tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91944392499381799162024-02-06T20:01:27.883-08:00McDowell Maniathe mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.comBlogger320125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-44654914212601473082013-06-17T07:50:00.000-07:002013-06-17T07:51:07.383-07:00A weekend recap1. Remember my messy linen closet that I talked about <a href="http://www.mcdowellboys.blogspot.com/2013/01/real-life.html">HERE</a>? I FINALLY got around to cleaning it out! Such a nice feeling to get some crap out of the house and have a more organized system. Office and linen closet done. Basement and Pantry left.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before... ugh!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And after. Took a load to goodwill, moved some stuff that we don't use regularly and now we can actually fit everything in the closet and see where it all is at. When I win the lottery I will buy new towels that are all the same color and two sets of sheets that are the same color for each of the beds. Until then, this is as good as it gets and I'm happy!</td></tr>
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2. Father's Day was kind of a bust. Admittedly, I didn't really plan anything out very well. We tried to go geo-cache with the boys but it was a swampy, muddy mess. We found one and then decided to bail. We were going to go out to eat but a fight from the boys in the car led to plan B. I ran to the grocery store and grabbed lunch for Russ and we ate at home. The whole weekend wasn't a failure though. Saturday morning Ryan went to the gun show with Russ and had a great time. Then Saturday night Russ watched hockey at our neighbor's and the boys played Xbox all evening and then I took them out for Orange Leaf.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our geo cache find from Father's Day</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure why the blog squishes my vertical pictures lately but too lazy to care right now. These are Ryan's gun show purchases - a hammer/multi-function pocket knife type tool, a pocket knife and a laser pointer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys and Eli at Orange Leaf on Saturday night.</td></tr>
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So, not the most exciting of weekends but not the worst either. We've got two more weekends at home and then we're off on vacation!! Next weekend we might take the boys to see Monsters University on Sunday, help Aunt Courtney move on Saturday and I'm going to play some flag football and squeeze in a long run.<br />
<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-28263381947554860782013-05-30T12:06:00.002-07:002013-05-30T12:12:08.778-07:00Memorial WeekendI took Friday off to spend the day with Reid and Ryan before their official summer with our new nanny began. (Ross was at his last day of daycare) That meant a 4 day weekend for me!! I wanted to take them to Worlds of Fun but I mentioned the idea to Ryan and he wasn't real excited about it. (and if Ryan doesn't want to do something, it's no fun for anyone else). Reid wanted to go to Power Play (arcade) but I didn't want to shell out $40 to watch them play video games when they can do that at home for free. SO... after a slow morning we decided to go swimming at the gym. We were going to go around 3:00 but decided to wait until 3:30, pick up Ross and let him go to. We swam for over two hours!!<br />
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Russ had driven Thursday night to pick up Uncle Scott from St Louis and didn't get back until around midnight - crazy! They were tired. They went to shoot in the morning and then took the afternoon to relax. They were planning to spend the day Saturday working on Russ' reloader. Russ' back was also hurting him so I scheduled him a massage for Saturday afternoon. I took the kids over to our neighborhood pool for a while.<br />
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Eventually I couldn't come up with anything else to keep the boys entertained as Russ & Scott were hanging out so I decided to hit the road for Holton. Plus - Ross really needed a nap!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Out before we even hit the highway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A trip to Holton is never complete without going to Wal-Mart. Ross talked me into this Superman cape!</td></tr>
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I thought it would be fun to take the boys to the Topeka zoo (Ross has never been to a zoo). We ended up playing at Aunt Cheri's house until bath time and decided to cook out at her house for lunch on Sunday as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak30NNELgYI3Vkemgw6suTbBhrOVLq_ZxnHw8D4xpBR2-pp9-6uoTdlITgAVPVLNx7MSEs60w7iu-av2aGbxFZvQv0fHlSX6zP7gHUue_ZkOcz27UJWq-5zqvKicvBL56HjyJQ4jiChB0/s1600/playing2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiak30NNELgYI3Vkemgw6suTbBhrOVLq_ZxnHw8D4xpBR2-pp9-6uoTdlITgAVPVLNx7MSEs60w7iu-av2aGbxFZvQv0fHlSX6zP7gHUue_ZkOcz27UJWq-5zqvKicvBL56HjyJQ4jiChB0/s400/playing2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They played together pretty well this weekend... they are going to be good friends (even if we make them)!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The adults sat around and talked while the kids just played. Such a nice day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this picture. I did her hair that morning and she kept it up all day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uncle Jerry helped Reid fly a kite and he went up and sat on the hill and flew his kite.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trouble in a red coupe car!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was not an easy photo to capture! Notice the chips, cookies and messy mouths :)</td></tr>
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We drove home on Sunday evening - naptime again! We took grandma home from Aunt Cheri's and Ross was asleep before we were to grandma's house which is MAYBE a four minute drive. He slept the whole way home and then another hour at home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think we wore them out - minutes after getting home.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going on the second hour of his nap - exhausted!</td></tr>
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It was so nice to have Monday off and recover from our fun weekend. Russ took Scott home on Sunday and drove back so we were all home Monday with no plans. The boys decided it was a good day for pajamas and robes.<br />
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Back to work on Tuesday and the boys start their summer with their nanny... stay tuned.<br />
<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-90505991342467435862013-05-24T18:16:00.002-07:002013-05-24T18:16:29.223-07:00Reid & Ross' Last Days<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So, I blogged about Ryan's last day on Wednesday.... Reid's last 1/2 day of school was on Thursday. I had a crazy hectic day between going to Reid's award ceremony, getting into the office for two required meetings and then getting home to relieve the babysitter as Russ was heading out of town for the evening. I had errands to run, dinner to do and I totally forgot that Reid had soccer practice and he didn't make it. But... we survived the day and I think we're going to make it :)</div>
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Reid has really grown this year as well - more mentally than physically. He is still about the same height, and maybe a little thinner... but he's getting MUCH more responsible and mature. He is pretty self sufficient in the mornings getting around for school which is a huge help to me. </div>
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He's able to help out with more and more chores around the house and usually doesn't put up too much of a fight when I ask. He's a pretty darn good kid and we're so blessed to have him.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8WwtWUYTeI5GgRxzOmjSEpTZjFQv1ww-tSGPZvSQ1YIfEIDOyQFSSl9Wv1DKjPv3n79wY-ayh3_PzJrutT1xXHAj0eLorrvQOvZSyG3HM5O3TaAkmsssEnUZxISaGLCfCBlOM99c8a5W/s1600/reidlastday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8WwtWUYTeI5GgRxzOmjSEpTZjFQv1ww-tSGPZvSQ1YIfEIDOyQFSSl9Wv1DKjPv3n79wY-ayh3_PzJrutT1xXHAj0eLorrvQOvZSyG3HM5O3TaAkmsssEnUZxISaGLCfCBlOM99c8a5W/s640/reidlastday.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's his first and last day pictures for 3rd grade. The stance and socks haven't changed a bit :)<br /></td></tr>
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Ross also had his last day at daycare today. I didn't take an end of school picture but we did get his spring school pictures back. I didn't have any intention of buying these but when we got the proofs I just couldn't help it - I loved them. They always get you with the darn proofs!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbRrG3ccZtwi1YyoHRrRPe3XxqVJtCn6aWPYypzZMDwakJx0fji8yE29yliL4qE1KJXXaxlYHLnwyixJmIF1FhtCNikb9_LvIX75OTsNLRsn0gP6-_z0aCoqdF6JiA9buFNvTyTnFj_TQ/s1600/0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbRrG3ccZtwi1YyoHRrRPe3XxqVJtCn6aWPYypzZMDwakJx0fji8yE29yliL4qE1KJXXaxlYHLnwyixJmIF1FhtCNikb9_LvIX75OTsNLRsn0gP6-_z0aCoqdF6JiA9buFNvTyTnFj_TQ/s640/0007.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was my favorite, I just think his smile looks the most genuine here.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little more serious here but I also thought it was a great picture. There is a dot by his right eyebrow and it's on the digital image that I received as well so I'm trying to decide if it's worth a call to the photographer or not. I think I paid $55 for these three images and the digital rights to them.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhmvvhU44j-dPb9VhhvS5J2KgeetRvnZwCNw43-YnC6p4ipCdTC9VWEeCIFEvaX7n_oscWqisXFYK-PkvVV_ir9KxDIt_d2dchZZhmuaoGz0ezMP4j5qSozLQFmLQVGblhb_dIKkggaBd/s1600/0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhmvvhU44j-dPb9VhhvS5J2KgeetRvnZwCNw43-YnC6p4ipCdTC9VWEeCIFEvaX7n_oscWqisXFYK-PkvVV_ir9KxDIt_d2dchZZhmuaoGz0ezMP4j5qSozLQFmLQVGblhb_dIKkggaBd/s640/0001.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross' class picture. Not the greatest picture but I got it for his preschool book. Ms Demmi and Ms Laurie were Ryan's teacher's last year in his Pre-K class and they moved to this class this year. We really like them, ESPECIALLY Ms Demmi (she was Ross' favorite and probably mine as well). Most of this class is turning 4 now so when Ross goes back to daycare in August, he'll actually be in a different class with kids that are closer to his age I believe.</td></tr>
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So, a pretty quick post but I wanted to get these few picture updates out there.</div>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-48082521684945404882013-05-22T08:18:00.001-07:002013-05-22T08:18:14.748-07:00Ryan's last day of SchoolToday is Ryan's last day of kindergarten. My neighbor, Lori, was talking about how sad she was that it was Ava's last day today. Oddly, I don't feel sad at all. I'm ready for summer! I'm excited that Ryan progressed so much in kindergarten and I'm looking forward to continue to watch him grow and mature. (and honestly, I'm glad to not be paying $275/month for kindergarten anymore - ha!)<br />
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But seriously, Ryan certainly did have a great year! Both of his teacher conferences went really well and we always got reports that he was well behaved. His reading level really took off the second half of the year and he's proud of himself that he can figure out most words.<br />
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And, as certainly evidenced by his pictures, he has grown a TON this year. He's wearing size 6/7 clothes which Reid is JUST growing out of. He's 49 inches tall (Reid is 52.5) and weighs around 52 pounds (3 pounds less than Reid). He is solid muscle (especially his chest) and is still full of energy. Ryan does NOTHING at half speed. If you tell him to go get something, he runs there. If it's time for bed, he jumps into his bed. He is slow to wake up in the mornings but once he gets going, he goes full speed until it's time to go to bed.<br />
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I'm so proud of Ryan and the boy he has grown into. Just thinking about how much he has changed and matured over the last year makes me smile.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRytYi-74pby7-uq4tWXBoGyYvXOk0PiA9plMaRhwWV19eKhBVfsHR6pP0TgLT38Cjmc8bH5L6y5Ke82OYXYOBhY9lutLIuXsf5pazwU8fKskmbuzX6YbX340eTvz2jfOFwZzLJyYmOyC/s1600/Ryan_Kindergarten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRytYi-74pby7-uq4tWXBoGyYvXOk0PiA9plMaRhwWV19eKhBVfsHR6pP0TgLT38Cjmc8bH5L6y5Ke82OYXYOBhY9lutLIuXsf5pazwU8fKskmbuzX6YbX340eTvz2jfOFwZzLJyYmOyC/s640/Ryan_Kindergarten.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-78871862457172365322013-05-16T11:29:00.002-07:002013-05-16T11:29:42.988-07:00A sure sign of summer break... SHORT hair and later bedtimesI'm trying to get back into a rhythm of blogging so I can keep this more updated. <br />
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1. The boys got hair cuts last night. They were ROTTEN with a capital R at the salon. I don't know if it was exhaustion (field day, Reid soccer practice, 7:30 appt that turned into 8:00) or what but even Reid was slap stick silly. Mom was running out of patience. Ross went first and then dad came and got him and took him home for bath and bed. By the time we got home and Reid & Ryan showered it was a 9:15 bedtime. Luckily I think things are pretty much winding down at school.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpvEWaxK5SKgZLzviBfG_L8_EqTWe50dWpu0kQT0oXaHWK8AS4RAegcGibD_QuVesnxjZzmIDQPMslrP009SSdi6oHe8-2sOY6ykSW0JVKIdJXZhshuf0qUJ_y3ViH2SxK_0WGqYlXbvz/s1600/IMG_2795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpvEWaxK5SKgZLzviBfG_L8_EqTWe50dWpu0kQT0oXaHWK8AS4RAegcGibD_QuVesnxjZzmIDQPMslrP009SSdi6oHe8-2sOY6ykSW0JVKIdJXZhshuf0qUJ_y3ViH2SxK_0WGqYlXbvz/s400/IMG_2795.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went quite a bit shorter for summer... and of course the older two boys got their faux hawks that lasted the whole 15 minute car ride home before I made them wash their hair in the shower.</td></tr>
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Yep, the boys are out of school NEXT week. Ryan is done on Wednesday and Reid is done with a half day on Thursday. Ross' last day at daycare is next Friday. I've got a neighbor kid watching Reid and Ryan on Thursday and then I'm taking a vacation day on Friday and hoping to do something fun with them for the start of summer - no real plans yet. FOUR day weekend for Memorial Weekend and then our summer nanny starts on Tuesday. We've got a new girl and so far I think she's going to be great!<br />
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The summer schedule is starting to get jammed pack so I think it's going to fly by. The boys have got the reading program at the library, Reid has a World War I and World War II class at JCCC, all three have swimming lessons, Reid & Ryan are taking a summer camp at the hockey rink (Ryan is just doing to off ice work), Reid and Ryan will both go to an Outdoor Education Laboratory camp at the end of summer and then we've got our family vacation from July 3 - 13. A few days in Hannibal followed by a week in Branson. <br />
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So stay tuned... I love summer and I think this one is going to be great!the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-30394790299151644452013-05-15T14:31:00.003-07:002013-05-15T14:31:48.767-07:00Field Day 2013I've been very lucky to be able to work from home the majority of the last year. I used the blow dryer on my hair today (although I'm still wearing a tank top and shorts) and looked better than I do most days. Unfortunately, the boys (all three of them) will be home with a nanny this summer and I'm heading back into the office (at least for a while) to give them their space.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oeVZB3x1XNKdwKYRBaqbVQifjdL21iusTV6JI7y2yIJPCvDwB2jBaLdfWAzB4Ui-5DyJTJp2ro26L3H58SrnsVnuMkcodPn8dLEfCQSY2qlS33p8i4eRCjrGrgxjy49WLZzlXFgN5uXp/s1600/IMG_2773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-oeVZB3x1XNKdwKYRBaqbVQifjdL21iusTV6JI7y2yIJPCvDwB2jBaLdfWAzB4Ui-5DyJTJp2ro26L3H58SrnsVnuMkcodPn8dLEfCQSY2qlS33p8i4eRCjrGrgxjy49WLZzlXFgN5uXp/s400/IMG_2773.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing special but it's better than I usually look - HA!</td></tr>
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Anyway, today I was able to sneak away from my home office to watch some of the boys' stations at their field day and then go back and watch the dunk tank as well. Our field day is very well organized. There is a master schedule with 15 minute rotations through multiple stations that are operated and ran by the 5th grade class. 5th grade helpers are also assigned to each classroom to move them from station to station along with the class teachers. Our PE teacher, counselor, and principal rotate through all of the stations overseeing the day. I'm always amazed at how smoothly our school can put on an event. Love our boys' elementary school!<br />
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I was able to see Ryan play one pin bowling and gold rush. I watched Reid do some wacky game throwing and catching long polls as well as one pin bowling. It was unseasonably warm here (especially given the lack of warm we've had lately) and the boys were hot, tired, and sweaty!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5cj5wQB4fLLZ8tahmkts8XDi3F_Ay-Q9cVHoi2WjAuNM-9_v8IU6d_2ocR7fb1ehoX1U-wxnSsU7S0JCV52dNgtzD9nAF4EEc3hUQpAbGTYckOFEve3KxfMs_v5oASiRShyphenhyphenQNHYuHOGS/s1600/IMG_2777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt5cj5wQB4fLLZ8tahmkts8XDi3F_Ay-Q9cVHoi2WjAuNM-9_v8IU6d_2ocR7fb1ehoX1U-wxnSsU7S0JCV52dNgtzD9nAF4EEc3hUQpAbGTYckOFEve3KxfMs_v5oASiRShyphenhyphenQNHYuHOGS/s400/IMG_2777.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan playing "Gold Rush" They ran up a hill to a bucket full of sand and dug for rocks that were spray painted gold. Once they found one, they ran down the hill, placed it in a frisbee and the next person on their team went.</td></tr>
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At the end of field day, our whole school sits on the lawn and watches as two dunk tanks (K-2 and 3-5) are operated. Kids that reached a certain pledge level during our Lion Stampede fundraiser earn the right to either 'be dunked' or 'dunk a willing teacher'. Ryan chose to dunk a teacher and dunked Mr O. Reid chose to be dunked. Before the dunking began, Mr O (our principal) pulled two gotchas out of his box. [Lots of side notes today - but gotcha's are slips that kids get when they are caught doing something good. They can put them in the gotcha box or save them to 'buy' things] Reid's name was pulled out second and he also got to dunk our school janitor, Jose.<br />
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Reid must have "been" dunked right while Ryan was doing the dunking as I missed him. But here are the shots from both of them doing their dunking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR_qfy7o067Jnc4Dro1jG8VHraVBvKF0J8pcqzEhjV2qhGTwO6dscEPkxmYrLWBpBA6zzThoV4_NYNsTC9XR2DxrG0vLBuVFmwEosq8ataHynhEHKfOr2b-JbgJtYBIEhOoNMYT01r9Kc/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR_qfy7o067Jnc4Dro1jG8VHraVBvKF0J8pcqzEhjV2qhGTwO6dscEPkxmYrLWBpBA6zzThoV4_NYNsTC9XR2DxrG0vLBuVFmwEosq8ataHynhEHKfOr2b-JbgJtYBIEhOoNMYT01r9Kc/s400/IMG_2785.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan dunking Mr. O</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUDxiDv86vTPq2b6IV9aF5EIYY6j_8MgtEuVi7PndSGfyDt-wVmVGhMM0Fjw_PUwBxs1BijEH_uxeXu9KGxsPXJtyVkqgVzoB_izRCJtnB8NHuBNuqbJyIT51unOLH0JUAJsHmODfPonB/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUDxiDv86vTPq2b6IV9aF5EIYY6j_8MgtEuVi7PndSGfyDt-wVmVGhMM0Fjw_PUwBxs1BijEH_uxeXu9KGxsPXJtyVkqgVzoB_izRCJtnB8NHuBNuqbJyIT51unOLH0JUAJsHmODfPonB/s400/IMG_2786.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reid dunking Jose, the day janitor</td></tr>
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Ryan has 5 days of school left and Reid has 5.5 left. Unbelievable that summer is almost here but I'm certainly ready for the easy mornings of just heading out the door and leaving breakfast, getting dressed and around, etc to the nanny. I'm not sure I'm ready for the late bedtimes as that means I'll be getting to bed later too but I love that in the summer we spend most of our evening outside playing.the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-42056732120856381862013-05-14T12:00:00.000-07:002013-05-14T12:04:18.498-07:00Mother's Day 2013Once upon a time I would wake up each Mother's Day and run the Mother's Day 5K. I didn't do it last year and I didn't really consider running it this year. They don't allow boys to run it and it's really a family affair so it doesn't seem right to go by myself.<br />
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Typically my favorite Mother's Day breakfast is Toaster Strudels. They are horrible for you and I save them for this one and only day every year. However, this year I'm doing the Advocare 24 day challenge and they are on the restricted list. That's okay. They are purchased and in my freezer and we will have a make up date sometime this summer :)<br />
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So, this sounds like a miserable Mother's Day, right... no favorite breakfast, no running? It was far from it! I slept in until 8am. I actually heard Ross get up around 6:30, woke up around 7, and then dozed off and on and laid in bed until my requested breakfast in bed time of 8am. Russ stuck to my 24 day challenge rules and made me wheat toast with natural peanut butter, strawberries, and pineapple (and only water to drink). And the boys were happy to help me eat it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHdoA0CvY4bgJn5mtO1Fv2ax_3c0PUQtg3ATll2R3gL_N4TvQHAU6v-2BV8Im-JxtTGbEeKTSuTRnlTUJMXd39f6j42vZzqHg_-9VBDTT5BaB_vlpYHbqMsBCsb-lc8EH7sKQAnnGGdps/s1600/breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHdoA0CvY4bgJn5mtO1Fv2ax_3c0PUQtg3ATll2R3gL_N4TvQHAU6v-2BV8Im-JxtTGbEeKTSuTRnlTUJMXd39f6j42vZzqHg_-9VBDTT5BaB_vlpYHbqMsBCsb-lc8EH7sKQAnnGGdps/s400/breakfast.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfectly made to fit within plan!</td></tr>
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After I ate breakfast, we did a bunch of just hanging out and getting around slowly... RELAXING. I had been scrapbooking the night before with my friend, Suzanne and stayed up until almost 11pm - Gasp! That's really late for me these days. Eventually we decided we'd have to make some lunch plans and find something to do. Some moms like the time away from their kids on Mother's Day... we tend to make it more of a family day. We celebrate the fact that I have these fabulous monkeys that made me a mom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj0lIE_4vYbE6q9UghE7f3Urb7isVnkZ27ZYJnwUjG9wcES-j4KgwnUaK1HCw8_B8lvAX4HuHpfdylSYU-WY4zcGsIkcQkbAJ8C7saUTql-3zu_iL1hPNDpuuW1dXAFEtauD1cWqh3LG0/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisj0lIE_4vYbE6q9UghE7f3Urb7isVnkZ27ZYJnwUjG9wcES-j4KgwnUaK1HCw8_B8lvAX4HuHpfdylSYU-WY4zcGsIkcQkbAJ8C7saUTql-3zu_iL1hPNDpuuW1dXAFEtauD1cWqh3LG0/s400/IMG_0112.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, I'll take a day with my boys outdoors any day!</td></tr>
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Russ had the great idea to go geo caching out at the Arboretum. We hadn't been out there since family pictures like 6 years ago. We stopped at the grocery store and picked up some lunchables for the kids and salads and fruit for Russ and I. (no mexican, no fish tacos... but the salads were still pretty good). We went into the Arboretum and found a picnic table and had a nice picnic lunch followed by some geo caching and hiking. I wore my Garmin to see how much distance we covered and we walked over 2.5 miles and were there for almost three hours. We even spotted a group of like 6 deer while finding one cache and got within 20 feet of them. Not a bad afternoon. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitqc4XvglDQKrxTAetR4LHf2_aZ64x61FQMpZjuJqmi2Sl-n5-UAvsbN70I3r97V7et_hUFZ3LhS-8dzIXvqnxEUpLYEHiW-c-EnAOrvfSGlCYbTYmeXxM1vM5HASCb563fuhvEep0_s0/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitqc4XvglDQKrxTAetR4LHf2_aZ64x61FQMpZjuJqmi2Sl-n5-UAvsbN70I3r97V7et_hUFZ3LhS-8dzIXvqnxEUpLYEHiW-c-EnAOrvfSGlCYbTYmeXxM1vM5HASCb563fuhvEep0_s0/s400/IMG_0118.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly Russ! I was walking behind him on the trails and he took the photo including me so we joked around that I was photo bombing him.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8akseAuuj-IHTjQgX7CbqyM5AceOVQmyAIt7Py8diGKWMISaYpKNTdACkkVtUubS5e_dkJURw9M1wYzrzLTuAZ8IZpX83E5PWO_IM8IAS_kFTcrj4hNEcTxdfhIcjFZe4ChElfpyQ1wAA/s1600/IMG_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8akseAuuj-IHTjQgX7CbqyM5AceOVQmyAIt7Py8diGKWMISaYpKNTdACkkVtUubS5e_dkJURw9M1wYzrzLTuAZ8IZpX83E5PWO_IM8IAS_kFTcrj4hNEcTxdfhIcjFZe4ChElfpyQ1wAA/s400/IMG_0117.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, of course, the boys got on a 'photo bomb' kick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuX7wRKCrwjYykPhCJtVMUCRRlWq6jt2euUk2zYZqZyvbPiJEILV6xJZHPo6bzoFiTLDKLqGtkKKpt-kA5xseR-tnGyzNW7IUPX4U3A417TfLQFdL3b2dX7R0NonkLSfY1e7c3sk4yrVY/s1600/IMG_0119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQuX7wRKCrwjYykPhCJtVMUCRRlWq6jt2euUk2zYZqZyvbPiJEILV6xJZHPo6bzoFiTLDKLqGtkKKpt-kA5xseR-tnGyzNW7IUPX4U3A417TfLQFdL3b2dX7R0NonkLSfY1e7c3sk4yrVY/s400/IMG_0119.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't even know... they were having fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVBrnUBmuN_JLMWksecSaIMWAA-ZTCVcCIlrgfA4ngRkMc80kU7T0fw4sr82-D1GygSYOHWqa2l72ivw-vYETuRh6gxniDCKhyphenhyphenMTObfgTIGDK7mGFUATuXHQNP1E7q_gNLR7PZkQ_j-1K/s1600/IMG_0120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNVBrnUBmuN_JLMWksecSaIMWAA-ZTCVcCIlrgfA4ngRkMc80kU7T0fw4sr82-D1GygSYOHWqa2l72ivw-vYETuRh6gxniDCKhyphenhyphenMTObfgTIGDK7mGFUATuXHQNP1E7q_gNLR7PZkQ_j-1K/s400/IMG_0120.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 years apart... I give it one year tops until the picture is turned around and Ryan is bigger and picking on Reid!</td></tr>
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We came home after geo-caching and Ross was asleep within 30 seconds of sitting down on the couch. We enjoyed the quiet, did some relaxing and playing on our computers and ended the night watching the season finale of Survivor as a family.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDolJVoAvsMtWZdBEr4UYNnIKCVvXW135ZqmBQRB3wWBLEm-C_Tt04Ru0RRO3sPCoV0Gk5nmAGOFRKXMKGQLQmCdjj0V-vJULAxm9KaHknuALtPccJYJbFcuR2jqLGozF4f0oqajkzPPOE/s1600/IMG_2764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDolJVoAvsMtWZdBEr4UYNnIKCVvXW135ZqmBQRB3wWBLEm-C_Tt04Ru0RRO3sPCoV0Gk5nmAGOFRKXMKGQLQmCdjj0V-vJULAxm9KaHknuALtPccJYJbFcuR2jqLGozF4f0oqajkzPPOE/s400/IMG_2764.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think 2.5 miles is a long way for a guy whose legs are only 10 inches long :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sTYJiT2mDUR3yD1VP7xXO4iqrzI5FslsPJVpwTO6BAeGDhf7eJds0rYRNUE6KS5k0RYh3HP1FADgctSsVC1In46c5MNuF9h8kI70nhMlhjFXFEtTKdaW0kf08DuvCq1IuTicm2aWuM6b/s1600/IMG_2768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sTYJiT2mDUR3yD1VP7xXO4iqrzI5FslsPJVpwTO6BAeGDhf7eJds0rYRNUE6KS5k0RYh3HP1FADgctSsVC1In46c5MNuF9h8kI70nhMlhjFXFEtTKdaW0kf08DuvCq1IuTicm2aWuM6b/s400/IMG_2768.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We decided during a Survivor commercial break that the lower hairy back of Ross' is called his 'butt-stache'</td></tr>
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And although we did decide to celebrate Mother's Day with "our" little family, we did think about our own mothers as well. Russ and I are both blessed to have fabulous mothers that love us and understand our spending time creating our own memories. Hoping to get to see both of them in the next month. Happy Mother's Day Mom & Linda... Thanks for all that you do for us!!the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-37905000162831020312013-04-19T09:43:00.000-07:002013-04-19T09:43:00.546-07:003rd grade music programSo, life might be a little crazy busy right now and the poor blog is getting neglected. Russ reminded me last night that it had been a LONG time since I'd done any kind of an update. I also needed to upload a picture from Reid's 3rd grade program so I thought I'd do it here. <br />
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Our elementary school does music program's every other year - 1st, 3rd and 5th. Given that each of my children are three school years apart I will now have a music program to attend for the next SIX years but never more than one a year (yep, math nerd!).<br />
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Last night was Reid's 3rd grade program. It was titled "Get in the Game" and was all songs about sports and a PE class at school. It was cute and kept your attention for the short 40 minutes that it was. I've really tried to stop getting a babysitter for every little event that we have now that Ross is getting older so we took Ryan and Ross with us. Ryan played games on his phone throughout the program (he'd already seen the 2:00 matinee at school) and Ross was really into it. He loved clapping after each song and really listened well. I'm glad we saved the $20 - $30 and took them with us.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoXCaUcbT9G4eeJk52Wea3rGhjCbrRA5GZdG_vQrLba0OhiFk20Jzq3GVZt8rmNI-H08Xj4iW8mkc84BUbsNRHOZ7IisU9-smA_-G6HM8p4ACFK1k7sU_oTQy9GmeN6Dte0hkH_YGtYVk/s1600/IMG_2588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoXCaUcbT9G4eeJk52Wea3rGhjCbrRA5GZdG_vQrLba0OhiFk20Jzq3GVZt8rmNI-H08Xj4iW8mkc84BUbsNRHOZ7IisU9-smA_-G6HM8p4ACFK1k7sU_oTQy9GmeN6Dte0hkH_YGtYVk/s400/IMG_2588.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lighting made it very hard to get a good picture. Reid's in the front row in an all white karate uniform (left of the girl in the blue softball tank top). It was nice that they were to wear any kind of sport outfit they wanted so no special outfit had to be bought :)</td></tr>
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Reid had one speaking part and did pretty well at it. We had coached him at dinner to slow down and speak clearly. Most of the kids spoke so fast you couldn't understand what they said but Reid's line was pretty clear.<br />
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It wouldn't be a great music program without a treat (and school fundraiser) at Orange Leaf afterwards. In great McDowell fashion we made an exit plan (Russ took the little two to the van while I snagged Reid from the meetup spot) and we were the 2nd car out of the parking lot and to Orange Leaf, beating the crowds and keeping our sanity.the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-6981534205152112992013-02-27T17:47:00.000-08:002013-02-27T17:47:09.302-08:00Project Life 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm posting these mostly for Courtney, Catherine and Suzanne to see so the pictures aren't great. I tried to get natural light so the pictures in the plastics looked ok but I didn't get close enough... plus they didn't rotate the right way when I uploaded them (why can't blogger get a little more advanced already) and I'm being lazy tonight. BUT... I have FIVE weeks completely done in my album and I'm partway done with 6 and 7. Can you believe it? And in case you aren't keeping track, last week was week 8 so I'm basically current - that's pretty current for me.</div>
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Week 1 Spread:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpRdc2Cewn6Csq6lB1zOKpXSueXE2cWgZF2Vi9pLj40qIcSAezAYrTVMarIAac8sL15xxQFnNxrpaEuDwgkQRkFZpo_CVzuhCE6mpw4xW-sqxbCpex9u9egFlGYp0pfDy2Ruhf_cj2n8K/s1600/IMG_2049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpRdc2Cewn6Csq6lB1zOKpXSueXE2cWgZF2Vi9pLj40qIcSAezAYrTVMarIAac8sL15xxQFnNxrpaEuDwgkQRkFZpo_CVzuhCE6mpw4xW-sqxbCpex9u9egFlGYp0pfDy2Ruhf_cj2n8K/s400/IMG_2049.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Close up of left and right side:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYng5zMp6BfCpWQk0T12yFkxOdWnZnVwjOEKqqli4oxDeB4d14lOxnDpwbFA0vQuGqp09meYa7tc7BatXVXiOk-oxcRWdVyovprysrPD8ajmhLv3D3UtdEjjLm3cLiKLYmaQX3xPTPVRSl/s1600/IMG_2050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYng5zMp6BfCpWQk0T12yFkxOdWnZnVwjOEKqqli4oxDeB4d14lOxnDpwbFA0vQuGqp09meYa7tc7BatXVXiOk-oxcRWdVyovprysrPD8ajmhLv3D3UtdEjjLm3cLiKLYmaQX3xPTPVRSl/s400/IMG_2050.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the week in review card!! I'm going to have a lot of extra 4x6 from the PL kit but the week in review card really helps to eliminate the need to journal a lot. And see those vertical pictures on a colored 4x6 inserted witha frame... my friend Suzanne taught me how to do that and it really got me back into motion on project life.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAL16zA0nJXImZLdXEJD5k6hk-v6PHuyLS0isAOXbKNCyyMqzZplg-MqV6ozb4kCTKOhjuzVJ4_krEao3CO0cmlyJeUtNNt9b5A7CzxeXuEoA9GzJhqsvTw6iNs9l6BAvQ2MBJX3FV_GS/s1600/IMG_2051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAL16zA0nJXImZLdXEJD5k6hk-v6PHuyLS0isAOXbKNCyyMqzZplg-MqV6ozb4kCTKOhjuzVJ4_krEao3CO0cmlyJeUtNNt9b5A7CzxeXuEoA9GzJhqsvTw6iNs9l6BAvQ2MBJX3FV_GS/s400/IMG_2051.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I should have used a different divider since these all ended up being instagram pictures but I didn't realize it until I'd put them all on 4x6's. Plus, I like to keep my main pages Design A and just use the other designs for inserts.</td></tr>
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Week 2 Spread:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke9F-fyr3YlHoB9Zk65ethBX18bWJ013TGaQ8Ja7cZy1UNrRlxiXnydgUiCCi8H_9KhoPSk-OQOxJDQznJA-9bkoNJzBYhEhyphenhyphenbiqFv9Q2BCt_OC1xxAWtQ9CXINHEz6RECcYjM4J3VhjX/s1600/IMG_2052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhke9F-fyr3YlHoB9Zk65ethBX18bWJ013TGaQ8Ja7cZy1UNrRlxiXnydgUiCCi8H_9KhoPSk-OQOxJDQznJA-9bkoNJzBYhEhyphenhyphenbiqFv9Q2BCt_OC1xxAWtQ9CXINHEz6RECcYjM4J3VhjX/s400/IMG_2052.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6tjZIbFnxNmchI1HTfodsP8rYJAABS55fTgqbrjaQU9qXzmzhxM5kxQieYnv8oQjg21-KbNLoyfOTnScSJIweVvSraNHGMccRXyCv2UShh9KPkIy7Iy-K2KC3-cvRN6VayAMCOQGgrPK/s1600/IMG_2053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6tjZIbFnxNmchI1HTfodsP8rYJAABS55fTgqbrjaQU9qXzmzhxM5kxQieYnv8oQjg21-KbNLoyfOTnScSJIweVvSraNHGMccRXyCv2UShh9KPkIy7Iy-K2KC3-cvRN6VayAMCOQGgrPK/s400/IMG_2053.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I started getting adventurous with my photoshop Elements here and added some text to a couple of photos.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWkmjc_i5JTj6spN7-Sj47hFyS1i4wMeksvlqidlB41Nx7F8xkXwd8ExmqhxTiA546dwZwqv6a72qICBfIkq9y_FJ9_yCYiEwkABwj2yjx3jTMLQTUW71HcgWLcMfzV6uKOnERk8w8QM6/s1600/IMG_2054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMWkmjc_i5JTj6spN7-Sj47hFyS1i4wMeksvlqidlB41Nx7F8xkXwd8ExmqhxTiA546dwZwqv6a72qICBfIkq9y_FJ9_yCYiEwkABwj2yjx3jTMLQTUW71HcgWLcMfzV6uKOnERk8w8QM6/s400/IMG_2054.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The left middle tag was just one I had in my old scrapbooking stuff - love to use any of it when I get the chance and the color went well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Week 3 Spread:<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/AVvXsEj6kYw92hl8o2k5BBGRG81wQXIlZyPKpXkg-nFQmZSC8uuBfzt5Hw0JH_1SFfnUblPcyqNxdUcdqJSRjlac8gNytHDp76urNgWBu0Pvfp2i2xw_q4KTSg2C2nmriTZIBYHZSD-1SG3EfUqG/s1600/IMG_2055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kYw92hl8o2k5BBGRG81wQXIlZyPKpXkg-nFQmZSC8uuBfzt5Hw0JH_1SFfnUblPcyqNxdUcdqJSRjlac8gNytHDp76urNgWBu0Pvfp2i2xw_q4KTSg2C2nmriTZIBYHZSD-1SG3EfUqG/s400/IMG_2055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok, MAYBE I'll come back and fix these pictures tomorrow or sometime - this one is upside down... geesh!</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/AVvXsEiqq-Kc33c7qOLdASipPhzNTse4fxHybhDMZap3Zy9cbsoSBw5apxQ2ls5ni-GRgUDyI8VoN3_ehByk6zuZYylqqbBhg2AfyKtDiZ-J81v2EODwj0Niws1-2U6RoTRmFq_zKOs6gHC5wExq/s1600/IMG_2056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqq-Kc33c7qOLdASipPhzNTse4fxHybhDMZap3Zy9cbsoSBw5apxQ2ls5ni-GRgUDyI8VoN3_ehByk6zuZYylqqbBhg2AfyKtDiZ-J81v2EODwj0Niws1-2U6RoTRmFq_zKOs6gHC5wExq/s400/IMG_2056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left side - mostly pictures but the upper right hand pic I added a close up picture as an insert on a full picture. It was the day all of my new PL kit came in! The "eek" letters were also a use from old supplies - score! </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/AVvXsEip_Pvlt5DjbzYvH3RDOE6lyVpmM7OjjIEwqNp5PLaJmknhW-Ry6aTBNC57hc-DqlGehTEIF1XFixC0GiQHsxLgO21KTYv8zd09GFBwgeHkQ6OGofvGB8M5hJxwZ2rc3oOGy8CRQNupAzvv/s1600/IMG_2057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_Pvlt5DjbzYvH3RDOE6lyVpmM7OjjIEwqNp5PLaJmknhW-Ry6aTBNC57hc-DqlGehTEIF1XFixC0GiQHsxLgO21KTYv8zd09GFBwgeHkQ6OGofvGB8M5hJxwZ2rc3oOGy8CRQNupAzvv/s400/IMG_2057.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right side.. nothing special - some text on a photo and an iPhone screen shot</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/AVvXsEiJ4rHoEvbkEe7yGOL4H0FTXYmJx2zt__6XzaHPR8SsO6AEYAw22M-WSXMrYH6wpWndQ5I8V0nvPWbv-M4tTpD5wUacBYr-XaTs3wn-JfthY_jF5z4dKHIPT7f5a7hUR5mhs3R-LTmAtbk1/s1600/IMG_2058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ4rHoEvbkEe7yGOL4H0FTXYmJx2zt__6XzaHPR8SsO6AEYAw22M-WSXMrYH6wpWndQ5I8V0nvPWbv-M4tTpD5wUacBYr-XaTs3wn-JfthY_jF5z4dKHIPT7f5a7hUR5mhs3R-LTmAtbk1/s400/IMG_2058.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Week 3 also had an insert! It was fun - all dedicated to Reid's hockey weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA</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/AVvXsEilSGHd0ef6L73_YYEI85zr5r0qT8vLNouCcg4lbxnM_wo6nLyquZmTV8KeGSAtFJJAxSv0doK-0sBrrspodgJ9mA7g-nXOiXE3Kf-5sqQ4e51kmewg3Z5GGBjO5K9rGDw2rhknlMd0hP89/s1600/IMG_2059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSGHd0ef6L73_YYEI85zr5r0qT8vLNouCcg4lbxnM_wo6nLyquZmTV8KeGSAtFJJAxSv0doK-0sBrrspodgJ9mA7g-nXOiXE3Kf-5sqQ4e51kmewg3Z5GGBjO5K9rGDw2rhknlMd0hP89/s400/IMG_2059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back Side of insert</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Week 4 Spread:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW6sJt6iVAdId2pWUnW0HKxw1nFjXLXyJyvWNBWmmKgm0XLGHMmLG4EzpxAIYNgu8wYN_PYQhlhvnzjXGf0ZHw7ckUOb37a5l3kRe0_Y23AIB0iJtiyJx_q2HOGnKDqZsXoTwhnZBL0JH/s1600/IMG_2060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzW6sJt6iVAdId2pWUnW0HKxw1nFjXLXyJyvWNBWmmKgm0XLGHMmLG4EzpxAIYNgu8wYN_PYQhlhvnzjXGf0ZHw7ckUOb37a5l3kRe0_Y23AIB0iJtiyJx_q2HOGnKDqZsXoTwhnZBL0JH/s400/IMG_2060.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upside down again - ridiculous.</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/AVvXsEhW7tRdtuXfpcQl9A1RoZ1k2JBSn0w7B5sptkbXJuqnGrM1mxmm4DRtxWHj5WIYksvHYn5YdXEWU5zqCFfqEVBXKrk0W4-YJu0YEyX-D4yDi42RX7k6jCDDJ6F8mhCrJ9ApWveVYgRGEZz6/s1600/IMG_2061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7tRdtuXfpcQl9A1RoZ1k2JBSn0w7B5sptkbXJuqnGrM1mxmm4DRtxWHj5WIYksvHYn5YdXEWU5zqCFfqEVBXKrk0W4-YJu0YEyX-D4yDi42RX7k6jCDDJ6F8mhCrJ9ApWveVYgRGEZz6/s400/IMG_2061.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left side</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/AVvXsEhLAoTGE42hcc2VM88rnLZonV23ise2u69GoNxxQQ9S1r36daS-rmHbhEjm2dOBIwvPXyTJoJ2egN0n-KaTX0_X_Z9UvkK7v04UzMJtwpF_Jars55ngRqQJNQlbSSx4aUKquuEm5MXaOupL/s1600/IMG_2062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAoTGE42hcc2VM88rnLZonV23ise2u69GoNxxQQ9S1r36daS-rmHbhEjm2dOBIwvPXyTJoJ2egN0n-KaTX0_X_Z9UvkK7v04UzMJtwpF_Jars55ngRqQJNQlbSSx4aUKquuEm5MXaOupL/s400/IMG_2062.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right Side. Only thing special is I took a 4x6 photo of my new mac and divided it between two 3x4 slots - I like that look when people do it and I liked how it turned out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Week 5 Spread:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHK5HXqpdEozU1anW-Cj3PboVaeeECEF-i7k8Ev-lhmpEPyKTcVwemazWWgNmW4wqCkWak7z_yIwtYFJnq7FZk96XJ0aG-TLLvOTfmgv4jaUSUsrR2Vi01d77HMCRVX1e3wQ6zpFEoAFG/s1600/IMG_2063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzHK5HXqpdEozU1anW-Cj3PboVaeeECEF-i7k8Ev-lhmpEPyKTcVwemazWWgNmW4wqCkWak7z_yIwtYFJnq7FZk96XJ0aG-TLLvOTfmgv4jaUSUsrR2Vi01d77HMCRVX1e3wQ6zpFEoAFG/s400/IMG_2063.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ADf1b0kfKOtLPrEfaIdBp7OzMSChnAyr2pr6pleUzlvHvldmbqDvdrJwHsLxPMR_JyI6_gHdNosGTkxyoi2fePTTE9FL6IEPV5ASTuPMtf580sI_zaz_260L6ad54h6TBfC0-t8ryt1P/s1600/IMG_2064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ADf1b0kfKOtLPrEfaIdBp7OzMSChnAyr2pr6pleUzlvHvldmbqDvdrJwHsLxPMR_JyI6_gHdNosGTkxyoi2fePTTE9FL6IEPV5ASTuPMtf580sI_zaz_260L6ad54h6TBfC0-t8ryt1P/s400/IMG_2064.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left Side - no big tricks to point out.</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/AVvXsEhQeYYq0bvDdn81xhassIRDWvaO6uIk-roYeWGaNpbetP6qn6ff6IMz5Of17teREHjSYCbLeSIZ_Tsn4ew4SnQyn6LYfDqHZjVN8qkGrQlS3HmELjM1mp3C1jsqVq7y_reZRvBPARRcZHpV/s1600/IMG_2065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQeYYq0bvDdn81xhassIRDWvaO6uIk-roYeWGaNpbetP6qn6ff6IMz5Of17teREHjSYCbLeSIZ_Tsn4ew4SnQyn6LYfDqHZjVN8qkGrQlS3HmELjM1mp3C1jsqVq7y_reZRvBPARRcZHpV/s400/IMG_2065.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same tricks... 4x6 picture of bath on bottom and insert of my 'spa' face. The left card has some rub on letters that 'yummy' but they were too light so I think shaded around them with a colored pencil - it looks pretty good up close.</td></tr>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-40658391407885073312013-02-15T17:46:00.000-08:002013-02-17T07:21:38.234-08:00A weekend without dadWell, it's Friday night and another weekend is upon us but I thought I'd fill you in on our weekend LAST weekend. We had a great weekend. Russ and Reid left early Saturday morning for a hockey tournament and a hotel stay in Springdale, AR. After 5 games (going 3-2), Reid's team brought home the first place trophy. They had a great weekend:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES97hks8diw6V1ZPr_YGDfQteiA9p-czY926O2YyjPV7LUuhBzZA_M_RLF5JyFRwTq7r0NKtb1WjO3YNNLtex95FL5r7MXUnvke8pen5YeC_15Dm4_PVkmumZYeAOvt4A4E3BJGN9hSWO/s1600/IMG_0075_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES97hks8diw6V1ZPr_YGDfQteiA9p-czY926O2YyjPV7LUuhBzZA_M_RLF5JyFRwTq7r0NKtb1WjO3YNNLtex95FL5r7MXUnvke8pen5YeC_15Dm4_PVkmumZYeAOvt4A4E3BJGN9hSWO/s400/IMG_0075_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, I think he likes trophies :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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But, since I was here with the little two - I thought I'd blog on OUR weekend. My back was really hurting Saturday morning from my Friday workout so I did what any sane person would do. I mopped our kitchen floor on my hands and knees. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5ikR9AYUEE8HpKPPOB4xeA2bBuBv8XwZBK47Ake6tXC_SEv_hKOGFeorNo3sEVP1yJLXNBS4jus8Yu-K3x-PvK9ajZiC8qgyyMA29gxOkXJj1acmd4oaU35c7YEpHZEhX05GVw4NHg00/s1600/IMG_1935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5ikR9AYUEE8HpKPPOB4xeA2bBuBv8XwZBK47Ake6tXC_SEv_hKOGFeorNo3sEVP1yJLXNBS4jus8Yu-K3x-PvK9ajZiC8qgyyMA29gxOkXJj1acmd4oaU35c7YEpHZEhX05GVw4NHg00/s400/IMG_1935.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area under the kitchen table - double improved!</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/AVvXsEj7idB4CsspSM_frAHYVwtRgDSfrfsdKfo3wmxK6pkU0ZEhyphenhyphenA9uqm_YonIW2yEm7eaRlrV-FTEfn4h1cl-huoSQUirUsu-EuwTWGNUbZKdrbjLhgxtaX0CDWeoUemLXzAVHhoUYZCoZxfyw/s1600/IMG_1944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7idB4CsspSM_frAHYVwtRgDSfrfsdKfo3wmxK6pkU0ZEhyphenhyphenA9uqm_YonIW2yEm7eaRlrV-FTEfn4h1cl-huoSQUirUsu-EuwTWGNUbZKdrbjLhgxtaX0CDWeoUemLXzAVHhoUYZCoZxfyw/s400/IMG_1944.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross dressed himself and was pretty proud of his outfit choice</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later that day it kept seizing up and really hurting so I did three very slow miles on the treadmill to see if it would loosen up and it did some. The boys played with their claw machine (ate candy) while I was on the treadmill and we just hung out and played. That evening one of Russ' friends stayed with us as he was in town visiting another friend in the hospital.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBd7HqsE9u0jFTn9osj27s9J3tE5kpMLpa3J2HuP_j7PhtwPjRdo_L9qmVoVg611Ho9YXZVQn_syXDx0qPw64U6aC8KbIRn8Y3IM8eiADBh9XDpUtp8UxGZPVADw14758P6Xox8D9EXSZ/s1600/IMG_1939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBd7HqsE9u0jFTn9osj27s9J3tE5kpMLpa3J2HuP_j7PhtwPjRdo_L9qmVoVg611Ho9YXZVQn_syXDx0qPw64U6aC8KbIRn8Y3IM8eiADBh9XDpUtp8UxGZPVADw14758P6Xox8D9EXSZ/s400/IMG_1939.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sunday morning I woke up and ran 10 very hilly miles (thankfully with very few problems). The hills definitely took their toll on me. I showered and said goodbye to Russ' friend. I ended up laying on my bed reading a book for OVER an hour while the boys played nerf guns. They were VERY good and playing so well together. I ended up taking them out for yogurt and to the library to get books (and let them take our neighbor friend with us too).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY93cBoEAaveBCB-_k8AdvoWObdTIXyxAE-4INKiuTD7wVwVkpQEsLhtAoEZDuoSkMF30xQib4iqfqpPeSPskYhqWgtmU3YBmlDzARPphH_H04tgtz0fV12cERTztcjY9MFF1pRksUT8v/s1600/IMG_1938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCY93cBoEAaveBCB-_k8AdvoWObdTIXyxAE-4INKiuTD7wVwVkpQEsLhtAoEZDuoSkMF30xQib4iqfqpPeSPskYhqWgtmU3YBmlDzARPphH_H04tgtz0fV12cERTztcjY9MFF1pRksUT8v/s400/IMG_1938.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was some obstacle game. They climbed over my bed, onto the bench and jumped off shooting baskets. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6r82bZ1IrO9IMhyphenhyphenogTg2lvjHzdrFzu-LJo5021RaLnCHGvePEg9J8ns-sQFjQaSjeLI2EK7YBzPZ1Ql9AqoBzzJpbT7L4Nb-Yv8XrgMbop6Mn-AP9p-vKUs_Q0xTN0Y9WRUSveKXB0Wf/s1600/IMG_1947.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO6r82bZ1IrO9IMhyphenhyphenogTg2lvjHzdrFzu-LJo5021RaLnCHGvePEg9J8ns-sQFjQaSjeLI2EK7YBzPZ1Ql9AqoBzzJpbT7L4Nb-Yv8XrgMbop6Mn-AP9p-vKUs_Q0xTN0Y9WRUSveKXB0Wf/s400/IMG_1947.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the little two are thinking "what the heck, that kids crazy"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nope, Ross idolizes Ryan... now he wants to be just like him</td></tr>
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The pretty much wiped Ross out. He fell asleep around 4:30 and I let him sleep for about 45 minutes before waking him up so he'd still go to bed that night. He did and Russ and Reid got home around 9:30pm. It was the best, most relaxing weekend. I didn't accomplish a lot - I had grand plans of organizing before my back started hurting... but I'm glad I took the down time while I had it.<br />
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-67481992537751083182013-02-04T18:41:00.000-08:002013-02-04T18:41:04.978-08:00Where is all the time going?I've been wanting to get on here and do an update and just haven't found time. I'm knee deep in several things that are just stealing all of my time.<br />
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* I'm reading a really good book and already have the next in line checked out so I'm rushing to read them as quickly as I can, although I fall asleep way too early these days.<br />
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* My friend, Suzanne, got me rolling on my Project Life album on my Mac (using photoshop elements to resize photos) and I'm loving that I'm making great progress. I swear I took every photo in 2012 with my iPhone held vertically. That's really NOT conducive to my album. So, I know how to fix them it's just time consuming! I WILL remember to turn my iPhone for horizontal photos in 2013!!!<br />
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* My latest issue of Runner's World showed up some time last week and it's STILL sitting here on my desk, unread. That's basically unheard of. <br />
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* WORK. Nothing fun but it has been busy lately :( Where I could usually have snuck in a thing here or there before, I really have not had time.<br />
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* I am WAY behind on laundry and the dishes are always needing done. I am; however, caught up on keeping the house picked up for the most part. Most of it is presentable and clean although I still have my lingering organization projects (linen closet, pantry, basement storage room) eating at my inner thoughts. Russ and Reid are going to be gone Saturday and Sunday this weekend and if the little two cooperate (play nicely) I might just try and tackle one of them... we'll see ;)<br />
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Speaking of projects, I found my desk and finished my office!! It was quite the project as the desk came as a 3 piece set with an armoire and a bookshelf type cabinet with two drawers and a hutch. My mom and Jerry came down so we would have two trucks for pick up, our neighbor helped carry in the desk and drawers and then my mom and I cleaned the heck out of them. The armoire from the new set was terribly heavy and not as pretty as what I already had so I mixed and matched and I truly LOVE what my final result was.<br />
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Take a look:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new office! (Tater was enjoying the sunshine. The front of the desk needed repaired, but it was easy. I ended up spending about $200 - $300 for ALL of it. </td></tr>
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Quick update but it's already 8:40 (gasp!) and my book and bed are calling my name.<br />
<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-60436676835902809232013-01-24T14:33:00.001-08:002013-01-24T14:33:46.998-08:00Cedar Rapids Hockey Tournament<br />
So, I promised a full recap of our Cedar Rapids weekend. WARNING - this is LONG.<br />
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A few months ago Reid tried out for a "select" hockey team and did not make the team (we had already told him ahead of time that he would not but he wanted to try so we let him). After tryouts there were enough boys interested that didn't make the team to form a second team and play down a division on a few weekends to get some tournament experience. So, they played last weekend in Cedar Rapids, IA, they are playing a few games in Arkansas in a couple of weeks and they will play in Omaha, NE on March 1 - 3.<br />
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Anyway, Grandma Cella offered to watch Ross (I'm not sure a 5 hour drive would be as much 'fun' with him along) and the rest of us headed up to Cedar Rapids on Friday. The boys were thrilled that I had excused them out of school an hour early and we were on the road by 3:00. We made good time and were in our hotel shortly after 8:00. It took the boys a while to wind down but we were asleep by 10ish. I got up on Saturday and hit the hotel gym - 8 miles... on a treadmill... but so thankful to have my run in for the weekend and not have to worry about it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excited to be here and ready to play!</td></tr>
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Reid played two games on Saturday. He played fairly well in the first game and he played the best I've ever seen him play in the second. He was hustling and really trying. The team ended up losing both games and Reid left the second one very mad and grouchy (maybe he does have some competitiveness in him after all).<br />
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Ryan did a good job staying entertained during the games but he was more than happy to get to go swimming at the hotel when they were over. Reid (still grouchy) passed on the pool and went to the room to watch tv with Russ.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy did just fine as long as he was eating (chocolate mouth from the 2nd of his donuts. He has become a bottomless pit. He ate his way through the entire weekend!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First one in the hotel pool... he had a blast!</td></tr>
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After swimming and dinner we went to a USHL hockey game. The Cedar Rapids Rough Riders were playing Sioux Falls. We saw a former Stover player and the boys had fun. We left at the beginning of the third period, though, as Reid was getting tired and it was getting late.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ caught this sweet hat for Ryan that he LOVED :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole team really got into the Gangnam style dance when they played the song</td></tr>
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Sunday brought two more games and two wins for Reid's team. The tournament had 4 teams and the team they played in the morning hadn't won yet either. So, winning that game seeded Reid's team as #3 playing the same team again. The second win gave them 3rd place in the tournament and a trophy and medals. Reid was more than thrilled! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5-2 win for the 3rd place title</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZqpg-7YL9NTwYXiO_c8NyyB8kXapmMitc2fZDjzXu5Sg66a0Sl0-iA03oRigu7qg22Hzml6_4dp-LzWa42eALrfZfoAynNZYRc_EBmVc7YYXswARLLM_BsQZ9rBqi5XjPjecZRc8Hf2i/s1600/IMG_0059_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZqpg-7YL9NTwYXiO_c8NyyB8kXapmMitc2fZDjzXu5Sg66a0Sl0-iA03oRigu7qg22Hzml6_4dp-LzWa42eALrfZfoAynNZYRc_EBmVc7YYXswARLLM_BsQZ9rBqi5XjPjecZRc8Hf2i/s400/IMG_0059_2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">THAT'S a happy boy!</td></tr>
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The drive home seemed to go pretty fast and we were again home just shortly after 8:00. Aunt Courtney had been in town for the weekend so she had brought Ross back to our house so we didn't even have to go pick him up the next morning - awesome!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzlKrYoWD898xvWtMc3dWi35oodOej6wJW27HBRVihzvrXPd1HanMGR_IBNBU0qCSGqlVowgeSCuWKxIPgXsYBWTbLB_CejwGkNKtn06clqI2bVUeU2xwqV_ZtvIhXBlfi5mX-DEWBtL-/s1600/IMG_1819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVzlKrYoWD898xvWtMc3dWi35oodOej6wJW27HBRVihzvrXPd1HanMGR_IBNBU0qCSGqlVowgeSCuWKxIPgXsYBWTbLB_CejwGkNKtn06clqI2bVUeU2xwqV_ZtvIhXBlfi5mX-DEWBtL-/s400/IMG_1819.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Russ drove to Des Moines and then I took the straight shot down I-35 home.</td></tr>
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<i>[This blog post has been brought to you by my brand new Mac computer. I'm "new" to Mac and learning as I go but I'm pretty certain 'she' and I are going to have a great relationship! I'm excited to be able to sit down and do a thing here or there without getting my laptop out. I'm thrilled to be getting back into my scrapbooking habit and hopefully staying a bit more current and playing some catch up]</i>the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-52836506726854351522013-01-22T12:49:00.002-08:002013-01-22T13:56:39.377-08:00Just a quick updateI'm trying to post more regularly so I thought I'd put a few updates out here.<br />
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* We went to Cedar Rapids, IA for the weekend. Great trip, great experience. Full recap coming this week after I can steal the hubby's phone as the majority of our photos he took. Here's a sneak peek - parenting at it's finest:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFqgxrthEoRvMKsdb9oS0dClAi-BG3Jha94cKr9scPfHaWBGjlC9o4VwCTljDT8acWXiotiExXfNeM8uusbmSCKcS9p1SMhIKWLKFXTsrbiSX4LthyRGI5BoP3D-8dW30fjlwYx2YpYOP/s1600/parenting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFqgxrthEoRvMKsdb9oS0dClAi-BG3Jha94cKr9scPfHaWBGjlC9o4VwCTljDT8acWXiotiExXfNeM8uusbmSCKcS9p1SMhIKWLKFXTsrbiSX4LthyRGI5BoP3D-8dW30fjlwYx2YpYOP/s400/parenting.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't even look at this without cracking up. So many possible captions! In actuality, they were having a lot of fun. I can't remember what started the teasing but they were playing and getting each other so I grabbed my camera right as Russ put Ryan in a headlock. His face is just priceless. LOVE this picture!</td></tr>
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* For those of you on the edge of your seats... I bought my Mac computer. I have seriously wanted one for the last three years and I'm beyond giddy that it's on the way. FedEx tracking says that it will be here THIS Thursday. LOTS of scrapbook catch up to do and it's going to make it so much easier!<br />
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* In case I haven't seen you in person, you don't read my daily mile updates or somehow you've been spared my complaining... I am SICK of the cold. We've been running through this weather and I am just done with putting on 2-3 layers to go run 4 miles. DONE. It's actually making the dreadmill <strike>treadmill</strike> more appealing That and Courtney and Catherine finally convinced me to watch Scandal and I love it. I broke up with a ton of shows last year and I REALLY didn't want to get hooked on another. I love not being tied to the tv. So, I decided I can only watch Scandal if I'm on the treadmill. It helped on Saturday. While we were in Cedar Rapids I managed to run 8 miles on the hotel treadmill in their itty bitty fitness center that had the thermostat stuck on 84 degrees. Is it really too much to ask for a nice 65 degree day with no wind?<br />
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* I started a journal/notebook with Reid last night. Yes, I saw the idea on pinterest but I thought it would be fun. I wrote him a note and told him he could write back whenever and we'll just leave it on each other's beds. He immediately wrote in it last night and loved the idea. Sweet kid!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YshPnNjehGhBw8PEMme2jotD6bS3ho0paNLNed0_fwi7OLcj4NhfH9yV4lcaNS-GIKgTmbsUvjICGxB_IwL6Kn7txvkGSIPEhEWRUM1_P6stL8_J2iBqCvXRMeT8IlZAjT79ObcTArXF/s1600/notebook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0YshPnNjehGhBw8PEMme2jotD6bS3ho0paNLNed0_fwi7OLcj4NhfH9yV4lcaNS-GIKgTmbsUvjICGxB_IwL6Kn7txvkGSIPEhEWRUM1_P6stL8_J2iBqCvXRMeT8IlZAjT79ObcTArXF/s400/notebook.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Translation: Thank you for getting this notebook. I don't really know what to write but thanks for commenting my effort and I love you too. Reid + Mom</td></tr>
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* Oh, and those looking for an update on those other projects (linen closet, pantry, the dreaded basement storage room)... yeah, those haven't started. I said MONTHS and it will probably take MONTHS to get them all done. But they are in my head. I have been planning ahead and getting more organized with meals. We have an entire week of meals planned this week and I made my grocery list from it and the hubs went grocery shopping off of it and saved us a TON of money. I tend to buy more here and there- he sticks to the list. (Except for the full size candy bars that he continues to give our kids!) Anyway, I have the ENTIRE month of February meals planned out already! It's going to be SOOO much easier. It's a trial but I think it's going to work!<br />
<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-22678785383428145092013-01-14T10:45:00.003-08:002013-01-14T10:48:31.432-08:00Making ProgressRemember this catastrophe:<br />
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I bought an armoire off of Craigslist this weekend. Russ, Ross and I went to pick it up yesterday and then our neighbor helped Russ carry it in. That thing is SOLID wood and HEAVY.. .well, that's what the guys said. I didn't lift a finger :) It had been stored in a garage so I spent quite a bit of time cleaning it up. The doors didn't shut just right so Russ got out his drill and fixed that for me and now I have this:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARXinoaYwWgfJU3BU3MLQKV9H6p-ngcaqWpiEpVsTXrt60hnEXX1BG4Mwx8dtJjbufJBG44grmtmsRVyw1Vkawc7WAh8P83A-F7dkNmU91RHgdnm1SnmrFr_sj_BaJGJA7FW8P655k9XH/s1600/armoire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARXinoaYwWgfJU3BU3MLQKV9H6p-ngcaqWpiEpVsTXrt60hnEXX1BG4Mwx8dtJjbufJBG44grmtmsRVyw1Vkawc7WAh8P83A-F7dkNmU91RHgdnm1SnmrFr_sj_BaJGJA7FW8P655k9XH/s400/armoire.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The short little black thing to the left of the armoire will go away when I get a desk with a drawer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETF6tsqLlIpbZxoW6Jgdw26zHBJ-M-yWms2ZUVsTgbTvw7Q1tEYn-9erR01_shNw_KBvQyw7_3Zqwgxp2NaHJ84JufnoTu0lOYRue0mtU-Nx1DNVnz_PYZbAxl2OdY84oKsrpkupO68zx/s1600/armoire2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjETF6tsqLlIpbZxoW6Jgdw26zHBJ-M-yWms2ZUVsTgbTvw7Q1tEYn-9erR01_shNw_KBvQyw7_3Zqwgxp2NaHJ84JufnoTu0lOYRue0mtU-Nx1DNVnz_PYZbAxl2OdY84oKsrpkupO68zx/s400/armoire2.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look real close, there is still a rubber maid under the armoire too, that's a project in the works that hopefully will be able to be removed in the very near future as well.</td></tr>
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Still a few things to clean up, etc. And I still need to get a proper desk and my mac computer but my space is coming along.. progress baby! I'm very happy with the armoire and I'm very motivated to get some of my scrapbooking caught up!the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-67046923177846077922013-01-11T09:35:00.003-08:002013-01-11T09:37:05.683-08:00Reid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodjaaBXsWhUm5QvsEq6rM1EIcjschBMWX7xx9rt2p3HehFbRXDQPt5MAQ71MT9v3kl79Q0wNlNFMRXdDa669sL6aMeUeSgUijschFxoCmKGurr7FJTHU3mCPm9ZFO4MambsSMkK1tQ3ih/s1600/IMG_1167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodjaaBXsWhUm5QvsEq6rM1EIcjschBMWX7xx9rt2p3HehFbRXDQPt5MAQ71MT9v3kl79Q0wNlNFMRXdDa669sL6aMeUeSgUijschFxoCmKGurr7FJTHU3mCPm9ZFO4MambsSMkK1tQ3ih/s400/IMG_1167.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(I really don't have a lot of recent pictures of Reid... I'm going to have my camera all in his face this weekend! This was his school picture this fall - pretty cute kid)</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">To save myself re-writing this... I posted this on facebook yesterday:</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">I admit I was the grey minivan holding up the drop off line this morning. Reid was SOOO excited to take a project to Qwest today but as he stood up to get out of the car the contents of his box fell through the other end of the box. There were like 12 sacks of little parts (luckily none of those were open). Typically I rush them out of the car knowing that holding up the drop off line is a huge </span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 17.981481552124023px;">'no, no' in our rush, rush world. On the verge of tears he started picking them all up and shoving them in the box frustrated. I looked in the rear view mirror and saw the fourth car pulling up behind us and said "Take your time Reid, you're fine, there's only a car or two behind us." He relaxed, got his things and got on to school. Hopefully every car behind us was able to experience some patience too... but if not, my apologies that getting my son's day started in a relaxed pace was more important to me than making sure you didn't have to sit for a minute. Just a reminder that you never know what's going on in that car that's taking "too" long. [p.s. - I hate drop off too but the boys didn't want to walk to the bus in the rain and I gave in]</span></i><br />
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He was definitely on my mind a lot of the day yesterday. Then as I was driving home from work I got an e-mail in my inbox <span style="font-family: inherit;">from his teacher. At first all I saw was the subject line of "Reid" and that it was from her. I admit, I thought the worst</span>. Reid certainly struggles with completing assignments on time so I figured this was another follow up on delayed work, etc. I also feared that he might have gotten in trouble with playing with his project (it's a toy) when he wasn't supposed to. I had already called his gifted teacher that day to confirm Reid's story that the "toy*" was approved to come to school. This is the e-mail I received from his teacher:<br />
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Hi Carmen, I just wanted to let you know how helpful Reid was today. We got a new student in our class and Reid helped him in the lunch room, invited him to play at recess, and just took him under his wing. It was so nice to see. He was so patient and kind, I just thought you should know!</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Thanks,</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sara</span><br />
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I was telling Reid at home how proud I was of him. He said, "It wasn't anything big, I just wanted to make a friend." Break this momma's heart!! Reid struggles to make friends. He's a bright little boy with different interests than a lot of kids his age but he still just wants to be friends with everyone. Such a sweet boy!! Reid has been grounded all week and it was supposed to end on Friday night so I "lifted" the grounding last night which definitely made his day. (And Ryan's because Ryan was excited that he could again watch Reid play Xbox)<br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">* Reid's "toy" that he took to school was a Smithsonian science kit where you actually build a 4 cylinder motor. He told me that his Qwest teacher told him that he could bring it in but I still called the teacher to verify his story. He was telling me the truth and he took it in and they are building it in class.</span></span>the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-30311528622023429352013-01-09T15:12:00.003-08:002013-01-09T15:12:59.844-08:00REAL LifeSo... you know how everyone's life always looks so sweet and perfect on facebook, instagram, pinterest, etc? Well, of course most people only post the 'good' pictures. I, too, have been guilty of moving a pile of papers to the side of my island or a bunch of dirty dishes from the countertops to get a picture that gives the illusion that my house is clean and I have my act together.<br />
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And in many instances I do... but I'm here to tell you that I have SEVERAL trouble areas in my house and I'm going to start tackling them. Usually when I do a 'bigger' project I look back a of and wish I would have taken a before picture. So... consider these my horrible, before pictures of some areas that I am going to tackle SOON (or sometime in the next 3-4 months).<br />
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1. <b>My linen closet. </b> This has been a disaster for YEARS, literally. I have many, many things in here that I need to donate or trash. Once I de-clutter this disaster than it should be easier to organize. Those piles outside the closet, those are from laundry today and I just haven't 'crammed' them in there yet. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE - I can't wait for time to create the AFTER</td></tr>
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2. <b>My office/scrapbooking area. </b>Last year I had the grand idea to redo our office into a dual workspace area. I still REALLY would love to do this but it's not in the budget this year. I don't think Russ was overly excited at the prospect of sharing his sanctuary with me anyway so I'm going to table the idea and fix up my area so that I can enjoy it. [<i>Sidenote - I can't relax in cluttered areas. My work desk is completely clean. If I want to run on my treadmill I have to make our bed and put away visible laundry first. Issues? Yes, I know</i>] Anyway, our sitting area of our master is my space and it's a cluttered mess with a lousy card table for a desk. I don't have my own computer (my other sob story) besides my work laptop and I just have no functioning area. I'm going to fix that!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3prdI6Y4VcWQaLGIEKSv4NtiA7i4iO4edwLUvOGoqrLdty-ZV9BQrQQaEl0X1zariDp3u10tSgeOXDyUrXghlGCAyRMdpvaceP_W8s1P9dnVoY0fiyU09Kis7oF0oFgHpYtpoDPDnVyd3/s1600/scrapping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3prdI6Y4VcWQaLGIEKSv4NtiA7i4iO4edwLUvOGoqrLdty-ZV9BQrQQaEl0X1zariDp3u10tSgeOXDyUrXghlGCAyRMdpvaceP_W8s1P9dnVoY0fiyU09Kis7oF0oFgHpYtpoDPDnVyd3/s400/scrapping.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BEFORE - see the crap along the wall... my scrapbooking stuff. See all the storage possibilities in my ever so functional card table and comfortable chair... UGH... A plan in progress SOON!</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/AVvXsEhuHlv_X2im-lv1EdikK67McE2NcXWp7mMdGm7TBgwynC6yTYOD1kYuiMRtGus7MvMzv_AZkXakLSFECvVAFSjQIKKzCczn7YeK9kB6qCP4vQELhlXULu2-kdq7CMuhjLGRBM_rORYp22oe/s1600/work.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHlv_X2im-lv1EdikK67McE2NcXWp7mMdGm7TBgwynC6yTYOD1kYuiMRtGus7MvMzv_AZkXakLSFECvVAFSjQIKKzCczn7YeK9kB6qCP4vQELhlXULu2-kdq7CMuhjLGRBM_rORYp22oe/s400/work.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is MY work desk. I know because that's my clock and that's my mouse pad that says 'Runner Girl' so it's personalized. I think I go minimal at work so when they tell me to get a box, it won't take me long. Plus I sit across from the worst hoarder ever. Apparently she "likes" pens and pencils and started collecting them when everyone was getting let go... it's not even funny.</td></tr>
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3. <b>Our pantry. </b> My main plan here is that I'm going to put some overflow and lesser used items (that Blizzard Maker.. yeah, I'd rather take them to Dairy Queen) down to the basement in storage once I get it set up. Yes, technically my storage room is the BIGGEST project ever and will impact some of these projects but I didn't want to go down there and get a before picture. I'll try and do that before I start that project. The one I'm NOT looking forward to. In the meantime, the pantry in it's current state:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtS7QZ9ea65SoWVpmu4rlGBQ1OroALiAo0RZqWs_5jKk3WuemC-z-ve1HqimHg4VYVWA_mdR4wpRBbMYTf6vrZrZ3R6GdVwu7aA0m_N4WvwCObrUeEfPHmL_u_JbklL5lA8p_WcSPh3Cz/s1600/pantry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtS7QZ9ea65SoWVpmu4rlGBQ1OroALiAo0RZqWs_5jKk3WuemC-z-ve1HqimHg4VYVWA_mdR4wpRBbMYTf6vrZrZ3R6GdVwu7aA0m_N4WvwCObrUeEfPHmL_u_JbklL5lA8p_WcSPh3Cz/s400/pantry.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know where everything is... I swear :)</td></tr>
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Stay tuned... but don't hold your breath... These are not projects real conducive to entertaining three busy little boys... but I WILL get them done eventually!the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-60518783816154543432013-01-07T11:11:00.003-08:002013-01-07T11:11:43.297-08:00Instagram funI'm having a lot of fun with Instagram lately. It takes regular boring pictures and makes them look so much better with filters. I'm thinking there are going to be a lot more Instagram pictures in my Project Life album in 2013 if I ever get time to scrapbook again. <br />
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Here's a few I have posted lately:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfXKYHSElZF_-VBBVU2ujqmMTAa_ML18txvORQm6w5SxmWHfA5KDS21U9r0AO7Fk2av6NOcbfSRwusmqQoQL09WXJst5_IrRN3BuL_AWjKlpCQz5CiZ0cenHbFRYH9ZC30ONp435HEl4Z/s1600/tired.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfXKYHSElZF_-VBBVU2ujqmMTAa_ML18txvORQm6w5SxmWHfA5KDS21U9r0AO7Fk2av6NOcbfSRwusmqQoQL09WXJst5_IrRN3BuL_AWjKlpCQz5CiZ0cenHbFRYH9ZC30ONp435HEl4Z/s320/tired.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross at Sam's Club. I had to wake him up from a very short nap (late in the day) so I could go and so he would sleep that night. I don't think he was ready to be up yet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRoOXWqiRcoCcuiFCn5hYvTLU8E2dMaiR6ZtUo9kNqI3tThXwXJZ9natYqL_cnp-A5zSiXP3LwHNOirnsIrZUl67YQd8vRKScCRPTuoOEia_SAamtAlb2ZQc8SIICfC5OZbtraEG49OS7/s1600/chores.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRoOXWqiRcoCcuiFCn5hYvTLU8E2dMaiR6ZtUo9kNqI3tThXwXJZ9natYqL_cnp-A5zSiXP3LwHNOirnsIrZUl67YQd8vRKScCRPTuoOEia_SAamtAlb2ZQc8SIICfC5OZbtraEG49OS7/s320/chores.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chores! The boys have unloaded the dishwasher for a while but now they are learning how to load it as well - exciting times!! Now if I could get them to do it without being asked or reminded :)</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/AVvXsEgZadJnudm5q3wx0arRu9OUj-DG_serHn58GwPPTbo-76NABjpdTW658cN_RxmnOsoTJ5jNFSb5P4zCzpNcIaoKqVaQUmzb_09p0cS7gj1kdFwRLK6Ju_IjX2sKEgOXdnAyEmqqaP_1S8uI/s1600/icecream.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZadJnudm5q3wx0arRu9OUj-DG_serHn58GwPPTbo-76NABjpdTW658cN_RxmnOsoTJ5jNFSb5P4zCzpNcIaoKqVaQUmzb_09p0cS7gj1kdFwRLK6Ju_IjX2sKEgOXdnAyEmqqaP_1S8uI/s320/icecream.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice Cream - old picture from when I had strep throat but I like the Instagram look of it.</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/AVvXsEj8cPa6pz9xAjLHMaKnEqw6VdZ-e2G7cE8ZI82SuhQTzPzue-4jUrlhjCFV5wPfVVjhlw8X64HQYazqWlANvgiJp0IhG2DQQTIQs5MK7_-mYzMrNvHDhiNYumb3V-tIRqa5Dy7FHft6j-Vq/s1600/bananabread.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cPa6pz9xAjLHMaKnEqw6VdZ-e2G7cE8ZI82SuhQTzPzue-4jUrlhjCFV5wPfVVjhlw8X64HQYazqWlANvgiJp0IhG2DQQTIQs5MK7_-mYzMrNvHDhiNYumb3V-tIRqa5Dy7FHft6j-Vq/s320/bananabread.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made pumpkin bread with chocolate chips this weekend - very BAD decision.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GvjMkeI1fwI2WikR_jHnjUDuphRLqc3NJ04MxPE-vTJ54j7N2a4hc9cruYMWbp1b7acHHlOpj9U4oBOF0Etvih5nvRLy2TqxlG0o7S7bqAC1BzvQsk_yQ6fbacNsDv5yhMQxsz0ZEYSx/s1600/yummm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GvjMkeI1fwI2WikR_jHnjUDuphRLqc3NJ04MxPE-vTJ54j7N2a4hc9cruYMWbp1b7acHHlOpj9U4oBOF0Etvih5nvRLy2TqxlG0o7S7bqAC1BzvQsk_yQ6fbacNsDv5yhMQxsz0ZEYSx/s320/yummm.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I used too many chocolate chips but it was soooo good!</td></tr>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-27633277043839547492013-01-06T19:15:00.001-08:002013-01-06T19:15:17.816-08:002013 goalsTotally jumping on the blogger bandwagon but I really want to have documentation of my goals for 2013.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Four PR's</span></b> -That's right. I'm shooting to PR a 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon. I'm hoping to get the 5K and the half marathon done in the spring and the 10K and marathon this fall. I'm sure I'll mention the times I need, etc many times throughout the year but this is just a place for me to document my goals so I can come back 12/31/2013 and see if I met them.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b>1300 miles</b></span> - I ran 1056 miles in 2012. I'm shooting for 1300 in 2013 (get it?). I think it's pretty doable barring any catastrophes or injuries.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Weight</span></b> - I was staying in the mid 160s for the majority of last year. I managed to eat myself into the 170s over Christmas break. This year I WILL see a 5... 159 or less - and hopefully quite a bit less, but I'll take 159 and I am going to make it happen this year.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Savings</span></b> - We have a savings goal. Just a reminder that we have one and to double check if we meet it next year.<br />
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That's it, not too much to stress about. I tend to set goals here and there anyway so they will come.<br />
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I have several projects that I'm going to be doing in the house in the next three months - organizational things but I'll post pics when I get to them.<br />
<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-32338904533578500902012-12-27T09:35:00.000-08:002012-12-27T11:20:40.247-08:00Top Christmas Memories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In no particular order... a phone dump of some of the best memories.</div>
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1. SNOW</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKjeXDcXL0omRVCnoyErJR8g_jvh4b08e8kh3fV5I-5ko9_NhWih7OsgHfZ3qkS9fuUYaHf3b9tPdayGuUDLWtKFace8i5KH7F6-zGlqQrt4u1L5CcJIeRxO27VF5TS5GuIVxtsUVy87Y/s1600/snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKjeXDcXL0omRVCnoyErJR8g_jvh4b08e8kh3fV5I-5ko9_NhWih7OsgHfZ3qkS9fuUYaHf3b9tPdayGuUDLWtKFace8i5KH7F6-zGlqQrt4u1L5CcJIeRxO27VF5TS5GuIVxtsUVy87Y/s320/snow.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got just enough snow to give the boys a taste of playing in it but enough that it was melted off after a couple of days. (Mom does NOT like snow)</td></tr>
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2. SANTA<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGUsoIxz9a3dJQzSU5IU2XaexGZpev-T67Owwz-btHJnRvDYbmx46VlxovnORmyfyGX7jGWsgeCHUVx_nhJJoBqHXgTvWyWc2BwVq_hiZ-uewFC4lVUntZqSXW8vDwLH1HJ1JvJFWCtRt/s1600/santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGUsoIxz9a3dJQzSU5IU2XaexGZpev-T67Owwz-btHJnRvDYbmx46VlxovnORmyfyGX7jGWsgeCHUVx_nhJJoBqHXgTvWyWc2BwVq_hiZ-uewFC4lVUntZqSXW8vDwLH1HJ1JvJFWCtRt/s320/santa.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The big guy swung by Gma & Gpa Sharp's on Christmas Eve. Ross really liked him. Ryan played shy and Reid "knew" it wasn't the real Santa so he wasn't interested in sitting on his lap.</td></tr>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ouc0uKoDHXU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Christmas morning - does it get any better than that?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc9ftBNk-Czgte3o3YxnTtGP4lbQOMkjLroGLMQOBXyGOqa-FJqbEG4XvN-5htBe5CBLNOr5jtavlTd31PXRBn7clW6amtNAqzpCOrna_Pz45JlDga4IsS_gCgwox_1yCuuKBWtNs5pFn/s1600/santa2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc9ftBNk-Czgte3o3YxnTtGP4lbQOMkjLroGLMQOBXyGOqa-FJqbEG4XvN-5htBe5CBLNOr5jtavlTd31PXRBn7clW6amtNAqzpCOrna_Pz45JlDga4IsS_gCgwox_1yCuuKBWtNs5pFn/s320/santa2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very happy boy. Santa gifts - two xbox games and a Hunger Games movie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_1W-7i5zd28h16OaHCGqXAQjPzSSpqr4NcIrWSBPrebNuyU2P2glj1H2YfziN-FDSljdpq-kXDAwZcCxoockdI00YkIl7kNaiPwDwOV0AdNcsk531uFtX609Qck-SkCMIfr36AhEzOh9/s1600/santa3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_1W-7i5zd28h16OaHCGqXAQjPzSSpqr4NcIrWSBPrebNuyU2P2glj1H2YfziN-FDSljdpq-kXDAwZcCxoockdI00YkIl7kNaiPwDwOV0AdNcsk531uFtX609Qck-SkCMIfr36AhEzOh9/s320/santa3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa got Ryan a new desk - he loves it!</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/AVvXsEhHMzTgUJ21_KYyYItef2gEFo4b-DrlRaZqDbpird0mFlaBLRfpcMQv7XY8dzEASA6yoPf7gzEGzqDl7ZNZFNyIgctOgYUwFVskv8wn4PcSsLqO68NtckL9hubSeVMOlgJgVKcmcLHEx0Jd/s1600/santa4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMzTgUJ21_KYyYItef2gEFo4b-DrlRaZqDbpird0mFlaBLRfpcMQv7XY8dzEASA6yoPf7gzEGzqDl7ZNZFNyIgctOgYUwFVskv8wn4PcSsLqO68NtckL9hubSeVMOlgJgVKcmcLHEx0Jd/s320/santa4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Ross got his new big boy car seat from Santa. This is the face of a very happy boy!</td></tr>
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3. PROJECTS<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUOxJ5k4z8PquEi70Gv_iFj7WJ92Y_QTbHmYroBMci8c7wNQrSIKGVggYdrN93ob3rwbT8-K1g3dt2YYkVwsmLR6r2H3RX9rzDeadCliyDitJDjrNZX2nJbrrHJ587mx_hXlynf7gPRlP/s1600/christmasballs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUOxJ5k4z8PquEi70Gv_iFj7WJ92Y_QTbHmYroBMci8c7wNQrSIKGVggYdrN93ob3rwbT8-K1g3dt2YYkVwsmLR6r2H3RX9rzDeadCliyDitJDjrNZX2nJbrrHJ587mx_hXlynf7gPRlP/s320/christmasballs.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peanut Butter balls with dad</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/AVvXsEjIq3-L0u4w3cdlJx0h3Rjb7tT7NTW1KcMiXKZ3CIZrauSgwdOZfzQtO0zbn4u9eXWvGCbW1mgQAxzjiQM_7l7sscYPMaUga-UX8sxN7e8tz3ufBjfp0LA3Ayd6seoOEyuYbQb2d051Oz6-/s1600/projects2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIq3-L0u4w3cdlJx0h3Rjb7tT7NTW1KcMiXKZ3CIZrauSgwdOZfzQtO0zbn4u9eXWvGCbW1mgQAxzjiQM_7l7sscYPMaUga-UX8sxN7e8tz3ufBjfp0LA3Ayd6seoOEyuYbQb2d051Oz6-/s320/projects2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand Art - Ryan loves a project!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
4. FAMILY<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/AVvXsEhUmAwsqJanjwxhZtGyJEL10CFbik8hSntULwgBxtGW-bZ-vqY2LjbNzFEvOrAKheye8yVb7QzV5C8Xi6HROO1pvJT6gpR2hL48RyW2BMVmzO9vSHxEyQ6QPRuHSmqNW-OggWmhiSRFowfk/s1600/family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUmAwsqJanjwxhZtGyJEL10CFbik8hSntULwgBxtGW-bZ-vqY2LjbNzFEvOrAKheye8yVb7QzV5C8Xi6HROO1pvJT6gpR2hL48RyW2BMVmzO9vSHxEyQ6QPRuHSmqNW-OggWmhiSRFowfk/s320/family.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins! Not the best of friends... YET... but both are so stinking cute.</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/AVvXsEi6T_VgRsTgUsrfgdH8bdZDLMu9RQBBEFAPp49wZGtzGHCWbPLpQWVskWHjvPn4tK5HJYIyZHz0I7qPRfDnnu_NQxN8hp-A1IjDAbX_uXoF7uRjexrrP5WdPTqHd3ZmYSD9FO-hL8KxtRIh/s1600/family2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6T_VgRsTgUsrfgdH8bdZDLMu9RQBBEFAPp49wZGtzGHCWbPLpQWVskWHjvPn4tK5HJYIyZHz0I7qPRfDnnu_NQxN8hp-A1IjDAbX_uXoF7uRjexrrP5WdPTqHd3ZmYSD9FO-hL8KxtRIh/s320/family2.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing our electronics at grandmas and loving being together</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/AVvXsEj2AOodPWUPK_wn7-7gd6nynzSQYRYlCSuSB3_SAiVZBvUS-XScleugg0pTu28j1MRA0mLp4zskh3KGoHm5V88LeJzcX0pWjtVGDMk0y2ehMVa9kW6-eDSXNSZlALQ3pmh5LOaHydkcGkoq/s1600/family3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2AOodPWUPK_wn7-7gd6nynzSQYRYlCSuSB3_SAiVZBvUS-XScleugg0pTu28j1MRA0mLp4zskh3KGoHm5V88LeJzcX0pWjtVGDMk0y2ehMVa9kW6-eDSXNSZlALQ3pmh5LOaHydkcGkoq/s320/family3.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sister time! Courtney and I snuck out to see a movie</td></tr>
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<br />
5. DENTIST<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_wtK7u-ZBbDJCuu_mC53Mf5aS_icfUBWk3hc47amZIPT46kHLjcPQO7ZC0f2HVZRY2pAdnCrthxXz_Xqs1jzLqQeuo2LlAeynKjrO6ZaLJBgmr0GiS-B2CCgJEEu8wx9t_m69DNTnM3r/s1600/dentist.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_wtK7u-ZBbDJCuu_mC53Mf5aS_icfUBWk3hc47amZIPT46kHLjcPQO7ZC0f2HVZRY2pAdnCrthxXz_Xqs1jzLqQeuo2LlAeynKjrO6ZaLJBgmr0GiS-B2CCgJEEu8wx9t_m69DNTnM3r/s320/dentist.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was supposed to be Ross' first appointment but he was under the weather and needed a nap so we kept him at home. Reid and Ryan both got great reports from the dentist though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
6. NAPS<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkQ5_LSDbGGZ-WPk5puLXM2in1On8VPuhViCDghPTnjaRN1HtGwasFkRFGKkNr9FdvuxjQlWMhKOIvx5_KSsDehNRH012WBMm1SmOW6AdjloaQb3JFN0W5DR1HLB5EwbZmZklYGRMsnzB/s1600/naps.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKkQ5_LSDbGGZ-WPk5puLXM2in1On8VPuhViCDghPTnjaRN1HtGwasFkRFGKkNr9FdvuxjQlWMhKOIvx5_KSsDehNRH012WBMm1SmOW6AdjloaQb3JFN0W5DR1HLB5EwbZmZklYGRMsnzB/s320/naps.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played hard most days, we started the break under the weather, and bedtimes were a little later... all those things combined brought the return of afternoon naps on most days... HALLELUJAH!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
7. DANCING<br />
<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1fHPS9qMVw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
8. TIME<br />
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(can't figure out how to add two more photos)... update later.<br />
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<br />
9. RUNNING<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiHgQBoVbJurL8wZfCGIbkl7ER3wPa8uEV3TY7cFbAkHB_zXZksRNIhJAjActsFi5-2moQjQ8hGYCXh8faCQbbwMaOKl13wOPLoB6FXGJ0pCbtI2EziWPRaNWr7GR0s5T_o0vZgA7MZ8d/s1600/ninja.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiHgQBoVbJurL8wZfCGIbkl7ER3wPa8uEV3TY7cFbAkHB_zXZksRNIhJAjActsFi5-2moQjQ8hGYCXh8faCQbbwMaOKl13wOPLoB6FXGJ0pCbtI2EziWPRaNWr7GR0s5T_o0vZgA7MZ8d/s320/ninja.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was cold but I managed to get in a few 4 mile runs and a couple of treadmill runs.</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/AVvXsEirOZ1VHf7PR-VF-NwZwvrFx31PWaPt5nKUitzsFyaAxF0eSM5CWDAXSPCv21a3twKs9GdkL0u_9nljs8Luk6S9RB-AG3WGPbHUVsDANomG5zFlKmjT9EyLcxAoZ-QqvDmwScAu6SRX2FX6/s1600/running.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOZ1VHf7PR-VF-NwZwvrFx31PWaPt5nKUitzsFyaAxF0eSM5CWDAXSPCv21a3twKs9GdkL0u_9nljs8Luk6S9RB-AG3WGPbHUVsDANomG5zFlKmjT9EyLcxAoZ-QqvDmwScAu6SRX2FX6/s320/running.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new Lululemon gear from Russ. I LOVE it. Ran 4 miles in it this morning.</td></tr>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-13657778784418665812012-12-11T12:21:00.000-08:002012-12-11T12:21:54.751-08:00Down in the dumpsBecause I can't think of a single person that wants to hear me whine... or a single person that I haven't already whined to... I decided my blog was the best place to turn. It's my blog and I'll whine if I want to :)<br />
<br />
So, what do I have to whine about? I'm sick.... STILL!!! I've been trying to hide it, deny it, fake it... but I just don't feel good. In bullet point recap form:<br />
<br />
* I got sick Tuesday night last week and spent almost all night throwing up<br />
* I spent ALL day Wednesday in my hotel room resting (in my world that's sufficient rest)<br />
* I went to work Thursday and managed to make it through an 11 hour day in the office and little to no food (I tried plain noodles for lunch and some roll and broccoli for dinner).<br />
* Friday I dealt with delayed planes and travel fun to get home at 2:00, pick up Ross, pick up Ryan, go pick up my first meal of the day (soup and bread - actually good) and then go to Ross' daycare Christmas program.<br />
* Saturday morning I got up to run a 6 mile run with friends that I had planned. I HAD to go - I had made up the course, invited a newbie, and planned a surprise trip to Starbucks at the end for Suzanne's birthday. It was a major fail. I had no energy, couldn't maintain conversation or the pace and bailed at mile 3. I walked to Starbucks and met the girls when they were done.<br />
* Saturday day I did 8 loads of laundry, went through the mail, cleaned the house, ran some errands, took Ryan and Reid to a birthday party at Power Play and then stayed up too late (11pm?) trying to chill<br />
* Sunday we got up early (7a?) for Reid's hockey game followed by three grocery stores, Christmas shopping and errands. I was gone for three hours BY MYSELF! It was nice!!<br />
* Monday morning I went to Dina's at 5:15a and still felt a little "off" but had a relatively decent workout... and she kicked our butts!! I worked in the office that day and then attempted a dinner which failed, followed by a pizza delivery.<br />
* I woke up today feeling many muscles aching (which usually feels great) but also with sinus drainage, a sore throat and overall bleh feelings. I pulled myself together and met the girls for 4 miles of which I internally beat myself up for feeling like I was dragging a sleigh the entire run.<br />
* Today I have declined as the day has went on - sore chest/lungs, feverish feel, sneezing and runny nose, tired! Seriously closed my eyes and dozed for like 3 minutes ago at my desk! I feel like I could sleep for 2 hours.<br />
<br />
SOO... there is a point to that LONG recap. I saw Russ at lunch today and he says I should take the week off from working out. Last week I did Dina's on Monday and my 3 miles on Saturday... that's it! So I kind of feel like I've already taken my week off from working out and should be better. I HATE being sick. While listed out the list above looks extensive, it's actually a very light week for me. I should have plenty of energy and I don't.<br />
<br />
Opinions - week off this week too??? (I know, the only people that read this will agree with Russ... but whatever... we'll see)<br />
<br />
And to end the blog with something more entertaining than me whining about not being able to get healthy... Here's a video from our advent activity on Thursday. The boys did a scavenger hunt for clues with activities to get to the ending prize which was a huge candy cane full of something like 80 gumballs. Ryan didn't want to participate but Reid and Ross did. They had the mini saltines and I gave them 10 saltines each. Reid won but Ross was pretty entertaining just shoving them in his mouth.<br />
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-49952788794140785042012-12-09T09:31:00.000-08:002012-12-09T09:32:00.800-08:00Letters to Santa 2012 versionTonight's advent calendar event was to write our letters to Santa. The boys did pretty well.<br />
<br />
I didn't take a photo of Ross' letter since no one cares to see my handwriting. Ross doesn't really have anything that he wants so he's going to be happy with anything. Here's what he came up with:<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Santa,</i><br />
<i>I have tried to be good. I would like presents. Presents that have sparkly things in them. Could you pick out something cool for me? Charlie is making sure that I'm being good. I want a present.</i><br />
<i>Ross</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OeXGQVd5JP0TKS8ao-ZYIwPxu3Pl5Q8W0-y14Jj7JX5GdvTOAaJi8XfWG6ypsEbGUj9YpdS_oUKeWEh7BmgRKy4NN3MqMK9AKpJOAaYmA_I2pGJzXFeqnD5PhMI7lvJgODqlYm5tYmBF/s1600/Reid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8OeXGQVd5JP0TKS8ao-ZYIwPxu3Pl5Q8W0-y14Jj7JX5GdvTOAaJi8XfWG6ypsEbGUj9YpdS_oUKeWEh7BmgRKy4NN3MqMK9AKpJOAaYmA_I2pGJzXFeqnD5PhMI7lvJgODqlYm5tYmBF/s400/Reid.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a difference a year makes!! Reid sat down very focused and hammered out his letter in no time.</td></tr>
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In case you can't read it on the picture, here is Reid's:<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Santa,</i><br />
<i>Have I ben good this year? Here are some things I want.</i><br />
<i>* Xbox kennect & games</i><br />
<i>* Halo 4</i><br />
<i>* Call of Duty Black Ops 2</i><br />
<i>* The hunger games book series</i><br />
<i>* The Hunger games movie</i><br />
<i>Thank you for the presents last year.</i><br />
<i>From,<br />Reid</i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJij3TSBEhT_teR1AJb5LEsoD_91yDuWNoMgkEXibJ-SgdxAi3wMySe2rljYliZ5sU_QdDwQl4re2k7ehvw40SLHdHrafszH0Bw3EyAZ3yvOOk9OU5qYk8qaf7Wxq2j4jeY3ZOwoCaOS/s1600/Ryan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YJij3TSBEhT_teR1AJb5LEsoD_91yDuWNoMgkEXibJ-SgdxAi3wMySe2rljYliZ5sU_QdDwQl4re2k7ehvw40SLHdHrafszH0Bw3EyAZ3yvOOk9OU5qYk8qaf7Wxq2j4jeY3ZOwoCaOS/s400/Ryan.JPG" width="300" /></a>D</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan loves to write. He made the "you" on 'I Like you Santa' in his fancy writing.</td></tr>
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and Ryan's:<br />
<br />
<i>Dear Santa,</i><br />
<i>Charlie is hiding good. I like you Santa. I would like two baskets; one big and one small. One for all my markers. A case of markers too.</i><br />
<i>Ryan</i>the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-51579571032993191162012-12-07T20:14:00.003-08:002012-12-07T20:14:44.789-08:00Ross' Christmas Program<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ross had his daycare Christmas program tonight. After a week of sickness running through every family member except for Ross, we were starting to question whether or not he'd still be well by Friday to go to his concert. Grandma decided not to chance it by making the trip and him either getting sick and not being able to participate... or just getting here and picking up our germs and getting sick herself.</div>
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Luckily, Ross stayed healthy and Ryan was healthy enough to be my date for the evening. Russ was not feeling well and we decided it wouldn't hurt Reid to get some extra rest as well. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn48poLNEj9jyvEUgymQJO0V39Os-p8oBkyYe3T-UXqzMIyizVbWMmnNwsBDkEVi2CN3iknkWpinrWdioYQX109rx1wHA7yEDbluh0BqWymcPUlXuddlILTqi3LxvQcX2YmfCq7lMTHpRC/s1600/rossbefore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn48poLNEj9jyvEUgymQJO0V39Os-p8oBkyYe3T-UXqzMIyizVbWMmnNwsBDkEVi2CN3iknkWpinrWdioYQX109rx1wHA7yEDbluh0BqWymcPUlXuddlILTqi3LxvQcX2YmfCq7lMTHpRC/s400/rossbefore.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ross before his program</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/AVvXsEj6mfUyaaYMtWVxn963X84E609RnQbZZGVh53QIyu2pH2Rlt53Ce7awuen6gGEdQAnc2S6nKlaBDoyAsTyyuopELEnCKlrSo4hpiA04GZnr5hKjZfT2VyJ7b2f7FWA27mUCeSo2I66g8JPn/s1600/ryanbefore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6mfUyaaYMtWVxn963X84E609RnQbZZGVh53QIyu2pH2Rlt53Ce7awuen6gGEdQAnc2S6nKlaBDoyAsTyyuopELEnCKlrSo4hpiA04GZnr5hKjZfT2VyJ7b2f7FWA27mUCeSo2I66g8JPn/s400/ryanbefore.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan before the program</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/AVvXsEgonk54LpW3b3UP8neXlkPOjkyhd_rX666B5ih5j685HbRKr4dMXU7f8ISHa_QFjkHfNRBENJQtTEVFlyxbdL24hlNHadOmaeptTKF98F2tOEy93H4YXh0sP3NlFuIOslDo6S4qeD8tJY3E/s1600/bothbefore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgonk54LpW3b3UP8neXlkPOjkyhd_rX666B5ih5j685HbRKr4dMXU7f8ISHa_QFjkHfNRBENJQtTEVFlyxbdL24hlNHadOmaeptTKF98F2tOEy93H4YXh0sP3NlFuIOslDo6S4qeD8tJY3E/s400/bothbefore.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And the two before the program</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I thought the program was extremely cute. Ross came out on the stage as happy as could be and saw me pretty quickly and waved and said "hi mom." I was afraid that he would want off the stage once he saw me but the music started up and he recognized it immediately and started his motions. He knew them really well! <br />
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I tried to video most of it while also trying to "watch" so dad could see Ross perform:<br />
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After the program the kids got to go back on stage and see Santa Claus. It was a pretty big herd of kids and Ross was SOOO short compared to a lot of them so I stood on the stage and watched him work his way to the front. It took a while but he eventually made it and then stood there waiting his turn for his candy cane. He did very well waiting patiently.<br />
<br />Ryan had stood in the same spot almost the entire time. I told him to get up where Ross was and he looked at me like I was crazy and said "and just cut?" It was a big swarm of kids and they were all heading up there to get their candy canes and Ryan just stood his place like it was a single file line. He was literally third from last to get his candy cane but he stood there politely and waited. Then he told Santa his name and what he wanted for Christmas. He said markers, a container for his markers and an Xbox.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally Ryan's turn and he was SOOO happy.</td></tr>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-87882963700847071912012-12-05T10:18:00.003-08:002012-12-05T10:18:59.934-08:00Countdown to Christmas and other fun stuff... The annual advent calendar at the McDowell house has begun! This is our FIFTH year doing our countdown activities.<br />
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Day 1 -<br />
Our advent activity on day 1 was to get donuts for breakfast. I didn't take any pictures except for the boys opening the door. See Charlie on top of our advent calendar? He also came back to visit and ensure the boys were being good.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">24 days until Christmas</td></tr>
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Day 2 -<br />
On the 2nd day of our calendar we went to the movies to see Wreck it Ralph. Reid had an early hockey game (8:20a) and then we went to the 11a matinee when he was done. $24 for all five of us to see the movie and popcorn for bringing in food for Harvesters. The movie was pretty good - it kept Ryan and Ross' attention for about 75% of it but they just aren't movie watchers. They can watch tv or a movie for 30 - 60 minutes and then they are ready to move on. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-movie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popcorn and drinks - check! We were the first ones in the theater and the boys picked the very back row.</td></tr>
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Day 3 -<br />
<br />I didn't get any pictures for day 3. I adopted a family at work and the boys and I went shopping for Joshua, age 8. He lives with his grandparents and they needed some help providing Christmas to him and his two siblings. We talked to the boys a bit about why we were helping him out, etc and then we went shopping. The boys did a great job picking out gifts for him and remembering that we weren't shopping or looking for themselves. I was pretty proud of them.<br /><br />Day 4 -<br />
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I had a business trip this week so dad is in charge of the advent calendar. I left some suggestions for things to do. Reid had hockey and the little guys had a sitter so Russ didn't have a whole lot of time. He did baths and showers and made cookies for the boys. It was a late night but cookies are always good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzBCQumPN-9SFNBXPmNhrF7h9X-3ndIPyYye8GsLhgiutzGURZyyzHImo95v8tV-fmalrrxz5jYiEghkLNLxvMrXT8iDNDwohbp2taFhwDFaHoK8r-bRlgQK87chKa4e36gQrHQIE6fAh/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJzBCQumPN-9SFNBXPmNhrF7h9X-3ndIPyYye8GsLhgiutzGURZyyzHImo95v8tV-fmalrrxz5jYiEghkLNLxvMrXT8iDNDwohbp2taFhwDFaHoK8r-bRlgQK87chKa4e36gQrHQIE6fAh/s400/cookies.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies</td></tr>
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* Momma's Sick - On top of Russ' night already running late, he was managing text messages from me as I whined that I felt like crap. I hadn't had lunch on Tuesday and my body was really hurting. I wasn't even thinking that I was sick. I thought the body aches were all from my workout the day before as I knew my legs were sore from that. Then when my stomach and ribs started hurting I thought it was because I hadn't eaten. So, I had a dinner for work and managed to eat there. On the way driving back to the hotel I started getting very nauseous and cold. By the time I was in my hotel room I knew that I was sick. I felt miserable and made sure and whined to Russ and anyone else that would listen.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, bundled up in bed feeling HORRIBLE and shaky cold.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my BFF... she sent me silly pictures to make me laugh and feel better. I LOVE HER!!!</td></tr>
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I was up throwing up for most of the night. When I stopped around 3:45 I turned off my phone and went to sleep. I woke up at 8:30 to this picture:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">LOVE them... so sweet of Russ to put together</td></tr>
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Update - I'm feeling MUCH better today (noon). My boss' boss dropped off Sierra Mist and saltines at my hotel and the hotel manager found me some advil. I showered and ate some saltines and took the advil. My back and body are starting to hurt again but I think I'm just tired. Spending the day in my hotel room and hoping I'll be fine for my meetings tomorrow.<br />
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And while I'm bragging on how awesome Russ was this morning, check out what he did this weekend. We had a metal sports cage that was always falling apart and overflowing... basically not functional anymore. Russ bought the supplies and built a much larger sports cage for us and I LOVE it. It holds EVERYTHING and it won't fall apart.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love a good organizational project - and I can't believe he was able to complete it in one weekend with our busy schedules. AWESOME!</td></tr>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-68166005539169498472012-11-26T10:50:00.002-08:002012-11-26T10:50:51.438-08:00Random Ramblings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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I can't seem to stream together one logical blog post today and I have several small updates so we're going bullet point style here.</div>
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* Ross found this sticker in my scrapbook stuff and wanted to wear it. If you can't tell, it says "Big Brother". Yes, I let him wear it and NO we do not have an announcement or any plans for announcements. Yes, I let him wear it out in public to the hockey rink and dad's face when he saw it was priceless :)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm a Big Brother sticker</td></tr>
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* I got to spend some quality time with my adorable niece this weekend. She says "Carmen", she loves me, I'm her favorite aunt. Enough said :)<br />
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* We came home early from my mom's house on Sunday so I could get a run in with a friend. I picked the hilliest course we ever run because I felt like I needed the "punishment" after eating non stop for four days. There is one killer hill that we call "El Diablo" and then many other hills as well. I pulled up the elevation just to feel all "BA". The picture made me laugh more than anything. Somehow, this FEELS a lot worse than it looks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeah, you're not impressed either are you?</td></tr>
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* I made an impulse buy at Target while trying to find candy canes. Ross loves candy canes. I never found them and he forgot... but this stuff erased any gains I made by running those 8 hilly miles:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's that babe? You didn't see any left in the house. Oh, I'm sure it's there. I would NEVER eat an ENTIRE bag of popcorn in one night... not me! The "other" Carmen did it.</td></tr>
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* The "other" Carmen did it is an inside joke but one that I'll have to remember in the future to taunt Ross with. On Sunday he pooped on the bathroom floor. He finished on the toilet but I came in and found some poop on his bathroom floor. I asked him why he did that and he told me that he didn't the "other" Ross did it.<br />
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* While playing around with my Garmin and downloading my relatively "flat" run... I noticed that Garmin now keeps track of your Personal Records. Funny that my half marathon PR is a faster pace than my 10K PR. I've only ran three 10Ks ever. This PR was from the plaza day 10K this September which happened to be the day after I ran a 20 mile training run. So, I'm pretty confident I could do better. I don't run many 5Ks at all and I'm also confident I could beat that time. Which led me to proclaim to Russ that I was going to make FOUR new personal records next year. That's right - my goal for 2013 is set - all four of these times are going to be crushed!!<br />
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* Last, but certainly not least... Reid has had a few health problems lately. I'm not trying to minimize them but I'm also doing my best not to freak out (have we met?). Last week he started having chest pains at school and went to the school nurse. His heart rate was in the 140s for almost 40 minutes. It eventually went down to 120 but stayed around there. I called our dr and he worked us in that day. It was still pretty high when we were there so they did an EKG and consulted a cardiologist whom we now have an appointment with this week. The EKG looked normal and he's not really had any other problems (besides grouchiness and extreme fatigue) so we're hoping it was just a fluke. Regardless, keeping him in your prayers would be appreciated.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtNhomWTb7A0gzQoQL0mRpY4o0vlcFZeL17ncjfxdWGgfBj0lewOW_st8dt_AUg6UwmYcGIVLJqMxw5qbJO6xEBmyJwT9Q4d2CZYp_wMwQZzxK4dIMnbGTcZjQQWWZNBs_ZiNRyjB_uW_/s1600/drmoore.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjtNhomWTb7A0gzQoQL0mRpY4o0vlcFZeL17ncjfxdWGgfBj0lewOW_st8dt_AUg6UwmYcGIVLJqMxw5qbJO6xEBmyJwT9Q4d2CZYp_wMwQZzxK4dIMnbGTcZjQQWWZNBs_ZiNRyjB_uW_/s400/drmoore.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvzj1wA_zXTBEdK8cg8MYRmI_vC-fehD3-C7fry0v_btugPO-Hpekl2ccHErFo0-0-26uOdr4u5UVLnVirLhiEdvS-qE9eLUStHd_gx3-Rttb9Rk-YMhniY-QElKlvAREriGAwXlaqGyh/s1600/EKG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMvzj1wA_zXTBEdK8cg8MYRmI_vC-fehD3-C7fry0v_btugPO-Hpekl2ccHErFo0-0-26uOdr4u5UVLnVirLhiEdvS-qE9eLUStHd_gx3-Rttb9Rk-YMhniY-QElKlvAREriGAwXlaqGyh/s400/EKG.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was NOT very happy with me for taking this picture and he told me not to put it on the internet... so NO ONE is to mention to him that they saw it here! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6kOZL7LVnXIQZV85mIXYuIuIKYkk91KvSDAtnpAnlt5BGMeD9DG1BFcHfjAj8KtZqYoWe4RaOgG8S8sHfgIUEzLON9rwZAg5WbnBF6REmhf4yG1O36DNHQZQXcAYb0zNPNoi0TxOzQt-/s1600/lunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6kOZL7LVnXIQZV85mIXYuIuIKYkk91KvSDAtnpAnlt5BGMeD9DG1BFcHfjAj8KtZqYoWe4RaOgG8S8sHfgIUEzLON9rwZAg5WbnBF6REmhf4yG1O36DNHQZQXcAYb0zNPNoi0TxOzQt-/s400/lunch.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luckily I had picked up Mr Goodcents and had it in the car. Reid ate as we waited for the cardiologist to call back. Dr Moore was SOOO nice and kept checking in with us like every 3 minutes apologizing for the wait. He even brought us in some bottled water since I had only gotten Reid chips and a sandwich.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaYkfH-etsmgC2y4_DceLSkciK0Z5KE946ooVM4KOd_DSeN4XpBt6h3MoujZhoHkoU3SGIBr02InGa8MRZNHrabYRsvAwMbfskL8bUAkLujglpdC7ll3enOjiSDS4LtLxcUZBATY6b2lR/s1600/reid.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguaYkfH-etsmgC2y4_DceLSkciK0Z5KE946ooVM4KOd_DSeN4XpBt6h3MoujZhoHkoU3SGIBr02InGa8MRZNHrabYRsvAwMbfskL8bUAkLujglpdC7ll3enOjiSDS4LtLxcUZBATY6b2lR/s400/reid.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was during one of Reid's MANY naps over break. I can't remember him ever sleeping as much as he has been lately.</td></tr>
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<br />the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9194439249938179916.post-62132400436479638472012-11-22T19:57:00.002-08:002012-11-23T07:08:49.186-08:00Our Day of Thanks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner this year. Grandpa Steve & Grandma Linda drove up from Hannibal, MO and joined us for Thanksgiving. They got to our house around 9am and we ate our big lunch just before noon. I know, I know... I'm not exactly known for my cooking skills :) I ordered a pre-cooked turkey, a couple of sides, and a couple of pies. Russ' mom made homemade noodles, sweet potatoes, and mashed potatoes. We also had two kinds of rolls, a vegetable tray, strawberries, and some cookies for the kids.<br />
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Ryan had made all of us some placemats and name cards on Wednesday. We had the placemats all laminated and picked out a centerpiece on Wednesday as well. I thought the table looked pretty:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4Jv6tUYwWe5-cgia-JIKacE1BP6Zbwmy99XCG8soMAh18FTPfmltQdhO46xiJ9qyUcS7fydgyNdYwM36tfvfnlpV5lvpDYeEMiA1TL6AncJqGl4TY7WXjTCyoQe_z2Pf1jQMhH12eq_7/s1600/table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4Jv6tUYwWe5-cgia-JIKacE1BP6Zbwmy99XCG8soMAh18FTPfmltQdhO46xiJ9qyUcS7fydgyNdYwM36tfvfnlpV5lvpDYeEMiA1TL6AncJqGl4TY7WXjTCyoQe_z2Pf1jQMhH12eq_7/s320/table.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here's a peek at our spread:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXErSiUqndbFGWXLwNxXBhZVJLmOth4hr_iTFtCsOx_MZiej29vK5qTM2RNku8YJBS_abjqqolrNJXyTh0A5hSRcDkupUlGjBu7_U8OGUezMsFSMjS9FzyjJEgzrBEy4KgPCvr-wjHGR0/s1600/food.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXErSiUqndbFGWXLwNxXBhZVJLmOth4hr_iTFtCsOx_MZiej29vK5qTM2RNku8YJBS_abjqqolrNJXyTh0A5hSRcDkupUlGjBu7_U8OGUezMsFSMjS9FzyjJEgzrBEy4KgPCvr-wjHGR0/s320/food.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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After we all ate too much of our food, I definitely needed some exercise. I hate eating too much and going to sleep - just makes me feel like the food is going right to my hips. I took the boys to the park to play for a little while.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxjUX8HDZP9hPFkFUbBmP_iE4uJpkhsacMhvdHxJXPXfQIVEXOAjv4xycqrLcdizi2KA3S01La4EDPJ8CfOlCzBmv0NuZS8ccQzOZT70e-AIJgAajNwzhEmNMtPCQDHssUkpaC6koHT2s/s1600/playground.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivxjUX8HDZP9hPFkFUbBmP_iE4uJpkhsacMhvdHxJXPXfQIVEXOAjv4xycqrLcdizi2KA3S01La4EDPJ8CfOlCzBmv0NuZS8ccQzOZT70e-AIJgAajNwzhEmNMtPCQDHssUkpaC6koHT2s/s320/playground.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The boys decided to play some hide and seek. Reid did a great job of hiding. Can you see him in the picture below:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyE8ZKWNy3GL7wC2nct_-CD0s_HCKljQgEBXl_kiGfJxRDa8O4pTdPJi86-MSw3pBfddSA9hrvB7n6D5ZYGUeWy3579MaWC-P9LBSORIibb4yuy4yRL5p1jKNegXj5pip2EuF0OwTItEJ/s1600/hiding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyE8ZKWNy3GL7wC2nct_-CD0s_HCKljQgEBXl_kiGfJxRDa8O4pTdPJi86-MSw3pBfddSA9hrvB7n6D5ZYGUeWy3579MaWC-P9LBSORIibb4yuy4yRL5p1jKNegXj5pip2EuF0OwTItEJ/s320/hiding.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you spot him?</td></tr>
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Here's a better picture:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHquoYi5efzFNePDyYzRk_JVuzMNqhYeZFGf4P_KIyDrmtArDCE1OcsWmVXC7HyfnhxtgyjZRO1XXFDT6BxwmLSfNycfvBpfhuMhIB3SeyXy-y-WMqVm00_Oxp2R0QAmcTDpaki_iqfKJ/s1600/hide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHquoYi5efzFNePDyYzRk_JVuzMNqhYeZFGf4P_KIyDrmtArDCE1OcsWmVXC7HyfnhxtgyjZRO1XXFDT6BxwmLSfNycfvBpfhuMhIB3SeyXy-y-WMqVm00_Oxp2R0QAmcTDpaki_iqfKJ/s320/hide2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He climbed the tree and laid down against it to hide. I had to steer the boys in the right direction to find him.</td></tr>
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Grandpa Steve & Grandma Linda left around 3:30 so I decided to go hit Michael's since they opened at 4pm and see if they had any great deals. I'm glad I did because I got a great deal!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAf8t6oD0EJiCyS5q3HitCIYcHBZrwV2NRv6ZEzqc8TaHWLg15SwfhvchreGFpeOS8UfPssELZ5enaKOXE37ezAfJXYYke9flWOUQm-9X2WfbB3CDkou3kQea2BkX0riLLKjIGEf-eHYk/s1600/shopping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoAf8t6oD0EJiCyS5q3HitCIYcHBZrwV2NRv6ZEzqc8TaHWLg15SwfhvchreGFpeOS8UfPssELZ5enaKOXE37ezAfJXYYke9flWOUQm-9X2WfbB3CDkou3kQea2BkX0riLLKjIGEf-eHYk/s320/shopping.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Michael's line right before the doors opened - it really wasn't that bad.</td></tr>
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In the evening we had another round of the meal and then cleaned up the kitchen. Russ and the boys watched some football, played toys, and wrestled. Ross fell asleep on Russ around 6:30p. Ryan did some of his Thanksgiving homework packet. We let the big boys stay up until 10p and then we all went to bed.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He did 4 of his 5 worksheets - he's doing so well in school!</td></tr>
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(Update - Ross slept until 8:15a. Reid got up around 8 and Ryan got up around 8:30a. Not a bad night of sleep! It's 9a now and we're still chilling in our pajamas - playing puzzles, computer games, and watching tv). Not much planned for today... a little stick & puck fun at 11:15 and that's about all)the mcdowellshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15545443846521513609noreply@blogger.com0