSAjoosUES6TvxFXjJuPfW-6n03gnU7-r1brI0sekTMVCRBCnxcuAoqiTA/s2048/PXL_20210816_211143430.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdDCJ4eGkc_B29MbtBfrczK9MdAcTse5Por4ih-ZAHg5gRg_Jtxk3xrqcXAc95mfaiwRTQbRXYAIo51mYrSAjoosUES6TvxFXjJuPfW-6n03gnU7-r1brI0sekTMVCRBCnxcuAoqiTA/s320/PXL_20210816_211143430.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain lake swimming. Brrrr.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZStu0CZiDAk824uEDlDYiP6QsIZFhX3dil3296sZlUtCTMc4_WAYBye58ts2gaL2eXaInn18B2iYCYmIUtfpBok-wWiUNvl6M5WgA2G9uFMCtvZ5UF6-XbPs2-g1cONIDy08YMxwSw/s2048/PXL_20210816_213355244.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZStu0CZiDAk824uEDlDYiP6QsIZFhX3dil3296sZlUtCTMc4_WAYBye58ts2gaL2eXaInn18B2iYCYmIUtfpBok-wWiUNvl6M5WgA2G9uFMCtvZ5UF6-XbPs2-g1cONIDy08YMxwSw/s320/PXL_20210816_213355244.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1r1SU0gD0fm28lKZaRAFhzMiTHaH_8u158DrKLw-Tt6jJkM8e9y3-HicRKl2ffJHsUeOsfKcZzUxdPPNHY7uyUFsuMH37nkL8ZJiJG5OuNPuwx2c7ft6o5m9WjnnbVi5UsBV4osckBw/s4032/PXL_20210817_154724212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1r1SU0gD0fm28lKZaRAFhzMiTHaH_8u158DrKLw-Tt6jJkM8e9y3-HicRKl2ffJHsUeOsfKcZzUxdPPNHY7uyUFsuMH37nkL8ZJiJG5OuNPuwx2c7ft6o5m9WjnnbVi5UsBV4osckBw/s320/PXL_20210817_154724212.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beartooth Highway. It was smoky, but still scenic.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOJ9kkyb1aWWqU2vJg7ANwSPrRsulDtugqYhEBHzG3lCWM7MwJypZG95gsrERfZGxiC-_EU_kniMOYNHGwghyphenhyphen8AsLCH_ho_QDQ6N7_jUXgeMGP0SluUbtF55UNTM-C4BTHj2CFSRzbg/s4032/PXL_20210817_153654244.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOJ9kkyb1aWWqU2vJg7ANwSPrRsulDtugqYhEBHzG3lCWM7MwJypZG95gsrERfZGxiC-_EU_kniMOYNHGwghyphenhyphen8AsLCH_ho_QDQ6N7_jUXgeMGP0SluUbtF55UNTM-C4BTHj2CFSRzbg/s320/PXL_20210817_153654244.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO01qxeVLFX2mbs63ffeB_B5HuccMHUedURTWXsOXv_9Ry28om0DTlIrQYUGmEimwF5mEFBBm0gDUdUEnPnT0OsiiVAAj7s8yYnIFNn_6z-JQrIRnjIjj6H-OngH5uW-gOiCgM4rajw/s4032/PXL_20210817_193426169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO01qxeVLFX2mbs63ffeB_B5HuccMHUedURTWXsOXv_9Ry28om0DTlIrQYUGmEimwF5mEFBBm0gDUdUEnPnT0OsiiVAAj7s8yYnIFNn_6z-JQrIRnjIjj6H-OngH5uW-gOiCgM4rajw/s320/PXL_20210817_193426169.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual cowboys herding cows in Wyoming.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoZoYjzMFi2UkGBly1ptlM0lraXzo4nO9AGC-V4k_N7sBgwBd1Z03hNiROsMkv_Z5cS4RXoU2oy7zDDC3EBvZDel_LtrMbMNOTN8RMMM5V-ThWn_ge5FJnzCdxZb3JJFKggs594JxEw/s4032/PXL_20210817_221509558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoZoYjzMFi2UkGBly1ptlM0lraXzo4nO9AGC-V4k_N7sBgwBd1Z03hNiROsMkv_Z5cS4RXoU2oy7zDDC3EBvZDel_LtrMbMNOTN8RMMM5V-ThWn_ge5FJnzCdxZb3JJFKggs594JxEw/s320/PXL_20210817_221509558.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brewery time in Red Lodge, MT.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDvXPQkLJJRWx4T8elvMf8s9piulLqo3jcSq-D8nAlmhL68wSBXmYlpwLofWCWU7rY9ovtfkX-EkclPEgHszX7rLYs6D7LU23edpkvx5_5-O71tFOedbZpv-Ju_KxkxgzUp_T6ikoLQ/s4032/PXL_20210818_004546803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhDvXPQkLJJRWx4T8elvMf8s9piulLqo3jcSq-D8nAlmhL68wSBXmYlpwLofWCWU7rY9ovtfkX-EkclPEgHszX7rLYs6D7LU23edpkvx5_5-O71tFOedbZpv-Ju_KxkxgzUp_T6ikoLQ/s320/PXL_20210818_004546803.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The National Forest campsites are so spacious and quiet.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTts2i1Bs-FgIMTwrjwnS-GxLtIZEJ1kTG1rqdwjdUFhPlz4RJpMiMLudTbz7IlKwfU0HCdSBfneIgTtGSv86Ut_ntggQx9E3JXjJeqkXYtflZILz0-kPoDTiIBsSD-gohtztp7cO5g/s4032/PXL_20210818_210032063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTts2i1Bs-FgIMTwrjwnS-GxLtIZEJ1kTG1rqdwjdUFhPlz4RJpMiMLudTbz7IlKwfU0HCdSBfneIgTtGSv86Ut_ntggQx9E3JXjJeqkXYtflZILz0-kPoDTiIBsSD-gohtztp7cO5g/s320/PXL_20210818_210032063.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devil's Tower.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuK3DmERGHQPxJ-bPDBn45mGCCGDUxKegmzfSlcyPvKOQFDiSJ8OGWqb11F-nvRNPcg1jwDrapDbi3YJoQifg0MhyphenhyphenowkLs3Al1o9qtlLe65AI5Al3TW8bGJyLjcLbgqNFTB7szUk1OA/s4032/PXL_20210818_211805024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuK3DmERGHQPxJ-bPDBn45mGCCGDUxKegmzfSlcyPvKOQFDiSJ8OGWqb11F-nvRNPcg1jwDrapDbi3YJoQifg0MhyphenhyphenowkLs3Al1o9qtlLe65AI5Al3TW8bGJyLjcLbgqNFTB7szUk1OA/s320/PXL_20210818_211805024.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0pfLMLic8r00lKFY48uo-WZmL7iAU4sOGSCR2CA_-iEvcuvQWgWMu7VVBGQRjQDkW37Vf4gPjuWivBDTeCxP96prwtIr-hKzFauYYnh-JVStZMjtYwe26VpctOIYQNQRT8JC2QNsZg/s4032/PXL_20210819_220651295.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0pfLMLic8r00lKFY48uo-WZmL7iAU4sOGSCR2CA_-iEvcuvQWgWMu7VVBGQRjQDkW37Vf4gPjuWivBDTeCxP96prwtIr-hKzFauYYnh-JVStZMjtYwe26VpctOIYQNQRT8JC2QNsZg/s320/PXL_20210819_220651295.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel swimming pool in Sioux Falls, S.D.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3_CCZk9yotVffMAnkQIBNuELMqzB7Vo6Ouzz_dgzhYI9meq787C2igbAOoU04nm1C-NgiLNuECB7_ZLhQbsJbpYEdASjp47aJ1BIgewaVFS2MfXp93skKt6LB_J_7hUE6qfc9Z_cyw/s4032/PXL_20210820_015718332.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3_CCZk9yotVffMAnkQIBNuELMqzB7Vo6Ouzz_dgzhYI9meq787C2igbAOoU04nm1C-NgiLNuECB7_ZLhQbsJbpYEdASjp47aJ1BIgewaVFS2MfXp93skKt6LB_J_7hUE6qfc9Z_cyw/s320/PXL_20210820_015718332.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An actual bed and a shower felt good after so many days in the camper!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-90898541292916924272021-09-15T15:40:00.001-05:002021-09-15T15:40:45.781-05:00Summer 2021<p>It is technically still summer, even though I am slowly going into fall mode with back to school and some cooler weather. Since it is still summer, though, I am not too late with this post about summer! Summer!</p><p>By far the highlight of our summer was a visit from our VIPs in London: Robby, Andri, Marios and Dinos. We were so, so happy to finally see each other in person after two years and four months apart. The kids were thrilled to spend time with their cousins and aunt and uncle, and it was our first time meeting Dinos! I couldn't stop cuddling him. Seeing them in person made me realize even more how much I've missed them all. I am hoping to see them again in April in London. I know I can't go two years without a visit again.</p><p>We all gathered at my parents' house, and spent time at the pool, went to parks and the Zoo, and even managed to fit in a Brewers game in Milwaukee. Some people ended up getting sick. (Not COVID.) I didn't, but I felt sorry for the others, including Christopher. We had lots of good food and drinks and just TIME together. It was really wonderful.</p><p> Other than our time with family, we had a pretty packed summer. Clare and Christopher did a clay camp at Northern Clay Center, which they loved. Christopher did a theater camp, which he hated. Clare went to sleepaway Girl Scout camp, which is pretty much her favorite thing ever. She learned how to do the flying trapeze! I am just so impressed with her courage. She once again didn't know anyone ahead of time, but came home with piles of new friends. Luckily, she got to go before Delta reared its ugly head. </p><p>Clare played soccer, Christopher played baseball. Clare's skills are improving, Christopher had the most fun making seal noises in the outfield. (The team mascot was the seal.) The first game I attended I kept hearing this strange noise and couldn't figure out what it was. I eventually realized it was coming out of my son. </p><p>We spent the Fourth of July in Evansville, as per usual. The full fourth experience was back in full swing and we took it all in: the race (Christopher beat Clare!), the parade (there is still parade candy in my house), the festival grounds (beer and ice cream), and of course the fireworks. We also had a cookout at my parents' house.</p><p>Going in the way back machine to the beginning of summer, Ben and Christopher spent a weekend camping with the Cub Scouts. Clare and I had a great time just the two of us. We went shopping, went to the pool, got take out for dinner and watched a movie. On Sunday morning, we sat outside at Caribou and had treats and played Trivial Pursuit. I really enjoyed our one on one time.</p><p>Also from the beginning of summer: Clare's 10th birthday party. We kept is simple this year with a pizza and ice cream pie party with her local cousins, aunt and uncle, great aunt and uncle and grandparents. We had a pinata, too. Clare was excited to receive some gift cards to buy new clothes (fast forward to the end of summer and she was able to go on a special shopping trip with her Aunt Katie) and some new Legoes. </p><p>We managed to squeeze in some time with friends, including a beach day, a trip to Minnesota's largest candy store, and some time at the pool. I got to go on a weekend away to New Ulm. It was lovely. </p><p>The kids discovered they love water slides, and we spent time at two different water slide parks. </p><p>At the end of summer, we spent a few days on the north shore of Lake Superior with Ben's parents. It was so beautiful and relaxing. Lake Superior is my happy place. We spent Labor Day weekend in our camper at my friend Heather's cabin in Shell Lake, WI. It is such a beautiful setting. I told Ben I wanted to buy land there. I think he is actually considering it.</p><p>And lest you think that is the only time we spent in our camper, oh ho. We camped for nearly two weeks on an epic western road trip. I think I'll save that for another post.</p><p>The kids are back in school and it has been an okay start to the year. I mean, why wouldn't it be? Everything is normal and fine.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYuNsLYeNmHPJ-ntZpF1FShLs_ClIwCLrBhmAncUarLQboSdM3mKOXgDClUlWfpj2ai3-qp_2Q5uxms6BQo3tmo4EZ22iTKT1JSe0eYQisqm7TvW6tTv3w7ZZokJPhjS2MeKj4_w8Pg/s4032/PXL_20210606_215658446.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizYuNsLYeNmHPJ-ntZpF1FShLs_ClIwCLrBhmAncUarLQboSdM3mKOXgDClUlWfpj2ai3-qp_2Q5uxms6BQo3tmo4EZ22iTKT1JSe0eYQisqm7TvW6tTv3w7ZZokJPhjS2MeKj4_w8Pg/s320/PXL_20210606_215658446.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids had fun playing water games at Clare's birthday party.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qfqDXI2uFbvjNfGN8A3lbX0rUqp0LMVMVEX9o6VpiG-3kcbg4C6zWkCXyHWEE8DleWbXQjF3z2cj0Xr2ctEbCsCe_B7XYgNWmXRK7VFHKuD9PYOuyxpDBu9qhe6QfFc5OpC8xw7OOQ/s4032/PXL_20210606_225809285.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1qfqDXI2uFbvjNfGN8A3lbX0rUqp0LMVMVEX9o6VpiG-3kcbg4C6zWkCXyHWEE8DleWbXQjF3z2cj0Xr2ctEbCsCe_B7XYgNWmXRK7VFHKuD9PYOuyxpDBu9qhe6QfFc5OpC8xw7OOQ/s320/PXL_20210606_225809285.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Presents! I still can't believe she is 10.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCIhaSKf7BFYy6dVbbxKy52Vtbzb3TiMXmxFmPC3AdHAq4CX8R-n3oRt4xXUZXnnmcL2KCQRjvIR_gOL3Nc8AYlMkeom5Dl7Vnf3ziZSQE4_2E5onhQnmtpunelg4A1mZ8-97euwZtA/s4032/PXL_20210607_223713176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCIhaSKf7BFYy6dVbbxKy52Vtbzb3TiMXmxFmPC3AdHAq4CX8R-n3oRt4xXUZXnnmcL2KCQRjvIR_gOL3Nc8AYlMkeom5Dl7Vnf3ziZSQE4_2E5onhQnmtpunelg4A1mZ8-97euwZtA/s320/PXL_20210607_223713176.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud Slytherin.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY0rjqDCfoowaTvSGRuH7zAokNMX3-THy0XeEluBJLCZznJFNw7VQbh5ANMT3zGkHsi7ynOYfeWAs-zB8P_FInc3nxchCJUlxbDmMVDpB1dmsHnbRIKk2s_wkYx5iS5mmtM_LKbAQ7Q/s4032/PXL_20210613_143448677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHY0rjqDCfoowaTvSGRuH7zAokNMX3-THy0XeEluBJLCZznJFNw7VQbh5ANMT3zGkHsi7ynOYfeWAs-zB8P_FInc3nxchCJUlxbDmMVDpB1dmsHnbRIKk2s_wkYx5iS5mmtM_LKbAQ7Q/s320/PXL_20210613_143448677.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trivia time at Caribou!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGailNxZ7W1BxRPHftIYicOca7ZmuuCvWlNW7dJLtCKxxSeERQ3YMQQEJxZk3v8Ng1NFpqY1Z03xiWpTLERoGXVg1USKSU4sVjwXMpByTyodU6xzffHy5PYgo0GRW9t4wXjplgUVGsw/s4032/PXL_20210615_181747798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKGailNxZ7W1BxRPHftIYicOca7ZmuuCvWlNW7dJLtCKxxSeERQ3YMQQEJxZk3v8Ng1NFpqY1Z03xiWpTLERoGXVg1USKSU4sVjwXMpByTyodU6xzffHy5PYgo0GRW9t4wXjplgUVGsw/s320/PXL_20210615_181747798.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several trips to the Highland Pool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwSHJM34MvXFKfikj4gafL9iqp4UOjrQKPX5fy_vO45p2kqX_T8R_QIba9fWQdWCf__yTqnlpRkQFn6uydKaFI7CQIlxJtOanLo_ymDjPCrG5YTsFetMXx7bB2jwH15PXYmVeJqHzng/s4032/PXL_20210616_165434884.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwSHJM34MvXFKfikj4gafL9iqp4UOjrQKPX5fy_vO45p2kqX_T8R_QIba9fWQdWCf__yTqnlpRkQFn6uydKaFI7CQIlxJtOanLo_ymDjPCrG5YTsFetMXx7bB2jwH15PXYmVeJqHzng/s320/PXL_20210616_165434884.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took our annual trip to Como Town. Christopher was happy that he could ride the rollercoaster. After he got off, he informed me that it wasn't for him.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoOs9pMGoI_nEJ8QotGgwARNIlZ8-6WLhGxIDTITs-zAaJXu4hdhcN6WWAJc0KRs5FXDtw1dK5YOjrYUNYZPpmFyz8Oj4tvg51GY9ZcDqtJ_1d97dD5bNZOzRBpoz4jcXhmtA0vXxGQ/s4032/PXL_20210616_172055434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpoOs9pMGoI_nEJ8QotGgwARNIlZ8-6WLhGxIDTITs-zAaJXu4hdhcN6WWAJc0KRs5FXDtw1dK5YOjrYUNYZPpmFyz8Oj4tvg51GY9ZcDqtJ_1d97dD5bNZOzRBpoz4jcXhmtA0vXxGQ/s320/PXL_20210616_172055434.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBz4FGmRV4mpALaJXHGOKHX7Y8PKAISIX7veb6rLlIKh1FwVtMEMRjxdZIU3nHsWOzVtlyBC8WHdM8Ya47eALtPNyUCtnTTzgj3ZusDqAHsrO7FYAlZw-C1yF-cE5ZKFxzVunLw7KPw/s4032/PXL_20210616_170804949.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBz4FGmRV4mpALaJXHGOKHX7Y8PKAISIX7veb6rLlIKh1FwVtMEMRjxdZIU3nHsWOzVtlyBC8WHdM8Ya47eALtPNyUCtnTTzgj3ZusDqAHsrO7FYAlZw-C1yF-cE5ZKFxzVunLw7KPw/s320/PXL_20210616_170804949.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoJy8InDwKkeoMnbUIUx6MSLMFUgmtAnyXbpadVU_9Uy-5dc4H0CDKYRuKrkvTSKq1NBP_27sxWNT84p7F6Pu2SBtV0t5qgB_2u6AGZZYOu3SW8v6hnw2NmpZw_xpcQf4V7KJZZ1cHQ/s4032/PXL_20210617_220438395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoJy8InDwKkeoMnbUIUx6MSLMFUgmtAnyXbpadVU_9Uy-5dc4H0CDKYRuKrkvTSKq1NBP_27sxWNT84p7F6Pu2SBtV0t5qgB_2u6AGZZYOu3SW8v6hnw2NmpZw_xpcQf4V7KJZZ1cHQ/s320/PXL_20210617_220438395.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luxury at the pool on a visit to my parents' house.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bmFJtvfVgAT7gbhLs2pdSfRFP_1hqBo6OGuiFhsJo4RTqd9cjFN0N2VJnUllTyJpnHO8EtI-dUjjyJCPvOzudsa36WSCmM2TYYU7hFQAT-RjtbyutROxrb6vHBiLlZh0swK48csS2w/s4032/PXL_20210618_161947716.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bmFJtvfVgAT7gbhLs2pdSfRFP_1hqBo6OGuiFhsJo4RTqd9cjFN0N2VJnUllTyJpnHO8EtI-dUjjyJCPvOzudsa36WSCmM2TYYU7hFQAT-RjtbyutROxrb6vHBiLlZh0swK48csS2w/s320/PXL_20210618_161947716.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wWV3Mc70okUL9scYAIpw2UoaJBfp401lML1s8DqDxAWqgbSOtzYWV3ZuV_M5MFQzmdgVR6BMacwbVbhRGTjdDV08yxXa3y5iPFSVvW2Fyxl-T8XguawudSrXZH-iBZH0x9QU0ddhUA/s4032/PXL_20210619_203737393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wWV3Mc70okUL9scYAIpw2UoaJBfp401lML1s8DqDxAWqgbSOtzYWV3ZuV_M5MFQzmdgVR6BMacwbVbhRGTjdDV08yxXa3y5iPFSVvW2Fyxl-T8XguawudSrXZH-iBZH0x9QU0ddhUA/s320/PXL_20210619_203737393.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpo2pCFcr6ZulnvhApbrGdi_vDyxrA_7g-B2MvM0lIpEAM5qIBSqjEse3S5zw_JobW7_ZRYg6wgCHN36f_IYyk9McWRl6bDIsGo48RxILkQFKhjvNThuukd2gHL7PlTgayt58W_FPNw/s4032/PXL_20210627_221308230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpo2pCFcr6ZulnvhApbrGdi_vDyxrA_7g-B2MvM0lIpEAM5qIBSqjEse3S5zw_JobW7_ZRYg6wgCHN36f_IYyk9McWRl6bDIsGo48RxILkQFKhjvNThuukd2gHL7PlTgayt58W_FPNw/s320/PXL_20210627_221308230.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patio dining at the Tap! We have missed that place. It is still not the same as going inside, but we enjoyed it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6QRxDZ77mOB4AlY9GOBbn-WH46Qr0ysKlaXJHkXWWBCz90ERWjEMhAgYdFfnENCdLFdXkv7EYTN73sysem8a8X_-Ii5QtmydpE5GmfTtZdc4ANaC13IaEecFQF1aK63-v0LiN4z3WA/s4032/PXL_20210629_194500306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs6QRxDZ77mOB4AlY9GOBbn-WH46Qr0ysKlaXJHkXWWBCz90ERWjEMhAgYdFfnENCdLFdXkv7EYTN73sysem8a8X_-Ii5QtmydpE5GmfTtZdc4ANaC13IaEecFQF1aK63-v0LiN4z3WA/s320/PXL_20210629_194500306.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids saved up and helped pay for a Nintendo Switch! I have also had fun playing on it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5q55W_bFcEjFj_oZaK8jfpJjZ-r18cG7P-XmzqAHlC5EOuHqXncVwRqFxhe6NXtQV3dQQSORwZPzHLfigJEng3Qqx8DJowi5VvgSe74Y_nRXeMWJhcEr7GnTWMO4CMYQNr51F9dxGg/s4032/PXL_20210702_192107268.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5q55W_bFcEjFj_oZaK8jfpJjZ-r18cG7P-XmzqAHlC5EOuHqXncVwRqFxhe6NXtQV3dQQSORwZPzHLfigJEng3Qqx8DJowi5VvgSe74Y_nRXeMWJhcEr7GnTWMO4CMYQNr51F9dxGg/s320/PXL_20210702_192107268.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to Cave of the Mounds on Ben's birthday. Everyone really enjoyed it! I hadn't been since I was a kid, but it is a really cool cave.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYc5uftbR_yMbWBf9MaZ31IzaT7638gZMI69Edg0HP_FkFPub7C9mSHbymJEVDCytWrkpIkkIyEJmEHhG0CsjsguQW6ucJJmrP-TdnJVxE2_wA6pSysaW-3zBMmzQJu9BHYTAvkcx-g/s4032/PXL_20210703_145343837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYc5uftbR_yMbWBf9MaZ31IzaT7638gZMI69Edg0HP_FkFPub7C9mSHbymJEVDCytWrkpIkkIyEJmEHhG0CsjsguQW6ucJJmrP-TdnJVxE2_wA6pSysaW-3zBMmzQJu9BHYTAvkcx-g/s320/PXL_20210703_145343837.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parade time at the Evansville 4th!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP6vlWotqMke3tk-Kk5AQZsriOqZo1Y8KCNo0DVMViplQkJ1xSOZtECLyxWMt_3nAki7vy-8_jc-OWIFx9p8Sdzd0I7d70se0KsaH_301pGkmu6kxMuvBcXeZ4sz4aKyT_pMgCCozDw/s4032/PXL_20210703_154443297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVP6vlWotqMke3tk-Kk5AQZsriOqZo1Y8KCNo0DVMViplQkJ1xSOZtECLyxWMt_3nAki7vy-8_jc-OWIFx9p8Sdzd0I7d70se0KsaH_301pGkmu6kxMuvBcXeZ4sz4aKyT_pMgCCozDw/s320/PXL_20210703_154443297.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk4ld6Rpezsv9V4IgNuPR_A1hng4NHUJV7WnI8gjT_8xWv8pmwwBHGTGeP9eVLfEcj8nYg3cYwlD4HARMPfox66ql-VskAbeZrOBHUDv8kNQJdUI6TMa5KuCKFuBcWPQZIq-gfOXewg/s4032/PXL_20210703_153337112.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEk4ld6Rpezsv9V4IgNuPR_A1hng4NHUJV7WnI8gjT_8xWv8pmwwBHGTGeP9eVLfEcj8nYg3cYwlD4HARMPfox66ql-VskAbeZrOBHUDv8kNQJdUI6TMa5KuCKFuBcWPQZIq-gfOXewg/s320/PXL_20210703_153337112.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdnff1ObB9pfLUUoXD-bg-TbQsu8GWzPUn2ipZ7bKGA7JLo1-1uqwRBdj6fSkl-4ajNx8LTzMUwGWxql5snNjQv3qHIvwqeDnsvH8tvW4TIjMf54zTT3A6-wkwuUPkFHBTqLr0yIn1A/s4032/PXL_20210704_131737196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYdnff1ObB9pfLUUoXD-bg-TbQsu8GWzPUn2ipZ7bKGA7JLo1-1uqwRBdj6fSkl-4ajNx8LTzMUwGWxql5snNjQv3qHIvwqeDnsvH8tvW4TIjMf54zTT3A6-wkwuUPkFHBTqLr0yIn1A/s320/PXL_20210704_131737196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_knqNj8Zo_ubwQb71pruH0lmZStQKr5zLX3WaI_y7HT_850S84uZAnd5cX310kOWHGLJqQrEiNnj4S0217AKroICoScWMGYZJTJ5hI2-V5SPKTTGBLBJpeCYOsUCuFchXn1mlMCKIFA/s4032/PXL_20210704_185843173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_knqNj8Zo_ubwQb71pruH0lmZStQKr5zLX3WaI_y7HT_850S84uZAnd5cX310kOWHGLJqQrEiNnj4S0217AKroICoScWMGYZJTJ5hI2-V5SPKTTGBLBJpeCYOsUCuFchXn1mlMCKIFA/s320/PXL_20210704_185843173.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPTJwRQWEEsCH_KFumFUr5W_ILOhQg1Hm6A-txpIv8ZyNeas4dtVZEJJNLjLflD3R3yvr7YriUd578gHM1cS5PR4aFmL4q7b9b-lY3SWj85bLVcz-c01AN5-mRyxCpEX8mtd9jEC8hw/s4032/PXL_20210704_193013293.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPTJwRQWEEsCH_KFumFUr5W_ILOhQg1Hm6A-txpIv8ZyNeas4dtVZEJJNLjLflD3R3yvr7YriUd578gHM1cS5PR4aFmL4q7b9b-lY3SWj85bLVcz-c01AN5-mRyxCpEX8mtd9jEC8hw/s320/PXL_20210704_193013293.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVUL5BJ0BtkVgbr0XvbfRsgvXrmlSwPFYhLiFonJX-3oaL9eINc-r_7s_pPZ5xU0jJK_PfJTYh239-TPf-aX4MpPT5SSpyxYIGXuciu0HJLHuVzFXjO2nAT5etF50NlwR-w5d0-w61Q/s4032/PXL_20210705_005047749.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVUL5BJ0BtkVgbr0XvbfRsgvXrmlSwPFYhLiFonJX-3oaL9eINc-r_7s_pPZ5xU0jJK_PfJTYh239-TPf-aX4MpPT5SSpyxYIGXuciu0HJLHuVzFXjO2nAT5etF50NlwR-w5d0-w61Q/s320/PXL_20210705_005047749.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual Flag Cake.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSySw-Rgi9dspxUJIXqt3nsfDLKKYSFisLPEE_CnKTWgThBHvJQQRWG8ebymyfiaJBU9-I6N9rPGtwk9MmCVr5ODrcAQFLvycO36k9vl-WIohqTwtx-G7uo8kXHszC19hk6MtIAVsrw/s3264/PXL_20210705_015424147.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpSySw-Rgi9dspxUJIXqt3nsfDLKKYSFisLPEE_CnKTWgThBHvJQQRWG8ebymyfiaJBU9-I6N9rPGtwk9MmCVr5ODrcAQFLvycO36k9vl-WIohqTwtx-G7uo8kXHszC19hk6MtIAVsrw/s320/PXL_20210705_015424147.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual selfie at the fireworks.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Rcah1becS1AOx7EAv68_dqfPozZI2g8xfG_bdq5s54qUu7lRRKvTz0IzK9ndXMhGd_Ie59MlG2YpGgvzOiMlPDzqO9DJ0IfC42dDTDIat0mb2Wz1gldaK4KVO2upVVa-zT33TohAGQ/s4032/PXL_20210708_164040493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Rcah1becS1AOx7EAv68_dqfPozZI2g8xfG_bdq5s54qUu7lRRKvTz0IzK9ndXMhGd_Ie59MlG2YpGgvzOiMlPDzqO9DJ0IfC42dDTDIat0mb2Wz1gldaK4KVO2upVVa-zT33TohAGQ/s320/PXL_20210708_164040493.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went mini golfing - this hippo has been on the course since I was a kid. Which makes it old.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizstyW-5SnxejbSa1k9NmL9f1lY4k7Bl_NpEPKd7kYcQ6e9upHqTGLMKftmZeAr-IH5pLFkBGIatZ-dxK0gBYfC1CWXrUixlt_QobNRg0xKIm-5oBI6Wlvdttsdnfm49kJq_eTk5Iy7Q/s4032/PXL_20210710_150539372.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizstyW-5SnxejbSa1k9NmL9f1lY4k7Bl_NpEPKd7kYcQ6e9upHqTGLMKftmZeAr-IH5pLFkBGIatZ-dxK0gBYfC1CWXrUixlt_QobNRg0xKIm-5oBI6Wlvdttsdnfm49kJq_eTk5Iy7Q/s320/PXL_20210710_150539372.MP.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how they hug.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9cmuWfVFL5-6wd9DE6PaY9eMBnlh9GMjymkUhIZc3PCUplPk0oZqzVvTBiB6ucNiIVMC3893TXLy8rmav8a2sM-bCSQ1DbM3cox9FEXVjmzVHtE_RYCrBxOG82lll1zpgRnYilH-CQ/s2048/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9cmuWfVFL5-6wd9DE6PaY9eMBnlh9GMjymkUhIZc3PCUplPk0oZqzVvTBiB6ucNiIVMC3893TXLy8rmav8a2sM-bCSQ1DbM3cox9FEXVjmzVHtE_RYCrBxOG82lll1zpgRnYilH-CQ/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cool 3D picture at Minnesota's largest candy store.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_cogVSIuYE_VH86fnl9ZqbuRrkGVfxerUlIH84dLp5oGa7-J5RrcDLMyPKcAU9BfGkKNSuMPnY8p12jqLW4HbEH2k_7peQjI0ApXm9-IeTBRyrE_xMgdhUIMaRB58rXfQzpaEJWw9w/s4032/PXL_20210714_190015374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_cogVSIuYE_VH86fnl9ZqbuRrkGVfxerUlIH84dLp5oGa7-J5RrcDLMyPKcAU9BfGkKNSuMPnY8p12jqLW4HbEH2k_7peQjI0ApXm9-IeTBRyrE_xMgdhUIMaRB58rXfQzpaEJWw9w/s320/PXL_20210714_190015374.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare hosted an English tea party for Meema Mary Theresa and our neighbor, Jean. We were sad to say goodbye to our neighbors this summer! They moved away. We will miss them, but a family with seven-year-old twin boys moved in next door, so we have hope that Christopher will have some built-in friends next door!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfswx60CSxVVtBlpVt3NEmrh613jHENVFL_YBTBPywA8l69tXR2JgGP8TflTS3eqAgBmWrbpFl21yV8y6udHV5AcF1sv2OeIXP1sbhAswAXJhaZiyvDgP_HE4fLaIpbq3KQtdHYnInA/s4032/PXL_20210716_164225542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpfswx60CSxVVtBlpVt3NEmrh613jHENVFL_YBTBPywA8l69tXR2JgGP8TflTS3eqAgBmWrbpFl21yV8y6udHV5AcF1sv2OeIXP1sbhAswAXJhaZiyvDgP_HE4fLaIpbq3KQtdHYnInA/s320/PXL_20210716_164225542.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We FINALLY made it to Fort Snelling!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojA2-WZ3ld4GRuInPGRsS5IvyDNDFTa8iXQEoK7SBZvVs7e1WgWN2EotQFd8_zZj69plVIdfr6FfQnJ_fDnHH4YxFWxwCj3Ziw1HHSn9LLXO1QRsJnMiltIJbGsNFFH3xKXloM_r0Ew/s4032/PXL_20210718_183820797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojA2-WZ3ld4GRuInPGRsS5IvyDNDFTa8iXQEoK7SBZvVs7e1WgWN2EotQFd8_zZj69plVIdfr6FfQnJ_fDnHH4YxFWxwCj3Ziw1HHSn9LLXO1QRsJnMiltIJbGsNFFH3xKXloM_r0Ew/s320/PXL_20210718_183820797.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare packed and ready to go to Girl Scout camp.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL0qnitA6-tAbZZrZuvRJ_ZdX8k_ZenpIQlhmSjUpMdDkBfGPAd5Mr9jIBDERTpMy90NLhRYdswoW6bIqM2N5_MH0ZFTCaZXjubEXliQet8XO7RJfLvjFJG42wo5RcZHrmb8WdD0Mog/s4032/PXL_20210722_235144245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkL0qnitA6-tAbZZrZuvRJ_ZdX8k_ZenpIQlhmSjUpMdDkBfGPAd5Mr9jIBDERTpMy90NLhRYdswoW6bIqM2N5_MH0ZFTCaZXjubEXliQet8XO7RJfLvjFJG42wo5RcZHrmb8WdD0Mog/s320/PXL_20210722_235144245.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher got a special night out with mom and dad while she was gone.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXJKlXYPu-2X59zPJ1mFSHLEgAnHQgjvTziJdKT4Wzr1B4z7K47NfnEaIewdtEgjkN_pC_E4R3KWW2JpRIc2SGV07Cx0ynH6YvdowbheA8-VULqcZmhPaekHmK3GgQJdRgq97MCyIfQ/s4032/PXL_20210726_181237953.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYXJKlXYPu-2X59zPJ1mFSHLEgAnHQgjvTziJdKT4Wzr1B4z7K47NfnEaIewdtEgjkN_pC_E4R3KWW2JpRIc2SGV07Cx0ynH6YvdowbheA8-VULqcZmhPaekHmK3GgQJdRgq97MCyIfQ/s320/PXL_20210726_181237953.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caught in the wild - a very rare sight indeed. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqD2U0Bz_KX_Tz7wBg_3SSZSMuh_0V9BHIWOETxeHV0WEcbhe8EaHAPRKcLaQckNDODqhiopw8fqKhuk6tApbo95x-gjaszcZPmgjZi77-SFqARWGR9g54YA_x11o9lHeOV9WWYP-A/s3264/PXL_20210729_195841056.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NqD2U0Bz_KX_Tz7wBg_3SSZSMuh_0V9BHIWOETxeHV0WEcbhe8EaHAPRKcLaQckNDODqhiopw8fqKhuk6tApbo95x-gjaszcZPmgjZi77-SFqARWGR9g54YA_x11o9lHeOV9WWYP-A/s320/PXL_20210729_195841056.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-ndfvQcLAwCvI4ZpnQk_1RKiJIhP8tjoDya0F3rORllBrhoMhFYfEIjHxvAPDeJtj3xEaeSxM-jDTAL1XIGr_GrNcg_JTDQ2_fdpYGx1v_el7HMGxy8aaHXu8a58dZBN4Bf-zp6Rog/s1024/IMG-20210730-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-ndfvQcLAwCvI4ZpnQk_1RKiJIhP8tjoDya0F3rORllBrhoMhFYfEIjHxvAPDeJtj3xEaeSxM-jDTAL1XIGr_GrNcg_JTDQ2_fdpYGx1v_el7HMGxy8aaHXu8a58dZBN4Bf-zp6Rog/s320/IMG-20210730-WA0000.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids had so much fun. At one point they were watching Olympic soccer and Rob called it football. Christopher: "It's soccer. You're in America now, boy. Hamilton! Revolution!"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax_3RTIgUahU8KvRXkuBXDPrw26of0IRS_BkJJrRVvr1edcLSAmsRSBE2MmAkwueBHkFhdo9QqeP1dqLoIlvjwFa4tppOAB7Q-utx01BRpeTR6dBEytyOZl92TZ8b7nbStZ0pARD-Sw/s1600/IMG-20210801-WA0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiax_3RTIgUahU8KvRXkuBXDPrw26of0IRS_BkJJrRVvr1edcLSAmsRSBE2MmAkwueBHkFhdo9QqeP1dqLoIlvjwFa4tppOAB7Q-utx01BRpeTR6dBEytyOZl92TZ8b7nbStZ0pARD-Sw/s320/IMG-20210801-WA0014.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adults got motion sickness and Christopher sprained his toe, but other than that the bounce house was a huge success. Kitty litter ftw.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfQi9HuLo7A2WATGuvInn_pJzyA9ZN1qGwNlObY5F7fegMCsubUl4SA_7pSImJGuqeeT5oIk0ohJrztSGzcQcWFX3EM2EfDrnoTZTkggKBhx_R0VLtIneD1J0-k08G9v1atCpduu0Bw/s1600/IMG-20210802-WA0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfQi9HuLo7A2WATGuvInn_pJzyA9ZN1qGwNlObY5F7fegMCsubUl4SA_7pSImJGuqeeT5oIk0ohJrztSGzcQcWFX3EM2EfDrnoTZTkggKBhx_R0VLtIneD1J0-k08G9v1atCpduu0Bw/s320/IMG-20210802-WA0006.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We tried so hard to get a decent picture of all of them together. We ate cheese curds and other things on the Union Terrace in Madison. Clare: "I am going to go to school here and order the biggest size cheese curds just for myself." You do you, Clare.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoWUjyEIarfsf3TBhCEDiT6NHEaj-NDuSWtIXwQW8CjbWW1d1Ef4NOtpjcNSaTkaXsxxguuGwNJTmPJMsISStk_qGmZpzEJ5T2hjxmWO7fftf5lluQuwlRYPeMf9C3FeEINBuS34j_w/s4032/PXL_20210802_222037475.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoWUjyEIarfsf3TBhCEDiT6NHEaj-NDuSWtIXwQW8CjbWW1d1Ef4NOtpjcNSaTkaXsxxguuGwNJTmPJMsISStk_qGmZpzEJ5T2hjxmWO7fftf5lluQuwlRYPeMf9C3FeEINBuS34j_w/s320/PXL_20210802_222037475.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Book time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rFyVrn8vrboFsTE-0rzkcLEFBOGtVyU_C8_H31uXKaYThiUYtBQQuUi-BNRkdPtqug6TOScW3fT9RXHel7DN_A07BrpaXxqqLSlQqaVzek3atlhaij6HUaD_dTm0fDXHFxoqJzG6lQ/s1824/IMG-20210802-WA0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1824" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5rFyVrn8vrboFsTE-0rzkcLEFBOGtVyU_C8_H31uXKaYThiUYtBQQuUi-BNRkdPtqug6TOScW3fT9RXHel7DN_A07BrpaXxqqLSlQqaVzek3atlhaij6HUaD_dTm0fDXHFxoqJzG6lQ/s320/IMG-20210802-WA0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out to eat at Monty's Blue Plate Diner. One of our few indoor dining experiences of the past year and a half.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxip5vKHxaPpkAZmRMPctaXRIsx4vmjJmtS_DklpNiyejbJjfxhKhJaF_5WibWiuYTlP1iVJuyMzPTPYtTgXMmKE3_31S8U8GUBCoc0NtXo_tVCqmoRMSUGZCl3_LFXWY4nlcPTJ8D4Q/s4032/PXL_20210804_201124234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxip5vKHxaPpkAZmRMPctaXRIsx4vmjJmtS_DklpNiyejbJjfxhKhJaF_5WibWiuYTlP1iVJuyMzPTPYtTgXMmKE3_31S8U8GUBCoc0NtXo_tVCqmoRMSUGZCl3_LFXWY4nlcPTJ8D4Q/s320/PXL_20210804_201124234.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and Otto at the Brewers game.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3rmv2Dk5n5oOCXt6YfUyS8HuyX5c2xFSunCaBWMpNN9HLHE8qbMkdOrx9s-Ma5Lu7tAQmDRUfyHIuCIRUuoJLSQUtwbFrufVHjI-G4WRN0hUOVjPSPIYfR_Xi49SHTL-POLM5Qe4aQ/s4032/PXL_20210827_005910190.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo3rmv2Dk5n5oOCXt6YfUyS8HuyX5c2xFSunCaBWMpNN9HLHE8qbMkdOrx9s-Ma5Lu7tAQmDRUfyHIuCIRUuoJLSQUtwbFrufVHjI-G4WRN0hUOVjPSPIYfR_Xi49SHTL-POLM5Qe4aQ/s320/PXL_20210827_005910190.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skipping over our trip out west to our time at a cabin on Lake Superior. Baba Steve taught Christopher how to play poker. I am so glad they got that time together.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z-xO77DISOwlUw2d9ungL17dfdZhYfdr98jORf-c1kDPbUh1y54MfigViDj6prlR-wjMlhJkcXgnwIDWnNOjSbl9szHiGEpXMcC6ehxopp30k_L6SqMZpGNsblNUkID8E_EHihGySQ/s4032/PXL_20210826_165858682.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z-xO77DISOwlUw2d9ungL17dfdZhYfdr98jORf-c1kDPbUh1y54MfigViDj6prlR-wjMlhJkcXgnwIDWnNOjSbl9szHiGEpXMcC6ehxopp30k_L6SqMZpGNsblNUkID8E_EHihGySQ/s320/PXL_20210826_165858682.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They sort of swam in Lake Superior.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrtlhZ1__usrt8c5tTUnEZWCg7Twy-v5NSsUbis1XF5NHK4sLMOffBB-MOPWHWf4ht4usJZ0YrVsqsG5lFuOEHButSIm_iMvnr5_bsg0IqCg7zhyyke3Vm80ZcdxgLW8K29BTiXYABg/s4032/PXL_20210827_155754686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrtlhZ1__usrt8c5tTUnEZWCg7Twy-v5NSsUbis1XF5NHK4sLMOffBB-MOPWHWf4ht4usJZ0YrVsqsG5lFuOEHButSIm_iMvnr5_bsg0IqCg7zhyyke3Vm80ZcdxgLW8K29BTiXYABg/s320/PXL_20210827_155754686.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Temperance River State Park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiZSOaqJK-FKOp6dUdLUnqy6kQrTPm0ReImuhGQ5HIQyOweWOZbQOMOM-XLkHFmEdBbKy1kukAPtbpknYnlK8SSgsq-YjhAsUJ9S-SdHT79EON6EuXeNAkj6NgEmrHDPYBnUQvIMK5A/s4032/PXL_20210830_001200929.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMiZSOaqJK-FKOp6dUdLUnqy6kQrTPm0ReImuhGQ5HIQyOweWOZbQOMOM-XLkHFmEdBbKy1kukAPtbpknYnlK8SSgsq-YjhAsUJ9S-SdHT79EON6EuXeNAkj6NgEmrHDPYBnUQvIMK5A/s320/PXL_20210830_001200929.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rooftop concert in downtown Minneapolis. Jeremy Messersmith was so good, as was the wine and the company. It was just lovely being able to hear live music again, and the setting was hard to beat.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FoIyo1nvewm3dSFj2Oil8mZnznJ2u6ye3ulVT5OCdLcFfjyFKlhR6sqaSDXKRumlUxVS3fWP_9knjk0o0JDOV3i63mjxaFzUAWbbj_6plQnVYzwTFMOhXOvdhrGsDGnyyjGfw8vNOA/s4032/PXL_20210901_183359314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FoIyo1nvewm3dSFj2Oil8mZnznJ2u6ye3ulVT5OCdLcFfjyFKlhR6sqaSDXKRumlUxVS3fWP_9knjk0o0JDOV3i63mjxaFzUAWbbj_6plQnVYzwTFMOhXOvdhrGsDGnyyjGfw8vNOA/s320/PXL_20210901_183359314.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">End of summer trip to Bunker Beach! They loved the wave pool.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-31864587579760114512021-06-30T21:00:00.000-05:002021-06-30T21:00:05.730-05:00Last Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47tsTmRfweyznOYSxF2Mo4WhCXMx5rtsIxhhieksUAkfnSSn86N_CKS08CwApmP4J5466aqGnrviqa8rZndrJVLqhEUxpARdhnEig8hEVq_-a8cd-4PR4C0h6oKNZzv6GKqXbUJ01oA/s4032/IMG_20200908_074536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47tsTmRfweyznOYSxF2Mo4WhCXMx5rtsIxhhieksUAkfnSSn86N_CKS08CwApmP4J5466aqGnrviqa8rZndrJVLqhEUxpARdhnEig8hEVq_-a8cd-4PR4C0h6oKNZzv6GKqXbUJ01oA/s320/IMG_20200908_074536.jpg" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4O13iLUSiUaLIxiqLNcSX4t2cwX9JLYKKx8w0hIdsGxVjzJtFI_ErItlqGno1SwD84lCoEbbm5eVHTVs_FJQWVpBtyZcLd1x7rbPVWmr6sjnIFWUfPL9eTM9fdi3q_-JK8lRb-Rc4ZQ/s4032/PXL_20210611_153328779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4O13iLUSiUaLIxiqLNcSX4t2cwX9JLYKKx8w0hIdsGxVjzJtFI_ErItlqGno1SwD84lCoEbbm5eVHTVs_FJQWVpBtyZcLd1x7rbPVWmr6sjnIFWUfPL9eTM9fdi3q_-JK8lRb-Rc4ZQ/s320/PXL_20210611_153328779.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yW5DbIilzJ-4yYW-2JvigSlSRv2yiJ4UB5TMt16Ha3ZLVAModeq3CtK73ydB0YSrG4qDRwjLz42qL5HGT4LAcCXvogv2nF-rO8muhpHA-Oig7w5oygvSjUBbc1sMz6jpvkJXRceeDQ/s4032/IMG_20200908_074422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8yW5DbIilzJ-4yYW-2JvigSlSRv2yiJ4UB5TMt16Ha3ZLVAModeq3CtK73ydB0YSrG4qDRwjLz42qL5HGT4LAcCXvogv2nF-rO8muhpHA-Oig7w5oygvSjUBbc1sMz6jpvkJXRceeDQ/s320/IMG_20200908_074422.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EFimyc5vH41srJxXDok0P43WjssWQEQFHB8pYZiFr3l0F2mSiCHOcpb6NHpMPMb0KpRBzBAM-5zIuZZAQizLM15iNIB4nwKcuc7ug9FScuaj-j-l4tXOWMxVfAuKCJ6hDHwCiMnR5g/s4032/PXL_20210611_160559029.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5EFimyc5vH41srJxXDok0P43WjssWQEQFHB8pYZiFr3l0F2mSiCHOcpb6NHpMPMb0KpRBzBAM-5zIuZZAQizLM15iNIB4nwKcuc7ug9FScuaj-j-l4tXOWMxVfAuKCJ6hDHwCiMnR5g/s320/PXL_20210611_160559029.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You might think he is upset about the last day of school. Nope. Just didn't want to take the picture.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br />A crazy, stressful school year came to an abrupt end a few weeks ago when the school district announced with no warning that it was closing school for the rest of the year because of extreme heat. It was very upsetting to the kids, because they found out with 15 minutes left in the day that it was their last day. (Their poor teachers found out the news at the same time.) Not a good way to end an already traumatic year. I am extremely frustrated about it, because there was no reason this decision needed to be made this way. It could have been announced earlier in the week and that would have been fine. Because it is too hot for the kids to be in buildings with no air conditioning. </p><p>Despite the sad ending, we made it. 2020-2021 was a YEAR, but somehow here we are at the end of it. We made it in no small part thanks to the incredibly hardworking teachers and staff at the kids' school. We made it with smiles, new friends, masks, academic discoveries (Christopher is super good at math, Clare likes writing after all), and most importantly, we made it without a single case of COVID in either of their classes. </p><p>Clare ended the year by dissecting a frog, completing a huge research project on the Taj Mahal, reading "Island of the Blue Dolphins," and working on her drawing skills. (And probably did some math and spelling? Who knows.) Her class had a day where they did "random acts of kindness" for staff in the school, and she made a picture for her kindergarten teacher. I ran into the teacher after school, and she was just thrilled with Clare's picture. She has it hanging in her room. It really is little things, sometimes. </p><p>Christopher had some interesting conflicts to work out with friends, which he handled fairly gracefully. I'd like to write more, but he would be embarrassed. He loves being with the older kids in his class (his class is 1st, 2nd and 3rd graders). He did a lot of second and third grade math, and had to be torn away from books to complete other work. His teacher sent the following description of Christopher:</p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">"He is respectful, kind, and helpful. Some of the kids in class said that just this past week when describing him. The other thing is that he is radically welcoming. As much as it might be true he is a quiet kid, he isn't one that keeps to himself. Christopher is almost at 100% of his daily work with a few exceptions.... things he avoids."</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Well, he avoids writing. And I laugh about him being quiet. He is like me in this way - quiet at school, but at home he never. stops. talking. And he mostly talks about Roblox, his various business plans, or how people will "chuckle" when they see that he has drawn a beard and mustache on his face with marker. As one does.</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">Anyway, moving on. </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: times;">A few weeks ago the kids came out of school, and Clare had this little tale to relate:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">"Mom, I was walking out of the bathroom, and here comes Christopher, Nolan and Seven walking down the hall covered HEAD TO TOE in mud." </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">Christopher: "Well, there was this puddle..."</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">And now, once again I find myself surprised at the passage of time and the presence of a FIFTH grader and a second grader in my house. Isn't Clare still a second grader? It will be their last year of school together until Clare's senior year of high school. Sniff.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: white;">Summer vacation is here. Now I am just crossing my fingers that my air conditioner from 1987 holds up.</span></span></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-71413728063891936782021-06-09T09:56:00.001-05:002021-06-09T21:29:00.638-05:00Bits and Pieces: March, April, May (Photo Dump)<p>I am a little behind with the monthly updates. The most exciting thing for me in these last few months is that I got my vaccine. So did a number of people that I want to hang out with, so that makes me happy. Here are some pictures of a few things we've done recently.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRVGCzf7zI0W8JB5lEKCKswwksN8NKohLiqslRGLwd35-HNgd1PHJCs7L_aOy_MI0IeY9Q9dIL_vnPmNRfDmbhb8l8M8fguNes35Vtx3muP7HU2IuUP0We2dsqMQql-3WacMEgCNeVA/s4032/PXL_20210305_182515298.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSRVGCzf7zI0W8JB5lEKCKswwksN8NKohLiqslRGLwd35-HNgd1PHJCs7L_aOy_MI0IeY9Q9dIL_vnPmNRfDmbhb8l8M8fguNes35Vtx3muP7HU2IuUP0We2dsqMQql-3WacMEgCNeVA/s320/PXL_20210305_182515298.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to the Science Museum. Hopefully we'll be back a few times this summer.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aWVXANBYdCZsrauP1O5auAWqogVPSxb5JuY-lvebUz7bSxshX2xtgOcSzsQP1HvfQQCuYysrMOWzAi5IrLt-xQNvdC9RkoelLeQPPMilWJz-3DIl4rvEgIGPF9emi3eLLSSAB_PClA/s4032/PXL_20210317_002300575.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3aWVXANBYdCZsrauP1O5auAWqogVPSxb5JuY-lvebUz7bSxshX2xtgOcSzsQP1HvfQQCuYysrMOWzAi5IrLt-xQNvdC9RkoelLeQPPMilWJz-3DIl4rvEgIGPF9emi3eLLSSAB_PClA/s320/PXL_20210317_002300575.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She made these yummy pie pops during a virtual Girl Scout meeting.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGsTMsCTvOSOqVJHgLzZBybZxytU1654MxZZfuKJwYmgXSCnbEpx6wvVmOy0MHIzutcPIZtUPg68XTYPavgM_6h3_lOpDIgl_K4MDb9LAjrKBi9ioem6YQnzQPJQRhDIkVPIhUi3JTQ/s4032/PXL_20210312_134213377.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGsTMsCTvOSOqVJHgLzZBybZxytU1654MxZZfuKJwYmgXSCnbEpx6wvVmOy0MHIzutcPIZtUPg68XTYPavgM_6h3_lOpDIgl_K4MDb9LAjrKBi9ioem6YQnzQPJQRhDIkVPIhUi3JTQ/s320/PXL_20210312_134213377.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treats for their cousin Dinos' first birthday on Zoom!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3lIkbQseMMFfvtVJX_K7hOvg6YiuxBIi5tQnUkcrSW9wQejUPc09NRYOwDgpjWYyaLadkvaR4bDv71de-W3FsE_wdAmACq0RxDcSxmASgIM0zodb-bW7I06CgO3ec50UMxiQpmaa2A/s4032/PXL_20210327_165633010.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3lIkbQseMMFfvtVJX_K7hOvg6YiuxBIi5tQnUkcrSW9wQejUPc09NRYOwDgpjWYyaLadkvaR4bDv71de-W3FsE_wdAmACq0RxDcSxmASgIM0zodb-bW7I06CgO3ec50UMxiQpmaa2A/s320/PXL_20210327_165633010.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Spring cookies.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3ln1kulkcCApdNJTTdrCxARhrkAqOjGcNd9z7RHNCR96nSl2I7wHqOwGOY8CiPN3zbgDCe0TEM-Q19meH4cWsKhJV7dzWFTnJrZbn5SvGK0VM4kpTEbtBoTUoJvdGiBVllpKa43nCQ/s4032/PXL_20210329_215927252.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip3ln1kulkcCApdNJTTdrCxARhrkAqOjGcNd9z7RHNCR96nSl2I7wHqOwGOY8CiPN3zbgDCe0TEM-Q19meH4cWsKhJV7dzWFTnJrZbn5SvGK0VM4kpTEbtBoTUoJvdGiBVllpKa43nCQ/s320/PXL_20210329_215927252.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An outdoor, socially distant gathering with dear friends. BUT NOW WE ARE ALL VACCINATED AND GOING ON A WEEKEND AWAY TOGETHER IN A FEW WEEKS! Ahem. I am not excited at all.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfUI4L4-eu4mJfyQtegYRLDw3TnfS3BnwEVe4NTmzHbcsSZctZ1-mnQf762_aZTNOy74meSDsVvssNEgg3q5dYIRMAqKpPJd3ngOXL5-Kv2SaelTj_XJzCMxeZIBN_j4hQlM07CUCzw/s4032/PXL_20210402_221354558.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfUI4L4-eu4mJfyQtegYRLDw3TnfS3BnwEVe4NTmzHbcsSZctZ1-mnQf762_aZTNOy74meSDsVvssNEgg3q5dYIRMAqKpPJd3ngOXL5-Kv2SaelTj_XJzCMxeZIBN_j4hQlM07CUCzw/s320/PXL_20210402_221354558.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Clare's favorite part of visits to the Cuckoo House. SNACKS!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqvPy1NczWWDAqc8qOnGdgQCmPSO8OzBMByt7fxgl9mWP_udv7uh4aDHk0bB41bTP5BbUX8VelalkbjVM7BFhBZ91Fpv7FfpxuxSCKHAJszrIW8t5LxEPp3A4chQbnk1CHhq53OvRDA/s4032/PXL_20210403_161114120.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqvPy1NczWWDAqc8qOnGdgQCmPSO8OzBMByt7fxgl9mWP_udv7uh4aDHk0bB41bTP5BbUX8VelalkbjVM7BFhBZ91Fpv7FfpxuxSCKHAJszrIW8t5LxEPp3A4chQbnk1CHhq53OvRDA/s320/PXL_20210403_161114120.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating Easter eggs.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCd3DKmqPssNFz3kDIyHuOvrFVAtPJJWmiwh36obcrLuWEOfXYBtCm8JYsFyb86F_qIFbgM6SHxWPpp5nPgfLjeIyuGZjR4VsQ3F919zDE9rEA9ft7OUhomF_Di883Pkpg2rSVDqQBg/s4032/PXL_20210404_115406706.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnCd3DKmqPssNFz3kDIyHuOvrFVAtPJJWmiwh36obcrLuWEOfXYBtCm8JYsFyb86F_qIFbgM6SHxWPpp5nPgfLjeIyuGZjR4VsQ3F919zDE9rEA9ft7OUhomF_Di883Pkpg2rSVDqQBg/s320/PXL_20210404_115406706.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins on Easter morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJW_RO3NZHL27uzRgmHseHfgw3FNfJdY8PXIaR9U7Mi0hIGGTFyetl68EuTIq0FyBCUoXI3HxWUASBbr8hsBqGT0IfUArnv3Vky_tmqf0XX2eWDj1_uiDU8Zw_9edNq5_FQZYWAn1Yw/s4032/PXL_20210404_132324865.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJW_RO3NZHL27uzRgmHseHfgw3FNfJdY8PXIaR9U7Mi0hIGGTFyetl68EuTIq0FyBCUoXI3HxWUASBbr8hsBqGT0IfUArnv3Vky_tmqf0XX2eWDj1_uiDU8Zw_9edNq5_FQZYWAn1Yw/s320/PXL_20210404_132324865.MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUIJjktYKhKQC9bun4TdJDj5TfbpmjUL04HhYkfXfuRZu5t-Dnml2b4N32dSzTk9Y4CKUd_EK12X2K9R9BB2nQFX4f_ZAvrU9EgaGjQ1lwoJmFFFqSe2h5M1xNfroajRDQ6RQicERVQ/s4032/PXL_20210404_151231907.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUIJjktYKhKQC9bun4TdJDj5TfbpmjUL04HhYkfXfuRZu5t-Dnml2b4N32dSzTk9Y4CKUd_EK12X2K9R9BB2nQFX4f_ZAvrU9EgaGjQ1lwoJmFFFqSe2h5M1xNfroajRDQ6RQicERVQ/s320/PXL_20210404_151231907.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telling their London-based cousins a story online.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKKhHhO5VLr5qsUgJlkC4lEq1twx8lOooeSsjNdqxACFnXV1L25pNuz4s5n0E2Rza2mWs79idZ3n3cot5EPKOMHPSBtnyUinTIu3AVwJIhyphenhyphenhP9ZCqTqswyjUW2hiyA_nEym96o4ODOw/s2592/image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKKhHhO5VLr5qsUgJlkC4lEq1twx8lOooeSsjNdqxACFnXV1L25pNuz4s5n0E2Rza2mWs79idZ3n3cot5EPKOMHPSBtnyUinTIu3AVwJIhyphenhyphenhP9ZCqTqswyjUW2hiyA_nEym96o4ODOw/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a fun outdoor Easter egg hunt. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCSoaMw38biRv0Kxa5qEXZjYlWDYtiYSZ_p5MTILmE42001NtIZzPNMCfY8aolHfgtEa8oHajAmTxwN-0H8aWTGhvvW7LdfVpLcJKex63QwqC0gd759I8-yznB_QYopbMPUqyiNNT9g/s4032/PXL_20210406_162422287.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCSoaMw38biRv0Kxa5qEXZjYlWDYtiYSZ_p5MTILmE42001NtIZzPNMCfY8aolHfgtEa8oHajAmTxwN-0H8aWTGhvvW7LdfVpLcJKex63QwqC0gd759I8-yznB_QYopbMPUqyiNNT9g/s320/PXL_20210406_162422287.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring Break fun at Como Zoo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezIvVfZyvoHba7LS1WSvKa6Lc6SrqiVPaArkec89MP6QUQTSnDFE-XL8SzUb5au1YIci3TWPBKk-1R3dzUWCADUhRGQMBIq2MBb2G-LpAxIJxGOw2nbDKuXcOxHhMsZB8CMvpesRveg/s4032/PXL_20210406_180855941.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezIvVfZyvoHba7LS1WSvKa6Lc6SrqiVPaArkec89MP6QUQTSnDFE-XL8SzUb5au1YIci3TWPBKk-1R3dzUWCADUhRGQMBIq2MBb2G-LpAxIJxGOw2nbDKuXcOxHhMsZB8CMvpesRveg/s320/PXL_20210406_180855941.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream from Cold Front at the Expo playground.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45FHnhpYCe1o5xEtQWw8c1iZXNXiJ6IkoPpIp5iUoc4kjNc2nY6l0p67yA3eJHz97Ljmy8HnGiCy6NWm8wQixZ7kxfh15J2eKbf65Q3Y5YK4GIsxunVlCUr8K0WeJWYjXOEUGWg1zGQ/s4032/PXL_20210407_150926818.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45FHnhpYCe1o5xEtQWw8c1iZXNXiJ6IkoPpIp5iUoc4kjNc2nY6l0p67yA3eJHz97Ljmy8HnGiCy6NWm8wQixZ7kxfh15J2eKbf65Q3Y5YK4GIsxunVlCUr8K0WeJWYjXOEUGWg1zGQ/s320/PXL_20210407_150926818.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Spring Break fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMPeOZ_2pg2YquxRQqfteS4fZUAsr4yB6EMj8pH6gc8ugMxqIiqzTjL_Cycdb6e92y-2bSQaz33mdirsOhLLdn8stNY92hUw0EYwXPKWq4hiQcO3CjHTGybl4sIdXX7vrasrIADXd4A/s4032/PXL_20210408_222805306.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMMPeOZ_2pg2YquxRQqfteS4fZUAsr4yB6EMj8pH6gc8ugMxqIiqzTjL_Cycdb6e92y-2bSQaz33mdirsOhLLdn8stNY92hUw0EYwXPKWq4hiQcO3CjHTGybl4sIdXX7vrasrIADXd4A/s320/PXL_20210408_222805306.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three generations.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkn30Kh_ldDL7QcJ-KhdUvwHe4Es_JJVqQpCYJ2gbvqCkDXOcrC-EDmVox52-qcux5bzKu_DntIQcKvYWgpyEg0HxDqlHLNw5ujIv0CogIqFMnzR_gbmJNUP_NLkm042e9IcN_HXyIw/s4032/PXL_20210411_175841580.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOkn30Kh_ldDL7QcJ-KhdUvwHe4Es_JJVqQpCYJ2gbvqCkDXOcrC-EDmVox52-qcux5bzKu_DntIQcKvYWgpyEg0HxDqlHLNw5ujIv0CogIqFMnzR_gbmJNUP_NLkm042e9IcN_HXyIw/s320/PXL_20210411_175841580.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember when it was cold?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_Tt7UY1S2bbzFb_uQRWyoK429MzH4DI8YTcYr1KRqYWeoxzHtN-FkazC8uqwU8QAN6NtY4P0RDfcxSiuBvisWzd3cL4GhNhJ2OW1bA7SQRQJjn3b7os4CEkfW8zwtUJ9DQmgE1uTCg/s4032/PXL_20210423_190740275.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_Tt7UY1S2bbzFb_uQRWyoK429MzH4DI8YTcYr1KRqYWeoxzHtN-FkazC8uqwU8QAN6NtY4P0RDfcxSiuBvisWzd3cL4GhNhJ2OW1bA7SQRQJjn3b7os4CEkfW8zwtUJ9DQmgE1uTCg/s320/PXL_20210423_190740275.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBID6RZnVDiiM2ARUN8ziwq_Stqwkp2EX58OPU4nBgQHO5M7w23pPY61pCegiT5O6UzIrBvZG3VWt9Gompwcc6nhHHAMWVeQGmAK3Yq09F4HeG4UEPqf_Yiz1JCo5Tb_SgVZpZm1f-Jg/s4032/PXL_20210424_144856548.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBID6RZnVDiiM2ARUN8ziwq_Stqwkp2EX58OPU4nBgQHO5M7w23pPY61pCegiT5O6UzIrBvZG3VWt9Gompwcc6nhHHAMWVeQGmAK3Yq09F4HeG4UEPqf_Yiz1JCo5Tb_SgVZpZm1f-Jg/s320/PXL_20210424_144856548.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Helping clean up a local park.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeBI5WPdigyNHjtTZf-gh0jkvjXpgWYYq0mSAy7SgHuqq2rDqMJMnV7ylrFLixhyabUQwBKqgryMfBTPZpIiZrcxt0xhpcF-OpETqw5Ze4M6dfCH6Xg4-NooQfDuy9LDbl-ZLMEK7vg/s4032/PXL_20210424_145132337.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeBI5WPdigyNHjtTZf-gh0jkvjXpgWYYq0mSAy7SgHuqq2rDqMJMnV7ylrFLixhyabUQwBKqgryMfBTPZpIiZrcxt0xhpcF-OpETqw5Ze4M6dfCH6Xg4-NooQfDuy9LDbl-ZLMEK7vg/s320/PXL_20210424_145132337.MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zu8ufCJFL_DsHJHpesNQ71wgHLa2iTGjo9O1mjoBMjxY4Z16oo5LlSUBcQssQBE9Z0bf6cipQPpAUCYVsF3dN_38PG3MWSCKvail2qsUEVp7MHMPqpyvQ_v-W2l55tpjFuisIwlaPw/s3264/PXL_20210426_160819086.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Zu8ufCJFL_DsHJHpesNQ71wgHLa2iTGjo9O1mjoBMjxY4Z16oo5LlSUBcQssQBE9Z0bf6cipQPpAUCYVsF3dN_38PG3MWSCKvail2qsUEVp7MHMPqpyvQ_v-W2l55tpjFuisIwlaPw/s320/PXL_20210426_160819086.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vaccine!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4Qu49X87ET1J_tOy36eZE_HB8iE6nbjZ71Y8APTwa3Uscvq94YHfeYe_uBIGe-Zjqyku98ELjk7EwIHMaw8h6pm99CMpdwZx7Q82fEF4xrzpjHusSPBuksAKS1sXgyT0P0EZbDRvCA/s4032/PXL_20210428_120332833.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid4Qu49X87ET1J_tOy36eZE_HB8iE6nbjZ71Y8APTwa3Uscvq94YHfeYe_uBIGe-Zjqyku98ELjk7EwIHMaw8h6pm99CMpdwZx7Q82fEF4xrzpjHusSPBuksAKS1sXgyT0P0EZbDRvCA/s320/PXL_20210428_120332833.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture for posterity.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUF73yvHw6HMxZTfqX549mW1sMW561VfHv3Lb5Rb2CxwESo8uA6eWRx3so7kBMNAPIbHbRppfms-tTHn3VDLjuShB0xIvrq6s1UZhvLl3zP9xkWGVX_VmINv5dH_C8dPcc8JV2Pc03g/s4032/PXL_20210510_000706861.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieUF73yvHw6HMxZTfqX549mW1sMW561VfHv3Lb5Rb2CxwESo8uA6eWRx3so7kBMNAPIbHbRppfms-tTHn3VDLjuShB0xIvrq6s1UZhvLl3zP9xkWGVX_VmINv5dH_C8dPcc8JV2Pc03g/s320/PXL_20210510_000706861.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher got a loft bed from my friend whose son was done with it. He's pretty excited.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-EwncaCykMoDozhbtXtZnfqIQHUCvVXEbi2QQQmdypz1Su5bCbqmMnIcc2Sjb6cZ27x2hZ2bOQsEVWMrewkmwK7E3W9px8WFCwsyG7HW6s5bAzxOnl6HO3gOn0vMz9XoaZlqDBbeGA/s4032/PXL_20210523_154736588.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-EwncaCykMoDozhbtXtZnfqIQHUCvVXEbi2QQQmdypz1Su5bCbqmMnIcc2Sjb6cZ27x2hZ2bOQsEVWMrewkmwK7E3W9px8WFCwsyG7HW6s5bAzxOnl6HO3gOn0vMz9XoaZlqDBbeGA/s320/PXL_20210523_154736588.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual lock and dam picture had to be taken from a distance once again.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfDWIVICp4QPmEhyphenhyphenQPMe4y5nOnzOuyHboqLnltg1v3-NQmOrqYvDAHxDMJS0UgXuO56xdZIH-NEyzlfKNPlg1yijOvn3mGC0p28HWOPRmLMG8hdL1ehTq2JJZ82i65LOeMXgELmfNUQ/s2048/PXL_20210523_162745284.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUfDWIVICp4QPmEhyphenhyphenQPMe4y5nOnzOuyHboqLnltg1v3-NQmOrqYvDAHxDMJS0UgXuO56xdZIH-NEyzlfKNPlg1yijOvn3mGC0p28HWOPRmLMG8hdL1ehTq2JJZ82i65LOeMXgELmfNUQ/s320/PXL_20210523_162745284.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZuVeREkJhEDOLQn7RKnLTBGPUCyio4HbkyWt6aUoJzZa8AZoodEkDXnLoc43bXMr_Vn-HYWLHVoidxvdCMd-yXRCCGr6dzEPsqni9p7yplKgygQtQN0KK55yHbGu9LnXq1OYyy4wCg/s2048/PXL_20210502_001208559.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZuVeREkJhEDOLQn7RKnLTBGPUCyio4HbkyWt6aUoJzZa8AZoodEkDXnLoc43bXMr_Vn-HYWLHVoidxvdCMd-yXRCCGr6dzEPsqni9p7yplKgygQtQN0KK55yHbGu9LnXq1OYyy4wCg/s320/PXL_20210502_001208559.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl-hQb_uB9yALuV2njeymDFbkA7oZ0ZgguKZRum23LcCOtCvBvsWnvM3PhELxaO3oiS_nAprb-MFhoWmqe_jkh1jb2i3J79IGAU2m0VKvylJHtJrZGIOZpUuZAmlrnzCyfsBodjQ3eA/s4032/PXL_20210527_132557521.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBl-hQb_uB9yALuV2njeymDFbkA7oZ0ZgguKZRum23LcCOtCvBvsWnvM3PhELxaO3oiS_nAprb-MFhoWmqe_jkh1jb2i3J79IGAU2m0VKvylJHtJrZGIOZpUuZAmlrnzCyfsBodjQ3eA/s320/PXL_20210527_132557521.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and I ate at a restaurant!!!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaw0Z8Vvdex2D3GjLoqKo7Z8J15NpkVqIeYnNDS817qG3YLB2rnqvN-WWbkt8bHUjyTztThQBeKj1sdBALtloCRRobR6pl_KULIoOkJKipOGsB6E04fRK-rPGBmINCVFA1-S3_KcklQ/s4032/PXL_20210530_203156316.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaw0Z8Vvdex2D3GjLoqKo7Z8J15NpkVqIeYnNDS817qG3YLB2rnqvN-WWbkt8bHUjyTztThQBeKj1sdBALtloCRRobR6pl_KULIoOkJKipOGsB6E04fRK-rPGBmINCVFA1-S3_KcklQ/s320/PXL_20210530_203156316.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins in Janesville during Memorial Day weekend.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIajwYtgC5WAihLgf5llRrmdzC2lCx0fx6eFQv7JW0SDADOmzgR6RP82nhyQ0hJeqwgGkJUd8cs7GyqiMzBePQuTNAXR5UF8ow3NQwF4ucpDqfIdbG6kEf8EXWpn7G9mGKv9NaKV6xfg/s4032/PXL_20210509_155458735.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIajwYtgC5WAihLgf5llRrmdzC2lCx0fx6eFQv7JW0SDADOmzgR6RP82nhyQ0hJeqwgGkJUd8cs7GyqiMzBePQuTNAXR5UF8ow3NQwF4ucpDqfIdbG6kEf8EXWpn7G9mGKv9NaKV6xfg/s320/PXL_20210509_155458735.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ha.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-69974858394280842462021-06-07T07:00:00.002-05:002021-06-07T07:00:00.188-05:00Ten<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4iMACfhnPq5fxhAZCXKGW9exRrcK7KiV1X2JlPBagj7EYYKZ2qlLBqyysnuJbApH54nVCVPTxZfQoioLNYuzgiBnpryxIrc5uIu7rk3PtE7QECaErQcQ3CD44j8Wv1HcMbtM_pKanQ/s3072/Clarew%253Adinosaur.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2304" data-original-width="3072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg4iMACfhnPq5fxhAZCXKGW9exRrcK7KiV1X2JlPBagj7EYYKZ2qlLBqyysnuJbApH54nVCVPTxZfQoioLNYuzgiBnpryxIrc5uIu7rk3PtE7QECaErQcQ3CD44j8Wv1HcMbtM_pKanQ/s320/Clarew%253Adinosaur.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn Clare.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpDJ5y-bOR9J39w1FLXn0bVk8YajAGaWHrU4ae2gN4ptx7TLZobIrsVQuGuob4V38o8J3hSA5t61ozjBQuVChsDkMkf7Pw402CZH6Dmj270yb6jKhZomtuxUDcBXRKsgx9gOVa148xw/s2048/DSCN4031.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSpDJ5y-bOR9J39w1FLXn0bVk8YajAGaWHrU4ae2gN4ptx7TLZobIrsVQuGuob4V38o8J3hSA5t61ozjBQuVChsDkMkf7Pw402CZH6Dmj270yb6jKhZomtuxUDcBXRKsgx9gOVa148xw/s320/DSCN4031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare at 5.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm0yrGzzKb0pqKHFKjuNzt4Mp1snTnz79GgjfdebPfp2HiqXKsZCyjEOO2X9s80ZPRV64xYVYfu_H3RtRw78dNopZjIiSRVEKZfJdHa0P3TiUgSEMW4mNUmcjh7vDklCl4bTiz6UMhA/s4032/PXL_20210606_155336064.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGm0yrGzzKb0pqKHFKjuNzt4Mp1snTnz79GgjfdebPfp2HiqXKsZCyjEOO2X9s80ZPRV64xYVYfu_H3RtRw78dNopZjIiSRVEKZfJdHa0P3TiUgSEMW4mNUmcjh7vDklCl4bTiz6UMhA/s320/PXL_20210606_155336064.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare at 10!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <div>Ten. Clare is ten. How has a decade gone by? I remember when Clare was a baby, and I couldn't even begin to imagine what she would be like at one, much less ten. And now, now I can all too clearly imagine what she will be like at 13.<p>Clare certainly knows her own mind, and isn't afraid to speak it. I admire that about her, even when it is driving me crazy. She is courageous, too, willing to do things I never would have done at her age. (Like go to a sleepaway girl scout camp where she knows no one for six nights. She knows she is good at making friends, so has no qualms at all about doing this.) Ben described her recently as being an unholy combination of Ben himself, my dad, and Ben's grandma Connie. She really is. </p><p>Fourth grade has been a strange year, but since she returned to school in February she has been thriving. Her best subjects are reading and math. She has started enjoying writing more than she used to, and is currently writing a mystery novel set in early 1800s England (inspired by Pride and Prejudice), Harry Potter fan fiction (the first book told from Hermione's point of view) and spooky stories (no idea what these are about, other than the spookiness). She has fun with her friends at recess and is looking forward to dissecting frogs before the end of the year.</p><p>Speaking of Harry Potter, she is still obsessed with the series. I ended up letting her read the whole thing last summer because, you know, Covid, and she has since read it many more times. We laugh because whenever she takes an online "Find your Harry Potter House" quiz she ends up in Slytherin. (That's the house all of the bad guys are in for the uninitiated.) It actually fits her in some ways, but she is not an evil person like many of the Slytherins in the book. She is very kind in many ways, looking out for her cousins when she is with them, helping me around the house when she sees I need it, and occasionally making me breakfast in bed. She also really loves her friends.</p><p>She made a new group of friends since coming back to school, and I hear a lot about Mika, Yasmine, Luisa and Juliette. Her best friend, Natalie, has been in virtual learning, but Clare got to see her again a few weekends ago and she was just thrilled. Hopefully they will be spending some time together this summer. She is also excited to spend time this summer with her "Twig" friends: James, Simon, Nora, Henry, Brendon, Rowan, Finn, and Benjamin.</p><p>She is playing soccer again, and loving it. We discovered that a few of the girls on her team live about a block away from us, so hopefully she can see them this summer. Also, her other best friend Amelia is on her team, which Clare is excited about because Amelia switched schools so Clare doesn't see her as much.</p><p>She also participated in Girl Scouts this year. It was all virtual, but she enjoyed it. She hasn't enjoyed virtual piano quite as much, but she is sticking with it and hopefully we can soon go back to her former teacher.</p><p>Some current favorites, besides the aforementioned Harry Potter: Minecraft, Roblox, Legoes, riding her bike (especially when I let her ride to our local candy store), reading in general, going to the library, drawing, painting her nails (and setting up a surprisingly relaxing spa for me), "The Babysitters Club" (both graphic novels and the Netflix series), visiting the Cuckoo House, camping, hiking and listening to and watching "Hamilton".</p><p>Some dislikes: Loud noises (not sure she will ever grow out of this), sunscreen, being too hot, practicing the piano, having to work on spelling at school, bugs, cleaning her room. </p><p>I love when Clare and I get some one on one time, because she is such an interesting person to talk to. We are going to have a night alone next weekend and I am really looking forward to it.</p><p>I feel like there is stuff I am missing and so much more I could say, but I'll end with a big Happy Birthday to my favorite girl. I can't believe you are ten!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwku8FBWupze4i5YVYH4PcfTUVR4S7VTVwPTP82dey-soEDXGERJjW3uC2oY_k15nKVNzHUiZMAL6th-TnwzUDtafgY0moTr__KYRHROwpYi7Jsu9vHkF8Wde5E1Jq6UVYuSPg1G7og/s4032/PXL_20210605_175501931.PORTRAIT.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHwku8FBWupze4i5YVYH4PcfTUVR4S7VTVwPTP82dey-soEDXGERJjW3uC2oY_k15nKVNzHUiZMAL6th-TnwzUDtafgY0moTr__KYRHROwpYi7Jsu9vHkF8Wde5E1Jq6UVYuSPg1G7og/s320/PXL_20210605_175501931.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4CGhXYUcJ2_kh0V5w_VosrDv3fsfEdh97ySr0hiSFzkVLR6trQZp06qLRHo_LB09Iie8S_ZjTKk4NB4yrkJW3xW2gQ_swhtcNeIpRqVOfwhfwYkmOU5vBRkQTUj75hkOzgLWWq3V-A/s4032/PXL_20210606_155440906.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4CGhXYUcJ2_kh0V5w_VosrDv3fsfEdh97ySr0hiSFzkVLR6trQZp06qLRHo_LB09Iie8S_ZjTKk4NB4yrkJW3xW2gQ_swhtcNeIpRqVOfwhfwYkmOU5vBRkQTUj75hkOzgLWWq3V-A/s320/PXL_20210606_155440906.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL4VlwOZj1NiXWiVR6NkkyVeIFEEtfu5xT4RlNGFcyfCe3ZTnal2NQFwFVTqnpsX3d1ZuRq_JbniGLFj-3ZyFowVxj2x4FmDF7Id1icFvFbNnnqDjp6uGc9iDENOy0lEHIqnYOW4PZg/s4032/PXL_20210606_155347626.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtL4VlwOZj1NiXWiVR6NkkyVeIFEEtfu5xT4RlNGFcyfCe3ZTnal2NQFwFVTqnpsX3d1ZuRq_JbniGLFj-3ZyFowVxj2x4FmDF7Id1icFvFbNnnqDjp6uGc9iDENOy0lEHIqnYOW4PZg/s320/PXL_20210606_155347626.PORTRAIT.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><br /></div>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-68401966684628839662021-05-19T12:08:00.001-05:002021-05-19T12:08:49.536-05:0015 years<p>Well, time is sure weird and it has been 15 years since Ben and I got married. We've been together nearly half our lives at this point, and somehow we still like each other. </p><p>As usual, Ben was more thoughtful than me when it came to our anniversary and had my wedding bouquet re-created and ordered a cake from the bakery who provided our wedding cake. I bought him a card.</p><p>We did take a trip together, however, without our lovely children. My parents came to stay with them while we took our camper up north to Cascade River State Park. I had hoped to spend our 15th anniversary in Hawaii, where we went for our honeymoon, but COVID put paid to that plan. However, northern Minnesota was lovely, even if I had to wear three shirts, three pairs of pants, wool socks and about ten blankets to bed every night. (It was cold.) We hiked (Grand Portage, CR Magney, Cascade River), drank beer, walked by Lake Superior, went out for coffee and donuts, read our books by the campfire, and ate cake. Maybe Hawaii for our 20th?</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gEJlV_OdTBZEAActwOhwm51ab2qE3FOPrfoHJhwZJ9Ngx8KU_ULwskkZ9wmZYlF5jXIwEkijrdzL-Nh6uuR7NUyesqnz8n3zkmSQ55GWVh9frqkKfRMdln3NPE7LmrgNv6fRAFMQ0w/s4032/PXL_20210512_191904462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7gEJlV_OdTBZEAActwOhwm51ab2qE3FOPrfoHJhwZJ9Ngx8KU_ULwskkZ9wmZYlF5jXIwEkijrdzL-Nh6uuR7NUyesqnz8n3zkmSQ55GWVh9frqkKfRMdln3NPE7LmrgNv6fRAFMQ0w/s320/PXL_20210512_191904462.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful wedding flowers.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqsO8oDKBOGPNUymdEIpqOU3thwEnLTLfydkZGbQ5fEabpdsjEBQ5HcushNJNG8a_KSSEgXPWRmzezgObVvE3JCf-7gSuGTHXPPIjd3mKOGbasOo4JI69PAmnn4QTrti_6bIJ5jxByQ/s4032/PXL_20210514_000016642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXqsO8oDKBOGPNUymdEIpqOU3thwEnLTLfydkZGbQ5fEabpdsjEBQ5HcushNJNG8a_KSSEgXPWRmzezgObVvE3JCf-7gSuGTHXPPIjd3mKOGbasOo4JI69PAmnn4QTrti_6bIJ5jxByQ/s320/PXL_20210514_000016642.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cake time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL22l7rL5g3_eOBCpbk8tNqso0XTRVi3TXU07l_ZdRw-6ynxIMK26vxAVKz21dHH0G4uV0qKCTHF7cOaaBx3_m_UYKi_cWLPE4kujgpQZhjAqBHBugEXECot1xHaQ0VPhXsIGVoDqYBA/s4032/PXL_20210514_142340584.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL22l7rL5g3_eOBCpbk8tNqso0XTRVi3TXU07l_ZdRw-6ynxIMK26vxAVKz21dHH0G4uV0qKCTHF7cOaaBx3_m_UYKi_cWLPE4kujgpQZhjAqBHBugEXECot1xHaQ0VPhXsIGVoDqYBA/s320/PXL_20210514_142340584.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They really are the best donuts. The view of Lake Superior is pretty good, too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKF_mayk54Cb5aXUFkSOO6eWSvXZEZFVM-sYydKlw3TvT_C7L7_V4iKXOUs2g5kCTo7gNCfD3plpCK7dioSQXAtP7mkx4HxXfICnnDo1tr2bsxKX5wBdFh3aANR0WHBrxlDUIW-fXmw/s3264/PXL_20210514_155850235.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggKF_mayk54Cb5aXUFkSOO6eWSvXZEZFVM-sYydKlw3TvT_C7L7_V4iKXOUs2g5kCTo7gNCfD3plpCK7dioSQXAtP7mkx4HxXfICnnDo1tr2bsxKX5wBdFh3aANR0WHBrxlDUIW-fXmw/s320/PXL_20210514_155850235.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grand Portage. We saw some Canadians and hiked for hours.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fwPYhEZfdf62WxT10oVSwfGMrx4TPoZbttyntbXYkx9XpullxjCkwBDsn3RgrQ2_3dyRYrnrMQ9PtnEJY3qzTi9J_XUI6ArnA1NtL41IS2ePFFoJyvtq8lCJ3ZphNiwUVbqwgzlkOw/s4032/PXL_20210514_170803116.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fwPYhEZfdf62WxT10oVSwfGMrx4TPoZbttyntbXYkx9XpullxjCkwBDsn3RgrQ2_3dyRYrnrMQ9PtnEJY3qzTi9J_XUI6ArnA1NtL41IS2ePFFoJyvtq8lCJ3ZphNiwUVbqwgzlkOw/s320/PXL_20210514_170803116.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Grand Portage.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIA7tfB-LFpUggYF-cQNYIMUt7-MU5AXJPjHTUJuF80fgXB9QotOL7LxGIH-LQzCQb9a9ewkurNL1zVGGjJ1nDp9nmssLHWeTE2JyQiBca6QoVZHF8xDUWjSdUkfynRE-sWaWCPwOfQ/s4032/PXL_20210514_155717514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDIA7tfB-LFpUggYF-cQNYIMUt7-MU5AXJPjHTUJuF80fgXB9QotOL7LxGIH-LQzCQb9a9ewkurNL1zVGGjJ1nDp9nmssLHWeTE2JyQiBca6QoVZHF8xDUWjSdUkfynRE-sWaWCPwOfQ/s320/PXL_20210514_155717514.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And more. I don't have any pics from CR Magney, which was an easier hike but very beautiful.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwJwhRWZ3lx71bncx8z3nnRS6TIBOosH-8C_60iHFht_NcBjB4aBwVJizDtpofmzakvQS3sWA48v-q9JCXJp0zvu4SkENTso5UeLKl8323i3AUzjwW8FXxhJQkCU3vclv7Ki8C1jBoA/s4032/PXL_20210514_215516274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgwJwhRWZ3lx71bncx8z3nnRS6TIBOosH-8C_60iHFht_NcBjB4aBwVJizDtpofmzakvQS3sWA48v-q9JCXJp0zvu4SkENTso5UeLKl8323i3AUzjwW8FXxhJQkCU3vclv7Ki8C1jBoA/s320/PXL_20210514_215516274.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside (!) at the brewery in Grand Marais. #thanksscience</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN2cxk0kGt8qd2Cq8kc27-0k9USDc2qx2yMKzUpoNtNnAphEAb7ATMoO_D4DNeQtVqWG4c5TUz-w9nGMUBq7rohNUnLmodshCWwoAEK-RF_wXvdXgq1XtTzMJxGnziS47XdgScoJXfQ/s4032/PXL_20210515_153901254.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoN2cxk0kGt8qd2Cq8kc27-0k9USDc2qx2yMKzUpoNtNnAphEAb7ATMoO_D4DNeQtVqWG4c5TUz-w9nGMUBq7rohNUnLmodshCWwoAEK-RF_wXvdXgq1XtTzMJxGnziS47XdgScoJXfQ/s320/PXL_20210515_153901254.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Lookout Mountain in Cascade River State Park. I may have whined a little on this hike.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-85369349001131874442021-03-02T10:50:00.001-06:002021-05-19T11:29:56.630-05:00Bits and Pieces: January and February<p>A few weeks ago, Christopher asked me to stay upstairs while he prepared something for me downstairs. I could hear him moving around and dishes clinking together. When I was finally allowed downstairs, I saw that he had made us each a glass of grape kool aid, blown up a balloon and decorated it with hearts, and set up the board game Clue for us to play. "It's the mommy appreciation project!" he announced. It was very sweet. </p><p>It is days like that when I think maybe I am doing something right as a parent. Or, maybe he would be sweet anyway and I have nothing to do with it. The other day he convinced me to let him do screen time early by laying his head on my shoulder and batting his eyes at me. I later heard him tell Clare that he used his "cuteness" to get what he wanted. So yes, he knows how to manipulate his mother.</p><p>Both kids are back in school. It is going so well. They are so much happier. So full of energy. I can tell they are learning way more than they did during distance learning. The teachers at their school have all had their first round of vaccines, which is great. I keep waiting for the dreaded email, though, that one of the kids has to quarantine. I am trying to enjoy my time while it lasts.</p><p>Speaking of vaccines, many VIPs in our lives have gotten them! Including one Daddy Hey Ben, as Clare used to call him. I won't be getting mine until summer, but I am happy other people are getting them.</p><p>Clare is immersed in selling Girl Scout cookies. I am busy with that as well, because I am the "Cookie Mom" for the Troop. She is not shy at all about going door to door, even to houses where she doesn't know people. I hated that as a kid and only sold cookies one year. I just admire her courage and confidence so much. I hope she keeps it through her teenage years.</p><p>She is also playing soccer and is still taking piano lessons. I am glad I signed her up for Zoom lessons, because as much as we love and miss her regular teacher, she has made great progress with her new teacher. </p><p>The kids got in a few days of skating in January and February. Ben took them while I hid out at home. </p><p>We spent two weeks in January at my parents' house. It felt so good to get away. We took the kids to the zoo in Madison, and it was so fun. We were basically the only people there. We also went sledding, and the kids have been sledding around here, too, including a few outings with their cousins.</p><p>This weekend felt like an explosion of plans. I went on a walk with my friend. We had a class play date (outside, masked) with Christopher's class where I got to talk to people in person. I saw a friend who I hadn't seen in person since October when we sat by a fire on another friend's deck. Katie and Josie came over to pick up Girl Scout cookies and we visited while Josie and Christopher played. It was crazy to see so many people in such a short time. </p><p>This time last year we still didn't know what was coming. We should have, but we didn't. I re-read what I wrote, and I mentioned Covid and being worried about it, but mostly I was just happy that the days were getting longer. We were just busy with normal life. Well, fast forward one year and I am once again mostly just happy that the days are getting longer. And we are busy with life, even if life doesn't look anything like it did last year. On to March. Who knows what it will bring.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVpsU25la5iV3vUy9bY1ZU2dr262F3EaQzbJYdr_xN24XG4NE1vZoaiypNvUzfKsmqKgnxB0L82sn4tHVJXp-phMDOgaXG0Hlfqz6qNclIZcFwSz8oRgrzA9YX2jP52UX3LUMh9oQwQ/s4032/PXL_20210102_200330367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVpsU25la5iV3vUy9bY1ZU2dr262F3EaQzbJYdr_xN24XG4NE1vZoaiypNvUzfKsmqKgnxB0L82sn4tHVJXp-phMDOgaXG0Hlfqz6qNclIZcFwSz8oRgrzA9YX2jP52UX3LUMh9oQwQ/w320-h240/PXL_20210102_200330367.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher attending his friend Matt's Zoom birthday party.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfQH_uQD63NChrF-MEZnGKsV1LB0lDEgYLEA18ipj8KYbm4VqwdAQktpre41UcvmrYc1Qi2XU40Bq9s03PMYUtIdhkkDa8wyDFt6hpFBPjepKh9M-ke3VkPp4Ze175wdnAOSZM_52_Q/s4032/PXL_20210105_152256325.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfQH_uQD63NChrF-MEZnGKsV1LB0lDEgYLEA18ipj8KYbm4VqwdAQktpre41UcvmrYc1Qi2XU40Bq9s03PMYUtIdhkkDa8wyDFt6hpFBPjepKh9M-ke3VkPp4Ze175wdnAOSZM_52_Q/s320/PXL_20210105_152256325.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parents' backyard.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnyIvN-zINUECoic52Vu0pIyF0Yh7BTrk0MeeaG_7Uo7a39-zKRfpv6cBUw_iBYfs4llJLPSVp80nhf4xWy36c_mC-u-AzTvtpQITIPdfdr4kqOP3aTCmtThuvxggvnGEkwaEumhQTw/s4032/PXL_20210107_204821626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwnyIvN-zINUECoic52Vu0pIyF0Yh7BTrk0MeeaG_7Uo7a39-zKRfpv6cBUw_iBYfs4llJLPSVp80nhf4xWy36c_mC-u-AzTvtpQITIPdfdr4kqOP3aTCmtThuvxggvnGEkwaEumhQTw/s320/PXL_20210107_204821626.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and Meema Jo chatting outside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCRU23PWTHHg-HCg8WO7rtfyYJlFGWkfQeNsuf8tBlXe2CaXfFxSQ9l5Sq4fuZeCtZjJQAFhAV2aE409Sk5toNLeP4fs8pCowHA5mRDe0bvXFiESW5Mc6HxtbWBzEUKCO1_DxGVb1OQ/s1600/IMG_20210108_162812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCRU23PWTHHg-HCg8WO7rtfyYJlFGWkfQeNsuf8tBlXe2CaXfFxSQ9l5Sq4fuZeCtZjJQAFhAV2aE409Sk5toNLeP4fs8pCowHA5mRDe0bvXFiESW5Mc6HxtbWBzEUKCO1_DxGVb1OQ/s320/IMG_20210108_162812.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Detective with Baba's hats.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-pON_dU-ubDpUV8xbKsQaZljFStrQtV3ZSoHnUz6f6QouOLG6-ENXff9V5_SGYkuD-DbozdphEKrvLiScbctjQyVi3lq2htGKGimwyJ2zmK5bqFV9ID9f_SUAvoLKuKrFA-2NfPhiw/s4032/PXL_20210107_233045345.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-pON_dU-ubDpUV8xbKsQaZljFStrQtV3ZSoHnUz6f6QouOLG6-ENXff9V5_SGYkuD-DbozdphEKrvLiScbctjQyVi3lq2htGKGimwyJ2zmK5bqFV9ID9f_SUAvoLKuKrFA-2NfPhiw/s320/PXL_20210107_233045345.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun with Baba Ralph.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoG6PsE3twZMc9Z_F6cyUKinimAZSMVKYxBG01WV96wXHN9FsA-uxCON-W3T0VF0tWRAR2mrInu3javKmb34-LqMVGpvbJ_mgkbeMbwP7fkBVryFbQk1KOn0KWL0-ry7slMOgOJuYeQ/s4032/PXL_20210120_154757532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaoG6PsE3twZMc9Z_F6cyUKinimAZSMVKYxBG01WV96wXHN9FsA-uxCON-W3T0VF0tWRAR2mrInu3javKmb34-LqMVGpvbJ_mgkbeMbwP7fkBVryFbQk1KOn0KWL0-ry7slMOgOJuYeQ/s320/PXL_20210120_154757532.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare made me breakfast one morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDCf7ecHyacEuMYeDL32R_JfHBqJ9oed50BmwSk-rXQk-kHtgpYN1gZisyxPeEzQOiTmDfyen4P2x8-VXv2Vc1yKua2_MiUkK-Sch2e26SUlpwgcU7S1fT8lrtiU0JQS7OL2soL5F-A/s2048/PXL_20210112_231951469.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDCf7ecHyacEuMYeDL32R_JfHBqJ9oed50BmwSk-rXQk-kHtgpYN1gZisyxPeEzQOiTmDfyen4P2x8-VXv2Vc1yKua2_MiUkK-Sch2e26SUlpwgcU7S1fT8lrtiU0JQS7OL2soL5F-A/s320/PXL_20210112_231951469.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skating!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C67OTCN1sL3bzzxH_9qeEV_qpbvToxNkb6bOLYpMd5G6v819D_3-NG8-WnAyoJoTX3o70aljUVKMQBmX1Xr7mtcHkWIuiiak_UQeOq3a299T9t4L50KsjN0uWJxSH5NwJA0EfAuK-g/s4032/PXL_20210123_191926196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0C67OTCN1sL3bzzxH_9qeEV_qpbvToxNkb6bOLYpMd5G6v819D_3-NG8-WnAyoJoTX3o70aljUVKMQBmX1Xr7mtcHkWIuiiak_UQeOq3a299T9t4L50KsjN0uWJxSH5NwJA0EfAuK-g/s320/PXL_20210123_191926196.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goofballs on the way to Evansville. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gC0vSuSPzo4csIJJrnnfziEq055QbNgDV_fKyUuMbDVnfzCb2g-6aIUSuTDcW46hQqZEUowGsrskJ9qcbLUSYUX1VykxWhcdDiZHKsOlaJJNhN8xzhCUGoUhyMjdwkYIKMYfCNMjbA/s4032/PXL_20210125_193847876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gC0vSuSPzo4csIJJrnnfziEq055QbNgDV_fKyUuMbDVnfzCb2g-6aIUSuTDcW46hQqZEUowGsrskJ9qcbLUSYUX1VykxWhcdDiZHKsOlaJJNhN8xzhCUGoUhyMjdwkYIKMYfCNMjbA/s320/PXL_20210125_193847876.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the zoo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw5PJczDyOa1pw5TSOcHx5ADUx5Yltaw_IXYVI02I8x9U386PURXJ4siQbBQSLdWcyj9a0xMsY8o7JJV2Ar-9H1c7X7rPR7e4t4zd8nhb3rfk5Rg2u64c4PzTIiP0_HkVmtzd5nSjOw/s4032/PXL_20210125_201432573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfw5PJczDyOa1pw5TSOcHx5ADUx5Yltaw_IXYVI02I8x9U386PURXJ4siQbBQSLdWcyj9a0xMsY8o7JJV2Ar-9H1c7X7rPR7e4t4zd8nhb3rfk5Rg2u64c4PzTIiP0_HkVmtzd5nSjOw/s320/PXL_20210125_201432573.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More zoo.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJHRJ7N_kMd1oL7oZinbh_Op_M3SRwW6ntoU6azVVVSeogdQQKw78lejACY2dxc5aKV7SDl8Zh2o_ShqiDNc_VzVO8T8O1okE8tuWR9UyY8Tw7tyEwJ_IW-MdbBECCfbi2iPiQs_P1Q/s4032/PXL_20210127_193324073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyJHRJ7N_kMd1oL7oZinbh_Op_M3SRwW6ntoU6azVVVSeogdQQKw78lejACY2dxc5aKV7SDl8Zh2o_ShqiDNc_VzVO8T8O1okE8tuWR9UyY8Tw7tyEwJ_IW-MdbBECCfbi2iPiQs_P1Q/s320/PXL_20210127_193324073.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attempting to sled, even though the snow was super deep and powdery.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_Ghz1KJebqY33VsIk4dhTLG4qDhkZ2xOgE9B9e_PaMn6vwxN3Y-JRMq4cwveyTMQMsaHAmUmUHanYXqBEFyhWi5zK84-aA2D2PtZSvzXtCeQ7QD0V0TZJpVvyFKPeNM45Z2pUvCcCw/s4032/PXL_20210201_131034353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_Ghz1KJebqY33VsIk4dhTLG4qDhkZ2xOgE9B9e_PaMn6vwxN3Y-JRMq4cwveyTMQMsaHAmUmUHanYXqBEFyhWi5zK84-aA2D2PtZSvzXtCeQ7QD0V0TZJpVvyFKPeNM45Z2pUvCcCw/s320/PXL_20210201_131034353.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of in-person school for Christopher.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEMbNmuYmeRKK9cHxp7LayziRetns_arV42O62s1Dyhn9OPT9uBxP9PCLuEUTz5k3ob7GZ_SvLYGorUIPY2yJ4GN-nj_Oj7-ppONN5BOlhtNkMISpq_EQDVkaigcoFqzjA_BBANVrlQ/s4032/PXL_20210203_171942494.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtEMbNmuYmeRKK9cHxp7LayziRetns_arV42O62s1Dyhn9OPT9uBxP9PCLuEUTz5k3ob7GZ_SvLYGorUIPY2yJ4GN-nj_Oj7-ppONN5BOlhtNkMISpq_EQDVkaigcoFqzjA_BBANVrlQ/s320/PXL_20210203_171942494.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and I had a fun two weeks while he was back in school. We did a mail order mystery game, and got take out from a few restaurants. Clare decorated the dining room to look like each restaurant so we could pretend we were there. We even played restaurant background noise on my phone. (You can find anything on the internet.)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuWFQG3KeROSLn7PEuKvDwZNuIDIXcmNAVnc4lZ4jN1y7r9zuYZafjriFtBm1mPaIARk0A2_AX1rJ2BJ3OowEARf1bbYRf1mr1qoc8xVIeS5BrNFvNoI1mQgp9WCsitkaoL_k1B0nA/s2048/PXL_20210207_234408278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQuWFQG3KeROSLn7PEuKvDwZNuIDIXcmNAVnc4lZ4jN1y7r9zuYZafjriFtBm1mPaIARk0A2_AX1rJ2BJ3OowEARf1bbYRf1mr1qoc8xVIeS5BrNFvNoI1mQgp9WCsitkaoL_k1B0nA/s320/PXL_20210207_234408278.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Bowl party! I wasn't there, because I was in La Crosse, but Ben made quite the spread.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYd4_akK2Ypgg0x03dE7l6-mEI1EIr7Pz_btiDnJnvaAqA27eCKzXLMjk_mbVDAGorzXO_avd0SM_J90tX_dooDMI-udzhioy30kdVsqcSLnmB7flhJoYxyYb5Wt-wYt1o_TcM9pHIQ/s4032/PXL_20210214_205513158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbYd4_akK2Ypgg0x03dE7l6-mEI1EIr7Pz_btiDnJnvaAqA27eCKzXLMjk_mbVDAGorzXO_avd0SM_J90tX_dooDMI-udzhioy30kdVsqcSLnmB7flhJoYxyYb5Wt-wYt1o_TcM9pHIQ/s320/PXL_20210214_205513158.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a Valentine's Day party, and Clare decorated the cake! The party was just the four of us, but it helped make the day more special. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKfWsqBIiLyhHJw9TWC1TJGo0-5dET1Y9ZBJAUTy9aX4kakwnnvnvsCOPLr5OIPuuiTSTzcIuJAVfRMnJ5aesNSltUkbwPkPIuJk5uIN-ucgONPwYR0CcLz0qcYk9t_Wtj8nKWbyySA/s4032/PXL_20210210_181026211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKfWsqBIiLyhHJw9TWC1TJGo0-5dET1Y9ZBJAUTy9aX4kakwnnvnvsCOPLr5OIPuuiTSTzcIuJAVfRMnJ5aesNSltUkbwPkPIuJk5uIN-ucgONPwYR0CcLz0qcYk9t_Wtj8nKWbyySA/s320/PXL_20210210_181026211.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girl Scout! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHOVSwitm2npLE4cZViEpLiSTm2RspyOKJghdNIXRZwVomq-ZxH0mhCwiPZBmGvduoH60q6DZriHAs2aob815_m1szOUORkRXKlskSOyH_vVbEcEx_6TftO350wlcaydvf51DXmoVLQ/s4032/PXL_20210213_221414055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHOVSwitm2npLE4cZViEpLiSTm2RspyOKJghdNIXRZwVomq-ZxH0mhCwiPZBmGvduoH60q6DZriHAs2aob815_m1szOUORkRXKlskSOyH_vVbEcEx_6TftO350wlcaydvf51DXmoVLQ/s320/PXL_20210213_221414055.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dueling screens.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-71242154349854058472021-02-23T11:10:00.000-06:002021-02-23T11:10:16.994-06:00Clara<p>I've been sitting with this post for awhile, trying to figure out what to write. My last remaining grandparent passed away on February 1. Clara was 97 years old. We last saw her in person in October, when we were able to visit her and take her on a scenic drive on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River. Christopher acted out one of his favorite Gerald and Piggie books for her outside of the car. I didn't see it, but I was told she loved every minute of that. She was so happy to see both kids, and talked about how pretty her namesake, Clare's, hair is. It was the last time she left the house.</p><p>My Grandma grew up in Chicago, Illinois, during the Great Depression. She worked to help support her family from a young age. After she graduated from high school, she worked at Marshall Fields and the University of Chicago. It was there that she met my grandfather, who was taking classes at the University as part of his Naval training. They went on a blind date (although my grandpa arranged to see her ahead of time) and the rest is history. They dated for six weeks before my grandpa shipped out to the South Pacific. While my grandpa was away, they exchanged letters. He addressed them to "Clare". They married in November of 1945, and lived on Bainbridge Island in Washington before moving to Sonoma, California, and then back to Wisconsin where they lived in several different towns (including La Crescent, Minnesota) before finally settling in La Crosse.</p><p>My Grandma had 7 children in 11 years. When my sister asked her how she coped with that, she said it was just what you did. You didn't think about it. </p><p>She loved to read, cook, bake and knit. I remember once going to visit when I had a really bad cold. I couldn't smell anything for a few days. Somehow, the aroma of my Grandma's freshly baked chocolate chip cookies made it through. It was such a wonderful smell. There are other smells I associate with her house - chicken soup, apple pie, and buttered toast. We used to spend the night there when we were kids, and I always slept in the same bed in the same room with my sister. We would eat buttered toast and cereal for breakfast, and drink out of small juice glasses. I remember watching reruns of the Dick Van Dyke show with her in the basement.</p><p>My grandma raised her family, and also worked in a business she owned with my grandfather. She volunteered at the hospital for years, and, as my Dad phrased it in her obituary, she "retired" at the tender age of 96. She even received a U.S. presidential award for her service. She was, however, disgusted with the signature on it. We all suggested that we should tape over it with Barack Obama's. </p><p>My grandma was very active in her church, and her faith was important to her. She was my Confirmation sponsor when I was in high school. I was able to spend a night or two there just visiting with her. I remember visiting in college as well, and all of these years after. I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful grandmother in my life for so long. </p><p>And she loved her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. Clare and Christopher knew and loved her, and were quite sad when I told them she'd passed away. They will remember her. I will, too, with love.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdwenegIGT6ulsQHMUpWIM6wTohV9T9mt7Dx9aAmFHadWbjNyk9Clg1uJBUtZUH4OB9WIsKTrnrD3SJVnQ06lzhmsrGmVzDiD63k8TZDYSonkEHDIoepgT0cWfcDuRPUtjqYj_5ag7g/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdwenegIGT6ulsQHMUpWIM6wTohV9T9mt7Dx9aAmFHadWbjNyk9Clg1uJBUtZUH4OB9WIsKTrnrD3SJVnQ06lzhmsrGmVzDiD63k8TZDYSonkEHDIoepgT0cWfcDuRPUtjqYj_5ag7g/" width="160" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 29, 1923 - February 1, 2021</td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJYwddHVOEH88Ky8KiuryxybjkfNsUpUeq6Gm1aPzka1aKs9e870W3FTFhxoVKZNqFIRmFzi_4oKbAY76XQmKg_aUjexr05nnN1FWLq_BYp-yERO0XBQRniOXxv0TALNuvEWbj1hBOQ/s2048/IMG_20181230_145243.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJYwddHVOEH88Ky8KiuryxybjkfNsUpUeq6Gm1aPzka1aKs9e870W3FTFhxoVKZNqFIRmFzi_4oKbAY76XQmKg_aUjexr05nnN1FWLq_BYp-yERO0XBQRniOXxv0TALNuvEWbj1hBOQ/s320/IMG_20181230_145243.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6RdiIEoAES-DNE5_UiaBCJEn2ApXlJKPY0VCLeSBU3kBQZlSLK3tquqQO4SX3PcZY3dMq69gGAYodoYgQPlsk4OSGpXXYgHYxWlTbh_fTHG0XAG9BUPbfsmFUih4sKL2KDx7RNiVTw/s2048/021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6RdiIEoAES-DNE5_UiaBCJEn2ApXlJKPY0VCLeSBU3kBQZlSLK3tquqQO4SX3PcZY3dMq69gGAYodoYgQPlsk4OSGpXXYgHYxWlTbh_fTHG0XAG9BUPbfsmFUih4sKL2KDx7RNiVTw/s320/021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QJnGAKpOKAAZHsveRxy4K_Jpj31ebeHa5vqShid4W4MIExRCdrR0yCB4ijhKbbZZYi_TQrhAcGpAMwBefRc30Lhr2rjCXYCVVYy_8jnuLyBX_saGg-fakMSNk9OA2x3pwdatctlxog/s2048/033.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QJnGAKpOKAAZHsveRxy4K_Jpj31ebeHa5vqShid4W4MIExRCdrR0yCB4ijhKbbZZYi_TQrhAcGpAMwBefRc30Lhr2rjCXYCVVYy_8jnuLyBX_saGg-fakMSNk9OA2x3pwdatctlxog/s320/033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-44956274349731142932021-02-16T09:31:00.001-06:002021-02-17T11:39:58.647-06:00344 Days Later<p>They're both back in school. Christopher has been back for two weeks, Clare's first day is today. It's weird, scary, and exciting all rolled up into one big reflux-inducing ball. </p><p>It's a frigid morning here in the bold north, but Clare was so excited she barely noticed. She is finally meeting her teacher in person. She'll be with other people. She'll (hopefully) have way more work to do. I honestly don't know how she is going to handle putting in a 6 plus hour day.</p><p>Christopher has been so energized for the past two weeks. It really hit home to me how hard it has been for them to be here day in and day out. He is so much happier now.</p><p>We'll see how long it lasts. There is already one class that is in quarantine, and I am sure more will follow. We are going to test regularly (and had negative test results come back for today). </p><p>For now, though, they're masked up and ready to learn. Or at least talk to friends and eat pizza for hot lunch.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS2pql_87eFzu5iI9cRMKUzPIR19DDnC4DrSUgDVKfdpjzknFGJfVN69XakNnmt0a7cjukeezyveiB3XZGwADkJ1wetJiwhS0SyUZKFADMZvvpVAw2u65YGgnJsZURReg7aVNzvNxyw/s2048/PXL_20210216_125544193.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOS2pql_87eFzu5iI9cRMKUzPIR19DDnC4DrSUgDVKfdpjzknFGJfVN69XakNnmt0a7cjukeezyveiB3XZGwADkJ1wetJiwhS0SyUZKFADMZvvpVAw2u65YGgnJsZURReg7aVNzvNxyw/s320/PXL_20210216_125544193.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6FtFndFp7xe1xuHQI3JMBEFfCK4IYUvvB_sJ4-kO4Ca4OZNY-N_q-ZPWOfr86X1WJmqBrW22u78InmrXlUorWQEKTrlZ0k-eCyJRpQLPjjZWRpzDi9zOoLgEvYNam5-HGzfitQ4qag/s2508/Screenshot_20210216-064730.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2508" data-original-width="1254" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb6FtFndFp7xe1xuHQI3JMBEFfCK4IYUvvB_sJ4-kO4Ca4OZNY-N_q-ZPWOfr86X1WJmqBrW22u78InmrXlUorWQEKTrlZ0k-eCyJRpQLPjjZWRpzDi9zOoLgEvYNam5-HGzfitQ4qag/s320/Screenshot_20210216-064730.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyLjZnWLch8c3YzEmz2kzn_7jJEkHz7PvA37Tt5LELPBMrqJBrRWVoAuviYjuoCfB61tCvZ03_qlXCl2D9X_RO7udesOi5sDv3dgN77mL89VgGzrlsnpbxQ_ktZDE7CdHkrVP4-qJjA/s4032/PXL_20210216_202050499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyLjZnWLch8c3YzEmz2kzn_7jJEkHz7PvA37Tt5LELPBMrqJBrRWVoAuviYjuoCfB61tCvZ03_qlXCl2D9X_RO7udesOi5sDv3dgN77mL89VgGzrlsnpbxQ_ktZDE7CdHkrVP4-qJjA/s320/PXL_20210216_202050499.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-64392559101519004682021-01-22T17:43:00.000-06:002021-01-22T17:43:00.224-06:00Hope<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi2umWZKvhUz54DMPY3u14Bqb03tDZdgZBpGnQIlS3g8k0U9ibxD4MFgboH8sbzvmWoSvOHidtNVx1hkucXvo6XICtGxFse04z8DqVGXKJeSQO-6QKWTWtlZ47znlL5nqPSk0_-eAQQ/s653/IMG_20210120_120202_966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="653" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi2umWZKvhUz54DMPY3u14Bqb03tDZdgZBpGnQIlS3g8k0U9ibxD4MFgboH8sbzvmWoSvOHidtNVx1hkucXvo6XICtGxFse04z8DqVGXKJeSQO-6QKWTWtlZ47znlL5nqPSk0_-eAQQ/s320/IMG_20210120_120202_966.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>I haven't wanted to write anything about the change in our national leadership, because I thought prematurely celebrating Joe Biden's presidency might somehow jinx it. (I realize whatever I do actually wouldn't change the outcome, but what can I say.)</p><p>Until Wednesday, I didn't realize the weight that has been on my shoulders these past four years. After Biden was officially President, I felt happier than I have in a long time. I know we have a long way to go, and that there are many, many people who are not feeling the happiness and relief I have been feeling the last few days. There will be shenanigans and there is much work to be done. But finally, finally, I feel hope that we can change for the better. </p><p>I saw an Onion article that jokingly said Biden's inaugural address continued into the night as he listed all of the issues facing this country. And it's true - there are many. But just knowing that I don't have to be scared every time the President opens his mouth is a relief. All of the executive orders he signed on day one are a step in the right direction. I believe he is a good person who will do his best, and now that the Democrats have control of the Senate, there is no reason for them not to charge forward to make change. </p><p>And now, can we talk about Kamala? Another surprise for me has been how emotional it was for me to finally see a woman in national office. I cried when she got elected. I cried while watching her speak a few days after the election. And I cried the most watching Clare watch a woman being sworn in as Vice President. This is a big deal. Christopher was concerned when he saw me crying, but I tried to explain it to him. How important this is. I think he understood. I hope so.</p><p>After the election four years ago I wrote about how much I was grieving and what I was going to do about it. That included volunteering for organizations that I hoped would make a difference, despite our leadership. And that hasn't changed. I am not taking my foot off the gas, even though I am so happy we have a President and Vice President we can be proud of. This is no time to be complacent. These past four years it was hard to believe we could work together to make the world a better place. But now, I have hope.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jxv8fHUTP9aX96LaeSj86ohraTjgFIlyDqlIqlgQY3OoGb8gKTJKEWg6dv08-ZEtijM6FjJW25yFeXi8_FENKZfUg9zRQFP5lEZ3iA0ZKxcqiTnpaVDBTBrjX_c2GSuxy1bhR5cgJg/s1600/IMG-20201107-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="778" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8jxv8fHUTP9aX96LaeSj86ohraTjgFIlyDqlIqlgQY3OoGb8gKTJKEWg6dv08-ZEtijM6FjJW25yFeXi8_FENKZfUg9zRQFP5lEZ3iA0ZKxcqiTnpaVDBTBrjX_c2GSuxy1bhR5cgJg/s320/IMG-20201107-WA0000.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk95H7db9JJL54OeITsw96KQaIEwp4C7t1sDaoM2THsJkH5lwjHmyWMrhjd102qsRI2oV2w2l9xBJynZMeKv1dyxOZqB5PQ-Hxy0HFFbEx17GsBsrM4Bn7NeH_u2VUQtha3685dli-FA/s4032/PXL_20210120_164330799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk95H7db9JJL54OeITsw96KQaIEwp4C7t1sDaoM2THsJkH5lwjHmyWMrhjd102qsRI2oV2w2l9xBJynZMeKv1dyxOZqB5PQ-Hxy0HFFbEx17GsBsrM4Bn7NeH_u2VUQtha3685dli-FA/s320/PXL_20210120_164330799.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-24890898190547917472021-01-04T13:54:00.002-06:002021-01-04T13:54:57.878-06:00End of Year: 2020<p>I feel like there is nothing I can say about this year that is new, that has not been said by a million other people. I'll just say this: I am glad it is over. </p><p>This past year, Clare and Christopher showed such strength and resiliency. I am amazed by them, really. They were asked to upend their entire lives for the protection of their parents and grandparents. And they did it. They didn't always like it, but they understood why it was important and they did it. (Which is more than I can say for a lot of adults in this world.)</p><p>Living through a worldwide pandemic has not been easy for anyone, but I think they key word here is "living". Despite it all, we lived our lives as best we could. We saw friends outside. We saw family in our bubble inside. We had some nice times. So, instead of reflecting on all we didn't have this year, I thought I'd make a short list of this year's highlights.</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Clare and Christopher, who yes, fought frequently, also found ways to entertain themselves in rather hilarious fashion, including something they call the Flunday Night Tickle Down that involves Clare as "Poopy Person" and Christopher as "Diaper Dude" and they do some kind of combination of wrestling and tickling. They also make "Belly Promises" to each other and bump bellies when they agree to something.</li><li>We played hundreds of board games, including countless rounds of trivia via Zoom with the kids' grandparents. I love that the kids are old enough to play some of my old favorites like Clue and Life.</li><li>We bought a camper and went camping with friends several times. It felt so good to be out in nature and out of our house.</li><li>We spent a long weekend at a beautiful house on a lake in Wisconsin with family.</li><li>Halloween was epic - our party was possibly more fun than Halloween in a "normal" year.</li><li>Technology to the rescue: we've all participated in various Zoom birthday parties, meetings, summer camps and game nights.</li><li>We found creative ways to make up for the things we missed, including our re-creation of the State Fair at my parents' house, complete with fried food, a bouncy house and animal viewings.</li><li>Books! I read 104 books this year, which I am sure is the most books I have read in one year as an adult. My favorites: "Hamnet", "The Vanishing Half", "The Yellow House", and "Red at the Bone". I also read many mysteries and "chick lit"-type novels ranging from quite good to mediocre, but I enjoyed them.</li><li>Clare was able to play soccer, with provided a much-needed social and physical outlet for her. Christopher was able to attend a social-distance theater camp, which, same.</li><li>It was kind of nice having Ben home with us, even though he spends most of the day in the basement and I am sure he would rather be at the office.</li><li>We ate a lot of take out in the name of supporting local businesses. Our favorite is Urban Growler, a woman-owned brewery near our house. </li><li>The library re-opened! The library re-opened! I also bought many books from a cute bookstore in my neighborhood.</li><li>The simple act of walking with a friend could make the day so much better. Especially when the walk ended with a take out coffee.</li><li>I found renewed gratitude for all I have: house, food, family. I know that much of what I have is by accident of birth, and not a day has gone by this year where I have not reminded myself of how lucky we are. (Maybe this should have been first on my list? All well.)</li></ul><div>So yes, overall this year was crap. But, thankfully, there is still good to be found if I look for it.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know better than to say anything about 2021. We'll just have to see what happens. In the meantime, here are some pictures from December. We had a nice Christmas, even if it wasn't normal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Note: These are in reverse order and frankly I am too lazy to mess around with changing them.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU_MEKqa_xTJsDboMhOafQzfvSpRkyrcASiyeTtPmxEfzQBVibZGXQJ39T05tvPC5j7IzcnKzMRmEXjuWPev8GN0_9FW2-Ji6fraw0-ryhLgPJfGk4tfscoUAgB3xmpPcifxOPXyP1w/s4032/PXL_20210102_201944187.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilU_MEKqa_xTJsDboMhOafQzfvSpRkyrcASiyeTtPmxEfzQBVibZGXQJ39T05tvPC5j7IzcnKzMRmEXjuWPev8GN0_9FW2-Ji6fraw0-ryhLgPJfGk4tfscoUAgB3xmpPcifxOPXyP1w/w240-h320/PXL_20210102_201944187.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and Christopher made this family tree for Ben and I for Christmas. I love it! </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr5mgZ8UDCRM1hwB0_mRK7C4J0SCKn5IWN5eXsyjDy8mfAQWTvOupd078hZjE8up83TP2z5g95AIDf0xb1VJeRuzDySKcs9qXHMTfiMEIAhj2p2-HYx5ptrBlRvOfK70TzIG8aybHTA/s4032/PXL_20210101_060037311.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilr5mgZ8UDCRM1hwB0_mRK7C4J0SCKn5IWN5eXsyjDy8mfAQWTvOupd078hZjE8up83TP2z5g95AIDf0xb1VJeRuzDySKcs9qXHMTfiMEIAhj2p2-HYx5ptrBlRvOfK70TzIG8aybHTA/s320/PXL_20210101_060037311.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ringing in 2021 - this shot is from 12:01 a.m. on 1/1/21. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54lQ8GxqE5OMkdImdpbIa5D04bnm128-kQ73e5Fdzuih7AT5eMpyYyqZUym4wh_IWhDu70SIYeR7l6oY3IQK0VbmTviWvpLewBWSaUTeV2gf-SXDO_td4uquscsMnzg_cqlrFY1OnEw/s4032/PXL_20210101_025442245.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54lQ8GxqE5OMkdImdpbIa5D04bnm128-kQ73e5Fdzuih7AT5eMpyYyqZUym4wh_IWhDu70SIYeR7l6oY3IQK0VbmTviWvpLewBWSaUTeV2gf-SXDO_td4uquscsMnzg_cqlrFY1OnEw/s320/PXL_20210101_025442245.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sleepover for New Year's Eve. They were so excited to stay up until midnight. I was shocked (and less excited) that they made it.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsd_LCn1S3iP0DTX3MMk4FXC3159oV_CydRbTZ_qGlddCTGuOX4x3-w6NYH7JImC2YpUyi7wKNve5GFqkWPTR1Z_YJP0GH9CIG9z_mdDGqkftMq_0JBrIQJ2xyIyqIuEhxuji1DAy9g/s4032/PXL_20201228_183220967.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsd_LCn1S3iP0DTX3MMk4FXC3159oV_CydRbTZ_qGlddCTGuOX4x3-w6NYH7JImC2YpUyi7wKNve5GFqkWPTR1Z_YJP0GH9CIG9z_mdDGqkftMq_0JBrIQJ2xyIyqIuEhxuji1DAy9g/s320/PXL_20201228_183220967.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sledding near our house. I am glad there is some snow.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbovjOVTlP0vRh-LZe17MyVf_ldoDG3FmwHkAolitp_ionjSSxpG9soSX7IWkd2Jede2uNEQtoczdlvsLZXON1xF52mjfyBbSlK2X9ctvMvBlLgOxlrNR6Xdp-_SpHuZ8BSEm5leuAgA/s4032/PXL_20201225_133225732.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbovjOVTlP0vRh-LZe17MyVf_ldoDG3FmwHkAolitp_ionjSSxpG9soSX7IWkd2Jede2uNEQtoczdlvsLZXON1xF52mjfyBbSlK2X9ctvMvBlLgOxlrNR6Xdp-_SpHuZ8BSEm5leuAgA/s320/PXL_20201225_133225732.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas morning joy.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQa4ZIBk3tN7c29Vi-ELOVTxGb6hE_KDCxvgjvDYI7w7V7cifdiXwURjRssMURp9yNgF37HDlFOie1GbHD2ZjgZ_EVRTayyOptza5y4MaK1zF6-jq5kPkwVlTnQ01lIop6cl9dKYYwg/s4032/PXL_20201225_133253215.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQa4ZIBk3tN7c29Vi-ELOVTxGb6hE_KDCxvgjvDYI7w7V7cifdiXwURjRssMURp9yNgF37HDlFOie1GbHD2ZjgZ_EVRTayyOptza5y4MaK1zF6-jq5kPkwVlTnQ01lIop6cl9dKYYwg/s320/PXL_20201225_133253215.MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv4_38wCqljfEwfZWtIOoC5w-JZ9DkKABtDjPBN5RiOKf-bEo9Mku3Qg-MoSmsZM_Dcwhhv381emVNZWjkUKq-JrHBYlt4DMjiFlOBxFPqBabs5MJgIJfRsqjO6Iutm9iNPFwnvk6OQ/s4032/PXL_20201225_135341683.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDv4_38wCqljfEwfZWtIOoC5w-JZ9DkKABtDjPBN5RiOKf-bEo9Mku3Qg-MoSmsZM_Dcwhhv381emVNZWjkUKq-JrHBYlt4DMjiFlOBxFPqBabs5MJgIJfRsqjO6Iutm9iNPFwnvk6OQ/s320/PXL_20201225_135341683.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FaVlmWW5sgVTLxYiEZPknoAvR-SIL4HXaMXdaRLeZO-k5kVFF3Sz0YwRlty3rS4N7VUKTd11jSWlfEu1o7S4wQ1CaW4BDuDRblr-e4ycYcWt4NJIDM6HyN4OF_LfTWFof9z8J_lIHg/s4032/PXL_20201225_133015217.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FaVlmWW5sgVTLxYiEZPknoAvR-SIL4HXaMXdaRLeZO-k5kVFF3Sz0YwRlty3rS4N7VUKTd11jSWlfEu1o7S4wQ1CaW4BDuDRblr-e4ycYcWt4NJIDM6HyN4OF_LfTWFof9z8J_lIHg/s320/PXL_20201225_133015217.NIGHT.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting (not so) patiently to be allowed downstairs on Christmas morning. Ben and I like to make our coffee and turn on the lights before the chaos starts.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ14ImCZqV5RtELY2XGN3otCkwl47uKm-MYSsfyScv5JVxzyfqum14KSr6gANKM-59IbxzhjkwQcWCFLqR0ECxXoFLI1lfFGHDdJE5mHPrEYrQ-ejq8Gzc6NhC2XJXvwIweZQqWtD7vQ/s4032/PXL_20201225_040821881.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ14ImCZqV5RtELY2XGN3otCkwl47uKm-MYSsfyScv5JVxzyfqum14KSr6gANKM-59IbxzhjkwQcWCFLqR0ECxXoFLI1lfFGHDdJE5mHPrEYrQ-ejq8Gzc6NhC2XJXvwIweZQqWtD7vQ/s320/PXL_20201225_040821881.NIGHT.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for Christmas morning!</td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hIwiIABynVMlmDC3FaAU57YAgm6jeRYUlYQanItQ_PCps_3SBP_vFeGqB7bNf8giqzX1WZRV3OazqU8aPXT12Ga-xknvIYo6VM50l9J_IUnOohz6PHE3Gb2KIRWo5FaCxYxjRSGg4A/s4032/PXL_20201225_020742389.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0hIwiIABynVMlmDC3FaAU57YAgm6jeRYUlYQanItQ_PCps_3SBP_vFeGqB7bNf8giqzX1WZRV3OazqU8aPXT12Ga-xknvIYo6VM50l9J_IUnOohz6PHE3Gb2KIRWo5FaCxYxjRSGg4A/s320/PXL_20201225_020742389.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGEfcR9Kk8Tl20-c2NRCZbvUAHdC0UFx1itUCX_udcpmuXJ2-Ta4HLzTFM2hpO0BjIGlFZnso4MPuDFSUWtYarIM1Up07tQ9C9cYuEvNyBILsjMhVp2udCsHvY3t7RZh7MNhqFm-Pww/s4032/PXL_20201225_002526404.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGEfcR9Kk8Tl20-c2NRCZbvUAHdC0UFx1itUCX_udcpmuXJ2-Ta4HLzTFM2hpO0BjIGlFZnso4MPuDFSUWtYarIM1Up07tQ9C9cYuEvNyBILsjMhVp2udCsHvY3t7RZh7MNhqFm-Pww/s320/PXL_20201225_002526404.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking Santa's whereabouts on Google's Santa Tracker.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1VQEBCEMt5AWfOJeG7oo60yue6SQt9NC5T1s1okzrGR6e5FJ0Q2exxfHEb-unTfPtoLrRYCXIVAA16J9mLQagGhmW-ZxLZngHO-m9JSk7IM-oRpKEbkOKb1mmfTM21VSeLbnMKG9vg/s4032/PXL_20201225_001156375.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1VQEBCEMt5AWfOJeG7oo60yue6SQt9NC5T1s1okzrGR6e5FJ0Q2exxfHEb-unTfPtoLrRYCXIVAA16J9mLQagGhmW-ZxLZngHO-m9JSk7IM-oRpKEbkOKb1mmfTM21VSeLbnMKG9vg/s320/PXL_20201225_001156375.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a meat and cheese skewer on Christmas Eve.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUZOp7tCTz8l9AvIHIUMkBloPQEurdGq-NQZPeOrAEpF6aJW6G5xtCLvWTtrGBPRa0GqHH-Ep5VCQmObRdZULGspZeNhnHfj517hUvGlKmooTeufMxhn_EnhYC9lpMvcRptA2-6ripA/s4032/PXL_20201224_233552226.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUZOp7tCTz8l9AvIHIUMkBloPQEurdGq-NQZPeOrAEpF6aJW6G5xtCLvWTtrGBPRa0GqHH-Ep5VCQmObRdZULGspZeNhnHfj517hUvGlKmooTeufMxhn_EnhYC9lpMvcRptA2-6ripA/s320/PXL_20201224_233552226.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cuties.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEiMgGKsKo62CjOeV11fRQNDUg9Tow6Pq5-otvjyKLA68tveQL7FKo50WKsW44HY66bo-9cF2JrfTnRQVwJf6jzqn0BZbNY4C75FKznCCsMVAXZNlV_D39zT1NVeLRFuBNhC-comc2g/s3264/PXL_20201225_000740081.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeEiMgGKsKo62CjOeV11fRQNDUg9Tow6Pq5-otvjyKLA68tveQL7FKo50WKsW44HY66bo-9cF2JrfTnRQVwJf6jzqn0BZbNY4C75FKznCCsMVAXZNlV_D39zT1NVeLRFuBNhC-comc2g/s320/PXL_20201225_000740081.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas Eve family time.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXzg0NlxtXx5fkqgekm1Pt-_TuhUbxoGL8P1Uz1Fy79WQyezWzjM030kvRIni1byDrXGghbKWpk_8bRQjqbs-tv-sTBMatyTjA1YOc7Jvao-aRgSlerBnzme40KkuRioMRElKleW_EQ/s4032/PXL_20201224_235731000.NIGHT.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXzg0NlxtXx5fkqgekm1Pt-_TuhUbxoGL8P1Uz1Fy79WQyezWzjM030kvRIni1byDrXGghbKWpk_8bRQjqbs-tv-sTBMatyTjA1YOc7Jvao-aRgSlerBnzme40KkuRioMRElKleW_EQ/s320/PXL_20201224_235731000.NIGHT.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers with a sidecar. (Oh, I should have added this to my list: I experimented with many different cocktails this year.)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd3AauvLOwh-jmcSVC9NetUMJYGRzhswR_7NRpxuCfJWogxPn4mqZU9MQmbHZjtUMMbLCH4dEo6m61Yr3WpNRNFA-Ivr0j6HlGyk5Rq9nEgNj9hjO9BbInsRmqMF3vnJQXIPFWOYuAg/s4032/PXL_20201218_004855573.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd3AauvLOwh-jmcSVC9NetUMJYGRzhswR_7NRpxuCfJWogxPn4mqZU9MQmbHZjtUMMbLCH4dEo6m61Yr3WpNRNFA-Ivr0j6HlGyk5Rq9nEgNj9hjO9BbInsRmqMF3vnJQXIPFWOYuAg/s320/PXL_20201218_004855573.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare played Christmas music all through December (and through most of November).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHOulkjXD9Rm4kb7RQzcZeoRzESmTtV5zZLfHMI84DX0y8rXhq_RgfIgzBIdTRxx6_Jy32MgFwziCz53Zl7jhVUye-UA1wEKSJGM4i3yQ0IEi0BkPI0ZokHOGMlTsN2YufRC41yvfVw/s4032/PXL_20201213_214507093.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHOulkjXD9Rm4kb7RQzcZeoRzESmTtV5zZLfHMI84DX0y8rXhq_RgfIgzBIdTRxx6_Jy32MgFwziCz53Zl7jhVUye-UA1wEKSJGM4i3yQ0IEi0BkPI0ZokHOGMlTsN2YufRC41yvfVw/s320/PXL_20201213_214507093.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Decorating Christmas cookies. Josie and Otto were also decorating and we did a Portal call.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtdokObg8IMOx0aiWsuPaYAbAUpKIUMylHNGa0OpBIwQw3IRF_d7AUPpZKE01m_ahBxJlej6Er4ogwigRgsjtRJTWnlUxtf2OcFR9OrOzejplKzUa0uMQrC4XaM2z-h5wTdKO9zogdw/s4032/PXL_20201212_215558544.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtdokObg8IMOx0aiWsuPaYAbAUpKIUMylHNGa0OpBIwQw3IRF_d7AUPpZKE01m_ahBxJlej6Er4ogwigRgsjtRJTWnlUxtf2OcFR9OrOzejplKzUa0uMQrC4XaM2z-h5wTdKO9zogdw/s320/PXL_20201212_215558544.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and I had a high tea for Christmas! It was fun and delicious. Clare wanted us to be "elegant" but spilled food on herself almost immediately. "I guess we aren't elegant," she said. No Clare, no we are not.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuZJAIpxbhMcF2XJ7sFlE75VnAkNaly2h5O04yoOHEkgOdm7TrYKBu-yRCN6TavTE6qgpxuXU6MJmFoeWnjWIrPSH06j3YQKwWtXgWJVJropUkN5VJwJTzeJDBy46zCIbJni2ivrLyg/s4032/PXL_20201211_202058117.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyuZJAIpxbhMcF2XJ7sFlE75VnAkNaly2h5O04yoOHEkgOdm7TrYKBu-yRCN6TavTE6qgpxuXU6MJmFoeWnjWIrPSH06j3YQKwWtXgWJVJropUkN5VJwJTzeJDBy46zCIbJni2ivrLyg/s320/PXL_20201211_202058117.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made so many of one of my favorite Christmas cookies. I have the recipe from my dear grandmother, and I love seeing her handwriting and reading her notes every year when I make these.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G8Ih8rU4X6XDw1EdcpewkmlDMFvczntJyyjz4vkpYWbSOWDC47i8TjEVgZJ7MR2d4dg1wpLAOAdMMx90SudNgcO8fIvydt9TbfiEQpFC44CBcUQ7gUVzDd-XSnbnwrNrldZpvv3YuQ/s4032/PXL_20201210_210105997.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3G8Ih8rU4X6XDw1EdcpewkmlDMFvczntJyyjz4vkpYWbSOWDC47i8TjEVgZJ7MR2d4dg1wpLAOAdMMx90SudNgcO8fIvydt9TbfiEQpFC44CBcUQ7gUVzDd-XSnbnwrNrldZpvv3YuQ/s320/PXL_20201210_210105997.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on a research project about Ruth Bader Ginsburg.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSWrCCR79F6q6htjWCcGO56enQQhz5Xhz4nUdcfvClDTMEVik4LZYkiOPTkTfNuLrnuZum2pEIGMO7hGUJUlclpGui6C-0giMLIutfrVEuFbjj-PdbZBlBHFddniXah3ys0L4h1VTSw/s4032/PXL_20201204_230342829.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSWrCCR79F6q6htjWCcGO56enQQhz5Xhz4nUdcfvClDTMEVik4LZYkiOPTkTfNuLrnuZum2pEIGMO7hGUJUlclpGui6C-0giMLIutfrVEuFbjj-PdbZBlBHFddniXah3ys0L4h1VTSw/s320/PXL_20201204_230342829.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picking out our tree from our tree lot neighbors.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4Pwny1t6GrPCtE4IoISHNiIFhvPyi4M78sZ0hOerNJy3Dal4brcga7_LJol5MKQ3E9rDKYHXLMxpD7qpM1UArPKmdxngH5fY802YH34OhGlkbk-N35_jlDB3yTa27z29Fsd5shjfTQ/s4032/PXL_20201130_205524859.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4Pwny1t6GrPCtE4IoISHNiIFhvPyi4M78sZ0hOerNJy3Dal4brcga7_LJol5MKQ3E9rDKYHXLMxpD7qpM1UArPKmdxngH5fY802YH34OhGlkbk-N35_jlDB3yTa27z29Fsd5shjfTQ/s320/PXL_20201130_205524859.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist this shot of a dragon doing distance learning.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-7095265839277803312020-11-30T13:40:00.000-06:002020-11-30T13:40:58.723-06:00November (and October)<p>One thing 2020 has taught me is there is no point in making plans. Which is sad, because making plans is my favorite hobby. The craziness of the election, COVID case counts on the rise, and a Thanksgiving that wasn't what we hoped it would be has made for a long November.</p><p>We had planned to go my parents' house for Thanksgiving, but the Governor's latest order put a stop to that. We were all disappointed, but we made the best of it by cooking the full Thanksgiving dinner. Yes, we had an 18 pound turkey and all the sides. For four people. It was a lot of food, but it tasted good and we had a nice day playing games, watching football, and participating in three Zoom calls. We talked to my parents and brother and sister and families, the extended family on my Dad's side, and Ben's family. The kids get a little bored with the Zoom calls, which is understandable. I enjoy being able to see everyone's faces. A random note: a year or two ago, my Aunt Karen told me she thought Clare looked like my cousin Lauren. I didn't see it at first, but the older Clare gets the more like Lauren she looks. This is a good thing - Lauren is very pretty.</p><p>This month we also took a few hikes, played at a few playgrounds, and had a few virtual Scout meetings. The highlight, besides Thanksgiving, was probably the Harry Potter movie marathon I had with Clare. We didn't leave the pullout couch in our playroom for about 30 hours. (We also had a sleepover, we weren't just staring at the screen for 30 hours. Just 22 hours.) It was really fun.</p><p>I was amused by the following story. Clare and I were driving to the library a few weeks ago when she announced, "I don't think Santa is real. I think it's just you. Is it?" Well. I told her she was right, after asking if she really wanted to know. "I have been suspicious since I saw the top of our chimney. How could he fit down there?" I feel like she has been suspicious of the whole Santa thing since she was two. As we pulled into the parking lot to the library, she said, "Oh, and I don't believe in the Easter Bunny anymore, either." Okay then. She claimed she never believed in the Easter Bunny, because "How could a bunny deliver chocolate?" My little logical skeptic.</p><p>(Both kids know that I am the Tooth Fairy.)</p><p>October. It seems like a lifetime ago. The highlight by far was Halloween. I think the kids actually had more fun this Halloween than they normally do on that holiday. That is probably the only thing we can say that about in this year of COVID. We had a Halloween party with my parents, and Katie, Andrew, Josie and Otto. Clare nominated herself to be chair of the Party Planning Committee, and she took her job seriously. We played games, including wrapping Ben and Andrew in toilet paper (mummies!) and watched them race in the backyard. They didn't disappoint. The kids went trick or treating from room to room in the house. It was really fun, and I am glad we had that time together, since it is the last time we all hung out together before the current restrictions went into place.</p><p>Let's see, what else happened in October? I turned 41. We were camping at Gooseberry Falls over my birthday weekend. It was freezing and it snowed, but we were with friends, which doesn't happen too often these days and made it worth being cold. And Lake Superior is one of my favorite places on Earth.</p><p>Christopher turned 7. He had fun on our camping trip and at his small party. We did a few other fall things, including a trip to La Crosse (the fall colors were stunning and Christopher was able to read my grandma a story and act it out as well) and a trip to the apple orchard.</p><p>Christopher had an assignment for school a few weeks ago, where we both had to make a list of five things we are thankful for. I kept it simple and small: my family, especially my kiddos, my four best friends (and all of my friends), our house, the fact that we are lucky enough not to worry about having enough food, and books (my escape from the world).</p><p>Christopher went big: "I am thankful that there are people on the planet, I am thankful for plants because they give us oxygen and provide us food, I am thankful that I have a good family, I am thankful that I have a house and I am thankful for the planet."</p><p>I'm grateful to the teacher who assigned this, because it gave me a chance to pause, take a deep breath, and literally count my blessings. Even though this month, this year, and however long to come might not be what we want it to be, we still have a lot to be thankful for.</p><p>And now, here are some pictures from the past two months. Yay!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1BFEjebCLhHuarjKWC7aN8hYSnpeRMAuAwElX-PBwPM0jnKCPniP-9wcHeuOB39HbO46lGsp1H4-SkyBj6o_Sg9mAUByhndzP-ZqUCSjxyJKWFu7zCIYsdjhKly1ACZYDlprKGj9Ig/s4032/PXL_20201002_205532512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii1BFEjebCLhHuarjKWC7aN8hYSnpeRMAuAwElX-PBwPM0jnKCPniP-9wcHeuOB39HbO46lGsp1H4-SkyBj6o_Sg9mAUByhndzP-ZqUCSjxyJKWFu7zCIYsdjhKly1ACZYDlprKGj9Ig/s320/PXL_20201002_205532512.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher settled in for the 30 minute drive to the campsite for his birthday camping in October. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtw2N_FMFU4I-0f6FZ8rKNdBMIPVhTBSe_uzhMwnyUt78HIRDiI-YDbOdXnfByQTYAF6Tvwyggjm1VsRtZ_L4W58IMb42OAXJq5-2O1pDhDYh1zkOga-Rc1EY7q7Yq-Y7htC_veGdqsQ/s4032/download_20201004_195806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtw2N_FMFU4I-0f6FZ8rKNdBMIPVhTBSe_uzhMwnyUt78HIRDiI-YDbOdXnfByQTYAF6Tvwyggjm1VsRtZ_L4W58IMb42OAXJq5-2O1pDhDYh1zkOga-Rc1EY7q7Yq-Y7htC_veGdqsQ/s320/download_20201004_195806.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camping crew!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoFOoezWWJiAwq8heDRuyP92KuS4WvZscnQBwv7ulM4g-LrP7hnSs1VD14rV8T-D2_qAbiRUF09Myk8LI0UZomfBLJBfZrOFOD0fxk-E3AlX8cjdiz97amb-4aQcO2kdz_RAPfwFlnQ/s4032/PXL_20201004_234200696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoFOoezWWJiAwq8heDRuyP92KuS4WvZscnQBwv7ulM4g-LrP7hnSs1VD14rV8T-D2_qAbiRUF09Myk8LI0UZomfBLJBfZrOFOD0fxk-E3AlX8cjdiz97amb-4aQcO2kdz_RAPfwFlnQ/s320/PXL_20201004_234200696.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opening presents at his birthday party. We also had pizza and cake.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7IZgdERLg0HeEb-8rUXnSqSsMq3bvgJRpK-ih5HC8A2fJNp7nRXmWfX7fl-vyeHUNkO8E6cTPTG_v7ax-8riG29JIU3DecSS_MIJtwVEnDDH0rhbP_KaWE4NKCtQfpDrC0fECE-bmA/s4032/PXL_20201004_234235146.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7IZgdERLg0HeEb-8rUXnSqSsMq3bvgJRpK-ih5HC8A2fJNp7nRXmWfX7fl-vyeHUNkO8E6cTPTG_v7ax-8riG29JIU3DecSS_MIJtwVEnDDH0rhbP_KaWE4NKCtQfpDrC0fECE-bmA/s320/PXL_20201004_234235146.MP.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiFSMzRCEs9H9ScVE0R07nRCv5DYjyZVAIKMJ6zsca-_AqQlYeofchpQTEZ4MDd8Kbz3kY6QuPHyGMlU3SVH5wgavoVMO4E-5W_09QnyV-6WHfwLABe9TbK7Gyd8HmpRtMbxz40of4w/s4032/PXL_20201009_211224864.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiFSMzRCEs9H9ScVE0R07nRCv5DYjyZVAIKMJ6zsca-_AqQlYeofchpQTEZ4MDd8Kbz3kY6QuPHyGMlU3SVH5wgavoVMO4E-5W_09QnyV-6WHfwLABe9TbK7Gyd8HmpRtMbxz40of4w/s320/PXL_20201009_211224864.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun at Whistling Well Farm. We had a beautiful day and it wasn't crowded.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXILmdP4SawNnpgvzMZEuumpeMlyyzXCuUtXwsmR1B-jkQS55iM0wRpE1O4lc5Iy6_X8P58n6mwuiCwGptj4Y0ktKJWO6Wz337kfb7c5vUFy_m5enqU-NstZFGsJGmz7ss1t7BtpdSvg/s4032/PXL_20201009_211233947.PORTRAIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXILmdP4SawNnpgvzMZEuumpeMlyyzXCuUtXwsmR1B-jkQS55iM0wRpE1O4lc5Iy6_X8P58n6mwuiCwGptj4Y0ktKJWO6Wz337kfb7c5vUFy_m5enqU-NstZFGsJGmz7ss1t7BtpdSvg/s320/PXL_20201009_211233947.PORTRAIT.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciIPWu8ZQaPd7LZDcXW64eZCXw6fYtcvPtcnOQcUHRwjGJdT0kKYubPLGlvCOD41_dyY23NwkedeaQq5NwXOdncHqR8SqrTpBWZljJ6VGka2Z11MEwXVYArXBpBi5cWSCQDWGeY6yhA/s4032/PXL_20201009_212139417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciIPWu8ZQaPd7LZDcXW64eZCXw6fYtcvPtcnOQcUHRwjGJdT0kKYubPLGlvCOD41_dyY23NwkedeaQq5NwXOdncHqR8SqrTpBWZljJ6VGka2Z11MEwXVYArXBpBi5cWSCQDWGeY6yhA/s320/PXL_20201009_212139417.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vB_0V8QrpGDa9GpD9xihoCcG_uGLHSQ_vntp6MM83jOE-k7miuOT7BwhbDicSCWkFag-shysl3joiXy9LT0DQF7pff3p3IrgLSxOy1cSIbGNN7ila8Ugc5BYATJoWzv19j9klIzoVA/s4032/PXL_20201009_213650178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_vB_0V8QrpGDa9GpD9xihoCcG_uGLHSQ_vntp6MM83jOE-k7miuOT7BwhbDicSCWkFag-shysl3joiXy9LT0DQF7pff3p3IrgLSxOy1cSIbGNN7ila8Ugc5BYATJoWzv19j9klIzoVA/s320/PXL_20201009_213650178.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz_oPHktWNvphFZsvLKLSdrioXjNWN4v-L0TxmG7r0kFm5Ud_n1Ci7oTjbATYzygYxtNVZrnS7G-rwHMlrtT6OekyoQnw0-UumRUS9AaWoE6HjT6x5hL03orbKdi36qAM6UcEktVfjg/s4032/PXL_20201009_213856620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQz_oPHktWNvphFZsvLKLSdrioXjNWN4v-L0TxmG7r0kFm5Ud_n1Ci7oTjbATYzygYxtNVZrnS7G-rwHMlrtT6OekyoQnw0-UumRUS9AaWoE6HjT6x5hL03orbKdi36qAM6UcEktVfjg/s320/PXL_20201009_213856620.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8qYFnwCkXwe4AJ2mZgovXkLUKQ_uGFv23Uvsi5-YencQWSlDVC5dgAlvuv4xyGFtIrFIuBI0azwAPZvVeHz6kCM_DpIdTHNGJG_7N5B2zzMC1z5MEMozPNDRQ_JNAzKQGi2d8wTvDw/s4032/PXL_20201009_214156055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8qYFnwCkXwe4AJ2mZgovXkLUKQ_uGFv23Uvsi5-YencQWSlDVC5dgAlvuv4xyGFtIrFIuBI0azwAPZvVeHz6kCM_DpIdTHNGJG_7N5B2zzMC1z5MEMozPNDRQ_JNAzKQGi2d8wTvDw/s320/PXL_20201009_214156055.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZn0jdzPbDzqLw0QVJ2Joa9L9B_z2pjqzMX3AUaq-hdpD3XKeM4sAH9aQCoxfD-gNoaMKrDjZuh3n45K_Jt03FY6iRhEy9ZyrAQFuNBRQxwOjbodfeWWNXwHVLaXHJ-Y19RvkhfWuQQ/s4032/PXL_20201009_214921605.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZn0jdzPbDzqLw0QVJ2Joa9L9B_z2pjqzMX3AUaq-hdpD3XKeM4sAH9aQCoxfD-gNoaMKrDjZuh3n45K_Jt03FY6iRhEy9ZyrAQFuNBRQxwOjbodfeWWNXwHVLaXHJ-Y19RvkhfWuQQ/s320/PXL_20201009_214921605.MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnTOpN9JQQ75nRi35GUYM7RZN38NylvSWJkwIhyphenhyphenrYlIwD0XvRbPM7_q2e5msAT61c9S7XbWf8ZXP-R0UeeTEV6RFMU260kkliyiQorsarVrdUQkYaMZNpW12Bd8NI4oeP4Tirsu7M7w/s4032/PXL_20201020_180604457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQnTOpN9JQQ75nRi35GUYM7RZN38NylvSWJkwIhyphenhyphenrYlIwD0XvRbPM7_q2e5msAT61c9S7XbWf8ZXP-R0UeeTEV6RFMU260kkliyiQorsarVrdUQkYaMZNpW12Bd8NI4oeP4Tirsu7M7w/s320/PXL_20201020_180604457.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">October snow.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX050z3yr2zol5gbGSYzFU23bQW-tvSlrXzqip0lF_Bpjm0X2HcJog-0up7aJhfVf5iWiLqAbQkzgrULttyi2mk738cRsNnK4K3-OFWEPMsBRzZK6YkxI5Ci5_2UVnkrpuJF5JZk7PUQ/s4032/PXL_20201020_232559352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX050z3yr2zol5gbGSYzFU23bQW-tvSlrXzqip0lF_Bpjm0X2HcJog-0up7aJhfVf5iWiLqAbQkzgrULttyi2mk738cRsNnK4K3-OFWEPMsBRzZK6YkxI5Ci5_2UVnkrpuJF5JZk7PUQ/s320/PXL_20201020_232559352.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare making a cake during her virtual Girl Scout meeting.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNi7jjSz-Uj94TUor7t-zqKrlNr5lMFttXtAnGcgIO00IU54Yz_1PL8frB5zlQq6AOMPuZgtLYkpHf1ndLUE3ez-8BMKzaff8754z-rye58KNMXeWYeb_-HYCyIux2j74ynDtW5iyww/s4032/download_20201023_205815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbNi7jjSz-Uj94TUor7t-zqKrlNr5lMFttXtAnGcgIO00IU54Yz_1PL8frB5zlQq6AOMPuZgtLYkpHf1ndLUE3ez-8BMKzaff8754z-rye58KNMXeWYeb_-HYCyIux2j74ynDtW5iyww/s320/download_20201023_205815.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spread at my outdoor joint birthday party (with my friend Kerry).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLad9N662ypEeTUNDBWWvBz6jeRLg5OONB40WyxkGlgxF1Qyf356G82JFjvxw2__bu7FXd6i1_iXEKvdbGWJ-XSJ2z6ZFW376heHFkRRNePMd0tyvFuR8ZQhKlPvTy1DI6hd9YZmoOcA/s3264/PXL_20201025_180718740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLad9N662ypEeTUNDBWWvBz6jeRLg5OONB40WyxkGlgxF1Qyf356G82JFjvxw2__bu7FXd6i1_iXEKvdbGWJ-XSJ2z6ZFW376heHFkRRNePMd0tyvFuR8ZQhKlPvTy1DI6hd9YZmoOcA/s320/PXL_20201025_180718740.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did not have nice weather for an outdoor Halloween event with Stepping Stone Theater.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt457TOi_QlVXZJkq8GaI5DYI0oz8IENWupCmHR0zbt1LvJitMm6jQz_xgh68-Cp9mhlVIqz1tsyp9K93wGc5ISVakGMh7IPe9IjlCPwSshcBEvRtG85AGzUSqxH9d7MyPlfoMNYfdA/s4032/PXL_20201025_181654637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFt457TOi_QlVXZJkq8GaI5DYI0oz8IENWupCmHR0zbt1LvJitMm6jQz_xgh68-Cp9mhlVIqz1tsyp9K93wGc5ISVakGMh7IPe9IjlCPwSshcBEvRtG85AGzUSqxH9d7MyPlfoMNYfdA/s320/PXL_20201025_181654637.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher's face here shows how he felt about it.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqgFt7spvHfWIOwOVZOLYvn0syJZWmPBU7RKJtnKJcF5WvPm9anGBc4cRlttTTveE48l_-I0NlAWx-kabMyv87j0C65NLFIBvUMCup81rnVdp9Y_Y-HzY4GqoAuGnDcM0dqYU3j-pzw/s4032/PXL_20201025_193340660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqgFt7spvHfWIOwOVZOLYvn0syJZWmPBU7RKJtnKJcF5WvPm9anGBc4cRlttTTveE48l_-I0NlAWx-kabMyv87j0C65NLFIBvUMCup81rnVdp9Y_Y-HzY4GqoAuGnDcM0dqYU3j-pzw/s320/PXL_20201025_193340660.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They did have fun sorting their candy and making trades.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsmNdLB-lN3TCF9vQD7iasBCuaxNYlbeNqX7bqYRCxRnKCShNDVCyP9nqimekZESRNDY75RT-msb2CY3mvSA8mdBlCIie4sPPG2tLI_oEV5SvRJu7zT9mytUwoqXHwxOcIeSkClHU0Q/s4032/PXL_20201028_162335253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsmNdLB-lN3TCF9vQD7iasBCuaxNYlbeNqX7bqYRCxRnKCShNDVCyP9nqimekZESRNDY75RT-msb2CY3mvSA8mdBlCIie4sPPG2tLI_oEV5SvRJu7zT9mytUwoqXHwxOcIeSkClHU0Q/s320/PXL_20201028_162335253.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYCjEEXJatFm2BM8p1YUfoBnS_AOhH8_3XphawrNjSNGmDCQKZ0lgtJ7eUz5ZmROFgnR3QJBrzQieLQbwSZT7lvfORYqpOvCA9ca2teQD2wIiwqWFhcPB1gxzw7N9Fvxkhyg7_dxzDg/s4032/PXL_20201031_164208435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYCjEEXJatFm2BM8p1YUfoBnS_AOhH8_3XphawrNjSNGmDCQKZ0lgtJ7eUz5ZmROFgnR3QJBrzQieLQbwSZT7lvfORYqpOvCA9ca2teQD2wIiwqWFhcPB1gxzw7N9Fvxkhyg7_dxzDg/s320/PXL_20201031_164208435.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG877DQkGgwKw0PP35ZR9q0OI1mmjdtJskFI94sb2b1iC95uSqOZ5G5i9S5TLAeHurGeqz0IGQe5P5d2rSd-qhxZDHMUW6FpvfMPcNiNMF8OHHJXHqmW818MCkEvNb3AnN1Q3S8GlGJQ/s4032/PXL_20201031_164124529.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG877DQkGgwKw0PP35ZR9q0OI1mmjdtJskFI94sb2b1iC95uSqOZ5G5i9S5TLAeHurGeqz0IGQe5P5d2rSd-qhxZDHMUW6FpvfMPcNiNMF8OHHJXHqmW818MCkEvNb3AnN1Q3S8GlGJQ/s320/PXL_20201031_164124529.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin carving on Halloween day.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmO5kOViekW4DKgoGZ-KFNwTSxYzpxIyvR6ebcRIMnvOsA35NJjC2YJQKas-EW7a2uwMat6AHZiCAZA4ejhSEQAzXE3GnPj3wgAWgrluPzDre2y4p2NquiU9TN7yxHHdBQmzNBRfvbg/s4032/PXL_20201031_210839177.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimmO5kOViekW4DKgoGZ-KFNwTSxYzpxIyvR6ebcRIMnvOsA35NJjC2YJQKas-EW7a2uwMat6AHZiCAZA4ejhSEQAzXE3GnPj3wgAWgrluPzDre2y4p2NquiU9TN7yxHHdBQmzNBRfvbg/s320/PXL_20201031_210839177.MP.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwRutNnRP4s0Um-qQrW-NbGVAvLT8J7I5nyXjgYfP-7xFAxp4i4qfnzy5ElOLijelk70ea2F_g3HepMsLvVFC_tIcMY0JnOQm0Wo_sntsFrsU_Vu1S5rbimI34NqTlSLbMPGoRY6ugw/s4032/PXL_20201031_225834868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTwRutNnRP4s0Um-qQrW-NbGVAvLT8J7I5nyXjgYfP-7xFAxp4i4qfnzy5ElOLijelk70ea2F_g3HepMsLvVFC_tIcMY0JnOQm0Wo_sntsFrsU_Vu1S5rbimI34NqTlSLbMPGoRY6ugw/s320/PXL_20201031_225834868.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5qyLMc_EZUFEwcQAOOrqWXUl-q0wsa7WUTwUvvAsk_83Z7wI-GzskDVFFCKl9mEJ9Oq9fD3dldQuWXexSYA3Yi4lEuPycWPvwHny80PDj9kYj_GNCc5fRcmRUuCFsLyKKe1CByvJYg/s4032/PXL_20201101_000936444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ5qyLMc_EZUFEwcQAOOrqWXUl-q0wsa7WUTwUvvAsk_83Z7wI-GzskDVFFCKl9mEJ9Oq9fD3dldQuWXexSYA3Yi4lEuPycWPvwHny80PDj9kYj_GNCc5fRcmRUuCFsLyKKe1CByvJYg/s320/PXL_20201101_000936444.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sea witch and a devil trick or treating at the bathroom door.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLhM1vYQtQD9G1osopTFwHhWd0huo7wpFsoFgIU-zC29-iho6IqS6PKVzmnZ71jW1tVKBiJgDEB_IQDE1GH8O4v0S9HAPSAnOj4jacCKLWQQJDn8jwnpGTnpF6ugUycwZ1dCvWNe8BQ/s4032/PXL_20201101_000912868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLhM1vYQtQD9G1osopTFwHhWd0huo7wpFsoFgIU-zC29-iho6IqS6PKVzmnZ71jW1tVKBiJgDEB_IQDE1GH8O4v0S9HAPSAnOj4jacCKLWQQJDn8jwnpGTnpF6ugUycwZ1dCvWNe8BQ/s320/PXL_20201101_000912868.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Followed by a dinosaur and the grim reaper.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN1GzBkF-MjS1R8JZZk30JBb-r_IF9jWbLi4e606UCcts9DnAAe233iaF1M5DMP_1zCBI5dWlUYi8f0Ry8yQ6u6rJsX7NXya4XIHUHH0OHGVPh1POibpZHaxAz8HOjf1yKPrcAzCEuw/s4032/PXL_20201106_173932170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpN1GzBkF-MjS1R8JZZk30JBb-r_IF9jWbLi4e606UCcts9DnAAe233iaF1M5DMP_1zCBI5dWlUYi8f0Ry8yQ6u6rJsX7NXya4XIHUHH0OHGVPh1POibpZHaxAz8HOjf1yKPrcAzCEuw/s320/PXL_20201106_173932170.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying a rare warm November day with a Noodles picnic and a playground.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIh4zxS0H5fq5hWM3lDl4FOC9nXgyxN4q2qt4noFQxie9xTmwSr7YF9XbR6Y9wuxE9tQV5xDRpOkgaDkEvcJc3y-fpCQetiU9knauOGiz-jVLHpF9iiUfUc1f0CV7iQdl8cm4DGqZrQ/s4032/PXL_20201107_161652777.PORTRAIT-01.COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIh4zxS0H5fq5hWM3lDl4FOC9nXgyxN4q2qt4noFQxie9xTmwSr7YF9XbR6Y9wuxE9tQV5xDRpOkgaDkEvcJc3y-fpCQetiU9knauOGiz-jVLHpF9iiUfUc1f0CV7iQdl8cm4DGqZrQ/s320/PXL_20201107_161652777.PORTRAIT-01.COVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Taylor's Falls. They had fun climbing around the potholes and then whined for the entire hike. I might have whined a little bit, too.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptpKGyOQwdeaHzdBKOUDk_mX9pGK0FfhDFUojIcGHOZmjg5kmUZyc5j7_7EVjO7D0pbskvOmATJxhonzAW3NpM2jgI1CXHIJMBFdONlYRHcKBMu8K5UdTlnKCzUSOQ9zN60-tC8-_lw/s4032/PXL_20201107_161737857.PORTRAIT-01.COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptpKGyOQwdeaHzdBKOUDk_mX9pGK0FfhDFUojIcGHOZmjg5kmUZyc5j7_7EVjO7D0pbskvOmATJxhonzAW3NpM2jgI1CXHIJMBFdONlYRHcKBMu8K5UdTlnKCzUSOQ9zN60-tC8-_lw/s320/PXL_20201107_161737857.PORTRAIT-01.COVER.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA0z5fpvrZP0jmJJp6jNWHy4h_IAPvUE9c9nloPc5MOAyQRhTf_ypVH-UXi2OA8KrpMwc1IG7YKy-MvHZ8OUEsB3IP5kRj1vHQcfCWA8oNsSqRUVfJ-nLRtaEKXXdBN2-r_GhNB9EtQ/s4032/PXL_20201107_162107963.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEA0z5fpvrZP0jmJJp6jNWHy4h_IAPvUE9c9nloPc5MOAyQRhTf_ypVH-UXi2OA8KrpMwc1IG7YKy-MvHZ8OUEsB3IP5kRj1vHQcfCWA8oNsSqRUVfJ-nLRtaEKXXdBN2-r_GhNB9EtQ/s320/PXL_20201107_162107963.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK79QVGohKg5C2BiS4y_B6zUo_S3xOdpY9knuPc71rgzZUTsvJ7jBR-JKrlA_ndMEJQNukhV_ChNKzs61kjNdKMDXqE9HEJYObznYU3R4ptDuQ2KA9CRlfZEhRK5chj9AvZ19w6zsQg/s4032/PXL_20201114_173516513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNK79QVGohKg5C2BiS4y_B6zUo_S3xOdpY9knuPc71rgzZUTsvJ7jBR-JKrlA_ndMEJQNukhV_ChNKzs61kjNdKMDXqE9HEJYObznYU3R4ptDuQ2KA9CRlfZEhRK5chj9AvZ19w6zsQg/s320/PXL_20201114_173516513.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 of the Harry Potter movie marathon.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi3Ptyia2FT-5EoJsfoY-WdX8X9q-D4cTFO4pFiC-Up3V3BcyX6eTFde6WhBXYg261BU0cR4Hkjw26_lPb9t0OER9Mtrtoe8OIVDogzyAPGSQLBytKMmwyYnn6XmiNJl_y1Pg9iP0rg/s4032/PXL_20201122_010328505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSi3Ptyia2FT-5EoJsfoY-WdX8X9q-D4cTFO4pFiC-Up3V3BcyX6eTFde6WhBXYg261BU0cR4Hkjw26_lPb9t0OER9Mtrtoe8OIVDogzyAPGSQLBytKMmwyYnn6XmiNJl_y1Pg9iP0rg/s320/PXL_20201122_010328505.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_shPBS_YCnY6R_NXUSlZnuuUbTjPdB8FBGFbxsJ_gTxYd8QScikI2APTRA6P2oXn94F6FNKxGecaCSXKL7r1Z3t55zGrImEYNA3fHHLqB01HIqRidDcZQVHgVgyJDUAUcVBP1zY8sg/s4032/PXL_20201126_185228257.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_shPBS_YCnY6R_NXUSlZnuuUbTjPdB8FBGFbxsJ_gTxYd8QScikI2APTRA6P2oXn94F6FNKxGecaCSXKL7r1Z3t55zGrImEYNA3fHHLqB01HIqRidDcZQVHgVgyJDUAUcVBP1zY8sg/s320/PXL_20201126_185228257.MP.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare was very helpful on Thanksgiving. And very dressed up.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45-bUDTUe2BvI6OD0fCbj_9-nW76d8_jh7vGiDPQMTZQG5ob04FfA0sMxicMc6xxjBBjYAFWo46um6K0gMAkPvfNyfV9uZjbvJAd7ivz4yfurE3Y6Arvh_yCPpIFLK4of2vp476wM5g/s4032/PXL_20201126_213454103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45-bUDTUe2BvI6OD0fCbj_9-nW76d8_jh7vGiDPQMTZQG5ob04FfA0sMxicMc6xxjBBjYAFWo46um6K0gMAkPvfNyfV9uZjbvJAd7ivz4yfurE3Y6Arvh_yCPpIFLK4of2vp476wM5g/s320/PXL_20201126_213454103.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgipLFEPS4iUg7EHQJno1r-9Qv28mTWzhRksT1CmQuf4DUs2MSBU0Nbwl4FBamcvjNUb4MLuMg3JDPPRoHfMtZPBfSRiEBKLqbz5t_1uJWDO94rsz4x2MonXelVn-x8nKb4w7trwQrg/s4032/PXL_20201126_222415111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgipLFEPS4iUg7EHQJno1r-9Qv28mTWzhRksT1CmQuf4DUs2MSBU0Nbwl4FBamcvjNUb4MLuMg3JDPPRoHfMtZPBfSRiEBKLqbz5t_1uJWDO94rsz4x2MonXelVn-x8nKb4w7trwQrg/s320/PXL_20201126_222415111.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN646wsGpx2PX-dVgBFLVzXK2mBJzstsI1ZtEPRACC-4r7PSIN-PWBoh9h4R7qvZRVsR8TaBnfIRMQuwtbLCwHkBKSYaTizVPheT5ie4IACIKrQ7oBjMiesU3RaEucv3Xinm-pGvIBlA/s4032/PXL_20201128_194820144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN646wsGpx2PX-dVgBFLVzXK2mBJzstsI1ZtEPRACC-4r7PSIN-PWBoh9h4R7qvZRVsR8TaBnfIRMQuwtbLCwHkBKSYaTizVPheT5ie4IACIKrQ7oBjMiesU3RaEucv3Xinm-pGvIBlA/s320/PXL_20201128_194820144.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Once again, Christopher's face will tell you how he felt about our walk at the Minnesota River.</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-41320424940612704912020-10-04T07:30:00.024-05:002020-10-04T07:30:00.420-05:00Seven<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzosBxOXIVk6EsfRsR7vpSznB-6kcCbH46-Z0-tvd4gvLwwzherguet2xVm9aJp5m8j3cWM1G-XYBEiZVgaVumFwT7k_tIo1cCLIMrnVc0G5t6JusJNeP3N7NBLWxeR75wbmlnkbW9Dg/s2048/PXL_20201001_192407492.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzosBxOXIVk6EsfRsR7vpSznB-6kcCbH46-Z0-tvd4gvLwwzherguet2xVm9aJp5m8j3cWM1G-XYBEiZVgaVumFwT7k_tIo1cCLIMrnVc0G5t6JusJNeP3N7NBLWxeR75wbmlnkbW9Dg/s320/PXL_20201001_192407492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Christopher, somehow, is seven. </p><p>I was looking over what I wrote last year on his birthday, and not much has changed. (Other than the entire world, but for Christopher, not much has changed. I guess it is nice to have one constant.)</p><p>One new thing - he is joining Scouts. He is very excited about this. I am not sure how much they'll be able to do right now, but hopefully it will be a chance for him to interact with some peers. </p><p>Christopher is still very empathetic and sweet. When we were talking about joining Scouts, I expressed surprise about how much more expensive it is than Girl Scouts. Christopher thought it was way too much money. "That's okay," he said. "I don't have to do it since it costs so much." I assured him I was willing to pay.</p><p>He still loves to laugh and to entertain. If he enjoys a joke he will tell it to everyone he knows. Literally everyone. </p><p>He has a huge vocabulary, and sometimes it is funny to hear these giant words coming out of his mouth. Especially since he still has some trouble pronouncing the "r" sound. (He met with the Speech Therapist this year, who said he doesn't make enough errors to qualify for services - we'll reevaluate at the end of this school year.)</p><p>He enjoys reading. His favorite books right now are the Dogman and Gerald and Piggie series. Clare is reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets to Christopher and their grandma (virtually). It is a nice time for all three of them. Christopher loved the first one in the Harry Potter series, which Clare also read to him.</p><p>Clare and Christopher are on a rollercoaster together - sometimes they love playing together and sometimes they fight like crazy. This has always been true, but it is especially true now that they spend so much time together.</p><p>Christopher has made a new friend in his class, Theo. Theo happens to be Clare's best friend's younger brother, so this works out well. I think we may pod with them over the winter so the kids can play together inside.</p><p>Christopher loves baking, and creates his own recipes. He made a chocolate cake with orange zest without a recipe that turned out surprisingly well. I am giving him a kids' baking book for his birthday that I hope he'll enjoy.</p><p>Some favorites at seven: transformers (yes, still), Legos, Minecraft, Minecraft, Minecraft, reading, playing basketball, Taekwondo (over Zoom), Odd Squad, Wild Kratts, Transformer cartoons, board games, fruit, and snuggling.</p><p>Some dislikes: Distance Learning (this has been a major challenge for both of us), broccoli, yellow rice, bugs, brushing his teeth (why), and COVID (he says it's a party pooper. Yes, Christopher, it certainly is.) </p><p>Also, according to a writing activity he just completed for school, his likes include pizza, pancakes, macaroni and cheese and oranges. His dislikes include being scared, dressing up like a princess, broccoli, spinach, and tomatoes.</p><p>For his birthday, Christopher asked if we could go camping. I am glad we have our new pop-up, because it is going to be chilly. Our normal camping friends are coming with us, which will be great. We are also having a family party with my sister and her family on Sunday. Unfortunately, that party can't include Ben's parents. I will be making a strawberry cake and we are ordering pizza. I hope he has a great birthday weekend. He has been asking Alexa how many days there are until his birthday since July.</p><p>Happy birthday to my most favorite boy in the world. We love you so much!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GIZDeIRFCiYB0kdjbskV_6PeOxgFDSdThwqYRx0up4azYSJ0YrQQZ7QPsI5Kdl4LWkrijjO-QZx58tLEHBfN5DfBLST7hiQElTUPX5baeIaUzlVOrShOnCgrdxaddCYTe1PYs4RPDg/s2048/PXL_20201002_184708326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0GIZDeIRFCiYB0kdjbskV_6PeOxgFDSdThwqYRx0up4azYSJ0YrQQZ7QPsI5Kdl4LWkrijjO-QZx58tLEHBfN5DfBLST7hiQElTUPX5baeIaUzlVOrShOnCgrdxaddCYTe1PYs4RPDg/s320/PXL_20201002_184708326.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"I like oranges because they are tasty." "I don't like brokaly (sic) because they are not tasty."<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOIbL6UW8Iqfa91uMnGZWYkSB7w9yfIJru7vJ65MkMdr0npnhCa6Dm7uBAwc2fmv77nD-ftgM5oGMaP2TlHnrMizWIzt-G9Bdf7WquWFrS2mZMXxMVHDTxfeehHWAadJJE0X_0VGVrA/s2048/PXL_20201001_192429688.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /> <img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilOIbL6UW8Iqfa91uMnGZWYkSB7w9yfIJru7vJ65MkMdr0npnhCa6Dm7uBAwc2fmv77nD-ftgM5oGMaP2TlHnrMizWIzt-G9Bdf7WquWFrS2mZMXxMVHDTxfeehHWAadJJE0X_0VGVrA/s320/PXL_20201001_192429688.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP6AgHTIXS2bR9lzjSrtoz11HRpbi1zEG17320BFtejYzHk7mu8OW_yDLSgDvYIw1MwOLTK8qHgE5WDqRMod0dDLvYF_TgnHqRY9fXKyISlCtumnzZi3Qo2dCupQNPX_lvLhsY-sFZQ/s2048/PXL_20201001_192432090.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguP6AgHTIXS2bR9lzjSrtoz11HRpbi1zEG17320BFtejYzHk7mu8OW_yDLSgDvYIw1MwOLTK8qHgE5WDqRMod0dDLvYF_TgnHqRY9fXKyISlCtumnzZi3Qo2dCupQNPX_lvLhsY-sFZQ/s320/PXL_20201001_192432090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-60875342268799580212020-09-24T15:39:00.000-05:002020-09-24T15:39:06.015-05:00Distance Learning 2020<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUaVYme77jigutsxhJPHKMtiGge6-FRyhSz7jGyDd6FZKIQ24lBYmByCDOVnt1yJnNcb5rzOCODAaIZnTJ2XNUBun6vYAQbH2tX_-hV2pAAy_xddDjRVxXCSqAG7TXT_6FSlaeiQhBA/s2048/IMG_20200908_074536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUaVYme77jigutsxhJPHKMtiGge6-FRyhSz7jGyDd6FZKIQ24lBYmByCDOVnt1yJnNcb5rzOCODAaIZnTJ2XNUBun6vYAQbH2tX_-hV2pAAy_xddDjRVxXCSqAG7TXT_6FSlaeiQhBA/s320/IMG_20200908_074536.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOc8F17mBm8rXyTsJmBUuEEA1It6YqGfBzov3EeDKN2xP9Y5AWh1cmgPsghqTi9v_tb9nQ06O9f1a87Dsoj9JzlTnhxjKyAUo9ELyCqbCPt-gsBB5AzFaOGmTxkIRZhuNM0tDbfetYg/s2048/IMG_20200908_074443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsOc8F17mBm8rXyTsJmBUuEEA1It6YqGfBzov3EeDKN2xP9Y5AWh1cmgPsghqTi9v_tb9nQ06O9f1a87Dsoj9JzlTnhxjKyAUo9ELyCqbCPt-gsBB5AzFaOGmTxkIRZhuNM0tDbfetYg/s320/IMG_20200908_074443.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>I wish I could say that, after nearly three weeks of Distance Learning, we have this thing figured out and under control. We are so far from that I could cry. And I do. There are so many things that are hard about this. For Clare, it is not seeing friends on a regular basis. For Christopher, it is everything school-related, even though he is perfectly capable of doing the work.</p><p>The teachers are amazing. They have done a wonderful job with what they have to work with. Clare has a new teacher this year, and I have been super impressed with her and the level and quality of work Clare has been given to complete. We know Christopher's teacher well (he was Clare's teacher for the last three years), and he is dedicated and works so incredibly hard. Nothing that is hard about this is the teachers' fault.</p><p>The transition from kindergarten to first grade has been tricky for Christopher. There is a lot more work, and it is hard. He is so capable, but he gets himself worked up about the smallest things and then cannot function. (On the first day of school he claimed he forgot how to hold a pencil.)</p><p>I sometimes consider un-enrolling them. Could I homeschool or unschool? Would that be easier? Probably not. And enrollment is already way down in our district. I don't want to take away the funds they receive for our students. We have good days, but it just sometimes doesn't seem worth it. I want to do what is best for the kids. I know this isn't it. I listen to the kids at recess at the school next door (a private school, which is fully open). I know it is hard for my two to hear the kids having fun with their friends. But the private school is not an option for many reasons, one of them being that it doesn't seem safe. There are just no good choices right now.</p><p>Today, however, the kids decided they are going to open a shop to sell bracelets and pictures they took with Clare's Polaroid. (They will be selling these things to me and Ben, and maybe their grandma.) They are having so much fun. They are being creative. They were outside for a long time taking pictures of "beautiful things" they saw on their walk. I think Clare has completed her work. I know Christopher hasn't. And I just don't really care. They are being kids and I am going to let them do this as long as they want. Maybe we'll get Christopher's work done. Maybe not.</p><p>Just like with everything these days, we'll keep moving forward. Take things one day at a time. It is all we can do.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCcrqOhG7ZOjA2s4j9whwBfieBG8iSku5L0fFVDptWsxepVgQX6FmE2hddsaiNyUPtyeKUyshNWPZyn1bUNjYIXnhZfsp72cvafqRrfWy47_jXRSB_nmBJr4az_X9YiPi7fKYPJsPZA/s2048/IMG_20200909_084637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCcrqOhG7ZOjA2s4j9whwBfieBG8iSku5L0fFVDptWsxepVgQX6FmE2hddsaiNyUPtyeKUyshNWPZyn1bUNjYIXnhZfsp72cvafqRrfWy47_jXRSB_nmBJr4az_X9YiPi7fKYPJsPZA/s320/IMG_20200909_084637.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJMYOdVW_os2HBz2hr4ocLGK71-ByHtt8Rhed94VsFazJpvFGUcZKvpIS9DC-KKIyBzuxYOCw_7XeCqM1bmXIk2LiG8G-fJe2VbP_3aiEEMAklkpbZ07rybnSpL298C0U0LN73alCLQ/s2048/IMG_20200911_101818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJMYOdVW_os2HBz2hr4ocLGK71-ByHtt8Rhed94VsFazJpvFGUcZKvpIS9DC-KKIyBzuxYOCw_7XeCqM1bmXIk2LiG8G-fJe2VbP_3aiEEMAklkpbZ07rybnSpL298C0U0LN73alCLQ/s320/IMG_20200911_101818.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUF-0cAxFj_ZQ48ZXllTZM0gMRCTSVsmwkf5UVyy23F6OpxitSXIj_GMdV-a1xmxNXheezn25JG7JRTHUg3hmopLV8av_XwQSJlgU5u6k0-j_XAPPx9_g_kFvcDFpPmKTGDarXKSJQA/s2048/IMG_20200917_122041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUF-0cAxFj_ZQ48ZXllTZM0gMRCTSVsmwkf5UVyy23F6OpxitSXIj_GMdV-a1xmxNXheezn25JG7JRTHUg3hmopLV8av_XwQSJlgU5u6k0-j_XAPPx9_g_kFvcDFpPmKTGDarXKSJQA/s320/IMG_20200917_122041.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DTs95gk3u3KkHpkV31iW7_pQXoTa1QKIIlTz1WZtfQ9s3sKsGvbN_h-67ENxpXT59beRRCfYRqs-rFLfL8RDOWuHg7_fasdR4uxIqRNEGEJgs-bbzGgvON39lUcGuA33MnMOY14U_Q/s2048/IMG_20200918_113311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_DTs95gk3u3KkHpkV31iW7_pQXoTa1QKIIlTz1WZtfQ9s3sKsGvbN_h-67ENxpXT59beRRCfYRqs-rFLfL8RDOWuHg7_fasdR4uxIqRNEGEJgs-bbzGgvON39lUcGuA33MnMOY14U_Q/s320/IMG_20200918_113311.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaxsHRVc4qNpGqV27ksIZDk003JuDlI5KawNIINEIr8PtNbVoXA1Q0DseXCY_ayxgJEbIreaOZmCnyBWduGM0N4m7BeRG-P3eD7yI10ymTqGLgS6ka2kT4yUf-7PY38nzdXR70nsl2Q/s2048/MVIMG_20200915_094901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGaxsHRVc4qNpGqV27ksIZDk003JuDlI5KawNIINEIr8PtNbVoXA1Q0DseXCY_ayxgJEbIreaOZmCnyBWduGM0N4m7BeRG-P3eD7yI10ymTqGLgS6ka2kT4yUf-7PY38nzdXR70nsl2Q/s320/MVIMG_20200915_094901.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-44155972223751115692020-09-09T15:13:00.000-05:002020-09-09T15:13:25.508-05:00End of Summer 2020<p>The Summer of 2020 certainly was not what we had planned. No visit from Robby, Andri and my adorable nephews. No State Fair. No swimming at public pools, and very few park visits. No sleep-away Girl Scout camp for Clare. No American Ninja Warrior camp. No family vacation to Chicago. No Memorial Day or Labor Day parties with friends. Very little time with friends at all. </p><p>And there was a lot of sadness, at least for me, about the State of the World. I have started doing work to truly become an anti-racist, and that is hard and depressing. The Pandemic doesn't seem like it is going to end any time soon. And through all of this, November looms.<span> </span></p><p>When I look back through the pictures, however, I see that despite it all, we made this summer fun. We created our own State Fair at my parents' house. We saw farm animals, had a bouncy house in place of the rides, and ate fried food. It was really fun. We had the privilege of swimming in a private pool near my parents' house, where we could comfortably social distance. Clare was able to attend a virtual Girl Scout camp. It was space-themed, and she was able to see the Milky Way and several shooting stars at my parents' house, along with Jupiter and Saturn. Christopher attended a socially distant theater camp, and Clare did a Zoom Minecraft camp. We couldn't take the vacation we had planned, but we did purchase a pop-up camper. We went on a few camping trips, and have a few more planned for fall. We were still able to spend a few days at a cabin in Hayward with my parents and my sister's family, since they are in our bubble. We had a peaceful time taking walks, canoeing, fishing (not me), hanging out, and just sitting around. And we even got in a few socially distant get-togethers with friends. So all in all, Summer of 2020 really wasn't so bad. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymNNkcefOi7tPy1aQD4uT6mr8niw7VP3l4SHuQexbaNFXAPPmq_NEz1iy8L-Zx6KmzDo22QRNSVnJjR0mKYa4bW_KE5DPDC1d9rDa9nE1M3E3iEp_ivqejUGsERqU33k26xLbHMRBeg/w320-h240/IMG_20200721_191311.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" title="A socially-distant birthday party for my friend Sarah, with my best friends." width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A socially-distant birthday party for my friend Sarah. These friends have been a life saver during the pandemic. And before.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLy_WXKsMGYEYzYlT8y76pkomq6VIDUicmN7ZupyDK0e7VKJ13LqqTU9T73DaGXtMeHdQqCBAuby2XVkGbzH7Ht6Pcnir2DIhXFWteYjLXMhTtaE0Hnoexnnbls4NbYasexNUKp3Ehgw/s320/download_20200726_213800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were able to camp with friends at Savannah Portage State Park. It was hot, and the mosquitoes were terrible, but floating in the lake holding a can of beer cures many ills.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn26EwFTFi6X2OXik5RvhsRkZWR00MtNDBbPzcUydRJAOQfhwJqMLLFYauVX4AA8cR_cjRcjQyrV9CyBpLQm8UJ7JwGkRcm6OrF-TsUSjjyaTDLRncQeSeSLWp6UtNBlZvOJ1qkeMug/s2048/IMG_20200726_054015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOn26EwFTFi6X2OXik5RvhsRkZWR00MtNDBbPzcUydRJAOQfhwJqMLLFYauVX4AA8cR_cjRcjQyrV9CyBpLQm8UJ7JwGkRcm6OrF-TsUSjjyaTDLRncQeSeSLWp6UtNBlZvOJ1qkeMug/s320/IMG_20200726_054015.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset at Savannah Portage<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGoUByhvKQJZXZ5lmhXz4ptsfcgd4yzyws0Sb7NN2jpVE8CnBhDG_b3EBH-o28MX55AQXoZIOa-WCiy-Yv5mkp9yXnVNxg1BjFF7-S9xA_zI2k5GQQ41Fz0ZSL7FKpU2lulEoZbE0Pw/s2048/IMG_20200726_124859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGoUByhvKQJZXZ5lmhXz4ptsfcgd4yzyws0Sb7NN2jpVE8CnBhDG_b3EBH-o28MX55AQXoZIOa-WCiy-Yv5mkp9yXnVNxg1BjFF7-S9xA_zI2k5GQQ41Fz0ZSL7FKpU2lulEoZbE0Pw/s320/IMG_20200726_124859.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher and his float. The kids did a good job social distancing, and we were outside.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGoUByhvKQJZXZ5lmhXz4ptsfcgd4yzyws0Sb7NN2jpVE8CnBhDG_b3EBH-o28MX55AQXoZIOa-WCiy-Yv5mkp9yXnVNxg1BjFF7-S9xA_zI2k5GQQ41Fz0ZSL7FKpU2lulEoZbE0Pw/s2048/IMG_20200726_124859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bUx-OF3fZQCPDUT0NQ6tSMfL5xDKuMBVZf9hyphenhyphenBrXN45NUEVH_0q5-D1NXSOf07CV6KYvVahAa4Zzo1QzNTdsb5UV_7Tg4tiUzN9az4qbTHGlLDqA_UoOsazAiNIyyQ7_CRQVpzNvyQ/s2048/IMG_20200726_131334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bUx-OF3fZQCPDUT0NQ6tSMfL5xDKuMBVZf9hyphenhyphenBrXN45NUEVH_0q5-D1NXSOf07CV6KYvVahAa4Zzo1QzNTdsb5UV_7Tg4tiUzN9az4qbTHGlLDqA_UoOsazAiNIyyQ7_CRQVpzNvyQ/s320/IMG_20200726_131334.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our camper! The U.S.S. Stargazer. Guess who named it? It is a 1995, but in great shape. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBavxB-dDrvjmKSFMwEPvFqXeamKXHB3xx8-wM3QiC4rVUNSvRQe0vexBWdFbNfsfxwDu1dVRTCdfl9savxx4L2pngKgOnLnc1Y__RPyLFZtCoGdVS4pHj5glnqcu8OSctXjsEqheUDQ/s2048/MVIMG_20200725_075404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBavxB-dDrvjmKSFMwEPvFqXeamKXHB3xx8-wM3QiC4rVUNSvRQe0vexBWdFbNfsfxwDu1dVRTCdfl9savxx4L2pngKgOnLnc1Y__RPyLFZtCoGdVS4pHj5glnqcu8OSctXjsEqheUDQ/s320/MVIMG_20200725_075404.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating breakfast in the camper during a brief storm.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBavxB-dDrvjmKSFMwEPvFqXeamKXHB3xx8-wM3QiC4rVUNSvRQe0vexBWdFbNfsfxwDu1dVRTCdfl9savxx4L2pngKgOnLnc1Y__RPyLFZtCoGdVS4pHj5glnqcu8OSctXjsEqheUDQ/s2048/MVIMG_20200725_075404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-bagf31vTF_u4JWiQzej9zSseFRE5UA4NUhyXfE2wH6I5ANaZSUjAQ27EDfV3wE9gmJsbpQf4YzqPVf7iEnTvgO75qmlHxbyZNatYakQxahlRAfHmfj9ZkUZl8EeAERfQklIB0K2JA/s2048/IMG_20200725_075337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-bagf31vTF_u4JWiQzej9zSseFRE5UA4NUhyXfE2wH6I5ANaZSUjAQ27EDfV3wE9gmJsbpQf4YzqPVf7iEnTvgO75qmlHxbyZNatYakQxahlRAfHmfj9ZkUZl8EeAERfQklIB0K2JA/s320/IMG_20200725_075337.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher slept right through the thunder.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaYdLT82zjZwxRLdKOy1W-aE0qJb_lxhYJBH3WNvozMF7sggttAqc4AwJSTZrJuuKSQX1p8KoDu8anV-yRkzIhWK6yqSn3IncJog3N1Ti39rw2766Ddbdak7wUi4hroccOuZdo7GWfg/s2048/IMG_20200727_143915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDaYdLT82zjZwxRLdKOy1W-aE0qJb_lxhYJBH3WNvozMF7sggttAqc4AwJSTZrJuuKSQX1p8KoDu8anV-yRkzIhWK6yqSn3IncJog3N1Ti39rw2766Ddbdak7wUi4hroccOuZdo7GWfg/s320/IMG_20200727_143915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We set up Clare's reading nook under her bed. She spent the summer finishing the Harry Potter series. She loves it, and has already started reading it again.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHFh0wZU5Rx12-AwP6x3SwHFCu5sQ44aAgVEdgKZA0_07M5Y_cyhQHr49HZAkdSK0ydYMSZgt0uxnijh-n7aDTfBNEei8qDEl8Wwunbci3hyzhsZCvJWZBnqVsy_SsR3OSASBmylUg/s2048/IMG_20200729_115523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHFh0wZU5Rx12-AwP6x3SwHFCu5sQ44aAgVEdgKZA0_07M5Y_cyhQHr49HZAkdSK0ydYMSZgt0uxnijh-n7aDTfBNEei8qDEl8Wwunbci3hyzhsZCvJWZBnqVsy_SsR3OSASBmylUg/s320/IMG_20200729_115523.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forced outside time at a nature center.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasHFh0wZU5Rx12-AwP6x3SwHFCu5sQ44aAgVEdgKZA0_07M5Y_cyhQHr49HZAkdSK0ydYMSZgt0uxnijh-n7aDTfBNEei8qDEl8Wwunbci3hyzhsZCvJWZBnqVsy_SsR3OSASBmylUg/s2048/IMG_20200729_115523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMmZsF8yf6p4Mg5VspYqPgpc2j2Wq6R5pdGph5IU4ePpPFxF86pEHh0r5b1ob4-JvpcxTrr6XsERwvxCZ8-4PCdusrkubFIKMPD4T5gHaDvENsZ3MIEM8nlMGjT_3cKRkeD24HXACQ/s2048/IMG_20200731_144157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVeMmZsF8yf6p4Mg5VspYqPgpc2j2Wq6R5pdGph5IU4ePpPFxF86pEHh0r5b1ob4-JvpcxTrr6XsERwvxCZ8-4PCdusrkubFIKMPD4T5gHaDvENsZ3MIEM8nlMGjT_3cKRkeD24HXACQ/s320/IMG_20200731_144157.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream at Two Scoops, a delicious (and Black-owned) ice cream shop on Selby in St. Paul.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLoqe95X1ymU7W83bcIAqderkQylG5OwePY-9bMBxaBUES3QdNnMQPiTnN_nWRXodYay_n0I2w9J2cxy1iWW1an4L1S4xbBUi7agw62lYO_LqXjvI8emadOct-k5NSKP6EDv-yUlEMw/s2048/MVIMG_20200806_094628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCLoqe95X1ymU7W83bcIAqderkQylG5OwePY-9bMBxaBUES3QdNnMQPiTnN_nWRXodYay_n0I2w9J2cxy1iWW1an4L1S4xbBUi7agw62lYO_LqXjvI8emadOct-k5NSKP6EDv-yUlEMw/s320/MVIMG_20200806_094628.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When Como Town reopened, with many safety precautions in place, I surprised the kids with a visit. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JjrVFwBe4p1wVEnRIIhp17f_6w0W4g5i580exD2STfZtCGi1HkDvDFqiAT9zQ1CdjqEtXk21CWcIa9Q93250km9PGMg28e60kVHg3oCIzyfmETlrtaHX8_Ht5-rjXYMVeamyLgYx0g/s2048/MVIMG_20200806_094931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JjrVFwBe4p1wVEnRIIhp17f_6w0W4g5i580exD2STfZtCGi1HkDvDFqiAT9zQ1CdjqEtXk21CWcIa9Q93250km9PGMg28e60kVHg3oCIzyfmETlrtaHX8_Ht5-rjXYMVeamyLgYx0g/s320/MVIMG_20200806_094931.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They didn't have to wait in line for any rides, and didn't come near anyone else. I actually wish it was like this all the time, actually.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JjrVFwBe4p1wVEnRIIhp17f_6w0W4g5i580exD2STfZtCGi1HkDvDFqiAT9zQ1CdjqEtXk21CWcIa9Q93250km9PGMg28e60kVHg3oCIzyfmETlrtaHX8_Ht5-rjXYMVeamyLgYx0g/s2048/MVIMG_20200806_094931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixgQBhz0CwL0yo9NR63RujYUAAhJ8MbAPCNmTEe81yGlC6b3DlPrptc2iwJDVMULccSVuFK1ISaaQC0d9cA4fGQIapQspb3P5HZCoIYMIweSSKdZ7CnJ83flqwaWfseJ2Qw5ytvSZ8Q/s2048/IMG_20200806_110007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjixgQBhz0CwL0yo9NR63RujYUAAhJ8MbAPCNmTEe81yGlC6b3DlPrptc2iwJDVMULccSVuFK1ISaaQC0d9cA4fGQIapQspb3P5HZCoIYMIweSSKdZ7CnJ83flqwaWfseJ2Qw5ytvSZ8Q/s320/IMG_20200806_110007.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWR1KQVDLsjOvihLI6Y93uSknSoDIKQCmdyVRHA8LXTK7RN0UjY1ik2722hMjXOAlFQdYDfKwwsNj8wA9-7x-BnsUKzD7QAtBEhIJ-dlrr023T1rQSnh_S72a3WJHro5rGcKaWzWwXmg/s2048/MVIMG_20200806_100950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWR1KQVDLsjOvihLI6Y93uSknSoDIKQCmdyVRHA8LXTK7RN0UjY1ik2722hMjXOAlFQdYDfKwwsNj8wA9-7x-BnsUKzD7QAtBEhIJ-dlrr023T1rQSnh_S72a3WJHro5rGcKaWzWwXmg/s320/MVIMG_20200806_100950.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTZ0kYU6jgVfZXiPPwCyi4-WWpBds2oO5849QXZIcCKDveJU-tZbQbbIdzA9CXv6ZjvJQSYwzDidZXYudbWDXNsiZWjwx6fxn0oZU-z0DKyQ7wqpAVV8oG2OLATZPK7kyEuiGz-JiQw/s2048/IMG_20200806_114926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTZ0kYU6jgVfZXiPPwCyi4-WWpBds2oO5849QXZIcCKDveJU-tZbQbbIdzA9CXv6ZjvJQSYwzDidZXYudbWDXNsiZWjwx6fxn0oZU-z0DKyQ7wqpAVV8oG2OLATZPK7kyEuiGz-JiQw/s320/IMG_20200806_114926.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We normally get ice cream at Como Town, but that wasn't available so the McDonald's drive thru it was.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ONuURM7WadPe6WpATG8dKmAj4ypgKYd0Xh1fAnB3kuxK_lE2w0MnJcBCXm1PZ62MyJLBooaSpThHaHBIhnWZtMiA1s1IdagjLDfFf_Yh4WiJRL9ZNo8OxbrwDgnkt4Vatzi06P7iFg/s2048/IMG_20200807_194204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ONuURM7WadPe6WpATG8dKmAj4ypgKYd0Xh1fAnB3kuxK_lE2w0MnJcBCXm1PZ62MyJLBooaSpThHaHBIhnWZtMiA1s1IdagjLDfFf_Yh4WiJRL9ZNo8OxbrwDgnkt4Vatzi06P7iFg/s320/IMG_20200807_194204.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went on a second camping trip to Forestville Mystery Cave State Park. The cave was closed, but it was a nice campground. No bugs! And, now that Christopher is reading we were able to all sit around the campfire with our individual books. It was wonderful.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ONuURM7WadPe6WpATG8dKmAj4ypgKYd0Xh1fAnB3kuxK_lE2w0MnJcBCXm1PZ62MyJLBooaSpThHaHBIhnWZtMiA1s1IdagjLDfFf_Yh4WiJRL9ZNo8OxbrwDgnkt4Vatzi06P7iFg/s2048/IMG_20200807_194204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqwM9JPvUUoBB05glLrHgL3EfyZD_BnLcEcmnqoWPNXz3jJJ9EnZPiAyyNGId7I8mG3NV_8vaZeiQLOUA1GLtaJ5nhn8n7mpJVzwj7-ZdktGK1Djuz91CrIFL3Bk5aUrQNctdM0Ozuw/s4032/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200817190219963_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwqwM9JPvUUoBB05glLrHgL3EfyZD_BnLcEcmnqoWPNXz3jJJ9EnZPiAyyNGId7I8mG3NV_8vaZeiQLOUA1GLtaJ5nhn8n7mpJVzwj7-ZdktGK1Djuz91CrIFL3Bk5aUrQNctdM0Ozuw/s320/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200817190219963_COVER.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream in Evansville.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgPx2yy9nzUeEAgzYGrLObjtOiPG100NwnMa3QSDkK46mOWIBxdwp5zNJ-r1XL5BB3swcEkwRAPhLyE0cT-A4axqCbAr9B8I1cTTujtD_mon7AuudKClVlTi1dDQbtm4CKIu_ZxF6gw/s4032/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200817190226097_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgPx2yy9nzUeEAgzYGrLObjtOiPG100NwnMa3QSDkK46mOWIBxdwp5zNJ-r1XL5BB3swcEkwRAPhLyE0cT-A4axqCbAr9B8I1cTTujtD_mon7AuudKClVlTi1dDQbtm4CKIu_ZxF6gw/s320/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200817190226097_COVER.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vQPLrkjbDee6OcZPuiU-aJugUWVazCY5pWCnFBfP_P8XIJuM2j5kRxAIUIylKhKVf7z2lcIqWzf8UIoc_5BjSkYiJS7czWKEX9p9E47EniO3qDaBi8JLYL_ud0K0KInLuR1pZyNL9w/s2048/MVIMG_20200821_132511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vQPLrkjbDee6OcZPuiU-aJugUWVazCY5pWCnFBfP_P8XIJuM2j5kRxAIUIylKhKVf7z2lcIqWzf8UIoc_5BjSkYiJS7czWKEX9p9E47EniO3qDaBi8JLYL_ud0K0KInLuR1pZyNL9w/s320/MVIMG_20200821_132511.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spoiled me.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vQPLrkjbDee6OcZPuiU-aJugUWVazCY5pWCnFBfP_P8XIJuM2j5kRxAIUIylKhKVf7z2lcIqWzf8UIoc_5BjSkYiJS7czWKEX9p9E47EniO3qDaBi8JLYL_ud0K0KInLuR1pZyNL9w/s2048/MVIMG_20200821_132511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7K9QW7RaZzmBDltu6DyHXqmIDAbxzpjt95uitETx0jVUP4vwFziFA376b3puTzZtoUA31z8aaauSZQhQPjtyBdrK6TDWvXiMnzuGK2IwADko4Bre9GcyubyR-xFglNuwPdCU_yNOBWw/s2048/IMG_20200822_100901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7K9QW7RaZzmBDltu6DyHXqmIDAbxzpjt95uitETx0jVUP4vwFziFA376b3puTzZtoUA31z8aaauSZQhQPjtyBdrK6TDWvXiMnzuGK2IwADko4Bre9GcyubyR-xFglNuwPdCU_yNOBWw/s320/IMG_20200822_100901.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"State Fair" fun!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDuxRyJCrlUob5SHIZIplt4imZMUXx3H1gXw0EhzoFzDsmfPWC15A6mOJ_mqZzssEp__DL9jspjhNF6qMajJOy7VA6E95XC6BJqS9z1yuujjX5xANNHueqUNijP2F8hJI1OPUrPsMZg/s2048/IMG_20200822_115751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDuxRyJCrlUob5SHIZIplt4imZMUXx3H1gXw0EhzoFzDsmfPWC15A6mOJ_mqZzssEp__DL9jspjhNF6qMajJOy7VA6E95XC6BJqS9z1yuujjX5xANNHueqUNijP2F8hJI1OPUrPsMZg/s320/IMG_20200822_115751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzaxKTjS3JajC4tBZv5b7PF6qLx06ggGp14V409G8sHx3QhUL92I3uNmppRPgQDMCB2uRInkmYG1drjqhpros__Wl-KZI4dkwvQUDciTKXIoY96npFk3xjeUPrLgv4Lwwf63o6f8dyQ/s2048/IMG_20200822_132100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzaxKTjS3JajC4tBZv5b7PF6qLx06ggGp14V409G8sHx3QhUL92I3uNmppRPgQDMCB2uRInkmYG1drjqhpros__Wl-KZI4dkwvQUDciTKXIoY96npFk3xjeUPrLgv4Lwwf63o6f8dyQ/s320/IMG_20200822_132100.jpg" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK1UAnXnxvq-FdrpfFtNuQ0vy8nu0Ikmq3TsMFSnKvi-DHGuWB8LNIWrAFLnD4EUrDQJShrXseqISSvcTCjl3nwQ9a-mMqLBdxk0Sk57ymEB3lcY4qfb6WscnjSNq-X0XVtX6i5OpWg/s2048/IMG_20200822_180048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCK1UAnXnxvq-FdrpfFtNuQ0vy8nu0Ikmq3TsMFSnKvi-DHGuWB8LNIWrAFLnD4EUrDQJShrXseqISSvcTCjl3nwQ9a-mMqLBdxk0Sk57ymEB3lcY4qfb6WscnjSNq-X0XVtX6i5OpWg/s320/IMG_20200822_180048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben and I take this same selfie at the Fair every year. The beer was still good, even if the setting wasn't quite the same.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1QosTdMNHGGZOsiNAkZrJ-3_BDYlfJgNAgdjz5gmNUlrTLdxOThRzbFAEc4D2PtNddI0kKTbmPMD2P7bIlGB5Z-_u0oqOw1Qb27bvn7QaJbeTsDql0PAMHBtXCpQZ6SIONbbluWSXA/s2048/IMG_20200822_201527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1QosTdMNHGGZOsiNAkZrJ-3_BDYlfJgNAgdjz5gmNUlrTLdxOThRzbFAEc4D2PtNddI0kKTbmPMD2P7bIlGB5Z-_u0oqOw1Qb27bvn7QaJbeTsDql0PAMHBtXCpQZ6SIONbbluWSXA/s320/IMG_20200822_201527.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought frozen Sweet Martha's cookies. They were good.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s1As-NaY0MCINU3dP3yB0Nt-rP3OvVXYV5zCUiAUMV3S0_bzlcfh68x3Ea-U9OCLM9buBQ0g5Ih9SQkDz__lSUR8yKK3CFwRBtC9-a98375BLp5Ye7AWeTsKZSE5GgmARsvGPRRN0g/s2048/IMG_20200825_101903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1s1As-NaY0MCINU3dP3yB0Nt-rP3OvVXYV5zCUiAUMV3S0_bzlcfh68x3Ea-U9OCLM9buBQ0g5Ih9SQkDz__lSUR8yKK3CFwRBtC9-a98375BLp5Ye7AWeTsKZSE5GgmARsvGPRRN0g/s320/IMG_20200825_101903.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher is going through a phase were he refuses to let me take his picture. This was at Lake St. Croix. What a wonderful beach! I wish we had found it sooner, but it felt so good on one of summer's hot days.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM3eLf7Q8YuLFLrlqdGnrODfQ0tmf8jCAn2owANU9KnAq1l4JVdCLTNL3QEWM3TpYEnLc3kvJtbgf7nXVvT5JlyKpuwaHhINy6JXdgB2wJLmWxItnF0zKp6HnlTnu5So5xpggUaWiJA/s2048/MVIMG_20200827_093735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSM3eLf7Q8YuLFLrlqdGnrODfQ0tmf8jCAn2owANU9KnAq1l4JVdCLTNL3QEWM3TpYEnLc3kvJtbgf7nXVvT5JlyKpuwaHhINy6JXdgB2wJLmWxItnF0zKp6HnlTnu5So5xpggUaWiJA/s320/MVIMG_20200827_093735.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Como Zoo also reopened. No crowds. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4haKHkMoQbHhInXkfnkdEAG8fevMs7avk7ZsZj1ScHkUnYdUN02mG0MJhev3-8voETozvdmcIlPG0nySthvvMUQOoPGtg3wAf-dV9gsaQkOR-1xC_cU54zikOzerprYSyFGuN8fTIw/s2048/MVIMG_20200827_102454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4haKHkMoQbHhInXkfnkdEAG8fevMs7avk7ZsZj1ScHkUnYdUN02mG0MJhev3-8voETozvdmcIlPG0nySthvvMUQOoPGtg3wAf-dV9gsaQkOR-1xC_cU54zikOzerprYSyFGuN8fTIw/s320/MVIMG_20200827_102454.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were mini donuts, though.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaPWB34w-J71FlWphoZF79PWro_6Q5gkYFgg6bclG2Yf5Orqnfh2Jec_2PnudfBEg6IAJY_-gYfPbyzZtoSo11xvTbnFAT9znB00Tea8rB3YPXSI75cRRvXti9Z_FNIQzgKXIBOJoRQ/s2048/IMG_20200903_135533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiaPWB34w-J71FlWphoZF79PWro_6Q5gkYFgg6bclG2Yf5Orqnfh2Jec_2PnudfBEg6IAJY_-gYfPbyzZtoSo11xvTbnFAT9znB00Tea8rB3YPXSI75cRRvXti9Z_FNIQzgKXIBOJoRQ/s320/IMG_20200903_135533.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids had fun playing restaurant in the amazing basement of our cabin in Hayward. It was called Fish and Wine. Yum?</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtChVXnCEoV-VQJXs-F7TB-L2oc-SRXsgEE_pgGN-9vCCdpVwCTVKFYvgcLIi8ZcLysCH_m2iD3WUtfG_dpf6ZrZHl7pvVBdmPegmZ1v2PgEABLuu6BY6_kHyfkajhAJfVzfiGDc8Jg/s2048/IMG_20200904_101126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtChVXnCEoV-VQJXs-F7TB-L2oc-SRXsgEE_pgGN-9vCCdpVwCTVKFYvgcLIi8ZcLysCH_m2iD3WUtfG_dpf6ZrZHl7pvVBdmPegmZ1v2PgEABLuu6BY6_kHyfkajhAJfVzfiGDc8Jg/s320/IMG_20200904_101126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare trying the paddle board.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYtChVXnCEoV-VQJXs-F7TB-L2oc-SRXsgEE_pgGN-9vCCdpVwCTVKFYvgcLIi8ZcLysCH_m2iD3WUtfG_dpf6ZrZHl7pvVBdmPegmZ1v2PgEABLuu6BY6_kHyfkajhAJfVzfiGDc8Jg/s2048/IMG_20200904_101126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprabM5zeCWXTVKiJk2-g7W066zmEjsST5a45egs8pq3peIYcBhOzpqrTfy9yNuvaNUJou93m8V-M2jRQTcGBhAZUW8n8QBa0vfl5a0zMxIgI1wgrZn2kjl1WKWcY3i1uRG9ko6moVYw/s2048/IMG_20200904_132534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiprabM5zeCWXTVKiJk2-g7W066zmEjsST5a45egs8pq3peIYcBhOzpqrTfy9yNuvaNUJou93m8V-M2jRQTcGBhAZUW8n8QBa0vfl5a0zMxIgI1wgrZn2kjl1WKWcY3i1uRG9ko6moVYw/s320/IMG_20200904_132534.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giant musky.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlrmCw8lapE3SRrUgYZib3ykSYYTJciaAht9p9_hJfMUh9-Xg1eWqQYeUoMNwbp0ruMFDp3AGAGhAjD1vJTZ_8EfaCjovo_3F25ZaejcwVd8YQZpzKC7by8FunzqYjSqswiQROsUadA/s2048/IMG_20200904_132757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlrmCw8lapE3SRrUgYZib3ykSYYTJciaAht9p9_hJfMUh9-Xg1eWqQYeUoMNwbp0ruMFDp3AGAGhAjD1vJTZ_8EfaCjovo_3F25ZaejcwVd8YQZpzKC7by8FunzqYjSqswiQROsUadA/s320/IMG_20200904_132757.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare and Meema are being eaten by a fish!</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBlrmCw8lapE3SRrUgYZib3ykSYYTJciaAht9p9_hJfMUh9-Xg1eWqQYeUoMNwbp0ruMFDp3AGAGhAjD1vJTZ_8EfaCjovo_3F25ZaejcwVd8YQZpzKC7by8FunzqYjSqswiQROsUadA/s2048/IMG_20200904_132757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ne31w8g78mdvyFzBXt_XR3o6w2BtTYdSFnrk_ClA7MlIPWWMxvXHQ_QBEC8PTbwUtNudinHVW3JNDuENH0Wiibmtrv41xldjagojXS3-UxWySsEM-wL9jSWRnqv8FdnqX3nws-ybPg/s2048/IMG_20200905_101037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Ne31w8g78mdvyFzBXt_XR3o6w2BtTYdSFnrk_ClA7MlIPWWMxvXHQ_QBEC8PTbwUtNudinHVW3JNDuENH0Wiibmtrv41xldjagojXS3-UxWySsEM-wL9jSWRnqv8FdnqX3nws-ybPg/s320/IMG_20200905_101037.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare canoeing with her grandparents.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1207" data-original-width="2606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR3aOQUAQQUcu2OEpTzA4fdDcMlD9WRe0fXhbDnYeNRwZcG_Z3g_wrdrRZeyTJtdBKzWQi-B2d8JaG0coAVjcUcAiyNWsVnUcFBUMToST1qfcQ9HEzrFKbFSZ_tRoiFqoSAFYTwVRWjA/s320/image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Brandy old-fashioned by the lake. Truly a Wisconsin moment. All that was missing was head to toe Packer gear.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"> <br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-8438714844211782332020-07-09T16:03:00.000-05:002020-07-09T16:03:26.140-05:00Bits and Pieces: May through the Fourth of JulyI already covered Clare's birthday and the end of the school year, but we have done one or two other things over the past few months. We've mostly been at home, but we've been able to have some outings to parks, social distance get-togethers with friends, and visits with family.<br />
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Mother's Day and Father's Day happened. Ben made me homemade cinnamon rolls, which were delicious. I dragged the kids on a hike at Battle Creek park, which they complained about. So nothing new there. Then we had Bloody Mary's.</div>
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On Father's Day Ben's parents came over for a socially distanced lunch. We had Bloody Mary's that day, too.</div>
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The kids and I have gone to Minnehaha Falls and Lake Nokomis. We also went to an event at the big zoo, where we drove through part of the zoo. Clare enjoyed it. Christopher was disappointed that he didn't see any animals he could "roar" at. I also took them to the Como Conservatory, which has reopened with restrictions. Clare enjoyed it. Christopher hated having to wear his mask. </div>
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Our drive home from the conservatory turned into a Tour of Disappointment. We passed Como Town, several playgrounds, and the State Fair grounds. I am trying to get the kids out of the house, but sometimes it seems easier just to stay home.</div>
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We turned up our dials (as the governor says) a bit in the past month. We have gotten together with my sister and her family, as well as my parents. We spent a week with my parents at their home in Wisconsin over the 4th of July. It was wonderful to be somewhere else for awhile. I love my house, but we all needed a change of scenery. </div>
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On our way to my parents' house, we stopped in La Crosse for a social distance visit with my grandmother and aunt. My grandma will be 97 in August. It was a brief visit, but I know she liked seeing the kids, even with masks on.</div>
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We spent the week in Wisconsin taking walks, talking, eating good food, and swimming. We celebrated Ben's 41st birthday with margaritas, Mexican food and s'mores. My Aunt Karen came over for a social distance dinner, and our friend Ruth came over as well.</div>
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We usually spend the 4th with my parents, but this year all of the usual small town activities were cancelled. We made our own fun, though. Ben participated in a virtual run (he actually ran the 10k, but instead of running with a group of people at the festival grounds he ran by himself at 4:30 in the morning). Instead of fireworks, we watched fireflies and lit sparklers. And instead of the parade, well, we had our own. I wish we had captured it on video. My mom led the way on her John Deere riding lawn mower, followed by me on a bike. Then came Christopher, who was riding in a wagon being pulled by Ben. Christopher was throwing candy at no one. Then my dad, marching while holding two flags. Clare brought up the rear on her pogo stick. Every thing was decorated with crepe paper and pinwheels, and we all wore silly 4th of July themed headbands. We even had an audience - our British family watched it all via the Facebook portal.</div>
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***</div>
Gem from Clare:<br />
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I was hemming and hawing about what to do about Ben's birthday gift, worrying it wouldn't arrive in time for our trip to Wisconsin. Clare suggested shipping it directly to my parents' house.<br />
"I was waiting to see if you would figure that out for yourself," she said. I didn't.<br />
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***<br />
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Gem from Christopher:</div>
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"Maybe I can be an inventor when I grow up. That would suit me well." (Said while working on his Halloween costume. He is going as a box "if there is a Halloween".)</div>
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Pictures!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNBiFRVCJSGxpRy8ben41TNHA_UDpNWUMg62hONSfXJMF7HUuy29PboJ7gs1Sutw4E5YvzDpD_VMdz5VlMMRtm1QLI4klcNImSztvoZ4yGq8ajhLwpF3tvxmM4QZNfgAIYHDjyOiqDg/s1600/IMG_20200510_112617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFNBiFRVCJSGxpRy8ben41TNHA_UDpNWUMg62hONSfXJMF7HUuy29PboJ7gs1Sutw4E5YvzDpD_VMdz5VlMMRtm1QLI4klcNImSztvoZ4yGq8ajhLwpF3tvxmM4QZNfgAIYHDjyOiqDg/s320/IMG_20200510_112617.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This feels so long ago, but this was from our Mother's Day hike at Battle Creek.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zWKgu_jts1smO78F7pHQq1SXYmguL1hCcRtGYdWdpxdeQnr9pNQRFlHyReLXJhsYSFC4uYeHgkkBaq-UxAboyi6W03lkj2Cirhm7HxJgmk8TlbWEVlzbROQQDizngGMnzjtDVdPrSQ/s1600/IMG_20200515_144937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zWKgu_jts1smO78F7pHQq1SXYmguL1hCcRtGYdWdpxdeQnr9pNQRFlHyReLXJhsYSFC4uYeHgkkBaq-UxAboyi6W03lkj2Cirhm7HxJgmk8TlbWEVlzbROQQDizngGMnzjtDVdPrSQ/s320/IMG_20200515_144937.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sprinkler fun.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33XBlJSWCf7ozSP46oxhRY1HCzBBE3yR84W8_A56TpDLA3YZai6csNR5m3mq_FMfj_SSF0gV2-2IB5ljC8OckkpBLRGkvXjVawElkzVdTd8BFQfn4arhW6stpryhGap5vd5QdmZ6BXw/s1600/IMG_20200524_140100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33XBlJSWCf7ozSP46oxhRY1HCzBBE3yR84W8_A56TpDLA3YZai6csNR5m3mq_FMfj_SSF0gV2-2IB5ljC8OckkpBLRGkvXjVawElkzVdTd8BFQfn4arhW6stpryhGap5vd5QdmZ6BXw/s320/IMG_20200524_140100.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The annual Lock and Dam picture looks a little different this year.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALO-eygMlyI01dgR6tSAHxyvm-VSzDrfaUwhpEpjN3dlXBNaIZZZlxEEBjZoTEYnRErQlRL9Af1NC51miBRbvioZZSe3JrhSxYJh6DQ8zwd1ZOOF1oWqzjksVWShvH_GNfAYltT7j5w/s1600/IMG_20200604_140727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALO-eygMlyI01dgR6tSAHxyvm-VSzDrfaUwhpEpjN3dlXBNaIZZZlxEEBjZoTEYnRErQlRL9Af1NC51miBRbvioZZSe3JrhSxYJh6DQ8zwd1ZOOF1oWqzjksVWShvH_GNfAYltT7j5w/s320/IMG_20200604_140727.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare had a social distance visit with her BFF Natalie.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlNNtnXjI6ds-xwCtnY6wYFGCxJ54ey30gUFjp1FmOlAAwDO8ZZzJkFq50MFG-WW2P6C9Rrsd14GEDohexzsDnZEl1j6ZDXwGgnrW0HKWENst-Dbn7-pN4jLNt2z8f8pWkXleORTZKw/s1600/IMG_20200615_103419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlNNtnXjI6ds-xwCtnY6wYFGCxJ54ey30gUFjp1FmOlAAwDO8ZZzJkFq50MFG-WW2P6C9Rrsd14GEDohexzsDnZEl1j6ZDXwGgnrW0HKWENst-Dbn7-pN4jLNt2z8f8pWkXleORTZKw/s320/IMG_20200615_103419.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This picture summarizes Clare's attitude about basically everything this summer. Not that I blame her.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCze_Jp8-xN-y1Cps2x8Uz2ElPaVAffhaJa5rI3GP1yEn7nkxyT6S4GaAvpFIqs5C83FlZIxVvjRxsyO9q107lXjKFvxtFJsKL0gY8qqt9GavVmpWkcNidQfnbZwELrVkKXNpSQchl-A/s1600/IMG_20200619_204403_465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCze_Jp8-xN-y1Cps2x8Uz2ElPaVAffhaJa5rI3GP1yEn7nkxyT6S4GaAvpFIqs5C83FlZIxVvjRxsyO9q107lXjKFvxtFJsKL0gY8qqt9GavVmpWkcNidQfnbZwELrVkKXNpSQchl-A/s320/IMG_20200619_204403_465.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for her virtual Girl Scout camp out. I slept in the tent with her. It wasn't the same as going to camp, but she enjoyed it. The leaders did their best to make it fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QzBW9KMMpzFZ_cf29Pzer6LehDkx9c7y03n4tfKZax5BrH3yOSb6r5BLeyEh333b9vFsKH1Oj7YbxR8fALTBWrLpAxrcZ0AdaS28uzwPnG5k7xx8QSS98linsqKYdxq2njbB_IpBaw/s1600/IMG_20200620_152534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5QzBW9KMMpzFZ_cf29Pzer6LehDkx9c7y03n4tfKZax5BrH3yOSb6r5BLeyEh333b9vFsKH1Oj7YbxR8fALTBWrLpAxrcZ0AdaS28uzwPnG5k7xx8QSS98linsqKYdxq2njbB_IpBaw/s320/IMG_20200620_152534.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lofted Clare's bed for her birthday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpQ6Qrb9BGw1OEdcQ6as4oq-s8FdNsAIUOhwahhS6ua-nabo1GFA9WGJdv7Cjqp77qwlafJOKRZezvA5rjsbwaqEic9M6byJRh5Tvu_R1oszqhPqED4tEOMbeIyxMeLn3Fgx-ARdP2g/s1600/MVIMG_20200619_142846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRpQ6Qrb9BGw1OEdcQ6as4oq-s8FdNsAIUOhwahhS6ua-nabo1GFA9WGJdv7Cjqp77qwlafJOKRZezvA5rjsbwaqEic9M6byJRh5Tvu_R1oszqhPqED4tEOMbeIyxMeLn3Fgx-ARdP2g/s320/MVIMG_20200619_142846.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farmer's Market.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJCmnGQyGC1vM3KqC8ESHZbJw8fwmYcl_-YPMwGN-8QyPdhLaO0yt4sRYc8NEEgIfjs-ZJekcs6e3AN6fLMT6BqWT6_ooM3Io3tt4HrwEwZDEB2nbik5_t9lrf-ljjrgQsE2XVV0PZQ/s1600/IMG_20200621_113837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJCmnGQyGC1vM3KqC8ESHZbJw8fwmYcl_-YPMwGN-8QyPdhLaO0yt4sRYc8NEEgIfjs-ZJekcs6e3AN6fLMT6BqWT6_ooM3Io3tt4HrwEwZDEB2nbik5_t9lrf-ljjrgQsE2XVV0PZQ/s320/IMG_20200621_113837.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher helping Ben mow on Father's Day.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32IWfLesEXajKBIJeprQjS-nAvyer5SujoySra1GKJNmKqWAglP2r098fjSdQxW-T7fRottDmobL2jty0ZcxXeJN1Nj90yYEwGrX2VPTqhJk9ajpr9hubcx7KMtNw5uM7C4Q1dn_qMg/s1600/MVIMG_20200622_142001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32IWfLesEXajKBIJeprQjS-nAvyer5SujoySra1GKJNmKqWAglP2r098fjSdQxW-T7fRottDmobL2jty0ZcxXeJN1Nj90yYEwGrX2VPTqhJk9ajpr9hubcx7KMtNw5uM7C4Q1dn_qMg/s320/MVIMG_20200622_142001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were upstairs. Christopher heard the ice cream truck. He raced downstairs, grabbed a mask, and was halfway up the street before I even had my shoes on. I couldn't say no after all of that effort.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eVqIzo8URmrJSgHS5MKeSAlxoTKYYQxe4TtoJl3dxkD3nyu2dJDZb-LL9arjMqiymIVhtusijHd-HRdVnR4LKnhNMWODzcNcXdT5AF6kD_ewE8tYqL_AtkmPx-E5klHij1HbYNxTvg/s1600/MVIMG_20200624_132617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eVqIzo8URmrJSgHS5MKeSAlxoTKYYQxe4TtoJl3dxkD3nyu2dJDZb-LL9arjMqiymIVhtusijHd-HRdVnR4LKnhNMWODzcNcXdT5AF6kD_ewE8tYqL_AtkmPx-E5klHij1HbYNxTvg/s320/MVIMG_20200624_132617.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drive through zoo.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZJ9TfY5zDorAWN5Cu4Z4EGpDBap2dSVr-3NmsKU3b1DUqH0b8Llze-kDsaACrrWu8bIUMUkx8xOgpzuv85fQr2Qu7v2CEgXCG2n60l52KuVR67mZhLowTGplmypYNrO7uEZcY-nGng/s1600/IMG_20200624_132731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZJ9TfY5zDorAWN5Cu4Z4EGpDBap2dSVr-3NmsKU3b1DUqH0b8Llze-kDsaACrrWu8bIUMUkx8xOgpzuv85fQr2Qu7v2CEgXCG2n60l52KuVR67mZhLowTGplmypYNrO7uEZcY-nGng/s320/IMG_20200624_132731.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drive through zoo, too.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKfF8NBtOSpUfuyWmruecYExIueTZwWldUrZzs7lQAkvbidYECPJ5m7oXbXBMx34L9Nb5iu4MKwc6x9qNVkHgbPScAIh8SipaqOIlwrSNUWgEYhz_-ZFYZ3s0lLuPjM0yOvs8xjvJXQ/s1600/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200624141321981_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQKfF8NBtOSpUfuyWmruecYExIueTZwWldUrZzs7lQAkvbidYECPJ5m7oXbXBMx34L9Nb5iu4MKwc6x9qNVkHgbPScAIh8SipaqOIlwrSNUWgEYhz_-ZFYZ3s0lLuPjM0yOvs8xjvJXQ/s320/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200624141321981_COVER.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At DQ after the zoo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoN-BG3nuPdm6m7fs5YGnBfR8EHv_7U78VMg08nQRcTkvFb8pyoic-0dlKgVvOBRUIXylTW3mNOTfyDw-V27GIwJ_5uAb54ygwTBxoBMVGoiCLRaPoRxK14kp_03m-uRcTAcDXI-E8A/s1600/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200624141246879_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeoN-BG3nuPdm6m7fs5YGnBfR8EHv_7U78VMg08nQRcTkvFb8pyoic-0dlKgVvOBRUIXylTW3mNOTfyDw-V27GIwJ_5uAb54ygwTBxoBMVGoiCLRaPoRxK14kp_03m-uRcTAcDXI-E8A/s320/00100dPORTRAIT_00100_BURST20200624141246879_COVER.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He enjoyed the ice cream, even if he didn't enjoy the zoo.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_iFlqacn0dAkcqWEfYS24Ao0Mg-GyoDXSI3W6hwr7OXZ3QmCea6Gy8TbKGG65qKyx4zLDPzgZytCJY6hqd9w7rg0phX-hZMO0i2ZWm0LwsorgQCBl9XTva7QUYd75WDW_VrCcHCCAg/s1600/IMG_20200625_113732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4_iFlqacn0dAkcqWEfYS24Ao0Mg-GyoDXSI3W6hwr7OXZ3QmCea6Gy8TbKGG65qKyx4zLDPzgZytCJY6hqd9w7rg0phX-hZMO0i2ZWm0LwsorgQCBl9XTva7QUYd75WDW_VrCcHCCAg/s320/IMG_20200625_113732.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Como Conservatory.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT8pDXueTbAREASP0eWBST_1HFcfMl7ViYf2EwPajUuGdYhsU9VqKkhey6V2K67NlRh8yNITbx9v6HZWJcPD0sUjalUQtaQ0gbj0WbreEnxLkD5PVmx7W6BBuLM0TtzOKbhaeJiBKDQ/s1600/IMG_20200625_115039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfT8pDXueTbAREASP0eWBST_1HFcfMl7ViYf2EwPajUuGdYhsU9VqKkhey6V2K67NlRh8yNITbx9v6HZWJcPD0sUjalUQtaQ0gbj0WbreEnxLkD5PVmx7W6BBuLM0TtzOKbhaeJiBKDQ/s320/IMG_20200625_115039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43f81TZ9TNDg53wphpqeISjC9zC7vm9md4_yiMv9wCCIM45nXEFKpUVIZFUq9ELQFB4rWqATzUvXmTrroX2Jpv58XDDEe3tAkzjYG8kUgEegPXPbrclIx8E0CMKz2HdWLz2flrpk5vA/s1600/IMG_20200628_201730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43f81TZ9TNDg53wphpqeISjC9zC7vm9md4_yiMv9wCCIM45nXEFKpUVIZFUq9ELQFB4rWqATzUvXmTrroX2Jpv58XDDEe3tAkzjYG8kUgEegPXPbrclIx8E0CMKz2HdWLz2flrpk5vA/s320/IMG_20200628_201730.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my parents' deck. It is hard to beat.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5O7kVl4_iCJZYHfyzlD4BwETn6ZOg3S-Y8u20-BwIX4VMXRpqLYKHcDI_YUzmESEip623ACXHPbN8RezXysBgwzJYxCUVMpFWyRPHycwYVMjZTp0GdYmMmaGo85tlSLudAbJTBFcqA/s1600/IMG_20200630_112943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5O7kVl4_iCJZYHfyzlD4BwETn6ZOg3S-Y8u20-BwIX4VMXRpqLYKHcDI_YUzmESEip623ACXHPbN8RezXysBgwzJYxCUVMpFWyRPHycwYVMjZTp0GdYmMmaGo85tlSLudAbJTBFcqA/s320/IMG_20200630_112943.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben working at the pool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAQCGIMcoDjpPBtMH5-EXYEaXFRa-9Ki5Vl2DiYZv3MLWvXQ3RwnljqJliRPuk98cxQnSpCpMNFneKvfo567homf2sJJnEgnIHL4lJ_J2XToMFt7HV43x6i0GJKS5Gqi6yC15WC2h3A/s1600/IMG_20200701_132148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAQCGIMcoDjpPBtMH5-EXYEaXFRa-9Ki5Vl2DiYZv3MLWvXQ3RwnljqJliRPuk98cxQnSpCpMNFneKvfo567homf2sJJnEgnIHL4lJ_J2XToMFt7HV43x6i0GJKS5Gqi6yC15WC2h3A/s320/IMG_20200701_132148.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being able to swim (while social distancing) was wonderful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clare driving the golf cart with Baba. She had a great time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfWcJqOLYGb7MYG2XAPicy80U0sRG6dL-GWhB_RyyyiMHkmMh7QgrO_u35qiK-7Uvvy34oxVgEYqg2aGlAdgsFn1izlA8-pSE4jYEcimWqRh4oKvVV4S7sgTK5Y5vVKBIPNamrHseOg/s1600/IMG_20200702_122001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIfWcJqOLYGb7MYG2XAPicy80U0sRG6dL-GWhB_RyyyiMHkmMh7QgrO_u35qiK-7Uvvy34oxVgEYqg2aGlAdgsFn1izlA8-pSE4jYEcimWqRh4oKvVV4S7sgTK5Y5vVKBIPNamrHseOg/s320/IMG_20200702_122001.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had a great time drinking beer and reading. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC56YNyBx928FFPs__6lBUFXqy4Y8z78hswJnTDpCoueUwzoFhMjGdGmg63RRme1l922zPk9PEpDBVsyQmWInJt4AfpGfBitIodcYX3qXn_RdQ_E4VAY_ykMIz_v4koe9YAzCYIkftA/s1600/IMG_20200702_195559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZC56YNyBx928FFPs__6lBUFXqy4Y8z78hswJnTDpCoueUwzoFhMjGdGmg63RRme1l922zPk9PEpDBVsyQmWInJt4AfpGfBitIodcYX3qXn_RdQ_E4VAY_ykMIz_v4koe9YAzCYIkftA/s320/IMG_20200702_195559.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sweet boy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbCvnfd0ecmTb_IZJVc0kfyK9ruL3yHAST_zwRc9MB8Yj184cJQQeW_pQub5Dr5WmFqxdE5wiqFwkTLhhR4-gPp83BoZX__rEHVFCc0MmaiNP5xI6H3coZ3GHfjyrciNKUSOO34_FoQ/s320/MVIMG_20200702_195011.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roasting s'mores for Ben's birthday.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbCvnfd0ecmTb_IZJVc0kfyK9ruL3yHAST_zwRc9MB8Yj184cJQQeW_pQub5Dr5WmFqxdE5wiqFwkTLhhR4-gPp83BoZX__rEHVFCc0MmaiNP5xI6H3coZ3GHfjyrciNKUSOO34_FoQ/s1600/MVIMG_20200702_195011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annual flag cake preparation.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben in his race shirt.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The parade leader.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing the 4th with sparklers!</td></tr>
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<br />Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39021260008541038.post-30991317756649922162020-06-11T15:10:00.001-05:002020-07-09T16:06:27.188-05:00First Day/Last Day/Birthday<br />
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The kids had their last day of Distance Learning on Tuesday. It was a weird end to the school year, to say the least. They haven't been in school since March 9th, which is hard to believe. Each day felt long, but here we are in June, somehow.<br />
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I now have a 4th grader and 1st grader, which is also hard to believe. I seem to be surprised every year when they finish another grade. This year is especially bittersweet, because they are both saying goodbye to beloved teachers. Clare had Mr. Horton for three years, and he was wonderful. I feel so lucky that she had such an amazing teacher. Christopher had Ms. Angela for two years, and we will miss her as well. Christopher loved pre-K and Kindergarten. We'll find out who their new teachers are in August. I know whoever they have for a teacher they will do well.<br />
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On the last day of school, Clare's teacher gave a nice presentation on each third grader. He talked about how Clare had changed since first grade, when she would finish all her work by 9 a.m. and not know what to do. He said Clare is ambitious, and learned how to challenge herself, and also be herself. He asked the kids in the class to describe her, and they said she is thoughtful, nice, helpful and "very cool". I may have cried while eavesdropping on this class meeting.<br />
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I asked Clare what her favorite thing was about third grade. Her answer: "My friends." We have missed those friends dearly over the last few months. She finally got to see Natalie in a socially-distanced setting, which was good for her. Her least favorite thing: "I don't know." I guess it is good that she couldn't come up with anything.<br />
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And Christopher? Well, he refused to answer my questions, but I know he loved building with blocks, eating lunch at school, and going outside for recess. He did not like it when the kids in his class misbehaved during group time.<br />
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We celebrated Clare's birthday last weekend with a pinata, pizza and a Dairy Queen Oreo blizzard cake. The best part, though, was getting to see family members in person. This was good for all of us. Of course, my mom and I spent a lot of time worrying that we were doing something wrong, but we were following the rules.<br />
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Clare was given a pogo stick, roller blades, and lots of Legos. We are lofting her bed this weekend, and she gets to pick out a new rug for her room. She was happy.<br />
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And now it is on to summer. I read my summary of last summer today, and it made me want to cry. We will not be able to do most of the things we did last year. I am going to try my best to make this one fun, though. We'll see how it goes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfll7r3jCSujmv8LPCW9meEEkIyz5ODw6l4XPowQr8mrBRM2MFuxYjnzwkQtSNT56A3-nCd17ojC2xRwTyW8Zhu4yfEFPdgy7zcyiX3cOnIfk3-_OeXfY7J7Dfc960CNH9qq8fulGjYw/s1600/IMG_20200608_142433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfll7r3jCSujmv8LPCW9meEEkIyz5ODw6l4XPowQr8mrBRM2MFuxYjnzwkQtSNT56A3-nCd17ojC2xRwTyW8Zhu4yfEFPdgy7zcyiX3cOnIfk3-_OeXfY7J7Dfc960CNH9qq8fulGjYw/s320/IMG_20200608_142433.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social distance Kindergarten graduation! Christopher was thrilled to see his teachers in person. He will miss them next year.</td></tr>
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<br />Emhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03241811069940971926noreply@blogger.com0