tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26594430975434507642024-03-13T03:08:49.112+00:00A Coombes LifeThe Story of the Coombes' Adventures in Washington and Beyond!We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.comBlogger190125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-53041549657400106912015-09-19T14:35:00.000+01:002015-09-19T14:38:37.058+01:00Summer updates<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg51lyWjjww/Vf1cWjKXNnI/AAAAAAAADfM/uFTMD067VlE/s1600/DSC_9056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fg51lyWjjww/Vf1cWjKXNnI/AAAAAAAADfM/uFTMD067VlE/s400/DSC_9056.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This has been embarrassing how long I have neglected my blog. Especially since we live overseas and I have so many interesting and different things that I want to share. Yet "normal" life takes over and I get busy with working and Millie has homework and we still need to figure out when to do laundry and cook dinner.... But I did want to share just a few of our photos from our month long trip to Germany this summer. Millie charmed our flight attendant and she whisked Millie away for part of the trip, dressed her in part of the uniform and even got the co-pilot to come out and bring Millie upstairs to view first class on Emirates. (Millie had been very sick for most of the flight due to her flying anxiety, but we finally got her to smile when we landed.) </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hiking through the forest in Germany!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9MYg5v4zvY/Vf1coiXgfSI/AAAAAAAADfc/aNsvoLiHrlc/s1600/P1020019_DxO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C9MYg5v4zvY/Vf1coiXgfSI/AAAAAAAADfc/aNsvoLiHrlc/s400/P1020019_DxO.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was wonderful to be visiting Oma and Opa. We definitely needed some adjusting to the unusually cool temperatures in June.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k82hzBSk89c/Vf1cx4DUusI/AAAAAAAADfk/7hrGc-eQCwI/s1600/DSC03059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k82hzBSk89c/Vf1cx4DUusI/AAAAAAAADfk/7hrGc-eQCwI/s400/DSC03059.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">But then it warmed it and we spent many times visiting the lake just a short bike ride away from my mom's house. I love Germany, because they always have beer and delicious food being served whether you are hiking in the middle of the forest or at a small lake in town, anywhere out and about...there is always good, quality hot cooked meals nearby. Mike and I would ride bicycles around through the corn fields and farms and all of a sudden come upon a small restaurant serving a nice, hearty meal! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Y1FLg9aHQ/Vf1czzn52mI/AAAAAAAADfs/mv-tr2jHvRs/s1600/DSC03100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S3Y1FLg9aHQ/Vf1czzn52mI/AAAAAAAADfs/mv-tr2jHvRs/s400/DSC03100.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Speaking of food, here we are at another restaurant in town. This one became our favorite. Mike had his infamous pork knuckles at this place. Meat, beer, potatoes=heaven!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXufwfRGsUM/Vf1c-ZtRrII/AAAAAAAADf0/O1K4MGgG7eA/s1600/P1000934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZXufwfRGsUM/Vf1c-ZtRrII/AAAAAAAADf0/O1K4MGgG7eA/s400/P1000934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Europe, especially Germany, has the best bicycle paths I've ever seen. You can get on a path anywhere and it seems to connect all over the country. You can get anywhere so easily on a bike and never have to really go on the road. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVnR3c-wZK4/Vf1dJK5bceI/AAAAAAAADf8/QWJ8hVJNnu0/s1600/DSC_9281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TVnR3c-wZK4/Vf1dJK5bceI/AAAAAAAADf8/QWJ8hVJNnu0/s400/DSC_9281.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie even celebrated her 9th birthday in Germany. Seems like a long time ago now. Now it is September. School started at CMIS way back in the beginning of August. I am teaching first grade this year and so happy about that. This year has been so much more rewarding. I love this grade. Here I am on the first day when it was chaos and crowds, nervous parents, children and teachers. Can you believe that we have been at school for 6 full weeks now!!! I barely remember anything I did that first week. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UNxff749-w/Vf1dS0q5tJI/AAAAAAAADgE/WbhYkFUCKB0/s1600/IMG_2295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4UNxff749-w/Vf1dS0q5tJI/AAAAAAAADgE/WbhYkFUCKB0/s400/IMG_2295.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oweQQN9qDs/Vf1dYv6QOmI/AAAAAAAADgM/A7KbyL-AkDY/s1600/IMG_2291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_oweQQN9qDs/Vf1dYv6QOmI/AAAAAAAADgM/A7KbyL-AkDY/s400/IMG_2291.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie on the first day meeting up with old friends. She is in fourth grade now. There are two classes for every grade. She had 17 kids in her class. I am lucky and only have 14 in my first grade class. That has been a dream!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzs1H1LPME4/Vf1dZ6gOwAI/AAAAAAAADgQ/68AYh1dzaGk/s1600/DSC_9397.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzs1H1LPME4/Vf1dZ6gOwAI/AAAAAAAADgQ/68AYh1dzaGk/s400/DSC_9397.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">But now we are ready to start the 7th week of school and are in the thick of our schedules and homework and staff meetings, etc. But of course, we can't complain. We still take time to explore Chiang Mai, go out with friends, shop for cool stuff, attempt to speak Thai (get laughed at a lot) and enjoy good Thai food. PS-the dog is not ours, but is always over "visiting." He is here making sure Millie gets her schoolwork done. I will post more often. Getting ready to take some photos of my classroom next. </span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-30442239515402891752015-04-04T06:55:00.000+01:002015-04-04T14:02:29.274+01:00Our home in Chiang Mai<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ4kbJg9WXo/VR9x-KxOasI/AAAAAAAADao/rhPovwJs9eA/s1600/DSC_8791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJ4kbJg9WXo/VR9x-KxOasI/AAAAAAAADao/rhPovwJs9eA/s1600/DSC_8791.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am long overdue for a new post on our blog, so this month I decided to post about our home. We live in Chiang Mai, Thailand where I teach preschool (and in August I upgrade to my favorite level-first grade!) Everyday Millie and I ride our motorbike to school. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to travel the 3 miles to school in the morning and again in the afternoon. (Yes, it's a lot of traffic and stop lights along the way and crazy drivers. ) Here is our car (that has no AC and is the opposite of a smooth, pleasant ride...) parked in front of our lovely home. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3TLsd2mpiU/VR9yDOG1AaI/AAAAAAAADaw/VAuQdGB8CSM/s1600/DSC_8795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N3TLsd2mpiU/VR9yDOG1AaI/AAAAAAAADaw/VAuQdGB8CSM/s1600/DSC_8795.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We live on the corner of a dead end road, so there is not so much traffic going past our house. They have been building a house down the road for 10 months now and are still not finished, but construction can be a slow process here. They have also started to build a sidewalk along the small river at the end of this road. That will be great to walk along in the evenings. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwq6X7_O3ng/VR9yGLp4odI/AAAAAAAADa4/-rV5osK5NNk/s1600/DSC_8797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jwq6X7_O3ng/VR9yGLp4odI/AAAAAAAADa4/-rV5osK5NNk/s1600/DSC_8797.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is the view of the road when we get on our bikes to leave our moobaan (subdivision). We have lots of little food and fruit stands around the corner along the main road, a lady selling rotee (think crepes with bananas and sweetened condensed milk poured all over it. Delicious!), a swimming pool, big grocery store and a 7-Eleven (which is so much better than the ones in the US. I love them here! That's where you can go to pay all your bills!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p980SZyFM1c/VR9yMwU_6oI/AAAAAAAADbA/-TMex7DcEY4/s1600/DSC_8780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p980SZyFM1c/VR9yMwU_6oI/AAAAAAAADbA/-TMex7DcEY4/s1600/DSC_8780.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our calm and sheltered sitting area. I spend many a morning here sipping coffee and reading a magazine.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AeotrkC7sw/VR9yaflOZgI/AAAAAAAADbQ/qI8wda5-A_M/s1600/DSC_8760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4AeotrkC7sw/VR9yaflOZgI/AAAAAAAADbQ/qI8wda5-A_M/s1600/DSC_8760.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our "western" style kitchen. Most Thai kitchens are outside and would never come with a oven! Although at this point, I would love an outside kitchen for cooking. You can't imagine how this room heats up as you cook in temperatures already in the high 90s. But this is a great addition to our house and in the cool season, I baked many a banana bread here. Mike even prepared a traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner (with a roasted chicken vs. turkey, ham or goose....)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPhtics4810/VR9yfp-JYbI/AAAAAAAADbY/PSgpdLQIea0/s1600/DSC_8761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sPhtics4810/VR9yfp-JYbI/AAAAAAAADbY/PSgpdLQIea0/s1600/DSC_8761.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Other side of the kitchen looking towards the slider windows that lead to the dining/living room.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAL4KPNBVF0/VR9yl7EtonI/AAAAAAAADbg/JpKl0Sn9qns/s1600/DSC_8766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DAL4KPNBVF0/VR9yl7EtonI/AAAAAAAADbg/JpKl0Sn9qns/s1600/DSC_8766.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I am so happy with our living room. We sit here to watch tv, read, drink (after a hard day at work) and play games. Let me tell you, it does get hot. I don't know any house here that has central AC, so most homes only have an AC unit in the bedrooms. It can get quite hot sitting on our plush couch watching tv, but I have come to appreciate fans more than ever!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MF8U3gKtFxU/VR9ypsmK8fI/AAAAAAAADbo/lzNKJa1Ktbw/s1600/DSC_8767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MF8U3gKtFxU/VR9ypsmK8fI/AAAAAAAADbo/lzNKJa1Ktbw/s1600/DSC_8767.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mike pretending to be busy on the computer in our eating area. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArYrz2H62zY/VR9y5TGcaeI/AAAAAAAADbw/CwLqq4Mx6N4/s1600/DSC_8768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ArYrz2H62zY/VR9y5TGcaeI/AAAAAAAADbw/CwLqq4Mx6N4/s1600/DSC_8768.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Front view of our living room. Yeah for fans!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eckYpKI82wE/VR9y9M7UxGI/AAAAAAAADb4/ugY3HY0krQ8/s1600/DSC_8769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eckYpKI82wE/VR9y9M7UxGI/AAAAAAAADb4/ugY3HY0krQ8/s1600/DSC_8769.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is a third bedroom/office room. It is the messiest room in the house since it also stores our luggage and the boxes of the items we have bought here. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOv0wdSLzw0/VR9zDdPHKfI/AAAAAAAADcA/tXNNcZ5WCVE/s1600/DSC_8771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FOv0wdSLzw0/VR9zDdPHKfI/AAAAAAAADcA/tXNNcZ5WCVE/s1600/DSC_8771.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is Millie's very cute room. She spends lots of time on her Kindle here, drawing on her little Japanese desk on the floor there or playing with the many toys we brought from the U.S. Thailand is still pretty cheap, but children's toys can be 10 times the price here. Example-Lego set I saw on amazon for $23, the same one being sold here was going for $130. Sadly, something to do with import tax. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TISjE1fmFiI/VR9zGnC3qsI/AAAAAAAADcI/iC9CMq2sdO8/s1600/DSC_8773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TISjE1fmFiI/VR9zGnC3qsI/AAAAAAAADcI/iC9CMq2sdO8/s1600/DSC_8773.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our bedroom.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16tLa7yccKE/VR9zPfxhG_I/AAAAAAAADcQ/0PeqJa1m20k/s1600/DSC_8777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-16tLa7yccKE/VR9zPfxhG_I/AAAAAAAADcQ/0PeqJa1m20k/s1600/DSC_8777.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yes, I even took a photo of our bathroom. This is a very nice bathroom for being in Thailand. It even comes with a bathtub which is quite rare. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VAwiyatPik/VR90LoitV7I/AAAAAAAADcc/5Q3gJQAR1MU/s1600/DSC_8790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VAwiyatPik/VR90LoitV7I/AAAAAAAADcc/5Q3gJQAR1MU/s1600/DSC_8790.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our side yard where we like to play badminton, and admire our many orchids. We have several mango trees in the yard too which I did not realize continually shed leaves all year long, so I get to rake here too. That would be more fun in cooler weather, I believe. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLwsxLHe7SU/VR90P4OBxgI/AAAAAAAADck/KLCyWaWnS1I/s1600/DSC_8788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kLwsxLHe7SU/VR90P4OBxgI/AAAAAAAADck/KLCyWaWnS1I/s1600/DSC_8788.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Finally, this is our front driveway to the house. We park our motorbikes and bicycles here. The hammock is my relaxing area in the cooler seasons. Getting ready for taxes, I added up all our bills. Although many items are expensive here in town, the food, clothes, markets and cost of living is still amazingly cheap. We pay $5.93/month for our house phone. Our electric bill (averaging all the AC usage, etc) is still only about $62.28/month. Our cable tv (40 channels or so with at least 12 in english) is $10.60/month. Water is $5.82/month. Our internet is $19 and rent is $363.63/month for a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a nice yard. We have only a few random geckos scurrying up the walls inside the house and we have just started battling ants, but it's under control and normal for life in Asia. Our washing machine is kept outside in the back of the house and everyone I know, hangs up their laundry to dry on racks. We are very happy in our home.</span> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-50804572466461906092014-12-29T15:36:00.003+00:002014-12-29T15:36:45.421+00:00Yi Peng and Loy Kratong<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJsS91zzaAQ/VKFxN7_9YTI/AAAAAAAADVY/o7Kez6bFfdg/s1600/DSC_8432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gJsS91zzaAQ/VKFxN7_9YTI/AAAAAAAADVY/o7Kez6bFfdg/s1600/DSC_8432.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of October, we drove over to MaeJo University on our motorcycles for the annual Yi Peng festival. The highlight of Yi Peng<strong> </strong>and Loy Kratong is the spellbinding show that happens when thousands of people join together to release khom loi<i> </i><strong>(</strong>lit lanterns) into the night sky. Prior to the big
spectacle, monks perform chants
during an on-stage ceremony.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">During the other key ritual of this beautiful festival, participants let go of <em>krathong</em>—small floating vessels made from banana stalks and decorated with incense, offerings, flower and candles—into rivers and lakes creating a beautiful sight. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Surrounding events include bright parades, musical performances,
beauty pageants, traditional dances, lantern-making contests, fireworks,
and lots and lots of food. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU5MBzaFkg0/VKFxTn1AjdI/AAAAAAAADVs/zWOP8kbQC98/s1600/DSC_8437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vU5MBzaFkg0/VKFxTn1AjdI/AAAAAAAADVs/zWOP8kbQC98/s1600/DSC_8437.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After this event, we heard there were close to 20,000 people here to witness this lantern release. We got to the event around 4:30 pm to find a spot to sit in the immense crowds. As in anyplace in Thailand, food and drinks were plenty and then we just had to wait almost 3 hours before the lanterns were released. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ffqHdbwvLM/VKFxQfKLJVI/AAAAAAAADVg/Vy3fUIoRW74/s1600/DSC_8460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ffqHdbwvLM/VKFxQfKLJVI/AAAAAAAADVg/Vy3fUIoRW74/s1600/DSC_8460.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here is Millie getting her lantern ready to be lit from below and released with thousands of others into the night sky. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ur982BdcoFc/VKFxTFf0tzI/AAAAAAAADVo/Yk79TUPKz0s/s1600/DSC_8462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ur982BdcoFc/VKFxTFf0tzI/AAAAAAAADVo/Yk79TUPKz0s/s1600/DSC_8462.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was amazing to see them all being released at the same time.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGh2IvR1lSo/VKFxhoaJeuI/AAAAAAAADWY/p-tP6X7aj0s/s1600/DSC_8495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LGh2IvR1lSo/VKFxhoaJeuI/AAAAAAAADWY/p-tP6X7aj0s/s1600/DSC_8495.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of the night, it was a mass exodus of those same 20,000 people all leaving down the same pathway between the canal and river and it took a very very long time. After walking 45 minutes (it should have taken only 5 to 10 minutes!) we made it to our motorcycles and lots of weaving in and out of traffic, we made it safely home again.</span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-38156853299228646842014-11-08T16:10:00.002+00:002014-11-08T16:10:56.383+00:00Loy Krathong dancers<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OplKH5k9aZ8/VF49EbJexZI/AAAAAAAADOo/vwO1Cjq7_SI/s1600/IMG_4482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OplKH5k9aZ8/VF49EbJexZI/AAAAAAAADOo/vwO1Cjq7_SI/s1600/IMG_4482.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here in Thailand, we just finished celebrating the 3 days of Loy Krathong. This beautiful festival is when sky lanterns known as Khom Loy are sent off into the sky and krathong are sent floating into the rivers with candles and incense. Millie is part of a Thai dancing afterschool club. Friday she performed traditional Thai dancing to the song Loy Krathong for the school's 60th Anniversary Celebration.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-feniaX67g-4/VF49Pl5bchI/AAAAAAAADOw/ofN0wW2jNpM/s1600/IMG_4484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-feniaX67g-4/VF49Pl5bchI/AAAAAAAADOw/ofN0wW2jNpM/s1600/IMG_4484.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here she is getting into costume and makeup put on.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iSk8xSS5LM/VF49X8BMb1I/AAAAAAAADPA/GGP7R_sWeIg/s1600/IMG_4487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8iSk8xSS5LM/VF49X8BMb1I/AAAAAAAADPA/GGP7R_sWeIg/s1600/IMG_4487.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is my preschool building at school. It was decorated for the holiday, as well.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The girls practicing before going on the big outside stage.</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-75719308962189205082014-10-29T09:50:00.003+00:002014-10-29T11:06:33.312+00:00Railay Beach, Krabi Thailand<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GyfsQmY46jk/VFCtcOTXT_I/AAAAAAAAC7g/ANzPcXIkaAs/s1600/DSC_8402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GyfsQmY46jk/VFCtcOTXT_I/AAAAAAAAC7g/ANzPcXIkaAs/s1600/DSC_8402.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In mid-October, Chiang Mai International School had its' midterm break for one week. We booked our 2 hour flight to Krabi, Thailand and headed to Railay Beach for 5 days. The only way to get to our hotel was a 45 minute van ride from the airport and then a 15 minute speedboat ride to the hotel.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SkQPeJFXFA/VFCt8MZ2oYI/AAAAAAAAC7o/nEQGBsUx1Ms/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--SkQPeJFXFA/VFCt8MZ2oYI/AAAAAAAAC7o/nEQGBsUx1Ms/s1600/IMG_1839.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here we are arriving up to the beach at the hotel, The Centura Grand Beach Resort and Villas Krabi.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie enjoying the beautiful beaches.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The view from our room.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Relaxing on the deck.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V71jImUOa6k/VFCzVqi7UCI/AAAAAAAAC9U/OLnC1E_R97M/s1600/IMG_1806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V71jImUOa6k/VFCzVqi7UCI/AAAAAAAAC9U/OLnC1E_R97M/s1600/IMG_1806.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since the hotel is located in a national park, there is lots of wildlife out and about the grounds. This was a minotaur lizard that ran across our path on the way to the beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkTa8EKb2GE/VFCzemKtdNI/AAAAAAAAC9c/A0WqIExZU8M/s1600/IMG_1816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UkTa8EKb2GE/VFCzemKtdNI/AAAAAAAAC9c/A0WqIExZU8M/s1600/IMG_1816.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There were so many monkeys running all over the place. They were so smart that you had to lock the door from the balcony to your room. Even if the doors were closed, the monkeys were smart enough to have learned how to open the doors and head straight for the mini bars located inside. I even saw this one jumping into the jacuzzi to take a bath.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Monkey sneaking in between our deck sun shades to figure out if he can make a run for the mini bar, bottles of booze and packages of M & M's.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVGaNKhVuWc/VFC2VlQnWKI/AAAAAAAAC-M/rJBkG3Lv2M4/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wVGaNKhVuWc/VFC2VlQnWKI/AAAAAAAAC-M/rJBkG3Lv2M4/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mike had an umbrella that he used to chase them away. The Thai staff all carried sling shots. Mostly, Millie and I thought it was fun to have so many monkeys playing around. Mike liked them too, until they yawned and he noticed how big their fangs were. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie trying out paddle boarding on the ocean. It was a bonus to learn that the hotel offered free watersports everyday, so we also spent an hour sea kayaking. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_wwrCB8Tmc/VFC3tTPUOeI/AAAAAAAAC-8/ii-1eL3XWIE/s1600/DSC_8417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H_wwrCB8Tmc/VFC3tTPUOeI/AAAAAAAAC-8/ii-1eL3XWIE/s1600/DSC_8417.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were pretty isolated at the hotel, but discovered a path through the jungle called the monkey trail, that lead us to another beach around the next cove and into the town of Ao Nang. So we went everyday on this crazy steep path into town to explore and eat dinner. All the cheap massages were there in town too. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunset over Ao Nang Beach.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our boat ride back to civilization and home to Chiang Mai.</span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-63576356293612407762014-09-06T12:46:00.000+01:002014-09-06T12:46:07.744+01:00Sawadee ka (Hello), Chiang Mai<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm64Z2Fs_EQ/VArvFsmS6jI/AAAAAAAAC5o/wb8g_KmL5WA/s1600/IMG_1628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qm64Z2Fs_EQ/VArvFsmS6jI/AAAAAAAAC5o/wb8g_KmL5WA/s1600/IMG_1628.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the end of July, we moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I am working as a pre-school teacher at Chiang Mai International School. Millie is in third grade at the same school. I used to live and work in Chiang Mai back in 2000. I am amazed at how much the city has grown. It used to be very easy to get around and traffic was bad only at rush hour before and after school. Now the city is huge and has grown and expanded more than three time the size it used to be. The traffic is intense, as well. But we have settled in and it is all becoming normal in a way everyday that we are here. </span><span style="font-size: small;">We are always hot and sweaty, but doing well despite it being the monsoon season. I take Millie to school on the back of my motorcycle. Those days it is raining, we are happy to have Mike drive us in the car. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwL8ucWMlr8/VArvLQgY66I/AAAAAAAAC5w/IJqiBloQczI/s1600/IMG_1644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wwL8ucWMlr8/VArvLQgY66I/AAAAAAAAC5w/IJqiBloQczI/s1600/IMG_1644.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We live about 15 to 20 minutes from school in a subdivision. Here they are called moo baans. Our moo baan is called Pimuk 1. Lucky us, we have a swimming pool that is just a short bicycle or walk from our house. Here is Millie swimming with a friend. She lives about 5 minutes motorcycle ride from us.</span> </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vbUYpmoaBE/VArvgOLYq9I/AAAAAAAAC54/QyQ1XgZfmNQ/s1600/IMG_1604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0vbUYpmoaBE/VArvgOLYq9I/AAAAAAAAC54/QyQ1XgZfmNQ/s1600/IMG_1604.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of our first weekend trips was to Bua Tong waterfalls (also known as the "Sticky waterfalls.") Here is the beautiful view standing next to the top of the falls. We drove in our car to get there. Mike has been embracing the very crazy Thai traffic. It was a bit nerve wracking for us passengers, but he is now driving like a local. Which means never looking as you merge in traffic, going the wrong way down the road, parking on the highway and going shopping if you feel like it, etc. There will be more posts and pictures dedicated to our traffic here in Asia.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y966loXclVM/VArvkbXtG7I/AAAAAAAAC6A/2JTHH0pjN5M/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y966loXclVM/VArvkbXtG7I/AAAAAAAAC6A/2JTHH0pjN5M/s1600/IMG_1618.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Me and Millie posing on the sticky waterfalls. The rocks are not slippery, so everyone has so much fun just climbing up and down. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7BfoXi13oE/VArvqCC1b0I/AAAAAAAAC6I/eI6SRK5BUUE/s1600/IMG_1665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f7BfoXi13oE/VArvqCC1b0I/AAAAAAAAC6I/eI6SRK5BUUE/s1600/IMG_1665.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie loves how big some of the leaves are here.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSQ3PlQVz5c/VArv69ANozI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/Zz6nuHqqoyU/s1600/IMG_1669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSQ3PlQVz5c/VArv69ANozI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/Zz6nuHqqoyU/s1600/IMG_1669.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Going for a bicycle ride here in the back of our neighborhood. We took this trail to get to our local Sunday Thai market. They sell lots of delicious cooked meals, desserts, drinks, clothes, and really any cheap trinkets/plastic things for your house. They also have a bouncy house they put up for the kids. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some pretty cool plants on the ride home.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwKZwp9rtAY/VArwAkVwAFI/AAAAAAAAC6o/AHZOQPZ84yw/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HwKZwp9rtAY/VArwAkVwAFI/AAAAAAAAC6o/AHZOQPZ84yw/s1600/IMG_1625.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here I am with Millie and the other pre-school teacher making play dough for our classroom. I have been so busy settling into our new home overseas and starting school at the same time, so more detailed posts and pictures to follow shortly. </span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-57200188211069788022014-07-13T06:35:00.000+01:002014-07-13T06:39:42.946+01:00Days of Summer in Whidbey<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84ZQ9Yus4Jk/U8IXRSTkSJI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/eZXeURxXfPQ/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84ZQ9Yus4Jk/U8IXRSTkSJI/AAAAAAAAC2Y/eZXeURxXfPQ/s1600/IMG_1291.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have been having a beautiful summer this year and have been trying to enjoy every moment of it before we leave for Thailand. Most of you know I accepted a teaching job at an international school in N. Thailand. Millie and I will leave in less than a week now. (I can't believe how fast the days have gone.) Mike will follow us a week later to make sure that all is settled here in the U.S. (It is a quite a daunting feat to make sure we are ready to go. )So, the end of June, we decided to take a weekend break in Leavenworth and Chelan before things got too busy. We went camping, had the best time ever at the waterpark in Chelan and enjoyed beer and brats in popular Leavenworth, WA.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Camping near Chelan. It was so windy that night our tent was almost flattened. After a few noisy, but exciting hours (for Millie), the wind completely disappeared.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn19CZYMnnc/U8IXawhUP2I/AAAAAAAAC2w/GnZLU7AHK-U/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yn19CZYMnnc/U8IXawhUP2I/AAAAAAAAC2w/GnZLU7AHK-U/s1600/IMG_1298.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I loved the knitting shop here in Langley, Knitty Purls. They had a few classes and I decided afterwards to try my very first hat. So addictive and now I want to make more. Hey, it gets a little cold at times in the mountains around Chiang Mai, Thailand. I need to knit a hat for myself and Mike next. </span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14iaAgrlpQo/U8IXeGaS4QI/AAAAAAAAC24/V-1SxxpH3yc/s1600/IMG_1473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-14iaAgrlpQo/U8IXeGaS4QI/AAAAAAAAC24/V-1SxxpH3yc/s1600/IMG_1473.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie's 8th Birthday party at Castle Park playground.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62rQhpM2hBw/U8IXgTb-dgI/AAAAAAAAC3A/xODsWA9mfp0/s1600/IMG_1502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-62rQhpM2hBw/U8IXgTb-dgI/AAAAAAAAC3A/xODsWA9mfp0/s1600/IMG_1502.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie and I were running around the yard playing, when I stopped to look at a windchime I had hung in our madrona tree. Then I noticed this little clump of moss, but when I looked closer, it was a hummingbird nest. So amazing! Langley has truly been a treat with its eagles, red-tailed hawks, osprey, orca whales, seals, deer, rabbits, etc. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3jBFAtbx0E/U8IXivn6SOI/AAAAAAAAC3I/wZpfeA4YK7k/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N3jBFAtbx0E/U8IXivn6SOI/AAAAAAAAC3I/wZpfeA4YK7k/s1600/IMG_1522.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fC4wm0SdFvY/U8IXlXkwlyI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/IZ8EFWth3IQ/s1600/IMG_1560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fC4wm0SdFvY/U8IXlXkwlyI/AAAAAAAAC3Q/IZ8EFWth3IQ/s1600/IMG_1560.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie and I watching the Maxwelton 4th of July parade with friends. </span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-6923544957090233672014-05-25T20:28:00.004+01:002014-05-25T20:28:46.444+01:00Finding sand dollars<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKN8JHTtpqM/U4JD6fq3DII/AAAAAAAACz0/owVWa4pCpWk/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wKN8JHTtpqM/U4JD6fq3DII/AAAAAAAACz0/owVWa4pCpWk/s1600/IMG_1227.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is definitely the biggest sand dollar we have ever found. We found it just laying in the sand on Maxwelton Beach in Clinton, WA. </span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opyOtnEnb8U/U4JD6q-YYoI/AAAAAAAACz4/_pz-utHNxhU/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opyOtnEnb8U/U4JD6q-YYoI/AAAAAAAACz4/_pz-utHNxhU/s1600/IMG_1231.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-59649291435391943252014-05-12T16:56:00.004+01:002014-05-12T16:56:37.457+01:00April <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bCkr8qEiEI/U3DqgnKSlXI/AAAAAAAACw0/H29eB7e3jzY/s1600/DSC_8201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6bCkr8qEiEI/U3DqgnKSlXI/AAAAAAAACw0/H29eB7e3jzY/s1600/DSC_8201.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The month of April is always when the Tulip Festival is held. So we headed up to Skagit Valley in Mt. Vernon to take pictures of fields of tulips. Over 300 acres of these gorgeous flowers are grown here in Northwest Washington.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGIW1xqt0GY/U3DqiS9a8qI/AAAAAAAACw8/GS43U0hZyrU/s1600/DSC_8207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGIW1xqt0GY/U3DqiS9a8qI/AAAAAAAACw8/GS43U0hZyrU/s1600/DSC_8207.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6QmIM807WU/U3DqpvXfkmI/AAAAAAAACxE/hk8w5b7zKNY/s1600/IMG_1110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g6QmIM807WU/U3DqpvXfkmI/AAAAAAAACxE/hk8w5b7zKNY/s1600/IMG_1110.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeGzFya-wvo/U3DquxqV6gI/AAAAAAAACxM/1ZKVfoLVDNE/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LeGzFya-wvo/U3DquxqV6gI/AAAAAAAACxM/1ZKVfoLVDNE/s1600/IMG_1113.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtCVpBRPkNQ/U3Dqx1Qq20I/AAAAAAAACxU/sA2P0kcVyws/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UtCVpBRPkNQ/U3Dqx1Qq20I/AAAAAAAACxU/sA2P0kcVyws/s1600/IMG_1124.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie and I hiding in the rows of tulips.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R7qtun1CPA/U3Dqzlsi6II/AAAAAAAACxc/NOoQRQL8QWo/s1600/IMG_1130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2R7qtun1CPA/U3Dqzlsi6II/AAAAAAAACxc/NOoQRQL8QWo/s1600/IMG_1130.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Time for some sandwiches before heading home at our favorite sandwich deli.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmaU0t2Evjc/U3Dq4O9ocOI/AAAAAAAACxk/dzZnAtXQNBk/s1600/DSC_8225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gmaU0t2Evjc/U3Dq4O9ocOI/AAAAAAAACxk/dzZnAtXQNBk/s1600/DSC_8225.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Then a few weeks later we celebrated Easter with some very good friends we have made here on Whidbey. The cakes and food were both beautiful and delicious!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r13smQCxwsM/U3Dq6YmcFhI/AAAAAAAACxs/2dN1PijqW68/s1600/DSC_8210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r13smQCxwsM/U3Dq6YmcFhI/AAAAAAAACxs/2dN1PijqW68/s1600/DSC_8210.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SDpgUTgNNQ/U3Dq9JEPKAI/AAAAAAAACx0/W84eYXhxiTM/s1600/DSC_8215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_SDpgUTgNNQ/U3Dq9JEPKAI/AAAAAAAACx0/W84eYXhxiTM/s1600/DSC_8215.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All "the boys" were preparing the plastic easter eggs with toys and candy before the big hunt. (A little bit of playing was going on too. I think we had 250 eggs!)</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69tNYpOLA2k/U3Dq_QQWUzI/AAAAAAAACx8/WA7IluDQzzA/s1600/DSC_8219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-69tNYpOLA2k/U3Dq_QQWUzI/AAAAAAAACx8/WA7IluDQzzA/s1600/DSC_8219.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Plastic eggs being hid all around the yard.</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFVXhf-_HCM/U3DrCMM61FI/AAAAAAAACyE/Gt4L9FJ7AvM/s1600/DSC_8221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YFVXhf-_HCM/U3DrCMM61FI/AAAAAAAACyE/Gt4L9FJ7AvM/s1600/DSC_8221.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXJtSnWQqPE/U3DrEoaWu_I/AAAAAAAACyM/XuGOJIHhBW8/s1600/DSC_8227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sXJtSnWQqPE/U3DrEoaWu_I/AAAAAAAACyM/XuGOJIHhBW8/s1600/DSC_8227.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The kids are getting the Easter hunt briefing right before the "big dash" to load up their bags and baskets.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zide4C0LCN8/U3DrH5oxm_I/AAAAAAAACyU/BXvoQNKtKxQ/s1600/DSC_8229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zide4C0LCN8/U3DrH5oxm_I/AAAAAAAACyU/BXvoQNKtKxQ/s1600/DSC_8229.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Off hunting for eggs!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C__Ie_AJzw0/U3DrK1UZS1I/AAAAAAAACyc/NWGSnyRGVkU/s1600/DSC_8234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C__Ie_AJzw0/U3DrK1UZS1I/AAAAAAAACyc/NWGSnyRGVkU/s1600/DSC_8234.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Five golden eggs were hidden. Here's Millie with her special find!</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLfqTX7nags/U3DrOscZELI/AAAAAAAACyk/oH_j_SHaxBM/s1600/DSC_8251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LLfqTX7nags/U3DrOscZELI/AAAAAAAACyk/oH_j_SHaxBM/s1600/DSC_8251.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Counting up the eggs after a successful hunt.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bt5deAal0mw/U3DrQSkLW7I/AAAAAAAACys/zeZ4FBFRCiA/s1600/DSC_8242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bt5deAal0mw/U3DrQSkLW7I/AAAAAAAACys/zeZ4FBFRCiA/s1600/DSC_8242.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXf_4JSuDVQ/U3DrVDon4NI/AAAAAAAACy0/5xUDohsOk78/s1600/DSC_8236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXf_4JSuDVQ/U3DrVDon4NI/AAAAAAAACy0/5xUDohsOk78/s1600/DSC_8236.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">My favorite people on Whidbey Island! Such fun friends.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6zPpcqWaG8/U3DrbN3e1OI/AAAAAAAACy8/xO9ACq8TNXk/s1600/DSC_8260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w6zPpcqWaG8/U3DrbN3e1OI/AAAAAAAACy8/xO9ACq8TNXk/s1600/DSC_8260.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbZYrdSnmi4/U3DrdzqBJFI/AAAAAAAACzE/-dWU7pENIwQ/s1600/DSC_8265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RbZYrdSnmi4/U3DrdzqBJFI/AAAAAAAACzE/-dWU7pENIwQ/s1600/DSC_8265.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being silly.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07wOFqfXRt4/U3DrgFogI7I/AAAAAAAACzM/0aQVnPhf980/s1600/DSC_8266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-07wOFqfXRt4/U3DrgFogI7I/AAAAAAAACzM/0aQVnPhf980/s1600/DSC_8266.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying good drinks, nice company, a strumming guitar in the background and the warming sun.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWS6ipPJgjs/U3DriCkXU7I/AAAAAAAACzU/A4R4lThqumI/s1600/DSC_8271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xWS6ipPJgjs/U3DriCkXU7I/AAAAAAAACzU/A4R4lThqumI/s1600/DSC_8271.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkfULm4fIb8/U3Drkm6H2NI/AAAAAAAACzc/DDb-bjsKdjw/s1600/DSC_8278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IkfULm4fIb8/U3Drkm6H2NI/AAAAAAAACzc/DDb-bjsKdjw/s1600/DSC_8278.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0LGFr04M1Y/U3DrmQw7cmI/AAAAAAAACzk/hspRZmm_qWY/s1600/DSC_8280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f0LGFr04M1Y/U3DrmQw7cmI/AAAAAAAACzk/hspRZmm_qWY/s1600/DSC_8280.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A great Easter day.</span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-53172354248327149352014-04-22T05:04:00.002+01:002014-04-22T05:05:18.914+01:00March days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLGByrTfgdE/U1XoRak22vI/AAAAAAAACv8/g0YMEgkIlBk/s1600/DSC_8146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PLGByrTfgdE/U1XoRak22vI/AAAAAAAACv8/g0YMEgkIlBk/s1600/DSC_8146.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We've been having some really nice days this winter. Whidbey Island is definitely in the rain shadow. Whenever we can, we love to hang out on the deck of our "island home."</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PkgNdZ1N3Fo/U1XoT9rcoLI/AAAAAAAACwE/DupheNhdL3I/s1600/DSC_8140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PkgNdZ1N3Fo/U1XoT9rcoLI/AAAAAAAACwE/DupheNhdL3I/s1600/DSC_8140.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have a great path that leads to the beach. Today we went down to get a little exercise and search for some crabs.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivzhI2HfY3E/U1XoVfuZ4CI/AAAAAAAACwM/UWiBftZXDrQ/s1600/DSC_8144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ivzhI2HfY3E/U1XoVfuZ4CI/AAAAAAAACwM/UWiBftZXDrQ/s1600/DSC_8144.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie and Mike looking for baby crabs. Millie has become quite the expert at overturning rocks to find the little babies underneath.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2kz1ntLivo/U1Xoabpc-HI/AAAAAAAACwU/r4H3nVkYopA/s1600/DSC_8169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I2kz1ntLivo/U1Xoabpc-HI/AAAAAAAACwU/r4H3nVkYopA/s1600/DSC_8169.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mike's hobby these days are feeding and photographing our huge population of hummingbirds. We get so many, that some days they will nearly drain the entire hummingbird feeder of sugar water in one day!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WJl_7WrE3o/U1XochioYnI/AAAAAAAACwc/UmY17sBK-IM/s1600/DSC_8177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1WJl_7WrE3o/U1XochioYnI/AAAAAAAACwc/UmY17sBK-IM/s1600/DSC_8177.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie wearing the socks the Oma knitted. They fit perfectly.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AO7SRi8uJdA/U1XoeNegcBI/AAAAAAAACwk/K-R36nY0Ya4/s1600/DSC_8179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AO7SRi8uJdA/U1XoeNegcBI/AAAAAAAACwk/K-R36nY0Ya4/s1600/DSC_8179.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crazy Dr. Suess Hat day at school last March! </span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-20951681983732907112014-03-25T03:20:00.002+00:002014-03-25T03:20:48.915+00:00More art days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6fHBb4MIOQ/UzD0INM0eII/AAAAAAAACu8/1gBajLOEimE/s1600/DSC_7992.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k6fHBb4MIOQ/UzD0INM0eII/AAAAAAAACu8/1gBajLOEimE/s1600/DSC_7992.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I've been meaning to post these pictures since January. The second graders in Millie's class finally got to work with clay. We used templates to make little flower or fish bowls.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9K--6ezt07c/UzD0LA75r-I/AAAAAAAACvE/kg5p8T3IFNU/s1600/DSC_7989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9K--6ezt07c/UzD0LA75r-I/AAAAAAAACvE/kg5p8T3IFNU/s1600/DSC_7989.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After using lots of items to make some very cool impressions in our bowls, I fired all the items in the kiln. I was so nervous, but I did not have to worry....</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mre132_abyE/UzD0PUCNUcI/AAAAAAAACvM/a1N9dFCKmdI/s1600/DSC_7993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mre132_abyE/UzD0PUCNUcI/AAAAAAAACvM/a1N9dFCKmdI/s1600/DSC_7993.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">All their art projects came out great! The kids were so excited to wrap them up and bring them home as Christmas presents for their family.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVLeK5WHbfQ/UzD0Ro23GBI/AAAAAAAACvU/JZEcQhTPh-w/s1600/DSC_7986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVLeK5WHbfQ/UzD0Ro23GBI/AAAAAAAACvU/JZEcQhTPh-w/s1600/DSC_7986.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cARy58P5_n4/UzD0TjO1i_I/AAAAAAAACvc/cnzcOZVeYbE/s1600/DSC_7988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cARy58P5_n4/UzD0TjO1i_I/AAAAAAAACvc/cnzcOZVeYbE/s1600/DSC_7988.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7NFMiXC09Y/UzD0WUB6ZOI/AAAAAAAACvk/WbTHlhkSCKw/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s7NFMiXC09Y/UzD0WUB6ZOI/AAAAAAAACvk/WbTHlhkSCKw/s1600/IMG_1090.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Valentines day we made some pretty hearts out of paper shapes and made them glossy with modge podge. I loved the snowmen we made too earlier in the month. We didn't get much snow here at all, but the hallways sure looked festive.</span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-15908969115764508402014-01-08T19:26:00.003+00:002014-01-09T02:21:38.782+00:00Two weeks in Germany<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-zTOX7jHkA/Us2klXJWG-I/AAAAAAAACtA/uoZ3HUBB0ik/s1600/DSC_8014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6-zTOX7jHkA/Us2klXJWG-I/AAAAAAAACtA/uoZ3HUBB0ik/s1600/DSC_8014.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We spent almost 2 weeks in Germany with my mom and Detlef for Christmas. It was pretty cold while we were there, but that did not stop us from visiting the Christmas markets.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMeD9ad2t8w/Us2knmcoPCI/AAAAAAAACtI/vfFMfi6IlxA/s1600/DSC_8005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMeD9ad2t8w/Us2knmcoPCI/AAAAAAAACtI/vfFMfi6IlxA/s1600/DSC_8005.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">They always have delicious foods there. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36LRCpoEYDU/Us2kpzu2hAI/AAAAAAAACtQ/q8UlEfHfmOg/s1600/DSC_8018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-36LRCpoEYDU/Us2kpzu2hAI/AAAAAAAACtQ/q8UlEfHfmOg/s1600/DSC_8018.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxwwHV5WrTk/Us2ktHnzdKI/AAAAAAAACtY/MM3jOUGGkU8/s1600/DSC_8016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NxwwHV5WrTk/Us2ktHnzdKI/AAAAAAAACtY/MM3jOUGGkU8/s1600/DSC_8016.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">...and hot glĂĽhwein to warm you up.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GVfRljyxFE/Us2kym0EzlI/AAAAAAAACtg/KN7WcYfen6s/s1600/DSC_8030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1GVfRljyxFE/Us2kym0EzlI/AAAAAAAACtg/KN7WcYfen6s/s1600/DSC_8030.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie opened her presents from Oma and Opa while we were there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPlrZUot9eU/Us2k5-d8TDI/AAAAAAAACt4/OiAih8xGlvg/s1600/DSC_8047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qPlrZUot9eU/Us2k5-d8TDI/AAAAAAAACt4/OiAih8xGlvg/s1600/DSC_8047.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Living so close to Austria now, my mom and Detlef took us to Salzburg and later in the week we went back to visit the Salt Mines and to Konigsee. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTVXc5N2lyQ/Us4F_uX-RrI/AAAAAAAACus/GRstNuNSsZY/s1600/spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qTVXc5N2lyQ/Us4F_uX-RrI/AAAAAAAACus/GRstNuNSsZY/s1600/spa.jpg" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We also spent 2 days at the Bad F</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ĂĽ</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ssing spa, swimming in the hot water pools outside. It was fantastic. It's so nice that those pools are only a 10 minute drive from my mom's house now.</span></td></tr>
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We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-8533209016982927132013-12-04T23:38:00.000+00:002013-12-04T23:46:30.845+00:00November days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVVgdQfKnuA/Up-4E6Z_cnI/AAAAAAAACrk/D4Je8jYYdcA/s1600/DSC_7952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVVgdQfKnuA/Up-4E6Z_cnI/AAAAAAAACrk/D4Je8jYYdcA/s400/DSC_7952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Since <span style="font-size: small;">Millie started at a new school, I have been able to volunteer every Tuesday in her classroom. Every<span style="font-size: small;"> other week, I <span style="font-size: small;">also vol<span style="font-size: small;">unteer as an art doce<span style="font-size: small;">nt for Milli<span style="font-size: small;">e's second grade class. <span style="font-size: small;">I love teaching the kids art<span style="font-size: small;"> and they are so excited <span style="font-size: small;">for the les<span style="font-size: small;">son on those days. The first week we did the a<span style="font-size: small;">bove project on mi<span style="font-size: small;">xing primary colors to make green, orange and purple fish<span style="font-size: small;">. We used acrylic p<span style="font-size: small;">aint and they <span style="font-size: small;">all came out <span style="font-size: small;">great.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKrZKOdYGfo/Up-4HPmm4FI/AAAAAAAACrs/MaGcYOk-YpM/s1600/DSC_7889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKrZKOdYGfo/Up-4HPmm4FI/AAAAAAAACrs/MaGcYOk-YpM/s400/DSC_7889.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After that <span style="font-size: small;">I de<span style="font-size: small;">cided it was time to cele<span style="font-size: small;">brate <span style="font-size: small;">Fall and the changing colors of the leaves. So I taught the class about warm and cool col<span style="font-size: small;">ors. They <span style="font-size: small;">dre<span style="font-size: small;">w<span style="font-size: small;"> the leaves <span style="font-size: small;">using oil pastels<span style="font-size: small;">. T<span style="font-size: small;">he<span style="font-size: small;">y had to use warm colors-</span></span></span> yello<span style="font-size: small;">w, <span style="font-size: small;">pink, red and orange. Then<span style="font-size: small;">, <span style="font-size: small;">the class painted the backgrou<span style="font-size: small;">nd <span style="font-size: small;">with watercolors. For this <span style="font-size: small;">they had to use cool colors-purple, green or blue. <span style="font-size: small;">The results were stunning.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScDP4-2GKvI/Up-4Il7v77I/AAAAAAAACr0/hq8eFCUJojw/s1600/DSC_7890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ScDP4-2GKvI/Up-4Il7v77I/AAAAAAAACr0/hq8eFCUJojw/s400/DSC_7890.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9IsdH325ouI/Up-4KzGM46I/AAAAAAAACr8/7YQVbYTP390/s1600/DSC_7891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9IsdH325ouI/Up-4KzGM46I/AAAAAAAACr8/7YQVbYTP390/s400/DSC_7891.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course, <span style="font-size: small;">since Halloween was fast app<span style="font-size: small;">roaching<span style="font-size: small;">, it was time to learn h<span style="font-size: small;">ow to draw a pump<span style="font-size: small;">kin<span style="font-size: small;">. We used chalk<span style="font-size: small;">s t<span style="font-size: small;">o draw the<span style="font-size: small;">se and the kids all learned how to <span style="font-size: small;">blend colors and <span style="font-size: small;">add <span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">hade. A l<span style="font-size: small;">ittle bit <span style="font-size: small;">of de<span style="font-size: small;">tail was added, and <span style="font-size: small;">they were worthy of framing!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PUhsbXU3OE/Up-4TTMghDI/AAAAAAAACsU/2lHmzfVKBmQ/s1600/DSC_7894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PUhsbXU3OE/Up-4TTMghDI/AAAAAAAACsU/2lHmzfVKBmQ/s400/DSC_7894.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">F<span style="font-size: small;">or Novem<span style="font-size: small;">b<span style="font-size: small;">er's <span style="font-size: small;">class, <span style="font-size: small;">I thought it would be fun to put away the paints and pa<span style="font-size: small;">pers and <span style="font-size: small;">int<span style="font-size: small;">roduce weaving to the group. <span style="font-size: small;">I cut strips into <span style="font-size: small;">ord<span style="font-size: small;">inary paper bowls and using colorful yar<span style="font-size: small;">n and some beads, the second graders weaved a than<span style="font-size: small;">ks<span style="font-size: small;">giv<span style="font-size: small;">ing bowl. <span style="font-size: small;">The next project is a big one. <span style="font-size: small;">We will make fish and flower bowls out of clay and I will fir<span style="font-size: small;">e them in a kiln. Then the class will get to <span style="font-size: small;">glaze them and one last firing<span style="font-size: small;"> in <span style="font-size: small;">a kiln. Fingers crossed <span style="font-size: small;">they will survive my first ever use of a kiln! Pictures to foll<span style="font-size: small;">ow <span style="font-size: small;">in a week and a half if they are successful.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYkDAjFlVM8/Up-4mUkqsNI/AAAAAAAACsc/aU3m9pOD028/s1600/DSC_7887.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYkDAjFlVM8/Up-4mUkqsNI/AAAAAAAACsc/aU3m9pOD028/s400/DSC_7887.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We've also continued to lose teeth here at the Coombes house. I guess Millie can be singing, <span style="font-size: small;">"A<span style="font-size: small;">ll she wants for Xmas is her 2 front teeth."</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECax_lS6fo8/Up-4qmVR3oI/AAAAAAAACsk/hcGg0h2BuL4/s1600/DSC_7932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ECax_lS6fo8/Up-4qmVR3oI/AAAAAAAACsk/hcGg0h2BuL4/s640/DSC_7932.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">F<span style="font-size: small;">amily picture after enj<span style="font-size: small;">oying the Christmas <span style="font-size: small;">tree li<span style="font-size: small;">gh<span style="font-size: small;">ting in Langley. </span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPjCPdy7x6Y/Up-4tb58VeI/AAAAAAAACss/ex9I5kFFXMU/s1600/DSC_7911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yPjCPdy7x6Y/Up-4tb58VeI/AAAAAAAACss/ex9I5kFFXMU/s400/DSC_7911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And our blog would not be comp<span style="font-size: small;">l<span style="font-size: small;">ete without a <span style="font-size: small;">November sunset...</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-81107052505055884212013-10-24T18:09:00.002+01:002013-10-24T18:13:12.860+01:00Our first Whidbey Autumn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--njrRxGeRqg/UmlDFQvI0DI/AAAAAAAACo0/bUrCUuYuQzE/s1600/DSC_7846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--njrRxGeRqg/UmlDFQvI0DI/AAAAAAAACo0/bUrCUuYuQzE/s400/DSC_7846.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's the month of O<span style="font-size: small;">c<span style="font-size: small;">tober and <span style="font-size: small;">we are getting our first experience of the season here on Whidbey island. This is the view of the <span style="font-size: small;">"big city<span style="font-size: small;">" of Langley. I drive thru <span style="font-size: small;">town ever<span style="font-size: small;">y time I need to get to Millie's school. <span style="font-size: small;">We live closer to Freeland, but that town <span style="font-size: small;">does not have t<span style="font-size: small;">he charm that Langley does. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2diyBJZ0_y8/UmlDH6F4bsI/AAAAAAAACo8/W4fAfAITtOY/s1600/DSC_7840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2diyBJZ0_y8/UmlDH6F4bsI/AAAAAAAACo8/W4fAfAITtOY/s400/DSC_7840.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fall colors in the trees and b<span style="font-size: small;">eautiful vie<span style="font-size: small;">w of the <span style="font-size: small;">water.</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piqWmVaQEQs/UmlDLuExhQI/AAAAAAAACpE/EP4bvWNxXHc/s1600/IMG_0895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-piqWmVaQEQs/UmlDLuExhQI/AAAAAAAACpE/EP4bvWNxXHc/s400/IMG_0895.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">You al<span style="font-size: small;">ways know summer has ended when you see the first batch of fresh snow in the mountains...</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1EV9-VdZIw/UmlDQMP2UcI/AAAAAAAACpM/WyQDIxMtAQY/s1600/IMG_0896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L1EV9-VdZIw/UmlDQMP2UcI/AAAAAAAACpM/WyQDIxMtAQY/s400/IMG_0896.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dug<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">ualla Bay Farms in Oak Harbor. I really don't know why there is a fake ele<span style="font-size: small;">phant<span style="font-size: small;"> here<span style="font-size: small;">, but <span style="font-size: small;">they do grow pumpkins.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hlsINRWR80/UmlDTVLgbjI/AAAAAAAACpU/wpMjdJbFkCQ/s1600/IMG_0897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hlsINRWR80/UmlDTVLgbjI/AAAAAAAACpU/wpMjdJbFkCQ/s400/IMG_0897.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41XgWC84eUI/UmlDXXCwEhI/AAAAAAAACpc/d8EAJb-RgW0/s1600/IMG_0905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-41XgWC84eUI/UmlDXXCwEhI/AAAAAAAACpc/d8EAJb-RgW0/s400/IMG_0905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Walking thr<span style="font-size: small;">ough the corn maze.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRkqvVnbG0c/UmlDbDRTTDI/AAAAAAAACpk/6rZtgcGgFR8/s1600/IMG_0907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRkqvVnbG0c/UmlDbDRTTDI/AAAAAAAACpk/6rZtgcGgFR8/s400/IMG_0907.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A few weeks ago there was a Scarecrow making party in <span style="font-size: small;">Langley at the F<span style="font-size: small;">airgrounds. I am so<span style="font-size: small;"> so happy we wen<span style="font-size: small;">t to this bec<span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;">use I had just as much fun as Millie. Here we are assem<span style="font-size: small;">bling our scare<span style="font-size: small;">c<span style="font-size: small;">row. All the materi<span style="font-size: small;">als, including clothes, st<span style="font-size: small;">raw<span style="font-size: small;">, cowboy hat and scarves were provi<span style="font-size: small;">de<span style="font-size: small;">d, as well as a BBQ lunch. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3TwhCkoXH8/UmlDfQBSriI/AAAAAAAACps/Gq2KAhV0d4w/s1600/IMG_0908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y3TwhCkoXH8/UmlDfQBSriI/AAAAAAAACps/Gq2KAhV0d4w/s400/IMG_0908.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A perfect day for<span style="font-size: small;"> creating our scarecrow m<span style="font-size: small;">aster<span style="font-size: small;">piece<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fExQkLHgpA/UmlDjDNFB4I/AAAAAAAACp0/6VJxfitTZCs/s1600/IMG_0909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0fExQkLHgpA/UmlDjDNFB4I/AAAAAAAACp0/6VJxfitTZCs/s400/IMG_0909.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie's scarecrow getting his f<span style="font-size: small;">elt <span style="font-size: small;">face glued on. We are anxiously awa<span style="font-size: small;">iting <span style="font-size: small;">his appearance and <span style="font-size: small;">getting excited about bringing hi<span style="font-size: small;">m home to show Papa. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BECAG0LiEk/UmlDmX4iMRI/AAAAAAAACp8/vyh9fDleMwY/s1600/IMG_0910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2BECAG0LiEk/UmlDmX4iMRI/AAAAAAAACp8/vyh9fDleMwY/s400/IMG_0910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There <span style="font-size: small;">h<span style="font-size: small;">e is in the left hand corner taking<span style="font-size: small;"> a break on the bench while Millie gets her face <span style="font-size: small;">p<span style="font-size: small;">ainted. </span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QclG64lENQ/UmlDpwES5-I/AAAAAAAACqE/Lvmpz7x5qTo/s1600/IMG_0911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0QclG64lENQ/UmlDpwES5-I/AAAAAAAACqE/Lvmpz7x5qTo/s400/IMG_0911.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ta<span style="font-size: small;">-<span style="font-size: small;">da! Our first scarecrow!</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ou950WnOUPo/UmlDtVkJlnI/AAAAAAAACqM/g3mRBTSCADE/s1600/IMG_0912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ou950WnOUPo/UmlDtVkJlnI/AAAAAAAACqM/g3mRBTSCADE/s400/IMG_0912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After <span style="font-size: small;">carrying and strapping him into the car, Millie and I head off to <span style="font-size: small;">do a quick tractor ride</span> before heading home. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wL_NQDuTroI/UmlDwOsh69I/AAAAAAAACqU/_A7N4Uxk6kA/s1600/IMG_0915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wL_NQDuTroI/UmlDwOsh69I/AAAAAAAACqU/_A7N4Uxk6kA/s400/IMG_0915.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ahh...sunlight streaming th<span style="font-size: small;">rough the windows on a mild Autumn day. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KbyEPB4sxTQ/UmlD0etxKJI/AAAAAAAACqc/1Zjt5bGwijY/s400/DSC_7847.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The most gorgeous sunsets eve<span style="font-size: small;">r!! Thank you Mike for this beautiful picture. Wow.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0lQ8Asr-V4/UmlD5mdyLII/AAAAAAAACqs/gPnxqUQ1ywU/s1600/DSC_7851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E0lQ8Asr-V4/UmlD5mdyLII/AAAAAAAACqs/gPnxqUQ1ywU/s400/DSC_7851.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie on picture day. Oops-mine came out blurry. I have been n<span style="font-size: small;">eglecting my camera too much<span style="font-size: small;"> and am out of practi<span style="font-size: small;">ce. <span style="font-size: small;">She was really happy about her curly h<span style="font-size: small;">air.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ65cWQ98qo/UmlD9ZpDqyI/AAAAAAAACq0/vlldmq_osHQ/s1600/IMG_0919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CJ65cWQ98qo/UmlD9ZpDqyI/AAAAAAAACq0/vlldmq_osHQ/s400/IMG_0919.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Enjoying a cotton can<span style="font-size: small;">dy at the Golden Corral in Spokane. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7E3hWk4cjU/UmlEBUjQOLI/AAAAAAAACq8/hv0NAGBdUJk/s1600/IMG_0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a7E3hWk4cjU/UmlEBUjQOLI/AAAAAAAACq8/hv0NAGBdUJk/s400/IMG_0926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie is still enjoying horse riding lesson<span style="font-size: small;">s<span style="font-size: small;">. S<span style="font-size: small;">he loves to brush and clean Ruby. I a<span style="font-size: small;">m so happy to see her outside and working with these <span style="font-size: small;">amazing animals. </span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7PH0JigChc/UmlEKnMByNI/AAAAAAAACrM/0LYM3cmFV6o/s1600/DSC_7852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u7PH0JigChc/UmlEKnMByNI/AAAAAAAACrM/0LYM3cmFV6o/s400/DSC_7852.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Yup, we are on eight days of fog. Darn these high pressure systems. I think this photo was taken in the afternoon and it is crummy to know 1500 feet up is blue sky and warmer air that is unable to burn it<span style="font-size: small;">s way th<span style="font-size: small;">rough</span></span>. I can't wait to see my island again one of these days. <span style="font-size: small;">Happy Halloween and bewar<span style="font-size: small;">e the vampires lurking <span style="font-size: small;">these Washington woods. </span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-60924191839878724332013-09-11T23:27:00.001+01:002013-09-11T23:37:10.851+01:00My favorite things about living in Langley, WA.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18BNqdC4nQs/UjDjbPWORiI/AAAAAAAAClI/GQpz-MJzKJQ/s1600/DSC_7651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-18BNqdC4nQs/UjDjbPWORiI/AAAAAAAAClI/GQpz-MJzKJQ/s400/DSC_7651.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On July 1st we moved to Langley located on <span style="font-size: small;">Whidbey Island in Washington. <span style="font-size: small;">This move would bring us a lot cl<span style="font-size: small;">oser to Mike's job <span style="font-size: small;">at <span style="font-size: small;">Boeing in Everett/Mukilteo. We decided that we wanted a slower<span style="font-size: small;"> pace of life and one that would be a great place for kids<span style="font-size: small;">. Langl<span style="font-size: small;">ey is a bea<span style="font-size: small;">ut<span style="font-size: small;">iful, peaceful place.<span style="font-size: small;"> For now we are renting <span style="font-size: small;">whil<span style="font-size: small;">e we decide if this is the right place for us</span>. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLNVd_BsRtQ/UjDjdU-MavI/AAAAAAAAClQ/I-MMSP2EmMw/s1600/DSC_7677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DLNVd_BsRtQ/UjDjdU-MavI/AAAAAAAAClQ/I-MMSP2EmMw/s400/DSC_7677.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I will never get tired of the view from our house or as I drive along the roads here!</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YFXfA5lOK0/UjDjsqBLDnI/AAAAAAAAClY/Tm--0vwcVwQ/s1600/IMG_0804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9YFXfA5lOK0/UjDjsqBLDnI/AAAAAAAAClY/Tm--0vwcVwQ/s400/IMG_0804.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRlLpMuAVvY/UjDj3gHS4UI/AAAAAAAAClg/fQfMQH2ldt4/s1600/DSC_7690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HRlLpMuAVvY/UjDj3gHS4UI/AAAAAAAAClg/fQfMQH2ldt4/s400/DSC_7690.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A<span style="font-size: small;">nother great perk<span style="font-size: small;"> is the seafood<span style="font-size: small;">, esp<span style="font-size: small;">ec<span style="font-size: small;">ially the ones you can get for free at the beach<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzkL-Aw85Lc/UjDj9ywfCWI/AAAAAAAAClo/TkbygbwD9VA/s1600/DSC_7806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HzkL-Aw85Lc/UjDj9ywfCWI/AAAAAAAAClo/TkbygbwD9VA/s400/DSC_7806.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fresh dungen<span style="font-size: small;">ess crab <span style="font-size: small;">provided by</span> some generous ne<span style="font-size: small;">igh<span style="font-size: small;">bors!</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNe0SNs0EWc/UjDkDAo9L1I/AAAAAAAAClw/QreLI4lx25Q/s1600/DSC_7694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eNe0SNs0EWc/UjDkDAo9L1I/AAAAAAAAClw/QreLI4lx25Q/s400/DSC_7694.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Another favorite <span style="font-size: small;">th<span style="font-size: small;">ing to do is visit the beaches. This is Saratoga beach <span style="font-size: small;">which is <span style="font-size: small;">just a very short walk from our house. The best is low tide<span style="font-size: small;"> when we can play in the sand and search for baby crabs.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uA7SB7PzdC8/UjDkIWTlU0I/AAAAAAAACl4/LViPyru3RK0/s1600/DSC_7697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uA7SB7PzdC8/UjDkIWTlU0I/AAAAAAAACl4/LViPyru3RK0/s400/DSC_7697.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKZhDPP8xg/UjDkSTMnjFI/AAAAAAAACmA/xn6tvJxRtLo/s1600/IMG_0826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--TKZhDPP8xg/UjDkSTMnjFI/AAAAAAAACmA/xn6tvJxRtLo/s400/IMG_0826.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Double Bluff beach is <span style="font-size: small;">about 10 minutes drive from the house and another great place. I<span style="font-size: small;"> could spend every<span style="font-size: small;">day of summer at these beaches.</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ba6-TzvMHk/UjDkVuptZUI/AAAAAAAACmI/pyI9fO8H4_g/s1600/IMG_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6Ba6-TzvMHk/UjDkVuptZUI/AAAAAAAACmI/pyI9fO8H4_g/s400/IMG_0828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt2Hto2CsCI/UjDkfWgXgsI/AAAAAAAACmQ/Worqh5BjEXY/s1600/DSC_7711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xt2Hto2CsCI/UjDkfWgXgsI/AAAAAAAACmQ/Worqh5BjEXY/s400/DSC_7711.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We had a junco bird lay <span style="font-size: small;">3 eggs in my potted <span style="font-size: small;">plant. I think one of the eggs was a different s<span style="font-size: small;">pecies. Here <span style="font-size: small;">they are looking pretty<span style="font-size: small;"> uns<span style="font-size: small;">igh<span style="font-size: small;">tly still.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jirGvFSTNvU/UjDkk28ylNI/AAAAAAAACmY/s8-CNussN-o/s1600/DSC_7771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jirGvFSTNvU/UjDkk28ylNI/AAAAAAAACmY/s8-CNussN-o/s400/DSC_7771.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">...and here <span style="font-size: small;">he is <span style="font-size: small;">nearly grown up<span style="font-size: small;"> and looking more l<span style="font-size: small;">ike a bir<span style="font-size: small;">d r<span style="font-size: small;">eady to take flight</span>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ddY3TdXJU04/UjDkrGvyyPI/AAAAAAAACmg/KivuYQ1-cbg/s1600/DSC_7734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ddY3TdXJU04/UjDkrGvyyPI/AAAAAAAACmg/KivuYQ1-cbg/s400/DSC_7734.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">M<span style="font-size: small;">ike <span style="font-size: small;">repainted and fixed up Millie's swi<span style="font-size: small;">ng and we found a perfect tree for her <span style="font-size: small;">to swi<span style="font-size: small;">ng on</span></span></span></span>.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC4_odtj9IE/UjDkuszAeqI/AAAAAAAACmo/KNwN9mEForg/s1600/DSC_7688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aC4_odtj9IE/UjDkuszAeqI/AAAAAAAACmo/KNwN9mEForg/s400/DSC_7688.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie still loves making her fairy houses. The deer <span style="font-size: small;">like to come by and visit.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPJSP0OyY3I/UjDkyzzyKzI/AAAAAAAACmw/GjDsVve635o/s1600/DSC_7701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PPJSP0OyY3I/UjDkyzzyKzI/AAAAAAAACmw/GjDsVve635o/s400/DSC_7701.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">I think it only rained 4 days this whole summer here in<span style="font-size: small;"> the <span style="font-size: small;">N<span style="font-size: small;">o<span style="font-size: small;">rthwest. (<span style="font-size: small;">Driest summer I have experienced, so far!) On<span style="font-size: small;"> one of those rainy days we love to spend the day playing with play-do. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TLFQ2vEsI0/UjDk5GhXwII/AAAAAAAACm4/_2AG729sroU/s1600/DSC_7704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3TLFQ2vEsI0/UjDk5GhXwII/AAAAAAAACm4/_2AG729sroU/s400/DSC_7704.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Looks good eno<span style="font-size: small;">ugh to <span style="font-size: small;">eat!</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5aLbHiY8F8/UjDk-GP4AaI/AAAAAAAACnA/ImoOUdHPN2Y/s1600/DSC_7753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f5aLbHiY8F8/UjDk-GP4AaI/AAAAAAAACnA/ImoOUdHPN2Y/s400/DSC_7753.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shortly after moving <span style="font-size: small;">on the <span style="font-size: small;">island</span></span>, I found out about a horse camp. <span style="font-size: small;">That was one of Mill<span style="font-size: small;">ie's favo<span style="font-size: small;">rite things this summer<span style="font-size: small;">. She looked f<span style="font-size: small;">orward to that camp so much<span style="font-size: small;">, we</span></span> decided to </span>continue with ho<span style="font-size: small;">rse lessons once a week. <span style="font-size: small;">It's great to see her g<span style="font-size: small;">ain<span style="font-size: small;">ing confidence while doing something so fun.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Hjsr0qlBK8/UjDlA-JdhCI/AAAAAAAACnI/jm6-afVa998/s1600/DSC_7760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9Hjsr0qlBK8/UjDlA-JdhCI/AAAAAAAACnI/jm6-afVa998/s400/DSC_7760.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Archery.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DejOfmFFB1Q/UjDlHllomvI/AAAAAAAACnQ/cRiO75hpBJ8/s1600/IMG_0811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DejOfmFFB1Q/UjDlHllomvI/AAAAAAAACnQ/cRiO75hpBJ8/s400/IMG_0811.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Making new friends <span style="font-size: small;">while e<span style="font-size: small;">njoying our <span style="font-size: small;">first visit to the Whidbey Island <span style="font-size: small;">Fair.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vDV6sDWY3s/UjDlK4C9TDI/AAAAAAAACnY/aKbD47wAQ6o/s1600/IMG_0818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vDV6sDWY3s/UjDlK4C9TDI/AAAAAAAACnY/aKbD47wAQ6o/s400/IMG_0818.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PamlEi0JHIw/UjDlQBL7_vI/AAAAAAAACng/-aCsGb_5wc0/s1600/IMG_0822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PamlEi0JHIw/UjDlQBL7_vI/AAAAAAAACng/-aCsGb_5wc0/s400/IMG_0822.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mike definit<span style="font-size: small;">ely prefers commu<span style="font-size: small;">ting to work by <span style="font-size: small;">ferry boat and <span style="font-size: small;">then a</span> 10 minute<span style="font-size: small;"> bus ride<span style="font-size: small;"> rather than his </span> hour and half to 2 hour commute through heavy <span style="font-size: small;">traffic.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzf73-D6XHw/UjDmhT7R49I/AAAAAAAACns/JEHjBFOtohg/s1600/IMG_0805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dzf73-D6XHw/UjDmhT7R49I/AAAAAAAACns/JEHjBFOtohg/s400/IMG_0805.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This area <span style="font-size: small;">has an over<span style="font-size: small;">whelm<span style="font-size: small;">ing a<span style="font-size: small;">mount of gardeners and farms. I<span style="font-size: small;">t has <span style="font-size: small;">been so bea<span style="font-size: small;">ut<span style="font-size: small;">iful to drive around and see all these u-pick farms<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">It seems <span style="font-size: small;">everyone has somet<span style="font-size: small;">hing pretty growing at th<span style="font-size: small;">eir house.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odHQK-gMGT4/UjDmnkV8zgI/AAAAAAAACn0/1HMaOC11kH8/s1600/IMG_0847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-odHQK-gMGT4/UjDmnkV8zgI/AAAAAAAACn0/1HMaOC11kH8/s400/IMG_0847.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A real highlight has been the time Millie and I have spent volunteering<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> at the West<span style="font-size: small;"> garden located in Clinton. Millie learned so much from the gardeners there while having an am<span style="font-size: small;">azing time. <span style="font-size: small;">They have taught her about bees, flowers, growing f<span style="font-size: small;">ruits and vegetables and how to pre<span style="font-size: small;">pare what we harvested <span style="font-size: small;">that day into a meal that we share each <span style="font-size: small;">time</span> for lunch. <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Most of the food <span style="font-size: small;">from<span style="font-size: small;"> the garden goes to the local food bank her<span style="font-size: small;">e on the island.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8ADzbWFmQk/UjDmzY8HxNI/AAAAAAAACoE/n1p-Wpi9R0w/s1600/DSC_7794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8ADzbWFmQk/UjDmzY8HxNI/AAAAAAAACoE/n1p-Wpi9R0w/s400/DSC_7794.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">M<span style="font-size: small;">illie and the apprentice gardener, Alexa<span style="font-size: small;"> harvesting lettuce.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2GyHCVuXWo/UjDm4ONvOaI/AAAAAAAACoM/-GZUp8WbGxg/s1600/DSC_7802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w2GyHCVuXWo/UjDm4ONvOaI/AAAAAAAACoM/-GZUp8WbGxg/s400/DSC_7802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOLwoKX7La0/UjDm_aqwK3I/AAAAAAAACoU/wykROSWqp5c/s1600/IMG_0851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qOLwoKX7La0/UjDm_aqwK3I/AAAAAAAACoU/wykROSWqp5c/s400/IMG_0851.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie and Alexa bagging <span style="font-size: small;">carrots for the food bank.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OR1LgrHp5zU/UjDnCqwOMiI/AAAAAAAACoc/JiCkC7E0YIk/s1600/IMG_0845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OR1LgrHp5zU/UjDnCqwOMiI/AAAAAAAACoc/JiCkC7E0YIk/s400/IMG_0845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At mid-day we always stop to share a meal together. <span style="font-size: small;">I have continued to volunteer here every Thursday. Millie is now in school, but we are so lucky that the garde<span style="font-size: small;">ners from this garden visit her elementary school every<span style="font-size: small;"> 2 weeks for a lesson on gardening. The second graders, including Millie's 2nd grade class, are in charge of the school garden. They planted ra<span style="font-size: small;">dishe<span style="font-size: small;">s last week.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8PmVTQPWB4/UjDnH3fgtlI/AAAAAAAACok/F1Kf5uueUbM/s1600/DSC_7780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e8PmVTQPWB4/UjDnH3fgtlI/AAAAAAAACok/F1Kf5uueUbM/s400/DSC_7780.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">An<span style="font-size: small;">d lastl<span style="font-size: small;">y, we never tire of seeing a beautiful sunset at the end of <span style="font-size: small;">a<span style="font-size: small;"> summer</span> day. Can't wait to disco<span style="font-size: small;">ver what fall is like here.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-55295434271577585352013-09-03T18:29:00.003+01:002013-09-03T18:30:58.346+01:00First day of school in a new town!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VseXx1TM9eQ/UiYaj9vPL6I/AAAAAAAACkg/BVOETJE8L74/s1600/IMG_0858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VseXx1TM9eQ/UiYaj9vPL6I/AAAAAAAACkg/BVOETJE8L74/s400/IMG_0858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie starts her first day of second grade today-Septe<span style="font-size: small;">mber <span style="font-size: small;">3rd. We moved to Langley on July 1st and <span style="font-size: small;">it<span style="font-size: small;">s felt like a vacation. Trips to <span style="font-size: small;">the beach, garden<span style="font-size: small;">s, <span style="font-size: small;">hiking, swimming at the lake, laz<span style="font-size: small;">y days eating ice-cream, but now it's time for school and a bit of structure again. A<span style="font-size: small;">nd</span> with the first day, came <span style="font-size: small;">the rain<span style="font-size: small;"> to remind us that summer is ending soon.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lU-v4Y7gxg/UiYaqgf2bJI/AAAAAAAACko/rZhye7ovsUY/s1600/IMG_0859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6lU-v4Y7gxg/UiYaqgf2bJI/AAAAAAAACko/rZhye7ovsUY/s400/IMG_0859.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie is excited, but was nervous too. It is the first time <span style="font-size: small;">r<span style="font-size: small;">iding a school bus<span style="font-size: small;">, we always walked to school before. A<span style="font-size: small;">nd <span style="font-size: small;">it's her first day at a brand new school. </span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjeF1jHfqOs/UiYav7G8FiI/AAAAAAAACkw/QZlvSe9_7A8/s1600/IMG_0860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yjeF1jHfqOs/UiYav7G8FiI/AAAAAAAACkw/QZlvSe9_7A8/s400/IMG_0860.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">O<span style="font-size: small;">ur n<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">ighbor came to say <span style="font-size: small;">hello while we were wait<span style="font-size: small;">ing. (The bus was almost 20<span style="font-size: small;"> minutes late beca<span style="font-size: small;">use the first child they picked up got sick and <span style="font-size: small;">they had to get a repl<span style="font-size: small;">acement bus-yikes).</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ktLI2hsisY/UiYaykqG6BI/AAAAAAAACk4/8ivEf_CpM3o/s1600/IMG_0861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ktLI2hsisY/UiYaykqG6BI/AAAAAAAACk4/8ivEf_CpM3o/s400/IMG_0861.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie getting off the bus at school trying her best to "ignore" me. I am sure she will <span style="font-size: small;">have a good first day and since it is only a half day<span style="font-size: small;">, I get to hear all about it right a<span style="font-size: small;">fter lunch!</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-63942043932745457972013-06-25T20:49:00.000+01:002013-06-25T20:49:15.809+01:00June 2013<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP4VJKBDEno/Ucnx9-0aa4I/AAAAAAAACiU/tx6Kow8HPyo/s1600/DSC_7556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jP4VJKBDEno/Ucnx9-0aa4I/AAAAAAAACiU/tx6Kow8HPyo/s400/DSC_7556.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">School ended this month, <span style="font-size: small;">but a few days before, <span style="font-size: small;">the whole school had th<span style="font-size: small;">eir year end F<span style="font-size: small;">ield Day cele<span style="font-size: small;">bration.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g4wyEfRz64/UcnyCJq0_ZI/AAAAAAAACic/KkPaMcfp6JY/s1600/DSC_7559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g4wyEfRz64/UcnyCJq0_ZI/AAAAAAAACic/KkPaMcfp6JY/s400/DSC_7559.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie going <span style="font-size: small;">down the slide!</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqGbtdDkiQI/UcnyCl8gy5I/AAAAAAAACig/qG8EhlG7LnY/s1600/DSC_7563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cqGbtdDkiQI/UcnyCl8gy5I/AAAAAAAACig/qG8EhlG7LnY/s400/DSC_7563.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Good friends from her first g<span style="font-size: small;">rade class cooling off with sno-cones.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymNnlsGr1is/UcnyCxyqM1I/AAAAAAAACio/hELJdm0LxTU/s1600/DSC_7568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ymNnlsGr1is/UcnyCxyqM1I/AAAAAAAACio/hELJdm0LxTU/s400/DSC_7568.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We also had a birthday party for Millie last week. S<span style="font-size: small;">he turned 7 years old<span style="font-size: small;">! We went outside to paint flower pots and of course, due to our lovely NW weather, the rain started the exact minute we went outside...</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkM8QY9R7j0/UcnyJZazAqI/AAAAAAAACi0/e6xOWvhKFkY/s1600/DSC_7571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zkM8QY9R7j0/UcnyJZazAqI/AAAAAAAACi0/e6xOWvhKFkY/s400/DSC_7571.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pro<span style="font-size: small;">blem quickly solved with large<span style="font-size: small;"> umbrella<span style="font-size: small;">. Most people use<span style="font-size: small;"> them for the sun, <span style="font-size: small;">we get to use them to block the rain 10 mths out of the year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9CqEvmV48I/UcnyJmnZDBI/AAAAAAAACi8/5qtj4n0O2ao/s1600/DSC_7573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-j9CqEvmV48I/UcnyJmnZDBI/AAAAAAAACi8/5qtj4n0O2ao/s400/DSC_7573.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back inside for some cupcakes and ice-cream.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Opening presents.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ochPJ0N8nI0/UcnyQQw9OsI/AAAAAAAACjc/HPJaBq_KKCs/s1600/DSC_7596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ochPJ0N8nI0/UcnyQQw9OsI/AAAAAAAACjc/HPJaBq_KKCs/s400/DSC_7596.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And finally, <span style="font-size: small;">Millie on the 24th of June openin<span style="font-size: small;">g presents from<span style="font-size: small;"> mom and dad.</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-9978026362374189802013-05-26T01:23:00.004+01:002013-05-26T01:23:39.939+01:00My favorite little unicycler...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIdBpTJLntg/UaFT_v2LFMI/AAAAAAAAChI/_2wKKhmyJJY/s1600/DSC_7405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eIdBpTJLntg/UaFT_v2LFMI/AAAAAAAAChI/_2wKKhmyJJY/s400/DSC_7405.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie had her end of the year <span style="font-size: small;">unicycle show in March. <span style="font-size: small;">I am finally back to bloggin<span style="font-size: small;">g and I really wanted to share these amazing pictures of Millie and her f<span style="font-size: small;">ellow teammates. </span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uA6c1VqhqqI/UaFUEfpTdmI/AAAAAAAAChQ/AXjfe9TL8Aw/s1600/DSC_7411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uA6c1VqhqqI/UaFUEfpTdmI/AAAAAAAAChQ/AXjfe9TL8Aw/s400/DSC_7411.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mil<span style="font-size: small;">lie ri<span style="font-size: small;">ding with one of the high sch<span style="font-size: small;">ool girls. It<span style="font-size: small;"> has been so motivating to have the o<span style="font-size: small;">lder ride<span style="font-size: small;">rs help me<span style="font-size: small;">n<span style="font-size: small;">tor <span style="font-size: small;">the younger ones. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OOFXbayVtZ8/UaFUJ1Kfy5I/AAAAAAAAChY/6O-hqNxGeCw/s1600/DSC_7422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OOFXbayVtZ8/UaFUJ1Kfy5I/AAAAAAAAChY/6O-hqNxGeCw/s400/DSC_7422.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie is <span style="font-size: small;">the on<span style="font-size: small;">e in the middle.</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDWr5iBj9XU/UaFUN-d65HI/AAAAAAAAChg/mul171o7jCE/s1600/DSC_7428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rDWr5iBj9XU/UaFUN-d65HI/AAAAAAAAChg/mul171o7jCE/s400/DSC_7428.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie is not in thi<span style="font-size: small;">s photo, but <span style="font-size: small;">I think <span style="font-size: small;">it is just so cool to see these "giraffe unic<span style="font-size: small;">ycles.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h3ZRciCZszM/UaFUR1ZdKAI/AAAAAAAACho/pfVK67JrK_o/s1600/DSC_7437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h3ZRciCZszM/UaFUR1ZdKAI/AAAAAAAACho/pfVK67JrK_o/s400/DSC_7437.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1D9l8Lyc2iA/UaFUWY769iI/AAAAAAAAChw/kIKpesH-Xvo/s1600/DSC_7439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1D9l8Lyc2iA/UaFUWY769iI/AAAAAAAAChw/kIKpesH-Xvo/s400/DSC_7439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08hzdjcclnY/UaFUbcxwJOI/AAAAAAAACh4/DjuKoW4ONWI/s1600/DSC_7441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-08hzdjcclnY/UaFUbcxwJOI/AAAAAAAACh4/DjuKoW4ONWI/s400/DSC_7441.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlhmOP5PIHY/UaFUgVGNFxI/AAAAAAAACiA/FT4NYKhNHlE/s1600/DSC_7446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NlhmOP5PIHY/UaFUgVGNFxI/AAAAAAAACiA/FT4NYKhNHlE/s400/DSC_7446.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Presenting the Snoqualmie Valley Unic<span style="font-size: small;">ycle <span style="font-size: small;">Team!</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-37567366536100365642013-03-28T23:30:00.004+00:002013-03-28T23:31:16.546+00:00Start of March<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFwZz-yYKJU/UVTRIAyLEhI/AAAAAAAACf4/qPS0wVe0MFI/s1600/DSC_7364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dFwZz-yYKJU/UVTRIAyLEhI/AAAAAAAACf4/qPS0wVe0MFI/s400/DSC_7364.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We really <span style="font-size: small;">took advan<span style="font-size: small;">tage of the sunny weather to get out<span style="font-size: small;">side early and decorate our Easter egg tree. Every year we add more and more eggs<span style="font-size: small;">. It<span style="font-size: small;">'s become the start of our Easter tradition every year.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQm04-YTURI/UVTRLXu4AsI/AAAAAAAACgA/znY3xoPXYV8/s1600/DSC_7372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQm04-YTURI/UVTRLXu4AsI/AAAAAAAACgA/znY3xoPXYV8/s400/DSC_7372.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It's almost the end of the unicycle <span style="font-size: small;">season for Millie. We are getting ready for the big show at N<span style="font-size: small;">orth <span style="font-size: small;">Be<span style="font-size: small;">nd Elementary next week. Lots of practicin<span style="font-size: small;">g. All the kids <span style="font-size: small;">in this program are pretty amazing. Y<span style="font-size: small;">ou need lots of determination and patience....on to<span style="font-size: small;">p of very good balance!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1CKpWzbzk8c/UVTRO0GESQI/AAAAAAAACgI/Te8FqROKDck/s1600/DSC_7374.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1CKpWzbzk8c/UVTRO0GESQI/AAAAAAAACgI/Te8FqROKDck/s400/DSC_7374.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Stre<span style="font-size: small;">tching out before a practice.</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z89IVLhHKQY/UVTRRs_XeRI/AAAAAAAACgQ/Zn0ZvClXMdw/s1600/DSC_7376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z89IVLhHKQY/UVTRRs_XeRI/AAAAAAAACgQ/Zn0ZvClXMdw/s400/DSC_7376.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Working <span style="font-size: small;">with partners...</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cXPLFD6D6k/UVTRUxMyCuI/AAAAAAAACgY/O46ZjvOxaR4/s1600/DSC_7387.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4cXPLFD6D6k/UVTRUxMyCuI/AAAAAAAACgY/O46ZjvOxaR4/s400/DSC_7387.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">...and in gro<span style="font-size: small;">ups. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-61236974463221681362013-03-11T22:04:00.004+00:002013-03-11T22:04:42.133+00:00Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huIBb24R-vA/UT5Uy497BBI/AAAAAAAACfk/loeRqKQysYU/s1600/_225_350_Book.776.cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huIBb24R-vA/UT5Uy497BBI/AAAAAAAACfk/loeRqKQysYU/s400/_225_350_Book.776.cover.jpg" width="261" /></a></div>
Moon Over Edisto is about the Bennett family and the aftermath of a divorce. <br />Julia's
best friend from college, Marney betrays her by falling in love with
her dad. Her family divorces. Julia moves to New York to pursue her
passion of art, her mom, Maryellen moves away to find peace with why her
marriage fell apart and younger sister Meg struggles to create the
picture perfect family of her own.<br />The book opens when another
tragedy forces Julia to return to her childhood home on Edisto Island in
South Carolina. This time Julia is asked to care for her three
half-siblings. She stays a week, but in that short time, she begins to
questions why she was unable to forgive Marney and her dad. She also
discovers that her home is pulling her back and away from her new life
in Manhattan. Julia's dad is no longer alive, but the rest of the family
comes together (usually over a delicious southern meal) and slowly
begins to heal.<br />I really liked this story, much more than I thought I
would. I love books where each chapter is told from the point of view
of major characters in the book. Julia is great with her half-siblings.
They in turn are kind and appreciate her help, as well. I kept
wondering if Julia and Meg would be able to reconcile with Marney before
the book ended. <br />I was happy at the ending of the book, as well. A great conclusion to a heartwarming book.<br /> *Disclosure* Booksneeze has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions in this review are mine alone.
We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-75446323945457482012013-01-20T00:23:00.003+00:002013-01-20T00:24:33.010+00:00Remembering Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WinzCiqS9CM/UPs3VRrHPuI/AAAAAAAACec/RXrHKEifMi8/s1600/DSC_7303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WinzCiqS9CM/UPs3VRrHPuI/AAAAAAAACec/RXrHKEifMi8/s400/DSC_7303.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Before the year starts passing<span style="font-size: small;"> by any faster, I wanted to add these pictures of Millie opening up her Christ<span style="font-size: small;">mas presents from last month<span style="font-size: small;">. We opened a few presents on <span style="font-size: small;">C<span style="font-size: small;">hristmas Eve<span style="font-size: small;"> and then <span style="font-size: small;">even more were <span style="font-size: small;">d<span style="font-size: small;">eli<span style="font-size: small;">vered by<span style="font-size: small;"> Santa the next mo<span style="font-size: small;">rning. Here is Millie so happy to discover her very own Elf <span style="font-size: small;">on</span> the Shelf book.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-duOmNvlw6xo/UPs3YY93N-I/AAAAAAAACek/5-cVgV-XRjo/s1600/DSC_7306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-duOmNvlw6xo/UPs3YY93N-I/AAAAAAAACek/5-cVgV-XRjo/s400/DSC_7306.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">And of course, it is always so exc<span style="font-size: small;">iting to get new clothes!</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoNWyIbIrvk/UPs3b0TUcfI/AAAAAAAACes/AM1R_7UOHzo/s1600/DSC_7310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BoNWyIbIrvk/UPs3b0TUcfI/AAAAAAAACes/AM1R_7UOHzo/s400/DSC_7310.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">New books, too!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6tj7DT75y0/UPs3eTjq-mI/AAAAAAAACe0/jpB3Ha66458/s1600/DSC_7313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6tj7DT75y0/UPs3eTjq-mI/AAAAAAAACe0/jpB3Ha66458/s400/DSC_7313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">This year Santa <span style="font-size: small;">granted Millie's wish and delivered an A<span style="font-size: small;">merican girl doll. </span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CFhO-0_S-k/UPs3iQmDf5I/AAAAAAAACe8/irbf1AZGmIg/s1600/DSC_7324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7CFhO-0_S-k/UPs3iQmDf5I/AAAAAAAACe8/irbf1AZGmIg/s400/DSC_7324.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
Hope our friends and families had a wonderful Christmas and we can't wait to see what happens in 2013. We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-75701183572883378262013-01-01T23:55:00.001+00:002013-01-01T23:56:39.473+00:00You Be Sweet with recipes by Patsy Caldwell<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiOtz1CZ4EY/UON2_rzlzMI/AAAAAAAACd0/klTyDQl2ZQ8/s1600/_225_350_Book.681.cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AiOtz1CZ4EY/UON2_rzlzMI/AAAAAAAACd0/klTyDQl2ZQ8/s400/_225_350_Book.681.cover.jpg" width="311" /></a></div>
<span class="readable reviewText">
<span id="freeTextreview491166093">This is a cookbook focusing
on all things sweet and delicious. The first thing I noticed was the
beautiful photographs of desserts scattered throughout the book. Patsy
Caldwell takes some of her favorite Southern confections and creates a
collection of recipes that you'll definitely want to make at home.<br />Not
every recipe includes a photograph, but there are still plenty to keep
you turning the pages. The book is divided into eleven chapters. Each
chapter begins with personal stories that will warm your heart and give
you background information on many of the recipes included. These were
really fun to read. <br />If you love desserts, you need to read this
cookbook. I found that I had most of the ingredients at home already. I
am really excited to try things like, Doughnut Bread Pudding with
vanilla sauce, pink lemonade cupcakes and the Peach coconut upside down
cake. I also have a request from my daughter to make the Red Velvet
cheesecake. I'm so happy to add this cookbook to my collection!<br />I
received a complimentary copy of this book from Booksneeze review
program. The opinions expressed are my own and I am not required to give
a positive review.</span></span>We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-59522962775439497332012-12-12T03:12:00.003+00:002012-12-12T03:12:45.537+00:00November<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIvhjofHUrM/UMf1dSJf7jI/AAAAAAAACco/x4Cexmre6Bw/s1600/DSC_7267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cIvhjofHUrM/UMf1dSJf7jI/AAAAAAAACco/x4Cexmre6Bw/s400/DSC_7267.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Cutes<span style="font-size: small;">t kid<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ga3EW0QQlMw/UMf1goqQIUI/AAAAAAAACcw/Ro_MRyprUNA/s1600/IMG_0455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ga3EW0QQlMw/UMf1goqQIUI/AAAAAAAACcw/Ro_MRyprUNA/s400/IMG_0455.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie a<span style="font-size: small;">t the Muse<span style="font-size: small;">um of Fligh<span style="font-size: small;">t at Bo<span style="font-size: small;">eing<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5fTa7829_Y/UMf1jW3eyyI/AAAAAAAACc4/sd7USHcSMzI/s1600/IMG_0457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--5fTa7829_Y/UMf1jW3eyyI/AAAAAAAACc4/sd7USHcSMzI/s400/IMG_0457.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Future <span style="font-size: small;">astron<span style="font-size: small;">aut?</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqnRFmX4qFg/UMf1mdZeE5I/AAAAAAAACdA/q05GaobG3B8/s1600/IMG_0461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqnRFmX4qFg/UMf1mdZeE5I/AAAAAAAACdA/q05GaobG3B8/s400/IMG_0461.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Delicious crab dinner.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-68339903275350536772012-11-02T23:42:00.005+00:002012-11-02T23:43:55.123+00:00Halloween Happenings...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wXRHBOikj5M/UJRYv3u_rPI/AAAAAAAACbI/T6MErtqh3kQ/s1600/DSC_7256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wXRHBOikj5M/UJRYv3u_rPI/AAAAAAAACbI/T6MErtqh3kQ/s400/DSC_7256.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie and her first grade class on Halloween day!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqiILiLv0wo/UJRYzvBD85I/AAAAAAAACbQ/EGXt8oD18rA/s1600/DSC_7248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AqiILiLv0wo/UJRYzvBD85I/AAAAAAAACbQ/EGXt8oD18rA/s400/DSC_7248.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">S<span style="font-size: small;">o glad<span style="font-size: small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Mike and I were<span style="font-size: small;"> able to attend Millie's <span style="font-size: small;">Halloween cele<span style="font-size: small;">bration at s<span style="font-size: small;">chool. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhPOvA0aMG8/UJRY17mSY4I/AAAAAAAACbY/DV4yx0_jN70/s1600/DSC_7249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EhPOvA0aMG8/UJRY17mSY4I/AAAAAAAACbY/DV4yx0_jN70/s400/DSC_7249.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ma<span style="font-size: small;">king skeletons....</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuHnJWe3ymU/UJRY4437cmI/AAAAAAAACbg/Hwpr1-yGdSs/s1600/DSC_7259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuHnJWe3ymU/UJRY4437cmI/AAAAAAAACbg/Hwpr1-yGdSs/s400/DSC_7259.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Halloween Nig<span style="font-size: small;">ht! Th<span style="font-size: small;">ese pictures were taken <span style="font-size: small;">about 2 minutes before we started our trick or trea<span style="font-size: small;">ting. It was drizzling for the pictures, but stopped immediately after and stayed dry the whole <span style="font-size: small;">time we were out. Y<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">ah! I even dressed up as a scary witch...no pictures o<span style="font-size: small;">f me<span style="font-size: small;"> since Mike was working <span style="font-size: small;">the eveni<span style="font-size: small;">ng shift this year. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ezLE0l9drQ/UJRY7QqMQrI/AAAAAAAACbo/s1ATNMMkma0/s1600/DSC_7260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0ezLE0l9drQ/UJRY7QqMQrI/AAAAAAAACbo/s1ATNMMkma0/s400/DSC_7260.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e9CVmLLuRoA/UJRY9it9WYI/AAAAAAAACbw/KEmk2E9iyww/s1600/DSC_7261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e9CVmLLuRoA/UJRY9it9WYI/AAAAAAAACbw/KEmk2E9iyww/s400/DSC_7261.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz6_ER2gaX8/UJRZAbkceBI/AAAAAAAACb4/nk8xHn0sWew/s1600/DSC_7263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Yz6_ER2gaX8/UJRZAbkceBI/AAAAAAAACb4/nk8xHn0sWew/s400/DSC_7263.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPCKr1Tu1UA/UJRZCsI7ceI/AAAAAAAACcA/4FYmXhhZ21g/s1600/DSC_7264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPCKr1Tu1UA/UJRZCsI7ceI/AAAAAAAACcA/4FYmXhhZ21g/s400/DSC_7264.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A bit blurry<span style="font-size: small;">, but still a keeper!</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2659443097543450764.post-82893721257042062502012-10-31T03:36:00.001+00:002012-10-31T03:37:28.582+00:00Getting ready for Autumn<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5X6pyEnBEGA/UJCZr5k3yhI/AAAAAAAACZQ/agcHbmwuikk/s1600/DSC_7213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5X6pyEnBEGA/UJCZr5k3yhI/AAAAAAAACZQ/agcHbmwuikk/s400/DSC_7213.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">After summer, I usuall<span style="font-size: small;">y get so excited about Fall. I l<span style="font-size: small;">ove the changing colors, apple cider, pu<span style="font-size: small;">mpkin picking<span style="font-size: small;">, Halloween d<span style="font-size: small;">ecorating (love it!)<span style="font-size: small;">, woodstove fires and<span style="font-size: small;"> those cool, cri<span style="font-size: small;">sp days<span style="font-size: small;"> (without rain<span style="font-size: small;">, please...<span style="font-size: small;">)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csEf9vBu9zo/UJCZuOIisXI/AAAAAAAACZY/i4BSvSTUQ1U/s1600/DSC_7215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-csEf9vBu9zo/UJCZuOIisXI/AAAAAAAACZY/i4BSvSTUQ1U/s400/DSC_7215.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It is definitely a tradition to go pumpkin<span style="font-size: small;"> p<span style="font-size: small;">icking at a <span style="font-size: small;">local farm.</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-di_GiKt93kg/UJCZw0xX2YI/AAAAAAAACZg/plkK9hW0Gok/s1600/DSC_7219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-di_GiKt93kg/UJCZw0xX2YI/AAAAAAAACZg/plkK9hW0Gok/s400/DSC_7219.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaxCjJP23LQ/UJCZz7T6-TI/AAAAAAAACZo/uSZ9fuH3a70/s1600/DSC_7221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaxCjJP23LQ/UJCZz7T6-TI/AAAAAAAACZo/uSZ9fuH3a70/s400/DSC_7221.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdUf2WHBa_A/UJCZ2S5WpvI/AAAAAAAACZw/R2d6qsNjmDg/s1600/DSC_7222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xdUf2WHBa_A/UJCZ2S5WpvI/AAAAAAAACZw/R2d6qsNjmDg/s400/DSC_7222.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxOo3uVMlZM/UJCZ4x-cokI/AAAAAAAACZ4/FS-1CT6qKTw/s1600/DSC_7224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CxOo3uVMlZM/UJCZ4x-cokI/AAAAAAAACZ4/FS-1CT6qKTw/s400/DSC_7224.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie a<span style="font-size: small;">lso had her annual Walk-a-thon at her school<span style="font-size: small;">. <span style="font-size: small;">Every year the money they raise helps pay for programs <span style="font-size: small;">and technology in her building. Lucky us, <span style="font-size: small;">it was a surprising<span style="font-size: small;">ly warm, pleasant day and the kids were exhausted after running and walking so many laps<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6mbmXs_qsw/UJCZ7Rc6-_I/AAAAAAAACaA/0rGgk8Kh1ok/s1600/DSC_7226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J6mbmXs_qsw/UJCZ7Rc6-_I/AAAAAAAACaA/0rGgk8Kh1ok/s400/DSC_7226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Millie did 15 laps in about 1 <span style="font-size: small;">1/2 hours.</span></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlI9B5oqR_A/UJCZ-BwXTCI/AAAAAAAACaI/vDplPPHSnaQ/s1600/DSC_7227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qlI9B5oqR_A/UJCZ-BwXTCI/AAAAAAAACaI/vDplPPHSnaQ/s400/DSC_7227.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VaCjelMjEc/UJCaB5aX0cI/AAAAAAAACaQ/2YAkVNKk3VI/s1600/DSC_7244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--VaCjelMjEc/UJCaB5aX0cI/AAAAAAAACaQ/2YAkVNKk3VI/s400/DSC_7244.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ta da......<span style="font-size: small;">here is this years Halloween costume. My l<span style="font-size: small;">ittle mermaid girl<span style="font-size: small;">!</span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sByfMb4evWw/UJCaEWA6tNI/AAAAAAAACaY/BJ755mWKNhY/s1600/DSC_7237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sByfMb4evWw/UJCaEWA6tNI/AAAAAAAACaY/BJ755mWKNhY/s400/DSC_7237.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the <span style="font-size: small;">Harvest Festival in N<span style="font-size: small;">ort<span style="font-size: small;">h Bend to play some games, find some treats and <span style="font-size: small;">walk thru<span style="font-size: small;"> the scary Haunted House.....and we even got to meet our n<span style="font-size: small;">eighborhood friends doing exa<span style="font-size: small;">ctly the same thing<span style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;">Her<span style="font-size: small;">e's Millie getting ready to play some "P<span style="font-size: small;">in the N<span style="font-size: small;">ose on<span style="font-size: small;"> the Witch."</span></span></span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pegoRtoj1o/UJCaGtJhKWI/AAAAAAAACag/4SYkU61X-5c/s1600/DSC_7239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--pegoRtoj1o/UJCaGtJhKWI/AAAAAAAACag/4SYkU61X-5c/s400/DSC_7239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A game of broom hockey. Happy Halloween my fri<span style="font-size: small;">ends!</span></span></td></tr>
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<br />We are Mike, Melanie & Milliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07288997441957142880noreply@blogger.com1