tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57030084224759363942024-03-12T23:26:24.547-05:00The Gatewood GangJoanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-69323794990808089132017-03-16T10:18:00.000-05:002017-04-18T16:06:59.615-05:00Happy Birthday, Dobby and Enzo!We adopted them on June 6, and they stole our hearts. We all still miss Brodie, but these little snuggle bugs are filling in the empty place in our hearts. Here is a year in the life of our pups.<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv7X2gTmmDI/WPZQTo3vpOI/AAAAAAAACA0/4CoozPGN2aQoYSBvDjlDYTeZBj2cz0OuwCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hv7X2gTmmDI/WPZQTo3vpOI/AAAAAAAACA0/4CoozPGN2aQoYSBvDjlDYTeZBj2cz0OuwCLcB/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg.jpeg" width="320" height="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFbwYMJht44/WPZQTtyK0OI/AAAAAAAACA4/I1NHH5v7ngYeTOn66uCAseL8FUMZ4WMmgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6676.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFbwYMJht44/WPZQTtyK0OI/AAAAAAAACA4/I1NHH5v7ngYeTOn66uCAseL8FUMZ4WMmgCLcB/s320/IMG_6676.JPG" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dP888jzYjs/WPZ_0_XO8pI/AAAAAAAACB4/f44T1ueP6AQQa6UTaCXRPrMMwV05VIVrACLcB/s1600/enzo.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4dP888jzYjs/WPZ_0_XO8pI/AAAAAAAACB4/f44T1ueP6AQQa6UTaCXRPrMMwV05VIVrACLcB/s320/enzo.jpg" width="180" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjiAlommM5o/WPZ_00uhkgI/AAAAAAAACBw/VfVu0WEajlgcyYP5Kdm6zqU0m0TY-A-FwCLcB/s1600/enzojack.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SjiAlommM5o/WPZ_00uhkgI/AAAAAAAACBw/VfVu0WEajlgcyYP5Kdm6zqU0m0TY-A-FwCLcB/s320/enzojack.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_eJ2d3rW88/WPZ_0x2zDbI/AAAAAAAACB0/JY7lBpsJ16kZy3z3mjnsaeSvRSaumqwKwCLcB/s1600/jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j_eJ2d3rW88/WPZ_0x2zDbI/AAAAAAAACB0/JY7lBpsJ16kZy3z3mjnsaeSvRSaumqwKwCLcB/s320/jack.jpg" width="320" height="298" /></a><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OZc4VImQYA/WPZQTkIp31I/AAAAAAAACA8/bVEsMcXMo8QO5T3fJDdQKjYhVA404d_MACLcB/s1600/IMG_7177.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9OZc4VImQYA/WPZQTkIp31I/AAAAAAAACA8/bVEsMcXMo8QO5T3fJDdQKjYhVA404d_MACLcB/s320/IMG_7177.JPG.jpeg" width="320" height="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OihsPSfJVG0/WPZQT2YHflI/AAAAAAAACBA/hQNKlP-szR0qihrq0ZyfjAdDM7A3zPCQwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7230.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OihsPSfJVG0/WPZQT2YHflI/AAAAAAAACBA/hQNKlP-szR0qihrq0ZyfjAdDM7A3zPCQwCLcB/s320/IMG_7230.JPG.jpeg" width="200" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aJteAp3Z10/WPZQUIX2eOI/AAAAAAAACBM/wOIbu0PF9KofYwMBcXXPAFrqW2W6E4-cwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7235.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7aJteAp3Z10/WPZQUIX2eOI/AAAAAAAACBM/wOIbu0PF9KofYwMBcXXPAFrqW2W6E4-cwCLcB/s320/IMG_7235.JPG.jpeg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oYctCSDXj4/WPZQUHtoHaI/AAAAAAAACBE/P8hPjfPHUxEf_SLSCKyE-_TtNSd7UH3sACLcB/s1600/IMG_7279.JPG.jpeg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--oYctCSDXj4/WPZQUHtoHaI/AAAAAAAACBE/P8hPjfPHUxEf_SLSCKyE-_TtNSd7UH3sACLcB/s320/IMG_7279.JPG.jpeg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDjJevaP0UM/WPZQWGMcKQI/AAAAAAAACBY/vVqvp5DeeLYyxj14gTzusebydXoMd0qVgCLcB/s1600/Dobby%2B3-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDjJevaP0UM/WPZQWGMcKQI/AAAAAAAACBY/vVqvp5DeeLYyxj14gTzusebydXoMd0qVgCLcB/s320/Dobby%2B3-16.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfVKjgumMcE/WPZQWN7zCtI/AAAAAAAACBU/nl_K4YtW7Go7xKmrhR4-6W9LW4VCNmn6QCLcB/s1600/Enzo%2B3-16.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hfVKjgumMcE/WPZQWN7zCtI/AAAAAAAACBU/nl_K4YtW7Go7xKmrhR4-6W9LW4VCNmn6QCLcB/s320/Enzo%2B3-16.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3C7Q_9dqLKA/WPZQWIlDF_I/AAAAAAAACBQ/9XqgBARVLG4g31oqQKzVsHJsXwTxMAyzQCLcB/s1600/Pups%2B1-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3C7Q_9dqLKA/WPZQWIlDF_I/AAAAAAAACBQ/9XqgBARVLG4g31oqQKzVsHJsXwTxMAyzQCLcB/s320/Pups%2B1-26.jpg" width="320" height="298" /></a><br />
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-76482147778052868952017-03-16T09:01:00.000-05:002017-04-17T09:46:53.235-05:00Spring Break 2107Since Matt has taken on a new role at work, he is traveling more. His travel happened to fall during Spring Break, so I decided to take the boys to my parent's house and New Orleans for a few days of fun. <br />
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We left on Monday morning to head to Centreville. We decided to stop in Jackson to eat lunch with Fran. We met at McAllister's and enjoyed a nice visit and lunch before getting back on the road to Centreville.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZW-ab9Iqrs/WPTIbuBTH8I/AAAAAAAAB9U/MSbYFdwl1TwgokEM-DnJTil9fVHcSGGuQCLcB/s1600/Fran.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZW-ab9Iqrs/WPTIbuBTH8I/AAAAAAAAB9U/MSbYFdwl1TwgokEM-DnJTil9fVHcSGGuQCLcB/s320/Fran.jpg" width="320" height="261" /></a><br />
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We got to Centreville and to boys went about choosing which room they wanted to sleep in, and Trent had fun taking pictures of my school pictures from elementary school and laughing at them. I told him that I was lucky and we didn't take nearly as many pictures when I was a kid. I can't wait to make a slideshow for his wedding. ;) <br />
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I decided to take to boys to see the gun in the street. Legend has it (or so I like to say) that some crook threw the gun in the wet cement to get rid of it, but over the years the concrete has worn down and shown the gun. Matt was upset with me because he said I never showed him the gun. I really thought I had, but who knows. :) Here is a pic of the boys checking it out.<br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJPYB31S3KA/WPTJotGLTmI/AAAAAAAAB9g/33yQaAvcfkEscbyBUGb01MeINYbcGt7AwCLcB/s1600/gun%2Bin%2Bstreet.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YJPYB31S3KA/WPTJotGLTmI/AAAAAAAAB9g/33yQaAvcfkEscbyBUGb01MeINYbcGt7AwCLcB/s320/gun%2Bin%2Bstreet.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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After we ran a few errands, we decided to play a game of Mexican Train. Jack is REALLY good at this game, and when we decided to stop and save the rest of the game for another night, he was winning by A LOT. :)<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyEiVav3WOA/WPTJ6KJML5I/AAAAAAAAB9k/YRiK24DwjfUaL8P5hI8rwMkjDy--kjgIwCLcB/s1600/mexican%2Btrain.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oyEiVav3WOA/WPTJ6KJML5I/AAAAAAAAB9k/YRiK24DwjfUaL8P5hI8rwMkjDy--kjgIwCLcB/s320/mexican%2Btrain.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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We got up early on Tuesday morning to head to NOLA, and the boys and I sat in the back seat and tried to play car games. We played Papaw's game where you count the animals on your side of the road. You had to go back to zero when you pass a cemetery on your side, and the boys got really irritated with that game because there seemed to be a lot of cemeteries. :) Once we crossed over the state line into Louisiana we stopped at the Welcome Center to pick up coupons and ideas of things to do on the trip. Jack thought the alligator door knob was especially cool.<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpezLRgmT3g/WPTKkBG6B3I/AAAAAAAAB9s/GyyOUX9SpHIJgxKwsnCXtm2SsCaEat4NQCLcB/s1600/Jack%2Balligator%2Bdoor.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VpezLRgmT3g/WPTKkBG6B3I/AAAAAAAAB9s/GyyOUX9SpHIJgxKwsnCXtm2SsCaEat4NQCLcB/s320/Jack%2Balligator%2Bdoor.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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On the way to New Orleans I posted on Facebook that was where we were headed, and Hannah (my niece) texted to tell me that's where she was. We told her that we'd meet her for beignets and coffee once we got down to the French Quarter. Little did we know that NOLA was going to be SO busy. The line to Cafe Du Monde was SUPER long, so we went to Cafe Beignet that still had a long line, but it was not nearly the wait of the other. Hannah met us and visited for a few minutes. <br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSixB1ylaaQ/WPTLih2tpxI/AAAAAAAAB90/nrtmcoe2QKQ9whQ_GKaZcKvbIhVoogVGACLcB/s1600/hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OSixB1ylaaQ/WPTLih2tpxI/AAAAAAAAB90/nrtmcoe2QKQ9whQ_GKaZcKvbIhVoogVGACLcB/s320/hannah.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
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After our snack we headed to the WWII Museum. One of my parents' friends got us free tickets, and we were so thankful because the line at the museum was REALLY long. We got our "dog tag" and tickets to the 4D movie and we enjoyed a full day at the museum. The boys love history so they had a great time learning. It would take days and days to really get everything that the museum has to offer, but I will say that the movie was AWESOME! If you ever go, you must go to the movie. <br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lf2yN0TjMWM/WPTMHZ7OtJI/AAAAAAAAB98/n-Txcc887DQNs6S9yzVmkdd9aIf3h85OACLcB/s1600/WWII%2BMuseum.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lf2yN0TjMWM/WPTMHZ7OtJI/AAAAAAAAB98/n-Txcc887DQNs6S9yzVmkdd9aIf3h85OACLcB/s320/WWII%2BMuseum.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8txRoz5oRX4/WPTMJ6y_wNI/AAAAAAAAB-A/BBT_hdmm1t4A7s-rJ4Pa7tFkpnr2gW-8QCLcB/s1600/WWII%2Bmovie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8txRoz5oRX4/WPTMJ6y_wNI/AAAAAAAAB-A/BBT_hdmm1t4A7s-rJ4Pa7tFkpnr2gW-8QCLcB/s320/WWII%2Bmovie.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j0fSM6YzWvE/WPTMNcpIAWI/AAAAAAAAB-E/mxRwDupqqD8zHvAkn6DrmQZxFZjxYs7zACLcB/s1600/Jack%2BTank.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j0fSM6YzWvE/WPTMNcpIAWI/AAAAAAAAB-E/mxRwDupqqD8zHvAkn6DrmQZxFZjxYs7zACLcB/s320/Jack%2BTank.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryR-lbxxvqo/WPTMPRu3upI/AAAAAAAAB-I/y5VMiNuMaEw_h9_tYELQfmZZiEWEt8CkQCLcB/s1600/Top%2BFloor.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryR-lbxxvqo/WPTMPRu3upI/AAAAAAAAB-I/y5VMiNuMaEw_h9_tYELQfmZZiEWEt8CkQCLcB/s320/Top%2BFloor.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YedHX2CEfg/WPTMRTbjDvI/AAAAAAAAB-M/RXcdLtxPra002Koo7jjU9o9dss79EL4jwCLcB/s1600/Trent%2Bup%2Bhigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_YedHX2CEfg/WPTMRTbjDvI/AAAAAAAAB-M/RXcdLtxPra002Koo7jjU9o9dss79EL4jwCLcB/s320/Trent%2Bup%2Bhigh.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxkvzyL4ack/WPTMUjxeumI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/1ZXW9IxPqCUe5PAzmBbBSMu0iLPAaTfzwCLcB/s1600/Papaw%2Band%2BJack.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PxkvzyL4ack/WPTMUjxeumI/AAAAAAAAB-Q/1ZXW9IxPqCUe5PAzmBbBSMu0iLPAaTfzwCLcB/s320/Papaw%2Band%2BJack.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
This picture of Jack and my dad is one of my all time favorites. So sweet!<br />
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We thought that we'd have a pretty easy time finding a hotel for the night, but I was totally wrong about that. Everywhere in the French Quarter was sold out, so we found a room in New Orleans East and headed there. We went to a NOLA fast food restaurant that served seafood, and the boys were excited because they had boudin balls (not as good as Matt's by far) and free ice cream. We enjoyed a nice dinner and headed back to the hotel tired. <br />
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We had planned to go on an airboat tour, but the cold weather deterred us. I know that Matt was secretly happy about that because he really wanted to do that with us. So we headed back to the French Quarter to get beignets at the real Cafe Du Monde, and our timing was perfect. We sat right down and then the line began to form. <br />
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You know we play too much Pokemon because Jack kept calling this bird at "Pidgey" instead of a pigeon. <br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6dhkzNqXFQ/WPTNfx9ymvI/AAAAAAAAB-c/EhwOORXafwYqCrGX3zgfpVvfFYKZCbdsQCLcB/s1600/Jack%2BPidgey.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y6dhkzNqXFQ/WPTNfx9ymvI/AAAAAAAAB-c/EhwOORXafwYqCrGX3zgfpVvfFYKZCbdsQCLcB/s320/Jack%2BPidgey.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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There was a street performer right outside the cafe and the boys enjoyed his music. He was very entertaining.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73Qmh5_o4W4/WPTNsk20MtI/AAAAAAAAB-g/tDb8vJUwnF4-GyH35W2kETxW3f5p8XLAgCLcB/s1600/Street%2BPerformer.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-73Qmh5_o4W4/WPTNsk20MtI/AAAAAAAAB-g/tDb8vJUwnF4-GyH35W2kETxW3f5p8XLAgCLcB/s320/Street%2BPerformer.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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We ordered our beignets and coffee and hot chocolate, and the boys LOVED it! Of course, we had powdered sugar all over us, but that's part of the experience.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HSN02s4Ni4/WPTN6Q739zI/AAAAAAAAB-k/lRqgTJJls5A5Wp1Uf4V1mn9gMNgw2mOoACLcB/s1600/Cafe%2BDu%2BMonde%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0HSN02s4Ni4/WPTN6Q739zI/AAAAAAAAB-k/lRqgTJJls5A5Wp1Uf4V1mn9gMNgw2mOoACLcB/s320/Cafe%2BDu%2BMonde%2B1.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3xJMtxg0Sg/WPTN7e27WaI/AAAAAAAAB-o/ZQCdPVvXL1Mv4aF9ChZ-nbuvAx9EV-soQCLcB/s1600/Cafe%2BDu%2BMonde%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e3xJMtxg0Sg/WPTN7e27WaI/AAAAAAAAB-o/ZQCdPVvXL1Mv4aF9ChZ-nbuvAx9EV-soQCLcB/s320/Cafe%2BDu%2BMonde%2B2.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
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After our breakfast we headed to the French Market to buy some pralines for Matt and us. We love Loretts's chocolate pralines, but we were too early. They hadn't made any yet. We were super disappointed, but we walked around and shopped for a little while. <br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlbtsCjJiiM/WPTOe9kT8jI/AAAAAAAAB-w/ljBx1ypNXZQ4mRB5gJG8FjyNBX-K2eoQgCLcB/s1600/French%2BMarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlbtsCjJiiM/WPTOe9kT8jI/AAAAAAAAB-w/ljBx1ypNXZQ4mRB5gJG8FjyNBX-K2eoQgCLcB/s320/French%2BMarket.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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We went to St. Louis Cathedral with the boys. Jack was quite confused because he thought we were in New Orleans, not St. Louis. I had to explain that several times to him. They thought it was pretty cool how old the church was.<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YT3u6Qlm1YY/WPTOyDOKqoI/AAAAAAAAB-0/ckLJSs5GfZ0nAz2Ri667HsyOrnnjXmqPACLcB/s1600/St.%2BLouis%2BCathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YT3u6Qlm1YY/WPTOyDOKqoI/AAAAAAAAB-0/ckLJSs5GfZ0nAz2Ri667HsyOrnnjXmqPACLcB/s320/St.%2BLouis%2BCathedral.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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Since we couldn't go on the airboat tour, we decided to go to the aquarium and insectarium with the boys. They both really enjoyed the aquarium and took lots of pictures.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnnB8IVeKXw/WPTPCnXD1_I/AAAAAAAAB-4/NyIMRW7-KasXpdjnSinqqj17McPIjLaOgCLcB/s1600/Jack%2Bin%2BAquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TnnB8IVeKXw/WPTPCnXD1_I/AAAAAAAAB-4/NyIMRW7-KasXpdjnSinqqj17McPIjLaOgCLcB/s320/Jack%2Bin%2BAquarium.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xk8Y4oMX6HI/WPTPD9gj_9I/AAAAAAAAB-8/y0h-5LkcdbwVUA5yv9rviVD3B5N5MxAYgCLcB/s1600/Jack%2Bover%2BAquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xk8Y4oMX6HI/WPTPD9gj_9I/AAAAAAAAB-8/y0h-5LkcdbwVUA5yv9rviVD3B5N5MxAYgCLcB/s320/Jack%2Bover%2BAquarium.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kx9Voiyvjso/WPTPE78ySwI/AAAAAAAAB_A/W4c59gGpZEo7AXKLg9Xkc86GsDDoH4zgQCLcB/s1600/Penguins%2BPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kx9Voiyvjso/WPTPE78ySwI/AAAAAAAAB_A/W4c59gGpZEo7AXKLg9Xkc86GsDDoH4zgQCLcB/s320/Penguins%2BPic.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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After the aquarium we headed to the insectarium. It is in a federal building so we had to go through tight security checks including taking our shoes off. The boys were a little confused, but I explained that they do that at airports, too. The boys favorite part of this place was the chance to eat bugs. I truly thought they wouldn't like that, but I was wrong. Who knew they would be so adventurous?<br />
They also seemed to have a curiosity with alligators. ;)<br />
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGEdOZJmnaA/WPTTqiK8SPI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/43i5lOsGSdI-8v5JaOJMISiXT_t7etUlACLcB/s1600/Alligator%2Bside%2Beye.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aGEdOZJmnaA/WPTTqiK8SPI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/43i5lOsGSdI-8v5JaOJMISiXT_t7etUlACLcB/s320/Alligator%2Bside%2Beye.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82FAtF4W7Ew/WPTTsAxQ6OI/AAAAAAAAB_U/ZxuJ0v34gt4c9sSo_dLIg0LR3VJ3VIuRwCLcB/s1600/Trent%2BBug%2BCookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-82FAtF4W7Ew/WPTTsAxQ6OI/AAAAAAAAB_U/ZxuJ0v34gt4c9sSo_dLIg0LR3VJ3VIuRwCLcB/s320/Trent%2BBug%2BCookie.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaQWniI5RJk/WPTTt02JAtI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/glmtQKJynzcixEmzkGvILeE9vT__GxcrACLcB/s1600/Trent%2BAlligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zaQWniI5RJk/WPTTt02JAtI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/glmtQKJynzcixEmzkGvILeE9vT__GxcrACLcB/s320/Trent%2BAlligator.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXz7mfOumT8/WPTTveeO9yI/AAAAAAAAB_c/nAkf2xW4i8QSZ1huuygQbKVPcABkbSlxACLcB/s1600/Alligator.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iXz7mfOumT8/WPTTveeO9yI/AAAAAAAAB_c/nAkf2xW4i8QSZ1huuygQbKVPcABkbSlxACLcB/s320/Alligator.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a> <br />
<br />
After we finished at the insectarium, we headed home. Of course, we had to stop and eat at Middendorf's. Between the French Quarter and there, all three of us (me, Trent, Jack) fell asleep in the back seat. We had a great time and a great visit with Nanny and Papaw. :)<br />
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-71788220488662365482017-03-08T13:59:00.001-06:002017-03-08T13:59:32.380-06:00Matt's Birthday Weekend<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pogPM8u-xNs/WMBiF4_H7zI/AAAAAAAAB8s/0KIHKpinN1MTMvMuRvzX_infLjxSBQfUwCLcB/s1600/17103363_10155064842244889_1958771664970546476_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pogPM8u-xNs/WMBiF4_H7zI/AAAAAAAAB8s/0KIHKpinN1MTMvMuRvzX_infLjxSBQfUwCLcB/s320/17103363_10155064842244889_1958771664970546476_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
<br />
After last year's huge surprise birthday weekend at the Shack Up Inn for Matt's 40th, anything that I planned this year would never compare. I had to let myself be ok with that. We had tickets to see Ben Folds for awhile, so that was going to be the "party" this year. We met up with Joey and Whitney for dinner at The Second Line in Overton Square. We all love that restaurant, so it was an easy choice. We all enjoyed dinner and the listening to Matt and the waitress give one another a hard time through the whole meal. <br />
We ran a little late getting to the concert. We walked in when Ben was on his second song. We all really loved the show. We just wished he had played more.<br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmKd2cbF5Jo/WMBiPb-m8II/AAAAAAAAB8w/Lkm8TlbSl1stkjvwBwsq4E0o6FYAYyxYQCLcB/s1600/17022145_10212153517296056_6771982995697189278_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hmKd2cbF5Jo/WMBiPb-m8II/AAAAAAAAB8w/Lkm8TlbSl1stkjvwBwsq4E0o6FYAYyxYQCLcB/s320/17022145_10212153517296056_6771982995697189278_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRTz0tJMxyI/WMBiQpb2JzI/AAAAAAAAB80/CT6N_aFx6isnz0E1-gAn16llTxH6cepwwCLcB/s1600/17156103_10212153524176228_2427968978154407762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRTz0tJMxyI/WMBiQpb2JzI/AAAAAAAAB80/CT6N_aFx6isnz0E1-gAn16llTxH6cepwwCLcB/s320/17156103_10212153524176228_2427968978154407762_n.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
<br />
It was fun to run into Clark and his wife at the show. We actually saw quite a few people we knew there. <br />
Clark said, "Last time we did this was what, 2005?" <br />
I corrected him, "Nope, 2004." <br />
We knew that because Clark and Matt went to see Ben in Nashville on a fall night in 2004. <br />
Insert Story Here:<br />
They had planned to stay with one of Clark's friends up there after the concert. I was home alone, dealing with my blood sugar being too high for another day. I couldn't figure out what was going on, and I kept talking to Brodie. We had given up on getting pregnant a couple of months before, but I still had some pregnancy tests in the cabinet. I decided to take one, and low and behold, it was POSITIVE. I was so taken aback that I didn't know what to do. <br />
Matt had our one and only cell phone at the time (a silver Samsung flip phone), and I just started calling and calling and calling. I knew he was at a concert and couldn't hear it, but I didn't give up.<br />
Matt said at one point he took the phone out of his pocket and had 17 missed calls. Yep, that was me.<br />
He called me, and I told him. <br />
He was just as surprised as me. <br />
He asked Clark if it was ok to go home after the concert, and sweet Clark said, "Sure." <br />
He got in about 2:00 in the morning and hugged me, and we were SO happy.<br />
So Ben Folds is part of Trent's story. <br />
<br />
We spent Sunday, Matt's actual birthday, taking it easy and enjoying family time as much as we could. I made him the traditional Italian Cream Cake. <br />
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj5plIy3HLk/WMBiXMQTw6I/AAAAAAAAB84/XvwUiHRMaLwq8mHc2832Vk0DelTOWGB_ACLcB/s1600/17155594_10155068042709889_1902175075508024261_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Zj5plIy3HLk/WMBiXMQTw6I/AAAAAAAAB84/XvwUiHRMaLwq8mHc2832Vk0DelTOWGB_ACLcB/s320/17155594_10155068042709889_1902175075508024261_n.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
He wanted pasta for dinner, so I made Baked Ziti. And now Matt can't act like I'm a year older for a few months (because now we are the same age again - 41). Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-51527170381667164962017-02-16T19:13:00.001-06:002017-02-16T19:14:43.972-06:00Speak of the devil...Well, I post about Pokémon Go and Gen 2 comes out the same day! What Luck! Now we are having a family fun night eating at Babalu and playing Pokémon Go as a family. <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YMTAdbVLu1E/WKZOG9WBBZI/AAAAAAAAB7s/rGnGd_d_1W8/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2ZYRrZl8_oU/WKZOKKy7l0I/AAAAAAAAB7w/ay48fIROw0I/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gTJRvbr-UKQ/WKZON2yCsTI/AAAAAAAAB70/6tUAj-3Ecdg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-idAMJAR6y6A/WKZORUGztXI/AAAAAAAAB74/GtJrRBPR3EU/%25255BUNSET%25255D.jpg" alt="">Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-50324694004188781182017-02-16T15:58:00.002-06:002017-02-16T15:58:05.336-06:00Pokemon Go and ValentinesYes, Matt and I play Pokemon Go. <br />
Yes, we play with and without the boys present. <br />
Yes, we really do enjoy it. <br />
We started playing when it came out over the summer, and Matt and I enjoyed playing while the boys were at football practice three nights a week for several months. Honestly, it gave us something to do to pass the time. It was enjoyable to catch new Pokemon, and it gave us some quality time together to talk. Once Trent got his phone and we found out we had an extra phone (Boo, AT&T store - that's a story for another time), we started enjoying it as a family. It has lost some of the shiny new glow that it had, but that's ok. There will be more events that get us excited in the future. <br />
<br />
Jack told me he wanted to make "DIY" valentines. <br />
When I asked what kind? <br />
I don't know...<br />
Any ideas?<br />
No<br />
So I started searching Pinterest and the things that I know he likes...<br />
Minecraft<br />
Harry Potter<br />
Pokemon Go<br />
<br />
I finally found a cute wrap for a juice box that looked like Pikachu. I had already bought Jack boxes of Jolly Rancher Chews for his Valentines. I decided to use different ideas and merge them into one cute idea. I printed the Pikachu wraps and Valentine cards that looked like pokeballs. Then I went and bought Pokemon cards to put with each of his Valentines. <br />
When I showed Jack what I had planned, he was so happy. That's the thing about Jack. He tells you when he loves something. He tells me that he loves me. He calls me the best mama in the world. He makes it easy for me to do things for him. Appreciation truly makes one work harder to earn it more. I know that Jack's personality does not mesh well with everyone, but I know that his heart is made of gold. <br />
Anyway, Jack loved the Valentine ideas and he was happy to help. Thanks to Nanny (my mother) for helping us cut out and prep everything for Jack's part of the work. We worked on Saturday morning and got them done. Can I just say - that's a win! We had everything done and ready a full 3 days before we needed it. That never happens for me. <br />
Here is the finished product, and Jack came home on Valentine's Day and proudly told me, "______ said that I had the best Valentine's in the whole class!" <br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDFjheh3ii4/WKYfiPn1ukI/AAAAAAAAB7c/-HdcMtCnl1kO5sfa6_FvARaGvbCU67hnQCLcB/s1600/ValentinesPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IDFjheh3ii4/WKYfiPn1ukI/AAAAAAAAB7c/-HdcMtCnl1kO5sfa6_FvARaGvbCU67hnQCLcB/s320/ValentinesPic.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a><br />
<br />
That pure joy coming from my baby boy was all the payment I needed. <br />
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-18964747619271495192017-02-15T15:32:00.000-06:002017-02-15T15:32:24.495-06:00Trent's 11th Birthday PartyI wasn't sure if either of my boys would end up liking Harry Potter as much as me, but the audiobooks helped me get Trent hooked towards the end of 5th grade. We listened as he read along in the actual books, and it was a nice family pastime. We watched the movies of the books that we read, and when it was time to plan Trent's birthday party, all he wanted was his closest friends and a Harry Potter theme. I decided to use Pinterest and rest of the internet to do it up right. <br />
<br />
I asked Trent what he wanted and the main thing was Honeydukes. That's the candy cart on the Hogwart's Express. I have learned how to be frugal because I started out at Michael's and Hobby Lobby, but I ended up at Dollar Tree. They have lots of cute containers and lots of candy choices. I had to spend a little extra on Amazon to get the Harry Potter brands for some of the candy, but the rest were only $1 a bag. <br />
<br />
I started out with the candy store work. I made cute labels for the glass containers and tried to get interesting shaped containers. I made snitches out of the hazelnut chocolates, and I bought cupcakes to finish the display.<br />
<br />
\<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJmlVQKVLIE/WKS7ThR3xlI/AAAAAAAAB5U/s9Cb_kIjG2kTKirR1npkhs4LjCeh3bElgCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DJmlVQKVLIE/WKS7ThR3xlI/AAAAAAAAB5U/s9Cb_kIjG2kTKirR1npkhs4LjCeh3bElgCLcB/s320/1.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcMNHu4sNsk/WKS7Tom5G3I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/7O4LM6DpuCItjF-RyzfIQ4APrgmMdnK_wCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TcMNHu4sNsk/WKS7Tom5G3I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/7O4LM6DpuCItjF-RyzfIQ4APrgmMdnK_wCLcB/s320/2.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NkXP_mTki8/WKS7TvCv3FI/AAAAAAAAB5M/xNfH_JUzDkM9GM4UV_NTXfbaqQ8abq2_wCLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_NkXP_mTki8/WKS7TvCv3FI/AAAAAAAAB5M/xNfH_JUzDkM9GM4UV_NTXfbaqQ8abq2_wCLcB/s320/3.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYEctLz1BPA/WKS7T2vJevI/AAAAAAAAB5c/M2hlibVhn1sNWuNQmOmrvpJnlieyA7drwCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NYEctLz1BPA/WKS7T2vJevI/AAAAAAAAB5c/M2hlibVhn1sNWuNQmOmrvpJnlieyA7drwCLcB/s320/4.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7zDtMcZGbI/WKS7T7nj60I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/6x7oY0CU5-E1mqiwdYAfoK-SUM6IxZMkwCLcB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z7zDtMcZGbI/WKS7T7nj60I/AAAAAAAAB5Y/6x7oY0CU5-E1mqiwdYAfoK-SUM6IxZMkwCLcB/s320/5.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYys4vG0MKw/WKS7TwVVMfI/AAAAAAAAB5g/JpsAxwhlLXEDuZ6hzcx6wwKVsaB9hy9MwCLcB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OYys4vG0MKw/WKS7TwVVMfI/AAAAAAAAB5g/JpsAxwhlLXEDuZ6hzcx6wwKVsaB9hy9MwCLcB/s320/6.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><br />
<br />
My idea was to have a Potions class for the boys. This took longer than I thought, but I loved how it turned out. First, I made wands out of cardstock rolled up with hot glue dripped all over them. Then I painted them different colors to make them all different. Then I made Potions Books with the recipes in them. This took me awhile because I had to make notes for myself on what baking soda was called and what vinegar was called, etc. I made individual books for each boy and they had their wand choosing ceremony before the class began. Just like in Harry Potter, the wand chose its master, so they had fun with that. <br />
<br />
Then we headed to the garage and began the fun. We made a density column. We made things that bubbled and fizzed. We even created snakes from fire and other ingredients. Of course, I had to be there for all of the experiments to keep it safe, but I think the boys really enjoyed it. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwgIU8DNYXE/WKS83FtbGyI/AAAAAAAAB6A/CVk8k_HSnGMMIRy6fGtoi8QadCKiZR5lwCLcB/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GwgIU8DNYXE/WKS83FtbGyI/AAAAAAAAB6A/CVk8k_HSnGMMIRy6fGtoi8QadCKiZR5lwCLcB/s320/7.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rygx64DHyLM/WKS83Z2g1-I/AAAAAAAAB6I/zUroLqElEd8vGXNz72Qc5rrkVCMfTDxuACLcB/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rygx64DHyLM/WKS83Z2g1-I/AAAAAAAAB6I/zUroLqElEd8vGXNz72Qc5rrkVCMfTDxuACLcB/s320/9.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAUHqXLMpUg/WKS82yaTFPI/AAAAAAAAB54/XAP6M2G-nKQa5a2xL138y0PLPAT-ElUpgCLcB/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZAUHqXLMpUg/WKS82yaTFPI/AAAAAAAAB54/XAP6M2G-nKQa5a2xL138y0PLPAT-ElUpgCLcB/s320/11.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIHXDL0vNmw/WKS829RHnrI/AAAAAAAAB5w/T4CRgs8qs-4kfH0expUgLrifRh4JvVXhQCLcB/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIHXDL0vNmw/WKS829RHnrI/AAAAAAAAB5w/T4CRgs8qs-4kfH0expUgLrifRh4JvVXhQCLcB/s320/12.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfDjKBeydFA/WKS829EnJMI/AAAAAAAAB50/lEx9Pu1kEJYQkoEEQUqZjyfMrsRnaOCqACLcB/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FfDjKBeydFA/WKS829EnJMI/AAAAAAAAB50/lEx9Pu1kEJYQkoEEQUqZjyfMrsRnaOCqACLcB/s320/14.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-kOq7qgmiI/WKS83CVZXVI/AAAAAAAAB6E/dNoR8XeyOjgczsO8dLwAtHRvlqWEttV9gCLcB/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-kOq7qgmiI/WKS83CVZXVI/AAAAAAAAB6E/dNoR8XeyOjgczsO8dLwAtHRvlqWEttV9gCLcB/s320/15.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPEf7hJYRIY/WKS83L0ULmI/AAAAAAAAB58/SlUBvtaAJSE1b2CJdgag7rGo2zNfqZiSQCLcB/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RPEf7hJYRIY/WKS83L0ULmI/AAAAAAAAB58/SlUBvtaAJSE1b2CJdgag7rGo2zNfqZiSQCLcB/s320/17.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><br />
<br />
Next, we had a feast comparable to Hogwart's feast. The boys had tons of food and pigged out. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l38hqiGz5J0/WKS9QbTTXUI/AAAAAAAAB6M/JDHfpnMoXOE4H3h9v6K2cFtFH7pyV6K_ACLcB/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l38hqiGz5J0/WKS9QbTTXUI/AAAAAAAAB6M/JDHfpnMoXOE4H3h9v6K2cFtFH7pyV6K_ACLcB/s320/24.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7LqWExd3GU/WKS9Qa86OuI/AAAAAAAAB6U/pJ3-xiafZ_cGjrw1zTsEDCI8_YfrXxBIQCLcB/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h7LqWExd3GU/WKS9Qa86OuI/AAAAAAAAB6U/pJ3-xiafZ_cGjrw1zTsEDCI8_YfrXxBIQCLcB/s320/25.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsrHfa_62QM/WKS9QUcHpcI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/8tKLFh5CT4wcPx1_vpnnESuSQb1TK3xMACLcB/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsrHfa_62QM/WKS9QUcHpcI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/8tKLFh5CT4wcPx1_vpnnESuSQb1TK3xMACLcB/s320/26.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><br />
<br />
After the feast the boys had fun eating Bertie Bott's Every Flavor beans and making it a competition. It was pretty gross. With flavors like Skunk Spray, Canned Dog Food, Boogers, and Vomit, I don't know why anyone would want to try them at all.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUDdimBEWMM/WKS9tT0SS0I/AAAAAAAAB6g/_cKYKDSe5eUyAFE554Bc3RyoqWimRR4ngCLcB/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BUDdimBEWMM/WKS9tT0SS0I/AAAAAAAAB6g/_cKYKDSe5eUyAFE554Bc3RyoqWimRR4ngCLcB/s320/18.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBBaO2Bspzg/WKS9tYGIRkI/AAAAAAAAB6c/YVOiUIEUpLwliW8if8NlOhGXoTEpsW22wCLcB/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GBBaO2Bspzg/WKS9tYGIRkI/AAAAAAAAB6c/YVOiUIEUpLwliW8if8NlOhGXoTEpsW22wCLcB/s320/19.jpg" width="320" height="213" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uUcvfUb8nqE/WKS9tVMfM9I/AAAAAAAAB6k/SRMm2QmPQSIWDkGJTLSfloa2E3lKtXt2wCLcB/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uUcvfUb8nqE/WKS9tVMfM9I/AAAAAAAAB6k/SRMm2QmPQSIWDkGJTLSfloa2E3lKtXt2wCLcB/s320/20.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvuBfKlXak8/WKS9tnIK-jI/AAAAAAAAB6s/QwE4QwbtNewP9c6--EptuRCqz2-1BPiQQCLcB/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EvuBfKlXak8/WKS9tnIK-jI/AAAAAAAAB6s/QwE4QwbtNewP9c6--EptuRCqz2-1BPiQQCLcB/s320/21.jpg" width="213" height="320" /></a><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nAIu4cvDjQ/WKS9tn16wjI/AAAAAAAAB6o/JTSHrunm9QIwgtJRlw_0EtjqqrWhyEZtwCLcB/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9nAIu4cvDjQ/WKS9tn16wjI/AAAAAAAAB6o/JTSHrunm9QIwgtJRlw_0EtjqqrWhyEZtwCLcB/s320/22.jpg" width="320" height="214" /></a><br />
<br />
Finally, we ended the night with watching the actual first Harry Potter movie. The boys loaded up on the candy from Honeydukes and went into a sugar coma. <br />
<br />
All in all, I'd say it was a very successful (probably last themed) birthday party for Trent. I thought it was pretty awesome...Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-63068255070657915282017-02-15T11:12:00.000-06:002017-02-15T11:12:13.388-06:00The Polar Express 2016I had lots of friends take their children on the Polar Express last year, and I thought it would be fun. However, I kept telling myself that Trent would not want to go. I thought he was too old or too cool for it. BUT, I asked anyway. Would y'all like to go on the Polar Express? <br />
YES! <br />
Really? <br />
YES!<br />
Ok, if we are doing this, we are are going to do it BIG. I logged into the website and booked the Diamond Package. I also purchased the book to be waiting on them when we got there. <br />
Then I told Matt that wearing pajamas was a requirement. We HAD to wear them, too. <br />
He AGREED! <br />
Of course, I was only joking, but it was like a Christmas miracle to me because my husband actually wanted to go. He is my bah humbug baby. He does not get in the Christmas spirit, but he seemed to actually WANT to do this. I was SO excited, probably more excited than the kids.<br />
I went and bought them new pajama bottoms at Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid to start. This is the first year that I did not buy them matching Christmas pajamas, and it was tough. <br />
So the day came. We loaded up and headed to Batesville, Mississippi to hop aboard the Polar Express.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njltAMXgT7I/WKSHurk2I3I/AAAAAAAAB3I/iu1wEh--rR8ZApTbliqDGnGwa-J1e_XpwCLcB/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njltAMXgT7I/WKSHurk2I3I/AAAAAAAAB3I/iu1wEh--rR8ZApTbliqDGnGwa-J1e_XpwCLcB/s320/1.jpg" width="320" height="221" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F55aa2v3tMw/WKSH0Vyc0fI/AAAAAAAAB3M/OHHbckuTnUEeynj7kFzsGTFGcAhH77a5QCLcB/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F55aa2v3tMw/WKSH0Vyc0fI/AAAAAAAAB3M/OHHbckuTnUEeynj7kFzsGTFGcAhH77a5QCLcB/s320/2.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
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We went to pick up our tickets and look through the cute town square. It was pretty cold, so we didn't hang out for too long. We found our train car and anxiously waited for our boarding call. <br />
We were on the top floor of a double decker car with huge windows. The boys thought it was so cool (and so did I). <br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvW70Qlan8I/WKSIcp9lRBI/AAAAAAAAB3U/Os4PfXs5l90a6CKzYNj9okNPUuGA0L6XACLcB/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CvW70Qlan8I/WKSIcp9lRBI/AAAAAAAAB3U/Os4PfXs5l90a6CKzYNj9okNPUuGA0L6XACLcB/s320/3.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FGzs2Pnry7s/WKSIgCLGSGI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/kByspaVFacIwvkeAfvPKR2xUc7Z5bjnJgCLcB/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FGzs2Pnry7s/WKSIgCLGSGI/AAAAAAAAB3Y/kByspaVFacIwvkeAfvPKR2xUc7Z5bjnJgCLcB/s320/4.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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We started the trip with music from the movie, and the conductor came around and punched the boys tickets. It was very interactive and fun. Matt even sang along to the music (probably to embarrass the boys as much as anything).<br />
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We had servers bring us hot chocolate and cookies and they held the book as it was read aloud over the speakers. The boys followed along in their books.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSEIijpcw1M/WKSKECavKiI/AAAAAAAAB3o/6dUYhr4QsDAHObyptuZ25ZGyL9wmOt-IgCLcB/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wSEIijpcw1M/WKSKECavKiI/AAAAAAAAB3o/6dUYhr4QsDAHObyptuZ25ZGyL9wmOt-IgCLcB/s320/5.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YrrIXalPyPU/WKSKHeB98QI/AAAAAAAAB3s/rO-D3n3gTSED-xYaN_5W-ySAlEXfvuGoACLcB/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YrrIXalPyPU/WKSKHeB98QI/AAAAAAAAB3s/rO-D3n3gTSED-xYaN_5W-ySAlEXfvuGoACLcB/s320/6.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn75R7Vp2jM/WKSKLjOodvI/AAAAAAAAB3w/LxGmJqqR1FsNQP3T7AkoQDN_CWxspJiRQCLcB/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wn75R7Vp2jM/WKSKLjOodvI/AAAAAAAAB3w/LxGmJqqR1FsNQP3T7AkoQDN_CWxspJiRQCLcB/s320/7.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBJxs18RA98/WKSKOsJpjpI/AAAAAAAAB30/rwh1eMRPbbw_cDKoCOUkLbYTmSusfd4SACLcB/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aBJxs18RA98/WKSKOsJpjpI/AAAAAAAAB30/rwh1eMRPbbw_cDKoCOUkLbYTmSusfd4SACLcB/s320/8.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfeGtIdSUJM/WKSKSbdLChI/AAAAAAAAB34/e__mgnC2M-Q2_crAAed9pidYSef3hGlYQCLcB/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xfeGtIdSUJM/WKSKSbdLChI/AAAAAAAAB34/e__mgnC2M-Q2_crAAed9pidYSef3hGlYQCLcB/s320/9.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iVzLr2pqlc/WKSKV0eCdWI/AAAAAAAAB38/kB0do3RpMrwkz256anZ9xJYYZKnqT7CCgCLcB/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2iVzLr2pqlc/WKSKV0eCdWI/AAAAAAAAB38/kB0do3RpMrwkz256anZ9xJYYZKnqT7CCgCLcB/s320/10.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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The ride was fun. The only downside was that we were not on the side where you could see the North Pole. I think that was good because it is supposed to be better at night. If you get the chance to make this fun trip, shoot for an evening ride to get the best experience. <br />
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Once we left the North Pole and Santa and his elves were on board, there was more fun to be had. Santa came around and sat and talked to all of the boys and girls. The elves gave all of the boys and girls the signature Polar Express bell. <br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1rmKJ39IR0/WKSLB-X9drI/AAAAAAAAB4E/RIrCKONCgus9tE3TODfLKaVve45gglqmQCLcB/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N1rmKJ39IR0/WKSLB-X9drI/AAAAAAAAB4E/RIrCKONCgus9tE3TODfLKaVve45gglqmQCLcB/s320/11.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HvuvZsYc3SY/WKSLHiVVgZI/AAAAAAAAB4M/7Uy4I7wSOF4Htp5MB7_y6dNHcGilEC8FQCLcB/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HvuvZsYc3SY/WKSLHiVVgZI/AAAAAAAAB4M/7Uy4I7wSOF4Htp5MB7_y6dNHcGilEC8FQCLcB/s320/13.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YONPUfJZzhQ/WKSLU8cUpYI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/f52mGN2ABM4xgvRKUjbtVfQ7YYvjWwtWgCLcB/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YONPUfJZzhQ/WKSLU8cUpYI/AAAAAAAAB4Q/f52mGN2ABM4xgvRKUjbtVfQ7YYvjWwtWgCLcB/s320/14.jpg" width="320" height="232" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WbpEzWpeis/WKSLYzrfwAI/AAAAAAAAB4U/kW5AYh_sXCoiYPljmuhYZ35doPUOpq7AwCLcB/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_WbpEzWpeis/WKSLYzrfwAI/AAAAAAAAB4U/kW5AYh_sXCoiYPljmuhYZ35doPUOpq7AwCLcB/s320/15.jpg" width="320" height="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rof-eoIxcbw/WKSLjk1edUI/AAAAAAAAB4g/pl-p5aJgn4EK07B-0uyMxf1A4sKCdg8GQCLcB/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rof-eoIxcbw/WKSLjk1edUI/AAAAAAAAB4g/pl-p5aJgn4EK07B-0uyMxf1A4sKCdg8GQCLcB/s320/16.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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All in all, it was a great experience! <br />
Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-21965704991423308522017-02-15T09:04:00.001-06:002017-02-15T09:04:13.053-06:00Some things fill your heart without trying...February 12, 2016<br />
This date brings tears, pain, sorrow. We had to say goodbye to our beloved Brodie last year on this date, and I cannot even begin to describe my pain, much less the pain of Matt and the boys. Dogs truly are man's best friend. Brodie was our first child. Matt will fully admit that he wanted to take Brodie back after his first night with us because he whined and kept us awake. He ended up sleeping in the bed with us that night and every night from then on. Also, Brodie became Matt's dog. If you were looking for Brodie and Matt was home, you knew that Brodie was curled up next to Matt. I was often jealous of Matt, but I think Brodie knew that I needed attention. He slept cuddled up on my back every night, many times with his head on my pillow. <br />
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We had to let our sweet boy go because he was suffering, and it was the hardest thing that I have had to do.<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-koGPKlWPn0Y/WKRsWuKzyeI/AAAAAAAAB1o/Q1_ZPWjlxkwdwGEL3Nz3FH3Lqq1iP3TGgCLcB/s1600/Brodie.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-koGPKlWPn0Y/WKRsWuKzyeI/AAAAAAAAB1o/Q1_ZPWjlxkwdwGEL3Nz3FH3Lqq1iP3TGgCLcB/s320/Brodie.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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Rest in Peace, Brodie Bruce Gatewood<br />
March 18, 2002 - February 12, 2016<br />
<br />
Fast Forward to June 6, 2016<br />
We had been to the Humane Society. We had been surfing the web and looking at rescue organizations for a small dog. Every dog that we found had issues with children or were biters. I was getting frustrated, and I saw an ad in the paper for two Yorkie puppies. I showed Matt. He said no. I waited...<br />
Then he asked me if I had called to ask about the puppies. No, because you said not to...<br />
So the next day I called. I set up a meeting. I made Matt go with me. We were only going to look and maybe get ONE. We did not need two dogs. We played with both puppies for a LONG time. The girl was sweet and loved belly rubs. Matt had always wished for a dog who loved belly rubs because Brodie did not like them. The boy puppy was shy and hid from us a lot. We had to pull him out from under furniture. I thought the girl was the best choice...<br />
Then Trent said, "But we can't leave him. They belong together..." <br />
That's all it took for Matt to start the negotiations. Fast forward half an hour, we were the proud owners of TWO puppies. <br />
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We discussed names on the way to the house and liked Enzo after Enzo Amore, the WWE wrestler. That's why we needed a boy. ;) The way home we discussed all kinds of choices and decided on Dobby (after the house elf in Harry Potter) for the girl. I said that if we added Lou, it sounded like a girl's name. So Dobby Lou came to be. They have kept us very busy, but the main thing is that they filled an empty space in all of our hearts. Remember that I chose Dobby and Matt chose Enzo. Well, the pups chose the opposite. Dobby is Matt's dog, and Enzo is mine. It is so nice to each have a companion, and we look forward to many adventures with our crazy pups. <br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdn-0usz8cU/WKRso5gnOOI/AAAAAAAAB1s/dd6R-kf-OUI4SephCeB5sa9WiLp1czNxwCLcB/s1600/EnzoDobbyPuppies.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pdn-0usz8cU/WKRso5gnOOI/AAAAAAAAB1s/dd6R-kf-OUI4SephCeB5sa9WiLp1czNxwCLcB/s320/EnzoDobbyPuppies.jpg" width="240" height="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4UKvIJyvnA/WKRsudVqrJI/AAAAAAAAB1w/CmKZwt7vGq4RIcHWjudcIvQJvIsWK1g6wCLcB/s1600/EnzoDobbyOlder.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I4UKvIJyvnA/WKRsudVqrJI/AAAAAAAAB1w/CmKZwt7vGq4RIcHWjudcIvQJvIsWK1g6wCLcB/s320/EnzoDobbyOlder.jpg" width="320" height="298" /></a><br />
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Welcome to Dobby Lou Gatewood and Enzo Amore Gatewood<br />
Born March 16, 2016<br />
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Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-19507436560789323242017-02-15T07:09:00.002-06:002017-02-15T07:09:27.902-06:00I'm going to try again....It's been too long, and I miss looking back at the things we did. So, I'm going to try to start blogging again. Keep an eye out for new stuff coming soon...Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-25177723165520009882012-01-14T20:31:00.004-06:002012-01-14T20:56:44.978-06:00It's been a while....Well, I started my Masters in November of 2010, and you can definitely tell that it is alot of work if you look at my blog. I have 3 classes left and I graduate in May. I am so excited to be done with it soon! What will I do with my free time this summer?<br /><br />Total we took a trip to the Children's Museum of Memphis. I felt like we needed a family day. On the way down to CMOM we stopped by the Boy Scout Store to get Trent some things to work on his Pinewood Derby Car. (BTW, Trent has joined Cub Scouts.) Then we went to Central BBQ for lunch. After a lunch of BBQ nachos, wings, etc. we headed to CMOM. I have never been there before, and it was awesome. There were so many activities and fun things for the kids (and us) to do. <br /><br />Here are some pics of what we did.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6XU__aKwTE/TxI-JGZ3w8I/AAAAAAAABqE/nTCkIbHJVSk/s1600/trentscoutshop.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6XU__aKwTE/TxI-JGZ3w8I/AAAAAAAABqE/nTCkIbHJVSk/s320/trentscoutshop.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697684804635968450" /></a><br />Trent wanted his picture made with this statue in front of the Boy Scout Shop.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61uVm4w16N8/TxI-I4xfa-I/AAAAAAAABp4/UyJIuAXZRPI/s1600/trentclimbingwall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-61uVm4w16N8/TxI-I4xfa-I/AAAAAAAABp4/UyJIuAXZRPI/s320/trentclimbingwall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697684800976940002" /></a><br />Trent loved to climb this wall, and then he would jump off from the top. It scared us every time, but he made it out fine.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAKuHlhD4SI/TxI-Hy8mjNI/AAAAAAAABps/LrhyX9ysiHI/s1600/toothpuzzle.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PAKuHlhD4SI/TxI-Hy8mjNI/AAAAAAAABps/LrhyX9ysiHI/s320/toothpuzzle.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697684782233062610" /></a><br />They had fun working on this tooth puzzle for a while.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7UJypL5Ky8/TxI-HU5T1OI/AAAAAAAABpg/VhHEENoHz8g/s1600/policecar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_7UJypL5Ky8/TxI-HU5T1OI/AAAAAAAABpg/VhHEENoHz8g/s320/policecar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697684774166189282" /></a><br />Here they are in the police car. Let's just hope neither ends up in the back of one of these. ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJeoEMGoEdM/TxI-GwnB9JI/AAAAAAAABpU/mTvcXEsNlu8/s1600/orpheumgreenscreen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TJeoEMGoEdM/TxI-GwnB9JI/AAAAAAAABpU/mTvcXEsNlu8/s320/orpheumgreenscreen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697684764425843858" /></a><br />They had fun dressing up and playing in front of the green screen in the mini Orpheum theater.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4y2ILQgRwpI/TxI7_uHCh0I/AAAAAAAABpM/wSyuI9zppyo/s1600/mattgreenscreen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4y2ILQgRwpI/TxI7_uHCh0I/AAAAAAAABpM/wSyuI9zppyo/s320/mattgreenscreen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697682444472452930" /></a><br />Matt had fun playing in front of the green screen, too. He is getting blown away by a hurricane.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PP2z2cqkEKE/TxI7-0KkiSI/AAAAAAAABo8/PUaCLmAxY-E/s1600/jackmomgreenscreen.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PP2z2cqkEKE/TxI7-0KkiSI/AAAAAAAABo8/PUaCLmAxY-E/s320/jackmomgreenscreen.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697682428918008098" /></a><br />I had fun with the wind machine and the green screen. Jack doesn't look so happy, but he did have fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6a900Otqs1c/TxI7-V6nWgI/AAAAAAAABow/J2_DUPezS_g/s1600/jackgrocerystore.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6a900Otqs1c/TxI7-V6nWgI/AAAAAAAABow/J2_DUPezS_g/s320/jackgrocerystore.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697682420798020098" /></a><br />Jack had a blast at the grocery store. He bought pancake mix, Cap'n Crunch, and Raisin Bran. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lqiWKhc-UoM/TxI79WaID5I/AAAAAAAABok/0_3f5nrNkcQ/s1600/jackcar.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/-lqiWKhc-UoM/TxI79WaID5I/AAAAAAAABok/0_3f5nrNkcQ/s320/jackcar.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697682403750317970" /></a><br />This was the first thing we did at the museum. Jack drove a simulator car around Memphis streets.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bIQTJkgrbso/TxI780ccUfI/AAAAAAAABoY/6kNV_IW7YfU/s1600/firetruck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bIQTJkgrbso/TxI780ccUfI/AAAAAAAABoY/6kNV_IW7YfU/s320/firetruck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697682394633228786" /></a><br />They both loved the fire truck. <br /><br />I am going to try my best to blog at least once a month this year, and I hope to put up a blog of 2011 in review. Sorry for my extended absence!!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-36659567489226822602010-10-27T12:55:00.000-05:002010-12-05T13:31:22.895-06:00Zoo BooNana and Pop joined us for Zoo Boo this year. Here are a few pictures from our fun night.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvhBimekLI/AAAAAAAABnM/ySU0dEtHA_o/s1600/IMG_3235.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvhBimekLI/AAAAAAAABnM/ySU0dEtHA_o/s320/IMG_3235.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547274782621208754" /></a><br />Jack did not like wearing his costume...<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvhBGkOlII/AAAAAAAABnE/WUr52gdwk9M/s1600/zooboo1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvhBGkOlII/AAAAAAAABnE/WUr52gdwk9M/s320/zooboo1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547274775095579778" /></a><br />My boys<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvhAxKWJ7I/AAAAAAAABm8/XfVZe_UOp7E/s1600/zooboo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvhAxKWJ7I/AAAAAAAABm8/XfVZe_UOp7E/s320/zooboo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547274769349879730" /></a><br />My boys with Spiderman GorillaJoanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-75087961233482025932010-10-25T12:51:00.000-05:002010-12-05T12:55:00.285-06:00Visit with Ging GongAt the end of Fall Break, we stopped by to see Ging Gong on the way back to Memphis. Here are a couple of pictures from our visit. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvf5mepU8I/AAAAAAAABm0/mlr7FD80Ubk/s1600/gingandjack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvf5mepU8I/AAAAAAAABm0/mlr7FD80Ubk/s320/gingandjack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547273546711520194" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvf5aMfujI/AAAAAAAABms/k0jA-Qm55gE/s1600/gingandboys.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvf5aMfujI/AAAAAAAABms/k0jA-Qm55gE/s320/gingandboys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547273543414168114" /></a>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-37547323265994444552010-10-22T12:18:00.000-05:002010-12-05T12:51:38.116-06:00Fall BreakFor Fall Break Matt and I actually got a break. Both sets of parents took the kids for a few days and let us enjoy some time alone. We went to New Orleans, and we did a few things that we have never done before in NOLA. We went to the St. Louis Cemetery and took tons of pictures. We went on a Cocktails and Scandals Walking Tour, and we, also, went on a Carriage Ride Tour. Our favorite was, by far, the Carriage Ride Tour. Here are a few pictures from our fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvdhKK0KCI/AAAAAAAABmk/zg0lV-iGkpY/s1600/IMG_3221.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvdhKK0KCI/AAAAAAAABmk/zg0lV-iGkpY/s320/IMG_3221.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547270927772035106" /></a><br />I love the iron work that is all over New Orleans.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvdg-avHOI/AAAAAAAABmc/VIltfJj0nKs/s1600/IMG_3148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvdg-avHOI/AAAAAAAABmc/VIltfJj0nKs/s320/IMG_3148.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547270924617587938" /></a><br />This is Marie Laveau's tomb.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvdN0DjfjI/AAAAAAAABmU/TGPQGpJZEFE/s1600/IMG_3114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvdN0DjfjI/AAAAAAAABmU/TGPQGpJZEFE/s320/IMG_3114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547270595418488370" /></a><br />Matt and I have a funny story from this place. This is the oldest restaurant in NO. This is where all of the krewes for Mardi Gras meet. There are special rooms for each krewe. While we were touring this place on our walking tour, we were with a bunch of drunk ladies. They were pretty funny. While touring one of the rooms, one of the ladies put her beer/hurricane mixed together on the table. These tables are beautiful with white table cloths and gorgeous dinner plates and silverware. She proceeded to knock her drink over on the table. Our tour guide didn't see it, and she rushed us out of the room. By the time we left the restaurant, a whole group had entered the dining room. Can you imagine sitting down to that on your table at this outrageously expensive restaurant? Wow!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvc-B9VY2I/AAAAAAAABmM/vhsOpmiNCes/s1600/IMG_3113.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvc-B9VY2I/AAAAAAAABmM/vhsOpmiNCes/s320/IMG_3113.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547270324272587618" /></a><br />The New Orleans skyline from the top of the Omni Hotel<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvczaLtaVI/AAAAAAAABmE/k_XTRQ7mRaY/s1600/IMG_3098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvczaLtaVI/AAAAAAAABmE/k_XTRQ7mRaY/s320/IMG_3098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547270141796772178" /></a><br />Muriel's is a haunted restaurant. We toured it on our walking tour.Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-84090773729932618182010-10-18T12:07:00.000-05:002010-12-05T12:17:56.541-06:00Arlington BBQ FestivalThis year Matt's BBQ Team competed in the Arlington BBQ Festival again. Matt and Dan competed in wings, but Matt's big competition was the Jalapeno Eating Contest. Check out the pictures first. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWdwLZbxI/AAAAAAAABl0/9S-bs93IomU/s1600/mattandcompetitors.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWdwLZbxI/AAAAAAAABl0/9S-bs93IomU/s320/mattandcompetitors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547263172674154258" /></a><br />Matt checking out his competition...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWeORFrDI/AAAAAAAABl8/sy_xoMEaGQg/s1600/matteating.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWeORFrDI/AAAAAAAABl8/sy_xoMEaGQg/s320/matteating.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547263180751088690" /></a><br />And it begins...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWdQLY3qI/AAAAAAAABlk/4n_Z7wnLw-I/s1600/gettingtrophy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWdQLY3qI/AAAAAAAABlk/4n_Z7wnLw-I/s320/gettingtrophy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547263164084182690" /></a><br />He won! He won! Here is Matt receiving his trophy!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWdnEn0uI/AAAAAAAABls/H_6I4Fox-Q4/s1600/winner.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvWdnEn0uI/AAAAAAAABls/H_6I4Fox-Q4/s320/winner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547263170229818082" /></a><br />Did he really win? ;)<br /><br />As you can tell he won the competition. He chugged a half-gallon of chocolate milk, and he ate a package of Dibs ice cream. It still took him quite a while to recover, but he says that it was totally worth it. I don't know if I believe that...Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-16252727305998980862010-10-11T11:52:00.000-05:002010-12-05T12:07:24.566-06:00Centreville Baptist Church's 125th AnniversaryI grew up going to Centreville Baptist Church. When my mom told me about a 125th anniversary celebration, I really wanted to go. It is pretty hard to take the road trip over a weekend, but we did it. The church's anniversary was celebrated on 10-10-10. <br /><br />While we were down, I decided to take the kids wo the Wildlife Festival that was in Woodville. Nanny, Papaw, Trent, Jack, and I loaded up and headed to the festival while Matt slept. We had lots of fun.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTYmsOpOI/AAAAAAAABlU/k9MEVrIZQT0/s1600/jack%2Bin%2Bhat.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTYmsOpOI/AAAAAAAABlU/k9MEVrIZQT0/s320/jack%2Bin%2Bhat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547259785693275362" /></a><br />Jack wanted to wear Papaw's hat to the festival!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTQAmtZ6I/AAAAAAAABlE/vMEUHDZ4WGM/s1600/trentturkeycall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTQAmtZ6I/AAAAAAAABlE/vMEUHDZ4WGM/s320/trentturkeycall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547259638030624674" /></a><br />Trent tried his hand at calling turkeys.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTP7wRpwI/AAAAAAAABk8/cwMpVwMUUbg/s1600/trentpumpkin.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTP7wRpwI/AAAAAAAABk8/cwMpVwMUUbg/s320/trentpumpkin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547259636728571650" /></a><br />Trent decorated a pumpkin.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTPCQcRxI/AAAAAAAABks/z0eq1K070bg/s1600/chainsaw.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTPCQcRxI/AAAAAAAABks/z0eq1K070bg/s320/chainsaw.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547259621294229266" /></a><br />While we were on vacation in Dillard, Matt wanted Trent to see someone carve with a chainsaw. Well, we didn't get the chance there, but in Woodville we did. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTPUjs9PI/AAAAAAAABk0/iNlLdSXvKfc/s1600/chainsaw2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTPUjs9PI/AAAAAAAABk0/iNlLdSXvKfc/s320/chainsaw2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547259626206852338" /></a><br />What's is gonna be?<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTmoDccqI/AAAAAAAABlc/VcmUEh5NnFk/s1600/snake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvTmoDccqI/AAAAAAAABlc/VcmUEh5NnFk/s320/snake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547260026577253026" /></a><br />A Snake!!!<br /><br />Matt and I, also, went to Baton Rouge to see Daniel Tosh on Saturday night. It was fun.<br /><br />I really enjoyed the church service. The preacher that baptized me preached, the preacher that married Matt and me preached. It was nice to see so many old friends. It was definitely worth being tired on Monday. :)Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-55429949968907082402010-10-05T11:39:00.000-05:002010-12-05T11:51:46.039-06:00Pfizer Family DayWe had a great day at the zoo for Pfizer Family Day. Here are a few pictures from our day.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQzgktrbI/AAAAAAAABkk/Qw1dN4oAZHk/s1600/IMG_2931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQzgktrbI/AAAAAAAABkk/Qw1dN4oAZHk/s320/IMG_2931.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547256949372726706" /></a><br />Trent and Jack love posing. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQzUdPy-I/AAAAAAAABkc/uooPxo22wXM/s1600/mattandjack.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQzUdPy-I/AAAAAAAABkc/uooPxo22wXM/s320/mattandjack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547256946120182754" /></a><br />Here's a sweet pic of Matt and Jack.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQzD8YatI/AAAAAAAABkU/Jgzy6yekR9Y/s1600/joanandjack.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQzD8YatI/AAAAAAAABkU/Jgzy6yekR9Y/s320/joanandjack.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547256941687368402" /></a><br />Here is me with my mini-me.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQy1C0KMI/AAAAAAAABkM/77ViB7qeLmI/s1600/joanandboys.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TPvQy1C0KMI/AAAAAAAABkM/77ViB7qeLmI/s320/joanandboys.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547256937687820482" /></a><br />Mommy and her boysJoanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-56387369820025536062010-10-03T19:31:00.004-05:002010-10-03T19:39:59.578-05:00Jack Can Count!I have heard Jack count from 1 to 12 on two different occasions. I have been trying to catch him on video, but this is the best that I have been able to get. <br /><br />Cutie Patootie!<br /><br /><object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q7lQMCWwIIY?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Q7lQMCWwIIY?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-54673141076195342492010-10-03T19:19:00.002-05:002010-10-03T19:29:53.456-05:00Kids say and do the funniest things (in hindsight)...I thought it would be funny to list a few of Matt and my status updates regarding our kids over the last few weeks.<br /><br />Enjoy...<br /><br />Joan: "Did you poo-poo?"<br />Jack: "Pee-Poo"<br />Joan: "Poo-Poo"<br />Jack: "PEE-Poo"<br />Trent: "Momma, Pee-Poo is like when you have diarrhea."<br /><br />Matt Gatewood was forced to have a mid-week drink due to Jack pooping in the tub.<br /><br />my past 5 minutes: Jack pours brodie's water on himself, Trent tries to dig into a box (with Christmas presents in it) that is at the front door, and i step in a brodie turd while comforting Jack/chastising Trent. Living the dream!<br /><br />Watching Under the Great White Northern Lights (White Stripes concert documentary) and enjoying watching Jack (Gatewood and White) rock out and listening to Trent playing the RockBand drums upstairs.<br /><br />Me: "If Alex (new neighborhood kid) invites you into his house, are you going to go in?"<br />Trent: "Yeah."<br />Me: "No Trent...you don't know him very well, so you shouldn't go in his house."<br />Trent: (waits a beat) "I didn't know you and mommy very well when I was born either."<br /><br />So I'm droppong off a movie at the redbox! and I hear Trent yell, "Daddy...you forgot my nuts!!!!"<br />I ran through ang got him a sundae because he has been good at school. It came with a little bag of peanuts, and I told him I would pour them when I stopped.<br /><br />So I'm on the floor working on a puzzle with Jack as he eats a cheese biscuit. He keeps walking over and putting his belly in my face...so I start acting like I am biting him. He loves it and is laughing harder and harder...until finally he laughs so hard that he spews chewed up biscuit chunks everywhere...including ...my eyes and IN my mouth. Parenthood...gotta love it.<br /><br />Trent decides he needs an electric toothbrush. He tells me how much better my electric one works. It then occurs to me that it was out of place this morning. I asked if he used it last night. Of course he did. He insisted on using it tonight. Not having the energy to fight, I said fine. As if that isn't gross enough, ...he spit out the toothpaste & wiped it back up with the toothbrush and continued brushing. Awesome.<br /><br />Helping Trent with his homework. Tonight he has to trace, color, and then identify a set of 8 shapes. He has most of them down...but thinks a trapezoid is a leotard.<br /><br />Is at Lenny's with Jack to eat dinner, and boy is he putting on a show for the employees. I just told him it was time to go, and he screamed, "NOT COOL!" You should have heard the laughs from his audience.Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-2589001228249821902010-09-12T17:46:00.003-05:002010-09-12T17:56:52.631-05:00Happy Grandparent's Day<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1ZxVVtlgI/AAAAAAAABjw/l4K_uce-gJY/s1600/sign.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1ZxVVtlgI/AAAAAAAABjw/l4K_uce-gJY/s320/sign.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516163822675400194" /></a><br />Trent made the sign!<br /><br />Trent has been asking all day to do "crafts," so during his nap, I ran to Michael's bought lots of fun crafts stuff (for cheap - they are having a great sale!). <br /><br />Once up from his nap, Trent wanted to make something for his grandparents for Grandparent's Day today. <br /><br />He decided to make a flying pig for Nana and Pop. It was a little more difficult than I had anticipated because clay is NOT playdoh. It was really hard for him to work with, but the end product was cute!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1ZwtwjpRI/AAAAAAAABjo/Eq9-7Lckrk8/s1600/trentmakingpig.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1ZwtwjpRI/AAAAAAAABjo/Eq9-7Lckrk8/s320/trentmakingpig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516163812050576658" /></a><br />Trent making the pig<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1Zv3PnvRI/AAAAAAAABjg/64DWOnDX9YE/s1600/Trentpig.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1Zv3PnvRI/AAAAAAAABjg/64DWOnDX9YE/s320/Trentpig.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516163797416918290" /></a><br /><br />Showing off the final product :)<br /><br />Trent decided to make a cow for his Nanny and Papaw. It was easier, and he had lots of fun crumpling up the paper. It turned out great, too! <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1Zuy2JADI/AAAAAAAABjY/mOe-LVUib5c/s1600/makingcow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1Zuy2JADI/AAAAAAAABjY/mOe-LVUib5c/s320/makingcow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516163779056435250" /></a><br />Making the cow<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1Zt4W09mI/AAAAAAAABjQ/5DmidkRosXM/s1600/cow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1Zt4W09mI/AAAAAAAABjQ/5DmidkRosXM/s320/cow.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516163763355842146" /></a><br />Look Nanny and Papaw!<br /><br />Happy Grandparent's Day! We will get your crafts to you next time we see you!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-1984119056600060442010-09-11T18:04:00.000-05:002010-09-12T18:07:22.794-05:00Trent Wants to be a BuilderAt Pre-K graduation, Trent said he wanted to be a builder. This morning he showed me that he is already getting practice for that job! <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1c9ese5HI/AAAAAAAABj4/bd9PlhHGy_E/s1600/trentfarm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TI1c9ese5HI/AAAAAAAABj4/bd9PlhHGy_E/s320/trentfarm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516167329880138866" /></a><br />Impressive! With no help at all!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-28710127012730516702010-09-05T17:40:00.000-05:002010-09-06T12:46:54.231-05:00Swimming in September?We decided to go swimming to wear the kids out. We all put on our suits and got in the pool. WOW!!! We need to add a new step to this process. We should check the temperature on the pool thermometer first. The pool was about 78 degrees. We have been swimming with it in the 90's. We all froze! Trent was the only one of us that didn't seem to care. He wasn't really happy when we said that it was time to get out after 15 minutes in the frigid water. <br /><br />So while we were warming up in the sun, I showed Trent how to put a towel over some chairs to make a tent. He loved this, so he proceeded to build a fort with Jack and they had a ball. They played outside on the patio for an hour, just being boys. It was so much fun just to watch them. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUozWaj0TI/AAAAAAAABjI/HAIIL19rinI/s1600/fort2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUozWaj0TI/AAAAAAAABjI/HAIIL19rinI/s320/fort2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513858181440459058" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUoy5li4xI/AAAAAAAABjA/K9T0HV4clQs/s1600/fort.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUoy5li4xI/AAAAAAAABjA/K9T0HV4clQs/s320/fort.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513858173701907218" /></a>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-17066209235663444712010-09-05T09:25:00.000-05:002010-09-06T12:39:03.785-05:00Delta FairWe decided to take the boys to the Delta Fair for some family fun. On the way, we went through the Howard's drive thru and go some donuts and donut hole for the munchkins. They ate all twelve by the time we parked at the fair (and that's not far). We decided that today was one of those days where we ignore our inner parent and just have fun. :)<br /><br />Once inside we went right to the 4-H animal area. The boys loved feeding all of the animals, especially the goats. <br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb9jcOF1I/AAAAAAAABiI/rC4E2v8hLS8/s1600/trent+feeding+goat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb9jcOF1I/AAAAAAAABiI/rC4E2v8hLS8/s320/trent+feeding+goat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844063084615506" /></a><br />Trent is not scared like he used to be. At one point a goat took the whole cup of food from him, and he thought that it was HILARIOUS! He laughed and laughed...<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbcWoyMaI/AAAAAAAABhQ/YrYUxP_eN4M/s1600/Jack+feeding+goat.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbcWoyMaI/AAAAAAAABhQ/YrYUxP_eN4M/s320/Jack+feeding+goat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513843492711969186" /></a><br />Matt had to help Jack feed a goat. He didn't seem too scared, but he liked the help.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb87NI4JI/AAAAAAAABh4/ezL9y08ZY-A/s1600/stare+down.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb87NI4JI/AAAAAAAABh4/ezL9y08ZY-A/s320/stare+down.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844052283941010" /></a><br />Then Jack and the goat had a stare down. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb8bUdw7I/AAAAAAAABhw/_EhSRJgHqfY/s1600/rabbits.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb8bUdw7I/AAAAAAAABhw/_EhSRJgHqfY/s320/rabbits.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844043724735410" /></a><br />Trent and Jack checked out the rabbits, too. They didn't seem to want any food, so they lost interest pretty fast.<br /><br />Our next stop was in the childrens' rides section of the fair. Trent and Jack both wanted to ride the Scrambler.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb-ZB4dxI/AAAAAAAABiQ/n7gtjleHnXU/s1600/trentonscrambler.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb-ZB4dxI/AAAAAAAABiQ/n7gtjleHnXU/s320/trentonscrambler.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844077469660946" /></a><br />Trent really liked the ride. However, it seemed like it stopped about 50 times to let screaming kids off. He didn't seem to mind, though.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbctXWFzI/AAAAAAAABhY/ejTo4ez5Iqk/s1600/jack+on+ride.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbctXWFzI/AAAAAAAABhY/ejTo4ez5Iqk/s320/jack+on+ride.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513843498812839730" /></a><br />Jack was one of the screaming kids that had to be let off. He looked like he would enjoy it before it actually started moving. :)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUcJUZDU6I/AAAAAAAABiY/XeNy-60VOPA/s1600/trentslide.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUcJUZDU6I/AAAAAAAABiY/XeNy-60VOPA/s320/trentslide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844265203225506" /></a><br />Then Trent went down one of the big slides. I tried to video tape it, and that didn't seem to work out. So here is a picture of him walking towards the slide. :)<br /><br />Then we started walking toward the bigger stuff. On the way they had tractors and play sets set up to try to sell. This area was lots of fun for the kids.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb9Rh2UnI/AAAAAAAABiA/Z_FTJT_RTs8/s1600/tractor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUb9Rh2UnI/AAAAAAAABiA/Z_FTJT_RTs8/s320/tractor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844058276385394" /></a><br />You know that it's always difficult to get both kids in a decent picture. This was the best that I got, but I think it's pretty cute.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbdb_n_xI/AAAAAAAABho/iLoeeiiQnFA/s1600/jackswinging.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbdb_n_xI/AAAAAAAABho/iLoeeiiQnFA/s320/jackswinging.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513843511329816338" /></a><br />Jack had fun swinging on the wing of an airplane. <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbc2YMbVI/AAAAAAAABhg/WLU_5dBYfaE/s1600/jackslide.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbc2YMbVI/AAAAAAAABhg/WLU_5dBYfaE/s320/jackslide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513843501232319826" /></a><br />Here is Jack sliding out of the castle.<br /><br />Matt and I talked about how cool one of these playsets would be in our backyard. Maybe in the future...<br /><br />We walked around and let Trent play a bunch of the games. At one of the air brush tents we saw a tshirt design for Trent. <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUcJwEOW9I/AAAAAAAABig/0kMXXo99Pds/s1600/tshirt.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUcJwEOW9I/AAAAAAAABig/0kMXXo99Pds/s320/tshirt.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844272632060882" /></a><br /><br />Trent rode one of the big rides, too. He seemed a little nervous at first...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUcKN2T7UI/AAAAAAAABio/dI1K07YE6-I/s1600/wooo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUcKN2T7UI/AAAAAAAABio/dI1K07YE6-I/s320/wooo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513844280626769218" /></a><br /><br />But he liked it in the end!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbb-8t2kI/AAAAAAAABhI/UsCPBg1o0lY/s1600/fun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TIUbb-8t2kI/AAAAAAAABhI/UsCPBg1o0lY/s320/fun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513843486353119810" /></a><br /><br />We had a great family day at the fair.<br /><br />Later that night we invited the Trustys over to watch the football game. Our bulldogs won 49 - 7. It was an AWESOME day all around! Go dogs! Oh, and Ole Miss LOST to Jacksonville State! Could it get any better? ;)Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-34087334099309300602010-08-30T17:31:00.003-05:002010-08-30T17:35:20.957-05:00Trent's Kindergarten ClassToday Trent brought home school pictures. Here is the picture of his class from the first week of school. Aren't they so cute?<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/THwxhQi1RLI/AAAAAAAABg4/KRvxy8fESu8/s1600/Trent%27s+Kindergarten+Class.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/THwxhQi1RLI/AAAAAAAABg4/KRvxy8fESu8/s400/Trent%27s+Kindergarten+Class.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511334491441153202" /></a><br /><br />Oh, and just for the record... Trent threw the biggest fit on this day because I wanted him to wear a "handsome shirt" - aka a collared shirt. I won! :)Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-11338155861715421102010-08-16T20:48:00.003-05:002010-08-16T21:11:46.598-05:00Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This....Trent started his first full week in kindergarten today, but I will get to that in a bit. As I always say, "I have good news and bad news." I would rather start with the bad and end with the good, but that's just me. :)<br /><br />Last night Trent went to bed with no problem, but at about 10:45 we woke to him in our room. He whined and whined that he wanted to sleep with us. Matt tried reasoning with him for a half an hour to no avail. So, I took his hand and marched him upstairs. I was nice and just told him that he had to sleep in his own bed. He seemed ok. <br /><br />However, once I was downstairs and back in bed the loud crying began. I let it go for awhile until it sounded like our house was falling down. Then I sent Matt upstairs to take care of it. A couple of minutes later he returned. He said, "There is a hole in the wall." I was speechless, but Matt reasoned that it was better to just let it be until the next day. We didn't mention it this morning because we wanted Trent to have a good day at school. In the process of getting Trent ready Matt discovered that there were 2 holes in the wall. I took Trent to daycare and decided to deal with it all after school.<br /><br />I picked Trent up after school, and he informed me that he had a great day. He said,<br />"We didn't get recess or playtime." He couldn't really explain why, but he wanted me to know that. <br /><br />Once we got home, I took Trent upstairs and asked him if there was anything he wanted to tell me. <br />Trent, "What?"<br />Me, "I don't know. What do you think?" as I stared at the hole in the wall.<br />Trent finally said that he was bad. I asked how the holes got there. He told me he kicked the one by the bed, and he threw his aquarium at the wall to make the other hole. I reasoned with him and told him that fixing these holes was going to take a lot of money. I explained how you have to fix the walls, etc. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvP1lKe-I/AAAAAAAABgc/eEH8kq0BDJw/s1600/hole.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvP1lKe-I/AAAAAAAABgc/eEH8kq0BDJw/s320/hole.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506195074797173730" /></a><br />This the hole Trent kicked in the wall.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvQWIGyWI/AAAAAAAABgk/qCvQMIAUf3w/s1600/hole2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvQWIGyWI/AAAAAAAABgk/qCvQMIAUf3w/s320/hole2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506195083533666658" /></a><br />This the hole that the aquarium made.<br /><br />He seemed to understand. Matt got home and told him to think of what his punishment should be. If it was a good idea, then that would be his punishment. If it wasn't enough, we would decide.<br /><br />Trent's idea was "a hard spanking." <br />We informed him that that was not good enough.<br />We decided to take away his aquarium.<br />This is a BIG DEAL. Trent doesn't have a stuffed animal or blanket that he is attached to. He has this aquarium that was on his crib when he was an infant. He was VERY unhappy about this punishment, but he took it like a big boy.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvPmy4gkI/AAAAAAAABgU/aeTX_qPl-o0/s1600/aquarium.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvPmy4gkI/AAAAAAAABgU/aeTX_qPl-o0/s320/aquarium.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506195070828184130" /></a><br />PUNISHMENT<br /><br />Parenting is HARD! Don't ever think that it's easy!<br /><br />Now for the good news....<br /><br />I checked Trent's folder, and he got a brown lion! That is the best he can do. He also got a sticker on his sticker chart. He really did have a great day, and I am so proud of him for that!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvQhv8HyI/AAAAAAAABgs/kTDEfSaKI5A/s1600/lion.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/_FzI1c2LaM2Q/TGnvQhv8HyI/AAAAAAAABgs/kTDEfSaKI5A/s320/lion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506195086653529890" /></a><br />A brown lion is the BEST! Way to go Trent!Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703008422475936394.post-16626790109135853002010-08-15T19:38:00.003-05:002010-08-15T21:36:53.603-05:00Jack Knows His ColorsCheck out the video of Jack showing off!<br /><br /><object style="background-image:url(http://i2.ytimg.com/vi/qyB8xj5VCGE/hqdefault.jpg)" width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qyB8xj5VCGE?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qyB8xj5VCGE?fs=1&hl=en_US" width="480" height="295" allowScriptAccess="never" allowFullScreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object>Joanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07410545023551939268noreply@blogger.com0