tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37893314970235983162024-03-13T08:59:08.351-07:00The Pollard FamilyGretchen, Jake, Hannah, Liam, and LoganGretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.comBlogger222125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-85883464584424061462015-02-25T13:51:00.001-08:002015-02-25T13:51:33.344-08:00Beachbody CoachI decided that enough was enough. I'm tired of being overweight and unhappy with my body. So I signed up to be a Beachbody Coach. I'm committing myself to healthier eating, fitness shakes (Shakeology), and Insanity, while motivating other's at the same time to reach their fitness goal's too. My personal goal is to lose 30 pounds in the next 6 months. That is only a little over a pound a week, totally doable! If you want to join me check out my website: <a href="http://www.beachbodycoach.com/GPOLLARD">www.beachbodycoach.com/GPOLLARD</a> Let me know how I can help YOU reach your goals. Every 30 day's I will be running a challenge group on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gretchenpollard85" target="_blank">Facebook</a>. It is a way to keep us accountable for our workouts and healthy eating. Contact me and let me know if you want to be a part of it!<br />
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<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-79798632938631908372015-01-11T11:55:00.001-08:002015-01-11T11:56:17.396-08:00Hannah's ProgressIn early January of 2012 our 3 year old daughter was diagnosed with <br />
Post-Viral Cerebellar Ataxia (ACA: Acute Cerebellar Ataxia). It was a <br />
long hard road to recovery for her. It took 8 months for her to walk <br />
again, and months to do many other basic things like eating and talking.<br />
I decided to create a video documenting her recovery over the past 3 years. <br />
The first video is a short clip that didn't make it into the video, but it really show's what a struggle it was for her to learn to walk again.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyBJPykDgDmTLmFt3vdABDaxpF1cpY7tINO01kO4eEGx1Jn99MRZRzObdy1Jj9D-E_W1Px6eEVBayIvlF1Wxw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wS0jk4rYgrc" width="480"></iframe>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-39756316983936690082014-02-22T15:46:00.000-08:002014-02-22T15:46:05.667-08:00Logan's Birth Story<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql9AwhCsPVH_ikFQ06jKX_ae3rwrmYpybmze4Dop7xb7rcCgYM0SZCW-As3DCoYdwyH41MrkSnfvSwYqMNP40ewWo26XSRBE-G6YPMJ3TRxtY58hRdGUNA3pREsako9B2omb8yuUc4kw/s1600/LoganNB_4188BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgql9AwhCsPVH_ikFQ06jKX_ae3rwrmYpybmze4Dop7xb7rcCgYM0SZCW-As3DCoYdwyH41MrkSnfvSwYqMNP40ewWo26XSRBE-G6YPMJ3TRxtY58hRdGUNA3pREsako9B2omb8yuUc4kw/s1600/LoganNB_4188BW.jpg" height="211" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logan Jacob Pollard</td></tr>
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As it turns out, what they say is true, no two labors are the same.
With Hannah I started having contractions in the middle of the night and
I labored at home for an hour or so until my water broke and I went to
the hospital. With Liam I felt him drop before I went to bed and I woke
up to strong contractions in the middle of the night, but the doctor had to
rupture my membranes before he was born. Now for Logan's birth story.<br />
<br />
Three
day's before he was born I started having nausea before bed every
night. It was annoying and making it hard to sleep. Little did I know
that digestive issues like nausea and diarrhea are signs that labor is
just around the corner. On Monday night I had irregular contractions
that were starting to feel a bit more crampy, but didn't think much of
it since my due date was about 2 weeks away. I went to bed and woke up
about 3:15am to use the restroom and when I stood up my water broke. I'm
not talking about a trickle of water, it was like you see in the
movies, a big rush of water as I yelled at Jake to get me a towel so I
could waddle to the bathroom without making a bigger mess. My doctor
told me to head to the hospital if my water broke, so we called friends and family trying to find someone to come be with the kids while we went to the
hospital. Jake's mom headed to our house, but they live 15 minutes away
and I was too anxious to wait so I actually drove myself to the hospital
:) I picked my mom up at her hotel on the way and checked in.<br />
<br />
At
the hospital my contractions started getting stronger, but after a
while they became irregular and mild. When they checked me I was 2.5cm
and 80% effaced. I decided to walk the hall's to see if I could move
labor along, it seemed to work because contractions got stronger, but
little progress was being made. I used a birthing ball for a while too
but contractions were still irregular. At 9:30am they decided I needed
some pitocin to help jump start my body into true labor. I was nervous
about being administered pitocin because it was something I never needed
before, but they started it very low at 1ml/hour and gradually
increased it by 1 ml every 20 mins. They only needed to go to 4ml/hour before
they took me off because my contractions became very strong and regular
as my body kicked into gear. At about 12:30pm my OB came to check me and
I was a 4 and 90% effaced. He decided to go back to his office to see
patients because it looked like I had a few hours to go.<br />
<br />
The
contractions got very intense and were 2-3 mins apart, but I was able
to stay calm and put my energy into trying to break the bar on the side
of the bed in half. At this point I wanted to move around and find
positions that were more comfortable, but no position is comfortable
when you are in active labor. I decided it was time for an epidural. I
got one at about 1:15pm and didn't feel a thing as they placed it. By
1:45pm the contractions were less intense but I could still feel them on
the left side. The nurse checked me right after they gave me an
epidural and I was at a 9 and 100% effaced. They called the doctor and
he had to turn around and come right back to the hospital. He checked me
at 2pm and said I was complete and it was time to push. The good thing
about still feeling part of my contractions was that I knew when to
push. On the next contraction I pushed and everyone got excited because
they could see his little head :) The nurse leaned in and told me that
she had never seen the babies head on the first push. I pushed through 2
more contractions and little Logan was born at 2:03pm on Tues February
4th. They placed him on my chest and I instantly fell in love. It is
such an amazing feeling to look into your babies eyes for the first
time. As soon as he came into our world we couldn't imagine it without
him in it.<span id="goog_215106330"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ2j-Sgs5C-WiNUV1VwChCkK8er6n-YLOJ9CCJkiomYrcpWVTbsOBrHUiXNUckvn-DJ3QTjLJ5eQCDp2R-S2sZCmaayzHf33yQnU-sedSbRR4ENQ0VIgcQuVQznf6znMJbOmkTr4XR84/s1600/IMG_2916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJ2j-Sgs5C-WiNUV1VwChCkK8er6n-YLOJ9CCJkiomYrcpWVTbsOBrHUiXNUckvn-DJ3QTjLJ5eQCDp2R-S2sZCmaayzHf33yQnU-sedSbRR4ENQ0VIgcQuVQznf6znMJbOmkTr4XR84/s1600/IMG_2916.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last picture of my baby bump. 36 weeks pregnant.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_G91kev4magVFhVe-KLHuxfoxzfAihGR0Hytf1u7TQF2ve3jyUrIMxJDMMYDbnGO5G7r6W7QkfJ57ALRSnPbrfzeGbazt0VpazB1fDO9ZlYdn3aAihVGL-q4I-bL93PZf0PYE0irzFw/s1600/LoganBirth2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo_G91kev4magVFhVe-KLHuxfoxzfAihGR0Hytf1u7TQF2ve3jyUrIMxJDMMYDbnGO5G7r6W7QkfJ57ALRSnPbrfzeGbazt0VpazB1fDO9ZlYdn3aAihVGL-q4I-bL93PZf0PYE0irzFw/s1600/LoganBirth2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting our son for the first time. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpTfD39f8wzmFcIKuxeXKE56fkAwQgC2A-UC9Fr7NC94yZnGA1oqlRJ0T7bMOhDndg-kC58jpZ5_0LT4FXy7_RZPLSaL05Cw1Vy9cSY0md74AW0Oj04AU0d73SMxw10eV47azHcSmUY4/s1600/LoganBirth1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbpTfD39f8wzmFcIKuxeXKE56fkAwQgC2A-UC9Fr7NC94yZnGA1oqlRJ0T7bMOhDndg-kC58jpZ5_0LT4FXy7_RZPLSaL05Cw1Vy9cSY0md74AW0Oj04AU0d73SMxw10eV47azHcSmUY4/s1600/LoganBirth1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love at first sight.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIfD6IArzP7ChKABMGIVIPjVXTrQKMvCT4flmgKq3HQOHZj96S4axF4dmG0AVJaEjb2dCSQqtY_wDbNeOpnMQmxyNXxWhOhoqdhP7x6C2RweHOIKlOGRDcQV-o53px8v_flxQS46fwhM/s1600/photo+1(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEIfD6IArzP7ChKABMGIVIPjVXTrQKMvCT4flmgKq3HQOHZj96S4axF4dmG0AVJaEjb2dCSQqtY_wDbNeOpnMQmxyNXxWhOhoqdhP7x6C2RweHOIKlOGRDcQV-o53px8v_flxQS46fwhM/s1600/photo+1(1).JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was surprised he only weighed 7lbs 11oz, our other kids were all well over 8lbs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhVHRk1nHmYMHYGo35VfUelfUmyJLTiBpf7h6oGmERT45972h2k3eKfaY1WYsZxoNgOgY4_25QPCmmi_WAPIIrwkPeS0W-sVUwVafD8-fouHThzCGZ9pCLkJ7vBmM9MAD_uCOKCHCAA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROhVHRk1nHmYMHYGo35VfUelfUmyJLTiBpf7h6oGmERT45972h2k3eKfaY1WYsZxoNgOgY4_25QPCmmi_WAPIIrwkPeS0W-sVUwVafD8-fouHThzCGZ9pCLkJ7vBmM9MAD_uCOKCHCAA/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calm while holding daddy's finger.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSBqwRLblEDs4p7ClnrnyyxGQy4V4oVeOSdJ8Vr0IUufgSzcTE7c4Sz2S2wRVpWgeYXemgSzEPpsKwBTlmH8s6cWuYkuhvaxVwJhpSjWbXjyxVwdmuQ0m2J1Kx3YY4Q8amEhDQ93tYvU/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuSBqwRLblEDs4p7ClnrnyyxGQy4V4oVeOSdJ8Vr0IUufgSzcTE7c4Sz2S2wRVpWgeYXemgSzEPpsKwBTlmH8s6cWuYkuhvaxVwJhpSjWbXjyxVwdmuQ0m2J1Kx3YY4Q8amEhDQ93tYvU/s1600/IMG_2969.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right after the kids met their new baby brother and our first picture as a family of 5!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzenL0oPLjr7f7xhea99HyfqsuCoCrjY-ufEfI1OdoXr41TYLd7tDoQZ39nu_V0pg7SIuW17OG_MmurtA9lDVCVt7lvEsOfqITwEmJDv10CKQDr0-pEuGIWegZMEjzwiRJfKcRLCuNW70/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzenL0oPLjr7f7xhea99HyfqsuCoCrjY-ufEfI1OdoXr41TYLd7tDoQZ39nu_V0pg7SIuW17OG_MmurtA9lDVCVt7lvEsOfqITwEmJDv10CKQDr0-pEuGIWegZMEjzwiRJfKcRLCuNW70/s1600/IMG_2972.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah holding Logan for the first time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5KT077OfLSut1Aib31lXE3wotOss-O81Noto1WmsvvjHRgBFSVVgC2UuZribHt97NT17Hdk-m2819aaPRUOx-G8Adf7T0Zk0aMrDjbyXL8SbybAvB__Q7G3fFEgjndIt09fkiBwPOTA/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5KT077OfLSut1Aib31lXE3wotOss-O81Noto1WmsvvjHRgBFSVVgC2UuZribHt97NT17Hdk-m2819aaPRUOx-G8Adf7T0Zk0aMrDjbyXL8SbybAvB__Q7G3fFEgjndIt09fkiBwPOTA/s1600/IMG_2974.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loved him right away.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u-Il-f_eWsVF2oBkfR7_OI2RtTqx8XP1J_09Cr3OpzwIbSdwS1rqFVHYVQzZ9Pco0ioLHf29VSvF9OX3PBvhXVcx-OfqaAyPnXw3zCdrpkuqUujcb4lLjivZYuMeW9wOUnIABIR6mnk/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6u-Il-f_eWsVF2oBkfR7_OI2RtTqx8XP1J_09Cr3OpzwIbSdwS1rqFVHYVQzZ9Pco0ioLHf29VSvF9OX3PBvhXVcx-OfqaAyPnXw3zCdrpkuqUujcb4lLjivZYuMeW9wOUnIABIR6mnk/s1600/IMG_2960.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such a cutie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6SV111X5koDXMksguTG8WRB1BHlV5PHSeuBx2q0IEhyMPVVit7OqtI0RYFPjoBvsidyYUsVpYGpE90IaxF5mt05QWcG7oOvQs4P2lB-LQpK30VB5puuQ-GMuEtg8ib5I6ihhpLewuso/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6SV111X5koDXMksguTG8WRB1BHlV5PHSeuBx2q0IEhyMPVVit7OqtI0RYFPjoBvsidyYUsVpYGpE90IaxF5mt05QWcG7oOvQs4P2lB-LQpK30VB5puuQ-GMuEtg8ib5I6ihhpLewuso/s1600/IMG_2987.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So alert.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ArVk7LxBcV4Z2Hb0lebqFgVwChJq0TU00FVwslURaag29Rwu2w7wesMubeDQ5a3vcIzGN2GU0SO0bLe967Hg_WldW72lxC2FRaFNJ1EZK8oR2drgKxC7JMESEj5nN2uPCgkgF3nuo7U/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ArVk7LxBcV4Z2Hb0lebqFgVwChJq0TU00FVwslURaag29Rwu2w7wesMubeDQ5a3vcIzGN2GU0SO0bLe967Hg_WldW72lxC2FRaFNJ1EZK8oR2drgKxC7JMESEj5nN2uPCgkgF3nuo7U/s1600/IMG_2989.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So sleepy :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSQ6FR1-hpwBwQj-h_K6nxJ_GB7uXxVCSkWtzwO2MwpSOlZolxFZv5yYPC4RAobSksoDGgZ8HNqdJZxABiCgEItMQw-OzAZrD6WyUXdq5ljRy8zf7o2BCdsUCFeQCMhoPC1UtnCf2GVA/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnSQ6FR1-hpwBwQj-h_K6nxJ_GB7uXxVCSkWtzwO2MwpSOlZolxFZv5yYPC4RAobSksoDGgZ8HNqdJZxABiCgEItMQw-OzAZrD6WyUXdq5ljRy8zf7o2BCdsUCFeQCMhoPC1UtnCf2GVA/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuggles with my precious little one.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8riyFnDq0YA9LEEs_YOxa9XcdYzrK42oBAAM1VwD7H9P-jVeKQ2MqHFAlL68NjxStGHKkAHWcEsm9r92ei7LQndAMNV6O-THD8xQoIuDNYRC24O1hNzM_0X31PWePML2mRWOxm-gYpz4/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8riyFnDq0YA9LEEs_YOxa9XcdYzrK42oBAAM1VwD7H9P-jVeKQ2MqHFAlL68NjxStGHKkAHWcEsm9r92ei7LQndAMNV6O-THD8xQoIuDNYRC24O1hNzM_0X31PWePML2mRWOxm-gYpz4/s1600/IMG_2995.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First ride in his car seat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwBu6DSIN3mBbyTDC96L-Dqn3vWQ0muCbnNB8cL1B6-8hJFRfPnuq4utCBhkKn3pwioU9mmMNIUBOKvJiCttcEJgoaWWOP-JVmXhwXZrRHRPew6CGrlSYUPWzqkMZ_wKwOabLNQ87gZI/s1600/LoganandDaddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRwBu6DSIN3mBbyTDC96L-Dqn3vWQ0muCbnNB8cL1B6-8hJFRfPnuq4utCBhkKn3pwioU9mmMNIUBOKvJiCttcEJgoaWWOP-JVmXhwXZrRHRPew6CGrlSYUPWzqkMZ_wKwOabLNQ87gZI/s1600/LoganandDaddy.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The required sleeping daddy and baby picture :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNzGIZPeV7CUjXrQi3CyX38DFibqGTVevIghp2lrD87Ryue89mM-D3IfuA04F6XDO97Qcp3NdbkENyOI5VhSuicZUb8HiqwVtwjZ0dg1WFaZyc-vqc6duZukiyrYaDSa8Bal-4jBtF8M/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNzGIZPeV7CUjXrQi3CyX38DFibqGTVevIghp2lrD87Ryue89mM-D3IfuA04F6XDO97Qcp3NdbkENyOI5VhSuicZUb8HiqwVtwjZ0dg1WFaZyc-vqc6duZukiyrYaDSa8Bal-4jBtF8M/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kisses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8mDT0joUS5sTYe0Ie5CWLQZ-mvxvvSZTR6WEBJFmv3Gj2L0Ub9inFRtMPvmdcivLEHYjQmoEUSLy6N3SiL2b4YeAJuPsok9EpBsw__L9Lf6eFRv9_U-YpQ1epH7fwIWlRiBp2icypO8/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8mDT0joUS5sTYe0Ie5CWLQZ-mvxvvSZTR6WEBJFmv3Gj2L0Ub9inFRtMPvmdcivLEHYjQmoEUSLy6N3SiL2b4YeAJuPsok9EpBsw__L9Lf6eFRv9_U-YpQ1epH7fwIWlRiBp2icypO8/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Already an excellent big brother.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_215106329"></span>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-12823249748115960732013-10-07T18:08:00.001-07:002013-10-07T18:09:50.350-07:00Half-Way There!!Last week was my 20 week ultrasound. Jake was able to take a break from his clinical rotations and come be with me and the kids. Unfortunately not everything can go as planned though. The OB was delivering a baby and we had to wait 2.5 hours for my appointment. By that time Jake had to head back to work so I used my phone to FaceTime him so that he could at least partially be there.<br />
<br />
Every time we have had a baby I have been wrong about the gender. When I was pregnant with Hannah I was sure it was a boy. When I was pregnant with Liam I was positive we were having another girl. True to my track record I was wrong again with this little one. We are having another:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCxMM5u5IADXiZkHScxuJ8yF_RptC_wFyaqIGOoZY32OYdd-yDZr1ei4T-IZmCa7EoThF7l7zbrElqqFw4a59fNTye_pfiSZAMfTyKnT0ktGtoz_nGNHP-EtDn7jazf3X2E9GeOpZ42o/s1600/Baby+Boy+Ultrasound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCxMM5u5IADXiZkHScxuJ8yF_RptC_wFyaqIGOoZY32OYdd-yDZr1ei4T-IZmCa7EoThF7l7zbrElqqFw4a59fNTye_pfiSZAMfTyKnT0ktGtoz_nGNHP-EtDn7jazf3X2E9GeOpZ42o/s320/Baby+Boy+Ultrasound.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: blue;">BOY!!!!</span></b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;">We are so in love with him already! He looked adorable during the ultrasound. Rubbing his little eyes and waving to the camera. Such a precious little boy. We can't wait to meet him!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN6jpVKWpr7Jhkny4e9EgtufDxIIfCaJmHLg3QCVS2IHsp1-Cm2XDk2L20hnYjblG_nuOw6dXx1nS13pCJZTp0VBmqLgEILosFw-CoC4KxXBqW-Ls7oPpnCnUik6F_t_TINcDFuepK5g/s1600/20weeksbaby3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivN6jpVKWpr7Jhkny4e9EgtufDxIIfCaJmHLg3QCVS2IHsp1-Cm2XDk2L20hnYjblG_nuOw6dXx1nS13pCJZTp0VBmqLgEILosFw-CoC4KxXBqW-Ls7oPpnCnUik6F_t_TINcDFuepK5g/s320/20weeksbaby3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Bump at 20 Weeks</td></tr>
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</span></span></span><b><span style="color: blue;"> </span></b></span>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-50764360968261389952013-09-23T09:33:00.001-07:002013-09-23T09:38:34.980-07:00Baby #3We are expecting our third little bundle of joy to arrive around February 15th of next year. February isn't the most prefect timing for us. As of now Jake is supposed to be finishing up a 6 week OB rotation in MONTANA the month I am due. Montana people. That is not O.K. Hopefully we will be able to rearrange his schedule so that he will be a bit closer to home when baby decides to come.<br />
<br />
This pregnancy is flying by because our family has so much on its plate.
Hannah is in preschool and dance, Hannah and Liam are playing soccer,
Jake is a 3rd year medical student, and I am teaching 6 Zumba classes
each week. As of a couple of days ago I am 19 weeks pregnant. We find
out in a little over a week if we are having another boy or girl. The
kids think it is a baby sister, or rather Hannah does and Liam goes with
whatever Hannah says. Smart boy.<br />
<br />
2 weeks ago I felt the little one kick
for the first time, and ever since I have felt a non stop flutter of
movement. It feels like the relationship you have with your baby really
starts to develop once you feel those little movements. The first trimester was pretty rough. I felt sick almost all day. I had never really experienced morning sickness before. Thanks baby for making sure I didn't miss out on that pregnancy experience. As soon as 12 weeks approached I haven't felt nauseous much at all, but I still am pretty tired. Here are some ultrasound and baby bump pictures. We can't wait to
meet this little one! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrKtkExTeX4xnMkJmf3H3NgSUM2OJJ05EJ8iHs3VZrr8BqlUrdXFMgi70PiPypvq4UACyVS_CQXuv4Ht9JG5cPFJwqocP2jEeeWi9eFpZbnL1FzBEcG3m7zaMHeATXDSLPvJwrKtWCsw/s1600/IMG_1706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgrKtkExTeX4xnMkJmf3H3NgSUM2OJJ05EJ8iHs3VZrr8BqlUrdXFMgi70PiPypvq4UACyVS_CQXuv4Ht9JG5cPFJwqocP2jEeeWi9eFpZbnL1FzBEcG3m7zaMHeATXDSLPvJwrKtWCsw/s320/IMG_1706.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Peanut at 7 weeks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPhLzYNCnVV7f06WwDFtRF4f5fszDE214iWWiarsC4XganrEjfE5ArHW8sC4no_ZyvYLv2f0epWOA3iugqpqVCBEgiz01RuWxjifDoPmKZd2k9U17HJx15PEyQ6TWfcF4uewxUtcWwMo/s1600/IMG_2057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPhLzYNCnVV7f06WwDFtRF4f5fszDE214iWWiarsC4XganrEjfE5ArHW8sC4no_ZyvYLv2f0epWOA3iugqpqVCBEgiz01RuWxjifDoPmKZd2k9U17HJx15PEyQ6TWfcF4uewxUtcWwMo/s320/IMG_2057.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">12 Weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDcqVpmhiXZw-HLEOGERpTTxpiWXP-jG5chT3-cUzs0kssWTWFO9GQc6zh38idFtMqTWW3ZpKdPQw5yQn1_yfBVxQG-dO_L-04ESyprBsl-9G0nsoZ6MGxTqqyy0avPRFxZJ0nW9gMl8/s1600/babybump3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDcqVpmhiXZw-HLEOGERpTTxpiWXP-jG5chT3-cUzs0kssWTWFO9GQc6zh38idFtMqTWW3ZpKdPQw5yQn1_yfBVxQG-dO_L-04ESyprBsl-9G0nsoZ6MGxTqqyy0avPRFxZJ0nW9gMl8/s320/babybump3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">16 Weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvJTkvpLZGuT5BC7M5icf1-ZTbVon4oItH7YNc6kbsSUtGUEo_pslqgfFHADJP9krdPAqkNdz_maZO3lNOe2ya59FvGFuAS-B9ArkaXKDcFJM43-IlrAsjjsO0Vn2moPmK3cW-Lk1XeU/s1600/19weeks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvJTkvpLZGuT5BC7M5icf1-ZTbVon4oItH7YNc6kbsSUtGUEo_pslqgfFHADJP9krdPAqkNdz_maZO3lNOe2ya59FvGFuAS-B9ArkaXKDcFJM43-IlrAsjjsO0Vn2moPmK3cW-Lk1XeU/s320/19weeks.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">19 Weeks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-71879287708408020932013-09-23T08:57:00.001-07:002013-09-23T17:18:24.330-07:00Disability<i>Disability - </i><i>A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activitie</i>s.<br />
<br />
It has taken me 20 months to freely admit this, but Hannah has a disability. I know why it has been hard for me to admit it. Because for the first 3 years of her life, she was perfectly capable of doing anything and everything a child can do at those early stages in life. She started talking early, walked on time, loved to color, hardly ever cried or got hurt. She was every parents dream child. I pictured her being an accomplished dancer and talented artist.<br />
<br />
But in January of 2012, those dreams were put on hold as we carried our little girl around who no longer had the coordination to walk on those perfect little legs anymore. Our hopes were kept alive when doctors told us that children with Hannah's diagnosis are usually up and running again in a few weeks. Weeks past, then months, and finally relief and excitement set in as we witnessed our precious little girl take her first steps again. For a long time I referred to her as temporarily disabled, because we were assured she would be back to normal again soon. But more time has passed and we realize that her condition might not be as temporary as we hoped.<br />
<br />
Many parents with disabled children at times probably wonder and imagine what their child would be like if they didn't have their disability. Maybe Jake and I were blessed because we don't have to wonder, we got to see Hannah and watch her thrive for years. It is still so hard for me to look at photos and videos of her before she got sick. I don't think those reminders will ever get easier. But I take comfort in the fact that even if she doesn't fully recover in this life, because of our Saviors sacrifice for us, she will be perfect again.<br />
<br />
Hannah is not disabled. She has a disability, but she will not be
defined by this disability. Yes she has a physical impairment that makes
it hard to do certain things that require fine motor control, but she
has it in her to do all that she wants. I can't wait to see all that she
will accomplish. I have learned so much from her and I am forever
grateful that she is my daughter.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FcapLNUp3K5BXzbhiDA6E0LRp8Pa1ZxbQoFF90mdbFhC5NoBlZwGhaf1sXyVdWB9bYd8eOnslp-5g1kxV4WT6leH4ve-95FlttwagUfQ-8bFixH9IqwQcMDX8vvmjbdVQKH38WX-hzI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7FcapLNUp3K5BXzbhiDA6E0LRp8Pa1ZxbQoFF90mdbFhC5NoBlZwGhaf1sXyVdWB9bYd8eOnslp-5g1kxV4WT6leH4ve-95FlttwagUfQ-8bFixH9IqwQcMDX8vvmjbdVQKH38WX-hzI/s320/photo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-2258814971053672662013-06-10T09:17:00.001-07:002013-06-13T10:50:07.159-07:00Goodbye Seattle It's official. We no longer live in Seattle. But, we would probably still be living there if it wasn't for the help of some incredible friends who just happen to be our neighbors. 3 different families watched our kids from morning until bedtime, and one of those families fed us dinner too. Usually you have to ask people for help, but these lovely families offered their assistance and we couldn't have done it without them. So, thank you dear neighbors and friends, you have been answers to prayers our entire time in Seattle. We had another amazing helper during our move, Jake's little brother. Instead of having fun on his 3-day break from school and work he flew up and helped pack, move boxes, and drive one of our car's. Thank you so much Brando, we love Uncle B!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4t_0wz8lZJ6bDAOEzPppJCuWHcm-ZobWSlleGhWfmFJIvVGMjlyFYHkYSYNO53F2jLLRvDyiLHvOf6TA2ql_FGy4hf6tUonHhB2dGcamjsSYY45tP4A50Z-C1rtoN-2l8_-5CL39Pm0/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl4t_0wz8lZJ6bDAOEzPppJCuWHcm-ZobWSlleGhWfmFJIvVGMjlyFYHkYSYNO53F2jLLRvDyiLHvOf6TA2ql_FGy4hf6tUonHhB2dGcamjsSYY45tP4A50Z-C1rtoN-2l8_-5CL39Pm0/s320/IMG_1422.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loading up the truck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYhM7Vv-bPRVgSfMelmRXRl6bQGiMJTx3HBAcrT4QBwHdIDV28SeyKmYdn47uvxr8nJri2cD1e1CJKJ4dlH9XytDksLzY4vsHRiBios3nALUiMx-DecmX-TpWFJ4Wp-CKDUXL1sSxYyc/s1600/IMG_1434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYhM7Vv-bPRVgSfMelmRXRl6bQGiMJTx3HBAcrT4QBwHdIDV28SeyKmYdn47uvxr8nJri2cD1e1CJKJ4dlH9XytDksLzY4vsHRiBios3nALUiMx-DecmX-TpWFJ4Wp-CKDUXL1sSxYyc/s320/IMG_1434.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last picture in front of our apartment in Seattle. I think its pretty fitting that you can see the moving truck packed to capacity in the background :-)</td></tr>
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There are so many things I will miss about that wonderful city. There have been a lot of negative things that happened to us while in Seattle. <a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2011/08/trials-and-blessings.html" target="_blank">Jake's cancer diagnosis</a> and <a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2012/09/hannahs-progress.html" target="_blank">Hannah's battle to recover </a>from <a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2012/01/hardest-week-of-our-lives.html" target="_blank">Post-Viral Cerebellar Ataxia</a> have all happened here. But we have still had an abundance of incredible memories that we will cherish forever. So here is my list of things I will miss about Seattle:<br />
<br />
1. The trees. I grew up in a small town up in the foothills and surrounded by trees. I love trees, I always have. I am going to miss the gorgeous never ending view of tall dark green trees.<br />
<br />
2. The great appreciation for sunshine that one develops in a rainy city. Because it rains a lot, you learn to take advantage of the sun when it does make an appearance. We have learned to always take advantage of a sunny day and I feel like we have actually spent more time outside because of it.<br />
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3. So many places to go and things to see: The Children's Museum, the beautiful and abundant scenic parks, the amazing restaurants all over the place, Pikes Market which is such a fun an vibrant part of the city, and the cute little nature trail that was right by our house and travels along the shoreline of Lake Washington. <br />
<br />
4. The Woodland Park Zoo deserves its own number. That zoo is incredible. We had a season pass and went as often as possible. They have every animal you can think of and the way it is set up makes you feel like you are walking into the natural habitat of each animal you see.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1eDM4C8CZNI-I2fnVlLjl80SZcggt6mRTcOgivAjjBP3WuT_sTunLjKR1Bvo-bsyQ-Jtuc_LW0yKUNvdkR2Az6Jen2Tr4kz5P6Al6K2z4gv4aC2AK7ylT77aD9r02PCJgajjCUKLH4U/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1eDM4C8CZNI-I2fnVlLjl80SZcggt6mRTcOgivAjjBP3WuT_sTunLjKR1Bvo-bsyQ-Jtuc_LW0yKUNvdkR2Az6Jen2Tr4kz5P6Al6K2z4gv4aC2AK7ylT77aD9r02PCJgajjCUKLH4U/s1600/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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5. Our ward and the friendships we have formed within our housing community. I don't think so many wonderful people have ever lived in one complex together. We were so blessed to live where we did.<br />
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6. Hannah's preschool. She has made some great friends and her teacher is wonderful. We will also miss the incredible team of doctors and therapists that have been there for us throughout Hannah's recovery.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEJs5pA1ZqoN8Xbvw6SzUJOYhORLIw8hxEEcEckNHZ4kikuXVS1zXuUEnN7wJNFj7Ibnus4ye6HvL7z-hk-w-qHyPv8DiyeU3BmFMwKEBbfyApayVZNxfXVfvhIVoG23I5H8ZWyYSvI4/s1600/IMG_1412.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWEJs5pA1ZqoN8Xbvw6SzUJOYhORLIw8hxEEcEckNHZ4kikuXVS1zXuUEnN7wJNFj7Ibnus4ye6HvL7z-hk-w-qHyPv8DiyeU3BmFMwKEBbfyApayVZNxfXVfvhIVoG23I5H8ZWyYSvI4/s320/IMG_1412.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah with her preschool teachers. The one she is hugging is her favorite, Katie.</td></tr>
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7. The Space Needle and city skyline. I love how you will be driving and all of the sudden the Space Needle pops up in the distance and you realize how beautiful it is all over again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx1ZL5P4a8Wpjrr6Gnow7QlKByFawoxawCdOZfyZqi1cEmaIvh4le9wGQxs080v7wyf2NpVNtk5o2xyk0bJN2_dF9GB2Hd_I1bhhCrLuGHvgPZKejGjUXm8AGDIaeDopq_0HPSYEyD5g/s1600/photoseattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx1ZL5P4a8Wpjrr6Gnow7QlKByFawoxawCdOZfyZqi1cEmaIvh4le9wGQxs080v7wyf2NpVNtk5o2xyk0bJN2_dF9GB2Hd_I1bhhCrLuGHvgPZKejGjUXm8AGDIaeDopq_0HPSYEyD5g/s1600/photoseattle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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8. The bike trails. The trails are wide and long and beautiful.<br />
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9. My Zumba classes. I was just starting to get to know and love the regulars who came to my classes at the locations I taught at. I will miss their enthusiasm and smiling faces. <br />
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The list of things I will miss could get longer, but I will stop there. I will conclude with some reasons I am excited about living in Boise:<br />
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1. How close we live to Jake's family. Jake's wonderful parents and siblings live in Boise. Hannah is going to love having her little cousins to play with. And when they ask to go to Mimi's house (like they already do) I can say "OK kids" and be there in 10 minutes. The only thing that would make it even better is if Grandma Geri and Papa Ron lived close too :-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwnfWDmBtoaVRdtckWzNSYGJ8BhxCadl4Cawm4W-j3PrwY0yqg8hoDfLjNboPZNnPPwORBxXhHPGArFjI1asKy_D2CvJkkb0mRFAkNE3bBSZPd7XDOm5VC3l4fpsMc0MTTnqK468B7sU/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggwnfWDmBtoaVRdtckWzNSYGJ8BhxCadl4Cawm4W-j3PrwY0yqg8hoDfLjNboPZNnPPwORBxXhHPGArFjI1asKy_D2CvJkkb0mRFAkNE3bBSZPd7XDOm5VC3l4fpsMc0MTTnqK468B7sU/s320/IMG_1020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bowling with Papa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzZ6nNApt0rvJurk3xVI9_9wg5vTHQiY2YZkYj_HsEd1hn1kYNLB4wJ2o8x7H2LDhpKQ0Exn9eFOx8z72yU6Gip4O9Vko4EqhL0atYcfBqa7QFfwdlfHgyWbIcl_1k-qJrcEhy2LXYkY/s1600/IMG_1003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzZ6nNApt0rvJurk3xVI9_9wg5vTHQiY2YZkYj_HsEd1hn1kYNLB4wJ2o8x7H2LDhpKQ0Exn9eFOx8z72yU6Gip4O9Vko4EqhL0atYcfBqa7QFfwdlfHgyWbIcl_1k-qJrcEhy2LXYkY/s320/IMG_1003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi helping Hannah bowl</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt55gJIKGgEVpaJJuh6CaL65UptkZpd_fVkeduuLrM_JlzPl-NeXYudEzHsHKLug_k_TMZixZ6mEZUJtDuTRgfZl-hx0W-6l930DepQ6wba3C5U7np9hOCH7d8FidhtoSV1fiOA9AsNQ/s1600/IMG_1504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrt55gJIKGgEVpaJJuh6CaL65UptkZpd_fVkeduuLrM_JlzPl-NeXYudEzHsHKLug_k_TMZixZ6mEZUJtDuTRgfZl-hx0W-6l930DepQ6wba3C5U7np9hOCH7d8FidhtoSV1fiOA9AsNQ/s320/IMG_1504.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah loves her cousin Katelyn</td></tr>
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2. We will be neighbors with our bud's the Hill's again. They are pretty great. Jack has been Hannah's best friend for 3 years in 3 different cities.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeP8jRBUQF4NARcuT4OvxgwSZIFo3J48X5Y0RIuhVh6cb_9I1ZguCq0LaZ435X-ErzGjziHi0x0QwmJ2nLalZN89G9RYZ2q3csIyvkrprExbpJV2BCuGcylC5G693qStmaQelYt7FxTg/s1600/IMG_1515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXeP8jRBUQF4NARcuT4OvxgwSZIFo3J48X5Y0RIuhVh6cb_9I1ZguCq0LaZ435X-ErzGjziHi0x0QwmJ2nLalZN89G9RYZ2q3csIyvkrprExbpJV2BCuGcylC5G693qStmaQelYt7FxTg/s320/IMG_1515.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just becoming friends in Moscow, ID.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIJJoYEll63ixR_cpQ49eqjJfTK7CmNglWk3auoTZCO16yRv68M0XtfzSEJlNEpWMJF7glHGxLMnsrZWwuq2mMGBWBHJqfnwyImjSwtc38vRsDEJaaul_hYCb0ATmlw14tfytQTwiBzM/s1600/IMG_2622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIJJoYEll63ixR_cpQ49eqjJfTK7CmNglWk3auoTZCO16yRv68M0XtfzSEJlNEpWMJF7glHGxLMnsrZWwuq2mMGBWBHJqfnwyImjSwtc38vRsDEJaaul_hYCb0ATmlw14tfytQTwiBzM/s320/IMG_2622.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging out in Seattle, WA.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_p5dyZdcIjvympG8knEg81InzGzkqxlalRbCkHCInPuDlrisxZHLQ6UB-z3_dmqh_tQvkYjVSKSPSylTnEwb_upCoX7tkkdnFo88gBMua6bR-TIXq7IYHgGjAyn-cp9f23fHVOYJ6kw/s1600/IMG_1039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm_p5dyZdcIjvympG8knEg81InzGzkqxlalRbCkHCInPuDlrisxZHLQ6UB-z3_dmqh_tQvkYjVSKSPSylTnEwb_upCoX7tkkdnFo88gBMua6bR-TIXq7IYHgGjAyn-cp9f23fHVOYJ6kw/s320/IMG_1039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs in Boise, ID.</td></tr>
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3. Very little precipitation. Boise is a high desert so we won't be getting much rain. Yay. Jake is actually sad about this, but I can't wait to become acquainted with my friend the sun again.<br />
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4. Our apartment has a dishwasher!!!! We have lived without a dishwasher for 2 years, which is about 2 years too long.<br />
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5. A bigger place to live that actually costs less than our teensy weensy apartment in Seattle.<br />
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6. Our complex has a pool! We have already been swimming once and the kids LOVED it. <br />
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7. New Zumba classes to teach. I already have 2 classes to teach lined up at one gym and when I get there I will be getting a few more at different gyms. It is very exciting to get my own classes since I subbed in Seattle for a long time before getting my own.<br />
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8. Jake is done with classes! He has 2 years of clinical rotations in Boise, and then he will be done with medical school! There is light at the end of the tunnel guys. <br />
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9. We don't have to move again for 2/3 years!!!! Yay!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1b_0qLq3JfSB4G7N8FYMpovDEWOM5tWWeP8qlk7T8EeXp8LonFTFjVITK10A1FMG1aUE9fNWMTl3ZnPDW8-IGIWMlvj25hJKzLvDa-XNwMgCXo8FPLUn7cxHxtQ231qUwP5n_wQDj24/s1600/IMG_1461.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1b_0qLq3JfSB4G7N8FYMpovDEWOM5tWWeP8qlk7T8EeXp8LonFTFjVITK10A1FMG1aUE9fNWMTl3ZnPDW8-IGIWMlvj25hJKzLvDa-XNwMgCXo8FPLUn7cxHxtQ231qUwP5n_wQDj24/s320/IMG_1461.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jake and the kids with our big ol moving truck.</td></tr>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-53665578156319365702013-01-26T11:26:00.000-08:002013-02-09T11:28:02.519-08:00Liam's Truck Party<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We can't believe our little guy is 2!! He LOVES trucks so we decided to throw a Truck themed Birthday Party for him, it was so much fun!! We ate Fruit Cars, Dirt in a Cup, Sticks, Spare Tires, and Stoplight Cookies. The kids favorite part was the road we made going around the room that they got to drive car's and trucks on. That was definitely the hit of the party. Grandma Geri and Papa Ron drove all the way up to celebrate Liam's Birthday with us. It was wonderful having them here and they were a lot of help getting the party together. Liam is a lucky little boy to have such wonderful friends and family. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4qGvaSrxaT1kBg3Ii837gbVEXR5GKewGR7BLN6cgIsIW_TYNMh87TxkBXqDy-yoYDgdZ8TJWwB-RvqcX7TKWO8P2jMbcJrbKm9DqXef-5-nSicXlRm1ypIE97LUKKjs5wrzjuevjgqE/s1600/TruckParty2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4qGvaSrxaT1kBg3Ii837gbVEXR5GKewGR7BLN6cgIsIW_TYNMh87TxkBXqDy-yoYDgdZ8TJWwB-RvqcX7TKWO8P2jMbcJrbKm9DqXef-5-nSicXlRm1ypIE97LUKKjs5wrzjuevjgqE/s320/TruckParty2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Refreshments</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HMIzKKImdGM9S5zsSRybA4GJN9yNTgxPDO3yvQsIjrWnhHKj_-2YE9UQUuhsA8cDdljHyQLMfhlE4hdvK2KxwsuXyQtlRqRatKeCu5YFon5y9Rwnouix0kOxl2-dFTJnBbkiFJDrkTU/s1600/TruckCake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HMIzKKImdGM9S5zsSRybA4GJN9yNTgxPDO3yvQsIjrWnhHKj_-2YE9UQUuhsA8cDdljHyQLMfhlE4hdvK2KxwsuXyQtlRqRatKeCu5YFon5y9Rwnouix0kOxl2-dFTJnBbkiFJDrkTU/s320/TruckCake.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Truck Cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyLP0ldqpcpox1Cu7J6shvpiTIuewtzQsAE3sUSd6jcymxmmSMcqDEnoWSO8G9Q0b9RgqVcDTpQ68O_F1opBVpMQCmlFue6Sy9v_QH53dFkIkSuEfdO23sg3Mq4iSHx2Wdsiv76GLy8g/s1600/TruckParty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCyLP0ldqpcpox1Cu7J6shvpiTIuewtzQsAE3sUSd6jcymxmmSMcqDEnoWSO8G9Q0b9RgqVcDTpQ68O_F1opBVpMQCmlFue6Sy9v_QH53dFkIkSuEfdO23sg3Mq4iSHx2Wdsiv76GLy8g/s320/TruckParty.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stoplight Cookies = Graham cracker, chocolate frosting, and M&Ms</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvtjSdBE3oG5eLXQWrmQebwJuACQcrkpWPZXaCt30pdoK9z3Cye3oUa6E0WUZwsF2BbAV7JzpC8rrYfM02CdoAHoGjiA8_kfp0WXI49qJr4B2V8mwFR62kRpcyMcBDqySYY-epitFLA0/s1600/TruckParty3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvtjSdBE3oG5eLXQWrmQebwJuACQcrkpWPZXaCt30pdoK9z3Cye3oUa6E0WUZwsF2BbAV7JzpC8rrYfM02CdoAHoGjiA8_kfp0WXI49qJr4B2V8mwFR62kRpcyMcBDqySYY-epitFLA0/s320/TruckParty3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watermelon for the car and grapes for the wheels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8d-kBnnCLbwMwQi-245gvRfTg7VeRoTcPeRbr4UZdVo2qPW_zhKqvwlBTe_EzwWKOrIg6BSvTiPrtP6MD8Es6URMV3nFiJuJAUBHm3W3OWkW641lcsjCxO9HR4Mgo45pKfttuAVJ-2A/s1600/TruckParty4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8d-kBnnCLbwMwQi-245gvRfTg7VeRoTcPeRbr4UZdVo2qPW_zhKqvwlBTe_EzwWKOrIg6BSvTiPrtP6MD8Es6URMV3nFiJuJAUBHm3W3OWkW641lcsjCxO9HR4Mgo45pKfttuAVJ-2A/s320/TruckParty4.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticks = Pretzels</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfEo1zwYdcq0IamsRUfBxEef-XKEA1nwxwLW2D9uhtbJM9SU7zyH9CjxKPaOWAZ78T68EKOUhEn_DLbmrr3_8uV_ZU-HQIUykZRDyxKbPYgthJY8iwDk-9aPPfdAD5jjrBEamz-r1iNI/s1600/TruckParty5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijfEo1zwYdcq0IamsRUfBxEef-XKEA1nwxwLW2D9uhtbJM9SU7zyH9CjxKPaOWAZ78T68EKOUhEn_DLbmrr3_8uV_ZU-HQIUykZRDyxKbPYgthJY8iwDk-9aPPfdAD5jjrBEamz-r1iNI/s320/TruckParty5.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate Donuts = Spare Tires</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RMSBveF8aXsmAEKw9PdA2sFXxqZhrpaohyvjdVkFA3YT0LygGtQbLZzI2N6zGCqomk1OprHHb6aS_WLTtPQteSXLOBKD6YX1eQe3Wnf2ZikU__hdg2kvUPyw5ESFM1QUX7zobUsWu4I/s1600/TruckParty6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1RMSBveF8aXsmAEKw9PdA2sFXxqZhrpaohyvjdVkFA3YT0LygGtQbLZzI2N6zGCqomk1OprHHb6aS_WLTtPQteSXLOBKD6YX1eQe3Wnf2ZikU__hdg2kvUPyw5ESFM1QUX7zobUsWu4I/s320/TruckParty6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pudding and Oreos = Dirt in a Cup</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAmUeJpPwQ8zkarIhSpM4SjFv8l3BhJPQarzC5ZnK78jypRF5bcbjsABC6ZUPBOA4alhFwNFPOTYomq6ptvxiJo9g6VFAitfbUS2AWnnN_xZabhv2-yf9GIVlYqTost_LwoFO40ZJra8/s1600/TruckParty7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAmUeJpPwQ8zkarIhSpM4SjFv8l3BhJPQarzC5ZnK78jypRF5bcbjsABC6ZUPBOA4alhFwNFPOTYomq6ptvxiJo9g6VFAitfbUS2AWnnN_xZabhv2-yf9GIVlYqTost_LwoFO40ZJra8/s320/TruckParty7.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Geri helping me with last minute touches</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoK2M60qVPV00KkRe9zDo9YojQVfrnGSTlMowZL7wa8P9lGYs4S3A9ByC9q1_hKSzaq3MMKpIUZAJoK0A4VH66bDSO9CZNuicGbxm3rtaKd0oI7gjbjpR3X4w2Apd41EHoZoliSqWqvU/s1600/TruckParty8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzoK2M60qVPV00KkRe9zDo9YojQVfrnGSTlMowZL7wa8P9lGYs4S3A9ByC9q1_hKSzaq3MMKpIUZAJoK0A4VH66bDSO9CZNuicGbxm3rtaKd0oI7gjbjpR3X4w2Apd41EHoZoliSqWqvU/s320/TruckParty8.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids eating their snacks</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMghf8KGGTzZbqHsQEO4f4OD4uTWNOTAwNvlLiojQ-v9r1lIs1bUtiogvZA6kxgD5rfw3Qa2uvvsu_Vchw2KoLhW9vJD9Yo7DZbixwuHBPbO-cvmiBOe6sN3MneA5XuC6Mkn6BgOiBUA/s1600/TruckParty9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMghf8KGGTzZbqHsQEO4f4OD4uTWNOTAwNvlLiojQ-v9r1lIs1bUtiogvZA6kxgD5rfw3Qa2uvvsu_Vchw2KoLhW9vJD9Yo7DZbixwuHBPbO-cvmiBOe6sN3MneA5XuC6Mkn6BgOiBUA/s320/TruckParty9.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notice Liam in the background? <br />
He was walking around eating a piece of watermelon most of the party.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0PtoabWYWnnV_EvJ99cnX4U5F6wCB3BJkEB_zADZoXkojs1XSvJTYJckduGsPSRU9m88sbAL8dkMUxWjsUIXYVtJ6SPKdD2K1995OoYGt-PFfkSRMFp_PDGYtFSNSrhQzJDzRgEu3TE/s1600/TruckParty10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE0PtoabWYWnnV_EvJ99cnX4U5F6wCB3BJkEB_zADZoXkojs1XSvJTYJckduGsPSRU9m88sbAL8dkMUxWjsUIXYVtJ6SPKdD2K1995OoYGt-PFfkSRMFp_PDGYtFSNSrhQzJDzRgEu3TE/s320/TruckParty10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the Cake</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRovHqb-Ze1W-Lxs-0Nqv-3JpJcUmlAaBabLTIrJY4elIPsCinNYhrg3LRA13_V2MEIe4PPVh-FcKhJmKCe2MGI0ImpG0gQ2zU7TQ_vQMD9UKyYirCD3O_K7_Wwhdge5nFNgP9D_joIAk/s1600/TruckParty11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRovHqb-Ze1W-Lxs-0Nqv-3JpJcUmlAaBabLTIrJY4elIPsCinNYhrg3LRA13_V2MEIe4PPVh-FcKhJmKCe2MGI0ImpG0gQ2zU7TQ_vQMD9UKyYirCD3O_K7_Wwhdge5nFNgP9D_joIAk/s320/TruckParty11.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Happy Birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ity8D6Pv_xdwqcyxR7JFM-lF-BG69dPp-meXbdFBQUPp19kxzy3nyO7My_ptTu50XLRV_Ki4SQRMCNdWTWwXrtC6qDvzRpfHy-PWGHrUspjRatHomKx2-PFZENDXOjyNfD4177tUbYU/s1600/TruckParty13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ity8D6Pv_xdwqcyxR7JFM-lF-BG69dPp-meXbdFBQUPp19kxzy3nyO7My_ptTu50XLRV_Ki4SQRMCNdWTWwXrtC6qDvzRpfHy-PWGHrUspjRatHomKx2-PFZENDXOjyNfD4177tUbYU/s320/TruckParty13.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It took him a few attempts to blow out the candle, some spit helped.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06ICiC3aLdt4d8uzkn5AjtCP4v7muubJGHKEJj6gNXGWkPwwsFXn6BiN9tKwWrbbV86K3ITc5acwsnDwmW8h9kPqsxTv1Hb-VcmqI1ZRVO_WXF7L7xXqrm5R8mCFLmNPLLhFlnQG3JsA/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06ICiC3aLdt4d8uzkn5AjtCP4v7muubJGHKEJj6gNXGWkPwwsFXn6BiN9tKwWrbbV86K3ITc5acwsnDwmW8h9kPqsxTv1Hb-VcmqI1ZRVO_WXF7L7xXqrm5R8mCFLmNPLLhFlnQG3JsA/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have some great friends here</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedCwCwjZw7Wf3F3CtcQteJpmZCGKCT3FKi0xmpf6njzorvT41koJqrYknlPGCtkZKSPpYmWbOndb6tv2bDv3D8IhWSarJnjII_3Yv9OB1jhvlLRM07kOlMIhEveZkY5F2x0h5_SdlaXU/s1600/IMG_0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedCwCwjZw7Wf3F3CtcQteJpmZCGKCT3FKi0xmpf6njzorvT41koJqrYknlPGCtkZKSPpYmWbOndb6tv2bDv3D8IhWSarJnjII_3Yv9OB1jhvlLRM07kOlMIhEveZkY5F2x0h5_SdlaXU/s320/IMG_0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putting candles truck candles on the cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kmEIbdkCGqAzHATpU9wI04MnGPySAfJQMGecc_uT6Jj8gwY4IiO1ckJlXGEA-6Coi2L94ILocpJpa-_IwGW8znAsTVM2uRTEYuPjv873zXivZzaJ8OtEwJk4IezN1Yic-FHIpWU-Miw/s1600/IMG_0181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kmEIbdkCGqAzHATpU9wI04MnGPySAfJQMGecc_uT6Jj8gwY4IiO1ckJlXGEA-6Coi2L94ILocpJpa-_IwGW8znAsTVM2uRTEYuPjv873zXivZzaJ8OtEwJk4IezN1Yic-FHIpWU-Miw/s320/IMG_0181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We taped a yellow line around the room for the kids do drive car's on. They loved that.</td></tr>
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Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-46748972183382859622012-12-25T15:29:00.000-08:002013-01-14T15:30:12.336-08:00Christmas in Sunriver<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For the first time in 6 years my whole family was able to get together for Christmas. We met at a vacation rental in Sunriver Oregon, which has been one of my favorite destinations since I was a little girl. It was so fun to take my children there. There were a few feet of snow on the ground when we got there, and it was a blast playing in it. We went sledding, swimming, shopping, played games, saw Les Mes, ate lots and lots of great food, and had fun just being a family. Here is our trip in pictures:</div>
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Hannah enjoying the snow</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM8sdA_0xaSeiEZ3w4wL_8J2kgGaZkdVC8i-ffmjZRJs4JlqqqH4PQEkOi_h2C7330NGtBCqcanMDi8ysvXrvxEGt2Z8v83jQWoHa0xhOb1M0ZLPKRanYzkVDURZMTBvQ1KURIEqBMXI/s1600/IMG_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM8sdA_0xaSeiEZ3w4wL_8J2kgGaZkdVC8i-ffmjZRJs4JlqqqH4PQEkOi_h2C7330NGtBCqcanMDi8ysvXrvxEGt2Z8v83jQWoHa0xhOb1M0ZLPKRanYzkVDURZMTBvQ1KURIEqBMXI/s320/IMG_0013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Liam loved the snow too<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72FSaMwRjOdyjdVAo0Xg6RluoE6qzMXn1fjsRtdviVJdooq2lY6xmVmzYmMq7IwGcIOltRXJPKHsmg8AWTQecBf9toXtIsPGaPB_sQnFiJ7XLZSpIN6zhzyN2tItg-tfqHcpEzv4C_Ks/s1600/IMG_0016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72FSaMwRjOdyjdVAo0Xg6RluoE6qzMXn1fjsRtdviVJdooq2lY6xmVmzYmMq7IwGcIOltRXJPKHsmg8AWTQecBf9toXtIsPGaPB_sQnFiJ7XLZSpIN6zhzyN2tItg-tfqHcpEzv4C_Ks/s320/IMG_0016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Playing with cousins in the snow<br />
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The house<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB-pn2D6_Tjai7f2el_u2W04-4iva2WRfLcN6mrRaHRN2t01VuMKVWxVqSEX76leSQl79iDQT1bvy1Haj0luPf-5bDaLwjM4fRlsupFSoiDMvRTa_UXt1dBfaxonF8lZZl7knuCBtPzk/s1600/IMG_0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB-pn2D6_Tjai7f2el_u2W04-4iva2WRfLcN6mrRaHRN2t01VuMKVWxVqSEX76leSQl79iDQT1bvy1Haj0luPf-5bDaLwjM4fRlsupFSoiDMvRTa_UXt1dBfaxonF8lZZl7knuCBtPzk/s320/IMG_0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Liam all tuckered out after playing in the snow.<br />
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Driving Papa Ron's truck<br />
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This is what a Christmas tree looks like when 5 families worth of presents share the tree.<br />
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Opening their Christmas Eve pajamas<br />
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Christmas Eve snuggles<br />
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There was a trend of daddy's falling asleep with their little ones.</div>
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What Santa brought our kids: A vanity for Hannah and a drill set for Liam<br />
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Something isn't quite right about this picture, can you find the floating foot? <br />
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Enjoying her new toy.<br />
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Good thing Santa brought this drill set for Liam because he spent the rest of the trip fixing stuff<br />
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His favorite part of the festivities was access to all the chocolate<br />
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Hannah with Alaina and David on Christmas morning<br />
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I just adore this Church Bag my sister-in-law Rashell made Hannah. <br />
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Pictures after Christmas Brunch<br />
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I have taken countless pictures over the years in front of these trees. Fond memories I tell ya.<br />
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Reading their new books<br />
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Playing Hannah's Cupcake game. That was a hit with all the cousins.<br />
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Sledding<br />
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So fun<br />
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You're never to old to be a kid again<br />
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As you can tell we had so much fun with my family for Christmas! Love the Holiday's, love my family, love the snow, just lots and lots of love all around. Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!<br />
<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-53054097752070209182012-12-03T11:13:00.000-08:002013-01-14T14:22:51.924-08:00Princess Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hannah requested a Princess Birthday Party, so that is exactly what we did. For her present from us we got her a pink princess dress and crown to wear to her party and all her little friends wore princess dresses. We played princess themed games like "Pin the Kiss on the Frog" and they each decorated their own crowns to wear. Hannah had a blast and all the little girls loved being princesses for the party.</div>
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Opening up her presents from mom and dad</div>
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Princess Birthday Party</div>
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All the Princesses eating their treats</div>
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The Birthday Princess<br />
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I made the cupcakes and they actually turned out kinda pretty</div>
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Hannah blowing out her cupcake<br />
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The family<br />
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Eating their cupcakes<br />
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Pin the Kiss on the Frog<br />
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Opening up presents<br />
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She was super excited<br />
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Happy Birthday Hannah! We are so glad you had a wonderful Birthday full of friends and fun!<br />
<br />Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-51597451129267964152012-12-03T10:21:00.000-08:002013-01-14T10:42:52.264-08:00Hannah Turns 4!Our sweet Hannah turned 4 years old today. She is growing up into such a beautiful little girl. For Hannah, age 3 was about recovering from her terrible illness by relearning to do things again, she wasn't able to truly be a 3 year old. Age 4 is going to be a time of real growth for Hannah because she won't have to worry about learning to walk, talk, and eat again. She will be able to be an active and loving 4 year old girl. I love the little girl she is and can't wait to see the things she will accomplish this year.<br />
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<u>Favorite Things</u><br />
She loves playing with her baby dolls. She loves purses and putting little treasures inside to carry them around. She loves to get dressed up in some crazy outfit and say she is going to work. She loves dressing up in a beautiful dress and dancing. She loves playing outside. She loves to color and draw. Her little arms shake and make it difficult to be accurate in her coloring, but she still loves it. She loves to sing and read books.<br />
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<u>Favorite Foods</u><br />
She loves cereal and would eat it every meal if I let her. She loves grilled cheese, pizza rolls, ice cream, cupcakes, peanut butter and jelly, macaroni and cheese, apples, raspberries, manderines, spaghetti, and corn.<br />
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<u>Preschool</u><br />
She has been going to preschool since October and loves it. She has made some great friends and has become more outgoing in social settings because of it. When I ask her what she did at preschool that day she usually tells me what she ate for snack, but sometimes she goes into detail about playing in the gym and riding a bike, or playing with some friends and a dollhouse, or some other highlight from her day. I love listening to her talk.<br />
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<u>Favorite Animal</u><br />
Giraffe<br />
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<u>Favorite Color</u><br />
Pink<br />
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<u>Favorite Show</u><br />
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Mickey's Christmas<br />
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<u>Potty Training</u><br />
Hannah wasn't quite potty trained when she got sick a year ago, and with her illness teaching her to use the potty went on the back burner. In December she became very interested in the potty and can now stay dry throughout the day and night, we just have to work on going #2 in the potty.<br />
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Dressed up and dancing with Baby Howe<br />
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Coloring<br />
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First Ballet Class<br />
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First day of Preschool<br />
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We are so proud of our Hannah. Not many people can be challenged so overwhelmingly and still keep that sweet and spunky demeanor. We love you Hannah girl!!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Singing Happy Birthday</span><br />
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<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/agmkukaM7yc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-24139390618061352412012-09-30T23:52:00.000-07:002012-09-30T23:52:48.574-07:00Phone Photo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have been playing outside every chance we get because soon the rains will come and the sun will leave Seattle for a time. I snapped this picture of Hannah on my phone while we were out on one of our outdoor adventures. I love the way the sunlight is radiating above her. The same way her joy radiates to everyone around her. We love our beautiful, strong, and brave girl.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-63550373378221504662012-09-25T11:31:00.000-07:002012-09-25T14:03:57.408-07:00Treatment and a MiracleWe had an appointment with Hannah's Neurologist in July. She was very happy to see the progress Hannah made, but was concerned that she wasn't completely better yet. They expected her symptoms to resolve within a few months, and here we were 6 months later and Hannah was still trying to gain enough balance and coordination to walk. She mentioned a couple of treatment options that <i>might</i> speed recovery. IVIG or steroids. Steroids never seemed like a good idea to me. Part of Hannah's illness has included emotional instability that made her irritable, sometimes inconsolable, and not sleep very well. All of which are possible side effects of steroids. IVIG I didn't know much about, so we told her we would think about it and get back to her. IVIG stands for Intravenous Immunoglobulin. It is basically antibodies pooled from thousands of donors and administered through an IV. I was hesitant to put Hannah through any treatments because she had been through so much and because there was no guarantee that it would work.<br />
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IVIG is an antibody replacement therapy that is usually given to patients who are immune deficient. Because Hannah's condition is so rare (like 1 in 10 million), there haven't been many studies on the benefits of IVIG and Post-Viral Cerebellar Ataxia. I did some research on it, and we prayed about it, and started to feel good about trying it. And then the answer I had been looking for came in the form of a really bad flu. In early September, Hannah got very sick with a fever, vomiting, lethargy, and congestion. When she got sick her Ataxia (shaking, incoordination) got much much much (<i>did I say much yet?</i>) worse. All the progress she had made since January seemed to vanish overnight. She could no longer walk, she couldn't talk very well, and she was sleeping all day long. It was terrifying because it seemed like we were back in the thick of her illness again and we didn't know how long it would take her to recover this time.<br />
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The only thing that brought me comfort was the fact that her neurologist had warned us that if she got a cold/flu it would make her Ataxia symptoms more severe. So we watched her and worried and nursed her back to health and gradually, as she recovered from the flu, the severity of Ataxia decreased too. Getting sick was the answer we needed because we could see how when her immune system got kicked into high gear to fight off whatever virus was making her sick the autoimmune attack on her cerebellum also increased which caused the Cerebellar Ataxia to get worse too. So we contacted Hannah's neurologist and scheduled and IVIG treatment with the hopes that the influx of antibodies would in turn tell the immune response on her cerebellum to back off.<br />
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On September 13th we took Hannah to the hospital for her 6 hour long infusion of IVIG. As hard as it was to stand by and watch the nurses place an IV in her tiny arm, it was even harder to keep Hannah from looking down at it for half of the day while the treatment took place. She was so scared, but as soon as we explained to her that it was medicine to make her all better she calmed down and was very interested in all the numbers and beeping. As always, she handled everything like a champ. We took her home and waited to see what kind of reaction her body would have.<br />
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The next day she seemed fine so we took her to Physical Therapy. She only lasted 30 minutes before she tried to take a nap in the swing. She fell asleep in the car on the way home and slept for 4 hours. When she woke up she vomited a couple of times and had a bit of a fever. They told us that flu like symptoms were a possibility, but it was still hard not to be concerned and hope that we did the right thing. In a couple of days she was back to normal and we were starting to see improvements in her Ataxia.<br />
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It has been 12 days since she received IVIG and we feel so blessed to tell you that the treatment is working. Hannah isn't just walking now,<b> </b><u><b>she is running</b></u>!! The most beautiful run I have ever seen. Her personality is shining through, she is calmer and happier. At church on Sunday she sat with me the majority of Sacrament coloring and sitting calmly. A few times she folded her arms and whispered to me "I'm being reverent mommy". People at church who have been praying and rooting for our little girl to recover were in tears as they saw her run through the halls and said they felt like they were witnessing a miracle. Her Physical, and Occupational Therapists were both amazed by the improvements just since seeing her a week before. She is having fun playing dress up again and running up and down hills. She is picking up balls and throwing them without tumbling to the ground with too much effort. She is able to just be a an active playful loving kid again.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this picture right after she woke up this morning. She hasn't woken up this happy in like 9 months.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We hear time and time again that prayers aren't answered in our time, but in the Lord's time and I feel like He had been trying to tell us she would get better but our fears were getting in the way of truly knowing that she would be ok. It took 9 months and our prayers are finally being answered. She will be able to achieve and excel and live a happy life. For those of you that are dealing with struggles and heartaches and health issues my heart goes out to you. Things may not miraculously get better overnight, but eventually things will get better and you will see His hands were always there to lift you up and guide you. Thank you for your interest and concern in our daughter, for your thoughts and prayers. For being the earthly angelic hands to lift us and serve us when our world came tumbling down. I just want to let you know that I know that Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers. He will answer yours too.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-43663126543019459832012-09-10T08:33:00.000-07:002012-09-25T08:39:10.709-07:00Hannah's ProgressWe hoped and prayed that Hannah would miraculously get better over night. But as you all know, sometimes our prayers aren't answered the way we want them to be. It has been 8 long and challenging months since Hannah became very sick and was diagnosed with <a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2012/01/hardest-week-of-our-lives.html">ACA</a>. Each week she is progressing and performing everyday tasks a little better. To avoid despair, Jake and I learned to focus on how much she has<a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2012/02/and-finally-update-on-hannah.html"> improved</a> since her time in the hospital. To compare Hannah to the perfectly healthy little girl she was last year is heartbreaking, but when we think back to how sick and helpless she was in January and February, we realize just how far she has come. <br />
<br />
In January, Hannah didn't
have the coordination to sit up, play, crawl, walk, speak, eat, or even control her eye movements. Hannah girl is light years better than she was during those scary months. For those of you who haven't seen or heard yet: <b>Hannah is walking again!</b> Three months ago, on May 31st, Hannah took about 10 steps on her own. She took off walking across the living room, stopped half way and exclaimed in the most jubilant voice "Hannah's walking!!!" and then preceded to take a few more steps. It was such an amazing moment of triumph for all of us, 5 long months in the making.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypCB1OzJuFWurmR1cz6ib_QxS47G0xD_iTzPSO7-suaXEGKUIPWjfp0eudqVzF8jtTxHD_vWq0KV-hAqCc-y3oCPLpI69dAUrwtSiU1vIFUc33Nk9s-P5D5qXPQLiIhFA53VTRBTVf3A/s1600/IMG_3185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypCB1OzJuFWurmR1cz6ib_QxS47G0xD_iTzPSO7-suaXEGKUIPWjfp0eudqVzF8jtTxHD_vWq0KV-hAqCc-y3oCPLpI69dAUrwtSiU1vIFUc33Nk9s-P5D5qXPQLiIhFA53VTRBTVf3A/s320/IMG_3185.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah in May when she still needed her walker and helmet to get around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Not being able to walk was one of the most frustrating things for Hannah. So, every night after we put Liam to bed, we would practice walking with Hannah in the living room. Jake and I would sit on opposite sides of the living room and take turns supporting and encouraging her to walk from me to Jake and visa versa. The first few weeks she would stumble and barely make it a step. But eventually she would make it a few steps before we caught her as she tumbled to the ground. And by the end of May she developed enough strength and courage to make it 10 incredible steps on her own. By July she was walking 80% of the time and by August she hardly had to crawl at all. She still runs into things sometimes and falls down quite a bit, especially when she is tired, but gradually her coordination is getting better. She can stand up in the middle of the floor without any help and prefers to walk without the help of our hands anymore. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQerPgUFN-Dc2tbIDV2XAgpr-vzrbpO4CcsRlQviehIfAbuoH7CHMrrax7xArj7wpbkjhbi10CHJWG64eFUtFgVI_rRXjIukG3mRFs0A8Psw97t_dwTvrSEc3rk-Gr9QvRhLZBPwkr1Q/s1600/IMG_3373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBQerPgUFN-Dc2tbIDV2XAgpr-vzrbpO4CcsRlQviehIfAbuoH7CHMrrax7xArj7wpbkjhbi10CHJWG64eFUtFgVI_rRXjIukG3mRFs0A8Psw97t_dwTvrSEc3rk-Gr9QvRhLZBPwkr1Q/s320/IMG_3373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hannah in September, loving every second of walking on her own again.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hannah's independent drive to do things on her own has definitely helped her overcome this illness. The other day I was sitting down watching her prepare a tea party and it took her 5 minutes to do something that would normally take 30 seconds. She took her trembling arm and picked up the little pitcher off the top shelf, grabbed a cup in her other hand and held them both close to her chest as she poured some "tea" into her cup. Then she struggled getting the pitcher back on the shelf but she kept adjusting it and trying to get her shaky arm to do what she wanted and didn't give up until it was sitting in the same spot she grabbed it from. My eyes welled up because I learn so much from her. I couldn't do what she has done. The fact that she doesn't just want to do things on her own, but that she wants to do them well has benefited her infinitely with this illness.<br />
<br />
Everyday we see more and more of the personality and joy that defined our little girl before we lost her for a time to Cerebellar Ataxia. Two Sunday's ago our family was getting ready to go to church. Hannah saw that everyone was getting dressed, so she announced "I'm gonna get dressed", and then went in her room and closed the door behind her. A few minutes later we decided to check on her. She had gone through her dresser, picked out a perfectly matched skirt and shirt, and started dressing herself. For most 3 year old's that is nothing out of the ordinary, but for Hannah this was a huge milestone she couldn't do for 8 months. She is back to some of her adorable habits of collecting her favorite toys and little treasures from around the house and putting them in a purse and carrying them with her everywhere she goes. A little quirk that I didn't know I missed until I saw her do it again.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9a-mfkf3J3g8aifdqh5FelXBjB6oh66xzlMRLTD7yFc7q_iIdntjzI-EOpFKUxqxUGTKkd8NvI3FGZkZsIn_Wk1kx7hX2IAC87300AB9fsbdKdl-f9o-hE2MjZbAVMtTd16QF1aHiwM/s1600/IMG_3347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK9a-mfkf3J3g8aifdqh5FelXBjB6oh66xzlMRLTD7yFc7q_iIdntjzI-EOpFKUxqxUGTKkd8NvI3FGZkZsIn_Wk1kx7hX2IAC87300AB9fsbdKdl-f9o-hE2MjZbAVMtTd16QF1aHiwM/s320/IMG_3347.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That smile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Her talking is starting to improve almost daily. The coordination to speak has been a slow process. Back in January she could only say a few words and they were very labored and static. She is now talking in sentences again and constantly asking us questions. Jake and I can understand everything she say's, but people who aren't around her a lot usually need us to translate. Last night she made a huge step in communication when she was able to tell us about something we didn't see happen. Here is what we saw: Liam and Hannah both screaming and Hannah grabbing Liam by the face from behind to pull him off a car she was playing on. I told Hannah to apologize to Liam and give him a kiss. She said she was sorry but then said, "He needs to say sorry to Hannah". I asked her why he needed to say sorry and she showed me the bite mark on her hand and said "Baby bruh bit me hard! He needs to say sorry." The way she was able to explain herself and tell us exactly what happened was so impressive because she couldn't communicate well for months.<br />
<br />
She has been sleeping in her own bed for a few months now. Most nights she will wake up hysterical and I have to go in and calm her down but it doesn't take long to get her back asleep, which is a big improvement from months of sleepless nights. Overall her health, sweet demeanor, and everything Hannah loved to do is slowly within her reach again. Her patience with herself has been extraordinary. She has adapted to her limits and slowly tries to exceed them. We love you Hannah girl! Your strength and courage throughout this whole ordeal are inspiring. Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-76723288139799335192012-07-26T23:00:00.000-07:002012-07-27T14:25:14.812-07:00Liam is 18 months old!I have so much blog catching up to do it is a bit overwhelming. But I
couldn't let today pass without doing a little post about Liam. Today
Liam is 18 months old! He is such a boy. He loves cars, trucks, dirt, sticks, and climbing. One day I turned my head for a few seconds and turned back
around to see a grinning little boy standing on top of the kitchen
table. A couple of months ago I discovered he could count to 10 when I
said 1 and he finished counting to 10. He is hilarious. If we say the
word scowl he will look at you and display the best scowl you ever did
see. He adores his big sister and learns so much from her. He has not been the best sleeper. Just a month ago he started
sleeping through the night consistently. He is a chatter box. He has a
lot of words (over 100) and combines them to form sentences. He can
repeat almost anything you ask him to and then adds them to his
vocabulary instantly. I have never actually written down all the words
he can say, so for journalistic purposes here we go. Feel free to skip
over this part, I am probably the only person who does not find this
list boring :-)<br />
<ol>
<li>Mama/Mami</li>
<li>Dada/Dadi</li>
<li>Hannah </li>
<li>Ball</li>
<li>Car</li>
<li>Race Car</li>
<li>Truck</li>
<li>Garbage Truck</li>
<li>Hold you</li>
<li>Help me</li>
<li>Baby</li>
<li>Grama Gi Gi</li>
<li>Brampa</li>
<li>Mimi</li>
<li>Papa</li>
<li>Mamer = Mater</li>
<li>Book</li>
<li>Wuv you</li>
<li>Wuv you fifee (Love you infinity) </li>
<li>Crap (I know, we are tremendous parents)</li>
<li>Go</li>
<li>Bye Bye </li>
<li>Go bye bye</li>
<li>Go bye bye car</li>
<li>Here go (Here ya go) </li>
<li>Airpane</li>
<li>Go bye bye airpane</li>
<li>Nope (I love that he says nope for no)</li>
<li>Ochay</li>
<li>Milk</li>
<li>Drink</li>
<li>Juice</li>
<li>Nana (Banana)</li>
<li>Apple <br />
</li>
<li>Cha Cho Juice (Chocolate Milk)</li>
<li>Cup</li>
<li>Cracker</li>
<li>Cheese</li>
<li>Cookie </li>
<li>Wa wa (water)</li>
<li>Raspberry</li>
<li>Chair</li>
<li>High Chair</li>
<li>Fishy </li>
<li>Horsy</li>
<li>Cow</li>
<li>Bird <br />
</li>
<li>Duchy (ducky)</li>
<li>Kack Kack (quack quack)</li>
<li>Giraffe</li>
<li>Elephant</li>
<li>Hippo</li>
<li>Monkey</li>
<li>Oo aah aah (sound monkey makes) </li>
<li>Moon</li>
<li>Er is Hannah? (Where is Hannah?)</li>
<li>Er she is Hannah (There she is Hannah)</li>
<li>Ouchie</li>
<li>Amen</li>
<li>Hello</li>
<li>Hi</li>
<li>Soap</li>
<li>Show Show (Shower)</li>
<li>Show show da da soap</li>
<li>Foot</li>
<li>Ticka Ticka (tickle tickle)</li>
<li>Jack</li>
<li>Baby</li>
<li>Trey</li>
<li>Macme</li>
<li>Aubrey</li>
<li>Unka Day (Uncle Day)</li>
<li>Naina (Alaina)</li>
<li>Cupcake</li>
<li>Coming</li>
<li>Candy</li>
<li>Ice cream </li>
<li>Shoe</li>
<li>Mi Mow (Mickey Mouse)</li>
<li>Mi Mi Mow (Minnie Mouse) <br />
</li>
<li>Chi Chow</li>
<li>Baby Bruh (baby brother)</li>
<li>Milk shik (Milk shake)</li>
<li>Flowfer (flower)</li>
<li>Tree </li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Hat</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Biper Change (diaper change)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Bike</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ow side (outside)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pack Pack (back pack)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mote (remote)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jishous (Jesus) </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Skews Shoo (Excuse you)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Pees (Please)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Uh Oh</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Down </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All done</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All gone</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nose</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ear</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Eye</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Too Bruh (tooth brush)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stuck </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One more time</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Two </span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Three</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Four</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fif</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Six</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sen</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Eight</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Nine</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ten</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Sawsee (sorry)</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Open</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Open door</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">We love our little man so much! He
has added so much joy and fun to our family. I'm gonna miss my baby, but
I sure love the little boy he is becoming. Here are some pictures of our growing boy.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89z8pD2Fgo7mq3LVXV-AugyMqAE8aIxHdDcrBvX3BOfdY5H5n3ElfHwtIWLtluGi9QT9EIlMhns_XeGn-y1SDMnDI9CnzwQh-1AUD1wceNd2nCetGoBAIwbDs69i3QhOMs7frzGpc7B8/s1600/IMG_3234crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89z8pD2Fgo7mq3LVXV-AugyMqAE8aIxHdDcrBvX3BOfdY5H5n3ElfHwtIWLtluGi9QT9EIlMhns_XeGn-y1SDMnDI9CnzwQh-1AUD1wceNd2nCetGoBAIwbDs69i3QhOMs7frzGpc7B8/s320/IMG_3234crop.jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4th of July</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptm_D0H3LH4qmAa66PIz4XfaCITT3gY5cjzTaI1mgk070D9wZ7DmxhNzvTm06KFJ0J_NWLVXJqvh8IET7FkZpaZJZoGyxD8z42fr3YtgkLl074e7FMZqK620s4yRh_oOEV4RexKZ9iz0/s1600/IMG_3260crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptm_D0H3LH4qmAa66PIz4XfaCITT3gY5cjzTaI1mgk070D9wZ7DmxhNzvTm06KFJ0J_NWLVXJqvh8IET7FkZpaZJZoGyxD8z42fr3YtgkLl074e7FMZqK620s4yRh_oOEV4RexKZ9iz0/s320/IMG_3260crop.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding hands with daddy at the Boise Zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-J2pVswDIZ0p8Tfr03U5Ix_USy1c4zvsbAJEZRFfaLhT7zhSfWgsrrfbiSAqq_t11qZik61JkxdW9tc5ZW63veeFM7jfqlst3jPkDx1-Rk0l88bsEk5c7jSZeNa9c1wdHyKL77EGUrk/s1600/IMG_3249.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-J2pVswDIZ0p8Tfr03U5Ix_USy1c4zvsbAJEZRFfaLhT7zhSfWgsrrfbiSAqq_t11qZik61JkxdW9tc5ZW63veeFM7jfqlst3jPkDx1-Rk0l88bsEk5c7jSZeNa9c1wdHyKL77EGUrk/s320/IMG_3249.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving a truck at the Boise Zoo</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3cZqGNiQ4JKY2a1lICaAa7x0As63QjHU-odHQNN5saH5r2SwwkiiwZoJO1PmZ4zWOMcpuISZb4FXEa2o20UjPAN7xQn18f3bNI6YNrI9KmlC6fldL_7R-yysAX2pe5O5KbRrJE5EjS4/s1600/IMG_3291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3cZqGNiQ4JKY2a1lICaAa7x0As63QjHU-odHQNN5saH5r2SwwkiiwZoJO1PmZ4zWOMcpuISZb4FXEa2o20UjPAN7xQn18f3bNI6YNrI9KmlC6fldL_7R-yysAX2pe5O5KbRrJE5EjS4/s320/IMG_3291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves swimming and has no fear when it comes to water</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55bpSf0eicBrS4vd7KGpCouvHpnCWv5684qRCrS1gq9DNt9sVJR1PmStgZiUYAsJO6gsHSBg5SZsN4UdRazhTOcTjIai3GEOwXqQ9vXNRR6r8HSl4ESdsv2XYKzUBznnf5O_RO19qYf4/s1600/IMG_3248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh55bpSf0eicBrS4vd7KGpCouvHpnCWv5684qRCrS1gq9DNt9sVJR1PmStgZiUYAsJO6gsHSBg5SZsN4UdRazhTOcTjIai3GEOwXqQ9vXNRR6r8HSl4ESdsv2XYKzUBznnf5O_RO19qYf4/s320/IMG_3248.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves bananas. And Hannah's sunglasses.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGkkhaRtnS5kR5PkkldiQ34uVIOpK3yw3h3n9jFk0MqANxQmxlZJUYCiFU7ek602SxKSmCcR4k9_X9sO4piA_dqzWmSvGGNBhrKZRuUnbETQztppNhiDVRTwPHtWSyQ7Ba8iRxiAPyCw/s1600/IMG_3316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGkkhaRtnS5kR5PkkldiQ34uVIOpK3yw3h3n9jFk0MqANxQmxlZJUYCiFU7ek602SxKSmCcR4k9_X9sO4piA_dqzWmSvGGNBhrKZRuUnbETQztppNhiDVRTwPHtWSyQ7Ba8iRxiAPyCw/s320/IMG_3316.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated his 18 month birthday with a cupcake. He was timid at first.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Dpi_-EuxhK-40Owl-FDnkbazZ5PYOb-__hic8yA52xoaSkK1Gc-1dz1YFMnbInMfjEWUUj_37PnTk6t0gLYHEPFaWBlSzWofT_glF5r66w2MEK1exIhjiXi_uwK6hATjai8VvyzEMw/s1600/IMG_3318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-Dpi_-EuxhK-40Owl-FDnkbazZ5PYOb-__hic8yA52xoaSkK1Gc-1dz1YFMnbInMfjEWUUj_37PnTk6t0gLYHEPFaWBlSzWofT_glF5r66w2MEK1exIhjiXi_uwK6hATjai8VvyzEMw/s320/IMG_3318.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But then he dug right in.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoYCmg9s83XG3VntxnMJxcK2Mj8lZBwvHW2MkuK7_RedYZF7uR7auH3NiLTXMC9usb5ERBIuJmLrRymsA57IYJ-Z5emH21AwA4VMtYaMurLSJj6l8BnYcB6VBF8mqci0uh63XsQhHQ4I/s1600/IMG_3324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoYCmg9s83XG3VntxnMJxcK2Mj8lZBwvHW2MkuK7_RedYZF7uR7auH3NiLTXMC9usb5ERBIuJmLrRymsA57IYJ-Z5emH21AwA4VMtYaMurLSJj6l8BnYcB6VBF8mqci0uh63XsQhHQ4I/s320/IMG_3324.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He loves cupcakes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd1yF_VDsBokNGn8xMPziXleHtLxE4XMXOUGNJlcZGQqX7b2IXHGgmfFk9GA2c_oCHex3fMU3B6Uq0qSmhwnmgAO1v22185RpNTDQRgFBiotpP7yf_zyrj3gJe6su8CEQwoVHjCtN8jU/s1600/IMG_3325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfd1yF_VDsBokNGn8xMPziXleHtLxE4XMXOUGNJlcZGQqX7b2IXHGgmfFk9GA2c_oCHex3fMU3B6Uq0qSmhwnmgAO1v22185RpNTDQRgFBiotpP7yf_zyrj3gJe6su8CEQwoVHjCtN8jU/s320/IMG_3325.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking cute bud!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-41193047360672654162012-04-08T10:29:00.000-07:002012-07-27T10:38:29.357-07:00EasterI love Easter. Besides Christmas, it is my favorite Holiday. We had a wonderful Easter. On Saturday morning we had a brunch with our pal's the Hills and then went to Volunteer Park for an Easter Egg Hunt. It was a gorgeous day. Sunny and warm, well, warm for Seattle that is.<br />
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Easter morning the kids woke up to these snazzy little baskets. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEO6F3I2sqUekK3Qq4GM8o_ARFZ4Ww3AV0fmbMd4mkg7jAvc4NHyJee0MPz5WIuhSRNEN0G8hBczD4-VorIFuCzuek7gJuvbSUR3zUGISnw4y8p4XwFuokiqSEH4MzcGQ2u2LqWkmMnc/s1600/IMG_3015+crop.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729571918552709234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEO6F3I2sqUekK3Qq4GM8o_ARFZ4Ww3AV0fmbMd4mkg7jAvc4NHyJee0MPz5WIuhSRNEN0G8hBczD4-VorIFuCzuek7gJuvbSUR3zUGISnw4y8p4XwFuokiqSEH4MzcGQ2u2LqWkmMnc/s400/IMG_3015+crop.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 357px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>They were so hyped on sugar, turns out our kids are big sweet tooths. No surprise though, Jake and I love all things sugary so our kids had no chance not to be. Our sacrament meeting consisted of beautiful music performed by members of the ward. The primary children sang an Easter song. It was hard to watch the Sunbeams go up there and Hannah not sing with them. Her little friends waved to her though, which was so sweet and thoughtful. Soon she will be able to join her class in primary, very soon.<br />
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The kiddos in their Easter Sunday best.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU98MHIExijCttGddg1MDlowNRimkMsWux1soPpAdUbjHRZH5W3mkPfvTnuSFQXSqA9TZkBS5snWMCmNxRzcARetID0BBpwxdwW9nHlzuJJcECxJJbj-Nl05vzFmnrshioQoNJq9TDc-I/s1600/IMG_3021+crop.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729571927802901346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU98MHIExijCttGddg1MDlowNRimkMsWux1soPpAdUbjHRZH5W3mkPfvTnuSFQXSqA9TZkBS5snWMCmNxRzcARetID0BBpwxdwW9nHlzuJJcECxJJbj-Nl05vzFmnrshioQoNJq9TDc-I/s400/IMG_3021+crop.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 336px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm_KtrjI9tEFhc5qMI1s-T4qWj0YhyphenhyphenveTlAv_Tf9B1vM2YCaAO9_bpv9zT6t8d42a6rOHF8JvMi71tbR4_JvKfoUuOi9ezMAZMsTNMa46owHVHn72tIA1wUpJqjjjHrUjpdDONY1blZM/s1600/IMG_3024.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729571928951492466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm_KtrjI9tEFhc5qMI1s-T4qWj0YhyphenhyphenveTlAv_Tf9B1vM2YCaAO9_bpv9zT6t8d42a6rOHF8JvMi71tbR4_JvKfoUuOi9ezMAZMsTNMa46owHVHn72tIA1wUpJqjjjHrUjpdDONY1blZM/s400/IMG_3024.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Tubs hunting for Easter Eggs. He loved wandering around, finding an egg, and sitting down to open it up and find the candy.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBGxoy_PAIvg6S6vdumUSiCQS_T5_gc6Sa9BrT0eYCqGFPzxBf-qPyzwoE2CVCjkCDxj-4Fw9D353ciAMYud_VD6Z6Za2FCKOS_PZJ3eBvxHs5PUIfeMLTz_SQo4rQwJjVUehZN8gUjY/s1600/IMG_2994.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729565702981033778" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpBGxoy_PAIvg6S6vdumUSiCQS_T5_gc6Sa9BrT0eYCqGFPzxBf-qPyzwoE2CVCjkCDxj-4Fw9D353ciAMYud_VD6Z6Za2FCKOS_PZJ3eBvxHs5PUIfeMLTz_SQo4rQwJjVUehZN8gUjY/s400/IMG_2994.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Jake helped Hannah walk around to find the eggs.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwi0uI-n6uoF1Ifd41NoilZTPfN2SqOoltYptGGE6VobP-3j6CFRF2QI0pftfJLgAO6lhKX6417OEBWknv8bwh_4fXamZ_POyY6xZDlHlArSDDbLdSlIrfmHC_q0Op9F-rBv4aojJq3I/s1600/IMG_3003.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729565903050137186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwi0uI-n6uoF1Ifd41NoilZTPfN2SqOoltYptGGE6VobP-3j6CFRF2QI0pftfJLgAO6lhKX6417OEBWknv8bwh_4fXamZ_POyY6xZDlHlArSDDbLdSlIrfmHC_q0Op9F-rBv4aojJq3I/s400/IMG_3003.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>She did a great job walking.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOnyh-d_qbFIN4r2UJViJr6pmvVRVtYXWEtt187nDbeU37VeYtqWU4x0aUeESd7H-m6ScgnXyhpygWNZtT1UV7Q3n3UkJEG1N9U6HSssQ6AeNOboE7VWWZBpUYeVyzJAh9kR8-HmP8bk/s1600/IMG_3004.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729565894874382354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOnyh-d_qbFIN4r2UJViJr6pmvVRVtYXWEtt187nDbeU37VeYtqWU4x0aUeESd7H-m6ScgnXyhpygWNZtT1UV7Q3n3UkJEG1N9U6HSssQ6AeNOboE7VWWZBpUYeVyzJAh9kR8-HmP8bk/s400/IMG_3004.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Beautiful girl.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzI4fx2-tAM-1zMB0gdLRU4iYVi8VKXZCulYICvgeY5CFX0EpTpWQG-2RO0N3Qh0whfGVDdzdh_QBXdDWbkxdU4dssAfpUCctUSEiNpyaeUOdg_xZN7RX07RfDGOH9PtKO_JoLTHCnAc/s1600/IMG_3005.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729565911767238034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzI4fx2-tAM-1zMB0gdLRU4iYVi8VKXZCulYICvgeY5CFX0EpTpWQG-2RO0N3Qh0whfGVDdzdh_QBXdDWbkxdU4dssAfpUCctUSEiNpyaeUOdg_xZN7RX07RfDGOH9PtKO_JoLTHCnAc/s400/IMG_3005.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Love seeing smiles from Hannah girl!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLZM2V0-H4a17nhU0SBgnE-kDdmdj6wUmwKsedarpa-b8GRGwiJOXPJMa1T91iMSRxRErD1HmygmHTtZs2gU-0VyXcdCVO1iqydzCazjBy3zB3Vg6AjJVMTaxhN75o-nKo0tdEStiFVQ/s1600/IMG_3006+edit.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729567805146896594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmLZM2V0-H4a17nhU0SBgnE-kDdmdj6wUmwKsedarpa-b8GRGwiJOXPJMa1T91iMSRxRErD1HmygmHTtZs2gU-0VyXcdCVO1iqydzCazjBy3zB3Vg6AjJVMTaxhN75o-nKo0tdEStiFVQ/s400/IMG_3006+edit.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The 3 munchkins after their successful Easter Egg Hunt.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVQwwRa1tkJ8fCo1qYXRZFYltfonSUAeRaG6sxL5is0aTU5n1vw2c8TOlCY2jCNGbR9rQpo9C1zBsAeNSGKRx9uw8DDCwcfqJRSiPGbVile8bl741OOozWq34-HoSqt_2IeDSKIqkgHc/s1600/IMG_3009+crop.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729567809848940610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVQwwRa1tkJ8fCo1qYXRZFYltfonSUAeRaG6sxL5is0aTU5n1vw2c8TOlCY2jCNGbR9rQpo9C1zBsAeNSGKRx9uw8DDCwcfqJRSiPGbVile8bl741OOozWq34-HoSqt_2IeDSKIqkgHc/s400/IMG_3009+crop.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 338px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>The view from the top of the Observation Tower. Seattle is beautiful when the sun comes out.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr9CkuAXi1aiZwhp_1M17l5iRa66_0BqKMhthtvcjcM5RTkPTcugTdr10HZmX6EOtowIjaqtM5LtEarG9htjLb5Ie3pysRwqkw8loK4Rum6YVMAaFMKXUJU8sYlo4i1G712cRDz9l_S4/s1600/IMG_3013.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5729567831099783698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwr9CkuAXi1aiZwhp_1M17l5iRa66_0BqKMhthtvcjcM5RTkPTcugTdr10HZmX6EOtowIjaqtM5LtEarG9htjLb5Ie3pysRwqkw8loK4Rum6YVMAaFMKXUJU8sYlo4i1G712cRDz9l_S4/s400/IMG_3013.JPG" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>We are so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ. I know that because He died, we will all live again. I feel like because of Hannah's illness I more fully understand the depth of the Atonement, and more fully understand how difficult it must have been for our Heavenly Father to send his perfect child down to earth to suffer and die for us. Watching Hannah's health deteriorate and not being able to fix her was the hardest thing we have ever had to do. I know that God loves us because he was able to sacrifice his Beloved Son for us. He must love us all a lot. :-)Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-64173331466124197902012-04-02T14:45:00.004-07:002012-04-02T15:32:59.196-07:00A more recent Hannah updateHannah is doing much better. One month ago today we removed the NG tube. She was eating better and we wanted to see if her appetite would increase without the formula feedings. It was a success! She isn't eating and drinking as much as she used to, but it is enough to not need the tube back in her nose. Such a relief! That thing was a hassle. It would constantly leak and I do not miss waking up in a pool of formula on the bed.<br /><br />She is making big improvements physically too. She can now crawl which has helped her to not become as frustrated through out the day. She can sit up on her own and play with her little brother. And by play I mean steal toys from him, but that's beyond the point. Last week she started to be able to pull herself up to standing with the help of furniture, which is a great milestone for her. She has therapy 3 times a week. Each week the therapists are impressed with her progress. It is reassuring to hear that other people see improvements in her as well.<br /><br />Her ability to communicate is improving too. I can understand her most of the time and she is speaking more frequently. Her favorite thing to do these days is to read or be read to. When she was really sick she couldn't do much so we would read to her. Most of our day is spent reading the same books over and over, but luckily she has the books memorized so sometimes we get away with asking her to read to us. She is sleeping much better too. She sleeps in bed with us, our next goal is to get her back in her own bed.<br /><br />Overall things are going well. She is happier, so we are happier. <br /><br />Hanging out with her best bud Jack<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgWbGLBLrJsd2hbdvR07ju84DDJ_CvkIXcKZj8Dcuz_58qoBADFVz_ztJTU57hUYmcgRrwBilsETeikPBJk1FxC-KQFKsOjX0XbURlVzqQaK2-bbH7gBbS7tByn0FTWmbUcVgtkZSZlc/s1600/IMG_2942.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/AVvXsEhUgWbGLBLrJsd2hbdvR07ju84DDJ_CvkIXcKZj8Dcuz_58qoBADFVz_ztJTU57hUYmcgRrwBilsETeikPBJk1FxC-KQFKsOjX0XbURlVzqQaK2-bbH7gBbS7tByn0FTWmbUcVgtkZSZlc/s400/IMG_2942.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726933095149394946" border="0" /></a>This was hilarious. I put Liam down and when I came back downstairs I stumbled upon this Kodak moment. Jake and Hannah were both asleep, in pretty much the exact same position. One arm up over the head, one leg on the couch, the other leg hanging off the couch, mouth partially open. I love everything about this picture.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDE5Cw2ZSxwMe6gd3S9972ynxIbmcIBY_OtS6G0ldYa00lEgFjEd2axkP4S1Cz2SBGkZONVFbcb_v4eGNjEcHlfCqj3bVCKXHdwnwHy6lQuBBaGp9axyvnpO7xztAzdV7G5Z8Y7LT_HU/s1600/IMG_2932.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/AVvXsEgmDE5Cw2ZSxwMe6gd3S9972ynxIbmcIBY_OtS6G0ldYa00lEgFjEd2axkP4S1Cz2SBGkZONVFbcb_v4eGNjEcHlfCqj3bVCKXHdwnwHy6lQuBBaGp9axyvnpO7xztAzdV7G5Z8Y7LT_HU/s400/IMG_2932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726933089249198466" border="0" /></a>Hannah wearing a new dress that Grandma Geri got her. She looked beautiful in it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JKbD52BdZ1EHhyMyI9Y90ut3x5kgfCH5tBAn9Jr3GzVPza3HuLV2u7JJxHj_wfJ5pOpw8Fji7QpQ6BsOlzEDYqFkhtvE4kWODq2Ly7xP42CyazzNGxsHRPGka2wPBGvX4FqtwORwb2A/s1600/IMG_2981.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/AVvXsEg2JKbD52BdZ1EHhyMyI9Y90ut3x5kgfCH5tBAn9Jr3GzVPza3HuLV2u7JJxHj_wfJ5pOpw8Fji7QpQ6BsOlzEDYqFkhtvE4kWODq2Ly7xP42CyazzNGxsHRPGka2wPBGvX4FqtwORwb2A/s400/IMG_2981.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726933103199437266" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-5753302645365544942012-02-11T09:52:00.004-08:002012-04-02T14:42:40.225-07:00And finally an update on HannahI didn't post any updates mostly due to lack of time. But also because Hannah got worse, much worse before she started to get better. I just did not want to relive the pain of everything going on by writing it all down. I needed to wait until I had some good news to report. So now that she is on her way to recovery, I will record what she has been through because I want her to know what an inspiration she is to us and everyone around her. I want her to know how strong she is, and above all how much she is loved.<div><br /></div><div>When I last wrote Hannah had just been readmitted to the hospital. She had been vomiting for a few days, was severely lethargic, and we were worried that she was getting dehydrated. That worry was confirmed when the nurses had to try 3 times to put the IV in her little hand. She was put on various anti-nausea medications but nothing seemed to work. She would throw up at least twice a day. She lost the necessary coordination to chew and swallow food, so she started losing weight. A nasogastric tube had to be placed into her stomach to catch her up on the nutrition she needed.<br /></div><div><br /></div>The illness took away every ounce of joy Hannah had. Within a weeks time, everything our sweet girl loved to do was taken from her. She could no longer walk, she couldn't color, she couldn't talk, or sing her favorite songs, she could no longer eat, she would cry for hours due to pain, frustration, and an inability to communicate. Her eye nystagmus got so bad that she couldn't even watch TV. She would sleep in our arms or cry.<br /><br />She was in the hospital for 4 weeks this time. The longest 4 weeks of our life. By week 2 she started to show signs of progress. She would eat a little more, vomit a little less, interact a little more, and not sleep so much during the day. The day we finally heard her laugh again was like medicine for our aching souls.<br /><br />Everyday she would ask if she could go home. The day we were able to tell her she could go home she lit up and started talking more. On Tues Feb 7th, Hannah was released from the hospital. Progress was much more rapid at home and she started sleeping through the night again.<br /><br />I have learned so much by watching this amazing little girl struggle to overcome such a hardship. She still has a long road to recovery. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy every week will help her to continue to recover. But I sit here in awe of my little girl. Everything was taken from her, but she still keeps on smiling.<br /><br />This picture was taken right before she was discharged from the hospital<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9d0vDLLfa8BPNp7qCdEzl9bNoLP-FqBGglruU_Y98RLcWVpHcqudVSo3EHdlBxqnv8wBZZwtn540yf59DhSisjf2hK528ePr5029O7N0vt7EZgIEC_t_6k-P_Cx0Hp5UBWUNnfG_0K0/s1600/IMG_2917.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/AVvXsEhW9d0vDLLfa8BPNp7qCdEzl9bNoLP-FqBGglruU_Y98RLcWVpHcqudVSo3EHdlBxqnv8wBZZwtn540yf59DhSisjf2hK528ePr5029O7N0vt7EZgIEC_t_6k-P_Cx0Hp5UBWUNnfG_0K0/s400/IMG_2917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726919836739534722" border="0" /></a>Reading her books on the couch<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3usMzNo3Jau5WD6WXGgX-8eVW_ZzVeN9Y6YuiNZbgHU8vB6ym9S-EPk6_phE65mWyy2zFgn7-kOmPIGTnF_YbR-GbUhbrhdya3NZVMNXm0m-ndACAtyIUzBf39F8ILiMB1kxkUlLLBE0/s1600/IMG_2925.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/AVvXsEg3usMzNo3Jau5WD6WXGgX-8eVW_ZzVeN9Y6YuiNZbgHU8vB6ym9S-EPk6_phE65mWyy2zFgn7-kOmPIGTnF_YbR-GbUhbrhdya3NZVMNXm0m-ndACAtyIUzBf39F8ILiMB1kxkUlLLBE0/s400/IMG_2925.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726919843965582130" border="0" /></a>Sitting up on the couch for the first time<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwR71Ks1tG-23mQ84ArohxRVD5H7u-gkylsIThbzguTC-eA6AdnNeuny8TskeYOuln3chyphenhyphenwraaXd9fLIIGomeVKOBCI-tGaBVBOrP36U7JR4BJ7HwitcWMqiPgeVVTKnHrv2wsIM6eaWk/s1600/IMG_2931.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/AVvXsEjwR71Ks1tG-23mQ84ArohxRVD5H7u-gkylsIThbzguTC-eA6AdnNeuny8TskeYOuln3chyphenhyphenwraaXd9fLIIGomeVKOBCI-tGaBVBOrP36U7JR4BJ7HwitcWMqiPgeVVTKnHrv2wsIM6eaWk/s400/IMG_2931.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726920885875164626" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hannah girl, you are getting better sweetheart. Slowly but surely you are getting better. One day you will be able to run and jump again, but till then we will be there to lift you up and help you wherever you want to go. Mommy and daddy love you so very much. If we could take your place we would do so in a heartbeat. We love you infinity!</span>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-31849724079277532362012-01-12T09:25:00.000-08:002012-01-26T17:32:36.561-08:00The Hardest Week of Our Lives<div style="text-align: left;">Last week was a nightmare. A bad dream that we just wanted someone to pinch us and wake us up from. It all started on Monday, when Jake saw Hannah's arm tremble ever so slightly as she reached for something. And then again when her leg would shake as she stood still. We tried to brush it off thinking just maybe she was doing it to get a reaction out of us...especially since she had a lot of big girl changes as of late (potty training, no more nursery at church) But as soon as Jake pointed it out to me, I started noticing it too.<br /><br />When she woke up on Tuesday she was walking with an abnormally lazy gait. She would bump into things and fall down. What scared me the most was when I watched her try to eat a bowl of cereal and her arm started shaking as she brought it to her mouth and she couldn't keep the cereal on her spoon. Following some tearful embraces Jake and I immediately called her pediatrician and they recommended that we go straight to the ER.<br /><br />Hannah spent 10 hours on Tuesday in the Emergency Room. She was examined by multiple doctors and neurologists. They ordered an MRI, blood tests, Lumbar Puncture, the whole works. She had to go all day without eating or drinking anything because she had to be put under anesthesia for the MRI. She did amazing when they put the IV in, not even flinching or shedding a tear. The hardest part was having to tell her she couldn't have something to eat or drink even when she repeatedly told us how hungry and thirsty she was.<br /><br />She was admitted to the hospital and spent 4 long days there. Every test they ran came back negative. No tumors or lesions on the brain, no viral infection, nothing that gives a definitive diagnosis. But the doctors are pretty sure she is suffering from a rare post infectious illness called Acute Cerebellar Ataxia. They believe a viral infection somehow reached her brain and her cerebellum got caught in the crossfire. Within 3 days she went from running and jumping to not being able to walk, play, or perform normal everyday tasks.<br /><br />Hearing your little girl scream "I want to walk!" as she crumbles to the ground after another failed attempt to use her legs is beyond heartbreaking. Watching your daughter lose her coordination and fine motor skills when you can do nothing about it is torture. When Hannah notices our tears she says in the most tender voice "I'm so sorry". What does this perfect little angel have to be sorry for? We wish more than anything that we could just take her place. No 3 year old deserves to go through such a struggle.<br /><br />We yearn for the day's when we worried about stuff like a broken car, potty training, getting kids down for naps, Jake's busy medical school schedule, or what to cook for dinner. The stupid things that seemed so important went inconsequential in a matter of seconds. Now all we want is for Hannah to continue recovering so that she can walk again. So that she can play with her little brother and run around the house like a crazy person. We want to hear the pitter patter of her feet as she runs up and down the stairs, or the sound of her happy voice giggling through our home again.<br /><br />Most children recover from ACA within 10-12 days. But sometimes it can last weeks, even months. Hannah was admitted into the hospital again yesterday because some of her symptoms were getting worse. I'm not posting this to receive pity, but I just know that we have so many wonderful friends out there who can pray for her because at the moment all we can do is hope and pray for a swift recovery. So if you are reading this, please take a moment to pray for our little Hannah. Please.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiOJmkamkkOBu8fs3NJNBv6MDBaumvkdNtYdc80QGv8IdgUG_aMYbzM8dfDc1462pg1iLlhZWka4Sz8hiuPKfPt5C5alrhabysStf2WigZfZdv3Tz0t_wMDup-41t5uk9ftWcFgwJWEQ/s1600/IMG_2868.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/AVvXsEgfiOJmkamkkOBu8fs3NJNBv6MDBaumvkdNtYdc80QGv8IdgUG_aMYbzM8dfDc1462pg1iLlhZWka4Sz8hiuPKfPt5C5alrhabysStf2WigZfZdv3Tz0t_wMDup-41t5uk9ftWcFgwJWEQ/s400/IMG_2868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5699988780650747970" border="0" /></a></div>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-88335768822597949322011-12-30T11:07:00.000-08:002012-01-05T22:58:39.261-08:00Boise AdventuresThis year was our turn to spend Christmas with Jake's family in Boise. We were able to spend over 2 weeks there and it was wonderful. We went on some fun adventures.<br /><br />A couple of days after we got there we went on a train ride up to the North Pole to see Santa. Mimi rented out the caboose for the whole family. It was such a luxurious train ride! Leather seats and couches as well as an attendant who made us hot chocolate and provided snacks. Mimi had a friend make some incredible frosted Christmas cookies that were the perfect little treat for the ride.<br /><br />Hannah enjoying the view from the train.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdXHghDJmdPCsCwgajsAYOP9BuHUnrZN5GRIGOWPbvjVcwZdGJsWw3j_NSbAFtjSaQslGKI5csIP86wge1Ivmg8liW1TSOB5pbe6EC-V1vrT7haOYR5cmxRHgJkXr-UQPw4Dyyk34sg8/s1600/IMG_2754.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/AVvXsEiDdXHghDJmdPCsCwgajsAYOP9BuHUnrZN5GRIGOWPbvjVcwZdGJsWw3j_NSbAFtjSaQslGKI5csIP86wge1Ivmg8liW1TSOB5pbe6EC-V1vrT7haOYR5cmxRHgJkXr-UQPw4Dyyk34sg8/s400/IMG_2754.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694233181962320946" border="0" /></a>The scenic view from the train.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwMwfSM-kQ9VtJHpN3Z4fHR5SzLdGCFc1jGsKMB1bR0AEQ8G5MYGnYkTicHaTqqf9gncIgkMCpfV2ohUWw-8CpZdIaZF723T-nkHvr58vIcoaCelK4qjg9pd4UkATRV80b_hFoanJONI/s1600/IMG_2760.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/AVvXsEjAwMwfSM-kQ9VtJHpN3Z4fHR5SzLdGCFc1jGsKMB1bR0AEQ8G5MYGnYkTicHaTqqf9gncIgkMCpfV2ohUWw-8CpZdIaZF723T-nkHvr58vIcoaCelK4qjg9pd4UkATRV80b_hFoanJONI/s400/IMG_2760.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694233195619964290" border="0" /></a>Love the frozen river.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dnmFyOBEBdsxaGZUAgq7w63mmjb4CyhXUqu-wTEgV3NZXhTgW_fgywMgtw9xJJJAgSJHoSpunrY42263_ilHiFqouPYb_962vtOmZHZI_Sw77sjFdbVCzDSUMQt4-CJS1j38z7Re450/s1600/IMG_2761.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/AVvXsEg1dnmFyOBEBdsxaGZUAgq7w63mmjb4CyhXUqu-wTEgV3NZXhTgW_fgywMgtw9xJJJAgSJHoSpunrY42263_ilHiFqouPYb_962vtOmZHZI_Sw77sjFdbVCzDSUMQt4-CJS1j38z7Re450/s400/IMG_2761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694233205203904674" border="0" /></a>Snuggles from Mimi on the train<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaFr7YTSBARXZF015SZ59eXEf5bLVs99En9PXBwfhgopmi3NamcL9iao1Y81nxThytR4TLCfXcI-WhRWkYjwIGhunYPLwUn8_8G30Tlv-9XxUtrTuiVhxHqbovd6ovf6DwIMS0De5u9g/s1600/IMG_2764.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/AVvXsEhaaFr7YTSBARXZF015SZ59eXEf5bLVs99En9PXBwfhgopmi3NamcL9iao1Y81nxThytR4TLCfXcI-WhRWkYjwIGhunYPLwUn8_8G30Tlv-9XxUtrTuiVhxHqbovd6ovf6DwIMS0De5u9g/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694233342066492338" border="0" /></a>Cousin Trey reading everyone the Polar Express<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglitMYe8Nec1AApwsTqA36JAjF45dzUoozSAzXMRzaL15n6uH-5BTFkt1sYO3c-dw3mEzetVqO3W6yLE2TIn_ED0zMWeLaxH8ELyATFAswci5gnkCYNUEDWlwQHWjUSfcVmUSdaxLOjkc/s1600/IMG_2752.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/AVvXsEglitMYe8Nec1AApwsTqA36JAjF45dzUoozSAzXMRzaL15n6uH-5BTFkt1sYO3c-dw3mEzetVqO3W6yLE2TIn_ED0zMWeLaxH8ELyATFAswci5gnkCYNUEDWlwQHWjUSfcVmUSdaxLOjkc/s400/IMG_2752.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694233169264950466" border="0" /></a>Waiting in line to see Santa<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFlt2a4uIgetLrx3nM-Km2iU3zh-65sZcPn_ypEnP8n_1BuIjOYvI9yCypztGqikDEcJLfIZo8kEbq9b0yxishQEMyQVl1n8DK5wMbYGg8-1dpmkl1rS0kIG-8Puaoge0JdW_BuqWHLxI/s1600/IMG_2744.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/AVvXsEiFlt2a4uIgetLrx3nM-Km2iU3zh-65sZcPn_ypEnP8n_1BuIjOYvI9yCypztGqikDEcJLfIZo8kEbq9b0yxishQEMyQVl1n8DK5wMbYGg8-1dpmkl1rS0kIG-8Puaoge0JdW_BuqWHLxI/s400/IMG_2744.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694231911958466642" border="0" /></a>The grand kids meeting Mrs. Claus<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkzFG6vEGegoTs81CSO-al4u5BpR6cK-g0upLVRAzDG7kgNVWdkbJnW28o6uc6qdhsfSFHK2h4nomkEy9rQD0qEot5RgRuI4qmuejsofIfm7Mo4bWo6nWeesIu4qeDCoSNeCw2-r5JBZo/s1600/IMG_2746.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/AVvXsEhkzFG6vEGegoTs81CSO-al4u5BpR6cK-g0upLVRAzDG7kgNVWdkbJnW28o6uc6qdhsfSFHK2h4nomkEy9rQD0qEot5RgRuI4qmuejsofIfm7Mo4bWo6nWeesIu4qeDCoSNeCw2-r5JBZo/s400/IMG_2746.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694231933453855858" border="0" /></a>Cute picture of the grand kids and their daddy's sitting with Santa on his Sleigh<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDilelwR5122eIHgqngkCFx9iU8IebZ15GpUJSxKPu-cSVnVfMF-n-DoZD2_rnaBRR__CH7b8Qk_pNGUvTCa_Sjdfa8vu5mswMIqQUtIwLhYnCDSo1SObp1NWW5nwVt2moPQOJ6l-OAt8/s1600/IMG_2747.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/AVvXsEhDilelwR5122eIHgqngkCFx9iU8IebZ15GpUJSxKPu-cSVnVfMF-n-DoZD2_rnaBRR__CH7b8Qk_pNGUvTCa_Sjdfa8vu5mswMIqQUtIwLhYnCDSo1SObp1NWW5nwVt2moPQOJ6l-OAt8/s400/IMG_2747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694233162379634626" border="0" /></a>They had a stage with hula hoops for kids the play with. Don't ask me how that relates to Santa and the North Pole....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8FrXWwGx2cVtwDUA367Opiz1elEAYokydKYiNcc7Eq9JCTWkHlqk9jTHt8e5FMu6WZHHb3cphFH_b_83MLfdAxiBn1RCL5PqOG483BaoV2roG2b1bCWwbcHjIQ_00ZXeGhQ9vXWJdQE/s1600/IMG_2743.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/AVvXsEhJ8FrXWwGx2cVtwDUA367Opiz1elEAYokydKYiNcc7Eq9JCTWkHlqk9jTHt8e5FMu6WZHHb3cphFH_b_83MLfdAxiBn1RCL5PqOG483BaoV2roG2b1bCWwbcHjIQ_00ZXeGhQ9vXWJdQE/s400/IMG_2743.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694231907619513490" border="0" /></a>The hay maze was an interesting addition to the North Pole as well....But Hannah enjoyed it.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSY58C6NXqeLvdl9cxOTstZOzmYwtE-4qjJ1VPW39XSLLBX5QA2uwr618PXDWN_v4Pk_KBKZoQTkbEHbnwyz0op4wyKhugJdpmodXiauUmuawvCHS7JutEnzc9dSN9iNU4uHBWk_jANHQ/s1600/IMG_2739.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/AVvXsEhSY58C6NXqeLvdl9cxOTstZOzmYwtE-4qjJ1VPW39XSLLBX5QA2uwr618PXDWN_v4Pk_KBKZoQTkbEHbnwyz0op4wyKhugJdpmodXiauUmuawvCHS7JutEnzc9dSN9iNU4uHBWk_jANHQ/s400/IMG_2739.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694231901660565826" border="0" /></a>Hannah and Macy in front of the train. You can see the North Pole in the background.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VQKsFqyaTWHUxiBo530p8is2T0IVhEHH6n5ooXDUzaa5dw2nMVuGV5OXD4GJIK3wG2GcqLfdzY8pCdPfXirhZSJoGiJWoILvBMLyhEZEVD8kLYnwPJQruOhTyukmsiH_aii-QhSqKho/s1600/IMG_2730.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/AVvXsEh0VQKsFqyaTWHUxiBo530p8is2T0IVhEHH6n5ooXDUzaa5dw2nMVuGV5OXD4GJIK3wG2GcqLfdzY8pCdPfXirhZSJoGiJWoILvBMLyhEZEVD8kLYnwPJQruOhTyukmsiH_aii-QhSqKho/s400/IMG_2730.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694231897460836098" border="0" /></a>We had so much fun on the train ride to the North Pole, thanks Mimi and Papa!<br /><br />Another fun adventure we had was going to see the Christmas lights at the Boise Botanical Gardens. There were lights everywhere, it was so beautiful! When you walk in the path was lined with trees that were decorated with these beautiful flower lights pictured below.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcEUL8VQXf4dr3HVZAPTWwbPPne8kLw8W6weCR6un1XcCH4dvKXPE1ZRG78_mCL9x9PqNF7RoLGmVGpkxXSmw7usBNNGDwC_7zI3KXr-e7FlnX2zFUFlXCjPkZcHeykMFtyVu2rMIro8/s1600/IMG_2778.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/AVvXsEhdcEUL8VQXf4dr3HVZAPTWwbPPne8kLw8W6weCR6un1XcCH4dvKXPE1ZRG78_mCL9x9PqNF7RoLGmVGpkxXSmw7usBNNGDwC_7zI3KXr-e7FlnX2zFUFlXCjPkZcHeykMFtyVu2rMIro8/s400/IMG_2778.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694401361875179394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPHfzSk6DMnHR79QM-1JcbnkUc4Qd2jl_391Z6BlvC3tfjKIShy8lntexBr_IMnSOrB96oHiTUCEbw7Qauo5EAvjQxbPyZFQVdrUO0SDLo7evAVme4UtX6EN0-jlDPyy7Fnx45W2zPAY/s1600/IMG_2771.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/AVvXsEjAPHfzSk6DMnHR79QM-1JcbnkUc4Qd2jl_391Z6BlvC3tfjKIShy8lntexBr_IMnSOrB96oHiTUCEbw7Qauo5EAvjQxbPyZFQVdrUO0SDLo7evAVme4UtX6EN0-jlDPyy7Fnx45W2zPAY/s400/IMG_2771.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694401352023782962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_VrEiRFlvZ2fJrrvtwyvXLobEZzURs_f2qEOlPfYNnACAu2nl9DzEQciyyM5bcyc1tYkCfkS5G2-gsXh5SHz_atsLWGV19Of8fU-2fjKxa51W_Mvukth4n3LCCWjaDdfmK8uG1Nivxs/s1600/IMG_2777.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/AVvXsEib_VrEiRFlvZ2fJrrvtwyvXLobEZzURs_f2qEOlPfYNnACAu2nl9DzEQciyyM5bcyc1tYkCfkS5G2-gsXh5SHz_atsLWGV19Of8fU-2fjKxa51W_Mvukth4n3LCCWjaDdfmK8uG1Nivxs/s400/IMG_2777.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694400563118530098" border="0" /></a>Family picture in front of the lights. Liam is in the stroller too, hidden under that pile of blankets.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-45WPoPVvZI5qugU2U-SRc6LWuEQSGJs-VsVlDJxArpjpCFwnwI8hJs3rxIYVJiZ3AIa7mS2XUwqXfMUAuF-WL8CIZZqIhr8CczG-OcY-Va2wv6wyawqm-SsxM_hk8-EsotlL87PeSBY/s1600/IMG_2783.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/AVvXsEj-45WPoPVvZI5qugU2U-SRc6LWuEQSGJs-VsVlDJxArpjpCFwnwI8hJs3rxIYVJiZ3AIa7mS2XUwqXfMUAuF-WL8CIZZqIhr8CczG-OcY-Va2wv6wyawqm-SsxM_hk8-EsotlL87PeSBY/s400/IMG_2783.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694401371629265890" border="0" /></a>See, told you he was there :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI18fykmzU3rUwBYwoQnP4gpavc0cb2r8E00oNxIdUxyDimEfRmQy-ZNnAqsoVLA2YWy_YR_kdib_Ry0CvockbEfsAShLBREvqA1QyqjMvali6-GLhKU_ubVq_oBulnQdDl5vjAD9zOys/s1600/IMG_2784.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/AVvXsEgI18fykmzU3rUwBYwoQnP4gpavc0cb2r8E00oNxIdUxyDimEfRmQy-ZNnAqsoVLA2YWy_YR_kdib_Ry0CvockbEfsAShLBREvqA1QyqjMvali6-GLhKU_ubVq_oBulnQdDl5vjAD9zOys/s400/IMG_2784.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694401382109934866" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-68115521850202932292011-12-11T22:35:00.000-08:002012-01-05T22:52:26.134-08:00Christmas in SeattleBefore we left for Boise we had a miniature Christmas in Seattle where we opened the presents that my parents sent to us. Here is Hannah opening up her Leapster, games and case. Even though she doesn't quite know how to use it yet, she loves it and carries it around most of the day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0klC1XuUmqLTar1C3ml1zk9ecRZRG8oEukMRHChMyoYjlb8TtzGlOCXT7q9BmyPwnhAimK1cqXz2kmuyik1m8ASxYtbtiS8MsYQHe_7lr1VQ8mkPLSrk-gPxmwblq1CpF8UzZobepsQ/s1600/IMG_2719.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/AVvXsEgn0klC1XuUmqLTar1C3ml1zk9ecRZRG8oEukMRHChMyoYjlb8TtzGlOCXT7q9BmyPwnhAimK1cqXz2kmuyik1m8ASxYtbtiS8MsYQHe_7lr1VQ8mkPLSrk-gPxmwblq1CpF8UzZobepsQ/s400/IMG_2719.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694404646135913650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEG9Cotasl2cR6U8eZUHGwK4oyhwDKHrtGYgluxXSIfCAhd2vPcmL-W3K_EnhIElnoB13JjQkaz8emDoG51l0rBJkeno3lBzS0HIiCn6kFCrEGbWkGhALbeMHJWA0JPsyyXTbhESZgiDA/s1600/IMG_2715.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/AVvXsEhEG9Cotasl2cR6U8eZUHGwK4oyhwDKHrtGYgluxXSIfCAhd2vPcmL-W3K_EnhIElnoB13JjQkaz8emDoG51l0rBJkeno3lBzS0HIiCn6kFCrEGbWkGhALbeMHJWA0JPsyyXTbhESZgiDA/s400/IMG_2715.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694404637849821938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZYNCqJ1VX6vCBob9kXkMp1P34coqxgxiYztsQBPOqrICxFHp7VW9XkXx5XJt89lWIA8jwilvcJHY58XhCoHbYYyOPuaA-qbqK-IgRObUf7-yNd9q38dGoaiy5tUBaCsNSLNCsI33wZlI/s1600/IMG_2724.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/AVvXsEhZYNCqJ1VX6vCBob9kXkMp1P34coqxgxiYztsQBPOqrICxFHp7VW9XkXx5XJt89lWIA8jwilvcJHY58XhCoHbYYyOPuaA-qbqK-IgRObUf7-yNd9q38dGoaiy5tUBaCsNSLNCsI33wZlI/s400/IMG_2724.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694404651880026258" border="0" /></a><br />Liam opening up one of his gifts. He got some adorable new clothes, a quiet book, and a fun basketball hoop/T-ball/football center. Besides Liams smile my favorite part of this picture would have to be my little Rambo in the background, hahahahaha. A Christmas ribbon has never looked so manly.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObxLuwRmM0IdudKZlJNIzhIfgCRJM98nCsadb7Pnh6V01gdtaMi26Pu7ZESheoAN5KmYtUyZfaloKAHRp7_tOrDKW6feVZNdRkpEm9rxcNgPONfJVgjyS2NxPLkvKPvy_MsiekL-3heg/s1600/IMG_2726.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/AVvXsEjObxLuwRmM0IdudKZlJNIzhIfgCRJM98nCsadb7Pnh6V01gdtaMi26Pu7ZESheoAN5KmYtUyZfaloKAHRp7_tOrDKW6feVZNdRkpEm9rxcNgPONfJVgjyS2NxPLkvKPvy_MsiekL-3heg/s400/IMG_2726.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694404672946025378" border="0" /></a>We all made out like bandits, thanks Grandma Geri and Papa Ron!Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-85779773854201747102011-12-10T09:49:00.000-08:002012-01-12T09:25:44.733-08:00Hannah's Birthday CelebrationsWe had a wonderful time celebrating Hannah's 3rd Birthday. The day before her Birthday we went out to dinner. She requested a cheeseburger and milkshake. As we were driving to Red Robin we passed a McDonald's and Hannah yelled "I found it, I found the cheeseburger and milkshake!" The poor thing is used to high class meals. We told her we were going somewhere else and she was still excited.<br /><br />Pictures from her Birthday dinner.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOETxxkNnOCUDlCbdwb9k_BvHnIlAr69vQF4gHzxxpBozJZlMs0zXCptpxWuLKMCAQ1tzqM-OOZI31ldo2fHj6qIC4sirO7xqqRlUXR7EOAZieZWzD5ZlBLQxBHGzUdpSHTSvCWqBZJqc/s1600/IMG_2646+crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 330px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOETxxkNnOCUDlCbdwb9k_BvHnIlAr69vQF4gHzxxpBozJZlMs0zXCptpxWuLKMCAQ1tzqM-OOZI31ldo2fHj6qIC4sirO7xqqRlUXR7EOAZieZWzD5ZlBLQxBHGzUdpSHTSvCWqBZJqc/s400/IMG_2646+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694210615509374882" border="0" /></a>This picture was taken when the servers brought an ice cream sundae and all sang Happy Birthday to her. She was quite sure about the whole situation, haha.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL9mbKqi9WwsjcNwu44I1_CkhIBSSH1qibn1HAf606yVAYFsCBmXhETxDYwmFYGC0M51tl0B1P1ED6rA6VI0EdekYR9ItkQcFml0uArlYpsNLv61A9H1q1iZ8u6JUJgVOTDEry1HEiFyA/s1600/IMG_2648.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/AVvXsEjL9mbKqi9WwsjcNwu44I1_CkhIBSSH1qibn1HAf606yVAYFsCBmXhETxDYwmFYGC0M51tl0B1P1ED6rA6VI0EdekYR9ItkQcFml0uArlYpsNLv61A9H1q1iZ8u6JUJgVOTDEry1HEiFyA/s400/IMG_2648.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694210617992365330" border="0" /></a><br />On her actual Birthday we had an ice cream party! Hannah's friend and neighbor Leah is exactly 1 year older than Hannah, so we had a combined party for them and their friends. We played games like pin the cherry on the ice cream cone, colored place-mats that had pictures of ice cream on it, and let the kids put their own toppings on their ice cream sundaes. There was a great turn out and the kids had a blast.<br /><br />One of the biggest hits of the party were the cupcakes that were baked into ice cream cones. Jack especially loved his.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d_7Q35tfCIjOTeyy2uGV4CquPZdaSIoiMvDRA71sEQnxs3diXXwfZAtxBZ9W6sI5MOHs0T_VR3IxLQ8pg_64khyphenhyphenX9Wz2cRxw5JHWL5ayuoqJ9D_KvKYvCJrBBnfZy_FUWEtWD3Zs514/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 344px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4d_7Q35tfCIjOTeyy2uGV4CquPZdaSIoiMvDRA71sEQnxs3diXXwfZAtxBZ9W6sI5MOHs0T_VR3IxLQ8pg_64khyphenhyphenX9Wz2cRxw5JHWL5ayuoqJ9D_KvKYvCJrBBnfZy_FUWEtWD3Zs514/s400/IMG_2657.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694216181846475186" border="0" /></a>Hannah and Jack coloring their place-mats.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoD4jdd7b2CGoX276-lWZp8YKGZw_JDVcKazcS3E30psDb6QSzWDCUMmEjGo3hX3N6eQHeNxPPQAOMNmtwWLWAVjpCDErHySz4nUIGDoBHGJ90_RABQ1dKCpf0c50aLpr2g7bAd25EaE/s1600/DSC03291.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/AVvXsEiWoD4jdd7b2CGoX276-lWZp8YKGZw_JDVcKazcS3E30psDb6QSzWDCUMmEjGo3hX3N6eQHeNxPPQAOMNmtwWLWAVjpCDErHySz4nUIGDoBHGJ90_RABQ1dKCpf0c50aLpr2g7bAd25EaE/s400/DSC03291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694216385703113986" border="0" /></a>Playing with the fun blow out toy<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO0UDt2Fvbet5_bIBVByIlhHqytYvZekHCzM-PzUzLIgi-zLbKO1pxBVFaWVkdvnVHw38-PAr98UyYWGeMmypeD5XpzyJaaZ6Bn9qGhbOwNdlDSrxs-AHjHmJs4EYV9a5uXBXnCDyYbxE/s1600/IMG_2655.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/AVvXsEhO0UDt2Fvbet5_bIBVByIlhHqytYvZekHCzM-PzUzLIgi-zLbKO1pxBVFaWVkdvnVHw38-PAr98UyYWGeMmypeD5XpzyJaaZ6Bn9qGhbOwNdlDSrxs-AHjHmJs4EYV9a5uXBXnCDyYbxE/s400/IMG_2655.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694216188813408690" border="0" /></a>Taking a break from the cupcake cone to play with the blow out toys some more<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcpDjl74FVOE7upBc5w6kCiMecZHskwuv1jMy1Ghvk5eLK3fwwIZzVdU4lpD84f6GCGvyCowkceWoGiD4rvcVg8a3lo4jnsB3a8oGhPyh4eRiiR50WgKFD51Hb_swGPHGepObnEw6_qoM/s1600/IMG_2654.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/AVvXsEjcpDjl74FVOE7upBc5w6kCiMecZHskwuv1jMy1Ghvk5eLK3fwwIZzVdU4lpD84f6GCGvyCowkceWoGiD4rvcVg8a3lo4jnsB3a8oGhPyh4eRiiR50WgKFD51Hb_swGPHGepObnEw6_qoM/s400/IMG_2654.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694216185459242930" border="0" /></a>Liam had fun at the party too :-)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLFkwpSpy0ThgXdZkJenjGsmn0jMwOxuZDVkKSlcRGXs741fnDBFveEm694nhtNA6XeV_kKnQghq7TRcAUz95mC2SN30_HG2m-Jy82RPsbHg_flNEwlenLQA5RBRnp30XEosBXo5hfus/s1600/IMG_2656.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/AVvXsEiwLFkwpSpy0ThgXdZkJenjGsmn0jMwOxuZDVkKSlcRGXs741fnDBFveEm694nhtNA6XeV_kKnQghq7TRcAUz95mC2SN30_HG2m-Jy82RPsbHg_flNEwlenLQA5RBRnp30XEosBXo5hfus/s400/IMG_2656.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694216207612786210" border="0" /></a><br />When we got home from the party Hannah opened up presents from my parents and us.<br /><br />Hannah opening up her present from Grandma and Grandpa<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5epuEC6qXi2Gg5XcU7tnNlkr6cHpOzJ1ozwfEDbMGVoE9z3RdP7LGWB4C6YQ5YQ9eLS1tGEXs3jR7rlWVTDnU53aCs09SLOmAGpnbqTsLMS1SlnwJAIGh5gnBsTJuHZoOMwAgRyI8fHw/s1600/IMG_2668.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/AVvXsEh5epuEC6qXi2Gg5XcU7tnNlkr6cHpOzJ1ozwfEDbMGVoE9z3RdP7LGWB4C6YQ5YQ9eLS1tGEXs3jR7rlWVTDnU53aCs09SLOmAGpnbqTsLMS1SlnwJAIGh5gnBsTJuHZoOMwAgRyI8fHw/s400/IMG_2668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694220746805943058" border="0" /></a>She was so excited<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR4XpprrOaY4eHiYB8dSHoz4DKuakHhFlcdQtllWjZVRfdQLViZWxqZGxc08KwwRQlyR9O-k2Ob8CEgmcmzvXbyNDG0WYHOkWPhgPUp4ibWS7OuNXpWbMCaxOqAH5cKlOdATyfd824Rbc/s1600/IMG_2674.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/AVvXsEhR4XpprrOaY4eHiYB8dSHoz4DKuakHhFlcdQtllWjZVRfdQLViZWxqZGxc08KwwRQlyR9O-k2Ob8CEgmcmzvXbyNDG0WYHOkWPhgPUp4ibWS7OuNXpWbMCaxOqAH5cKlOdATyfd824Rbc/s400/IMG_2674.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694220748607310194" border="0" /></a>She got a fun paper doll toy and that beautiful Christmas dress and a bed time cd.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5OoTOJONlOSUmiZVJpIuUuDwJSU68Jx_Lwl7bKOe0RNRzlCakBCc7zPayttpkF_1Ce-CV8PaZo27Re9TRx3mi6WgypnE0ky4TuSkf-WuuCMsr6q548cHEEuf5GQSf8lwonT4A7aTmP4U/s1600/IMG_2677.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/AVvXsEh5OoTOJONlOSUmiZVJpIuUuDwJSU68Jx_Lwl7bKOe0RNRzlCakBCc7zPayttpkF_1Ce-CV8PaZo27Re9TRx3mi6WgypnE0ky4TuSkf-WuuCMsr6q548cHEEuf5GQSf8lwonT4A7aTmP4U/s400/IMG_2677.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694220764501577250" border="0" /></a>Opening up her present from us. She got clothes and this cute crib for her baby.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-QXdheGicCgEgNum1TR5SvyCNEiQ1UVHT2YmvuTE2kQjd2tJjhqPoQdaueE1Q_sBFr7wcQHlWvTqRMs7AswdsmJmTbBw1sQBd3Z9v_hsldMC15DQ8G63rKzGZnogcEPvcJsCZ62qyMlo/s1600/IMG_2692.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/AVvXsEi-QXdheGicCgEgNum1TR5SvyCNEiQ1UVHT2YmvuTE2kQjd2tJjhqPoQdaueE1Q_sBFr7wcQHlWvTqRMs7AswdsmJmTbBw1sQBd3Z9v_hsldMC15DQ8G63rKzGZnogcEPvcJsCZ62qyMlo/s400/IMG_2692.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694222651001347634" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh563CEsaYw1E4IEg6WjWQEoodOFxzmoIXPtV8G1MoouusHeHxuSSRv-lIcnAkhWmt-o57aBFUTkLu-nIANNe-ABLLSxCVgfOcjJtKtGOUaJfKpueLP8fZ-05aDLw6I8RfK8OvxMXmQj-o/s1600/IMG_2682.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/AVvXsEh563CEsaYw1E4IEg6WjWQEoodOFxzmoIXPtV8G1MoouusHeHxuSSRv-lIcnAkhWmt-o57aBFUTkLu-nIANNe-ABLLSxCVgfOcjJtKtGOUaJfKpueLP8fZ-05aDLw6I8RfK8OvxMXmQj-o/s400/IMG_2682.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694220777094595874" border="0" /></a>Trying to get a picture of me with the kids.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjMGZLlbkpnzDo1pMueRUDe3htqROy8wclBqzxtfHUgl2EXcZO-FykVU4EDPqyv-bKzIQgLpfLLVWpi9DFj5F1yv9zGYNN8M1V8CJZy8VhXX3vS6DVpCAEuwzk038jGRFV72-xNmKz4Qo/s1600/IMG_2693.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/AVvXsEjjMGZLlbkpnzDo1pMueRUDe3htqROy8wclBqzxtfHUgl2EXcZO-FykVU4EDPqyv-bKzIQgLpfLLVWpi9DFj5F1yv9zGYNN8M1V8CJZy8VhXX3vS6DVpCAEuwzk038jGRFV72-xNmKz4Qo/s400/IMG_2693.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694220784373057650" border="0" /></a>Love these kids!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7crPKMyjb7NdY2Xf8wQIPkCTNowninAxc1udWmmVBPt9qiwIG0VASfTWmJrt4XFRzK3gLL8dMqk0kktjW8NYK28WsZRB3IiCLdffMV59BeInBxOxLVEN2z7i514ly6fSp-Q4zEg04f4/s1600/IMG_2696+crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia7crPKMyjb7NdY2Xf8wQIPkCTNowninAxc1udWmmVBPt9qiwIG0VASfTWmJrt4XFRzK3gLL8dMqk0kktjW8NYK28WsZRB3IiCLdffMV59BeInBxOxLVEN2z7i514ly6fSp-Q4zEg04f4/s400/IMG_2696+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694222651617746226" border="0" /></a>Hannah wearing the gorgeous dress my mom got her for her Birthday.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioo6nXhJebypgNC5vjr434BSLHRxmgaIQ6ZdvoM0gSwpwzqcMbPKSi0kbUCzjnrU_oc9UuBia6QOcbMtQHc3rl8xpJ49q2p-aR3ZkBhB005pLSRdWYze6rCUt-CsA6DqfbyUBkxRZnH0Q/s1600/IMG_2707.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/AVvXsEioo6nXhJebypgNC5vjr434BSLHRxmgaIQ6ZdvoM0gSwpwzqcMbPKSi0kbUCzjnrU_oc9UuBia6QOcbMtQHc3rl8xpJ49q2p-aR3ZkBhB005pLSRdWYze6rCUt-CsA6DqfbyUBkxRZnH0Q/s400/IMG_2707.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694222694774762066" border="0" /></a>This picture would have been perfect if the lighting wouldn't have been so bright.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXjXgdfObZWRL8AWTRVlRW5rB1QiPORUBMDzjzpLA1Acew4WKmEGXEVrzo6UG90a-XJcB9qRFUEdoNphMYLhXiW_v_pFZzr99Xb4kt2Ofs6Z9dsPYs0cLg-dJgS1w4uG1uallOZWqFtc/s1600/IMG_2709.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/AVvXsEgVXjXgdfObZWRL8AWTRVlRW5rB1QiPORUBMDzjzpLA1Acew4WKmEGXEVrzo6UG90a-XJcB9qRFUEdoNphMYLhXiW_v_pFZzr99Xb4kt2Ofs6Z9dsPYs0cLg-dJgS1w4uG1uallOZWqFtc/s400/IMG_2709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694225054057573218" border="0" /></a>Now there is a beautiful smile.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgolINF4uSfHb_JHRGO_OW5Tu9W4cGTat9zzOI8ZQ3CT7JMjOsZUGEgxN50pbOjStRXKo2wgtoqNVYx0gGJkstrY2l6GqObFQ533951WtrTVaycgU9lq_CJKw4t7aejMuVA0hfAnyVSAZ8/s1600/IMG_2712.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/AVvXsEgolINF4uSfHb_JHRGO_OW5Tu9W4cGTat9zzOI8ZQ3CT7JMjOsZUGEgxN50pbOjStRXKo2wgtoqNVYx0gGJkstrY2l6GqObFQ533951WtrTVaycgU9lq_CJKw4t7aejMuVA0hfAnyVSAZ8/s400/IMG_2712.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694225093889195666" border="0" /></a>Jakes mom, Mimi, flew into town for a few days after Hannah's Birthday. She brought some fun gifts including that adorable princess snuggie Jake is sporting :-)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGV3KUCNI0TCDufwkXvpNIpxW4VzOpVUwZkjFqxALLnYVFNG66lxlGHZWgHFGbTqVvBLtqCjcUE9-jyjz-lGiK65nYekSvmeQwgOSVl5hjKqpzDVa5jhyxMNQzpjQJS3t9g1umZfQhJCY/s1600/IMG_2705.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/AVvXsEjGV3KUCNI0TCDufwkXvpNIpxW4VzOpVUwZkjFqxALLnYVFNG66lxlGHZWgHFGbTqVvBLtqCjcUE9-jyjz-lGiK65nYekSvmeQwgOSVl5hjKqpzDVa5jhyxMNQzpjQJS3t9g1umZfQhJCY/s400/IMG_2705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694222677779264802" border="0" /></a> Her other gifts were twistable crayons, coloring pages, a fold up play tent, and a gorgeous new dress. But I will just treat you with another great picture of Jake in Hannah's snuggie.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9aeBxB2J5IyJ9cqGnTPsFywTyXEIvarIVLBwmq5YtUddHDtd7Cx3R4eCqFy5h4lbgqBSB1VFiX5pqxKcSGYs40IxBU6yUzzpUlht0loJGRyekRtFD-hA2rkRCadhvJWDmtVETKMONVQM/s1600/IMG_2704.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/AVvXsEh9aeBxB2J5IyJ9cqGnTPsFywTyXEIvarIVLBwmq5YtUddHDtd7Cx3R4eCqFy5h4lbgqBSB1VFiX5pqxKcSGYs40IxBU6yUzzpUlht0loJGRyekRtFD-hA2rkRCadhvJWDmtVETKMONVQM/s400/IMG_2704.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694222665268593570" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-1096311688956305542011-12-03T10:12:00.000-08:002012-01-06T15:12:27.250-08:00Hannah Turns 3!Today Hannah turned 3 years old (<span style="font-style: italic;">insert gasp</span>)! She is turning into such a little lady and has such a kind and gentle personality (<span style="font-style: italic;">when she is not tired or hungry....but who doesn'</span><span style="font-style: italic;">t get cranky when that happens??</span>) We just love being around her and talking with her and hearing the funny things she has to say. Often times her narration during a movie is more comical then the movie itself. Recently we were watching Cinderella as family and it got to the part where the evil step sisters tear off Cinderellas dress and she said "Uh no! Her dress is broken, she needs a Mouseketool dada." Apparently the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse show can be educational: a Mouseketool can solve any dilemna. Thanks Mickey.<br /><br />Speaking of education, Hannah started preschool! Here she is excited for her first day of class:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ1uoy6JbZmD8J8FRipbsOrfU1D_8gsD8SyQY2E8D4n2Wew8_vtj4JsCefiywsLQFqEwIXG8-zBHyMFJP9vjGBmjpt7DjYCjI8lUH0BBFERfp-mA9U2TvX1TJ9Vt-cIQVsr1m14eritD4/s1600/IMG_2587.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/AVvXsEjZ1uoy6JbZmD8J8FRipbsOrfU1D_8gsD8SyQY2E8D4n2Wew8_vtj4JsCefiywsLQFqEwIXG8-zBHyMFJP9vjGBmjpt7DjYCjI8lUH0BBFERfp-mA9U2TvX1TJ9Vt-cIQVsr1m14eritD4/s400/IMG_2587.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682166185183268066" border="0" /></a><br />Some friends in our complex mentioned that they were doing a preschool co op and invited us to join. Once a week we take turns hosting the children at our home and teach a lesson. Right now our lesson plans are based on a letter of the alphabet. She has loved it! The moms do such a good job of entertaining the children with a craft, writing, books, snacks, and games all based on the given letter.<br /><br />She attended a creative dance class that I taught in November. I will do another post about it but I had so much fun teaching it! It was a free class for preschoolers and there were between 10 and 20 kids there every week. It was a great turn out and the children and their parents are requesting that I teach the class again, so it looks like Hannah will be attending a dance class in January too. Hannah loved going to dance class and interacting with her friends. Here she is in her tutu all dressed and ready for dance class:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzROfAPGWAJz1jWzuheFl7LFmikhbnQn1dp11UHyLLKSCCI4ECRPnuImDWTQlVuoegt0ZstghKTPRxeDpN6F8x5cKIudboaWg8_6ZHoDQf1finfz5Cjd_l-FICOyV6UeSueTBtemt3HkA/s1600/IMG_2642.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/AVvXsEjzROfAPGWAJz1jWzuheFl7LFmikhbnQn1dp11UHyLLKSCCI4ECRPnuImDWTQlVuoegt0ZstghKTPRxeDpN6F8x5cKIudboaWg8_6ZHoDQf1finfz5Cjd_l-FICOyV6UeSueTBtemt3HkA/s400/IMG_2642.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682166208383635170" border="0" /></a><br />Hannah is turning into quite the social butterfly. She loves to find children to play with and automatically refers to them as her friend, even if they just met. I love that about her. She is such a tender hearted girl and enjoys being around other children. She especially loves her little brother and is growing into an incredible big sister.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWA0YrxrbqVpyMEvDsuiDNQ_NLPdJU0kFSXTB9eHE43x_W5MNp34dhNajYMLuPIsQ35Q1lDs3qH6ilD4U8zc6PBWrezU-s3Fxv-AleLG1lb-TWNg4NHqSw6JSCDxiKXeUayxoA2b1_Qs/s1600/IMG_2696+crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaWA0YrxrbqVpyMEvDsuiDNQ_NLPdJU0kFSXTB9eHE43x_W5MNp34dhNajYMLuPIsQ35Q1lDs3qH6ilD4U8zc6PBWrezU-s3Fxv-AleLG1lb-TWNg4NHqSw6JSCDxiKXeUayxoA2b1_Qs/s400/IMG_2696+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682174743597428642" border="0" /></a>Her vocabulary and grammar are growing daily. She knows and recognizes the ABCs. She can count to 20 and recognize any number. Her memory is impeccable. If you read her a book regularly she can soon read the book back to you word for word. She enjoys singing and being sung to. If you ask her who her best friend is she will say Baby Howe or Jack. Baby Howe goes everywhere with her and she wishes her friend Jack could come everywhere with her too.<br /><br />This picture is a little blurry but I love it. I know I'm biased but I think she is the most beautiful girl in the world. Can you find Baby Howe in the picture?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77LXZygwVROhAigRBlgw-RptcbTc6PkLWVuU9Pehpe9bo9QP-iY8xvYwPQmrJXrQm_lHGvaxfkGUUcir17hCUM8tEsKPtkCjpcIRFP8sc3aVjh5A0fNxeJ2uwnBLRo8VvnsQL__01qw4/s1600/IMG_2598+crop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi77LXZygwVROhAigRBlgw-RptcbTc6PkLWVuU9Pehpe9bo9QP-iY8xvYwPQmrJXrQm_lHGvaxfkGUUcir17hCUM8tEsKPtkCjpcIRFP8sc3aVjh5A0fNxeJ2uwnBLRo8VvnsQL__01qw4/s400/IMG_2598+crop.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682169168952682578" border="0" /></a>She wanted to hold Baby Howe in the baby carrier like I carry Liam.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2rV4iYUyFqBFOXRVKhyphenhyphen0I16s68x1m5NpN0fxZnfGRe1-7U-rBy-xSVatAN0zFn5ylG7tuMikI_PPOUpYDXqkqnR2-P1yVj3ep8v8Yqtw5BEse8_c90n7OGepynrAgyEg7HrousrpsxY/s1600/IMG_2285.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/AVvXsEhu2rV4iYUyFqBFOXRVKhyphenhyphen0I16s68x1m5NpN0fxZnfGRe1-7U-rBy-xSVatAN0zFn5ylG7tuMikI_PPOUpYDXqkqnR2-P1yVj3ep8v8Yqtw5BEse8_c90n7OGepynrAgyEg7HrousrpsxY/s400/IMG_2285.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682173691919782034" border="0" /></a> Here is a cute picture of Hannah with Jack and his mommy Kelli.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEdbAD7dpH1LgqexmxIE6YU9I5SwQp3-l_Kj8b7O-W-RvUBZpNLxbKtjY_mB7p510FWC73tEmYH-2DGRF2vtEdm6HBsanCDFR6p7MMFymLRFjq2L8Rbly-QOPfLiaX_6gq6KkDBmbi-a8/s1600/IMG_2622.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/AVvXsEhEdbAD7dpH1LgqexmxIE6YU9I5SwQp3-l_Kj8b7O-W-RvUBZpNLxbKtjY_mB7p510FWC73tEmYH-2DGRF2vtEdm6HBsanCDFR6p7MMFymLRFjq2L8Rbly-QOPfLiaX_6gq6KkDBmbi-a8/s400/IMG_2622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682166202904493074" border="0" /></a>She is quite skilled at building towers and loves to balance toys at the top of her creations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugXWDSWGFcYQ09TSgkfgJRXw0a9Qdrxa_2NpbscgoeSdhkExa6oslnjlU2bA4mB0qBQyQz6ZXdfV4NdfQrFsePOYVBGFckXqjp4k_1EOdiWiPqDy2_R9sKQHQa-MNGs0SKMMApICdzvE/s1600/IMG_2321.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/AVvXsEhugXWDSWGFcYQ09TSgkfgJRXw0a9Qdrxa_2NpbscgoeSdhkExa6oslnjlU2bA4mB0qBQyQz6ZXdfV4NdfQrFsePOYVBGFckXqjp4k_1EOdiWiPqDy2_R9sKQHQa-MNGs0SKMMApICdzvE/s400/IMG_2321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682173692121181314" border="0" /></a>Oh and remember <a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2010/09/hannahs-many-sleeping-positions.html">this</a> post? Or <a href="http://gretchenpollard.blogspot.com/2010/10/hannahs-many-sleeping-positions-cont.html">this</a> one? She still sleeps in weird positions. Here is the proof:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0chBCIZVXRCfiEcfMq7t3ZiB1AHSg2l2WD4pNo0ZwoRvJFopiYHM56hAz6VK3dsIDCSjBJ4IqmSAP3KyPgx33-_e5RjIfeUO65ujpPt-kgpZo-2kxtMfz_VulPpSW-HlAxlAA-_9eqU/s1600/IMG_2638.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/AVvXsEgJ0chBCIZVXRCfiEcfMq7t3ZiB1AHSg2l2WD4pNo0ZwoRvJFopiYHM56hAz6VK3dsIDCSjBJ4IqmSAP3KyPgx33-_e5RjIfeUO65ujpPt-kgpZo-2kxtMfz_VulPpSW-HlAxlAA-_9eqU/s400/IMG_2638.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5682166214893796242" border="0" /></a><br />We love our Hannah! We are so lucky that we get to be her parents.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-66796676042280755212011-10-17T16:18:00.000-07:002011-11-04T21:15:15.431-07:008 Month Old TubsOur little boy is 8 months old!!! (OK, truth be told he is now 9 months old but I started this post a while ago and it needs to be published before he is no longer a baby.) I probably sound like a broken record when it comes to saying my kids grow up too fast. But seriously people, mine are growing up way faster than most kids.<br /><br />Liam's official name is William. But he gets called William like 0.001% of the time around these parts. Liam is his name in public when we introduce him to people. But at home he mostly goes by Baby Bruda, Tub of Love, Tubby's, Tubs, Buster....pretty much anything but his real name. Is that bad? I feel like we should be better at calling him by his name because at this stage they should recognize their name. But he really is just a heaping tub of love.<br /><br />He is such a happy little thing. Case in point: One time I had to step out of a church meeting because he was laughing too hard. I wasn't even tickling him or anything. He loves eye contact and smiles and it doesn't matter who you are he will smile back with this big grin that lights up not just his face but the whole room. I love watching the effect he has on people. Our little ray of sunshine. Hannah can't get enough of him either. She loves making him laugh. And his laugh makes her laugh. They are like two peas in a giggling pod.<br /><br />He started teething this month. Which was no fun. One day I noticed while I was feeding him some solids that between bites he would bend down and gnaw on the table of the high chair. The next day his first little tooth popped out of his gums. He was also pretty fussy and started waking up at night. I never knew when Hannah was teething until there was a new tooth in her mouth. Maybe I just understand the symptoms better this time around...or maybe Liam is just a little softy :-)<br /><br />Liam's Latest<br /><br />1st tooth<br />Started crawling<br />Loves to stand with support<br />He loves food. He will eat anything, even vegetables as long as they are disguised in some applesauce. I know. I'm sneaky like that.<br />He stopped sleeping through the night due to teething and 2 consecutive colds. Poor guy.<br />Loves people and will cry if he is left alone in a room.<br />His favorite thing to do is take something and hit it against another something.<br /><br />He is so much fun and we love him to pieces!!<br /><br />Now for some pictures:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-fblN_Xtm1az3UdyJyXM5rKsqOXHAtZ_aR2YNDanVHBi3dnNgPHCUk3dKy0FbvL6DtuyjDVf0EHbivHpoUePyfrCgXJnVRuP-NH3z_jwFsbv_CyyW6C3Axi2qY0D0niZMOYOGTUwH7k/s1600/IMG_2305.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/AVvXsEjX-fblN_Xtm1az3UdyJyXM5rKsqOXHAtZ_aR2YNDanVHBi3dnNgPHCUk3dKy0FbvL6DtuyjDVf0EHbivHpoUePyfrCgXJnVRuP-NH3z_jwFsbv_CyyW6C3Axi2qY0D0niZMOYOGTUwH7k/s400/IMG_2305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671356592991140498" border="0" /></a>Wearing his BSU hat to watch some college football<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJcF0GejIcU-DTHnES4tsqiG6Ojo-_p47XWueFbKyY1BDbdEGxVtOGKsO0KU49UHxv2W-xAjcLZN1L_V1gawcNwz5b_-qAIUAVXe3gG-KBmOHN_X7yQCsvU6rRU85aB2XLqlxKzVmt4I/s1600/IMG_2425.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/AVvXsEjHJcF0GejIcU-DTHnES4tsqiG6Ojo-_p47XWueFbKyY1BDbdEGxVtOGKsO0KU49UHxv2W-xAjcLZN1L_V1gawcNwz5b_-qAIUAVXe3gG-KBmOHN_X7yQCsvU6rRU85aB2XLqlxKzVmt4I/s400/IMG_2425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671356599225377202" border="0" /></a>Playing with a toy dog<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I0aGGaVm5smsUnJ704gjauyG-laDLhC_zq35suSRuXCQyYMjCTaHnGFYE3yGRLSLrO0LR1hVgc93RZ41_cuvEDX5Y4Oa_LNw94cKaf4oJEWFNYD6jMOzsN-CHqEowfrNh86vDj1iuzQ/s1600/IMG_2362.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/AVvXsEh2I0aGGaVm5smsUnJ704gjauyG-laDLhC_zq35suSRuXCQyYMjCTaHnGFYE3yGRLSLrO0LR1hVgc93RZ41_cuvEDX5Y4Oa_LNw94cKaf4oJEWFNYD6jMOzsN-CHqEowfrNh86vDj1iuzQ/s400/IMG_2362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671356585284775090" border="0" /></a>Dressed up in his Sunday best<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUpsj0X0a7FXMEnXd3Wf-siOsJA6PjjqY-esSNtSIGC6XCPRgO-Ur12Gb2XHGMTBYUjwR_m1jPoAUX0z-Tjy1N86uQE8TjrsZPBC3WBxb3rAP_DCnscFrvgbT_I-HE50Ymjfq6e6AhrI/s1600/IMG_2430.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/AVvXsEhOUpsj0X0a7FXMEnXd3Wf-siOsJA6PjjqY-esSNtSIGC6XCPRgO-Ur12Gb2XHGMTBYUjwR_m1jPoAUX0z-Tjy1N86uQE8TjrsZPBC3WBxb3rAP_DCnscFrvgbT_I-HE50Ymjfq6e6AhrI/s400/IMG_2430.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671356602865524546" border="0" /></a>Showing off his early crawling skills back in early October<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv8Zr0ysB1XGpjxiOCEYFHOhWRr7IUFk3XDGLoOhVj63XhFnWVBXqu2hILgwjOGlJujO0dnbLTVIiPmmfHu114hfeiZZMtU_uRiSQhBzr6gKTxV-cQP-qfhz480pzQMmRT4IUntYLpfGU/s1600/IMG_2299.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/AVvXsEhv8Zr0ysB1XGpjxiOCEYFHOhWRr7IUFk3XDGLoOhVj63XhFnWVBXqu2hILgwjOGlJujO0dnbLTVIiPmmfHu114hfeiZZMtU_uRiSQhBzr6gKTxV-cQP-qfhz480pzQMmRT4IUntYLpfGU/s400/IMG_2299.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671354688941640786" border="0" /></a>He loves to stand in his crib<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvVSXve-0Dhs5ljNLr1dzadPQJaniRVAYGkrvMrRJlOy-cnvvPTfvYHA-puaP44NdPdNtvWytYF3xyHV7LUx_cRnwlfSYMjkVAQiGPBVbMPBURgIFvrGhUxZSaRZijW3JEMXoCCbqMrw/s1600/IMG_2273.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/AVvXsEgDvVSXve-0Dhs5ljNLr1dzadPQJaniRVAYGkrvMrRJlOy-cnvvPTfvYHA-puaP44NdPdNtvWytYF3xyHV7LUx_cRnwlfSYMjkVAQiGPBVbMPBURgIFvrGhUxZSaRZijW3JEMXoCCbqMrw/s400/IMG_2273.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671353796730177410" border="0" /></a>Such a sweetie<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX_HaB3lS2r9qUSDAdEGtW6v3WarJ2PBUzKAKDjoD0rui-36cBOEh2Dkpmfe3Ag_dJb94Gb1Iw5Jn4h4EHNDb3ZAIm_GoeY0gNq0SYZSxEaFTqWlCWL9MDd1eip_vI_QL1SjeW7wE_BE/s1600/IMG_2272.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/AVvXsEhJX_HaB3lS2r9qUSDAdEGtW6v3WarJ2PBUzKAKDjoD0rui-36cBOEh2Dkpmfe3Ag_dJb94Gb1Iw5Jn4h4EHNDb3ZAIm_GoeY0gNq0SYZSxEaFTqWlCWL9MDd1eip_vI_QL1SjeW7wE_BE/s400/IMG_2272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671353786949274466" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgGL1vSIy52SVh6zzPDpWOxhyF7G1FfD2IsHInhJ-xiwEIt5o1NcNsDBYra3hv6piGBBq8D-VC_mHtl7vbq_l5evC_L2bZ4Y61XAChqkmTADP6gUJXWal74xd7bVrODYm1GAFHUEsWxow/s1600/IMG_2279.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/AVvXsEhgGL1vSIy52SVh6zzPDpWOxhyF7G1FfD2IsHInhJ-xiwEIt5o1NcNsDBYra3hv6piGBBq8D-VC_mHtl7vbq_l5evC_L2bZ4Y61XAChqkmTADP6gUJXWal74xd7bVrODYm1GAFHUEsWxow/s400/IMG_2279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671353803103837474" border="0" /></a>Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3789331497023598316.post-9293244267781090162011-09-20T12:24:00.000-07:002011-09-20T13:04:13.255-07:00"Garbage Cawn"First of all, I love my little Hannah. She is a dream of a child. But she is obsessed with something, and it is going to drive me bonkers. Most children develop some sort of quirky little obsession when they are young. For some it is trains, others it is a certain TV show, or a favorite superhero, maybe a well loved baby doll or stuffed toy...and then there is Hannah's latest obsession. "Garbage cawn's". That would be garbage can, but she pronounces it with a British accent, hence the "cawn". She doesn't play with them. She just loves to talk about them.<br /><br />While driving down the street she will point out every single garbage can we pass and talk about how dirty they are. She will count them and name the colors she see's. And lets face it, when you live in a big city you see about a bazillion garbage cans in just a quick trip. It would be more bearable if she didn't force you to repeat everything she says just so she knows you heard her. A sample conversation that transpires on a daily basis while in the car:<br /><br />Hannah: "Green, black, and a blue garbage cawn! 1, 2, 3 garbage cawns!!"<br /><br />Me: "Good job Hannah."<br /><br />Hannah: "Garbage cawn too deerty Mama." (<span style="font-style: italic;">She say's dirty with a British accent too</span>)<br /><br />Me: "That's right Hannah."<br /><br />Hannah: "Garbage cawn too deerty Mama!!"<br /><br />Me: "OK Hannah."<br /><br />Hannah: "Garbage cawn too deerty Gretchen!!!!" (<span style="font-style: italic;">She mean's business when she calls me by my first name</span>)<br /><br />Me: "I hear you Hannah, you're right."<br /><br />Hannah: "<span style="font-size:130%;">GARBAGE CAWN TOO DEERTY GRETCHEN!!!!!!!</span>"<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">And then I cave in.</span><br /><br />Me: <span style="font-style: italic;">Begrudgingly </span>"Yes Hannah, garbage cans are dirty."<br /><br />Can you see the joy that is a car ride with her lately? She loves garbage trucks too. She will gaze out the living room window in excitement as a garbage truck pulls into the parking lot to pick up the trash. Over the past couple of weeks it has gone from hilarious and sweet to "<span style="font-style: italic;">I would rather be hit over the head by that garbage can than hear her say it one more time</span>". Please tell me this obsession will fade. Have your kids ever had an obsession? I would love to hear about it.Gretchenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01819573831754530325noreply@blogger.com3