tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49786684875852072852024-03-12T16:36:51.451-07:00Counting ClareBanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-48823027130419150972012-11-13T21:39:00.000-08:002012-11-13T21:39:08.369-08:00Halloween Jared was Super Mario for Halloween this year. Easiest costume ever! <br />
<ul>
<li>Red shirt</li>
<li>Overalls (add yellow felt buttons)</li>
<li>Red hat (add white circle and red letter "M")</li>
<li>Felt mustache (glued to binky)</li>
</ul>
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We only went to 5 houses. Jared doesn't eat candy yet but we wanted him to enjoy a little of the Halloween experience. Plus it made for a fun photo op :-) He seemed to enjoy seeing all the kids come to the door though. We didn't get so many trick-or-treaters this year. It started raining around 8pm and very few kids came after that. We had quite a bit of left over candy. I made Jonathan hide it from me. Alas, willpower is not my strong suit. . .BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-62600410886094837292012-11-13T21:23:00.000-08:002012-11-13T21:23:30.999-08:00Jack o Lantern One of the coolest things about being a parent is getting to experience "everything new". All the exciting and magical traditions I enjoyed when I was young are exciting and magical again through the eyes of a child. I loved getting out the Halloween decorations and showing them to Jared. And I thoroughly enjoyed carving Jared's first pumpkin. He seemed pretty interested in it and kept trying to eat the cut out pieces. In fact, after I finished carving the face, I got up to wash my hands and turned back around to find him gnawing on it.<br />
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<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-26154803759136585852012-11-13T20:56:00.001-08:002012-11-13T20:58:57.858-08:00Pumpkin PatchWe went to the pumpkin patch this year in honor of Jared's first Halloween. Actually, it was more of a mini carnival than an actual patch. There were bouncy houses, and bouncy slides, a petting zoo and pony rides. And, of course, plenty of pumpkins. Grandma and Grandpa Clare came with us and took turns lugging that BIG little boy around.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Clare with Jared</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many choices</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chosen pumpkin<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside the petting zoo -- goats feel funny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the petting zoo -- and a little unsure<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the pony rides</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Look Ma, no hands!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Wait, what is this thing?"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starting to slide off . . .</td></tr>
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BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-49833628384296524512012-10-16T15:31:00.001-07:002012-10-26T08:13:44.943-07:00Read This One Mommy!Future Tolkien fan. . . <br />
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BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-37198846098791630272012-09-25T11:43:00.001-07:002012-09-25T11:43:33.753-07:00All Jumped Out<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
This is Jared in his Jumperoo . . . fast asleep. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired little boy!</td></tr>
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Jared loves his Jumperoo. He can jump and play with the toys and entertain himself for quite a while. On Saturday, Jonathan was watching Jared while I was out for a couple hours. He left Jared happily bouncing away and went downstairs. When Jonathan came back a few minutes later he saw Jared resting his head against his arm fast asleep. <br />
<br />
Apparently though, Jared was not too pleased when he was pulled out and put in his crib. Kudos to Jonathan for having the presence of mind to get a picture before waking him up. I love it!BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-34563304876386584152012-08-12T09:58:00.000-07:002012-08-12T09:58:17.718-07:00A Boy and His DogThe relationship between a boy and his dog is something special . . .<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza236wVy6TUXT8cOHA9RS1fPUl2fDP4LCKjmIjE8IJHSUKKUlH8FlMgbUCOxwbaeENto05i1qcex73vqlteKbDrP4XEmVDJbpEQWp7ZAS3bi1P3Pziv8wtMxoIUj0_bhyphenhyphenTUx-_oYFbNM/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiza236wVy6TUXT8cOHA9RS1fPUl2fDP4LCKjmIjE8IJHSUKKUlH8FlMgbUCOxwbaeENto05i1qcex73vqlteKbDrP4XEmVDJbpEQWp7ZAS3bi1P3Pziv8wtMxoIUj0_bhyphenhyphenTUx-_oYFbNM/s320/IMG_0169.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jared loves Otis. He always wants to see what Otis is doing and where he is. He smiles when Otis comes into the room, laughs at all his antics, and seems disappointed when Otis is separated behind a gate or glass. For his part, Otis is very sweet with Jared. He licks Jared's face, lets him pull his tail and ears (we make sure he doesn't hurt Otis and are trying to teach him to be gentle -- Otis is very patient) and cleans up any food that falls from Jared's high chair. Here are a few videos:<br />
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<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-24190436548641590142012-08-12T09:27:00.000-07:002012-08-12T09:31:45.386-07:00Jared Goes SwimmingLast week was so warm that we decided to hit the pool. We have a neighborhood pool but alas no babies in diapers are allowed. (I was so disappointed when I learned that . . . my visions of Jared and I spending long afternoons floating in the pool were dashed) Fortunately, our friends, the Gilberts, rescued us this summer and have invited us to go swimming with them anytime we want. <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/AVvXsEgQSKrNACGNjX7ogMgHf6VJdQ17huak2_VW4nkiuzMmKmoVL8Cw6wEXOut0-k1_pxXFPqvXtikwBS5akCzjeEeFYOJ6aacB2lTOpGkeTiFYnu5k5QVjifNA_TQZsemJuDU0cwCv-7k39jA/s1600/IMG_1018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQSKrNACGNjX7ogMgHf6VJdQ17huak2_VW4nkiuzMmKmoVL8Cw6wEXOut0-k1_pxXFPqvXtikwBS5akCzjeEeFYOJ6aacB2lTOpGkeTiFYnu5k5QVjifNA_TQZsemJuDU0cwCv-7k39jA/s320/IMG_1018.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared with his sun protection gear.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDgjHwn5pXVNdgvvKt4NrPS37J1HmCIqxe9z2Ds00NBB0ORdT4VLzSEHOCIMe_PYzto8MPbWbUjab0T-B0FFjTVpLhuJwx0OZegAfO60IMSsT_3EDcVO8wkJFtkIaRIVo6jovt4oN1u4/s1600/IMG_1069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIDgjHwn5pXVNdgvvKt4NrPS37J1HmCIqxe9z2Ds00NBB0ORdT4VLzSEHOCIMe_PYzto8MPbWbUjab0T-B0FFjTVpLhuJwx0OZegAfO60IMSsT_3EDcVO8wkJFtkIaRIVo6jovt4oN1u4/s320/IMG_1069.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Gilbert's daughter, Payton (9 months) and<br />
Jared (8 months) sporting their sunglasses.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-56821970064863954182012-07-31T21:11:00.002-07:002012-08-12T09:30:18.126-07:00Jared Takes a Bath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSuDkRVX4oFVqX_mfNJZT8UyVdJLoGWoccEmC7O_fJ88-Pkou3G4UGuL0vPESdu8buDJqEJsjdaL7H97hPjjnfvbj-SNuUZzBq-7mRhRTNc_NNWYxb3jvzuhL8SICTa064Mj9EYTjdGM/s1600/IMG_0560.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSuDkRVX4oFVqX_mfNJZT8UyVdJLoGWoccEmC7O_fJ88-Pkou3G4UGuL0vPESdu8buDJqEJsjdaL7H97hPjjnfvbj-SNuUZzBq-7mRhRTNc_NNWYxb3jvzuhL8SICTa064Mj9EYTjdGM/s320/IMG_0560.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Here
is a collection of bath photos. Jared loves the water. He likes to
splash and play with his bath toys. For a while I was storing his bath
toys behind his blue baby tub. I would take out one at a time for him
to play with. However, he caught on to where they were and kept
twisting around to look for them like "what about those other toys back
there". I'd pull out another one and he would twist around again like
"Mom, you forgot one". He would never relax until all his toys were
out and in the water.<br />
<br />
Today, Jared took a bath in the
"grown up" tub for the first time. I've been nervous about making the
switch because I'm paranoid about him slipping and hitting his head. He
did great . . . although he kept trying to get to his knees and touch the
facet. "Ooo shiny . . ."<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gtOGD0JtLgOPcvlVR9LZaYZHsuhv0GVx7BCocsb3L7l9fyiCkQOmpxXZZP-x8C6tH566VJ3G_hTdOja4Fgai_xXWjbkvj_jJ1XVf4wM_Z4FXedgGqf3xGxKZwvRC6k_lCwNmdj23488/s1600/IMG_1017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8gtOGD0JtLgOPcvlVR9LZaYZHsuhv0GVx7BCocsb3L7l9fyiCkQOmpxXZZP-x8C6tH566VJ3G_hTdOja4Fgai_xXWjbkvj_jJ1XVf4wM_Z4FXedgGqf3xGxKZwvRC6k_lCwNmdj23488/s320/IMG_1017.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-52271157831798818982012-07-24T22:25:00.002-07:002012-07-31T21:12:57.002-07:00Jared Goes to the Park<br />
This is a collage of park pictures from the past few months. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3HH-V45i3EeCn0TcjQCalN2SeTkzCCnWVV9y9kkA6eN-VPtJhU190wfN5CPljSjDrDpaTZNJyDRJy4ctF_uBVcqP3LpBuI7W0h7e8a-DsRpNx_OC8xa31so_h5mF5F4jYgv8l8evWjQ/s1600/IMG_0489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3HH-V45i3EeCn0TcjQCalN2SeTkzCCnWVV9y9kkA6eN-VPtJhU190wfN5CPljSjDrDpaTZNJyDRJy4ctF_uBVcqP3LpBuI7W0h7e8a-DsRpNx_OC8xa31so_h5mF5F4jYgv8l8evWjQ/s320/IMG_0489.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swinging</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEn78iq_NoF3nzS2pFxJbmL3CrrRTmcL1pUZeUAKVKwjEJCWG_Cz10GlDe99c6QHPM54SqewwVZtPCKALsOVvK5iic_Jj_IFLlJPlEQi2iZ_mmT5eLgDy0K_llZd-A100650GIXusQFo/s1600/IMG_0550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEn78iq_NoF3nzS2pFxJbmL3CrrRTmcL1pUZeUAKVKwjEJCWG_Cz10GlDe99c6QHPM54SqewwVZtPCKALsOVvK5iic_Jj_IFLlJPlEQi2iZ_mmT5eLgDy0K_llZd-A100650GIXusQFo/s320/IMG_0550.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on a bench</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/AVvXsEj0K-35X3XtOoREVTKHTjm20hs59QOEGeEA06wEeUk9LXRFNITBnL382umyBsn3sTYOV6gLJ44SJ5kGlfUGnMfJ7l-r2VhcrCgSYX_hfkxiwz5Ao4t8XFZKt-zoKGMzHpO2JcW4AvHaIuI/s1600/IMG_0554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0K-35X3XtOoREVTKHTjm20hs59QOEGeEA06wEeUk9LXRFNITBnL382umyBsn3sTYOV6gLJ44SJ5kGlfUGnMfJ7l-r2VhcrCgSYX_hfkxiwz5Ao4t8XFZKt-zoKGMzHpO2JcW4AvHaIuI/s320/IMG_0554.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting on a blanket. (Nice Hat!)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></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/AVvXsEj4rQOd-vn5c9sDysKfrdbrQwfaGjCEZDBNeyCs4p6x_NY2pNWSVVoF-W70ie0AFGCkT3V-BWkGn8V2dXyQcCPs97VLX0rDoOGj1EvEhWjRdvlN0aq1PKEV_X6kfcWSIxvveZs1X05-K2Y/s1600/IMG_0779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rQOd-vn5c9sDysKfrdbrQwfaGjCEZDBNeyCs4p6x_NY2pNWSVVoF-W70ie0AFGCkT3V-BWkGn8V2dXyQcCPs97VLX0rDoOGj1EvEhWjRdvlN0aq1PKEV_X6kfcWSIxvveZs1X05-K2Y/s320/IMG_0779.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly Jared</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhiQ_Wm8LeccI-nEnoXOp1TehWKeY_qionWz1mWYlYhCyjK5yEBs_E8atvNZChwSwm2o672sAHhhO6TyY26gdk92B180yh7UQ4IndNmoOWUE-G3Qyzm49iJenhn7BtRITqPQHt9eEc4I/s1600/IMG_0785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvhiQ_Wm8LeccI-nEnoXOp1TehWKeY_qionWz1mWYlYhCyjK5yEBs_E8atvNZChwSwm2o672sAHhhO6TyY26gdk92B180yh7UQ4IndNmoOWUE-G3Qyzm49iJenhn7BtRITqPQHt9eEc4I/s320/IMG_0785.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grass feels funny</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICv811YcZO28UJAQMJpAkhOx8IKx5Nb2SPJLjvIskJjGp_xTY48ZVjaff8u7piy7hlvbCs14r0xNjVWIch7I-5YehR3o6_UR35Ttqf_qa0PRD4PI08x5flNopu-oOpeF1yf0vsLHSQA0/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICv811YcZO28UJAQMJpAkhOx8IKx5Nb2SPJLjvIskJjGp_xTY48ZVjaff8u7piy7hlvbCs14r0xNjVWIch7I-5YehR3o6_UR35Ttqf_qa0PRD4PI08x5flNopu-oOpeF1yf0vsLHSQA0/s320/003.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting with Daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRqqnwOtWSiWUvrpiAyfWFoRR4bOtwWgWf8Qp2zf89tlNB-co5lvFTGpFRAAJ87vR61ClAjuslICUVeaqL06e3YqywhOHW17DHTK_HbfeSf_NAzBDJ3EUVNG_IofaKu4MNKKvReEIXb8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMRqqnwOtWSiWUvrpiAyfWFoRR4bOtwWgWf8Qp2zf89tlNB-co5lvFTGpFRAAJ87vR61ClAjuslICUVeaqL06e3YqywhOHW17DHTK_HbfeSf_NAzBDJ3EUVNG_IofaKu4MNKKvReEIXb8/s320/018.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting with Mommy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a nap - soooo sleepy</td></tr>
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<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-78088498797191001102012-07-24T22:07:00.001-07:002012-07-31T21:12:14.381-07:00Jared Goes to the Zoo<br />
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Back in May we took Jared to the Zoo for the first time. I was thinking he would love seeing all the animals but he was totally unimpressed. He was looking around but didn't seem to register the animals even when they were right in front of him. Oh well, maybe in a year or so we'll try it again.<br />
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<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-83666857603651603802012-04-24T22:15:00.000-07:002012-04-24T22:15:10.375-07:00Feet are wonderful inventions! . . . and Jared has discovered his.<br />
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<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-81670916686213890352012-04-24T22:09:00.000-07:002012-04-24T22:09:02.276-07:00Tummy TimeThese first two pictures show Jared at 1 month old during tummy time. (He wasn't a big fan of tummy time at first. He'd start to fuss and cry after just a few minutes.)<br />
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As he's gotten older though he's been able to tolerate longer stretches of time and now seems to enjoy it. Below are a couple pictures of his trademark move, "the skydiver". He pulls up his arms and legs and just hovers on his stomach. He's of course panting the whole time from the effort. It totally cracks me up! <br />
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Jared can also now roll himself from his back to his stomach. He is very proud of this new skill and performs it at every opportunity. Unfortunately, he doesn't always want to be on his tummy. So he'll roll himself over and then start crying because he can't roll back. Sometimes he'll wake up at night crying and we'll come in to find him face down in the corner of his crib. We just flip him over and put in his binky. Silly boy!<br />
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<br />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-23950707857952508082011-12-12T17:06:00.001-08:002011-12-12T17:06:56.742-08:00The Newest Clare<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/AVvXsEi4WEJBtyQp-ZnBr2imtFFy6hwtvAniUS_UsMDaYegRbXQD4n_5Z8Di4n2w7NQOyWuJQrgBJyrp1nzdP70z8uYzffMN05fMuvBY1kcRE4smOMUXBC8ev5gDU1QwL9VWAbkBgq9Hu5x3rZs/s1600/nicu.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4WEJBtyQp-ZnBr2imtFFy6hwtvAniUS_UsMDaYegRbXQD4n_5Z8Di4n2w7NQOyWuJQrgBJyrp1nzdP70z8uYzffMN05fMuvBY1kcRE4smOMUXBC8ev5gDU1QwL9VWAbkBgq9Hu5x3rZs/s320/nicu.JPG" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jared, in the NICU, holding his own binkie.<br />
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Introducing . . . Jared Hopper Clare. He
was born on Thursday, November 17th at 4:18 am. He weighed 8 lbs and
13 ozs and measured 21.4 inches long. He is also perfect and
adorable. <br />
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And, in case you're skeptical about my ability to be non-partial on the subject, here are a few pictures.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After eating, "Food Comma"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5ssTG-lumeUrozOVpfcoT8xywAigroPatTy-CeewzEU1JMGSSrrr7KYIUg6y8ARWQAX4v_vVKO3MQd6n_YJGMxj50zOmq2WyvToXs87I06MO-J3ZM3Ocn6ceRAWPWytvwoT8Xlb6RH0/s1600/mom.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5ssTG-lumeUrozOVpfcoT8xywAigroPatTy-CeewzEU1JMGSSrrr7KYIUg6y8ARWQAX4v_vVKO3MQd6n_YJGMxj50zOmq2WyvToXs87I06MO-J3ZM3Ocn6ceRAWPWytvwoT8Xlb6RH0/s320/mom.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Hopper holding Jared<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/AVvXsEhh1LPj0Wt4uKlqPelk8bbsaEUC5dTzf_FdhzLf7yv3hgmQbFomGYG9YHYFdiI0gSQ0GzAbwFkwvYc6ExOheM8CuS-0pNy0mjC8oIYVqxD3AdXUeGhdQiFxRC8k7PDwpjrerweCHEpzmRg/s1600/over_shoulder2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1LPj0Wt4uKlqPelk8bbsaEUC5dTzf_FdhzLf7yv3hgmQbFomGYG9YHYFdiI0gSQ0GzAbwFkwvYc6ExOheM8CuS-0pNy0mjC8oIYVqxD3AdXUeGhdQiFxRC8k7PDwpjrerweCHEpzmRg/s320/over_shoulder2.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jonathan walking around with Jared over his shoulder (a move guaranteed to put the baby to sleep)<br />
</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/AVvXsEgACaq_mMxhbwVpUjivKtd0j-rGqt-mG92N6gdv4jVKB9OFkookzbKXM8hKDaP4B1NuciA_2sItehijzak94t7YIPsQnhJ4_JrKKVNfyCJw7Ts4uS4fg22rizVUnbNU0Oi8eGBal0j4xc0/s1600/dads_league_squish_face.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACaq_mMxhbwVpUjivKtd0j-rGqt-mG92N6gdv4jVKB9OFkookzbKXM8hKDaP4B1NuciA_2sItehijzak94t7YIPsQnhJ4_JrKKVNfyCJw7Ts4uS4fg22rizVUnbNU0Oi8eGBal0j4xc0/s320/dads_league_squish_face.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cuteness</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/AVvXsEgFEmhvTKgAmuq1F9yDPpGBW8udTy4r4WQJsyW7i1JPjnt3ST_16OTNosUE9LZkbaXfxQtlm4M2nkpMeDo544LAqviB6upfvlAVqR7wZNb4AtAcJhOcd_xLtdZtLCoPzdONbHA4Wt0_7E0/s1600/dads_league.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFEmhvTKgAmuq1F9yDPpGBW8udTy4r4WQJsyW7i1JPjnt3ST_16OTNosUE9LZkbaXfxQtlm4M2nkpMeDo544LAqviB6upfvlAVqR7wZNb4AtAcJhOcd_xLtdZtLCoPzdONbHA4Wt0_7E0/s320/dads_league.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sleeping cuteness<br />
</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/AVvXsEgYJ69o794Zm1_KFvBktT5z-rvk8lBPXEtzS3OhkUGyKUc-ModKKXadDm16IjbmwXbMxMoVD_zOJyhSjlni9hnI744ecd9I-22N585x_yjyUZefuFQ5K_ClP1HJ8PpPriCUKsk3Wd3n5fk/s1600/after_bath.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYJ69o794Zm1_KFvBktT5z-rvk8lBPXEtzS3OhkUGyKUc-ModKKXadDm16IjbmwXbMxMoVD_zOJyhSjlni9hnI744ecd9I-22N585x_yjyUZefuFQ5K_ClP1HJ8PpPriCUKsk3Wd3n5fk/s320/after_bath.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">after bath cuteness<br />
</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/AVvXsEg6p0c3q7DyH41h3bxIDUxflOcWmShSso62tQBahWTOMM0q43Inf_dmGWok883P5nQ929EVhCE8SX1uhOomXMOVvJ8qs0ThSRGcjbLNp9B6mgRc-xLzTWoaaKkDDsLIoHrJ3TtDIyxJb3s/s1600/after_bath2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6p0c3q7DyH41h3bxIDUxflOcWmShSso62tQBahWTOMM0q43Inf_dmGWok883P5nQ929EVhCE8SX1uhOomXMOVvJ8qs0ThSRGcjbLNp9B6mgRc-xLzTWoaaKkDDsLIoHrJ3TtDIyxJb3s/s320/after_bath2.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'nough said<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Baby Story: After a day of pre-labor
cramping I finally went into active labor just after midnight on
Wednesday the 16th. At 8 that morning, when the contractions were 5
mins apart we called the doctor and went to the hospital.
Unfortunately, it was at that point that my contractions stalled out.
Nothing . . . Grrrrrrhhh! I was 3 cm dilated so thankfully they didn't
send us home. Our Doula spent an hour walking the halls with me but the
contractions just wouldn't come back. So around 2pm the doctor broke
my water and put me on pitocin. Finally, those elusive contractions
came back --and with a vengeance. Suddenly, it was one single
contraction with no breaks. After about 20 mins I asked for an
epidural. It was magic!! I was in labor for another 12 hours and I
was able to doze on and off and watch TV. No pain is my gain! <br />
<br />
Finally,
after 2 hours of pushing and the aid of a vacuum, Jared was born. It
was surreal. We'd been waiting and planning for 9 months and there he
was . . . our baby boy. Jonathan and our Doula, Talia, were awesome the whole time. They were my support team while I was pushing and when Jared made his arrival Jonathan was drenched in sweat and looked as exhausted as I was. <br />
<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, I'd had a slight fever during labor and so Jared
was taken to the NICU as a precaution to receive antibiotics. He was
only supposed to be there for 6 hours but ended up staying there for 2
days. First it was the antibiotics, then there was concern about his
heart rate (an EKG showed showed he was fine) and then he wouldn't
urinate. It was pretty tough. We wanted our baby and he seemed so out
of place in the NICU. He was this big, healthy baby when all the other
NICU babies were tiny and sick. We'd walk across to the NICU every 2-3
hours so I could breastfeed Jared. It was pretty crazy trying to hold
and feed him with all the tubes and monitors. I was still rolling
around my IV pole so Jared and I kept getting tangled up. We were
released on Saturday afternoon and were so excited to go home.<br />
<br />
My
parents had flown out from Washington and stayed with us for a week.
It was great to have all the help. My mom took turns with the baby,
made dinners and gave us great advice. <br />
<br />
<br />
Jared is now 3 1/2 weeks old. He has already outgrown several
outfits and is a big healthy baby. He has an easy going temperament is
and excellent eater and sleeper. BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-39949560549499436422011-11-11T21:39:00.000-08:002011-11-11T22:14:41.370-08:00Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnIGXPA4xdlf9261nTFrXlXPPMIvliDV9GFeCJSwPowza9gvlub7rhfYEaqBiP9lhU6RLm3XlSn4-m5nFhtbUIlP1AHN3spcg_tkp_O6v7R5A8PsN7z8vRaJHCJ2oSSYvNSJE9odUbl4/s1600/IMG_2521.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnIGXPA4xdlf9261nTFrXlXPPMIvliDV9GFeCJSwPowza9gvlub7rhfYEaqBiP9lhU6RLm3XlSn4-m5nFhtbUIlP1AHN3spcg_tkp_O6v7R5A8PsN7z8vRaJHCJ2oSSYvNSJE9odUbl4/s320/IMG_2521.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673980805129249762" border="0" /></a><br />This year for Halloween I made us Angry Bird costumes (colored felt and 2 t-shirts). I wore my costume to work for our Halloween party and won $30 for Most Original Costume -- just beating out Jesus and the 7 Dwarves.<br /><br />We had a great time this year. Some friends came to visit and take their kids around our neighborhood. Our neighborhood is really popular with trick-or-treaters though and we ran out of candy by 8pm. Ooops! We had a huge bowl full and I thought we had plenty. Jonathan kept telling me we needed more so I even bought an extra bag of candy that morning. Oh well, next year I'll be prepared!!<br /><br />The day after Halloween I was talking to a coworker and discovered why our neighborhood is so popular. Apparently, some of the houses pass out beers to the the parents . . .BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-66018931165582209672011-06-23T16:02:00.000-07:002011-06-23T16:21:13.454-07:00Baby Update<p align="center"></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWQPwtCHPa5_zBLmujIOIvH0rbgzeSJ7q0xAPB31QKLZ-NaDqK1HcP9qOHhULv6S4Pzuri3Lv7CBMxIWbq24alpzuzw7fWtY-MR_eeOKF_u9WsUdIDigdPDPwRd2POQ4x5LJ4CmdK9nQ/s1600/baby_boy.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 178px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621556349642836482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWQPwtCHPa5_zBLmujIOIvH0rbgzeSJ7q0xAPB31QKLZ-NaDqK1HcP9qOHhULv6S4Pzuri3Lv7CBMxIWbq24alpzuzw7fWtY-MR_eeOKF_u9WsUdIDigdPDPwRd2POQ4x5LJ4CmdK9nQ/s320/baby_boy.jpg" /></a><br />So we had our 20 week ultrasound on Tuesday and found out we are expecting a little boy!! We are really excited and can't wait to meet him in a few months time.<br /><br />I'm including some of the pictures we got from our appointment. You will notice that these are not the usually black and white ultrasound pictures. These are 3D images generated by the computer after it recorded the ultrasound. The health center's caveat is that these are "for entertainment purposes only". He he he . . . for some reason that just totally cracks me up.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Here is his face.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621556058704618706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCEPDHIQw3C-zA8eaqMSj7Rf8zEIamA2w5j5Mem8V2Q1GRPSwX2cULnthrGNUgYNWjfSbrx9JtvAQumTg01wU7PPv1p436zzHPLcmC411lH2estl97277w_wKf4X5En9j8whpMHiNfp0Q/s320/IMG_20110621_1_2.jpg" /><br /></div><br /><div align="center">Here he is hiding his face.</div><br /><br /><p></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621555783973936066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8f1ecW3EataD0_jYvDp7R8bLXHBczTaGPrzLhN6BN4JTRr107wSrHme9R2Ffe4TfzyJUNwlMtTCBGSWVHUo0cf1c3MJHz50_rNiLZ7owp5YaezenD7Gf9lV_5utk6DBfUdZwNB0pq2Vc/s320/IMG_20110621_1_6.jpg" />BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-23909998160437812692011-04-29T15:44:00.000-07:002011-04-29T16:12:32.147-07:00Safe Baby Handling TipsWhile Jonathan and I are super excited to be having a baby there are certainly moments of fear, doubt and panic. I got to thinking today about my last babysitting experience. The event wasn't anything special but the time frame seriously shook me up. I was 22 at the time and I'm currently 33. That's right . . . I haven't been alone with small child in over a decade!!!!!!! Ahhhhh! People keep telling us that because we are older we will make better parents. Gosh, I hope that's true . . .<br /><br />So, I wanted to share this little pamphlet I found online. I figure if Jonathan and I memorize these diagrams then we should be OK.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601141393866479890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68OH1rQjEFxLQZGzotECHNxD9J-wowCrkk55PAEYiO6n-xnxSrtdg7Cw3_8kCMsVO1SrH9lLi7mKMCV1Rg90QpIbi9eBolacqpaYqb_zMSaEfN5Xfiyp7khYlrUqKGyV9YPd8xTxrJmU/s320/cover.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601141305128238498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPLa7HrgB2Ie9HnM6n28t3XRgEBPIAbNXSMYGp7lfMGJLa2Oj4ApctXWKvdWDdlKrqHzwZeRnQo69uMGyeLgV2yE9fEkHliSPnW3u1FgGLtH1SwvVwXSYdih5nw-2o2ymfhiN10T0XtuQ/s320/baby_contain.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601141228178816722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsh4Crma5voT8YbMjJi3C7SDpujuQS_EK7mgPukjQX7fAuUwY72oi_xO2Pviz691y2B2N-RQOPHFl4ktO8eeAG7Ryn6AgqZ_keOZWrRFAUl-oYcfp_oNa81GBHs_-HaD_DkV0umTh01bw/s320/baby_teeth.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601141063389510626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9TFXdZOKYOx7VqYY_5_xroQ10TwADmkydMQDXi0j4z8eezHbdnvCXG8Ed3yFoXcXRb9LWuD1w1qsSvcr0xgpw5723PVQL0f67pmsQaXev09Cmdzz1U64naHxxCYmh7gJrDTC69uOkus/s320/baby_swaddle.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601140916884929090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_AMepO7Nuh4mMd3cBAw-dKKtzZnUS7D6qB85IjGlgDiblkvYTK_YsTKUMMvW4jsYNtb5FEqYL0Ks30Ez8_j_rxPzw_MymU3g-VxJbSBKMQs_LI5AOdoKCMPFb7wHCf-2OMSvgBUIhZsQ/s320/baby_bed.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601140838900498914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS8KGfgEu6d5x1YgirlL7GGQB-2hDQKliOfwAe5po9LIy6_SemCda-UU59KV576ZYB985HSPk9agQq9TYmyCFrCzTfy4g5DZvVWeSFND-Ey8jqezBKJeyuuUr-L7b2dSXR-B5NldNtAzY/s320/baby_diaper.jpg" /><br /><br /><div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601140709405445426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQkuasa54OPpgLI9hCxwZyoS3YJe90Z4ZBFA5GanvkHEcsTI82gvtwFhEN9VKqzAkaIyiJPsaD9005BVw_N5A9qfnyr310OZTj7q8eLVh9VfxrmCpTZkxmGyN0uhWsTDS5Kpl6Pn4b8Bc/s320/baby_bottle.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601140579807571778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqPKJ_n9NbhVOKFvyIK08AfpQqIQecmtd6hA1gwf6SqshP_GFb-RBzPjPj8M_uaVd3XTTo65ivZuQ06Xu3M_sjjkPEjsONdZmpJoHrIVfla0-I_8sJnf9OKaDj7ENUcDsSJaz3nZrTm8/s320/baby_dry.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601140444588706194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVXaxDc77t66uKY_Xm9If1H52UxrEKu0R3AdNjZvwqVPwyeRBl1v6o0V4F_sklB-eT42srugSg6a57ySv9t9zU_iOhpr_mWi88VIW-333iw8O2OXNUtMxcXKwF2u1t40HjLyLlILIneE/s320/baby_play.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601140218746735202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7Eb8RBlWRk2fUzpIPbsXyOm7Vdzd3qjoqa-mfNFngmzZBffBibTcppo8KlrcsSEW4GViJ7626iQx7ZbEzhEPwXb8AVSLW0h205Q46lFvkHPZ_YjvywUUCRB3OgW25n6Z-yIc08DPsI4/s320/baby_pets.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-46077306869291825262011-04-29T14:50:00.000-07:002011-04-29T15:40:51.754-07:00Public Announcement -- Baby on Board<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrTR4eh-_8suxrRzTaJ8kwNRIeiTLiFrAnzTvHUWaG31Z_Z2oN4X2nb9zloilbrbHGQ4Yx32YGt-4TxrYQasOhkQktawzd3iXz87SoxHKAETOiqufdqkoeIHrHHix6keHWRMu1sz8XVE/s1600/stork_and_baby.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601132493137094626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrTR4eh-_8suxrRzTaJ8kwNRIeiTLiFrAnzTvHUWaG31Z_Z2oN4X2nb9zloilbrbHGQ4Yx32YGt-4TxrYQasOhkQktawzd3iXz87SoxHKAETOiqufdqkoeIHrHHix6keHWRMu1sz8XVE/s320/stork_and_baby.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p>Although most of you already know (seeing as we started blabbing as soon as we found out) it is time for the official announcement. We are expecting a baby in November! Our little guy or gal is 12 weeks along and is due on 11/11/11. (Cool right?!)</p><br /><p>If this is the first time you are hearing about our upcoming arrival we hope that you will not be offended that we didn't tell you earlier. The truth is that we enjoy sharing our news and hearing people's reactions but it can all be a bit overwhelming sometimes. So, if we call you in a few weeks or months (or on our kid's first birthday) please feel free to act surprised.</p>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-76717114669816658532011-02-02T17:20:00.001-08:002011-02-02T17:32:57.443-08:00Snuggie Revolution<div align="center">Well, I must admit to a bit of a goof up this Christmas. I bought Jonathan a really nice warm blanket when we were in Disneyland. It was even his favorite color. I was so excited. I just new he would love it.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Unfortunately, it wasn't a blanket at all . . . <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569267967581837938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4gsTjJdOriqSrKJC6LLCT4ya8Nh81UPuvAZau17iUIbToBkQHzR_NvwffFYoCHzABulkAoo6CbsBZdqGtlAOqgOfTUA9X424uES3S7-I9ntBkhoqoAJEXZvbQz9n3ei1ZBHd8Eh20aU/s320/J_Snuggie2.JPG" />Yeah, it was a Snuggie . . . what is up with that! What self respecting man wears a Snuggie? In my defense it was all rolled up and on a shelf with all the other blankets. There should have been a big sign! Grrrrrrr!<br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Well, Otis likes it.<br /></div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569267606105628466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcTeZiN-vxCyOWRdPF0WIDzc_jVaRc0z36SdoDGNI0WdFYvSBKl_kurHSETFmfNFDxXyzRlGqzbIIsbCero0RNaQUM2rujuL0sidbcxhSXv9B2Wyni6dP4HY05lFf0puBXgweuqRo9q6g/s320/Otis_rolling_in_Snuggie.JPG" /><br /><br />He staked his claim. The snuggie is now his.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569267370685255810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxNBOizz8hU8Q9MBoyJRLP0ge4Y2LtLshSgBkQKbce223J2kQpJYZR41YhPeNxVAHLNgut0DIGQXE4dLsOSuROUzKu9a2nwMenkbJdGiXqu2mph9YlYzYa4szBA27DJFwH9I2W8BFjGI/s320/Otis_Ball_Snuggie.JPG" /><br /></div><p align="center">Merry Christmas Oats!</p>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-82791093608229012372011-02-02T15:53:00.001-08:002011-02-02T17:19:25.158-08:00The Happiest Place on Earth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUpOAzpjrZlzxq-n4qlTamZCfsarCR39BobMAYTO8QAtqdtYfFbUqDxrJdOSL-43etcGsPmDaTj22DBbM9a8D3Dgb08CC140e2bVcOcmx_DxTRT9mh9l_3OpP889f2-MCwVsqVIHHg0s/s1600/Disneyland_Castle_and_Walt.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569259719220400306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxUpOAzpjrZlzxq-n4qlTamZCfsarCR39BobMAYTO8QAtqdtYfFbUqDxrJdOSL-43etcGsPmDaTj22DBbM9a8D3Dgb08CC140e2bVcOcmx_DxTRT9mh9l_3OpP889f2-MCwVsqVIHHg0s/s320/Disneyland_Castle_and_Walt.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>For our birthdays this year (back at the end of Nov-beginning of Dec) we went to Disneyland! We drove up on a Monday morning, partied hard for a few days and then drove home Thursday night. It was fantastic! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As most of you know, Jonathan is a bit of a Disney fan :-) So, Jonathan planned everything and showed me the ropes. We had a wonderful time. We stayed at the Grand California Hotel and could go straight from the hotel into California Adventures. This was really convenient for mid-day naps and clothing changes after water rides. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So, here are a few pictures of our trip.</div><div><div><br /><br /><div></div>Here's the view from our hotel room. We were overlooking California Adventures and the monorail.<br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569259027538847346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBwf5nM8kLGg1i980i7bKafwoW9dYRIVohoHC_7-2nZWOOOKqwUuV6JtA-1UlVaUowQayXOeuItPz8ScjbUi-aAVU8reax0yRii_-XDhyphenhyphen4GQlyLiS0CarsnhqKNvnaIMCS5JLzNUpPU5Y/s320/View_HotelWindow.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div>This is us the day we arrived just inside California Adventures.</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569258281878827122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbTeFxe2wxJAvCrYw44wiR8ahDjeWt7d5dCKbrLU9B6dFJhICZg4M2hyphenhyphenVo7HFWa5XFUIeQifNKES5lZQDwJmIUJM4LNPH9AQ_P2TlHMTNbog_GwLbGTHWAWzrLB8SL1xCZmiOSxj3_hMw/s320/A_and_J_cute.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div>On two consecutive nights we went to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean right before the park closed. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip . . . twice. Both times we got a boat all to ourselves and there were no people in boats ahead or behind us. It was like our own private tour. Plus, it was a kind a romantic holding hands and drifting through the scenes.<br /><br /></div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569256692575991218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEkKEi2qwmgZ9rLNAUwpmPPvfKTOpPu6_iQr2ZyG4dnJ_bUWwFFlewYu1lBxRKclWELLMHgRLYzKgUOhWeoY4V0QdMDzC0UqENy3CQT-BIv-6x5d8mqhqN2SN-7vBNZgTpgfeAw6sjZzU/s320/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean.jpg" /> </div><br /><div></div><div><br /><div><br /><div>Jonathan in front of the ghost driven carriage next to the Haunted Mansion. For Christmas they had the "Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay which was so fun.<br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569255802326634066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfieEhkpAWuUTtg2h5bzhegKZ1hsFiYC-k5nDpSeLQLIKKQmkUEWxCtdkBDIoSmIegGbvH7ODfxx4dBtfD6cl2FIL92_tVTvzciff73py9BrRRzh794h5-Un_IprvVxpGgSWzHFu0mmb0/s320/J_HauntedMansion_Coach.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Jonathan is looking thoughtful while we ride Mickeys Fun Wheel. The first time we opted for a basket that rolls back and forth. It was terrifying rather than fun. I highly recommend the stationary baskets.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569254879469296914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZmmtEA-qflEYn1kcZznzmV0qPefpu7_FgmeEPlDGdkarxo3RMqVxiZGzougpHarl1DFVPt4HPJv-ztH0x6UZvAS9vOC38yZlLArzVgzK_6MUkhJi2ZYEgo3VS1n8LMuK8u7xYA5Ccto/s320/J_on_FerrisWheel.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div>This is Jonathan's game face while shooting on the Toy Story ride. We really enjoyed the interactive rides like Toy Story and Buzz Lightyear.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569254360048688978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKA5glJKzjh6PTE1um-iiNFld1Wn4aeBalUv46GCrVZsIj-_OjecEIE6MJYOTn-RyArMYYja9zRBpCGgxF3YjdFpOhuHM5duQs7L-ZmGyohJyK9-YzJSlTmJIOwHiQhzecch3QMQRSaA/s320/J_firing_ToyStory.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div>This is us sitting in the Jeep on the Indiana Jones ride before it started.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569253709483590434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9m7P6i3AC_xyd7jxD8YX6YKHtrEDsYf8Fn-qea2zYVewjnUvVb6bqyCom9bfIF6_YbNilXqKrX5beZaJxcu-cPVJ-lFUhT-rnO3HV1eHdAycUMc0C1caURzXinLCFloYM0DHi5fp-aU/s320/AandJ_IndianaJones.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div>Me screaming as we went down the Splash Mountain drop. This was Jonathan's favorite ride and we went on it several times.<br /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569253085339599234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SSpZCFpkZXcFCHIdofbzVx2CHMnYVh-AtrMUXENTzbxmToop9jszIFw4X5VGh1yS4z3zN2HFVKxm49NHLVUUVJbNP6WwHV-hxSOMN4Tk0smhM37l97tIOtrdgfmlBP1X5Fsmz93PX9o/s320/A_Scream_SplashMountainDrop.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Me in front of the Small World ride. It was particularly cool at night with all the Christmas lights.<br /></div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569252532886704818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirl_DdEnaOefYjgb1SF3gpJRCCuruONYTmb9jsZet4cLRTxuJn8nZm66j5cE6mO7AtSops2Ng5gsExPFpPiTbZzf8c83hYtQHqw0MRd-9nfzGP_LoAYE43FS3UT6oJVudBfBSQFt-GUH0/s320/A_SmallWorld1.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><strong>A Word About Food</strong><br /><br /></div><br /><div>On our first full day we went to the Blue Bayou Restaurant. This is the one that you pass by when you're on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. They have the pretty lanterns and the piped in frog croaking noises . . . and the best thing ever -- the Monte Cristo sandwich. These are fried turkey, ham and cheese sandwiches that you dip in whipped blackberry jam. Unbelievably good!<br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569250419498137394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFBPpSCDAlJ6briO7KH_NnAVPtJ9pIEET-xdunCbtH3da2-KqQz4IEe5E4xGX6RtNO68gUu_-KI5doR9VEFfABYaDyFT4O0du56DrTblY6jT_313NPHm4lyiNCKr8j97BTumJr5mJn_g/s320/MonteCristo.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>We also had a great breakfast at the Storytellers Cafe one morning. This is a restaurant located in the hotel. It was a buffet and we stuffed ourselves silly. We also saw Chip (or possibly Dale) who stopped by to greet all the kids.</div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569247436272572066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfGMHY3wRGEzsc0rLFuw7XzZn9RMgx7dsWOrtmTeSL5BYrFa9gwpA8Q-W_JtHdkgkWcnUEd_ul0jTFY1zUuUZlsf3QjRMDfYUkRXSel9WCLl4dD3fUpuXTBls6nQOg0lxTY6Y5jh_kbbk/s320/StorytellersCafe_Sign.JPG" /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div>The Storyteller's Cafe serves yummy Mickey waffles.<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569246196280735922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMRJ_hOUVoOsjcsu-hEDiKow2elUObNDgOjlxpUj6k7QjmkRLMXgXWhhgaN1Ap_IbRIpn3nehG7V-LaR366Cx15k8OwLob0XWVOlMBBOtUEQTgido6sSL3qM2RwWfp8RIkNdNK3vyHt0/s320/waffels-at-the-storytellers.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div>On our first day in Disneyland I spent a few minutes staring longingly at the caramel apples at a candy store on Main Street. So . . . Jonathan bought me two!<br /></div><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569245493712892578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1hqlw4BLSiuHoeY4pbvwSAQeu-u8axdhzitiutF0PxL6qw0gPdk2VC6DHMBkIkSI_7LP21NUCzXoWhpNmm3oHg2aYWlym0DiemFf_0rJpXYJAjo9TV8uqI0aLrAXKMsCapxej-n3XQE/s320/CarmelApples.JPG" /><br /><br /><br /><div>A chocolate covered, caramel covered apple. Yum! You should have seen the mess I made eating it too! </div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569245053278568210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8Se82Yn6QDykrDaEpB0ESSZFXYeKgO8NRiQW0XJFDlgqH0bM-2l76LVjTVPmO0q066TpkRhfW1Xae3xMSFiL5X4IpkbZL5YQnXvReveLGuFJ76uyPJKgQlGUHxfMZ4MFvz22bZIWZZc/s320/A_biting_Apple.JPG" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-15847457377894853852011-01-31T16:34:00.000-08:002011-02-02T17:14:12.331-08:00Return of the NativeMy younger brother and I were born in New Orleans but our family moved to California when we were too little to remember life in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Crescent</span> City. The oil spill response however, provided me with an opportunity to explore my geographical roots.<br /><br /><br /><br />Originally, I was going back and forth to Mobile, AL to help with the oil spill but the operation there shut down and we all moved to an office building in New Orleans across from the Super Dome.<br /><br /><br /><br />I took my last trip (Yeah!) in mid-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">November</span> so these pictures are all a few months old. I love the balconies and the pretty iron scroll work in the French Quarter. They even had horse drawn carriages . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569233350371314450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXBjRh716M4HL6K12TDBzDSdeR33q9HYptUVi5spsekrHSvG6jNFGQp2-7tPcac7q64bBa5bMwYZ9F97S2FYPSgRIAQRSISimvbcFyrUKdNUJ8pM3-zs5l03iqAdh4ON7HndN_0xkIiVg/s320/frenchquarter_balconies.jpg" /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569233039198999026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNvBjOklu-E5_JN8SlsDIKiIAuIwaCN1t-xeiicnUimS5LI5Wsxc7DilVXW9CwsybujiefcJ5B5V_5NVCtz2X8gV6xSmay_Tag8GTJy_-hDw-wH1zMfB5DCrj6gAJjmJhczpipFd_mWeQ/s320/balconys_carriage.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>A co-worker and I went on a "Haunted History" Tour in the French Quarter. We met up with our group around 9pm in the evening at a local Voodoo Shop. We then walked around for 2 hours while our guide, an aspiring stand-up comic, told local legends and pointed out dark and creepy buildings. We were sweating buckets but it was still pretty great. Unfortunately, none of my pictures came out well so I stole the one below from google images. The French Quarter has these great gas lamps and at night they give everything an old fashioned spooky feel.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 228px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568522828012531618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUONmxElGe7l-XXDr744wmq_y8taiQdakhhVcUs5ZBvHJVoSIXl64MWKuWdiEcdsK5LUBXArv_e5eNw7T8KKX9ODHGx_IgZf1U6Kj6KgeTvpcIvlPyIIEhGFFLjiTI1DmOV-NEyurzqO8/s320/gaslamp.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div>One of the "must see" places to go is Cafe Du <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Monde</span>. This is "the" place for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">beignets</span> in New Orleans.<br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568521754030011138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfhykITmegVtWUJZtcMhZMui1VHddj6zpH79ywvmWMi_Xzl3P_GvQoudxulUncyjH7lthmzJj2MNvhrwV3uYV4VpMlaQRSyZhU5Az6HTmwXzHCn2jAYp9eFcR8W7CLcYqhhZ8pRFUrHA/s320/Cafe+du+Monde+Exterior+%2528Carl+Purcell%2529.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWHE1TfMqSjxHmRTgegfdKfT-GEJ9y0JRITFaG87d3ZL8Upah2y0tAcay3Y5z07_Ps0gbgh8cWSCAE3Hk_nYA57kAmND7ZO5uBMTSlJGgPeDAjF6mJ24eIuOdJwfm3PHgmi6TQ1SHRcI/s1600/balconys_carriage.jpg"></a>These are the classic <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Beignets</span> (french donuts). Imagine a humid afternoon, a couple of these babies, a tall glass of cold milk and a little jazz music wafting through the air. Oh yes!<br /></div><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568514414015490258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMjBW52iUo2n6jWcnMH2aPioLwlkXFD-IrDLRIyrntBfc2eXI8N8tb0K6naSZ8jU2UCHrCk4X1tFk5R2Yf8Lwa1CBy4b0LOYX4ngqVepg9bLB4KaysMKhQ_fvEDwz6yVvjXWaDL_Wct7c/s320/CafeduMonde__Beignets.jpg" /></p><br /><p>Post Script: This picture in no way reflects my personal powdered sugar preferences. They just come that way, OK. . . OK !! </p></div></div></div>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-92196670290671364012010-08-08T13:12:00.000-07:002010-08-08T15:08:22.159-07:00My Summer Vacation . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_u4NKWprG8EYmVXCoSmurSuMPCLgkm0M6jAiwaPobtPsSKISjJjcyAW-6TGJnLe7_ILFZg-a2io_AxxXX2OvAAgFHY_5dW4LqGfAlhgLhzKUy7VdZkOQqb1muhvhXLJcadc207xDk-E/s1600/P7042237.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503147327135750754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_u4NKWprG8EYmVXCoSmurSuMPCLgkm0M6jAiwaPobtPsSKISjJjcyAW-6TGJnLe7_ILFZg-a2io_AxxXX2OvAAgFHY_5dW4LqGfAlhgLhzKUy7VdZkOQqb1muhvhXLJcadc207xDk-E/s320/P7042237.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div>Well it isn't much of a vacation but I'm just finishing up my second rotation in Mobile, AL. I've been out here making maps for the NRDA (Natural Resource Damage Assessment) response to the oil spill. It's been super interesting not only being involved in the response effort but also spending time in the South. Check out this video of the BP Command Center in Mobile. </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/international/2010/07/22/bs.lyon.mobile.gulf.command.cnn?iref=allsearch">CNN Video of Mobile Command Center</a> </div><div><br /> </div><div>I haven't been working in the Command Center though. It was too crowded a couple months back and our group was moved to a conference room in the Marriot Hotel. It's been really nice--much quieter and lots more room. Though, the latest gossip around the proverbial water cooler is that we will be moving back to the Command Center later this month. </div></div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503146162579244050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5JZHJlDYLA_4IPmj3AFzUg7N_Ziz8EQhCun2kK_clDEsK6kBciPi2hNthRGwHq8Cq9vZKoXbylzL9yWLI2p16K3A7Ht_2F8JuSFQuCGOtRw17Sg4sX50jAtY1ye2p5wWaDAwD2qefMvE/s320/P7102246.JPG" /> This is me at the Marriot. Notice the chaos! It's 7 days a week, 10 - 12 hours a day. I make maps for the field survey teams and then manage the GPS data they bring back. I'm currently on a 2 week rotation (2 weeks working in AL and 2 weeks working back home). Everyone I work with is really great but 2 weeks is a long time. Actually the truth is that 2 weeks feels like a long time when I'm away and a short time when I'm home. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>So, you are probably wondering what Jonathan has been doing for his "summer vacation".</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503145511193805026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbN0LFQev-ov4is3ZdM7JKQP0tO70_ldy95TaJmBSQ7gafftpcTbLqHUr64tQMQUJemMIE1-_WaQYpSkZ1xiYrH7ij7_cYV7lvKG85qTBJ99vxSqHzb-95OqwcKAa3G17V4P7GgrND9c/s320/P1030328.JPG" /></div><div><br />Well, that's him with his head under the sink. We had 2 leaky faucets and so he has been doing some home maintenance. Unfortunately, what could have and should have been a fairly basic process turned into a major difficulty. The gentleman that lived in the house before us apparently wasn't much of a plumber. He did several poorly executed patch up jobs. Poor Jonathan ended up replacing 5 faucets and even some piping.<br /><div><br />However . . . we now have beautiful bathroom faucets. So here is the before shot.<br /></div><div><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503144740940194146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKN3NvZ41wpdoWaimW669zdvBiEkjxgxbOJYG1SOuG8zkZxm3B33fScnzK1YYud6GC21cw_kaMtPCIfrpSts7Jecq_ZAz348uvC6zcNO4OSBVud1TFrvBUmvlg79smh4T0o1-BHB4rek4/s320/P1030326.JPG" /><br /><br />And this is the after. <br /><div></div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503144272664366482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3wv3Leo_0iS4YxYc2dZo9vJsyOeB6iUBbu1sms1TrcpOuOtQa1U1QKIU0WpBPjXXcT3Dz4wphaAGve0BsDGmI9RLtpdgWD05NMsCcRyAdbil2TTF0e2PAcQfat1aWo6kgQg-xM0NGCw/s320/P1030327.JPG" /><br />Aren't they pretty? What can I say . . . I married a man with skills.<br /><br /><br />And what about Otis you say? How is his summer going? </div><div>Well it's all fun in the sun to him.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503143770513461314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHzgjnqhgQHhaoJ58-yNish30h24WqnPfGuuNCBC3EuVt08ZFbMzlkaq3OLbr9q-dl1hFZeii8ejN1JqSNowmGLFY8z1Ngxth6kelVik1vFWwGRO_PS2PQ0av8B2HIseulsm16IoQNWE/s320/sunlight.jpg" /></p></div>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-32202617617473706852010-04-15T19:15:00.000-07:002010-04-15T21:37:19.277-07:00Fur KidsForgive me friends for I have sinned. It has been 4 months since my last confession (I mean blog).<br /><br />Well much has happened at the Clare house but this post is devoted to our furry, four-legged, kibble-crunching children. First and foremost let me introduce Otis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aJtYzhC9zen5CyVYVzoltkwcNtdWfnbdJ5Jh7UT0nRy7Gizhae9DERUh0ubAZIcONxVQBsMufc-AUV31oIo1H3zeVGPXffhAlf3x8ECaSZhDPNQsBeiFq37rk0xPiqRhPSUhyphenhyphen4EIVVM/s1600/IMG_9371.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aJtYzhC9zen5CyVYVzoltkwcNtdWfnbdJ5Jh7UT0nRy7Gizhae9DERUh0ubAZIcONxVQBsMufc-AUV31oIo1H3zeVGPXffhAlf3x8ECaSZhDPNQsBeiFq37rk0xPiqRhPSUhyphenhyphen4EIVVM/s320/IMG_9371.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460563212469576770" border="0" /></a>We got Otis from a shelter in December. He 's a red smooth hair dachshund just like Jonas but he's a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">miniature</span> and weights about 12 lbs. As you can clearly see he is ADORABLE. He is also willful, high-energy and obsessive (doggy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OCD</span> for sure). He loves toys. If he glimpses something that might be a toy on a desk or a counter he will sit in front of it and whine until you pick him up and let him inspect. He'll pick a favorite toy and carry it around for days. He'll take it on walks. He won't eat unless that toy is next to his bowl or in his bowl. If you put it away he will look for it . . . for hours. He always remembers where he left it the day before. And his greatest joy--and surely his purpose for existence--is to play fetch.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3iuHqccppWndhyiAwyiVIGFJp6J22FbM7FSV_EsJr4-edO3wNOL2Q_g1uQ-p6KtlHiOb5iISDSMSIq61i8ZyJkRckby7g0-s0j4jK2dS-BoDTdFLL2QM8QRbMmDuV8tt4bNrMgx4Qh0/s1600/otis_light_closeup.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3iuHqccppWndhyiAwyiVIGFJp6J22FbM7FSV_EsJr4-edO3wNOL2Q_g1uQ-p6KtlHiOb5iISDSMSIq61i8ZyJkRckby7g0-s0j4jK2dS-BoDTdFLL2QM8QRbMmDuV8tt4bNrMgx4Qh0/s320/otis_light_closeup.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460562844840872594" border="0" /></a><br />If you get tired of throwing the ball to him he will throw it for himself. His second favorite game is to "lose" the ball under a bed, couch or ottoman and make you fish it out for him. He'll even point his nose to show you right where it is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdatX2Nuq35LQc-_KeYV-XPOeZG2T64IdM79mlWXDFMnWJ7rJ0acUkdVB64ZnmFwUBYPUPiqYq8lzFWW6cx4G2iTWfZYAQJVwpwjN-yf5C4NOEud6tVd24iGmimWTG1cW01sIJaDyWpg/s1600/otis_xmas_present.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdatX2Nuq35LQc-_KeYV-XPOeZG2T64IdM79mlWXDFMnWJ7rJ0acUkdVB64ZnmFwUBYPUPiqYq8lzFWW6cx4G2iTWfZYAQJVwpwjN-yf5C4NOEud6tVd24iGmimWTG1cW01sIJaDyWpg/s320/otis_xmas_present.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460562250362918418" border="0" /></a>On New Year's day, after we had Otis for less than a month, he slipped a disk in his back. We took him to the vet and he gave him a shot and told us to keep him quiet for several days. Two days later his back legs were paralyzed. He didn't seem to be in pain but his eyes had that pleading "help me" look. We took him to our regular vet and then on to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">UC</span> Davis Veterinary Hospital for emergency back surgery. They removed 4 discs in his back.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bGjrG07QcsjYwm5lmdQWxRTIaYqPmweUI_IH1QV_XUPZiK7BW-qRpupc0RWsBpUBfxmoDr4jxI49f6QzLbCrkalUZ6-7fempekHZRtu5JC_vTueJ0QNEByO_ddnhl2F-s1SAJgXUI9k/s1600/back_staples.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bGjrG07QcsjYwm5lmdQWxRTIaYqPmweUI_IH1QV_XUPZiK7BW-qRpupc0RWsBpUBfxmoDr4jxI49f6QzLbCrkalUZ6-7fempekHZRtu5JC_vTueJ0QNEByO_ddnhl2F-s1SAJgXUI9k/s320/back_staples.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460561072125775346" border="0" /></a><br />Here are some pictures of his staples and his shaved back. Poor little Odie!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_XIbXMBqIoTGtxQTRN50EeSSSZIaD26pvkND_2nKBtHCfnDhhWE3KqlDhwyFtodFZrcWqMELFxC_tuQiNQi2bg8aGYmxG7fh5tTut74lPbbctpvc-ix9Nz-7M5gkoPbnLcD6Rv_CFys/s1600/otis_shaved_back.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_XIbXMBqIoTGtxQTRN50EeSSSZIaD26pvkND_2nKBtHCfnDhhWE3KqlDhwyFtodFZrcWqMELFxC_tuQiNQi2bg8aGYmxG7fh5tTut74lPbbctpvc-ix9Nz-7M5gkoPbnLcD6Rv_CFys/s320/otis_shaved_back.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460560646185481442" border="0" /></a>The Hospital kept him for several days and then we brought him home for 4 weeks of crate rest. At first we weren't sure if he'd be paralyzed forever but after a couple days he started wagging his tail. And then gradually his back legs could support his weight. We weren't supposed to let him walk around but sometimes we would open the crate and he would dart out and run around the room legs flailing. I guess it never occurred to him that his legs might not work right. He improved day by day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUZaDeoCGDHfqOB0G_irRjrXMWlzlkz-SvzQgaOA3eiZwP57e5jk2zHgnfQ5-oEBRGlpQ2Ws9pCAhhyphenhyphenm5V9qcCGeSMQp-fp1arJpSVCffrqS6g-6GbcGctmYZ0kTPVzF39pj8N7wPFW4/s1600/IMG_9369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUZaDeoCGDHfqOB0G_irRjrXMWlzlkz-SvzQgaOA3eiZwP57e5jk2zHgnfQ5-oEBRGlpQ2Ws9pCAhhyphenhyphenm5V9qcCGeSMQp-fp1arJpSVCffrqS6g-6GbcGctmYZ0kTPVzF39pj8N7wPFW4/s320/IMG_9369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460559906497097650" border="0" /></a><br />This is a picture of Otis last week. His legs are strong and he runs and moves just fine. He is back to playing fetch and whining for toys . . . just as he should.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRrkzNeJlctu1vsoN3Shdmp6unetkMIBBY3Md6re_6gBt2Gu0w56a_2I_WNiJo5mtas5cPYmZJapU_DtxAf_8igsYtZKvZcdEkDUn4-pN_YcOEqGA4niXS18ZWRONWnfnLTBpcRtPkn0/s1600/IMG_0180.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRrkzNeJlctu1vsoN3Shdmp6unetkMIBBY3Md6re_6gBt2Gu0w56a_2I_WNiJo5mtas5cPYmZJapU_DtxAf_8igsYtZKvZcdEkDUn4-pN_YcOEqGA4niXS18ZWRONWnfnLTBpcRtPkn0/s320/IMG_0180.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460559110371065042" border="0" /></a>Here's a picture of Jonathan with Dante, our other fur kid. We got Dante in October of 2008. Unfortunately, Jonathan is allergic to cats and some dogs (although he hasn't had a problem with either of our dachshunds) so Dante was an outside kitty but he slept in the garage. Well after we got Jonas we started to feel a little guilty. Did Dante feel sad or unloved because the dog lived inside and he didn't? Surely he knew that the dog got lots more attention than he did. Did it hurt his feelings watching Jonas and then Otis coming in and out for walks, or taking rides in the car?<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesjPleAcdAHomozuprLMi_EX16NEthioLVK5zO6cRA-iRnYShG0Tqz7j_ewAnLGoJG9kMUrL6ysAbfKqAWQtC0KytdhVJsBVi46Foe8xZ-0-tqV1Ad2040fyrCLRnDebTO2WR7xOwx-Y/s1600/BFFs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgesjPleAcdAHomozuprLMi_EX16NEthioLVK5zO6cRA-iRnYShG0Tqz7j_ewAnLGoJG9kMUrL6ysAbfKqAWQtC0KytdhVJsBVi46Foe8xZ-0-tqV1Ad2040fyrCLRnDebTO2WR7xOwx-Y/s320/BFFs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460558764484506162" border="0" /></a>This is Dante with his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">BFF</span> Smokey. <br /></div><br />Well a about 2 weeks ago our next door neighbor came by to make a confession. He had been feeding Dante and having him in their house. He told us that he and his wife just loved Dante. They are an older couple and they live by themselves, their kids all grown up. Jonathan and I were so excited. We went back to the neighbors and offered them the cat. They were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ecstatic</span>! We gave them Dante's bed, food, kitty litter, toys, etc. So now he is a mostly inside kitty. He sleeps in a house and gets lots of loves. He comes to see us sometimes and he is all soft and well brushed. He was meant to be their kitty.BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-11873192563228590022009-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:002009-11-29T21:36:21.416-08:00Jonas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ57N5V1uVYaZIT2b2HgGkvy0pjYxz_P3izDy-LMpJ5lEbgLImwytNx7UlyPtpeCdPh0bX0wB8J0o5UX7Y14zrG1kw692R_bMo9xK4mTDYdfq4jg88l0xqhE5m3Tjc4pMismcIKxQS7DQ/s1600/IMG_7077.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ57N5V1uVYaZIT2b2HgGkvy0pjYxz_P3izDy-LMpJ5lEbgLImwytNx7UlyPtpeCdPh0bX0wB8J0o5UX7Y14zrG1kw692R_bMo9xK4mTDYdfq4jg88l0xqhE5m3Tjc4pMismcIKxQS7DQ/s320/IMG_7077.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409734317656103810" border="0" /></a><br />Its been a difficult Thanksgiving Holiday for the Clare family. Jonas was diagnosed with Mitrol Valve Insufficiency on Wednesday. On Friday morning he was put to sleep. We miss him terribly.<br /><br />We only had Jonas with us for 8 months but in that short time he filled our lives with joy. He added a warmth and vibrancy to our lives that we hadn't experienced before.<br /><br />Jonas wasn't too fond of other dogs but he adored all people. If Jonathan or I were sitting down Jonas felt that he should be in our laps. If our faces were in striking distance he would stretch himself until he could lick our noses. If he couldn't lick a nose he would lick the air. In fact, his air licking tendencies would have made any obsessive compulsive proud.<br /><br />Second only to his love for nose licking was his love for food. Peanut butter and french fries and banana bread were his particular favorites. He also enjoyed licking out our yogurt cups and would often have a yogurt ring around his muzzle. In his last few months as he felt more secure in his role he believed certain food scraps belonged to him. He would sit and huff until we gave him his due. What a character!<br /><br />On Tuesday evening, he was breathing heavily and didn't want to eat his dinner. We got him to eat part of it but could tell he wasn't feeling well. We decided to call the vet first thing in the morning. We took him in on Wednesday morning and after some testing were told that he had Mitrol Valve Insufficiency. The Vet was able to show me the current x-ray compared to the one taken 8 months early. His heart was visibly larger than it had been. His enlarged heart was pressing on his trachea and making it difficult for him to breathe. As a complication he also had fluid in his lungs. The Vet gave us 3 different medications and sent Jonas home. The prognosis was decent. The Vet figured that with medication Jonas would have about 2-3 years.<br /><br />Unfortunately, the medication did not help as the Vet had hoped. Jonas got progressively worse Thanksgiving Day. His breathing became more and more labored, he stopped eating and going to the bathroom. We wanted to give the medication time to kick in but we knew he wasn't improving. At midnight we took him to the emergency animal hospital. He was put into an oxygen chamber to ease his breathing and given medicine intravenously. We still hoped that he would bounce back. On Friday morning the animal ER explained that Jonas' heart was just too worn out. They said that they could keep him alive for a couple weeks but recommended euthanizing Jonas to relieve his struggling.<br /><br />Jonathan couldn't bare to be there. (Jonas was his special buddy.) I went to the animal hospital to say goodbye. Even though he was so sick he stood up and wagged his tail when he saw me. I took him out of the oxygen chamber and held him for a few minutes. He licked my nose at first but then had to concentrate on breathing. He was so tired. I got to hold him as the Vet injected him and he put his head down on my leg. I held him and told him what a good dog he was and he was gone.<br /><br />In the spirit of Thanksgiving I want to say how grateful we are for Jonas and the time we had with him. Our house is feeling pretty empty without him.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAh1G8wvgEMwkJb22DvFZXINugo5MP5lNbkNeK-ywJ22D7O9sbg-WykL4iCYqXR7VA3UZfMb9yFnwL5NpZWhh1BMJmUbu4E2hX32EjmMbqZGFyyeQMypa5Gc4iCKL9YIi7e2jRb508bU/s1600/carseat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqAh1G8wvgEMwkJb22DvFZXINugo5MP5lNbkNeK-ywJ22D7O9sbg-WykL4iCYqXR7VA3UZfMb9yFnwL5NpZWhh1BMJmUbu4E2hX32EjmMbqZGFyyeQMypa5Gc4iCKL9YIi7e2jRb508bU/s320/carseat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409762679263705026" border="0" /></a>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-82741788850757699252009-11-01T20:11:00.000-08:002009-11-01T20:35:19.797-08:00The Cook and the Lobster<div style="text-align: center;">We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween. We stayed home and passed out candy. We had a lot of kids come by and were back and forth to the door all evening. (helped us work of those extra Halloween calories) Jonas wanted to see everyone that came to the door and got tons of praise and petting. He even tried to follow a few of the kids home.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We didn't dress up to pass out candy but Jonathan and Jonas dressed up for work on Friday. They turned out super cute and I wanted to share a couple of pictures.<br /><br /><br />Chef Jonathan and the lobster.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtRACTxiuDp6A7zu5R9PpTkJpR5acEbl0h8HQlSvQzPL5g1udDKvoWaysf36bnr9sSm9oj0LOHneH2291h6IZhekoNyvEe6iF9sJgSp-VAvjN3C_PqnQdoQSqcIFM5QUBjqMxyhiCjhM/s1600-h/j&j_looking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtRACTxiuDp6A7zu5R9PpTkJpR5acEbl0h8HQlSvQzPL5g1udDKvoWaysf36bnr9sSm9oj0LOHneH2291h6IZhekoNyvEe6iF9sJgSp-VAvjN3C_PqnQdoQSqcIFM5QUBjqMxyhiCjhM/s320/j&j_looking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399359716499505026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQihJR2tJ_3DeTbn3U0xAd9S-ex7v72aAhPEo92zbWkVKqOyJVfFEO-MMWxv8nBSwcXrwqbwfWIQiLZXbYtW9rox7LM_hncJe0-qkfWOH-Y3d5C-e4TDh_YsaFdLSzSh5dCtXVctFlyY/s1600-h/J&J.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQihJR2tJ_3DeTbn3U0xAd9S-ex7v72aAhPEo92zbWkVKqOyJVfFEO-MMWxv8nBSwcXrwqbwfWIQiLZXbYtW9rox7LM_hncJe0-qkfWOH-Y3d5C-e4TDh_YsaFdLSzSh5dCtXVctFlyY/s320/J&J.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399356492957037842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsDn-4PLAnzVGDDDb7QDFhK4TYDtcsw4iI28smnQFCzrgykg0zUy0qIvOmIXn_u-TJMpatVHi9ACSU3xRMcGUe0NlQVijSNkwQvWrdmFH_d1hBkdpWnQEiRA4HRHkEU6jjdbqoPVBbXA/s1600-h/lobster_front.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsDn-4PLAnzVGDDDb7QDFhK4TYDtcsw4iI28smnQFCzrgykg0zUy0qIvOmIXn_u-TJMpatVHi9ACSU3xRMcGUe0NlQVijSNkwQvWrdmFH_d1hBkdpWnQEiRA4HRHkEU6jjdbqoPVBbXA/s320/lobster_front.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399355877304334690" border="0" /></a>Front view.<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRflhyRxUUnbS0iV_qZQI4ITrYSH6QvZ3rkKcy5CezeuKgi-PTX09TqOGgDMguY712jE_K6fK52nuckmaRasjdl8a_LiDYXkjXN11aBuF0qNydTwqvLLQ1nRNBrbFATwc4_MWJVBK1Ec/s1600-h/lobster_side.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRflhyRxUUnbS0iV_qZQI4ITrYSH6QvZ3rkKcy5CezeuKgi-PTX09TqOGgDMguY712jE_K6fK52nuckmaRasjdl8a_LiDYXkjXN11aBuF0qNydTwqvLLQ1nRNBrbFATwc4_MWJVBK1Ec/s320/lobster_side.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399355550774198098" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Side profile.<br /></div>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4978668487585207285.post-19761956695903660402009-07-13T19:31:00.000-07:002009-07-13T20:01:47.496-07:00Family Visits -- Joe GraduatesA few weeks ago my family got together for Joe's graduation. Mom and Dad came down from WA and Alan and Kristina came up from So. Cal. We stayed all together for a couple days and it was so much fun. (The previous post is from our family BBQ in the park.)<br /><br /><br />Here are a few pictures.<br /><br />With niece and nephew . . .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvdF7bhxrAWK58_ha2cY_SS2KcBGXTn0rcUIQz4WrcpC02zpgrPqYVv9rvrnHwAWqe1hI1ZbI6yZH2-VhL_YM79L4SW6HgzC52avazyUUKivB4G_EEi4L1ibMt1JtAPoU-F2YH6sIxes/s1600-h/joe&kids2.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivvdF7bhxrAWK58_ha2cY_SS2KcBGXTn0rcUIQz4WrcpC02zpgrPqYVv9rvrnHwAWqe1hI1ZbI6yZH2-VhL_YM79L4SW6HgzC52avazyUUKivB4G_EEi4L1ibMt1JtAPoU-F2YH6sIxes/s320/joe&kids2.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358143354709848594" border="0" /></a><br />With his sisters . . .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELzrggZc8xu25Vz5jkyK7Q2KG9MQymuvf4YjNyy0igErQb1xDYDGs-H6Im9fVKbCs9pTfcLQa2qSfh37IQPQBiz7WQvebHW-E4RQ2bHJm3WdKRvX7lKmsABGHMY-bn8v9eN_LoC1rfis/s1600-h/joe&sisters3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELzrggZc8xu25Vz5jkyK7Q2KG9MQymuvf4YjNyy0igErQb1xDYDGs-H6Im9fVKbCs9pTfcLQa2qSfh37IQPQBiz7WQvebHW-E4RQ2bHJm3WdKRvX7lKmsABGHMY-bn8v9eN_LoC1rfis/s320/joe&sisters3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358143217982123682" border="0" /></a><br />With Mom . . .<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoOiQrTs3Eqt57lIqystea2TxKZRww_tW3nWzxovwb7UPXYVSXN1FYMsrnuhy0pgtVfchEwo6jSHeKJ4snOvo73Ok41_tQlcRpZLMq5jS13U2EGIrL6Kwz8AabhjqW7w1iqofizys8n4/s1600-h/joe&mom.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhoOiQrTs3Eqt57lIqystea2TxKZRww_tW3nWzxovwb7UPXYVSXN1FYMsrnuhy0pgtVfchEwo6jSHeKJ4snOvo73Ok41_tQlcRpZLMq5jS13U2EGIrL6Kwz8AabhjqW7w1iqofizys8n4/s320/joe&mom.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358143047635121714" border="0" /></a><br />With Dad . . .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kLMhX22SIMURHbJICPdTgZKKHXvhMaSH2LBjv8cDUxxjU9D42ncfjCOHIV0BlVprFODarQf4IewR_v2MZNB6fHHrgQ-Uotc7upW5N7QPM-5aYN_AvbGFEirGvwE5ubL-KD43USigbko/s1600-h/joe&dad.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0kLMhX22SIMURHbJICPdTgZKKHXvhMaSH2LBjv8cDUxxjU9D42ncfjCOHIV0BlVprFODarQf4IewR_v2MZNB6fHHrgQ-Uotc7upW5N7QPM-5aYN_AvbGFEirGvwE5ubL-KD43USigbko/s320/joe&dad.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358142901664116130" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">After walking in . . .<br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDY2gNEtxh824_dIqf-SScTg9eKPbuKSulxh_o991vhIg2-rUnh-JBKrbTA4yY2nRRfc0rE66immtJNTgVghQdKRPM8XjSKT93iTt1CY7qzA-T4DV7WItTiN2Occs17dsZcsyeYm2ML4/s1600-h/smile.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDY2gNEtxh824_dIqf-SScTg9eKPbuKSulxh_o991vhIg2-rUnh-JBKrbTA4yY2nRRfc0rE66immtJNTgVghQdKRPM8XjSKT93iTt1CY7qzA-T4DV7WItTiN2Occs17dsZcsyeYm2ML4/s320/smile.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358142706730253186" border="0" /></a><br />Receiving diploma . . .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5g1fI8FMPa2xGknvAK03_A1rZF9-9_50DGL7vgYEF8o73aexy9IMPdqXgpgqbqhiJOz3CrVowIzMo3gUCkaEGNNalk8KGL4JAJ6fiR0RZD1FEKCfwjOpEXngc4lcMfl5BiBANkj6VAY/s1600-h/front_shaking_hands.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5g1fI8FMPa2xGknvAK03_A1rZF9-9_50DGL7vgYEF8o73aexy9IMPdqXgpgqbqhiJOz3CrVowIzMo3gUCkaEGNNalk8KGL4JAJ6fiR0RZD1FEKCfwjOpEXngc4lcMfl5BiBANkj6VAY/s320/front_shaking_hands.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358142351256519106" border="0" /></a><br />Walking off the stage basking in the glory of a Master's Degree!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz3t47nGS9Jo9tCA1frnIMf7_qkDA0FpJ2daHUZ4vhPMAWK8vShDFhn8wo3cZf_VmRUvd-x6F7vKR2WCAgGcKK97-hKMni9du_qCF7DXRiQQ-9HTXA_HDuIxNIVR_MQm6j3RxS2G7CEg/s1600-h/front_walking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZz3t47nGS9Jo9tCA1frnIMf7_qkDA0FpJ2daHUZ4vhPMAWK8vShDFhn8wo3cZf_VmRUvd-x6F7vKR2WCAgGcKK97-hKMni9du_qCF7DXRiQQ-9HTXA_HDuIxNIVR_MQm6j3RxS2G7CEg/s320/front_walking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358142191530672226" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Beaming with the joy of accomplishment . . .<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-3MJ-HqTzQX0927h_U0LxoWkXaJeRAN8rnam0sYO7VTn6hnSqewwFqmSd10qm1p0udhuoHITyHJI4li73YhO-BOyYnJorpcZJYltHf-Qtsynl3J9Y38p98ujIEFfuzZxZyfzUu5i_MQ/s1600-h/walking.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB-3MJ-HqTzQX0927h_U0LxoWkXaJeRAN8rnam0sYO7VTn6hnSqewwFqmSd10qm1p0udhuoHITyHJI4li73YhO-BOyYnJorpcZJYltHf-Qtsynl3J9Y38p98ujIEFfuzZxZyfzUu5i_MQ/s320/walking.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358142016394721666" border="0" /></a>BanAnnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04119019975664894397noreply@blogger.com2