tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82945302515164093932024-03-05T01:13:52.168-08:00Looking for the Rudens?Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.comBlogger375125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-54243883893399365972010-07-29T12:46:00.000-07:002010-07-29T12:51:52.523-07:00We've Moved!We no longer live in Ames so amesrudens was not a good name for the website. We can now be found at:<br /><br /><a href="http://rudenfam.blogspot.com/">rudenfam.blogspot.com</a><div><br /></div><div>See you there!</div><div><br /></div><div>**If you have us bookmarked or in your favorites, make sure you update that address!</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-69208241056105967532010-07-18T06:36:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.459-07:00Going Out with a Bang (and a splash)<div>I awoke last night to the sound of our wind chime followed by some light rain. I saw light peaking through the shades so I thought it was morning. I figured I would hear Joey chattering in his crib since he is the first one up but it was very quiet. The gentle chiming outside started to turn more into a clanging and I could hear sheets of rain hitting the windows. I decided to get up and take a look. Since most of our things are packed up I do not have a clock in the bedroom. So it was quite a surprise to me that it was only 2:20am. </div><div><br /></div><div>I peaked out the kitchen window to see that the light coming into the bedroom was our motion light which was turned on by the rain and wind. I watched as the rain and wind picked up very rapidly. Suddenly the kids' little bench swing went airborne and turned over. Since the wind was out of the north I was worried that water would seep into the basement like it usually does. It was dry the first time I checked but that didn't last long. The winds pushed water under our backdoor and their was a pool in the kitchen in no time. I ran around trying to find something to stop the water. Thankfully we had a tub of towels in the basement that I raided. Shortly after containing the kitchen mess I checked the basement again to find water running down the walls and dripping from the ceiling onto our furniture. As I started moving furniture out from under the water the power goes out. I managed to find our flashlight and continue the water containment project. Finally the storm passes, the water is contained, and the power is restored. </div><div><br /></div><div>This morning I ventured out to clean up the debris. Our trash was strewn down our driveway and down the street. According to the news we had 75 mph wind.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD4Smf9_I/AAAAAAAABPo/HDwgcyoQn_c/s1600/July2010_053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD4Smf9_I/AAAAAAAABPo/HDwgcyoQn_c/s320/July2010_053.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495240235923011570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's a shot of the wind tunnel.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD3762orI/AAAAAAAABPg/A51NXAP4rYU/s1600/July2010_054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD3762orI/AAAAAAAABPg/A51NXAP4rYU/s320/July2010_054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495240229834367666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Messed up swing set</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD3VuBhQI/AAAAAAAABPY/tGkQnm7Phbk/s1600/July2010_055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD3VuBhQI/AAAAAAAABPY/tGkQnm7Phbk/s320/July2010_055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495240219580007682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD258pdVI/AAAAAAAABPQ/X--_oIo3kKY/s1600/July2010_056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEMD258pdVI/AAAAAAAABPQ/X--_oIo3kKY/s320/July2010_056.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495240212125152594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The wind snapped the stakes that held the swingset in the ground.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm glad we still have a house to sell!</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-57251844131071459562010-07-16T13:00:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.482-07:00Last days in Ames<div>Moving day is approaching and we've been packing, packing, sweating, and packing some more. Now the kids and I are hanging out, living off of plasticware and paper plates. It's tough to keep kids occupied when most of their stuff is packed away so we are doing our best.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC6xrgoXcI/AAAAAAAABPI/OVNb6lhWpOA/s1600/July2010_048.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC6xrgoXcI/AAAAAAAABPI/OVNb6lhWpOA/s320/July2010_048.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494596908047949250" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">As we were finishing up the busiest packing day at dusk we spotted this owl perching atop a tree in our back yard.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC6xJobN_I/AAAAAAAABPA/ex4KgDOlvRc/s1600/July2010_051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC6xJobN_I/AAAAAAAABPA/ex4KgDOlvRc/s320/July2010_051.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494596898953836530" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">One of the few play items the kids have is their little bench swing. We snapped this cute picture just before mommy had to leave.</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-16770121761502945022010-07-16T12:56:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.522-07:00SOLD!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC5yyvLz3I/AAAAAAAABO4/xgm5ig5fbsc/s1600/July2010_046.JPG"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC5yyvLz3I/AAAAAAAABO4/xgm5ig5fbsc/s320/July2010_046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494595827656281970" /></a>Well...just when we were starting to sweat it out we received an offer on our house after having two showings in one day. We received the offer on our 10th anniversary so that was a nice gift.Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-52852651567439481802010-07-16T12:24:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.536-07:00Catching up with July...<div>While Ab was in Spencer working four 12s over the 4th of July the kids and I stayed in LeMars. We were able to spend a couple days with Gma & Papa and a couple days with Gramma Lola. While at Gma and Papa's the kids got to play and play with their cousins; one of their favorite activities. I didn't get any pictures because the kids were out of sight playing most of the time. I also got to get away briefly and check out the disc golf course in LeMars and managed to lose one of my discs in the creek. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC01hmCgMI/AAAAAAAABOw/k1cqtgISDdE/s1600/July2010_017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC01hmCgMI/AAAAAAAABOw/k1cqtgISDdE/s320/July2010_017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494590377035989186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">While at Lola's the kids enjoyed sprinklers and bubbles...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC01MZqsPI/AAAAAAAABOo/TMRRpOIzEtU/s1600/July2010_026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC01MZqsPI/AAAAAAAABOo/TMRRpOIzEtU/s320/July2010_026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494590371346952434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...and popsicles...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC00cVUAnI/AAAAAAAABOg/dcXyvos9qww/s1600/July2010_030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC00cVUAnI/AAAAAAAABOg/dcXyvos9qww/s320/July2010_030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494590358443786866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...and ice cream...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC0znsl7QI/AAAAAAAABOY/olsQdyxkDr0/s1600/July2010_032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC0znsl7QI/AAAAAAAABOY/olsQdyxkDr0/s320/July2010_032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494590344314350850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...and chocolate...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC0zYOPbTI/AAAAAAAABOQ/3dlcYfc3blo/s1600/July2010_037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TEC0zYOPbTI/AAAAAAAABOQ/3dlcYfc3blo/s320/July2010_037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494590340160515378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...and sparklers...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECyuiGTsUI/AAAAAAAABOI/SZ8D9Ar68l8/s1600/July2010_038.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECyuiGTsUI/AAAAAAAABOI/SZ8D9Ar68l8/s320/July2010_038.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494588057888993602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECyt_EMNdI/AAAAAAAABOA/4DDhq7AYZi8/s1600/July2010_040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECyt_EMNdI/AAAAAAAABOA/4DDhq7AYZi8/s320/July2010_040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494588048484873682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Can we take the Mustang for a spin Gramma??</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECytg1rXAI/AAAAAAAABN4/dYm17f2uNA8/s1600/July2010_043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECytg1rXAI/AAAAAAAABN4/dYm17f2uNA8/s320/July2010_043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494588040370936834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the fireworks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECytGeFB1I/AAAAAAAABNw/Gl-g-h7C6ks/s1600/July2010_044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECytGeFB1I/AAAAAAAABNw/Gl-g-h7C6ks/s320/July2010_044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494588033292633938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sylvia and Gramma Lola</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECysnxuhvI/AAAAAAAABNo/1ZbXtNpU5Fc/s1600/July2010_045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TECysnxuhvI/AAAAAAAABNo/1ZbXtNpU5Fc/s320/July2010_045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494588025053546226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Joey and Momma</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-64591291714661880112010-06-27T17:54:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.548-07:00Lake Weekend<div style="text-align: center;">We had a fun-filled weekend at Lake Shetek, or better known as "Ruden's Retreat". The girls could not be kept away from the sand, so many a castle were made. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m2uU2OS0_UHVDIIGuuSFoiWIC2Z4ilBYRTKmhNuBPDeeLa45QWSfFpHn5MfnQYoczXi7-63CtOsJRujcGS5TAVM8oy7FXL0PNX47WpOQ28MFa3sigt3rd1dNPFFO2NsT9wp93PnL5kI/s1600/IMG_3754.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7m2uU2OS0_UHVDIIGuuSFoiWIC2Z4ilBYRTKmhNuBPDeeLa45QWSfFpHn5MfnQYoczXi7-63CtOsJRujcGS5TAVM8oy7FXL0PNX47WpOQ28MFa3sigt3rd1dNPFFO2NsT9wp93PnL5kI/s400/IMG_3754.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487624292036028706" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There was also some time made for boating, raft lounging, tubing, storm watching, fishing-line casting, and birthday partying...most of which I didn't catch on my camera because we were too busy enjoying it all.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUM1hpYOFCKVBHYrFW_RT3n8v6drxUZ1ttRcZrEVeJW2EBcv8K30TERCrd5_BYLA57gSyp3Wu756dnG8hKYJEo21T3-bL5NpfnwLBY1N1sRaD0ohsPMobvJGjHZTQdehPuDpFyUvCEKrg/s1600/IMG_3768.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUM1hpYOFCKVBHYrFW_RT3n8v6drxUZ1ttRcZrEVeJW2EBcv8K30TERCrd5_BYLA57gSyp3Wu756dnG8hKYJEo21T3-bL5NpfnwLBY1N1sRaD0ohsPMobvJGjHZTQdehPuDpFyUvCEKrg/s400/IMG_3768.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487624289274609714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls are already asking when we are going back. Next trip they have fireworks to look forward to!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjEEZrhDgvLyioPosnVwE_ugujQs1HvNeSwHYrq1qD_HZJOo9NuNVfjEppWm724ieJqYqADOPaljd4J2HvBj83-BY-MavBmYgjl2sWeDYto_RfqhjRlkvomipHueGAMEWuCzko5sXKcA/s1600/IMG_3771.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjEEZrhDgvLyioPosnVwE_ugujQs1HvNeSwHYrq1qD_HZJOo9NuNVfjEppWm724ieJqYqADOPaljd4J2HvBj83-BY-MavBmYgjl2sWeDYto_RfqhjRlkvomipHueGAMEWuCzko5sXKcA/s400/IMG_3771.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487624277285038146" /></a>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-38454326117888885992010-06-20T17:07:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.561-07:00Family Fest<div>Olivia got the chance to perform her recital dances once again for Family Fest at the Bandshell Park in Ames on Saturday. Olivia really enjoyed it and can't wait for her next recital!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uYsgfVRI/AAAAAAAABNg/2Xmsc-v4-jc/s1600/June2010_088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uYsgfVRI/AAAAAAAABNg/2Xmsc-v4-jc/s320/June2010_088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485013135471367442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Snow Whites!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uYGO1LMI/AAAAAAAABNY/Tud6p-2nRhI/s1600/June2010_092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uYGO1LMI/AAAAAAAABNY/Tud6p-2nRhI/s320/June2010_092.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485013125196754114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Tap dancing to "Heigh-Ho"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uX34kcdI/AAAAAAAABNQ/h9ckzl3Ghz4/s1600/June2010_095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uX34kcdI/AAAAAAAABNQ/h9ckzl3Ghz4/s320/June2010_095.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485013121345286610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Having a snack after the performance.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uWRiwj1I/AAAAAAAABNI/WQCc3zwdYs8/s1600/June2010_093.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TB6uWRiwj1I/AAAAAAAABNI/WQCc3zwdYs8/s320/June2010_093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485013093873389394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Joe is gnawing on a prize that Olivia won for him.</div><div><br /><br /><center><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/448825811080"><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/448825811080" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></center></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's some video of both of her performances.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Olivia is behind the mic stand)</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-64621659464671123382010-06-18T10:41:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.574-07:00Dance Expo 2010<div style="text-align: center;">Olivia danced ballet to "Someday My Prince Will Come" and tap to "Heigh Ho". As always, we thoroughly enjoyed watching her dance. She was part of the Enchanted Kingdom segment and her class were the little Snow Whites. It's always a little weird to see a bunch of little girls in heavily sprayed hair and stage make-up, but it's all part of the show:) Doesn't Olivia look a little strained with that goop all over her lips?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkeTAU12Uj7Oda9MYMj6kN72Prqu4bfhnkVubRIhwlAWLHTSq4wbz383mjRFtFCRwSmLR1cHqc7v4wd4NN-MznxF3GHejSokHGNxgji_l51u1H-2taw7_G5FvlfGcbf8A6joVomFmsc8/s1600/June2010_067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqkeTAU12Uj7Oda9MYMj6kN72Prqu4bfhnkVubRIhwlAWLHTSq4wbz383mjRFtFCRwSmLR1cHqc7v4wd4NN-MznxF3GHejSokHGNxgji_l51u1H-2taw7_G5FvlfGcbf8A6joVomFmsc8/s400/June2010_067.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171075592961170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We've seen a huge improvement in Olivia's dancing since last year. She really enjoys it, which makes all the fuss over recital totally worth it. Since watching cousin Gracie's recital and dancing in her own, Olivia and little sissy have been "performing" in mini recitals of their own non-stop!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBdAoh4lp8LwPHdFGj3AkruxqF2tgo4qKrDbhqtP3ah9x71x9R8dtgcaM6G6d4PGq0gnX3Esz6wSkFokuaqGmH2xRABHZJV-DYwx4ZrbXIXIylaOUBp5kJ0B1UlL0Cu5CMAAPsGf3_Bs/s1600/June2010_066.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBdAoh4lp8LwPHdFGj3AkruxqF2tgo4qKrDbhqtP3ah9x71x9R8dtgcaM6G6d4PGq0gnX3Esz6wSkFokuaqGmH2xRABHZJV-DYwx4ZrbXIXIylaOUBp5kJ0B1UlL0Cu5CMAAPsGf3_Bs/s400/June2010_066.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171063174354786" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Look out next year when we'll have two little angel dancers.</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-48937645510059833462010-06-08T07:04:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.587-07:00Recital Weekend<div>We were back in LeMars last weekend to watch Grace's recital. All of the dances were great and it's always fun to watch. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5Pfhs96NI/AAAAAAAABNA/InEKqkr89n0/s1600/June2010_039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5Pfhs96NI/AAAAAAAABNA/InEKqkr89n0/s320/June2010_039.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480405199597988050" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">We were greeted with my favorite pizza....Jerry's!! Yum!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5Pfhs96NI/AAAAAAAABNA/InEKqkr89n0/s1600/June2010_039.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PfLqbAsI/AAAAAAAABM4/f-5UVCY3zfs/s1600/June2010_040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PfLqbAsI/AAAAAAAABM4/f-5UVCY3zfs/s320/June2010_040.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480405193681732290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PetvqxXI/AAAAAAAABMw/UN5SECkIR4o/s1600/June2010_041.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PetvqxXI/AAAAAAAABMw/UN5SECkIR4o/s320/June2010_041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480405185650673010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Joe found a <del>weapon</del> toy and immediately began <del>terrorizing</del> playing.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PK4-G_uI/AAAAAAAABMo/as379Tb4x40/s1600/June2010_042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PK4-G_uI/AAAAAAAABMo/as379Tb4x40/s320/June2010_042.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480404845066649314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The girls got the girly treatment from mommy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PKRzmteI/AAAAAAAABMg/N71VkVJuOPc/s1600/June2010_043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PKRzmteI/AAAAAAAABMg/N71VkVJuOPc/s320/June2010_043.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480404834553607650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Olivia in the best seat in the house, between grandma and great-grandma!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PJw_km0I/AAAAAAAABMY/NfrIKwXgYzQ/s1600/June2010_044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PJw_km0I/AAAAAAAABMY/NfrIKwXgYzQ/s320/June2010_044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480404825745431362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Backstage with Gracie before the show. (Sylvia was a bit spooked)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PJlHsdgI/AAAAAAAABMQ/LGx4Oe2m8aI/s1600/June2010_045.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PJlHsdgI/AAAAAAAABMQ/LGx4Oe2m8aI/s320/June2010_045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480404822558275074" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The fam (sans Joseph) with Gracie after the show.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PJMmKojI/AAAAAAAABMI/yhiM3OliaGA/s1600/June2010_046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TA5PJMmKojI/AAAAAAAABMI/yhiM3OliaGA/s320/June2010_046.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5480404815975195186" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Gracie and great-grandma Ruden</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Great job Gracie! </div><br /><br /></div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-68238361712866706392010-06-05T05:00:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.603-07:00Busy couple of days<div style="text-align: center;">After working in Spencer on Tuesday and Wednesday, I got right back into action here at home. Thursday morning brought grocery shopping, ice-cream sundaes with Olivia's pre-school class, and a picnic play date with friends at the park. Olivia received a bubble wand from her teacher, <a href="http://amesrudens.blogspot.com/2010/05/thanks-miss-suzanne.html">Miss Suzanne</a> and entertained her brother and sister for a good while yesterday afternoon. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><object width="400" height="300" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/1385092066134" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/1385092066134" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I was even able to catch some brief "Joey-babble". His words are coming slower than the girls' ever did, so we get super excited when he utters a new one:) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoHjgWX0BtqXssCz8B2KyKm2SWFBjEEYRa8YJpyzrcxCC1ERR3LWm5wmYHEHyn5GTGOxoVGMrDaDwNn7PKMtt1X9qQ4QMuBY3jETKCIUZjm_lRK9SXeiTNXsbnUeYpq_nsN8oYnRBVGY/s1600/IMG_3665.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifoHjgWX0BtqXssCz8B2KyKm2SWFBjEEYRa8YJpyzrcxCC1ERR3LWm5wmYHEHyn5GTGOxoVGMrDaDwNn7PKMtt1X9qQ4QMuBY3jETKCIUZjm_lRK9SXeiTNXsbnUeYpq_nsN8oYnRBVGY/s400/IMG_3665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479070986979168994" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Today was Olivia's last day of pre-school, so she got out a little early. Instead of running back home, then back to pick her up in such a short time frame, the little kids and I went on an "adventure". We did some light shopping at Wally-world where we stocked up on bubbles, sidewalk chalk, and outdoor toys. Then Joey got a hair-cut, followed by a trip to the park. After picking big sister up from school, we came home and had lunch and a nap with Daddy, who was worn out from mowing the yard. As if the day wasn't hectic enough, we decided that a little swimming was in order. Gotta do it up right when we get "family day"! We ended up at the Nevada pool as the Ames one was only open 4-7pm this week. Now we're chilling out after an easy supper. It makes me giddy thinking about all the fun summer days we have ahead of us!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-54476693479792145032010-06-04T17:34:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.615-07:00Memorial Day Weekend<div>Over Memorial Day Weekend we traveled up to LeMars to visit Gramma Lola. Ab had to work Saturday so bright and early Sunday morning we headed out. The first thing the girls saw when we arrived were the treasures that Gramma Lola brought back from Hawaii (see below). We were very busy eating lots of great food and playing outside. It was too short of a trip for sure!</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmc1-slWTI/AAAAAAAABMA/tiY767cBIyA/s1600/May2010_126.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmc1-slWTI/AAAAAAAABMA/tiY767cBIyA/s320/May2010_126.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479082872849914162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Aloha! Aren't we cute?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmc1NCbR1I/AAAAAAAABL4/9hoLb6tp8oo/s1600/May2010_131.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmc1NCbR1I/AAAAAAAABL4/9hoLb6tp8oo/s320/May2010_131.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479082859519756114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Joey loves the bubbles!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmc0atv3jI/AAAAAAAABLw/G6gMjy63Bq4/s1600/May2010_132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmc0atv3jI/AAAAAAAABLw/G6gMjy63Bq4/s320/May2010_132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479082846011252274" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Olivia knows how it's done!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmczAn4euI/AAAAAAAABLo/_I5tCFGmt8Q/s1600/May2010_134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmczAn4euI/AAAAAAAABLo/_I5tCFGmt8Q/s320/May2010_134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479082821827459810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure what Sylvia is doing here.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmcysU1ByI/AAAAAAAABLg/Oq9ja-LAM-c/s1600/May2010_136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAmcysU1ByI/AAAAAAAABLg/Oq9ja-LAM-c/s320/May2010_136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5479082816378832674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Working hard on those bubbles!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=224492&id=738501080&l=a954313760">Here</a> are the rest of the pictures.Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-38916923982762545192010-06-03T20:49:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.633-07:00Goodbye MingoI left Mingo today for the last time. I often joked that I'd be dancing on my way out of the building but that wasn't the case. It was actually pretty hard to do. I've met some good people and worked with some awesome teachers in that building and I won't forget that.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAh8Gb5wW0I/AAAAAAAABLY/g_d5lyp2tbo/s1600/June2010_017.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAh8Gb5wW0I/AAAAAAAABLY/g_d5lyp2tbo/s320/June2010_017.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478765396707269442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The ol' school on the hill.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAh8F2FzM4I/AAAAAAAABLQ/y5zcZE3RSU4/s1600/June2010_031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TAh8F2FzM4I/AAAAAAAABLQ/y5zcZE3RSU4/s320/June2010_031.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478765386557240194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A brief moment before taking the road out of town behind me.</div><br />Here's a brief <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=224266&id=738501080&l=8750abdc85">photo tour</a> of the ol' building that I'll miss quite a bit.</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-33873695895694648512010-05-29T10:39:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.646-07:00Like it!Don't feel like commenting but enjoyed a post? You can share it on Facebook so all of your friends can read it too! Just click the <del>"Like"</del>"Recommend" button below the post!Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-73656669225233923302010-05-28T16:58:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.657-07:00Over?Well. Yesterday was my last day with Colfax-Mingo Middle School students. It was a bittersweet moment for sure. As a teacher I am in a unique position where I am able to meet and get to know so many people in a community. Over the last 5 years I have been a part of many families' lives. At the middle school we invest so much into the children of the community and to watch them literally grow up in front of you is something very special (It's a running joke for my 8th grade boys to say that they start the year shorter than me and end it taller than me!). I truly feel like I have helped raise over 300 teenagers (whoa, when you say it out loud it's no wonder I'm a little wacky!). <div><br /></div><div>We always end the year at the middle school with a day of fun. In previous years we would go to Adventureland but with budget concerns we trimmed it down to a day of fun around the town of Colfax with swimming, golfing, bowling, disc golf, etc. This year we were even unable to do that much but knowing the middle school we ALWAYS find a way to have fun. We rented inflatables and a dunk tank and set them up outside the school and converted the grounds into a makeshift water park. I spent some time in the dunk tank and way too much time on the slip-n-slide (just ask my sore muscles). It was all in the name of fun, however. Pain will go away, but the memories of good times with young people will never go away.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdh1D0XrI/AAAAAAAABKw/VWtbVgA8bFg/s1600/May2010_110.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdh1D0XrI/AAAAAAAABKw/VWtbVgA8bFg/s320/May2010_110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476479982642683570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The dunk tank (that's not me in it)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdhZw0ltI/AAAAAAAABKo/HWPyPZa1334/s1600/May2010_115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdhZw0ltI/AAAAAAAABKo/HWPyPZa1334/s320/May2010_115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476479975315248850" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me and my fellow teachers. (I am soaked from the dunk tank)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdgyxAvtI/AAAAAAAABKg/EeNoMiggZto/s1600/May2010_119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdgyxAvtI/AAAAAAAABKg/EeNoMiggZto/s320/May2010_119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476479964847062738" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is me showing the kids how it's done.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdgVyEJcI/AAAAAAAABKY/V4_OMuZr2Zc/s1600/May2010_121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABdgVyEJcI/AAAAAAAABKY/V4_OMuZr2Zc/s320/May2010_121.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476479957066851778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I don't think I won this one.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Last night was our annual 8th grade promotion night. This night is one of my favorite times of the year. Every year I get to spend the whole morning with the entire 8th grade class practicing for the ceremony. I love that time with them because it is so informal and we get to relax and have a little fun. I also get the opportunity to be with them just before the ceremony because they hang out in my classroom. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABfQEN5-TI/AAAAAAAABLA/gey8tXcPtQE/s1600/May2010_101.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABfQEN5-TI/AAAAAAAABLA/gey8tXcPtQE/s320/May2010_101.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476481876497135922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Me and (most of) my 8th Graders...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABfPiUyH9I/AAAAAAAABK4/CdRvvHLrvA4/s1600/May2010_103.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABfPiUyH9I/AAAAAAAABK4/CdRvvHLrvA4/s320/May2010_103.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476481867399176146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">...or as I like to call them: my "crazy 8s"</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I was also received the Educational Initiative Award and a check for $500 from the Mingo Economic Development Corporation for my work with the school discipline policy, my time spent volunteering for detentions, and for helping students with behavior problems.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABfQm8wqEI/AAAAAAAABLI/vzhOkV3hYe4/s1600/MEDCO+Award.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_D-kLD8NlnCQ/TABfQm8wqEI/AAAAAAAABLI/vzhOkV3hYe4/s320/MEDCO+Award.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476481885820463170" /></a>It has been a great experience working at CMMS. I sometimes think that I learned much more than I taught. We are looking forward to forging new bonds and becoming a part of a new community in Spencer as we turn the page and begin a new season in our life. We are blessed.<div><br /></div><div>More <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=222737&id=738501080&l=090365c413">pics</a></div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-36509108565850391272010-05-22T05:30:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.671-07:00Taking a Moment<div align="center">Sylvia resorts to reading on her sister's bed under a blankie when Olivia is away at preschool.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeek1BFK4Py2ZGDBXW0soSu31XtiISEok7oRttsMoyA6350ym7Fy-TqyFz1ZviFJ_lbIY1BVN-PxT6N5q_Gro2WClBvbg7amd6Mp9UewvyL3wde1DewNKFKBqlL8a3nPs4XpPFyqaSts/s1600/IMG_3543.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473807671687583970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgeek1BFK4Py2ZGDBXW0soSu31XtiISEok7oRttsMoyA6350ym7Fy-TqyFz1ZviFJ_lbIY1BVN-PxT6N5q_Gro2WClBvbg7amd6Mp9UewvyL3wde1DewNKFKBqlL8a3nPs4XpPFyqaSts/s400/IMG_3543.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br /><br />There's never a dull moment when they're are here together and I think they really miss each other when they're apart. Today, Olivia told me that when she gets big, she wants to sleep with Sylvia in a big bed, like Mommy and Daddy's. Isn't that just the sweetest? Another fine example: when the girls are at Bible Study on Wednesday mornings with me, their little classes play outdoors when it's nice weather. Their teachers reported to me that when they see each other on the playground, they blow kisses at each other and pick flowers for one another! I think it's so cool that they have each other. They are quite the pair:) </p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-23664344741971838582010-05-21T19:18:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.682-07:00Friday Night at the Rudens'<div align="center">Laundry needs a foldin'... </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgLfxQuI54mdhfFPHteEGbY6YngGNj3fnfrAHKLZlyGUnCU1WTqdFG30HAizcHSTzWYD7J2RcLbeU0VslwYDHK13GH31t_4KWD0s1DOr_ja14Ol5eEktPorxuRKJQdSukOXSBb5WLOAA/s1600/IMG_3546.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473914384989571618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxgLfxQuI54mdhfFPHteEGbY6YngGNj3fnfrAHKLZlyGUnCU1WTqdFG30HAizcHSTzWYD7J2RcLbeU0VslwYDHK13GH31t_4KWD0s1DOr_ja14Ol5eEktPorxuRKJQdSukOXSBb5WLOAA/s400/IMG_3546.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Movie needs a watchin'.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO1FT3o75wAN7XXoE_ggDXDqU6P8xaUxcQHpMtAukA1IIHHb4030rkjnvJ_7kNaQzekEV2XE6_eWqqS5WIDxX5cwsQ4dQc-JDM-Mqr8rBR2WieN-hGHT4JOoUx62rbGYMLVcEyIdaCPs/s1600/we-were-soldiers-mel-gibson.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473914375352531266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHO1FT3o75wAN7XXoE_ggDXDqU6P8xaUxcQHpMtAukA1IIHHb4030rkjnvJ_7kNaQzekEV2XE6_eWqqS5WIDxX5cwsQ4dQc-JDM-Mqr8rBR2WieN-hGHT4JOoUx62rbGYMLVcEyIdaCPs/s400/we-were-soldiers-mel-gibson.jpg" /> <p align="center"></a>Can you tell tonight was Matt's pick?<br /><br />Does this count as date night?</p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-70129847302743293382010-05-21T12:13:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.694-07:00Random<div align="center">What a fun little crew we have. The kids got to eat one lunch this week in the girls' bedroom, as I've been busily painting away in the kitchen.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKztQWnF3SpmzZLXo_PHYIPc8p851g9bfMV3U6m8i-eOsNse2jb7q6aVUsEUS0CIy6zMW3_dB52WMPuXVPCk0Igec_yKKeu1DngBZRCImmvWFlnaAleCjuzRoCo03yAnIfgDJGGUzosKM/s1600/IMG_3542.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473803864029543682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKztQWnF3SpmzZLXo_PHYIPc8p851g9bfMV3U6m8i-eOsNse2jb7q6aVUsEUS0CIy6zMW3_dB52WMPuXVPCk0Igec_yKKeu1DngBZRCImmvWFlnaAleCjuzRoCo03yAnIfgDJGGUzosKM/s400/IMG_3542.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />It's been quite interesting trying to keep these three corralled while I try to concentrate on the painting task. A novice, such as myself, maybe should not have picked a kitchen as my first major painting project. "Painting, no big deal" you say? Well, that thought may have crossed my mind too...before I tackled the <strike><em>monster</em></strike> project. Oh well, it's done now and yippee skippy, we've got another showing this Sunday:) Hope they're not disappointed the kitchen looks different than the pictures. Wouldn't that be lovely? Ha!<br /><br />In other news...Joey's been acting sick for over a week no. Can't blame his molars anymore, since they're fully surfaced on the bottom. Soooo, I took him in to the pediatrician's office today. Yep, bilateral ear infection. At least I didn't let them get to the point of rupturing, like I did poor little Sylvia's when she was about this age. That was a definite "Mother of the Year" moment...NOT!<br /><br />Can't wait for the sun to shine again. I get so down and blah when it's dreary out. </p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-56455363080602001092010-05-14T11:39:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.705-07:00Gone Fishing<div align="center">Wouldn't we all just love to be gone fishing right now?<br /><br /></div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471197706892493122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1qsZFtjorovfN2GFMGpnSmDiYiAR4w2VH7iDsOBy1XTzivFjvK1QyUwZMoK2rhvM8FK-n11UnvwAfBQjkJUzuuJAlvLIXQNKUxN6Y1vhR_Ug1_uCR1yFdplhuu2oX1zR8WBlALacE4Co/s400/IMG_3530.JPG" /></p><p align="center"><br />As usual, Sylvia's got the right idea:) </p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-11387680546504115342010-05-13T06:00:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.852-07:00Out in the gloom<div align="center">Even <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">though</span> the weather's been...well, YUCK, these little darlings still enjoy the outdoors. It's nearly impossible to get a picture of Joey, but I did manage one decent one. He's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">SOOOOOO</span> busy. (Joey busy, not Riley busy thank goodness..<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">hee</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">hee</span> Kara) </div><div align="center"><br /> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7inZFNJYJXUgtFCwBPQX5x6rJY6tb54j6qJBL9ksJLm2HcY4p_UkLY5ivw6xsqxE2Gw6ClSF3P4A8Bj1rbitloTfQmbCyzUCXdKLkALatvSs3LJcxkXuaJW4qTHHcVVSF1nkhD1MUAwE/s1600/IMG_3522.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470216331582444594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7inZFNJYJXUgtFCwBPQX5x6rJY6tb54j6qJBL9ksJLm2HcY4p_UkLY5ivw6xsqxE2Gw6ClSF3P4A8Bj1rbitloTfQmbCyzUCXdKLkALatvSs3LJcxkXuaJW4qTHHcVVSF1nkhD1MUAwE/s400/IMG_3522.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Olivia is such the artist. Here, she <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">awkwardly</span> poses with her rainbow and fireworks, "like at the lake".<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMhiLvL-skwVA-W5wit-nTJ0ZQZdMjCjxanX0rPABETyFujpttP00ZbxcXNl16wNlzwvmV3zH78Z1GuHrFL1AkMRF-D6CSERxawfKcEosvPmP0GSmFzfGUxm4gZbfw6Z1PbZec1EAbO4/s1600/IMG_3517.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470216321844524722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMhiLvL-skwVA-W5wit-nTJ0ZQZdMjCjxanX0rPABETyFujpttP00ZbxcXNl16wNlzwvmV3zH78Z1GuHrFL1AkMRF-D6CSERxawfKcEosvPmP0GSmFzfGUxm4gZbfw6Z1PbZec1EAbO4/s400/IMG_3517.JPG" /></a><br />Check out Sylvia in her rain boots, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">capri</span> sweats, ballerina skirt, and spring jacket. What an ensemble...that's all her! She enjoys the sensory part of sidewalk chalk more than the art itself, so she gets really close to the ground and usually rubs it all over her skin and clothes. I've even seen her taste it...just a couple weeks ago!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkt82rkzpPNtDh5FKFhBpepCt7mkd66bpKA-X4D8WdqMxEb6l9awJYc8SHs5j4yPzmYwVPTtYvaXTs55FZIa3O5VnAxrtpRvGQ1ZkEj4zDSFz448xU8wu-PUPeK_66N4xu7snKIfiHPA/s1600/IMG_3516.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470216315500891970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkt82rkzpPNtDh5FKFhBpepCt7mkd66bpKA-X4D8WdqMxEb6l9awJYc8SHs5j4yPzmYwVPTtYvaXTs55FZIa3O5VnAxrtpRvGQ1ZkEj4zDSFz448xU8wu-PUPeK_66N4xu7snKIfiHPA/s400/IMG_3516.JPG" /></a><br />Looking forward to the sun and warmer weather this weekend.</p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-90898420371391123602010-05-12T06:00:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.865-07:00Impossible Turkey Pie<p align="center">What to do when you find leftover turkey in the freezer? Impossible Turkey Pie of course:) Cooking is an adventure for me, so I like to snap pictures sometimes.<br /><br />Ingredients:<br /> 2 c. cut-up turkey<br /> 1 sm. can sliced mushrooms, drained (I omitted this 'cause I wanted it eaten)<br /> 1/2 c. sliced green onions (I used more like 1c.)<br /> 1/2 tsp salt (I used garlic salt....why do I even use a recipe, right?)<br /> 1 c. shredded Swiss cheese (I used Colby Jack for a bolder flavor...I know, ridiculous)<br /> 1 1/2 c. milk<br /> 3/4 c. biscuit baking mix<br /> 3 eggs<br /><br />Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease 10-inch pie pan. Sprinkle turkey, mushrooms, onions, salt and cheese in the pan.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9FirDTvhu-t7caVb04k4gry90bXB4-BcerxMEwcOhi1Y2-W6Rx2LVV4nydtCvnaMTiucVQec0NjVK1V_kInTeBjD0byICHI-FlEJzpL6XRnl1Dm3m0r44cBP1OAz16Wmkwgm7TpAisM/s1600/IMG_3514.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211710849362130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9FirDTvhu-t7caVb04k4gry90bXB4-BcerxMEwcOhi1Y2-W6Rx2LVV4nydtCvnaMTiucVQec0NjVK1V_kInTeBjD0byICHI-FlEJzpL6XRnl1Dm3m0r44cBP1OAz16Wmkwgm7TpAisM/s400/IMG_3514.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Beat remaining ingredients until smooth and pour into pie pan.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJYwSxbwcV7Xp78bf_1-9dwOa7_4oYyCd_rDOxhzQBX_8XM_L_bXi91sFXRo5vII_YpDl2-TQdroUHYSwiHmeuvmNXI4ZS1fidkKkJybTwYDqQxUoyp69wvJPhNHkJ6I7Kzf1ajbIhxQ/s1600/IMG_3515.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211708005657010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJYwSxbwcV7Xp78bf_1-9dwOa7_4oYyCd_rDOxhzQBX_8XM_L_bXi91sFXRo5vII_YpDl2-TQdroUHYSwiHmeuvmNXI4ZS1fidkKkJybTwYDqQxUoyp69wvJPhNHkJ6I7Kzf1ajbIhxQ/s400/IMG_3515.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize4tRlb3CeTPuZmyr_KC7ITfZS4nlFM4FrR6ON0UxjSV8y2TkEfTqb3e-zLSvMAXOtcITIDToaYIhMtGD5Rv0kL3Dd3RsU99DjBE4OoSi1sB3RcuNKrxaEIO2vOHUrlE1QrPJSb8hTI4/s1600/IMG_3523.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211692287927506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize4tRlb3CeTPuZmyr_KC7ITfZS4nlFM4FrR6ON0UxjSV8y2TkEfTqb3e-zLSvMAXOtcITIDToaYIhMtGD5Rv0kL3Dd3RsU99DjBE4OoSi1sB3RcuNKrxaEIO2vOHUrlE1QrPJSb8hTI4/s400/IMG_3523.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />It plated well with sauteed green beans and fresh strawberries.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xq7NYrL5WXGzgj2TA3M6jPqu42G5KrjrQwvpebjJ9tI7RTjX_6J2qo0XIcdMWbUWzfcFtXKETUIHvGcijOeJSxdg4sz4IWzIUcUiAQXc-2d46kaPzIJrmQL4jdFHY3wzI71GaTFzl9E/s1600/IMG_3526.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470211689435842114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3xq7NYrL5WXGzgj2TA3M6jPqu42G5KrjrQwvpebjJ9tI7RTjX_6J2qo0XIcdMWbUWzfcFtXKETUIHvGcijOeJSxdg4sz4IWzIUcUiAQXc-2d46kaPzIJrmQL4jdFHY3wzI71GaTFzl9E/s400/IMG_3526.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Matt voted to NOT put this dish into the regular "dinner rotation", but approved it for use of the turkey leftovers:) Winner winner, <em>TURKEY</em> dinner!</p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-49218012693224125602010-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:40.990-07:00Early Bird<div align="center">Olivia has always been an early bird. Her internal alarm clock goes off much earlier than most 5 year olds', but I've learned to love that about her. Getting up so early every morning assures that she won't miss out on anything!<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lt5oJESgEHzI8JFOy7AIRZxpw0MoKSfTDlhuDuLiDuMzbj-FOuW_XsgsweEDM6GLhQrz1a4NdA9Cnboi1iWOJ6UVFdugHJO-jNucKPap4uIjbMv1cswoQJGfGlff31VOqykE8p8o2N4/s1600/IMG_3507.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469719365939847762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lt5oJESgEHzI8JFOy7AIRZxpw0MoKSfTDlhuDuLiDuMzbj-FOuW_XsgsweEDM6GLhQrz1a4NdA9Cnboi1iWOJ6UVFdugHJO-jNucKPap4uIjbMv1cswoQJGfGlff31VOqykE8p8o2N4/s400/IMG_3507.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Believe it or not, she likes to sneak into the bathroom on Saturday and Sunday mornings while I'm getting ready for work, blankie and pillow in hand, and snuggle up right there next to the "throne". She watches me dry my hair and tells me stories or sings me songs. That's right, Olivia is not a child that likes listening nearly as much as she likes performing. It's so funny that Sylvia asks me to sing to her all the time while Olivia asks me to be quiet so she can sing. Ha!<br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469719336811595234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhms5P45roK3ZbXhQEw4DpJRESLA6CV4KY0sHB8R9If2VbOavUEHckq6vo-iHsC7UKSSzfEzlFJKwfI8562mpJYN2HlVJA_gOhzsLGKQ1yg5e24wPTQ0cPtJdePCumuBdDKYBKAGJjKMeY/s400/IMG_3508.JPG" /> <p align="center"><br />Olivia, I cherish our early weekend morning visits in the bathroom. </p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-91999055803407840772010-05-10T11:34:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:41.004-07:00Thanks Miss Suzanne<div align="center">Olivia received this adorable denim apron with her name embroidered on it from her preschool teacher. We've been so blessed to have Ms. S as Olivia's teacher this year. Any future teacher has some <strike>big</strike> young & talented shoes to fill.<br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31Xr1WMep5IaCN57I7iJGCnVaStwqgOWfmZ9Cwf-FUSD5To4SPfIziWbver0fGyWlywtL2U43HjJRbM65Xl_HY0eKfcK7tEv3KYtECWdGMlWU8MvnaFZeIuEjVqp1PnSC7IuZkYwSVas/s1600/IMG_3510.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469712909192959922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj31Xr1WMep5IaCN57I7iJGCnVaStwqgOWfmZ9Cwf-FUSD5To4SPfIziWbver0fGyWlywtL2U43HjJRbM65Xl_HY0eKfcK7tEv3KYtECWdGMlWU8MvnaFZeIuEjVqp1PnSC7IuZkYwSVas/s400/IMG_3510.JPG" /></a> <p align="center"><br />This apron is one-of-a-kind, just like Olivia and her teacher:) </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaOtqH_EI1DIOxk-g105CRE0WyHQWfFwEgumfPVnW6Ol1q-0vtnpk-Dp5YHDy1iqHglieY-YyQeRZVCTNMPj1Sws2ZWLRTdo7EQwczskJJDBAgEc-zh99rSfbu9kLSiLdD1nED5gqdec/s1600/IMG_3509.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469712898807100226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDaOtqH_EI1DIOxk-g105CRE0WyHQWfFwEgumfPVnW6Ol1q-0vtnpk-Dp5YHDy1iqHglieY-YyQeRZVCTNMPj1Sws2ZWLRTdo7EQwczskJJDBAgEc-zh99rSfbu9kLSiLdD1nED5gqdec/s400/IMG_3509.JPG" /></p><p align="center"></a>We're really going to miss Northwood and the wonderful staff there. </p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-42081711070349140042010-05-09T06:00:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:41.016-07:00Happy Mother's Day<div align="center">The girls got ambitious and creative in making cards for their Grandmas in observance of Mother's Day.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2U7hFJAnDp3xDIm3UsZMo4OUbaEWYUdck2f934d86jYFgGGCuJZO-N7_8t33F3F24vf9FCrY1CHn-Daq9mlr3Brg9DsrO-elXK7I_9m20oPnjEvP16sThyphenhyphenUArHf6VF2iS18bLI9on6M/s1600/IMG_3501.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468594106724959922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt2U7hFJAnDp3xDIm3UsZMo4OUbaEWYUdck2f934d86jYFgGGCuJZO-N7_8t33F3F24vf9FCrY1CHn-Daq9mlr3Brg9DsrO-elXK7I_9m20oPnjEvP16sThyphenhyphenUArHf6VF2iS18bLI9on6M/s400/IMG_3501.JPG" /><br /></a>No card would be complete without a ton of smiley face stickers, right?</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEEhutRYsPF8BCK6FycCyAh-cjgNKreZTh6Ct1rTRPHACgl2hquVyZNU_hR4knVM1OFaQyDNmPcUQtmXCDXBEzbBkk1t484Q0Bzn5lw65R66zLStomDEeYjIsLWP41Hdmzqr6BPjZRHs/s1600/IMG_3504.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468594098091366786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEEhutRYsPF8BCK6FycCyAh-cjgNKreZTh6Ct1rTRPHACgl2hquVyZNU_hR4knVM1OFaQyDNmPcUQtmXCDXBEzbBkk1t484Q0Bzn5lw65R66zLStomDEeYjIsLWP41Hdmzqr6BPjZRHs/s400/IMG_3504.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Olivia is getting so good at writing. It's fun to see her skills improve with every activity.<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpP9HwcY50HtklZQ5HtFORbRKQEB2RLwGr1m1x_FHaNNVtJW_tFFg8lctp621kEgcKgXo9uDUySAFCxUj6nCfWoIajYO_K5vv6mo4JcemwQ1IndKxqstbe6aYpDouo7igAQQosDwRePo/s1600/IMG_3502.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468594092451236562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpP9HwcY50HtklZQ5HtFORbRKQEB2RLwGr1m1x_FHaNNVtJW_tFFg8lctp621kEgcKgXo9uDUySAFCxUj6nCfWoIajYO_K5vv6mo4JcemwQ1IndKxqstbe6aYpDouo7igAQQosDwRePo/s400/IMG_3502.JPG" /> <p align="center"></a><br />To all who Mother, God bless you! </p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-52957357337582905592010-05-07T11:11:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:41.029-07:00"Cheese"<div align="center">Here's our little ham, "cheesing" it up this morning.<br /><br /></div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468592759225309986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNYia-jvSeO3kNQN7JsOgE0aAra6GpcdpgVxb9lv89R8HzlKmFnXE4Lp_Td_1vfCpUOBUztOpyHZPzLwkzmqcSQhnzqSBh37Yx9ggTCr2vM3Bq3MylelkXdOcYGElFO4I374dt2498R8/s400/IMG_3505.JPG" /><br />He's starting to LOVE hats.</p>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8294530251516409393.post-77976504289041339212010-05-06T12:39:00.000-07:002010-07-23T09:28:41.041-07:00Dog & Pony Show<div align="center">The kids LOVE performing for us...and we love to share, so here they are during lunch time today.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/1355616729269"><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/1355616729269" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br />Olivia wanted to do animal noises, like Joey. I nixed that idea! She is so funny, vacillating between "mother henning" her siblings and reverting back to her baby ways. Sylvia chose to sing a song, the "B-I-B-L-E", one of her favorites.<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/1355549247582"><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/1355549247582" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br />Joey was pretty distracted by his mac-n-cheese, though his tummy was already filled up with his veggies and fruit. He's a BIG eater. What a contrast to his sisters!<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/1355591248632"><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/1355591248632" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br />Aren't they fun?</div>Abbeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07075855778865554342noreply@blogger.com0