tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-317890322024-03-07T18:18:32.811-08:00Murrayville Mom's MomI began blogging when my daughter "Murrayville Mom" was the only blogging daughter in the family, now that I have two daughters blogging, the name isn't as appropriate but it's me!Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-36086987678966712572010-06-17T15:54:00.004-07:002010-06-17T16:07:57.698-07:00Time For A Change<div align="justify"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/TBqn7HGMR5I/AAAAAAAACw8/HirnSr52LjE/s1600/Creative+Communications,+C+093.bmp"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 106px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 203px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483880130236139410" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/TBqn7HGMR5I/AAAAAAAACw8/HirnSr52LjE/s400/Creative+Communications,+C+093.bmp" /></a><br />Several years ago when I started on this blogging adventure, I was at a loss for a title, so I blithely stole my daughter Cathy's moniker and added an <em>apostrophe s Mom</em> and became Murrayville Mom's Mom. Since that fateful day our middle daughter April started blogging under <em>The Besth Blog (The Besth Life) </em>and then the title of my blog really didn't seem appropriate at all!<br /><br />Well, times and tides change. Soon the Murrayville Mom Blog will no longer exist and starting today, neither will mine.<br /><br />I invite you to hop on over to my new blog<strong>: Motor Mouth Mom</strong>.<br /><br /><a href="http://motormouthmom.blogspot.com/">http://motormouthmom.blogspot.com/</a><br /><br />Please be sure to change your rss feeds and follow me there.<br /></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-12627682101289538412010-06-16T08:06:00.003-07:002010-06-16T08:16:52.039-07:00Birthday Wishes<div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#3366ff;">Today We celebrate my beautiful Mom's 89th Birthday!</span></strong> </div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483390518188222146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj13jhVebec1Th8IWDcaNCEj4d0OdRRch5zeC8O9l_sOb2e8fFufiZaEFjdZcFvpyn81whyphenhyphenn_c6GBKUKuHvmJ1GFBl0r0hAPrbZGfGRFi5A8FAx5GwW_ZCFo4eL7oX2QMfUcnKJLw/s400/P1070702.JPG" /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Dear Mom,</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Even though Dick and I won't get to share this beautiful June 16th day with you, we send you our love and best wishes for a wonderful Birthday!</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Thank you Mom for all of your unconditional love, care, worry, joy, your laugh, your laughter. We can't tell you how many times you've carried us through with one of the above!</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Have a beautiful day, and celebrate with the family that is able to show tonight! Enjoy the love and the attention, you deserve it all and so much more. We will celebrate together very soon, we promise!</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Always and forever,</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Dick and Allyson</span></strong></div><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">xxxx oooo</span></strong></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-7229788391311757922010-06-15T14:48:00.004-07:002010-06-15T15:17:34.444-07:00Feeling Sad Today<div align="justify"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Our daughter Cathy and husband Cliff along with their six little children are moving tomorrow. Oh I know on many levels that I shouldn't feel this way. But feel it I do. They aren't moving too far away, only about 65.5 km (checked it out on a google map) which translates to about an hour away vs. 20 minutes. We will obviously still visit, have wonderful celebrations, great chats and lots of hugs and kisses, we just have to go a little farther out to do so. It's psychological.<br /><br />All of a sudden all of our children live about 45 or 60 minutes away. Feels weird and lonely in The Grove. It's psychological.<br /><br />I know, we can Skype (if my computer doesn't act up) and of course I expect daily pictures (moving if possible) of all the goings on. It's even going to be long-distance telephone calls. It's psychological.<br /><br />Enough of my pity party.<br /><br />We just know they are so very happy with their decision. A lovely home, even relatives close by, just not us! The kids are excited and a little scared too. The unknown, new friends, new schools but the also lots of new adventures, new places to explore and share with us.<br /><br />Cathy, Cliff, Cameron, Claire, Carly, Catie, Caroline and Coco, may God bless you in your new home. May you have more happiness than you thought possible, more joy than you thought possible and have wonderful new adventures. We love you dearly.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483126276237186770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlcquL0JeEWo3AlPIAAcmKwmuwz3wQtB8cx0-Kfdr-zqQ1EJnthFEtMy_rIiS6LY-9oNfGalD_i5K4b3ggHXfS599Kpmf7hnRYNugNC8SPxkkEQm_blWhAnWcgMTa3Yu1FACz7Q/s400/IMG_7985bwws.jpg" /> <p align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">cathyempey.com took this beautiful picture of their children last Sunday<br /></span></strong></span><br /></p><div align="center"><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Goodbye Murrayville Mom,<br />I Love You,<br />Murrayville Mom's Mom<br />xxx<br /><br /></div></strong></span>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-72567834497076162362010-06-02T12:17:00.003-07:002010-06-02T12:20:20.300-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroUb8ywDLP69tr8BHtc7V8u3OCvp43onx6CW-eEM1pYIp762Fask_nLQmqDhNXm1JLkSu_b0BgFnk6HH20i83kMGgQUL-LJ6vImKK0nc9ZoFZ8pjtthskLJxfZRkbxcP24l-cYg/s1600/P1120731.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478258075003713938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroUb8ywDLP69tr8BHtc7V8u3OCvp43onx6CW-eEM1pYIp762Fask_nLQmqDhNXm1JLkSu_b0BgFnk6HH20i83kMGgQUL-LJ6vImKK0nc9ZoFZ8pjtthskLJxfZRkbxcP24l-cYg/s400/P1120731.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNO4SIoYHJvee4nCsdQNJ9MsqqTBWl62i1Zlusanu-5fofohObSGaXl87L-3_G078hOQDhgreuhAAKaOiZktbszqVcsc4xWAy0BPVBfRL2QL4Yor3HmEj-QAFxC-SFHGI5r8RHA/s1600/30656_395324391019_561461019_4771363_4581382_n.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478258068708118354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNO4SIoYHJvee4nCsdQNJ9MsqqTBWl62i1Zlusanu-5fofohObSGaXl87L-3_G078hOQDhgreuhAAKaOiZktbszqVcsc4xWAy0BPVBfRL2QL4Yor3HmEj-QAFxC-SFHGI5r8RHA/s400/30656_395324391019_561461019_4771363_4581382_n.jpg" /></a>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-25252866948633215262010-05-26T14:45:00.001-07:002010-05-26T14:52:10.426-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFLYfAPLmj7SCsuL9pS3WwZXNaGWkvd-ncP2A6UcqWkgSWte5XpNq_k3XXRLLWtuP2p6XEJdnbMlfVkwjmiD6AwQD3bzvsph6Ud28169_Vbrrwf8lOXNXC2f3tXRZKjGHnuhNdw/s1600/P1120606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFLYfAPLmj7SCsuL9pS3WwZXNaGWkvd-ncP2A6UcqWkgSWte5XpNq_k3XXRLLWtuP2p6XEJdnbMlfVkwjmiD6AwQD3bzvsph6Ud28169_Vbrrwf8lOXNXC2f3tXRZKjGHnuhNdw/s400/P1120606.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475699642014324514" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX7i1NgOAniD3qOl8BwNkn6VEeJW7ayomqpChJ84SROQQ3yrml66UfA5z4P0uQ2XwW0xB0Izs_pO5sQFyuZuFPr5j6Zm4JUXpHh_QF5KTuyzhgFqc8OMWP8xJQH_YBkRLM6H25g/s1600/P1120589.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX7i1NgOAniD3qOl8BwNkn6VEeJW7ayomqpChJ84SROQQ3yrml66UfA5z4P0uQ2XwW0xB0Izs_pO5sQFyuZuFPr5j6Zm4JUXpHh_QF5KTuyzhgFqc8OMWP8xJQH_YBkRLM6H25g/s400/P1120589.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475699635143782626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw2v6c_ZP9Vs_xxP4mOAdNxFAoERVGkrTRuX-gUTJMOMhGlfZPpjxConE_VH3e3YNwQFEym7uaiUsSgeTEuOfW9uPfMaicKpRv7XFxpzAv_iBq-5s_nSZPty9AbtMHKw4Ysnsew/s1600/P1120514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBw2v6c_ZP9Vs_xxP4mOAdNxFAoERVGkrTRuX-gUTJMOMhGlfZPpjxConE_VH3e3YNwQFEym7uaiUsSgeTEuOfW9uPfMaicKpRv7XFxpzAv_iBq-5s_nSZPty9AbtMHKw4Ysnsew/s400/P1120514.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475699623150628146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBi3M-HbKT8EfFjO0SX3Bq-vjY0tHTRqcWbY68nggnHC4i9fQ2C3IOZbugktr6UauweQJTVYZDviHfKJdSB_ajteLH6P_Glz1DkOlqmckrgIaSTQYcG6dBZHkSC4tGK4frNL8UA/s1600/P1120647.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigBi3M-HbKT8EfFjO0SX3Bq-vjY0tHTRqcWbY68nggnHC4i9fQ2C3IOZbugktr6UauweQJTVYZDviHfKJdSB_ajteLH6P_Glz1DkOlqmckrgIaSTQYcG6dBZHkSC4tGK4frNL8UA/s400/P1120647.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475699609044664002" /></a>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-27779862360281277522010-05-15T13:32:00.003-07:002010-05-15T14:07:21.791-07:00400 Miles and Counting<div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>Today, Dick and I hit a milestone. <br /><br /></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>If you read one of my earlier blogs then you are familiar with the 500 Mile Challenge that we, along with about 60 others are participating in.</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><br /><br /><br /><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong>Today's a big day for us because this week's walking total of 24 1/2 miles brings our grand total to 400 miles! </strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong><br /><br />Thank you feet, thank you knees, thank you legs, thank you Dick for our journey thus far!</strong></span></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><strong></strong></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471600416003117762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uk8FUmEVDR8wbvzvqUUWFS-Ay4VQnZFclrDRUxuAs2tR_0TAG57AJFL1-lthoDai88e_r2lYVg_M4V3Gj1v5U5RelZnEDDQuh34eA1QMExXN8B6W-bMPR6dF8k1nZC1tRScXYA/s400/P1120448.JPG" /> <p align="center"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong><em>These shoes are made for walking!</em></strong></span></p>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-24153409085999430492010-05-13T00:05:00.005-07:002010-05-13T00:20:58.468-07:00Baby Love!<div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Each time I see one of my daughters with their newborn babe, I am always reminded of what love is and what it is like to be loved. </span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">What I mean by that is, and I think it each and every time, watching a baby being loved by his or her mommy and daddy, the caresses and the stroking, and the gazing and the kissing, and the smiling, well if you were lucky, that's just exactly how your mom and daddy treated you. It makes me well up just thinking about it.</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">Pappa and I had the pleasure of visiting our newest little Grandson Colby today and that all encompassing love is what we saw today.</span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_37iCKMwqD17PbPOzLIB8F9fj86omdG2SZCbv1uTrqE0D-8hANLn1G89P5Nmw-Pl39X1eAQ1GWulksiak891Lighd5r1Q1v_fTfANx6tRafSo40Wbn7wRzH7P0BZIxgfQjLofg/s1600/P1120440.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470649439011669250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_37iCKMwqD17PbPOzLIB8F9fj86omdG2SZCbv1uTrqE0D-8hANLn1G89P5Nmw-Pl39X1eAQ1GWulksiak891Lighd5r1Q1v_fTfANx6tRafSo40Wbn7wRzH7P0BZIxgfQjLofg/s400/P1120440.JPG" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRSIk-2nX4KDh5QeZ9Kr6ZsbNaff05QohkHO3KmADeqj5pcMF_FtpOKNpdejwCReNIYsWITyi4GoEhBJA4Aqu8ybPEbBcKmgUaPBiFRHnAP5Sh2WrceRAALhUkgvvn7pA3LmTA/s1600/P1120441.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470649432080903666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuRSIk-2nX4KDh5QeZ9Kr6ZsbNaff05QohkHO3KmADeqj5pcMF_FtpOKNpdejwCReNIYsWITyi4GoEhBJA4Aqu8ybPEbBcKmgUaPBiFRHnAP5Sh2WrceRAALhUkgvvn7pA3LmTA/s400/P1120441.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBY8XdMuAzi3ZKbP2GR4AkpuB2eeaRPAT908l7QASum7UFms5H-1zm4WdacdG9iOp-W6CcDqgfzSksKaPu0TFAt2aBv8nFaIKp8M4K-HimSOikOMfqRmlVkr8JTqweWqfmRlfqA/s1600/P1120442.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470649428627072802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXBY8XdMuAzi3ZKbP2GR4AkpuB2eeaRPAT908l7QASum7UFms5H-1zm4WdacdG9iOp-W6CcDqgfzSksKaPu0TFAt2aBv8nFaIKp8M4K-HimSOikOMfqRmlVkr8JTqweWqfmRlfqA/s400/P1120442.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFyKN-vnSTG5EgNVDfsXc65-R_aiMYHg4BS1OxYd2jZmZkV3SbUk6PjcIm22AS1D4C52uPaWJH_SYBAFR4tKd8BH-Wjz09nzfgbnhaBxaI6pWrjm_7MCUAU0mEgBcm1Wl4zyY1g/s1600/P1120443.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470649413204365842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeFyKN-vnSTG5EgNVDfsXc65-R_aiMYHg4BS1OxYd2jZmZkV3SbUk6PjcIm22AS1D4C52uPaWJH_SYBAFR4tKd8BH-Wjz09nzfgbnhaBxaI6pWrjm_7MCUAU0mEgBcm1Wl4zyY1g/s400/P1120443.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71FjIq-oVDApgM-1yxI9AMGQNf44qQ6_3yJx1TK_Q7Wr8npkDTomyiu0PqwCWGv57voTXpWy8ByFI4R_GgPPMXjSFdPFGVCC9Bh6Cm2LrvUo0pnBSSS2HApZVp0E22XQCjoGjKw/s1600/P1120444.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470649408139533506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh71FjIq-oVDApgM-1yxI9AMGQNf44qQ6_3yJx1TK_Q7Wr8npkDTomyiu0PqwCWGv57voTXpWy8ByFI4R_GgPPMXjSFdPFGVCC9Bh6Cm2LrvUo0pnBSSS2HApZVp0E22XQCjoGjKw/s400/P1120444.JPG" /></a> <strong><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">First comes love, then comes marriage, </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#3366ff;">and then comes Colby in a baby carriage!<br /></span><span style="color:#3366ff;">Amy and Tyler you are blessed.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;"></span></strong></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-59507220069433318872010-05-12T09:18:00.002-07:002010-05-12T09:24:56.589-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44xT0u1AsE8jYA5C6rlHmBd9NVUbkqnpwe-f-TsYK5kiDSOmGDxoptSS9LLQSrU4fpCLQNC6fzdWZIWorZqyIviSWNYv86n969d7AjFMKOlpCOe6enzrpvIl1RX4beVCkNJK6Jg/s1600/P1120378.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470420108575448802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44xT0u1AsE8jYA5C6rlHmBd9NVUbkqnpwe-f-TsYK5kiDSOmGDxoptSS9LLQSrU4fpCLQNC6fzdWZIWorZqyIviSWNYv86n969d7AjFMKOlpCOe6enzrpvIl1RX4beVCkNJK6Jg/s400/P1120378.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwFOuhQgQO3dZUIa2FFxl_CQghuLeZw31dCtqtpbKIg4XcwMUCsVFo96nB6n-ONf6Iznj-bWwrEy3VA2Mnoq_R6yfcRhvUwCHEb-ojJ60evJZF69TCs-G4kFlq8hvYy6iE-m6PQ/s1600/P1120404.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470420096295581666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiwFOuhQgQO3dZUIa2FFxl_CQghuLeZw31dCtqtpbKIg4XcwMUCsVFo96nB6n-ONf6Iznj-bWwrEy3VA2Mnoq_R6yfcRhvUwCHEb-ojJ60evJZF69TCs-G4kFlq8hvYy6iE-m6PQ/s400/P1120404.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQeoMdptIz1QlTkPNFXyF-L-zJGoIEWa-cdPt44iyzb1G7b2QtmNTAjLCzwdyDTHhyphenhyphen8ontD3ZosJ6LccZsuOkKzGxy1BFU2a9i__aEzgaJMj05ALm7NkGgBvjYSLk70hTbjFrbg/s1600/P1120299.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470420093234142194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIQeoMdptIz1QlTkPNFXyF-L-zJGoIEWa-cdPt44iyzb1G7b2QtmNTAjLCzwdyDTHhyphenhyphen8ontD3ZosJ6LccZsuOkKzGxy1BFU2a9i__aEzgaJMj05ALm7NkGgBvjYSLk70hTbjFrbg/s400/P1120299.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb4ILY_7M5MOBzqcqDBGmXahAZiIivrxCNrE1kMSxXvEPsLIGG_kAU3Mgjpjm4t_CeiGn3BReIFsMha_0d-Vgv6iVuJrWvZBlufDOuJ9K9XlisJegZ_iYfzA2COrrFRKVdJJ_vA/s1600/P1120293.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470420084956679730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifb4ILY_7M5MOBzqcqDBGmXahAZiIivrxCNrE1kMSxXvEPsLIGG_kAU3Mgjpjm4t_CeiGn3BReIFsMha_0d-Vgv6iVuJrWvZBlufDOuJ9K9XlisJegZ_iYfzA2COrrFRKVdJJ_vA/s400/P1120293.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-60362162935569446182010-05-11T13:33:00.010-07:002010-05-11T15:23:21.976-07:00Crossing Over the Mighty Fraser River<div align="justify">This morning my beloved enticed me with the promise of a trip to "Dagwoods" in Maple Ridge. A nice offer of a bacon and egger beckoned, but first we'd have to walk there, which is for us, is about a 55 minutes, one way, over the lovely new Golden Ears Bridge.</div><div align="justify"><br />Before the bridge opened the only way to Maple Ridge from our place was either by HWY 1 over the Port Mann Bridge and then drive all the way around, or, we could drive to Fort Langley and take the little Albion Ferry over. Both routes took a long time out of your day. You were either driving forever in a ton of traffic, or, you were waiting for sailing after sailing, waiting for your turn to ride the ferry. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Here are some pictures of our last trip over the Albion Ferry. They were taken May 4/09.</div><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470124541457022226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnCREOgdtyuAB7naYlkgZpLGSsE8zPUVbv_QEBRo7Nwp1YxYeD5Acism7Tcz4JOq_hLchZI3iPlSsSO1eEN3PfT21hboR9YtRGEOIOZ8xosCorowRtIBfjqtknJ4hNtbSno1imA/s400/P1060640.JPG" />All crammed in and ready to sail.<br /></p><p align="justify"><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470124533020242722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedOfWkkXVitTsv5sdeO6RgG5QwrM0aQkEpE70NiY_W8dCPdeRmN_7pVsEZGaqEST7URybFg-goAZp_ZpWR_DtB3zeR8xvGeLyXOcpXZ1iKuQes0dlFKYJatNd85HRZMSEfU2t2g/s400/P1060633.JPG" />There's Maple Ridge in the background! </p><p align="justify"><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470124521928470226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViM-TjQoz-TJptGYrt9iRQncvBw3x_RKZ6AAfoB1ZFDf5nmaKg1s1ugL2G-bdrFmI6G64sLP341M7MxXElAEO7VnbEUk-lATWKim4y2qrfOSxGW-CEJMItGKrN1E9rzd1g6bAPg/s400/P1060631.JPG" /><br /></p><p align="justify">Today though we walked over in perfect "walking" weather.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470122038443557746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6E1uIhLPXZR6HnObVffdmkF7_Fo6vdgWh5dJDCXb4aD3nHyjEifKBYrWTNU8w1r3AD1pIZo7q_k9RjDGYiXKHURjf_j0rsdrx3KJapOQMAsJhSfKE5V83snMXjlcp1Ew9yb5Y-Q/s400/P1120406.JPG" /> On the long ramp leading up to the bridge you get to look down and see all of the industry going on. So this is what people do when they're not retired! The neat thing is, from so high up it reminds us of when we were little kids and you had little toy towns, little models, all neat and orderly. Everything in its' place. That's what it looks like when you look down from the bridge.<br /><br />First off, the metal scrap yard.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470122033628550690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr1EE97SBGhSUiUIZF2is8zlGC6l57qfBNvPOvHdAs3uAzv4VmBwaMHE3lhBANO8OssM2k3Jca5biYpfDZXMWiXJeJQt3zW-RykyU4-S3vrgTrSfNPNe7cQ99tajBLKQiRJq-7hA/s400/P1120407.JPG" /><br /></p><p align="justify">The bridge awaits!<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470121216350464514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigk-RJUJ_b2tb0C3fvyGd8rGZg_s6L1qcRcScV9xdyGfD0O_yxh6QifD9reO70efq50HOF-z_V9kg2gBIa7ikOSXPYFj6dbizCb8FR97OTSbW8eqXD6xLVkBQbEYq4hKXMdXUNGg/s400/P1120408.JPG" /><br /><br />Note puddle in foreground, called that one in today. Last time we walked here on the 6th, it was about 40' long and about an inch deep and no other way around it but to go through it!<br /><br />Next up, the gravel pit! It's fun to watch the goings on down there. <p align="justify">Did you know? It takes one load from a Caterpiller's bucket to fill the front truck bed, and one and a half loads to fill the larger truck bed behind it. The caterpiller operators are so skilled when they place the loads into the truck beds, tamping the last load down very gently, which is something we hadn't expected. </p><p align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU2mEHImMbV3-iOoyhEOK9ACBNmilSjZQOba6OCrICeqN8VLzXxPByoZspIUpvuKbaRwSPUiiCI2V2gSNGtNmMKTISHHLXTl8X7DWfKEHMO-3fJS2abwlp67w1mU_Lmoy0p-fdA/s1600/P1120409.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470121213444024930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU2mEHImMbV3-iOoyhEOK9ACBNmilSjZQOba6OCrICeqN8VLzXxPByoZspIUpvuKbaRwSPUiiCI2V2gSNGtNmMKTISHHLXTl8X7DWfKEHMO-3fJS2abwlp67w1mU_Lmoy0p-fdA/s400/P1120409.JPG" /></a><br />The sand and gravel are barged in on the Fraser River and travel by conveyor belts into the yard.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Zwd2L6nLv5_vOGR-K19bLly4wgrLHpDLPXBLdymi-SffMuF4C233RFM_IdLU1GAjfTIG_5WNCpPG_sW1bXIQxdY9J6U2C6-Y4Uogm8-9vc7I6zSvv3krVTdJvhlolDcGr7LHg/s1600/P1120410.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470121201521133410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ8Zwd2L6nLv5_vOGR-K19bLly4wgrLHpDLPXBLdymi-SffMuF4C233RFM_IdLU1GAjfTIG_5WNCpPG_sW1bXIQxdY9J6U2C6-Y4Uogm8-9vc7I6zSvv3krVTdJvhlolDcGr7LHg/s400/P1120410.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWi6aVl5Ltlh_BRmLVoMqVUuXLUwPIl59p34YkmoRr3X0kRVkiMXs9iAMqpbUFYGlnk2WizQk3zeKsqMpLzTQGr6yL9VPUbdkhVkQGH5iPBwijtIaEGj2fvYzWkXS-wVWiX6lyw/s1600/P1120411.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470121198287507858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWi6aVl5Ltlh_BRmLVoMqVUuXLUwPIl59p34YkmoRr3X0kRVkiMXs9iAMqpbUFYGlnk2WizQk3zeKsqMpLzTQGr6yL9VPUbdkhVkQGH5iPBwijtIaEGj2fvYzWkXS-wVWiX6lyw/s400/P1120411.JPG" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>One of the trucks being loaded.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwPq4CJH69YKV6UvYyy_3txBkEHSi1rNPdHZEsAmTeYYK9ylOX9xeD_ioVL6mzOeG9xHBrMd5ykaxymSi9-ZEyktoVn4LZV600a9GlWTl6ELKauorWbhdwUkqKWg4tcPnJNJMzQ/s1600/P1120412.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470121193597319570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiwPq4CJH69YKV6UvYyy_3txBkEHSi1rNPdHZEsAmTeYYK9ylOX9xeD_ioVL6mzOeG9xHBrMd5ykaxymSi9-ZEyktoVn4LZV600a9GlWTl6ELKauorWbhdwUkqKWg4tcPnJNJMzQ/s400/P1120412.JPG" /></a><br />Off the barge, into the hopper, and over to the yard on a conveyor belt for this load.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eL_wqjwH0cadHq5yA_lFojr1I_6Jrs74M6NiG88eOgyTDKDW88tdEklRYez0uJ6LCA9vXe3eFPiqyru9a-KEYrTk09gDtBmSev5GPL0iRAXLB1tdYOdY1vIAGWKoS-mh_SRNFw/s1600/P1120413.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470117557915508754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eL_wqjwH0cadHq5yA_lFojr1I_6Jrs74M6NiG88eOgyTDKDW88tdEklRYez0uJ6LCA9vXe3eFPiqyru9a-KEYrTk09gDtBmSev5GPL0iRAXLB1tdYOdY1vIAGWKoS-mh_SRNFw/s400/P1120413.JPG" /></a><br /></div><div>The foreshore lined with old auto wrecks.<br /><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470116121598100146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp-VWSycvapXS6tl34Y2_AlPK-_gEfAZgx2nC1BFz8PF5Kwf_XXIjw3CJcndWdbP_6wue3VX7uQt6rPs-350srAJ8eML9UwxUB1xlduktlHtryWCgvmsOf_W5DG75Iy2xdcrMoqA/s400/P1120415.JPG" /><br /></div><div>My beloved . You can see one of the barges over his left shoulder.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470117538551836610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyl4Gm9FpA1bo8KJbGqB8j5gLsZmck55b6kjwY77rdVNWZc7GtpXTzMWDbkvbpjJVHimoFHEGblIkZerL6UxItxwhia7IYYUDGfvzylWcQ6Tmcq-XeYV1MNAW8m-HOp7KqHW8dg/s400/P1120420.JPG" /> <div> </div><div> </div><div>One of four "piers" that supports the bridge.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gb4cKXdnMlTmnaXwu3f-PVqZ_TryM0PNhBgeaa3qCLxaQ_YUI9Zekt1xJMxZS_Ajq-ZeXU2Dd7LvQ9fznLYZkFS9olgY2-Dx9S-FFmKprtf-dJvrHPvfBLzW4vT9-bDQ7u-aEA/s1600/P1120417.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470117553472561346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gb4cKXdnMlTmnaXwu3f-PVqZ_TryM0PNhBgeaa3qCLxaQ_YUI9Zekt1xJMxZS_Ajq-ZeXU2Dd7LvQ9fznLYZkFS9olgY2-Dx9S-FFmKprtf-dJvrHPvfBLzW4vT9-bDQ7u-aEA/s400/P1120417.JPG" /></a> </div><div></div><div><br />Looking East right smack, dab, in the middle of the bridge.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJUXFpCXkDG1rnwQWNi107nZKpUXGC4CSvrnIWmIuaP8m49DYT5S4sYxJMwOejJ-Smtawh9hsQ23lCAEGFq0E5fahqrdIHf1ftBiBjoXkHxRZxPdE_duFWKtMCBu3APJnDe8aEg/s1600/P1120425.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470117528075004898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJUXFpCXkDG1rnwQWNi107nZKpUXGC4CSvrnIWmIuaP8m49DYT5S4sYxJMwOejJ-Smtawh9hsQ23lCAEGFq0E5fahqrdIHf1ftBiBjoXkHxRZxPdE_duFWKtMCBu3APJnDe8aEg/s400/P1120425.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjabATRjpKoTnehBCvZfajR_coobFMskEbGZyrCjcc1zalNrrA4kH6gTx_27lq5gTzuJ_7xorsPlHVIE4o76c5JSMCErnykoNMQlsYVXyfiNBhRCTytCKS1btOdEG_U3ymne47Q/s1600/P1120422.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470116112384581410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjabATRjpKoTnehBCvZfajR_coobFMskEbGZyrCjcc1zalNrrA4kH6gTx_27lq5gTzuJ_7xorsPlHVIE4o76c5JSMCErnykoNMQlsYVXyfiNBhRCTytCKS1btOdEG_U3ymne47Q/s400/P1120422.JPG" /></a> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div>Two crazy old birds enjoying life!<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlKIWA_SpNZDIbgK50anTsra4m8OCtHjT8maw5_XzdzvXdK9E-NuhY_yylPeNJrR2Amz8o0BQfviOlWKMKNjAISOIMDYtFbvt8FUe0cEJ11gX9ItQwM9RswXeX2a1R2vIcJrdMA/s1600/P1120423.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470116102735438066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPlKIWA_SpNZDIbgK50anTsra4m8OCtHjT8maw5_XzdzvXdK9E-NuhY_yylPeNJrR2Amz8o0BQfviOlWKMKNjAISOIMDYtFbvt8FUe0cEJ11gX9ItQwM9RswXeX2a1R2vIcJrdMA/s400/P1120423.JPG" /></a><br />Destination Dagwood is in sight just over the bridge!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMEz9tfnMcr0G3yUWxUN4BzK3yceey_lhaJZ6XjCtHiFDRtmem_gqgyuWhA8IMdH8Wlu9TuHPWvnH3SP_uR3RO_P7YYaL3n7vcOxQecQLx6prIv_FxlF-WUqKmq1dRZymd6EWRg/s1600/P1120424.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470116099334669666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMEz9tfnMcr0G3yUWxUN4BzK3yceey_lhaJZ6XjCtHiFDRtmem_gqgyuWhA8IMdH8Wlu9TuHPWvnH3SP_uR3RO_P7YYaL3n7vcOxQecQLx6prIv_FxlF-WUqKmq1dRZymd6EWRg/s400/P1120424.JPG" /></a> <div></div><div align="justify">We made it to the other side of the river! </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">This end is equally fascinating, lots of docks and working boats and boat houses. I'm sending my beloved down there with his water colours!<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470117520126798978" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/S-nC5xLMbII/AAAAAAAACrM/ixyzQ0PrgBo/s400/P1120427.JPG" /> <p align="justify"><br /><br />Well folks, that's the walk in one thousand words or less!! And let me tell you, that bacon and egger was delisch!<br /></p>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-6350244882225097772010-05-10T15:37:00.012-07:002010-05-11T13:33:29.200-07:00"The Sins of the Fathers"<div align="justify"><div align="justify">If you were like me and went to Sunday School in the '50s you probably heard a bible passage that goes something like this, "the sins of the fathers will be revisited upon the third and fourth generations". I paraphrase owing to lack of memory, but the passage itself and its' meaning, even though I was but a wee lassy, really stands out for me. Also, the '50s, were weren't so PC, saying "father" rather than "parent" or even "mother" for that matter!<br /><br />Today's blog isn't religious, it was just the passage that came rolling back over my brain today and let me tell you why.<br /><br /><span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong><em>A little history:</em></strong></span><br />When our three daughters were little girls, they loved gum so much that they would scrape it off the sidewalk, eww, or where ever it was that they might be "lucky enough" to "find" some previously chewed gum, and pop it in their mouths. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I can't tell you how many times I cautioned them against doing so. How many times I caught them in the act, and I hate to admit it now, but even in desperation did the old bar of soap in the mouth trick slash punishment! For that girls, I truly apologize and would for anything in the world, take that back! Not that it really worked anyway.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong>Fast forward to our delightful Mother's Day Lunch:</strong></span><br /></em>After all of the noshing and decadence that a buffet entails, the adults were chatting here and there and likewise the children. Little cousins who hadn't seen each other in a while started to break off in little groups. One little group consisting of Cathy's Catie, April's Abby and my beautiful Niece's son "M", decided to get together under the table. It was a perfect spot hidden from the roving eyes of an attentive parent. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">It wasn't until my niece said to Cathy and April, "look under the table" that we saw them there. It just so happened it was right under the table at which I was sitting, so in true Nanny fashion, thinking it would be cute to take a few pictures of them, I simply lifted up the table cloth and tried to get a picture or two of our little darlings. Now If I weren't a Nanny, I probably would have gotten down on my knees, but no, no, no, not me, I just lifted the table cloth up and randomly shot pictures. There, that's my excuse for the poor pictures that you will see below.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Well these three found a perfect little hide-away almost tent like, but with benefits. (And if, I had gotten down on my knees might have noticed). Yup, you guessed it, old, pre-chewed wads of gum in varying colours of white and blue and green! </div><div align="justify"><br /><br /></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong><em>Unto the Second Generation, at least as far as two of our daughter's are concerned!</em></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469783935555675714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbVaELRa9osyaq_avJKuRmN9l-9CGNFRBK_-4JWaATXR5DZje2IMj05i5GRDojOUkf0EWUPOyDhVdgoq0wxQlRkN10fW3kw2w0Atw1aknAe7X2retBGE-psSr_0gPbA0ncWHWbA/s400/P1120357.JPG" /></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#33ccff;">Yup, in living colour, Cathy and April's daughters hard at work! Not "M" though, sure wouldn't want to tar him with the same brush! That wouldn't be right!</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#33ccff;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469783927570024242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7IcvSHM1hHYT1qDBuzOUl3b1eaCcNQdwpUMbZ7QoVRXFJGKyssRJCpZD-YJNnZBkHA5sPHyW3xhffDvvbHSt-gNXrzZUIW6LmiBREoRvatBy8szhj3uMu3qmqHtbGSCNa-Kn9HQ/s400/P1120358.JPG" /></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><em></em></span></strong></div><strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#33ccff;"><em>Still hard at it!</em></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469783921661217970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbjWE7ABS3vhObCLMqjB5HtjZUD7EO6Pk9MGx2u4wAlHkkq1j8py6z9HNwpV7h_SGuLSfhAFMviaFSh2DWItvDhGz1usxhCanpWy5j5GBUEWY7FFGgBlH6rerRH3cA_dCzNXSnA/s400/P1120359.JPG" /></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469783913617384978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhV2fB6LfSq-wIKn2WXWzc42HRUbYqwI_ysZK93z1ongiq6gBzAJmUyGG1OuQQuFrKvp25Kp7R5L_Ih096BqS5ev1QOZOpi7L-vHFS1rdbCfxH8r7zHKONHStKBAp6BCG9_UGXg/s400/P1120355.JPG" /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#33ccff;"><em>Ooopsie, spoke to soon, sorry Andrea!</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469782406459809650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsUI64H_pgwNIwhz6KuZpLsSuy6gJoAE7c_LtWZiBdcH0ERaBKkldId5fd4ajyAFe8vE5AaGrlnWhufTjLllXNDMHZPiaW03S3xJPK3qHUSmpANLSb1LklBqXHArwmUv4w06Nn_A/s400/P1120361.JPG" /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#33ccff;"><em>Pick, pick, pick, pick!</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469782393338711266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpJ69bxeb4S0r2-Oe_MTDUVBYeO5UdD3Aef7Rs62LZMNOqrgL7K3NynEyUrT7AeOi3dns6h9q-e8GV8E-IuRudHmSAHmy9FAMWuwLhZO78Xc4FftGvPZ4c0rgAAim8LbqcQWQvRw/s400/P1120382.JPG" /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#33ccff;"><em>Getting a better view Abby?</em></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#33ccff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469782384918548514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7LouVp3hzUfGd6zQ8qIrrZTN3203avkFmRpA2GMtIqO8XAi_HKyZYiw69cjAFMpifSCDgvKXayjZK1OielYYeajqQ7NhAeLVLQii6VD9u6AidexOAa9g0Yut3qau7rSRBcG6ZQ/s400/P1120354.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="color:#33ccff;"><strong><em>Isn't he a cutie pie?</em></strong></span><br /></span><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">Standing Joke in our Family!</span></em></strong> When I take pictures I usually always say, "How is this picture? I don't have my glasses on." They usually chide me, heck, I'd go so far as to say, they make fun of me~wear the shoe if it fits kids~and honestly, I didn't even look at these pictures until I got home and downloaded them. Or, I never, ever would have let this go on!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />In fact, it only took the parental units, aka, the Mother's to notice that there was gum under the tables and promptly shooed them all out from underneath.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#33ccff;">Disclaimer:</span></em></strong><br />We have no reason whatsoever to believe they actually "chewed" any of offending gum!-LOL. In fact, a very short while later our granddaughter, Coco, was given gum and as I was all Nanny paranoid, said: "What are you chewing?" "Give that to me!" "Coco, give me that gum!" and I scooped it out of her mouth, all the while unbeknownst to me, her mother had given her some!!!!<br /><br /><br />Poor kid! That's what happens when the "sins of the mothers" comes back to haunt their mother! I owe you a piece Coco, a fresh piece that is!<br /></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-42950367641355031612010-05-08T14:06:00.008-07:002010-05-08T15:40:01.580-07:00Others, Mothers and Daughters<div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">On the cusp of Mother's Day my Mom phoned and told me that a dear, gentle woman, our friend, Pastor Ann Strand, died suddenly. I had the priviledge of working with her as church administrator when our church was in need of an Interim Pastor. Over many coffees in the office and lunches in restaurants and later on, serving on a Synod committee together, I learned so much from this amazing woman. I am sad to think that I will never again have an opportunity for a hug, a shared memory or a smile. Rest in Peace dear Ann. You are loved and remembered by all who were blessed to know you.</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;">* * * *</span></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;">On a happier note, I am looking forward to tomorrow when two beautiful women, my Mom and my Mom-In-Law, along with the majority of our families will be together to celebrate them. They will meet the newest member of our family, Master Colby, and probably be squashed, stepped on, sat upon, smiled upon and perhaps even drooled upon if they play their cards right, by many of their Great Grandchildren who will be there too! </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Our moms are amazing and an inspiration to the family. Both now widowed and in their 80s (I won't say where they are in that category), living in their own homes and living full, rich, and for the most, part healthy lives. We are well and truly blessed. Thank you dear ones for all of your love and care and worry throughout the years! We celebrate YOU! We LOVE you!</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;">O u r M o m s</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469014781748471586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRfTz3qe737ac_jp-MaRKQ3nl78hTad73zy2Q4PUlYrQcw87jXz4GQl1zUOAE5Mte3clTKZ-njfYYD6zpm1TtYT9CPJZmhluiI9jopeYHfuohfG7FWYkkP48Dc0OwMZuidrJ958w/s400/P1000208.JPG" /><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;">This picture was taken the day before our Granddaughter Coco was born. About 2 and half years ago and for those who know and love them, they would say they look just the same~fantastic! </span></em></strong><br /><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#33ff33;">* * * *</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"></div><p align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;">I dedicate this blog to our beautiful daughter's Cathy, April and Amy. I cannot for the life of me imagine what life would be like without you. Full Stop. You have brought the greatest joy, love and laughter to our lives. A richness unimagined. From infanthood to following your heart into adulthood, what a grand journey it has been. To watch each and everyone of you blossom into motherhood, a gift.</span></strong><br /></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#33ff33;"></span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#33ff33;">C a t h y</span> </span><br /></p><p><strong><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469022999573262994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwx2J-GSCAqloA4DMHkNzSIWxtqIiP8BwpsnSmRa4EM8V0hQOMKQ-8C9hzIb9ceHCwGthLb6u4a4M19amJev7xLOmqTpamJyR0trAE7WmXKqhFgImNJmrRLkyPeyWHUPEiLTg6NA/s400/27798_1486325037154_1204762423_31366417_8062487_n.jpg" /></span></strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Cathy and her darlings, Cameron, Claire, Carly, Catie, Caroline and Coco. </strong></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Picture t</strong></span><strong><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;">aken last summer by: </span><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></strong><a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kyleperison.com%2Fblog%2F&h=b70d8"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kyleperison.com%2Fblog%2F&h=b70d8</strong></span></a> </p><p></p><p align="center"><br /><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><strong></strong></span><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:180%;">A p r i l</span> </span></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#33ff33;"></span> </p><p align="center"><span style="color:#33ff33;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></p></span></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469023016039772018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFM6xeivCikJKbXthSeBOxxL00Wk5oh1RHNWh0EyG_-Jzq6685fJMkndp188vJ3JbdnWBcHwarnYCtc-ylcvx2x5cwjX_7pxpG8EaYjzl6oEX2bFQFJBrGcbEjolC0w1Zs4FAmg/s400/IMG_8899bw.jpg" /> <p></p><p><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>This beautiful picture of April and Nick and their children, Hudson and Abby was taken by Cathy last December. </strong></span><a href="http://www.cathyempey.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>http://www.cathyempey.com/</strong></span></a></p><p></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#33ff33;"><strong>A m y</strong></span></p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469023009115634450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC68DhRpsfDQbuI_zuzxZF4Df9C7jUHu0huXHMdbadg77blGa0OhjkrGfNRDu8SjYF_X-yHBTpijjh1IkF9hi6C6mZebV9L44XQGt9wFOPD79_70FJV5mNjIE0byLa47u863jolQ/s400/P1120260.JPG" /></p><p><span style="font-size:78%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong>Amy and her pride and joy Colby. This picture was taken by yours truly just hours after they were released from the hospital.</strong></span></p><p align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#cc66cc;"><strong><span style="color:#33ff33;">HAPPY</span> MOTHER'S <span style="color:#33ff33;">DAY</span> EVERYONE!</strong></span><br /></p></span>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-188963545299343112010-05-04T14:05:00.008-07:002010-05-04T15:20:20.787-07:00A Mother's Pride and Joy-Some Blog Love!<div align="justify">As we lunching at Cathy and Cliff's on Caroline's 4th Birthday, I received an unexpected offer that I couldn't refuse. Cathy asked me if I'd like to accompany her on a photo shoot and not just any shoot, we were going to visit Amy and Tyler's to shoot Colby Thomas only 4 days old.<br /><br /><br />Now I am very proud of my daughter Cathy, professional photographer that she is.<br /><br />In Friday's <em>Vancouver Sun</em> her pictures featured prominently in an article about the very crafty Wendy Russell.<br /><br /><br />On Monday, a blog called <em>A Million Little Details</em>, high-lighed Cathy in the blog showing examples of her exquisite work from a Jessica Claire workshop which she attended last Autum~ <a href="http://www.amillionlittledetails.ca/">http://www.amillionlittledetails.ca/</a><br /><br /><br />In it they say: Check out Cathy’s blogsite, <a href="http://www.cathyempey.com/" target="_blank">here</a>! Her work is seamless! Another specialty of Cathy’s is boudoir, check out her <a href="http://www.boudoirbycathyempey.com/" target="_blank">site</a> completely dedicated to this sexy art!<br /><br /><br />High praise indeed and I say: Watching Cathy in action as I did for the very first time, I was so impressed with how she goes about it. Cathy puts so much creativity and energy into what she loves to do and the finished product shows. She has a real gift.<br /><br />Here are a few pictures that I took of Cathy in action as Amy and Tyler looked on. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">I have to say, that I started out taking pictures of Amy and Tyler's reaction, but soon realized that it was the whole scene~Cathy at work, darling baby boy and delighted parents as they peeked on at their little miracle~that was the real story!<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467532567772894610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELK87ttT70L32LtANQ98-w_mVy8jGMnzB3wevrpUTBs8Zfr9WMLfqlH3yhXEiv2W9le8jfiBHAnU8NLGHzGneJ_yDueVC15zLWYeA0mCPzQn3zI5nxYPs26HsPuhEb9YEeKxb1w/s400/P1120259.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467532557772877330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2qSXe8jcfd_DCOjGusHVfxZFAZ9O8jIwfFS7GcOWZoT-kp0HRqDRMW8KVKxopxRXO0_bniElc-41oFzN3HADD-AfiIZ5zcjwG9urpib31xd7brr4OcYd738C4HlwG3qoMcKrqA/s400/P1120252.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467532549904934482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitJHtCX4JJ7x_y6MiH3lySJsv1JU7uyw1j-dDWThRGECMLDuPPUUt5bMCrFNaHEqE-PcitfNEd_hRSYiF_k4-m3PeFkrPCO6DBl1sEG-EqqILzcWM_Vkz7ThbPmxK36ph4jyyrHg/s400/P1120251.JPG" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467532539980462770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBY5Z629KVP2aWOA2w0d9phqq85Mp1dUBcoT2dp1-XTju4tU-QbO1k69Gl2mkhA25pg3eLn7lg_IrmSk1O8dXF4wTFL_J2O0GWeKEFLT1W0a0uHXGpATrkHNUKtDY8cr0kQlj_0w/s400/P1120250.JPG" /><br />What a great afternoon! Thank you Cathy for inviting me along.</p><br /><br /><p align="justify">PS: One of the many pictures Cathy took will be the highlight of Colby's birth announcement just as this one was when our darling Hudson Nicholas was born last December! </p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467540490444992834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2jFlbt6C2UuiHMJg1e41nLqoHb07xcLnhJwumbDuvR8q1tozqne9Lzjm96ADtactkR4918SAt1vTur3uzaV7XfIhOXXxMmIfTSaxnXZ8rADqxROInJ4CwXnT0ZnhYXwUszSWvw/s400/Hudson+Nicholas.jpg" /> All together now, everybody say "awwwwww".<br /><p><br /></p>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-76825701462183349912010-04-30T20:45:00.018-07:002010-04-30T22:52:34.328-07:00The Last Day of April 2010<div align="justify">Dear Readers, if you follow my blog, you've no doubt noticed, nary a posting for weeks and weeks. I wish it were otherwise, but it seems that Facebook has such a big draw it has really almost replaced blogging for me! I've turned into a fickle blogger.<br /><br />What a month April has been.<br /><br />Easter has come and gone with a wonderful family dinner at Cathy and Cliff's house. All of our children were there, including 8/9 Grandchildren which made for a lovely family gathering.<br /><br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466155575645291234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllLkrMaoATSsfHu1b2BRGWAD3HsqQEA3ioETKJgoMLH1O0j4pIiOHct3ejdqB9C2QJyAEgctzMu4d9m7RoJ7YSdNQdTE_ykoWauU-wjCla1ek2lP4_UqOf3CEpCTO5h_3KTLNIQ/s400/P1110973.JPG" /><br />Unfortuantely Kayla was unable to be with us too or this would have made the perfect grandchild photo!</p><p><br /></p><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466169797288968162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDDxauGtI_dyC1RFsD9CG3t3-C01pz7qMb9s2guWuC7twaHqji9ZtRzkipyxacmhL1N4bLzZwgT5BmJU3h0uNzQRXDMYUj5vEos9dct6WCcPvTntQe0fq-5rwlP2Wiv-SgLw1Puw/s400/P1110988.JPG" /> When you put these six together there is no end of trouble that they get into! Note the Easter Egg in Nick's nose!</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify">In September, Dick and I started taking 5 of Cathy and Cliff's children to Sunday School and then back to our house for lunch and then while Pappa was cleaning up the dishes, the kids and I would be very busy making some sort of "art". It has been such a fun time, watching them create and then improve and improvise on their original ideas. The mornings are early for we retired folks, a 9:15 a.m. start and we usually drive them home about 2:00. It is a long day for Nanny and Pappa but a great one for us too. It has been so much fun listening to their jokes, hearing the stories. Making them laugh. Them making us laugh. Wouldn't trade a sleep in for all the world. </p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="justify">Way back in January Dick and I began a 500 Mile Challenge, which was essentially put out there to encourage people to join in and get fit. Each person keeps track of the number of miles you run/swim/etc. and in our case walk, record it and submit it weekly. Laura, one of the moderators of the blog along with her blogger friend Erin, came up with this great idea. So Dick and I decided we'd like to participate too. The blog includes things like profiles of participants, motivational ideas, and healthy recipes. Our daughter Cathy was profiled a few weeks back and then Laura asked us if we'd be willing to write something up, so we did. If you'd care to have a look, you can find it at the following link.<br /><br /><a href="http://500in2010.blogspot.com/2010/04/meet-challengers-allyson-and-dick.html#comments">http://500in2010.blogspot.com/2010/04/meet-challengers-allyson-and-dick.html#comments</a><br /><br /><br />I have tried and tried unsuccessfully to put the logo on my blog, but it is beyond my powers of reasoning as to how to go about it!<br /><br />The bulk of April has been taken up with waiting for our youngest daughter Amy to give birth to her baby. With a due date of April 13 or 17, combined with the fact that both her sisters, Cathy and April had early deliveries, so why wouldn't Amy deliver early too. It seems like we've been waiting virtually all month long for this blessed event.<br /><br />There was always much speculation about when it would be born. Would the baby be born on April's birthday? How about mine? Or the baby's sister's? Or the baby's Oma's? The April 13th date then the 17th, came and went. There were the weekly visits to the doctor, week 39, week 40, week 41 brought not the most encouraging reports, " the baby hasn't dropped", "not yet" and yet, Amy was always so positive and really enjoying this pregnancy. She was the perfect candidate for having an overdue baby if there ever was one!<br /><br />Finally, the big day came, she started to have twinges, twinges turned into labour pains! Maybe we'll be woken up with a telephone call tonight I'd say to Dick. The cell phone always fully charged and at the ready, in my pocket when we were walking, on silent when we were in church, on the night table, waiting for the call. Night one, no baby! Night two, no baby! Hour 46 of labour--a baby! Our daughter is a Warrior Queen I tell you and Tyler, her beloved is worth his weight in gold.<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466159832378509426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmE-_zBk7DgR1kIDEuYONl69_0LcJcW7hLauNJEW3SgM2mlM02mggP10ymTXdmzBAiD63MBb3i8Xwto_pv6O8a1n9RzpxlT2B9DcOGDmvNePRXkgllDJ5Jz_KfEqkxhyphenhyphenP0NFy_aA/s400/P1120138.JPG" /><br /><p align="justify">Here he is! Colby Thomas, all 8 lbs 1 oz. of him! He has downy redish/blond hair and is the spitting image of his daddy! What a little wonder he is. A perfect little miracle.<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5466159120825047010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHxAYn13qtjO5qNNTPjububx66rlcrshfh0H0XZZh8BeknxnYIhJR1z88LjlYHn3guCBIROGYDCt5-gWpkieZ-d0nkpa1afDrRyOJk43EzmCmaSvX-gYJJbKaOvOoiUfqCjpfuUg/s400/P1120140.JPG" /> <p align="justify">Just 13 hours old, so worn out from his long journey into love!<br /></p><p align="justify">People have said to us, "this must be old hat to you, you've been through it so many times before." My answer is this. Each and every time we are blessed with a grandchild it is as if this little one is our very first. You never ever get used to it. It is exciting and scary and it is nerve wracking and exhilarating each time. It never grows old. When I get to gaze at their little face I instantly fall truly, madly and deeply in love. I makes me wonder, how did the world exist before you were born?</p><p align="justify"><br /></p><p align="center">Our blessings: </p><p align="center">Cameron</p><p align="center">Claire</p><p align="center">Carly</p><p align="center">Catie</p><p align="center">Caroline</p><p align="center">Abby</p><p align="center">Coco</p><p align="center">Kayla</p><p align="center">Hudson</p><p align="center">and now Colby. </p><p align="justify">What joy each and every one of them brings into our lives. Magical!</p>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-29403666645439800162010-03-20T18:27:00.007-07:002010-03-20T19:17:26.654-07:00At the Library With Coco, Catie and Caroline<div align="justify"><strong>Local libraries are wonderful places to visit, especially if you have a granddaughter or three to guide you through the intricacies of the various activities available to you. That's what Pappa and I did last week while their talented mommy was taking awesome baby-to-be boudoirs of their Aunty Amy.<br /></div></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQca7s81u-2zMNtEz3Vn3pWjLwik83qcKP9ue5RP3FmvZjPv84eAGYvxlw-nZtZ5jsSUiVV8rCqcTYDvnLyGOEfB1sg1uoQdBC0hn3qfffuyU9VYquiQiYt5o2SE4x37ovMp4Dmg/s1600-h/P1110635.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450896473615074930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQca7s81u-2zMNtEz3Vn3pWjLwik83qcKP9ue5RP3FmvZjPv84eAGYvxlw-nZtZ5jsSUiVV8rCqcTYDvnLyGOEfB1sg1uoQdBC0hn3qfffuyU9VYquiQiYt5o2SE4x37ovMp4Dmg/s400/P1110635.JPG" /></strong></a> <p align="justify"><strong>First off, you can read books at neat little tables made just for your size small.<br /></strong></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WryNWKzSj56tTmBzZDh8sFUVy1hJeksk9CM04kVm7R0lTo2GYpQ1Xyyr4IhttqSWOwSWaP9R77T_CxI_kHfFMmoOZNpsw47yHMK8a25C-fr06K1OKvblsCNf4Demp3jcrVa1tA/s1600-h/P1110636.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450896463765793938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WryNWKzSj56tTmBzZDh8sFUVy1hJeksk9CM04kVm7R0lTo2GYpQ1Xyyr4IhttqSWOwSWaP9R77T_CxI_kHfFMmoOZNpsw47yHMK8a25C-fr06K1OKvblsCNf4Demp3jcrVa1tA/s400/P1110636.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> You can balance bean bag chairs on your head and wander around.<br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZQ-vIJ-waakq7hswCkQaIyj38rsKbFuRgFOT_afd1tY_dBYIBmnoLn1iyjhTVl8s5VE1BW8HTRbdBLm3t7_dQ4W6SZljnWSHbMXEjOiofwPzMZ0RNGU_ixWbEZ5Hq_NEp7-zHQ/s1600-h/P1110637.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450896456157746994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ZQ-vIJ-waakq7hswCkQaIyj38rsKbFuRgFOT_afd1tY_dBYIBmnoLn1iyjhTVl8s5VE1BW8HTRbdBLm3t7_dQ4W6SZljnWSHbMXEjOiofwPzMZ0RNGU_ixWbEZ5Hq_NEp7-zHQ/s400/P1110637.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> You can play games! Why you can even colour~but not on the books of course.<br /></strong><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OmwWDybrcmv197aED_P10QJbsqLfb47ILUhbVsSt0SYv2hWtQv0mlqr-3tRiKmTRixoAA0s6SUSwawwkQnaNUv5Zwl2rrPeDz9Q1EGi3UuskNwRK09dw13tmYqBit5HVP-lE1g/s1600-h/P1110638.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450895638533234498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OmwWDybrcmv197aED_P10QJbsqLfb47ILUhbVsSt0SYv2hWtQv0mlqr-3tRiKmTRixoAA0s6SUSwawwkQnaNUv5Zwl2rrPeDz9Q1EGi3UuskNwRK09dw13tmYqBit5HVP-lE1g/s400/P1110638.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> And in-between you can sit down with Nanny and read a book from the baskets on the table.<br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYpgl320gU7_WLj5iJKyDprjRpQQFh8MnLikpLXWmPUE-G6U-qlEDtOIREQoo4dGJobZbjEslufroVxJo380lgYaePwVknMDpn08Jga9eA0UB38nS3EyhrwYaqxijTeyXPM59Kg/s1600-h/P1110640.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450895635911726562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNYpgl320gU7_WLj5iJKyDprjRpQQFh8MnLikpLXWmPUE-G6U-qlEDtOIREQoo4dGJobZbjEslufroVxJo380lgYaePwVknMDpn08Jga9eA0UB38nS3EyhrwYaqxijTeyXPM59Kg/s400/P1110640.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> I do believe at least two are reading in this picture!<br /><br /></strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGstNLXvyFzxN3To82VLOE5w3NJNmh2dvVoiQKj4whR_YalKxnyzcoK5lJVrmbsG87dk-brHCcw-jyZQZvaIuwaO6ACrR3dmS5AkC3F90dDK_Od33PEOYRCqwtm1vta_1lSLseQ/s1600-h/P1110641.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450895626545553314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGstNLXvyFzxN3To82VLOE5w3NJNmh2dvVoiQKj4whR_YalKxnyzcoK5lJVrmbsG87dk-brHCcw-jyZQZvaIuwaO6ACrR3dmS5AkC3F90dDK_Od33PEOYRCqwtm1vta_1lSLseQ/s400/P1110641.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> The Bean also likes carting around the bean bag chair.<br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9BPiQuPQa_nRzHteP8qaVeiogm1-fw2tClPsIwym5T3YtRFF9rxoD0ID2-N9pRAGeimc3DyKCdb-XTE2Y_bcmxtOBCs5tFr0sEPTE-T2h5-nTTvl2XWXH342H6wU-LAyS-HfPw/s1600-h/P1110643.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450895617413591090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw9BPiQuPQa_nRzHteP8qaVeiogm1-fw2tClPsIwym5T3YtRFF9rxoD0ID2-N9pRAGeimc3DyKCdb-XTE2Y_bcmxtOBCs5tFr0sEPTE-T2h5-nTTvl2XWXH342H6wU-LAyS-HfPw/s400/P1110643.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> Of course there's always a computer programme or two for the little ones to challenge themselves to.<br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HC2E_vGp73wTLJ_AiK_qUqq2KQ0-xFiMTSFoVzznKmZsrGrVcjH-lf7PjEutzjgo1R8BTDfUoCVozJeiI8Bc6FMRBMYOsyV4wrLZgAwP2_u-e5TMQMY9pHYe2zN_LjrxgbC4xA/s1600-h/P1110645.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450895609244079458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7HC2E_vGp73wTLJ_AiK_qUqq2KQ0-xFiMTSFoVzznKmZsrGrVcjH-lf7PjEutzjgo1R8BTDfUoCVozJeiI8Bc6FMRBMYOsyV4wrLZgAwP2_u-e5TMQMY9pHYe2zN_LjrxgbC4xA/s400/P1110645.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> It's Musical Computers everyone! </strong><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rBH399mSkVqO58HdcNRu0JCvt5dc6vVM4CjQhT_Sb6fcONtHDvKiOe2EMKQbOuYYrIAINeO2swALyK-pV9CrgPqBWlLNxuDuZbSehOG1Am7-jluWUhF2IsiqldSH699KFatBnQ/s1600-h/P1110648.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450894101054066642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rBH399mSkVqO58HdcNRu0JCvt5dc6vVM4CjQhT_Sb6fcONtHDvKiOe2EMKQbOuYYrIAINeO2swALyK-pV9CrgPqBWlLNxuDuZbSehOG1Am7-jluWUhF2IsiqldSH699KFatBnQ/s400/P1110648.JPG" /></strong></a><strong>Or, you can play "hide and seek" under the comfy chairs.<br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIAar-Co0V5o7wTvyWsBneRdfsAe7dB-TyTPWatjUa3qg1M7lhDUJS3_NPvWdXO1KsyQ_QJc2laubM40U5HBl9G_bljQ3L_QwLvRcg5wwXVQXxDeBCMBqk7s1CaJvBiytpd9Uog/s1600-h/P1110649.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450894088137951794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnIAar-Co0V5o7wTvyWsBneRdfsAe7dB-TyTPWatjUa3qg1M7lhDUJS3_NPvWdXO1KsyQ_QJc2laubM40U5HBl9G_bljQ3L_QwLvRcg5wwXVQXxDeBCMBqk7s1CaJvBiytpd9Uog/s400/P1110649.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> Then again, you can lay on the floor, or Pappa can take his shoes off!<br /><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_2096m20dttaOE_85EcLD3tqnaakOjmU6BdlbYKqJzO3IIdWaav5XmsT-qanJ5dajqxNEZMx65VDJuz2N4U_ybojSGUkmRZdV0Gq1Z6eQ1_IWu9-YpaO3_Gec4qq3xwoA3c8KA/s1600-h/P1110650.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450894081214706482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp_2096m20dttaOE_85EcLD3tqnaakOjmU6BdlbYKqJzO3IIdWaav5XmsT-qanJ5dajqxNEZMx65VDJuz2N4U_ybojSGUkmRZdV0Gq1Z6eQ1_IWu9-YpaO3_Gec4qq3xwoA3c8KA/s400/P1110650.JPG" /></strong></a><strong> And then you can pose under your hiding chair.<br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSY2fL0-7PunGlvMbLx4AttOkeLBG1EsRkLUq2xY5yt4rEUvKcpuTlfcPoDuY5_xUyedfYbhwjl9BqooYUKIT3HTJ0CpqpLyU64yIaqBU55h6wAL1FAc9kSKD_7uwQltwv5X-Mg/s1600-h/P1110651.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450894069669059042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSY2fL0-7PunGlvMbLx4AttOkeLBG1EsRkLUq2xY5yt4rEUvKcpuTlfcPoDuY5_xUyedfYbhwjl9BqooYUKIT3HTJ0CpqpLyU64yIaqBU55h6wAL1FAc9kSKD_7uwQltwv5X-Mg/s400/P1110651.JPG" /></strong></a><strong><br /></strong><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wcWrue33puPL_yDbjTnmNeccJ8u24SKzvwMHtmUmcioSd42mKsdKPgTyjpWpO6-w1sP81kpelCyW8xgilWDXEDv5aB6p4dN1sxvpcqEjZfalMBA9Pr5NvkfSKoGEGqvMhzbBqA/s1600-h/P1110652.JPG"><strong><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5450894062072253234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5wcWrue33puPL_yDbjTnmNeccJ8u24SKzvwMHtmUmcioSd42mKsdKPgTyjpWpO6-w1sP81kpelCyW8xgilWDXEDv5aB6p4dN1sxvpcqEjZfalMBA9Pr5NvkfSKoGEGqvMhzbBqA/s400/P1110652.JPG" /></strong></a><strong>Or, you can lounge around and look at the ceiling. </strong></div><div><strong></strong> </div><div><strong></strong> </div><div></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong></strong></div><div><strong>The possiblities are as endless as your imagination. And when you leave they even put a stamp on your hand. How fun is that!<br /><br /></strong><div align="justify"><strong>When I was a young girl of 12 we moved to Vancouver from Kelowna. One of my favourite "big city" things was the weekly Book Mobile that visited our neighbourhood. It was stacked full with books and magazines, especially 17 Magazines! I thought that was just great. I wonder what our Grandchildren will remember best when they look back at their visits to the local library. Will it be the computers? Will it be the stamps? Or might it just possibly be the wonderful books and freedom and kindness you receive when you visit? That might be it. Oh yes, we still asked them to talk quietly, that hasn't changed much, but I can't remember ever having my picture taken while I was there can you? </strong></div><br /><strong>So for a fun time be sure to check out your library. Remember to bring your camera and your library card you'll be glad you did!</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-18201613782487577402010-02-20T11:28:00.005-08:002010-02-20T11:45:56.213-08:00Catie's Olympic Event<strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Yesterday our Granddaughter Catie had her very own Gold Medal Performance. She mastered the 2-wheeler! </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;"></span></strong><br /><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">Go Catie Go!</span></strong><br /></span><br /><br /><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5GIVoh83gQIavASyEBc40yaKA9IlayEg_soYtqBKz4VPvNqu-hXvMKAnjLCtlMYKhpUNYC6aX-HHhSHirZbi-ZTKC-TMqVDEqSDGHSRRomkofbAm3YEhI-EFhXx3XFrlsPKiWA/s1600-h/P1110410.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440411323688499650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5GIVoh83gQIavASyEBc40yaKA9IlayEg_soYtqBKz4VPvNqu-hXvMKAnjLCtlMYKhpUNYC6aX-HHhSHirZbi-ZTKC-TMqVDEqSDGHSRRomkofbAm3YEhI-EFhXx3XFrlsPKiWA/s400/P1110410.JPG" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> Ready, set, pedal hard!</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjqQ9Oq6_j2HB3BEBKrse2RVUBtpS7bp2zTVZtM7wsodeJ4ImHC47R3kUGn8r5-thpx5LGDKetH5uBPeZV0b71EcpSKTw0ATiQXgFiphp-1PLL6OlTs4HN1PT9trJLv4IaLSGpw/s1600-h/P1110411.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440411020548747170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjqQ9Oq6_j2HB3BEBKrse2RVUBtpS7bp2zTVZtM7wsodeJ4ImHC47R3kUGn8r5-thpx5LGDKetH5uBPeZV0b71EcpSKTw0ATiQXgFiphp-1PLL6OlTs4HN1PT9trJLv4IaLSGpw/s400/P1110411.JPG" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Pappa running along behind. Like any Olympian, she has her own personal trainer, her Pappa.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd3jbZVSpHa7h9k1v59mT_sluXEmNgdWd0Awms0eLhkG9KE0Olcg5kVtGie2rxRKZDsy5h5Vug3movhH6anqdnaP2fxbhkGrrw-gaQKs-3n9KGB5SMG7I-JddNPUFEfbEZz3S3g/s1600-h/P1110412.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440411013180964578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWd3jbZVSpHa7h9k1v59mT_sluXEmNgdWd0Awms0eLhkG9KE0Olcg5kVtGie2rxRKZDsy5h5Vug3movhH6anqdnaP2fxbhkGrrw-gaQKs-3n9KGB5SMG7I-JddNPUFEfbEZz3S3g/s400/P1110412.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjTthgjmwpj9wqEBvH12c4d0yQyHsml-jrzkpQiAqxHAkItBcG8zhkaSSKfdDt3aQAAe118ohwQIhK1YSymXwUR5LdbdBUlKAriYyttpbWy1f4mTteUoEKCmnDu4454OHEySgXQ/s1600-h/P1110413.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440410998743678018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjTthgjmwpj9wqEBvH12c4d0yQyHsml-jrzkpQiAqxHAkItBcG8zhkaSSKfdDt3aQAAe118ohwQIhK1YSymXwUR5LdbdBUlKAriYyttpbWy1f4mTteUoEKCmnDu4454OHEySgXQ/s400/P1110413.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">She needed a little hands on to make the curve around the cul-de-sac, but she made the turn and off she went again!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPCFIDi52UbV5OaCPXWwCwER3Pk_CLq6mEgx-1cgaNOkCP9Kffm-cTnZGlTizjfO9ddWhd0hM8h7RB3VlD9PMUcwG_hvqdOi30Dpg72nifrXtDUzZaGriBQm2hHSXFALFt7173A/s1600-h/P1110414.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440410995373606082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnPCFIDi52UbV5OaCPXWwCwER3Pk_CLq6mEgx-1cgaNOkCP9Kffm-cTnZGlTizjfO9ddWhd0hM8h7RB3VlD9PMUcwG_hvqdOi30Dpg72nifrXtDUzZaGriBQm2hHSXFALFt7173A/s400/P1110414.JPG" /></a><br /><em>"She took to it like a duck to water</em>", said her Pappa, who has I believe, also taught her brother and 2 sisters to ride. 2 more to go in Catie's family Pappa. Can you do it? Yes, I believe he can.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloEtFLD_ckoP111xeYBORpgNzrISOnDiexrZiBBjqcen-BvCpvI4pEYv9WiBfTAJ3JmgmsM02g67i16RwhGnpnDiwEVLbQE_e166VULxsZPloBAPFozzy6z_JTl2wxYR9YaOzww/s1600-h/P1110415.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5440410984390255058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiloEtFLD_ckoP111xeYBORpgNzrISOnDiexrZiBBjqcen-BvCpvI4pEYv9WiBfTAJ3JmgmsM02g67i16RwhGnpnDiwEVLbQE_e166VULxsZPloBAPFozzy6z_JTl2wxYR9YaOzww/s400/P1110415.JPG" /></a> A tired, but happy little girl. That smile says it all!</div><div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993399;"></span></strong></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-61088125274320102822010-02-11T17:27:00.013-08:002010-02-12T09:09:28.924-08:00Olympic Fever all on My Very OwnYesterday (11th) I had an unplanned trip downtown to take in some of the Olympic sights. I was all on my own in the big city. Took the Canada Line down and spent about 5 hours just roaming around like a lost dog. It was exciting to see so many people downtown in their olympic gear. Lots of foreign languages were overheard. On many corners, police were there in twos watching, directing. It seemed that at almost every location there were lots of "officials" chalking out and discussing future plans and events, shots. The big party is less that 24 hours away and there was still lots to be done. Many workers putting on the finishing touches to sites. Miles and miles of chain link fences covered with Olympic colours, orange cones and barriers abounded down Georgia by the viaducts. The most disappointing thing was the Canada Pavillion. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, it's a TENT! How sad that we are to be represented that way.<br /><br />Below is a mini-pictorial of my day.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7CmL8I29pp1tcLjCYJJ49r9A2jma3Ir_go_fKeygCiLXEGQTyHZymHcs19gxmaPEk4tr6NfchsnWX4i-JUduF5DToGy7u5XbPvx1ORLUdxz4OOyxtVWcaMQtcnc0tS_O6a2qNg/s1600-h/P1110161.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437175491067277858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD7CmL8I29pp1tcLjCYJJ49r9A2jma3Ir_go_fKeygCiLXEGQTyHZymHcs19gxmaPEk4tr6NfchsnWX4i-JUduF5DToGy7u5XbPvx1ORLUdxz4OOyxtVWcaMQtcnc0tS_O6a2qNg/s400/P1110161.JPG" /></a> At the North side of The Vancouver Art Gallery. The Countdown clock, displays and a photo op bobsled!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcwihIlZ26qj-VJ5XOSmNpV9F3gFSpKZORMuKpviRzefq9jqWKzTfENWsF0tieNOWV3obMxkBEx4mNmJfPvNzX3knxAW9dMSSXhyphenhyphenhjdp5a0XEmzzrWFWFNHtvFl1E2UDGWfqSZg/s1600-h/P1110162.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437174963121186194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcwihIlZ26qj-VJ5XOSmNpV9F3gFSpKZORMuKpviRzefq9jqWKzTfENWsF0tieNOWV3obMxkBEx4mNmJfPvNzX3knxAW9dMSSXhyphenhyphenhjdp5a0XEmzzrWFWFNHtvFl1E2UDGWfqSZg/s400/P1110162.JPG" /></a> As the countdown clock said: Only 2 days, 7 hours, 33 minutes and 22 seconds until the Olympics begin. Remember when they erected it? That seems like years ago, wait it was years ago.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDVCUeul9P0bp4-2PiduuFr5zUE4DGlSfzdxX1-oP9ZqNzC4anq2YxxJPYbleiiSi_0EIVFJRIqTiZwmxNiva2VktUJgLZY8vmc0j2OY0JhSn0NbLdNZzp7Spyq_QtZ8AxZJYmA/s1600-h/P1110163.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437174956965474242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDVCUeul9P0bp4-2PiduuFr5zUE4DGlSfzdxX1-oP9ZqNzC4anq2YxxJPYbleiiSi_0EIVFJRIqTiZwmxNiva2VktUJgLZY8vmc0j2OY0JhSn0NbLdNZzp7Spyq_QtZ8AxZJYmA/s400/P1110163.JPG" /></a> The south end of the plaza between the Art Gallery and the Court House. I believe the white structure at the top is where Squire Barnes hosts the O Show.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX8wyxSYiiEt2_8veO711mbN4obX_NgBlohVCi5WPLyD5KLrHoiIdIOBdaoN-jz9iuLIVIgsHjFLUMcyccf2sa25xYati6ls4Rat6cOGXS9_Iqtt5Du2tpO_3xKm65FF9bx7vNg/s1600-h/P1110165.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437174947243698514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsX8wyxSYiiEt2_8veO711mbN4obX_NgBlohVCi5WPLyD5KLrHoiIdIOBdaoN-jz9iuLIVIgsHjFLUMcyccf2sa25xYati6ls4Rat6cOGXS9_Iqtt5Du2tpO_3xKm65FF9bx7vNg/s400/P1110165.JPG" /></a> An interactive "touch-me" screen. When I was there, no one was around so I had some time to play. Then a man from GE walked me through the screen and told me I could e-mail a picture of me to my family. So I did. That was fun.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzF7oyxxqxXeIbe6pHebczxRDOvOmhrbV8p6o0Xrd0xdns0gVwWx0M6A-N09RolexMGnYHqELrOQs71BWKXSRkHkzDKPLXqlKB0KzCTTY1EP2cA-TBPZsBqJY0nKl1iWgNHOWFw/s1600-h/P1110166.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437174941811690402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzF7oyxxqxXeIbe6pHebczxRDOvOmhrbV8p6o0Xrd0xdns0gVwWx0M6A-N09RolexMGnYHqELrOQs71BWKXSRkHkzDKPLXqlKB0KzCTTY1EP2cA-TBPZsBqJY0nKl1iWgNHOWFw/s400/P1110166.JPG" /></a> More of the screen's display<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_OQR8yA5QyEUnvWyJLG-rpEMJAuZzY3w6zQn0Tk1l2wK0JRlhlam2P-nwkA3oS3qymaO2bF81i7tM-E5rjv8Rvyj45soeQHngNKhV6Ld2qJLQIP6f1D0XiSHDZtr0Fbi7yQPoQ/s1600-h/P1110167.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437174932979397026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_OQR8yA5QyEUnvWyJLG-rpEMJAuZzY3w6zQn0Tk1l2wK0JRlhlam2P-nwkA3oS3qymaO2bF81i7tM-E5rjv8Rvyj45soeQHngNKhV6Ld2qJLQIP6f1D0XiSHDZtr0Fbi7yQPoQ/s400/P1110167.JPG" /></a> Shot this just after my "picture" disappeared! Oh well.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxNedrYMJFg7qdjgOBKCfjSJGgwzHunNy7E3L31TbgjBdS92ayQF4E6cCAnKYkPpNSkfmfQ88goNId0hyphenhyphenqeBVFCmvG9u4zX92lDpjbpBT7aq6Lux9EJ9g82AxoLetJqU2PFNzMg/s1600-h/P1110168.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437170832712483986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxNedrYMJFg7qdjgOBKCfjSJGgwzHunNy7E3L31TbgjBdS92ayQF4E6cCAnKYkPpNSkfmfQ88goNId0hyphenhyphenqeBVFCmvG9u4zX92lDpjbpBT7aq6Lux9EJ9g82AxoLetJqU2PFNzMg/s400/P1110168.JPG" /></a> The line up went on and on and on with people waiting to purchase Olympic tickets. You can make out people at the back curve of the skating rink. I hope they had tickets left!<br /></div><div>The new "plastic ice" had just been installed and it really looked like ice which surprised me. It wasn't quite ready for prime time yet.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWaTGGAa1L_U-uP5paRKfDJ4kPODuy0xgJu2RT93Bw_hurhzp4BU_ClB2ifiD6ussxZ56LOi8EJyPO85UAjLWxlPT8OtvhwjD6jjG0n6Y5BYLXKnWVl-Qf-78WNLGVXOK3otTPA/s1600-h/P1110169.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437170822332564114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEWaTGGAa1L_U-uP5paRKfDJ4kPODuy0xgJu2RT93Bw_hurhzp4BU_ClB2ifiD6ussxZ56LOi8EJyPO85UAjLWxlPT8OtvhwjD6jjG0n6Y5BYLXKnWVl-Qf-78WNLGVXOK3otTPA/s400/P1110169.JPG" /></a> The "bird" watching the people line up for Olympic tickets<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld8Pd687u4q-7vXv8Q7boKS1XGHJ2tMl_-wrNqsao8yCr4JTLtD1DdT_4W6mDh9mvqdQsMs22K6utWQjlYdFM6-MlOABdNtnATtQnzty3Pic7TlwlL7Zpp72cghej3Oz8JUHCDw/s1600-h/P1110170.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437170816258601506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld8Pd687u4q-7vXv8Q7boKS1XGHJ2tMl_-wrNqsao8yCr4JTLtD1DdT_4W6mDh9mvqdQsMs22K6utWQjlYdFM6-MlOABdNtnATtQnzty3Pic7TlwlL7Zpp72cghej3Oz8JUHCDw/s400/P1110170.JPG" /></a>All of the steps are covered like a snowy mountain. This poor man was climbing that mountain, I wonder for how many times he scaled it that day!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWllLCRPolx4FJUke33yALVrS5C4Nx0MdNIVKdy_fqCoDIijxS_0MJKTdMVBGhSoUmiHuamqyfdLPukC8Qhyphenhyphen-Udmd4QH1RSHKdj4_ZnDEQhbTEvfhKnhD1195YJPnpkFCE8dChQ/s1600-h/P1110171.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437170810413650194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWllLCRPolx4FJUke33yALVrS5C4Nx0MdNIVKdy_fqCoDIijxS_0MJKTdMVBGhSoUmiHuamqyfdLPukC8Qhyphenhyphen-Udmd4QH1RSHKdj4_ZnDEQhbTEvfhKnhD1195YJPnpkFCE8dChQ/s400/P1110171.JPG" /></a> Almost at the top!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c1xZMuHiWyiybTk520cZlbyqk1m1M8PGxHulUg4NeZXAZ9wvYP1ZFKzC3k1AUZ0Wyev87FfMYZF9WJAjFDnddR0zBBCL3EGyFKkb1dwOFDgtmbPf4tyqZuPAMBFVD8TqCihD1Q/s1600-h/P1110172.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437170802468553538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_c1xZMuHiWyiybTk520cZlbyqk1m1M8PGxHulUg4NeZXAZ9wvYP1ZFKzC3k1AUZ0Wyev87FfMYZF9WJAjFDnddR0zBBCL3EGyFKkb1dwOFDgtmbPf4tyqZuPAMBFVD8TqCihD1Q/s400/P1110172.JPG" /></a>Looking down at BC Pavillion<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddEKNj72ucYA6Zp3DpJfAow20mE3vr5gzWaH2k3yPZSVw00vleKQ2WrkmlpN6wlfN2DceVA86CgMpmSO7_nG2NalKPgBWSDoYzsh24M2EV37vfGtr404C38rOagAP-9wuOvTj4A/s1600-h/P1110173.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437169416204318290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddEKNj72ucYA6Zp3DpJfAow20mE3vr5gzWaH2k3yPZSVw00vleKQ2WrkmlpN6wlfN2DceVA86CgMpmSO7_nG2NalKPgBWSDoYzsh24M2EV37vfGtr404C38rOagAP-9wuOvTj4A/s400/P1110173.JPG" /></a>On Robson Street another photo op. "You Gotta be here" and I was! Got someone in a group of people to take this picture of me in exchange for taking their group shot.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehXxQaKbyejvgnQa-LlhE7LH3FHTZxtHWsA6ysaHma-e55Hh2mNv7y6OvLhzrG5e7h5R1_sVV6QhbysJWpZ4LOqYlvAhrBI3ZT3SA60sZ36B_YDrCe1YEEJPnhegEhDZ_7tuODw/s1600-h/P1110174.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437169405828009378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehXxQaKbyejvgnQa-LlhE7LH3FHTZxtHWsA6ysaHma-e55Hh2mNv7y6OvLhzrG5e7h5R1_sVV6QhbysJWpZ4LOqYlvAhrBI3ZT3SA60sZ36B_YDrCe1YEEJPnhegEhDZ_7tuODw/s400/P1110174.JPG" /></a> Artist's video outside of The Vancouver Art Gallery<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw0fLhehAlYPGtwhveIZoCVEs_xmpdonzc5touus4wKk3oO5gKuHu5RblWhLFpA8zYDhb0SLg4ugJizJPmKgfDy-XN7JFzeajM1-tIvYjGlOt4QHFR1IH6PeA5g-Sz1ubcewfiA/s1600-h/P1110177.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437169396000313586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiw0fLhehAlYPGtwhveIZoCVEs_xmpdonzc5touus4wKk3oO5gKuHu5RblWhLFpA8zYDhb0SLg4ugJizJPmKgfDy-XN7JFzeajM1-tIvYjGlOt4QHFR1IH6PeA5g-Sz1ubcewfiA/s400/P1110177.JPG" /></a> A very tiny patio with a big heart full of patriotism along Hornby Street<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYP53CUiKnBd_8GvInWH2iwKawREQkb9RArRE7UQz6vpG17l7knzFXbIVZ0-l2r17XRPtfBcIbuICBbdhJvVYJHserqNFjYJx1RFVJPi1iqtwIYS94HdxPWbdl7hBBODDCExiSg/s1600-h/P1110178.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437169387629251730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYP53CUiKnBd_8GvInWH2iwKawREQkb9RArRE7UQz6vpG17l7knzFXbIVZ0-l2r17XRPtfBcIbuICBbdhJvVYJHserqNFjYJx1RFVJPi1iqtwIYS94HdxPWbdl7hBBODDCExiSg/s400/P1110178.JPG" /></a> This reminded me of the UN with all of the flags flying<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWphmDVDM1YwnXGXSzbFVGXN-B4HXoaNoheDvV8vsltywBrInnTIZgybCR3xytr2ASGB20DiR2K463j6ambNBd_wo4olit733RxBLic1KAAM4qT_pNhw23mEq6N2RRZvBMDAk0g/s1600-h/P1110180.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437169378609541842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWphmDVDM1YwnXGXSzbFVGXN-B4HXoaNoheDvV8vsltywBrInnTIZgybCR3xytr2ASGB20DiR2K463j6ambNBd_wo4olit733RxBLic1KAAM4qT_pNhw23mEq6N2RRZvBMDAk0g/s400/P1110180.JPG" /></a> A closeup of one of the gigantic commercial installations on a Vancouver building.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzs2lQzUKA3CUI74gHuRfZuY1DAThnztT2B50QCWFgdeVySMutuvLffU67jFe1PVZk4wMdvp_IwNtTqfWrVaBq2cWtRRywFTLeYN_cN-1IJ_bhY6MeqVqBoukhJlgoVe7fII_Fw/s1600-h/P1110179.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437168199293496530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzs2lQzUKA3CUI74gHuRfZuY1DAThnztT2B50QCWFgdeVySMutuvLffU67jFe1PVZk4wMdvp_IwNtTqfWrVaBq2cWtRRywFTLeYN_cN-1IJ_bhY6MeqVqBoukhJlgoVe7fII_Fw/s400/P1110179.JPG" /></a> The bigger picture<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3Uz1DPvdoZM-_y45Y0saR3KBSi0yb8gc6WRtu4vdkx3IbUYPZi66PBPnYstCznrR4vnzaTvyFm6NiLzFf7oOTpholbdvsIcjaYFF_KmHYMvSmWq6BFj6fJCIq3QAGwwlbhNKdw/s1600-h/P1110181.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437168191944768882" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq3Uz1DPvdoZM-_y45Y0saR3KBSi0yb8gc6WRtu4vdkx3IbUYPZi66PBPnYstCznrR4vnzaTvyFm6NiLzFf7oOTpholbdvsIcjaYFF_KmHYMvSmWq6BFj6fJCIq3QAGwwlbhNKdw/s400/P1110181.JPG" /></a>"Lantern display" made by children from China<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcHxqMzjZGoKs1t6zxdv_WBpeYGbIkGi8-tWz6Np3ghsJksa3iE3SPws1mDOcl-qCuk31GB2qsHGvFYZql7EVxOrbeW2zwG186GiO4oYKQDDwuSGfchOVR5M3g2f8x886dr8cgA/s1600-h/P1110182.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437168175631599986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGcHxqMzjZGoKs1t6zxdv_WBpeYGbIkGi8-tWz6Np3ghsJksa3iE3SPws1mDOcl-qCuk31GB2qsHGvFYZql7EVxOrbeW2zwG186GiO4oYKQDDwuSGfchOVR5M3g2f8x886dr8cgA/s400/P1110182.JPG" /></a> The boards at the base of the lanterns. As people walked along them, it made a clomp, clomp, clomping sound.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxf8dmjf6JVk0YVofGUuu8URn_58Wps3TZ3MdjNCkVvdZqGQaUaxb165sGr1FHfp6Dj1ieluL1dLxljc3ZX-QDVNd9ZnwQIcn2IBooGZk0OJEiTXMOM9WXGgRWgCnc-5j_orH_g/s1600-h/P1110183.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437168169336031170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxf8dmjf6JVk0YVofGUuu8URn_58Wps3TZ3MdjNCkVvdZqGQaUaxb165sGr1FHfp6Dj1ieluL1dLxljc3ZX-QDVNd9ZnwQIcn2IBooGZk0OJEiTXMOM9WXGgRWgCnc-5j_orH_g/s400/P1110183.JPG" /></a> Place your head here! </div><div></div><div>All along this section of Granville Street they had various Winter sport "cutouts" for people to squeeze into for photo opportunities which was fun.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKONdzjBf9YDHeSAq7fVdQxOXvycdx1KQp1yD7IuniCy0ASqrxQPTzC6z7rMT6x0CUl-I-CmxdSZsa24BWI5ZtxHha7VMHe-iiGV0TjWM2VtIXzvbThrOPa0b0ULTWMRPBt_JcZg/s1600-h/P1110184.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437168154926988354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKONdzjBf9YDHeSAq7fVdQxOXvycdx1KQp1yD7IuniCy0ASqrxQPTzC6z7rMT6x0CUl-I-CmxdSZsa24BWI5ZtxHha7VMHe-iiGV0TjWM2VtIXzvbThrOPa0b0ULTWMRPBt_JcZg/s400/P1110184.JPG" /></a> Thought I'd take the back shot, while she was being photo'd from the front<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQEZKrHJJLGfPZb7O-3em7X5BNfUObkgju7yr8ZVhX6qIQtXlKVqktceZAQlX49zvf21J9YEjYt1vFqGKCc1hpAqtRvuEIc_An79kmjchOaGZUQ13tL21Zf3IQ4EwB4ds8yIQYA/s1600-h/P1110185.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437166862545353618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmQEZKrHJJLGfPZb7O-3em7X5BNfUObkgju7yr8ZVhX6qIQtXlKVqktceZAQlX49zvf21J9YEjYt1vFqGKCc1hpAqtRvuEIc_An79kmjchOaGZUQ13tL21Zf3IQ4EwB4ds8yIQYA/s400/P1110185.JPG" /></a> Lantern display along Granville Street, north of Georgia<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPsQTvtZpjcfmCz0VF8_HyHrbKiDlxLQULT7_5_xYDdCvx1tE2dCkbdj0EaqJOjBXz3qqdwS7sK1Cv2Cofl3jxVJ7_nhmrhHuClFhqIHVLjTej-ONnnn15jLXgrsv1K-YcKKyJQ/s1600-h/P1110186.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437166855719517298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPsQTvtZpjcfmCz0VF8_HyHrbKiDlxLQULT7_5_xYDdCvx1tE2dCkbdj0EaqJOjBXz3qqdwS7sK1Cv2Cofl3jxVJ7_nhmrhHuClFhqIHVLjTej-ONnnn15jLXgrsv1K-YcKKyJQ/s400/P1110186.JPG" /></a>Canada Post got into the act too<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHisrW-vdX1bYPR2hVYdZ_seYJzT3hQUbdbpqsd1JMyDwo6UPY0MFSB5ESvJ7VXVZqGdG4ZiIZ7UQjyYTetH69bLW5lrGJ9cz9CuoOssC3Ch9zgwhO2uf8ngQqEJcUUvoI1V1Qw/s1600-h/P1110187.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437166844327271394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcHisrW-vdX1bYPR2hVYdZ_seYJzT3hQUbdbpqsd1JMyDwo6UPY0MFSB5ESvJ7VXVZqGdG4ZiIZ7UQjyYTetH69bLW5lrGJ9cz9CuoOssC3Ch9zgwhO2uf8ngQqEJcUUvoI1V1Qw/s400/P1110187.JPG" /></a><br />Hamilton and Georgia Street, a sight you rarely see-no cars!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlO4cMkvCsv-iIVfIzJoa0M7g5OOBKkIzioxp451ubmeYEZ5iqLEhV-0OeOReI38oyxBXFnW5q-AiKYsPBUDE5zRwXqiblLpSnMDHqG3-0znBy6LdbeBYV-dgtwS3abkfEdvTmQ/s1600-h/P1110189.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437166835923897170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTlO4cMkvCsv-iIVfIzJoa0M7g5OOBKkIzioxp451ubmeYEZ5iqLEhV-0OeOReI38oyxBXFnW5q-AiKYsPBUDE5zRwXqiblLpSnMDHqG3-0znBy6LdbeBYV-dgtwS3abkfEdvTmQ/s400/P1110189.JPG" /></a> Aboriginal Pavillion on the promanade of The Queen Elizabeth Theatre. Only a part of of it was open for visitors. Sadly, not the "show".<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidONmUQyqf6UuPtl8XqKvk-W15y1F8MdbXDUyRJiFoRi0ls1eYtJmgKMyUEeAjN9xxNY2tm1FV6GTIulGNF0NIkben_IeDIBAaBUYL0tom3p8axXBM3LYtVOpy0WSxfA5dfZa3QQ/s1600-h/P1110190.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437166828622595138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidONmUQyqf6UuPtl8XqKvk-W15y1F8MdbXDUyRJiFoRi0ls1eYtJmgKMyUEeAjN9xxNY2tm1FV6GTIulGNF0NIkben_IeDIBAaBUYL0tom3p8axXBM3LYtVOpy0WSxfA5dfZa3QQ/s400/P1110190.JPG" /></a> Looking out the window towards CBC Corp. from inside of Aboriginal House<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK61A3XL1MLRnm3WeZqjwEAKmMO_2bljYmIgH0OpMW-whSUEFWNORFgCJmZ56yUiECIP4LLOsLc1a0NTLPUOvat_1B0joJ0zYBrFzkFzLFv430eznRA0U1HNwnrMK6HH2VN2gfQ/s1600-h/P1110193.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437165465473500594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicK61A3XL1MLRnm3WeZqjwEAKmMO_2bljYmIgH0OpMW-whSUEFWNORFgCJmZ56yUiECIP4LLOsLc1a0NTLPUOvat_1B0joJ0zYBrFzkFzLFv430eznRA0U1HNwnrMK6HH2VN2gfQ/s400/P1110193.JPG" /></a> Everywhere you look people are very busily putting the last minute touches to the displays<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB20KC2ywXjCQRIxjttXNmD4V-oDt-FGRw4_2JtGhJ9y_C-PUNnrICNOZfCNm-oG6JYm4Qx9GzEhZnHhTv6w63MCl9hYR0F1Hr-M2ifitxAaRB3fNFdmWg6wMcYtSHHuym7ikoCg/s1600-h/P1110194.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437165450824676466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB20KC2ywXjCQRIxjttXNmD4V-oDt-FGRw4_2JtGhJ9y_C-PUNnrICNOZfCNm-oG6JYm4Qx9GzEhZnHhTv6w63MCl9hYR0F1Hr-M2ifitxAaRB3fNFdmWg6wMcYtSHHuym7ikoCg/s400/P1110194.JPG" /></a> All along the main streets you see plastic cones dotting the lanes. No cars in sight.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNwYKNPOsnNRGy1llqxFbUT7tEy7dmxDJFY1Z_UvUDC0hbV-d6Dt5N9Q2Iy4219-AjCH-tizow35G4x6MoHM8Xa0JXAN173xYsYiGPxg7gxsnA0EmnYcsg8glTxEmHIgxMejMtw/s1600-h/P1110195.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437165439937743378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNwYKNPOsnNRGy1llqxFbUT7tEy7dmxDJFY1Z_UvUDC0hbV-d6Dt5N9Q2Iy4219-AjCH-tizow35G4x6MoHM8Xa0JXAN173xYsYiGPxg7gxsnA0EmnYcsg8glTxEmHIgxMejMtw/s400/P1110195.JPG" /></a> Hamilton and Georgia by the main Post Office. Note the plastic garbage bag recepticles on the lamp standards.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1G4zGm-KZF7WuQZv-yQLj6esMXlzHbWdI0nrxWW281bK9te56nxMjZvRVmtmx3vQCwLNw6hB_1FLud50A32bEyZcsEqDOMYmbyCup0a5e3HWxoASUQof4wwZHaHDAl_90eYokg/s1600-h/P1110196.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437165435650915810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1G4zGm-KZF7WuQZv-yQLj6esMXlzHbWdI0nrxWW281bK9te56nxMjZvRVmtmx3vQCwLNw6hB_1FLud50A32bEyZcsEqDOMYmbyCup0a5e3HWxoASUQof4wwZHaHDAl_90eYokg/s400/P1110196.JPG" /></a></div><div>Popped into The Bay to purchase a few items, including the famous $10.00 red mittens. The place was swarming with customers. This group is in the first line-up to pay for Olympic items. The line-ups are broken down into 3 more lines. Crazy busy, but only here at The Bay, the rest of the store deadsville!<br /><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMJX_ybR5CZeH5o34DMpzVIzjPSAzoD_74ASx622FGZHSWVJ_IpPTQmDOjFb7Vy3zbkT06MCICVYXimTmYTUytEw7v5ke6l_5RhKsYU2-WVfBwqsykYqSKV_D5PU8iIHk_7H-Gg/s1600-h/P1110198.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437165429426152834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMJX_ybR5CZeH5o34DMpzVIzjPSAzoD_74ASx622FGZHSWVJ_IpPTQmDOjFb7Vy3zbkT06MCICVYXimTmYTUytEw7v5ke6l_5RhKsYU2-WVfBwqsykYqSKV_D5PU8iIHk_7H-Gg/s400/P1110198.JPG" /></a> One of the artistic video presentations inside the Vancouver Public Library "corridor"<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF14fLvSGS5VeU2kw5cclFNXROuP3QCu8iJT1dgPr-ubMcGK9pVrij_g38u_bDPaS6jU_MGxwQ8kcc0t-bLoRXQY6lN3XpA5hPCvlEjyZNCFla8TnvnxgMoIsvdnYESi6rZM6qQ/s1600-h/P1110202.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437164102353014994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF14fLvSGS5VeU2kw5cclFNXROuP3QCu8iJT1dgPr-ubMcGK9pVrij_g38u_bDPaS6jU_MGxwQ8kcc0t-bLoRXQY6lN3XpA5hPCvlEjyZNCFla8TnvnxgMoIsvdnYESi6rZM6qQ/s400/P1110202.JPG" /></a> This was fun. You folded up paper airplane-like structures and inserted it into a long clear vaccuum tube approximately 3 storys high. It was sucked it up, up, up, then it popped out the top and floated down to be caught in a net below.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGB6bIvoBdIdryyXTor-oK-rTHFbhHrLZyma5PFPaCDaQYfyf4GeGNEuNsUCxEhsPVx20EKSyXsnmpCewZBFKg9-3SC2MA76r2W02wS-aBACShmICIOwb3fzCpG-RjzffX6cnmg/s1600-h/P1110206.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437164093261560914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCGB6bIvoBdIdryyXTor-oK-rTHFbhHrLZyma5PFPaCDaQYfyf4GeGNEuNsUCxEhsPVx20EKSyXsnmpCewZBFKg9-3SC2MA76r2W02wS-aBACShmICIOwb3fzCpG-RjzffX6cnmg/s400/P1110206.JPG" /></a> If you look closely, you can see one being sucked up the tube. (Just below the black ring)</div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsVfAwUFa1X7JaDfgIj1-9n_omGqCjaypzyL3s-4WVdFbkYFP9B1xxnsYPmflSujkIoUeGN0XTHOVE0m98RvjUzm-a6Q6ZI_M_Ulr-9ByaRvwIalZXNHoR-vvTjxFcaX3vPabkQ/s1600-h/P1110207.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437164082758540130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsVfAwUFa1X7JaDfgIj1-9n_omGqCjaypzyL3s-4WVdFbkYFP9B1xxnsYPmflSujkIoUeGN0XTHOVE0m98RvjUzm-a6Q6ZI_M_Ulr-9ByaRvwIalZXNHoR-vvTjxFcaX3vPabkQ/s400/P1110207.JPG" /></a> People very busily folding their planes<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0wiwPMgxOLVAwpbDmoT7xhgWUTHCYlklFWi2YFacOYYol5oF4X2OV4Vkrq5jJRAbTJTQuyGiNrtU00YWcWgpvwNGa7jkZnJjYC946fcX5QH4Xh-HAJ231p6xrldKTltTVZHbAQ/s1600-h/P1110208.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437164074321403138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0wiwPMgxOLVAwpbDmoT7xhgWUTHCYlklFWi2YFacOYYol5oF4X2OV4Vkrq5jJRAbTJTQuyGiNrtU00YWcWgpvwNGa7jkZnJjYC946fcX5QH4Xh-HAJ231p6xrldKTltTVZHbAQ/s400/P1110208.JPG" /></a> In it goes!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrVgq2RF9Q_g8h1MO5GUOM8_nICiZKviDgx3D4gVmkBWCgDGnc0LacTEBffg_EYfyFXJBwLwBwnX6aGuL5XMXbpNF1d87T-yRUY5KDhuGVfggghbyi5tYxVS9vpuv0pqHnYqNog/s1600-h/P1110209.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437164066655693890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrVgq2RF9Q_g8h1MO5GUOM8_nICiZKviDgx3D4gVmkBWCgDGnc0LacTEBffg_EYfyFXJBwLwBwnX6aGuL5XMXbpNF1d87T-yRUY5KDhuGVfggghbyi5tYxVS9vpuv0pqHnYqNog/s400/P1110209.JPG" /></a> The floaters caught up in the net. So much fun to watch. People were cheering.</div><div></div><div>This concludes my pictorial adventure-for now. My beloved and I are hoping to make another day of it while the Olympics is in full swing and then hopefully at night, to get the full Olympic experience sans tickets! I am so glad I got the opportunity to experience Vancouver in preparty mode.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-65319513076389769872010-02-08T16:48:00.003-08:002010-02-08T16:58:43.709-08:00Olympic SymbolsPappa thought it might be a fun thing for the kids to make a stab at interpreting the Olympic rings. This is what a couple of them came up with.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6VEHH9ey1zim5Idsd2A9kKkGCjzJOG_wWRo3sVxXd-ddv7dRjsuwf-b0YvsLVjPOYSPphOyyNtvp1sSAbOOLliro-9YccjmdOHORlBfpkFCf1JSYuSzDAVNi2b5HRb25sadH9w/s1600-h/P1110138.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436040421817019858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO6VEHH9ey1zim5Idsd2A9kKkGCjzJOG_wWRo3sVxXd-ddv7dRjsuwf-b0YvsLVjPOYSPphOyyNtvp1sSAbOOLliro-9YccjmdOHORlBfpkFCf1JSYuSzDAVNi2b5HRb25sadH9w/s400/P1110138.JPG" /></a> Carly's version of the Olympic rings<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyakVPDNqtni0uLIA8mm1MHx2lecMFbXPp43iObXPX3Zvq0htXMHJZWm8dTe3gf8_0sTpQCC6E8bHIsUQahaEntE3NVXSv72yCBxxF_frdlcHJ_wRJIeBtjrbdCTChCXW4ZFqVSA/s1600-h/P1110137.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436040420323499138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyakVPDNqtni0uLIA8mm1MHx2lecMFbXPp43iObXPX3Zvq0htXMHJZWm8dTe3gf8_0sTpQCC6E8bHIsUQahaEntE3NVXSv72yCBxxF_frdlcHJ_wRJIeBtjrbdCTChCXW4ZFqVSA/s400/P1110137.JPG" /></a> Cameron went for all of the symbols<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrUcDg9e-5aRPqHwbrjXIgyBE1CR6Z1J1VLUQ8V0j5mdcrSEhRSOCuU1Xitnz7jV-x4uBRMhwFlN9dwJr_VlkI-nPNKfXJyRGU5yL19glWUrYJfP7sb9q0q5vACfK6_QpDmWcjw/s1600-h/P1110119.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436040413020717266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrUcDg9e-5aRPqHwbrjXIgyBE1CR6Z1J1VLUQ8V0j5mdcrSEhRSOCuU1Xitnz7jV-x4uBRMhwFlN9dwJr_VlkI-nPNKfXJyRGU5yL19glWUrYJfP7sb9q0q5vACfK6_QpDmWcjw/s400/P1110119.JPG" /></a> The "official" rings!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwa1GAI5pyx1juVXsO7XbgxuDjZX3gmWt-p06DzKvyyRAcK5UWZVq7ODWZ_tJU5IXrcQ11SjeUZXN1jFaqVMDm3JIw2_BY6sO5pDvy_ow6lt7shmMJ91s1BT38MQO-mYuKHVzMw/s1600-h/P1110107.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436040406785154002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqwa1GAI5pyx1juVXsO7XbgxuDjZX3gmWt-p06DzKvyyRAcK5UWZVq7ODWZ_tJU5IXrcQ11SjeUZXN1jFaqVMDm3JIw2_BY6sO5pDvy_ow6lt7shmMJ91s1BT38MQO-mYuKHVzMw/s400/P1110107.JPG" /></a> Olympic Rings as interpreted by Pappa and Claire!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgL-Lrm33BmCqfsRINCn3F95kTfUOtDFMW-c3B5ybD5dQd7dYAFJiS0eTn93F4Pf7CRizImrBf9cJFcxHdZsnqR19FZ4ETBEo79jxNzLE_B7rfDGfY-TI2bmvwg4FATg4mpythA/s1600-h/P1110159.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436040397197967090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgL-Lrm33BmCqfsRINCn3F95kTfUOtDFMW-c3B5ybD5dQd7dYAFJiS0eTn93F4Pf7CRizImrBf9cJFcxHdZsnqR19FZ4ETBEo79jxNzLE_B7rfDGfY-TI2bmvwg4FATg4mpythA/s400/P1110159.JPG" /></a> Pappa and Carly's verson of the the flames<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-9368676568211959142010-02-08T11:38:00.010-08:002010-02-08T16:44:04.809-08:00An "Un-Believer's" Olympic Experience<div align="justify"><span style="color:#00cccc;"><strong>This is a blog I'd never thought I'd write.<br /></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Perhaps it was because we hear all of the negative things about VANOC: massive cost overruns, homeless people being banished from view, autocratic decisions being made. Lawsuits over using the "official" words and symbols by the small business person. Even winning the opportunity to host the Olympics made me mad. I mean how many Februarys can you name that aren't usually snow free on Cypress Mountain? And just the other day hanging the huge Australian Kanagroo flag was a no-no. Happily for all that decision was changed, even a denial that it was a problem at all! No fun Olympics! Well let's just say, I was jaded, I was sarcastic, I was skeptical. Don't get me wrong, I love to watch the Summer Olympics, and the Winter Olympics on TV. But, each and every time the ads run on TV, <em>do you believe</em>, I said: NO! I Don't believe.<br /></span></strong><br /><strong>Today a new day dawned and I've changed my mind. The torch relay was scheduled to be run just 2 blocks from our house, and after a little debate, we thought, what the heck, let's go for the people running. Cheer them on. Support them. So we went.<br /></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#006600;">We arrived bright and early. The torch was due to pass over the Golden Ears Bridge at 8:45 a.m. On the way down to the route, we passed a new housing development. Management in their wisdom handed out balloons and small paper Canada flags. We each took a flag and walked down the road to stake out our space.<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>Since we had some time to kill before the torch arrived, and commuters were travelling to their destinations, I started waving my little paper flag and waving at cars and trucks as they passed. A surprising thing happened. People smiled. People waved. Some of the people passed by and did nothing. Some of the people passed by and were on their cell phones-tsk tsk. But mainly, people honked. People gave me the thumbs up. Heads nodded. People called greetings out of their open windows. A VANOC bus went by with all of the torch bearers in waiting. They were all smiling and waving. Waiting for their turn at history. Best response of all? A car from the New West Police Department, waved, smiled and put on their colourful lights just for me! No, not to take me away, but in response for a smile and a wave of a hand, of a flag. The Olympic experience. My experience.<br /></strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#00cccc;">The crowds grew, people were friendly and in a happy mood. The coke truck passed and handed out more flags. People wore flags. People wore red. People wore white. Hockey jerseys. Olympic hoodies. Olympic gloves. Olympic hats, you name it! Everyone wanted to come to the party in their own individual way. This was my olympics after all. I know this is as close as we'll get to all of the action except for watching it on TV. Everything is so close by, yet so far removed from us. But not the torch relay.<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Get ready. Get set. Here it comes now!<br /></span></strong><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0LolLLmU1Cftf2xbznx8mS3_eCNrUB9DYsxR3EpbzXtecSsCjJh3mwtW8PcdoRxZ2t7iijTItNmsGKaNZjCcUH0iupkeqbHTflnSgDKVJkDs3u2x8_wsrzsuHcrt_WPBMq0rZQ/s1600-h/P1110140.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435963440983177506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB0LolLLmU1Cftf2xbznx8mS3_eCNrUB9DYsxR3EpbzXtecSsCjJh3mwtW8PcdoRxZ2t7iijTItNmsGKaNZjCcUH0iupkeqbHTflnSgDKVJkDs3u2x8_wsrzsuHcrt_WPBMq0rZQ/s400/P1110140.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">Anticipation. . .<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsvorV4TNH3c93RIYXUJuP5fdlJbmscuB10n6Zmet6NKTpIy89KTEuQP_oV7LYWnBE9RDSbMYHUHyJn9BTY5XiBND91g-7-7OrDccXhUTrtcgMwJOV5pyQmiUElBRpQHHwW_ELQ/s1600-h/P1110141.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435963431079476082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsvorV4TNH3c93RIYXUJuP5fdlJbmscuB10n6Zmet6NKTpIy89KTEuQP_oV7LYWnBE9RDSbMYHUHyJn9BTY5XiBND91g-7-7OrDccXhUTrtcgMwJOV5pyQmiUElBRpQHHwW_ELQ/s400/P1110141.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> The music was blasting off this truck, people were dancing.<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglRAtdcKcGWbJUiTi-mW7tyInK7AEcKhh5TPdJ7MncCrL3RGPn0Gh-fDlCRnZnhBKjxCfij_xF8OxxQHYS-anDfxhU77Gjl42TLFS0bO9M7wsCxa0AfI0i7Dm55PvZRNDrUbRTA/s1600-h/P1110142.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435962845894032690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiglRAtdcKcGWbJUiTi-mW7tyInK7AEcKhh5TPdJ7MncCrL3RGPn0Gh-fDlCRnZnhBKjxCfij_xF8OxxQHYS-anDfxhU77Gjl42TLFS0bO9M7wsCxa0AfI0i7Dm55PvZRNDrUbRTA/s400/P1110142.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZmIj8PIuMQuRvHfga5vAeHv-gL4z7ApeaELCQxmYA3OGKl0oMVy-c_SpyiiKgNZHaRtz0363H77XZsYyhlC_NnyO1ARHD7XOJAA_65yLZsNEr0uUFk4WUMV9XUU77Nw_AOYFXg/s1600-h/P1110143.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435962840003965554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZmIj8PIuMQuRvHfga5vAeHv-gL4z7ApeaELCQxmYA3OGKl0oMVy-c_SpyiiKgNZHaRtz0363H77XZsYyhlC_NnyO1ARHD7XOJAA_65yLZsNEr0uUFk4WUMV9XUU77Nw_AOYFXg/s400/P1110143.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> And right behind, more of the official sponsors. You can see the flags in the kid's hands.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBouPyS3gvz-XKj8Al5E1xtpSZLFGDg-zv5-VU_BsQnMzUQjGBmiHTzV9eYDHKLWlm_lkYpL0TV5uWIhPtLUGbvzAyQ2YTSRxuyjR-5c7GPPcVwXhKPWchufgShv70xnf51QJBtA/s1600-h/P1110144.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435962828486701218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBouPyS3gvz-XKj8Al5E1xtpSZLFGDg-zv5-VU_BsQnMzUQjGBmiHTzV9eYDHKLWlm_lkYpL0TV5uWIhPtLUGbvzAyQ2YTSRxuyjR-5c7GPPcVwXhKPWchufgShv70xnf51QJBtA/s400/P1110144.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HAQxKETvYhJpGrXOcmzQB7REo68lGJljevbDARAgiSCrO6cQ7fsUS4xqW3HyyjaEijngLZw8psCiJnybeeATNrOEKCpXw_eFoQIPMW_1JcvYm3TW1NhkyWwdgp-Bs0wmeYW3hg/s1600-h/P1110145.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435962819290637266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HAQxKETvYhJpGrXOcmzQB7REo68lGJljevbDARAgiSCrO6cQ7fsUS4xqW3HyyjaEijngLZw8psCiJnybeeATNrOEKCpXw_eFoQIPMW_1JcvYm3TW1NhkyWwdgp-Bs0wmeYW3hg/s400/P1110145.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Amy do you dispatch this group too?<br /><br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfVmn_EiyJQEANXJT7loQYDZv0jekYjh5-KVLG1SEYtljW3cUSqC7aQABLgjXoh05q_U11_mcJLQHSxg94XOld2Uk634ytFdO6keBrpTnA0wF5m6dQgTcz1be3gE38WAyvLQi1Q/s1600-h/P1110146.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435962810847140210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfVmn_EiyJQEANXJT7loQYDZv0jekYjh5-KVLG1SEYtljW3cUSqC7aQABLgjXoh05q_U11_mcJLQHSxg94XOld2Uk634ytFdO6keBrpTnA0wF5m6dQgTcz1be3gE38WAyvLQi1Q/s400/P1110146.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> This young man was just given a high-five by a member of the Fire Department. He's waiting to run his 300 meters. Waiting for his time in the Olympic spotlight.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarviCRvSEdmGoNrwWS6PIha4HWK0TqyESGEbwp_9A9mppbyltZrxqaJ3QZijoBps835hvfNcExFmKKW-3shUfS8apqNm2WooBhMQbbkUQTOQRrp6kHfFb1ci-W-ljbDP3AhJgFQ/s1600-h/P1110147.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435961737632742226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjarviCRvSEdmGoNrwWS6PIha4HWK0TqyESGEbwp_9A9mppbyltZrxqaJ3QZijoBps835hvfNcExFmKKW-3shUfS8apqNm2WooBhMQbbkUQTOQRrp6kHfFb1ci-W-ljbDP3AhJgFQ/s400/P1110147.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QUyIIK1KL57wq_boLrjOKf_PBHPJDfzDZdY6uOk6WKAbk3I9HokQQ0wfC4LxkhIVBF7_HMfil0-WqtYzmge8mxQSp2xj_AJNJ5WYUhmIKaBB1Rv8lGq_A3SRACDt930htAo_9w/s1600-h/P1110148.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435961729960533282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-QUyIIK1KL57wq_boLrjOKf_PBHPJDfzDZdY6uOk6WKAbk3I9HokQQ0wfC4LxkhIVBF7_HMfil0-WqtYzmge8mxQSp2xj_AJNJ5WYUhmIKaBB1Rv8lGq_A3SRACDt930htAo_9w/s400/P1110148.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM0-DzpePsTC5iMh46ZCbO8MqJ6efteci_DGm_poTb7MiiGBl1bbM_-H0TMAgqzOnawu3-pSlNAEMA0oDzyDCiVfDCFrF7ADGHG7ygEbQohcBRRr0f54e4YNGrrLSho3tW38YOA/s1600-h/P1110149.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435961723054434786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM0-DzpePsTC5iMh46ZCbO8MqJ6efteci_DGm_poTb7MiiGBl1bbM_-H0TMAgqzOnawu3-pSlNAEMA0oDzyDCiVfDCFrF7ADGHG7ygEbQohcBRRr0f54e4YNGrrLSho3tW38YOA/s400/P1110149.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> There she is now!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUREhAyjzAttiS9REGAj4YfIzmTyvC3TiIv24M3ByUKogmGTsEkbe83WxmHATgrCjy1zr12kDKX7GHgpjcU92SH-YeSl2EUAQBDpB_1zVfB4D3pulHtw0uc8eivx2SuXyXp86HQ/s1600-h/P1110151.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435961715284620898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUREhAyjzAttiS9REGAj4YfIzmTyvC3TiIv24M3ByUKogmGTsEkbe83WxmHATgrCjy1zr12kDKX7GHgpjcU92SH-YeSl2EUAQBDpB_1zVfB4D3pulHtw0uc8eivx2SuXyXp86HQ/s400/P1110151.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Murphy's law!!! Woulda, coulda, shoulda have been a great shot of the torch bearer!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbd03YjbdPmTBU0UGqaed02WztaDaUOD7u_-70UOy6cjnTKt7eoY__skylAOJ6RN5MX0Cob7iVrdLRpaBt1_AhNPsatCg8TiFokJn8NHMp2LZtg6ih7rwEpCxxv8BRp5jDYMFKA/s1600-h/P1110152.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435961708031365602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSbd03YjbdPmTBU0UGqaed02WztaDaUOD7u_-70UOy6cjnTKt7eoY__skylAOJ6RN5MX0Cob7iVrdLRpaBt1_AhNPsatCg8TiFokJn8NHMp2LZtg6ih7rwEpCxxv8BRp5jDYMFKA/s400/P1110152.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Then the handlers made the group beside us move back and the camera focus was too close. Oh well. She was happy. Sadly the workers didn't know who she was! But she did awesome. She did us proud.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW4aRxtKxFDpADalG938nZ_Vk9kYcK-5cYKfejgs8dCAFAEvUhZFjhohyphenhyphen7OvUwh_DwZwHGV9xFA9BssZ4bRrdPUe-RoDqiiUOlWwvSsrtfQYHNQwwxYQ2n8a6CqQTDzwLdqb0aQ/s1600-h/P1110154.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435960580404821682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMW4aRxtKxFDpADalG938nZ_Vk9kYcK-5cYKfejgs8dCAFAEvUhZFjhohyphenhyphen7OvUwh_DwZwHGV9xFA9BssZ4bRrdPUe-RoDqiiUOlWwvSsrtfQYHNQwwxYQ2n8a6CqQTDzwLdqb0aQ/s400/P1110154.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Over too soon!<br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJd9nRZ7NOX9bid0mhfhC3NqHuE4bp-ItEV5apvbruc21qjsGscXGG43gKoqZuNHzEsSy2DuU1FWKe3Zqv0iW37XDig7PtAhgQekDpqZWDOPzFfUGj-HN33nJ-VPn73dLYTfAwgA/s1600-h/P1110155.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435960571895790898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJd9nRZ7NOX9bid0mhfhC3NqHuE4bp-ItEV5apvbruc21qjsGscXGG43gKoqZuNHzEsSy2DuU1FWKe3Zqv0iW37XDig7PtAhgQekDpqZWDOPzFfUGj-HN33nJ-VPn73dLYTfAwgA/s400/P1110155.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> But wait . . . the exchange!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDyuijnqFqPYHj6z9XZk1-sn92viimhxyDhenTvDvMcmzkA_LGR3x4gqcUMRphAREHYGFP03lWBHPeNMalSEEnC-WD9WWirJE0vmdtEqzor2Y0BFOspEkFCnCBQbkSrvG8kxy7Q/s1600-h/P1110156.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435960560613813618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcDyuijnqFqPYHj6z9XZk1-sn92viimhxyDhenTvDvMcmzkA_LGR3x4gqcUMRphAREHYGFP03lWBHPeNMalSEEnC-WD9WWirJE0vmdtEqzor2Y0BFOspEkFCnCBQbkSrvG8kxy7Q/s400/P1110156.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Awesome. See the van filled with photographers and videographers capturing each and every handoff, each and every step along its' journey across Canada.<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yfazguml3pJ6GgkPh9Ln1MLTaj__3D9UGU4ynIQMCwBGTVk1jszg_71EKZbZxZmdjjfXeh1MlMdjk5nEj0t9aExbXn9tx6JjI54xSqFjJheDHQUhU2IsdCzMKEKu8ucGg55WKQ/s1600-h/P1110157.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435960554257133378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yfazguml3pJ6GgkPh9Ln1MLTaj__3D9UGU4ynIQMCwBGTVk1jszg_71EKZbZxZmdjjfXeh1MlMdjk5nEj0t9aExbXn9tx6JjI54xSqFjJheDHQUhU2IsdCzMKEKu8ucGg55WKQ/s400/P1110157.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"> Time for her last pose!<br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcK6RtMD2OVNYgZTDCwMIhMqBwK-rHKpcB-hs_frCfcCBXhFFDoCha_vvAkHlznBxDbJ9XVfQvK5vJ985zLY2c4A9Ne_8LEy6iclj3LLBHY4Iq4YkRKd69kwiteNUYeZqHvj2og/s1600-h/P1110158.JPG"><span style="font-size:78%;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435960545569988946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmcK6RtMD2OVNYgZTDCwMIhMqBwK-rHKpcB-hs_frCfcCBXhFFDoCha_vvAkHlznBxDbJ9XVfQvK5vJ985zLY2c4A9Ne_8LEy6iclj3LLBHY4Iq4YkRKd69kwiteNUYeZqHvj2og/s400/P1110158.JPG" /></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><br />And away he goes down 96th! Sorry we didn't know who either of these torch bearers were, but we know people were cheering.</span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;">And that my friends was the Olympic Torch Experience, run over a thousand times before this one. What a well oiled machine. What planning. Nicely done everyone! Thanks VANOC!</span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Now only 5 more sleeps to the biggest party BC has ever hosted. Enjoy it everyone. And if you still have a chance to "participate" in the Torch Relay. Go, you won't be sorry you did. </span></span></strong></span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;"></span></span></strong></span> </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"><span style="font-size:130%;">Go Canada Go!<br /></span><br /></span></strong><br /></div></span><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-50552077186893996662010-01-25T15:02:00.009-08:002010-01-25T16:54:05.972-08:00A Year Under Construction<div align="justify"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Yesterday marked our Daughter Amy and S-I-L Tyler's First Wedding Anniversary as Mr. & Mrs. Moore. Since that beautiful January 24th day in 2009, s</strong></span><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>o much has happened.</strong></span> </div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430817333863026050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZmtyCXN_oHxkRrUx-3_YpnkycIiCS8-dYYOmeMHS-CAiC7Wx-M6Ro7Q2F9HuezsAckRmMqmEwHfzEVNo7qDMpyh1b-VVNIMTvlaSyMUcD84gvQXfCCoA9zDNaG0Z3ag3DDxrCw/s400/n561461019_1966661_143.jpg" /><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Just before their January wedding, Tyler took time off to work on their "suite of dreams" in their Vancouver home. The craftsman style house, circa, 1913, which has been in the Moore family since 1916, had too many wonderful memories to let it go. It was first owned by Tyler's grandparents, then Tyler's Sister, and now it's Amy and Tyler's turn to start new traditions, to make new memories. </strong></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Tyler completed the suite to perfection and then he began <em>the long deconstruct</em> upstairs and down. The house top to bottom, back to front, had to be totally gutted. All the while the newlyweds were as snug as two little bugs in a rug in the suite at the front of the house. At one point the back of the house looked like a child's dollhouse with the front totally closed in and the back totally open but sectioned off. It looked as if it were waiting for a child to put in the dolls and the furniture. Thankfully, plywood now blocks off the interior spaces from the elements. The rooms are taking shape. The house is being restored to a most wonderful living space for Tyler and his bride. While there is still so much to do, the home is taking on its' new character, its' new personality.</strong></span></p><br /><br /><p align="justify"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430818951895085154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUKPpAGS0lRcB47o197nEtkuUHWVjBdTJ2p_c6TOp4RzDaYW9xJDf3IG2FAHohFplhWo2cEwKjpde9PG9RXvFlt5pX-9O6lDIv_NdqQi-NEEiQso1dWjOjCGipKlaQlsqmOqRbQ/s400/20577_262265451746_601711746_3782348_4018382_n.jpg" /><span style="font-size:85%;color:#33cc00;"><strong>This is what the front of the house looked like last week when my beloved went over to help. </strong></span></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>If the inspector gives Tyler the okay today or tomorrow, Wednesday will be a very big day. Roofers will on the roof and the basement will finally receive it's cement flooring. Top to bottom, a red letter day!</strong></span></p><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>Meanwhile, in the little suite of dreams, another wee project is in the works...they are expecting a baby in mid-April, which pure and simply put, just delights the whole family. Our baby is having a baby and Pappa and I can't wait!</strong></span></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#33cc00;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong></strong></span></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 394px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430837128819368658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MGeHFSnc1Pm09z3YD3csWiulULPLP-V0n8ylaj9h6mHbcHrwYu_19YbNUXwfqYTuBWsT9V9o6zMyjmfH5XpaOvdFs0eD1ZpFNreezIMbvQ2YSBmT-iA4iFPHbBgur3ObEwVFHw/s400/Tmp00005.jpg" /><br /><p></p><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 220px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430821076928819218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5HEhC0ZjScEp63O33WlxaRy0DRLZcVk6abJkWe_LXAQD0xkK3Vn9-7obn7jRjbU74mhEGqq_gdm65sig4WrvaYXyAeZgJ_TMJaloX3ARH4L8FURBTTHuDsbGs4PAgZesUDkeqQ/s400/6a00e553dd55ed883400e554c3a4138833.jpg" /></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#33cc00;"><strong>What a year. What a year! We can only imagine the excitement next year will bring. Stay tuned. In the meantime, Amy and Tyler, wishing you both a Very Happy First Anniversary. Dad and I love you very much.</strong></span></p><p align="justify"><br /> </p>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-37315745685669735282009-12-12T17:13:00.004-08:002009-12-12T17:27:13.719-08:00Pink is for Girls, Blue is for Boys<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><div><br /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">And if Blue is for boys, then that means . . .</span></strong></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 364px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 307px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414523976554048066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbuGbZzCeMYKp5HpVW-4imTDPS9RRzJyo4SpfcL2eT2el-mSxVsN3N_S3QcDqZkwhTY8-t1vNTh9PQdAX3wElHrc6Oze_z_x1TGZTZHOzjZVljNg-yDteEdEof91lz7H1Ak0hvtQ/s400/boy.gif" /><br /><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Yes, our daughter April gave birth to an 8 pound 6 oz baby boy on December 11, 2009. He is healthy, alert, and feeding really well. He was supposed to be born on December 23 but he knew that would make it hard for his Mommy and Daddy to plan all of his future Birthday Parties so he decided that the 11th was a perfect day! And was he right! <em>Hudson Nicholas</em> is here and Nanny and Pappa couldn't be more delighted. </span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Welcome Hudson, we look forward to getting to know all about you, to hear your stories and share your life. </span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Your journey of love has begun, adventures await. We love you!</span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong> </div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><div><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414523986255918818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnecOil3eWbSz2NR03_6QKZ3ZNOgbVPzi8E74xAzNDQa5VMPy0yHA7htiXldWXCL9nfUjx4D8XLWggmJR-ajzWeRRz0LalPgXH938ka3j8j5utdwedQVGjlv3CNFuA0wGRhkovsg/s400/P1100115.JPG" /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-34983371499770965752009-11-22T16:34:00.005-08:002009-11-22T17:22:23.326-08:00New Beginnings!<div align="justify">I guess when you think about it, each and every day is a new beginning, but today had an extra touch of special-ness and mystery about it.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Today my beloved and I were accepted into membership by Letter of Transfer from Trinity Lutheran in Delta to St. Paul's Lutheran in Maple Ridge. New friendships to be forged, I'm sure. New opportunities to help the community at large are there but for the signing up to do so. New experiences, yet similar too of course from our former church(s), to be lived. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify">This transfer as it turns out happened on the last day of the church year, saying goodbye to an old parish especially at this time of year seems appropriate. Next Sunday is the start of the church's new year, First Advent.</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407099648722317010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6DNd-qjHy2meAAw3PInU9KGNzMHaYvl8jB8WNhROuJd5L0RNQbB7jDHt28RXzLaOVMwn287PBq5dAfi2I0IDdJ0UnwGLdUjM6ooO6KzJ9_8UBu3QpNeENWaVO1-iwI-5t7e4yzw/s400/P1090929.JPG" /><br /><div align="justify">The congregation is most welcoming including having a cake for us to cut and share. We even had our picture taken as we cut it, just like the day we got married! When we left church today we were happy. Happy to again have a church home, a sense of belonging, which as you can tell from this posting is especially important to us, to an old council chair like my beloved and an old church lady (secretary) like me for many, many years.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">After church we took a short 3 minute drive down the street to the local hospital where we met a family also celebrating new beginnings. A dear friend, Cynthia and her husband Mike, delivered a very special, precious, healthy, baby boy yesterday. His name is Jack.</div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">When we arrived, the door was partially closed and we tapped on it, not wanting to disturb, but we heard a welcoming "come in". Sitting up in a chair, was this beautiful, radiant woman, most certainly not looking like she'd gone through anything as wonderful and exhausting and exhilarating as delivering a baby! And baby Jack, a picture of perfection with his perfectly shaped little head, his lovely peaches and cream complexion which his daddy assures us, is like that all over his tiny, perfect little body. He looked so cozy sleeping in his bassinet all bundled up in a blue flannel blanket. Perfection through and through. He looked so cozy, so peaceful. Offers were made to us to pick him up, but we didn't have the heart to disturb him, he looked far too cozy. We satisfied ourselves with many peeks and oooowwwws and awwwwwws. So darling, so adorable.</div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407099639688328898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1_xZwQBA4Ie7nPOSEycRB0TuAmVutBwDUe0jwX4w67dvTYt2VwmkHmOZoN0BwjzAdVwdU95Gp9cjkbmSZXD_6CT_GvVz0kdak3WX_hWMRh8xdrV0g8znSQYN2Aap3GvkKPab-Q/s400/P1090930.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">A sneak peak of Jack and his Mommy and Daddy and the two stuffies his big brother thought would be a perfect welcoming gift for a little brother!</span><br /><br /><div align="justify">Jack was exactly 24 hours old when we visited and Cynthia and Mike were waiting for the lab people to come so that he could have his "going home" tests. Waiting anxiously to take him home to his brother and his sister, to his grandparents, to life, to new experiences, new beginnings. The wonder of it all, the mystery of it all. Life is good!</div><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">Dear little Jack we wish you a joyous, happy life, one I hope that will be filled with great love and fulfillment. The world awaits you, be a good steward of all of the great gifts awaiting your discovery. Welcome to your world!</div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-81233501715364833622009-11-19T19:41:00.017-08:002009-11-19T22:47:49.964-08:00The Bean is Two!<div align="justify"><div align="justify"><div align="justify">On Monday our youngest granddaughter turned two, and while her name is Courtney, and her parents shortened it to Coco, her Pappa and I affectionately refer to her as <em>The Bean</em>. When Pappa and I write out Birthday cards, if we're the second one writing in the card, we avoid reading what the other has written about the birthday person. We don't want to corrupt our original thoughts. Even that in itself is funny as we have both decided that between the both of us we have one good head...anyway, what I started out to say was this, both of us had written about her twinkly eyes when she smiles. And girl, can that little one smile!</div><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">The Bean with her Nanny </span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406065308460769522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrYjjuEh9EF1Cu1-pgbV0m1dpreqUOeRls5gV6y9NjZufiJypHrZT_Ltwh7zjhbzBtz2EDQVNVcRsBlMsgea7wDxkwGGfQmPSYLcQimPtcvOJel1R9haG-J91RjC6NcdqGO0Q_Q/s400/P1090926.JPG" /></div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size:78%;">Amy with her Granny</span></div><div align="justify"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406069650930668146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39GiHdmFPaik-d5im5bx8MWBJAFFVUNwQ-PxPw-0l21J6H5ILRzVscAuseicCpdeTlU_6NBSIfHypDiUuKTu3NWfRjHurdUexxjaM960GxtimD2dBXLk6m-EbvPcN20LYHzyk5g/s400/P1090871.JPG" /><br /><div align="justify">Coco is a darling little girl, who doesn't need to use many words, because surrounded as she is by her loving siblings, all she has to do is grunt or point and this action brings the item to her, or is described to her, be it a toy, a glass of water, a bird flying by outside the window, she gets her point across. I think that a lot of yacker-doodles could learn a lesson or two from our Bean!</div><br /><div align="justify">It was so much fun watching her with her Birthday cake, as soon as it came into the dining room, she was almost shy about it, and while the picture immediately below might make it look as if she were crying, she was not. In fact, the more we got into it, the more delighted she became. </div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Coco was surrounded by so much love, the love of her immediate family, 3 grandparents~Nonna, Pappa and I, one great grandmother, also known as GG and my dear sister Madeleine recovering from a terrific fall down 14 stairs, and one beautiful Aunty Amy, Uncle Tyler and Cousin Kayla. Missing in action due to timing of event, Aunty April, Uncle Nick and cousin Abby.<br /></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406031084619256738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8n4DJ-kHYWFUpSqCYExw01WYoS_sAe9bU-DvntYs5tOKHVDdp0hl0LklWLYumBMlxQI-4eAIlaCkALin-RNSrlwtPO2RMXE5p6-HnVjPqN0DTN2rPRndelE7HdpAfp2W6_LLb6A/s400/P1090835.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406068579589112450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsteQfx37t43Ik6oc-h4b0XSGVD8d5YHiNPH2YTDU8ERLutpTpuIlWBVfEcyyIEfbYFLW8Ni0mNTUybnF8AS5NQbUsEWRTjbpNPdbS1FYBfF6gpKRhKcAYRcqjMQPY-TdOs25toA/s400/P1090847.JPG" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406033103583136722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5c_w3maXKO1slQM_SrdfPw4i5fl_UYk6Tp3EYf-jiMMukHUlL1GpnapDWrc4dvDofEUmjhInFRAe6nCey9IiSxJ4i6bDVCHImub61pekMpjYPIkt0e_CpmZpzxDiLJiPx8adZA/s400/P1090848.JPG" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406069000626893186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOjG_2lTO1iYXtgj3LzL7hUvXAGlAwqoSuRCPZoZpqym2RQNZg3Qk2EtarvOJaGjTlvRhSye1IITSRra0YuqKWKeTMrkChWZys1BJ8ZWyMZWG0-vUBcFwi-wQB0J0aai43cgMLg/s400/P1090860.JPG" /> <span style="font-size:78%;">The proud parents!<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406033124313275634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixQUnYic5ECkJ1UTzfzjkilS4x2Zo8tJ30qA_mRQ-HhDL5fTuAf0lzDI4hhWrHSAkk3e4LSRkPvR77NtIVpXIroUYnTBZhvzED3tW_3ZFA96E7-cBcbco-aY1UQ3NVMTv9n7HGGQ/s400/P1090863.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Just one shot of the hub-bub of opening the presents, blogger isn't being kind to me so I left it at this one but you get the idea<br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5406067698879204674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsszH9IFDBfEhW-3febNYkdGOCqDkw9ZzCWUcHu7cGqx_ersUs_nGEEJWe207Erle2YW8r3QRStEOsTNSGEL3gfHvlJbwlxglV_Ltnf8J03O6OpbignyL_n7bPgbpBMQLldpURmA/s400/P1090909.JPG" /><br />Bean we are all addicted to you and Nanny and Pappa love you very, very, much. Have a Very Happy 2nd Birthday.<br /></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-62965371474192879062009-11-11T11:56:00.004-08:002009-11-11T12:00:42.522-08:00Remember<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/SvsXcGYrODI/AAAAAAAACaU/6kiTYPQJjJw/s1600-h/remembranceday11-cp-190.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 338px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 278px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402937949478926386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/SvsXcGYrODI/AAAAAAAACaU/6kiTYPQJjJw/s400/remembranceday11-cp-190.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSKgNPidWIAnI65bcGnFdCmJ1QKJ_iVQkHJAckQ4KTbQ95RI2z7MaHRvm8i-ViE6qUfnmS-lcBeuj7ljm90aIv4ZKzcaGHnlb8ciSaVTu2brfdsxfV24j52ChknotIOLpcealAw/s1600-h/dea2357-190.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 252px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 175px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402937845893093538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSKgNPidWIAnI65bcGnFdCmJ1QKJ_iVQkHJAckQ4KTbQ95RI2z7MaHRvm8i-ViE6qUfnmS-lcBeuj7ljm90aIv4ZKzcaGHnlb8ciSaVTu2brfdsxfV24j52ChknotIOLpcealAw/s400/dea2357-190.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqH86jSRiFJ4lgwb9vS2LLUBq0e7Oq_mIIWOO8I7kD6ixM1EkQPvHS2frqRN3CqS3Fu39qd9N1K5XncIGrQeCCdPdKBDkaESBR8niotqzvLqK4fS68rdTHvt4NvhHR7a5PZ29Zg/s1600-h/tp-remembrance-cp-1110.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 376px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 234px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402937841306451858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGqH86jSRiFJ4lgwb9vS2LLUBq0e7Oq_mIIWOO8I7kD6ixM1EkQPvHS2frqRN3CqS3Fu39qd9N1K5XncIGrQeCCdPdKBDkaESBR8niotqzvLqK4fS68rdTHvt4NvhHR7a5PZ29Zg/s400/tp-remembrance-cp-1110.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/SvsXViMsvSI/AAAAAAAACZ8/wk4AeRor8Uc/s1600-h/storring-392-6023491-190.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 341px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402937836685802786" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7exCu6xoi3M/SvsXViMsvSI/AAAAAAAACZ8/wk4AeRor8Uc/s400/storring-392-6023491-190.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-85876735773719437362009-11-10T15:51:00.009-08:002009-11-10T17:31:51.069-08:00Abby's Big Adventure<div align="justify">For several weeks now, April, Nick, Pappa and I had planted in Abby's head the idea of her sleeping over at Nanny and Pappa's house. Although I am not sure that she completely understood the concept, she agreed that she would like to do that. Each and every time I saw her, I mentioned it to her in some way and at many a opportunity, April and Nick spoke to her about it too.<br /></div><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify">Last Saturday was designated as the appointed time~the wheels were set in motion.<br /><br />Library books were borrowed from our local library for bedtime reading pleasure, food that we knew was tried and true was purchased, and the toys and puzzles she liked were set out and waiting for her arrival. Right on queue, the big day came. Ready or not, this was it!<br /><br />I have to say I wasn't nervous about the visit, but I was nervous for Abby's sake, for all of the ways she would need to adapt to being away from her parents, her bed, her toys, her home, her comfort level. Let me tell you all of the preparation ahead of time worked. She <em>was</em> ready. We read, we coloured, we ate, we snacked, we did puzzles, we fed the newly named Nancy and Natalie their baby bottles (remember those dolly bottles, that when you tip them over, the fluid disappears and makes bubbles?) we bathed, we read some more, and when it came time for lights out, Abby slept in our big bed and didn't wake up for 12 hours. Her very first every sleepover anywhere but at home was a huge, resounding success. She is our big girl!<br /><br />She is such a joy to be around, she loves to sing, to make up rhyming words, like twirly whirly, (too bad nanny can't spell them!!), she is playful and has the most awesome memory and eye for detail. It was so much fun to see Abby and Pappa bonding, colouring, laughing, feeding the dollys. It brought back so many memories of the Daddy our little girls knew, know and loved. For that reason alone, priceless and wonderful. </div><div align="justify"></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402636665520474514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipmocvhpoC1tfuVydiSeaJg5pJjylvivJv2PCbSv_9U0YdobXBq59o9TBNt7EYAYyD_U9x3niEyCoM52TC81hltlChsms91i-gGnFnXVTUCIkKBa4ZS_w9uiJDnqNszLjTCsYtFw/s400/P1090782.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Peeking through the window from kitchen to my office, and the steaming kettle steam, Abby and Pappa creating the first of many masterpieces!</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402636682527481602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIkAiZlZBookrdjw2t2QUPAPdkgBfqbvlVRexC1KwKVcU1VGCU7cLXgFs4hijwxDajOdL5oiSNtAvrsaCcdCpgvkPrRqqMXs9_Byt9xfj1GGcvYfZ25ogxrkgeZUvSwrQswAQ_g/s400/P1090788.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">I love this shot of Abby looking at her Pappa! What do you think Abby, do you believe him? </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /><br /></span><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402636673605833762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieydaa37geBduomheEjQ3DIroxYUztMHWxd4t13UMJNwJ4mpEAWmE2zjvoJa0gnDbCwW11CrViNOFE5JAISpCHn57iBXgkF_i0aw_rxLI1LdrtNp83LgNiyfQqZ5ddBKqG2hvrtA/s400/P1090784.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Abby feeding Natalie the first of many bottles. This is Cathy's old dolly sans hat!</span><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402636695415542674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxMDdWcoGOdb8_fqe2BlbbliDc_VPb44Lw-Q4CMbVGmUkR5F0JHNkOX4-vDCaSHlbO6nIkiNvtl-GPt9ERBwar1DguncMZxr1z9rDGycANFgQqYC5QhRBRjgI1JmL18nLoJqAhA/s400/P1090790.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Abby with a puzzle we purchased for her mommy when she was about this age.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402639517092965266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLPCnaHD5ywhq5XcrEJY1no9To8qo6bTBE-rg4ANv8SXgEySoNK0tNMqCEsLT514zdPtSZLm-ytZK_o88ZUw1Gw5q-8Wd2PjeYCwtFrCTtgc7OjNNPjInKkamanWFm7s2Gr5z9w/s400/P1090800.JPG" /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">Abby said she liked my bathroom! So cute.</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402636689535199378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpX5RJUYOC8ybOnnWvBgYX9EHYF2dMUCrS3wt7Wp6NNafjsFD7qLYo055u150UN-a3Dkmnpx9eH1GP71Ly-byIcNgJgF6FkgkJ3RrQtiqKzJb2yyLcUM0CyFEMFvTsmpreb5e5w/s400/P1090789.JPG" /> <p align="justify"><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">The Saturday night aftermath of play!</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br />On Sunday morning we got up, ate breakfast and took Abby to church. She loved watching the pianist and organist play, she put her little hands up and received Communion and she charmed the bejeepers out of all of the older members of the congregation who hadn't even realized that such a little charmer was in their midst. She was that quiet.<br /><br /><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402639526642773506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKgKHrGdNPrCMXoky_pRM6Btp53v6EqMkZP4oP-TRceETDvV8jJUXMkWFuYLyaJ5IPOlSaq6Kd3uKr3wOWCgKM7Z_BhXu3JfYX9nTpbWJkJ_KtL2KEvdRSVmb8CKaV5a7NjlrYQ/s400/P1090806.JPG" /> <span style="font-size:78%;">Breakfast dining before we dashed off to church</span></p><p align="justify"><br />After church we took her out for fast food and returned her home safe and sound to her eagerly awaiting Mommy and Daddy. The mommy and daddy who have done such an awesome job raising her. This well and truly loved little girl is a joy and a delight and this Nanny and Pappa look forward to more of these visits in the months to come. </p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402639530732194834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQqmIeFlAp3BwDX52T5j3V7cKlYz8FYymx_sKA1YYuM5kc9YNsX0NpYM1osmwslyMgEneiramOLcz4otr-A9i5zxGOtcB6a5tABAxQlmcUk55pHlmDKOJC68_W72GeSYPaDNgYg/s400/P1090811.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">I am struck by the similiarities of my neice Riki and Abby in this picture. It's uncanny.</span></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402639541586300866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fiycbm4yyoGwwlbTl8ig1vtSpQ-HCPCRqET6plxhxiuFSCT8qQAuXdxOBxLVf6cd87GwGSNw8etxavFurIR4xqh4_eiIWzoKrdjGeaY0zJ6bFS6SjUCBMM-aXkD7VU1VGgifKw/s400/P1090818.JPG" /><span style="font-size:78%;">Getting latched in for the return trip home, all cozy under her blanket.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:78%;"><br /></span><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402639549024407042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5i3JwySuZKVMeY0pZ-ZTDXj1OXZvXLcHdogXwUfpr9PW9f9Io11t9nJewK8lqLoXWOIFdLODQ390eqW7_a0ASFXlE1aI2nXaRjU5AdC24Rq2KPkvVj7u75CWk-pbEmCMweZEpg/s400/P1090820.JPG" /></p><p align="justify"><span style="font-size:78%;">Abby and the infamous Chewy who loves and delights in all of the attention my grandchildren lavish on him!</span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><br />Abby, Nanny is so proud of you. You had a lot of new things to challenge you in such a short time span and you did it!<br /><br /><br />We know it was a success because on the way home to her house, she asked if she could come back to our house, today! We love you Abby. </p>Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31789032.post-83933236532004165112009-11-10T15:07:00.007-08:002009-11-10T17:30:33.826-08:00The E8s<div align="justify">As of late, Pappa and Nanny decided if was okay with the parents and children, to take Cathy and Cliff's 5 oldest children to our new church for Sunday School. Everyone eagerly agreed and a new Sunday morning tradition has begun.</div><div align="justify"><br /></div><div align="justify">By 8:45 on Sunday morning the E8's big van turns into our driveway. Cliff removes Coco's car seat and puts it in our car, and Coco, who is still too little for Sunday School, and Chewy my car dog toy, are buckled in. The switch is made and off we all go on our separate ways. Cathy, Cliff and Coco off to breakfast and hopefully some restoring of energy, and Nanny and Pappa and Cameron, Claire, Carly, Catie and Caroline drive over the bridge to Maple Ridge for Sunday School. It has been a wonderful experience for all of us. After church we return to our house for lunch and playtime and then we pile them all back in their van and take them home again, home again, jiggedy jig! With the coming of the annual Christmas Pageant, we eagerly look forward to little lambs, sheep, angels, shepherds and singing. Our Sunday excursions are a time I wouldn't trade for all of the world.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 319px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 392px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402616719711714114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg_72MNq1mU8ASELv3jEnnyee2_B-0dgd1thWbiB108OqDTndThBSzWq7jj5VAAxtuuCLLpoDmcz80bgwOsx7e3Ux-B8YWJzm_joRQyzbwDuc5RkHAbL9m77ZWTlc6On70lFH88A/s400/P1090634.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402620873574420578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWNNzg5Joo4tWfmR8IpeVtk2CNp1IibVbxDTXW-fJO_-NHKzw7Pld1e4QrlGVFHs91SWSSCMwab_x5ZAHKCAmN-9WvQMdokphzU_8f03_7aDmsVDB3bo3PLzBGwD3t-UKacMX72Q/s400/P1090674(1).JPG" /><br /><p align="justify">On Halloween night Pappa answered the door and who stood before it but 6 of our Grands all decked out in their Halloween finery! After a toidy break, we put out a bowl of candy at our front door and went out to knock on some of our neighbour's doors. It was such a fun time. Thank you Cathy and Cliff for that lovely, happy time. It most certainly was a treat, not a trick!</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 352px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 471px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402620882857111618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoGMvNrZp8NnBA4z4pzh4NwEmPNgCQVC7NrEz7LP3rnqL2E6CwIWjWtzSSr0TsAG_u6uYazULtSXYmse4HGM-XP0ZYPeJCU9MM0dXAKFPJtaIQnNnS6lyEryvLOOsoZtl-IgVQg/s400/P1090724.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402620896883509842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi43yL02UJWPBQYYMXgeAiUrcuo3D69Zcs-MH3IGEcPyQxneEWZj9xOnca1vxGi6Gr1rBXYTik17Ryo3_cNHFaNahc9QGeG_aUXGx2FnsO_N3BdFGQldd8jjlWekLXKMRSty0BRFw/s400/P1090732.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402620907765034066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhYXs3d4OzMJ7gQZ1rphdvomqDJhP55PAOhiOLlqkW71n5HtHFj6sprdSBzobErGLGYybq1sfgs2tqmh_lvVi6Vr27cRozyQROHIGFH1H8RlQMrxkV0KfsnI9wt6NEmhmSePoLA/s400/P1090737.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402620899841091106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMUMAPCKjFCQnhB_EcvEFyAhPD4tdeCVPyrIkaRAno2UyMpZmOdWulJ-YqfzxGNwyb46OiUEPFvId6YkxnzdsVjAsqtrM_Hv63kgjabnewiS3vLQD5_ZUmbkBkGvOJtN69CZZ2g/s400/P1090738.JPG" />Allysonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06950235258699981354noreply@blogger.com0