tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84962667431278227622024-03-05T01:12:26.889-08:00The Smith FamilyMatt, Christine, and BradenMatt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-87055062862363293262009-07-23T20:09:00.001-07:002009-07-23T21:12:27.158-07:00Bonfire at Capistrano BeachOn Monday we had a bonfire at Capo Beach. We had a ton of wood in our backyard that we needed to get rid of and we thought a bonfire was the perfect way to do it. We got there early to grab a pit (because even on a Monday bonfire pits get saved early) and Braden played in the ocean. He didn't like it when the waves got above his knees so he relocated to the sand where he played quite happily for a long time.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft2Db3nGzBJJodIuCkVpmIdeNemN4QMQgHxjnyev1OIaBEs8XZJ-f6BU5GD9zFwzwZmI7rW6r2YCbLFcEmiLVvEPqgV_n70zb9ig7dJZXVJEOChKAal7zXlkdabklnOxVyzpKhzb4idQ/s1600-h/100_1668.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361864690479015938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft2Db3nGzBJJodIuCkVpmIdeNemN4QMQgHxjnyev1OIaBEs8XZJ-f6BU5GD9zFwzwZmI7rW6r2YCbLFcEmiLVvEPqgV_n70zb9ig7dJZXVJEOChKAal7zXlkdabklnOxVyzpKhzb4idQ/s320/100_1668.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaRLSQEUCugvlkgL5m79Cfj4YSEq6UqSkfIB2R0zYEcW6yJk1lUwZ4nEUjuVGgAbs8HqRcRo_Um3O9ouSV9nQtqnCB8lLjIvgidC1RtKLjpWdI4v2M2QvI1ur9jwz2Pv9r_AF5OFbdhI/s1600-h/100_1674.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361864687611972594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwaRLSQEUCugvlkgL5m79Cfj4YSEq6UqSkfIB2R0zYEcW6yJk1lUwZ4nEUjuVGgAbs8HqRcRo_Um3O9ouSV9nQtqnCB8lLjIvgidC1RtKLjpWdI4v2M2QvI1ur9jwz2Pv9r_AF5OFbdhI/s320/100_1674.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsE89-fxBmrL3RdU8X_gPffDgiK7BYOi037Im2CGznMsx5l_lrqFX7xUuPXPMlgf0IiJJ5_2RO1cZHyCRfGUzFVJwk20zV9cGWr1qn2Ojrucs9glDN9coVq4NLjmfDs4dZR0rXeN6yLE/s1600-h/100_1680.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361864677934238066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsE89-fxBmrL3RdU8X_gPffDgiK7BYOi037Im2CGznMsx5l_lrqFX7xUuPXPMlgf0IiJJ5_2RO1cZHyCRfGUzFVJwk20zV9cGWr1qn2Ojrucs9glDN9coVq4NLjmfDs4dZR0rXeN6yLE/s320/100_1680.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBawJYLHii89fqUbyPuspW3DJiFkXqKewnvwTjn_d1S_IBVMm_SIKW7eqgiVETWbXySUE9ek3nDP0ur4KSTto5gkCBHF27YfP17BwbfX-m6nkkWbu0C9wBRKFBZt7V-GiGfxUKq0303-I/s1600-h/100_1683.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361864674278641906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBawJYLHii89fqUbyPuspW3DJiFkXqKewnvwTjn_d1S_IBVMm_SIKW7eqgiVETWbXySUE9ek3nDP0ur4KSTto5gkCBHF27YfP17BwbfX-m6nkkWbu0C9wBRKFBZt7V-GiGfxUKq0303-I/s320/100_1683.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_QbpkIsXUjGLpRBiQ9mZvly43qFZkgWAE4gg4zzNGq4Icxrvg1vb5aiaSOTADJCQWpy7R2hZ4Jh1EDFBhm1uqgmR7Eu4bv0IZGDzkn2M3JP7hMIiz0PloKNDktAq71P_fKMVQKoOIj4/s1600-h/100_1687.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361864666997729346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_QbpkIsXUjGLpRBiQ9mZvly43qFZkgWAE4gg4zzNGq4Icxrvg1vb5aiaSOTADJCQWpy7R2hZ4Jh1EDFBhm1uqgmR7Eu4bv0IZGDzkn2M3JP7hMIiz0PloKNDktAq71P_fKMVQKoOIj4/s320/100_1687.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Everybody brought so much food! It was all so delicious. We had sodas, hot dogs, brownies, watermelon, chips, s'mores, and more.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdkWTmU0k1ajO5DkisSN8RjZxs5brPIzFl7E_WbSkK69d8R3WWE0ITUavZaC7FJhSaznTWPV8mGUJ7QkAsecMXJrvVJlFv04I_c5WjB-5YhaRg8IjlQviKk4H0J-OLT_HWKgl2MJmB0s/s1600-h/100_1688.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862148534519826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdkWTmU0k1ajO5DkisSN8RjZxs5brPIzFl7E_WbSkK69d8R3WWE0ITUavZaC7FJhSaznTWPV8mGUJ7QkAsecMXJrvVJlFv04I_c5WjB-5YhaRg8IjlQviKk4H0J-OLT_HWKgl2MJmB0s/s320/100_1688.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were tons of kids. </div><div></div><div>Brooklyn Trotter came over to pat Braden on the head and sit with him for a little while. I think she was trying to figure out why Braden found the sand so fascinating.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9z6b00V7ey1IBdnuzJKAzzdWpoExEZD5uc3o6L7NJJOIZUOmJ2nBEQOfFWSkv8dPP7G9s2vpcIsCtRpsi1cx3CDBHZEGp9EKPQevM64Skw-dKe0b9w2gxvgK-gN3Uw9ltZlZxpC1If4/s1600-h/100_1690.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862142559202562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9z6b00V7ey1IBdnuzJKAzzdWpoExEZD5uc3o6L7NJJOIZUOmJ2nBEQOfFWSkv8dPP7G9s2vpcIsCtRpsi1cx3CDBHZEGp9EKPQevM64Skw-dKe0b9w2gxvgK-gN3Uw9ltZlZxpC1If4/s320/100_1690.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Logan Didlake was a little sugar baby. He was covered in sand and loved crawling around in it. He is so cute and so tiny!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS10Ny113mdZWRpuzJCsNXkbnMFODrDqAPXRCHkDTY2X5pTiV6lpVg7pwqgRui0XFz4NQ27hWVoXtvaRDQYVeRnL8ZAY0F2PhBd1OpdtiYTi0V7h5eg2Hb5wD1-cahyphenhyphenG1GgfNx444nDPo/s1600-h/100_1692.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862133417863682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS10Ny113mdZWRpuzJCsNXkbnMFODrDqAPXRCHkDTY2X5pTiV6lpVg7pwqgRui0XFz4NQ27hWVoXtvaRDQYVeRnL8ZAY0F2PhBd1OpdtiYTi0V7h5eg2Hb5wD1-cahyphenhyphenG1GgfNx444nDPo/s320/100_1692.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Braden started to get pretty pooped but still wanted to stay awake and play with everyone.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpdO2HeeiI-MbfZ3cRcLInCVaPSS5q143MkgaPD2HigDHSLpD16vFQSVMf1bl34cWATHxH5A021xjR8DXBXAie0fkM0MwTVwv9L9QUqa6fOyNytZq3ix5bFksXmPA3KiH37bbBfKccPg/s1600-h/100_1694.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862126757865506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpdO2HeeiI-MbfZ3cRcLInCVaPSS5q143MkgaPD2HigDHSLpD16vFQSVMf1bl34cWATHxH5A021xjR8DXBXAie0fkM0MwTVwv9L9QUqa6fOyNytZq3ix5bFksXmPA3KiH37bbBfKccPg/s320/100_1694.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklpqsaL9RspYIEayn_3iHxXWGff51tGelo_Gl3Z_xtjRlOZF2tIVdexQbfHJ7vh_T56SkgFQ5VTTwnfYSX-CaPDiNEjefyyASM2ylegVxfjimPQMTaQ_eS35ipvEe7vnCA83LhVDVWxI/s1600-h/100_1697.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361862124684974482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjklpqsaL9RspYIEayn_3iHxXWGff51tGelo_Gl3Z_xtjRlOZF2tIVdexQbfHJ7vh_T56SkgFQ5VTTwnfYSX-CaPDiNEjefyyASM2ylegVxfjimPQMTaQ_eS35ipvEe7vnCA83LhVDVWxI/s320/100_1697.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />It was a beautiful night to be at the beach.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzckbZr9ToOuM3mZKhgm5Je_3zZ7yxTqCo_KpCptosRaOplQLefurtnYzqqH8p2U2woIzxueMPKFw11eoSy2ylI8eHWACK_nhmdq1ApWoZ8gBfr0-F7V_d8z4S2n0D3nX58uSn2jz_Y4o/s1600-h/100_1700.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361860425882900530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzckbZr9ToOuM3mZKhgm5Je_3zZ7yxTqCo_KpCptosRaOplQLefurtnYzqqH8p2U2woIzxueMPKFw11eoSy2ylI8eHWACK_nhmdq1ApWoZ8gBfr0-F7V_d8z4S2n0D3nX58uSn2jz_Y4o/s320/100_1700.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The older kids had a great time roasting marshmallows and making s'mores.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKlItJkUI-toaMiSEH6AJ2NdienmF_mS_KBKBwa4f0UqeenAdQ-qLxIg5GWs9D6a54Ut1AN_IjAtPoXhuxGuISMzDjeDL0kOcW6ttJEsLt9NGWMv7qnZVTlYinm1Ig_o0UBzg65X0OvA/s1600-h/100_1702.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361860424462708322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKlItJkUI-toaMiSEH6AJ2NdienmF_mS_KBKBwa4f0UqeenAdQ-qLxIg5GWs9D6a54Ut1AN_IjAtPoXhuxGuISMzDjeDL0kOcW6ttJEsLt9NGWMv7qnZVTlYinm1Ig_o0UBzg65X0OvA/s320/100_1702.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Later on, Matt burned some old stuff that he wanted to get rid of. It was a cathartic experience. :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i1ed_l14rwsnCHMqnWE5GByxuQ1Qal0rkescNykI4q6bz8aMlFaNJA4jIo-WlKMmgjECgkoZzb9OUqDkG57z0698DwuzLqf73m4enF0L-lfcXxXIKacod9AIpNLw6cQuP5DtOoKh8Xo/s1600-h/100_1715.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361860404001248066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i1ed_l14rwsnCHMqnWE5GByxuQ1Qal0rkescNykI4q6bz8aMlFaNJA4jIo-WlKMmgjECgkoZzb9OUqDkG57z0698DwuzLqf73m4enF0L-lfcXxXIKacod9AIpNLw6cQuP5DtOoKh8Xo/s320/100_1715.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OTkKtvjdJLLzLAnhdQiwfYkb9oMnuUzD35FKOTZ9jYeAUaBdGqTI2vwt_tcEIbAZpdnT2RPmK-WRRYFf8fdGR5bu6X6S8Z0igefANMy4WNnfBiia8UQqU6NPv9ub6tZCbvdrvtPS2sQ/s1600-h/100_1716.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361860400731923682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_OTkKtvjdJLLzLAnhdQiwfYkb9oMnuUzD35FKOTZ9jYeAUaBdGqTI2vwt_tcEIbAZpdnT2RPmK-WRRYFf8fdGR5bu6X6S8Z0igefANMy4WNnfBiia8UQqU6NPv9ub6tZCbvdrvtPS2sQ/s320/100_1716.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br />Towards the end of the night, Braden finally got so tired that he passed out.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05mZa5WdBDtaoS4hupJoOOsBbFWk6fh_wXtex2cmCB05TdlU8tLcwl-BNVelIdKiI8vIzxmNXngag8pt3fKYI2xnK1h9qk_eQo2mk6HDFocAGM_rBMVo1g58tNNj1_SNEAWQF_EWd3nA/s1600-h/100_1722.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361860392383911458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh05mZa5WdBDtaoS4hupJoOOsBbFWk6fh_wXtex2cmCB05TdlU8tLcwl-BNVelIdKiI8vIzxmNXngag8pt3fKYI2xnK1h9qk_eQo2mk6HDFocAGM_rBMVo1g58tNNj1_SNEAWQF_EWd3nA/s320/100_1722.jpg" /></a><br />We had such an awesome time. Thanks to everyone who came! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-3842094236548912582009-07-23T17:52:00.000-07:002009-07-23T19:43:37.647-07:00Two Picnics, One WeekendOne of our favorite things to do is to go on a picnic. We love relaxing, we love being outdoors, and we love eating; this is why picnics are perfect for us. The first picnic we went on last weekend was at <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Rancho</span> Santa Margarita Lake. There are tons of huge shady trees at the north end of the lake and it's our favorite spot to lounge. We have to keep Braden is his stroller or he runs away as fast as he can, which is a lot faster than you would imagine a one year old being able to run.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRNbvNQmaoVqCQUiIRPcangjx5ZdRcVK72YhyphenhyphenwOHrv0H5brgrCbn772cxEQE6WC6WOjsp-T41wbx0XUnzqIUjzzWVj1NS-2Gzyff3UrhUJOIvR1ej4mfFnE_Bfn8pvCmIwdA0BFdAS5w/s1600-h/100_1637.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361848057202964850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRNbvNQmaoVqCQUiIRPcangjx5ZdRcVK72YhyphenhyphenwOHrv0H5brgrCbn772cxEQE6WC6WOjsp-T41wbx0XUnzqIUjzzWVj1NS-2Gzyff3UrhUJOIvR1ej4mfFnE_Bfn8pvCmIwdA0BFdAS5w/s320/100_1637.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden was so cute but since he refused to eat anything that we'd brought to eat, I just took lots and lots of pictures of him. Matt thinks it will somehow scar him. I beg to differ. When Braden is an adult I'm sure he'll appreciate the eight quadrillion billion million pictures I took of him when he was little. <div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUd4SMJgkbWO3l8dxzQOmeMvE07bcarvpvlxJ-okQnw70R7QJnbGjvBqSHgxoKQY9QY08dYtA2k2-sagAIx6VCIb7VDOb8hKJCXBzS28QVA0Hfn9f7JTy8rlC7SxErP8fiJHyyCZpJAw/s1600-h/100_1638.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361848048999172722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUd4SMJgkbWO3l8dxzQOmeMvE07bcarvpvlxJ-okQnw70R7QJnbGjvBqSHgxoKQY9QY08dYtA2k2-sagAIx6VCIb7VDOb8hKJCXBzS28QVA0Hfn9f7JTy8rlC7SxErP8fiJHyyCZpJAw/s320/100_1638.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAT5lPh0TITLw8RFdUb1Padjx1Aq9mhb31LzARi-cqs1ongecdXn-eapu2q2UxL83Hv60Ne7a3AakkNb2PozK0SZF82NMV5JyYwSdoejDhJdJAkBYzdfde5waHsIoRzKgwMJhlUtPcm4/s1600-h/100_1641.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361846093039461986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAT5lPh0TITLw8RFdUb1Padjx1Aq9mhb31LzARi-cqs1ongecdXn-eapu2q2UxL83Hv60Ne7a3AakkNb2PozK0SZF82NMV5JyYwSdoejDhJdJAkBYzdfde5waHsIoRzKgwMJhlUtPcm4/s320/100_1641.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQXPYncgNUCeBo4gK6Bb0_4cBcxVO6iFwtwvIM6RcixXQ21WhXESC1dyQRwdinKYHLhNgs0xMxJM0v1CXQQPKItLX2S15I6TfoZteFlFgx0DI5jaTJdMcUepUMgEFc-eLLDz0m2nt6Q/s1600-h/100_1642.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361846085606967266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOQXPYncgNUCeBo4gK6Bb0_4cBcxVO6iFwtwvIM6RcixXQ21WhXESC1dyQRwdinKYHLhNgs0xMxJM0v1CXQQPKItLX2S15I6TfoZteFlFgx0DI5jaTJdMcUepUMgEFc-eLLDz0m2nt6Q/s320/100_1642.jpg" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb6WAuvuom02DIYqS5Tqs-csh0wWKeeItf-deQjmbuh9zAy-00zTodse65B8STVnqxdWmu6xFsbXMj2C47CRRFNkok7Vc5yQ2GAxsp6JSwCSdJsgrSeBBC2T0UBM5MoeTpssx1pbmTY8/s1600-h/100_1643.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361846079881993666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnb6WAuvuom02DIYqS5Tqs-csh0wWKeeItf-deQjmbuh9zAy-00zTodse65B8STVnqxdWmu6xFsbXMj2C47CRRFNkok7Vc5yQ2GAxsp6JSwCSdJsgrSeBBC2T0UBM5MoeTpssx1pbmTY8/s320/100_1643.jpg" /></a><br />He is such a goofball! I love my little buddy.<br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Our second picnic was at Braden's friend, Mia's, birthday party in Dana Point.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62YE-UPj8HBqFEXOHlICA2-TvgvB8aUZ7TSIFWcCsgNqh_jLNAk4hrwvrYznkUCq6TiixkffYbSXDyJVZs9igxeKGSasdFRqFKlSGRoE6MUKKCeLx1yEs3kgG9YVm95s8v-vOXZRgtx0/s1600-h/100_1649.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361846074745070418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh62YE-UPj8HBqFEXOHlICA2-TvgvB8aUZ7TSIFWcCsgNqh_jLNAk4hrwvrYznkUCq6TiixkffYbSXDyJVZs9igxeKGSasdFRqFKlSGRoE6MUKKCeLx1yEs3kgG9YVm95s8v-vOXZRgtx0/s320/100_1649.jpg" /></a> </div><div>The food was delicious and the company was awesome. Dana Point has free concerts during the summer so we even had live music.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_clxKyw2VhDPAjpbpj1GgTJ3l4n2g2BAE5jTYKYTlKWbR7qvd8ApCM7RoBosetfyDl8WBAztlnb33I57pEdlEAo2ZAieoUUgfLnnBtKPaDlOCXvvuFcjszI1rs2DXTPCkzTW07IjEXm8/s1600-h/100_1646.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361846065679950050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_clxKyw2VhDPAjpbpj1GgTJ3l4n2g2BAE5jTYKYTlKWbR7qvd8ApCM7RoBosetfyDl8WBAztlnb33I57pEdlEAo2ZAieoUUgfLnnBtKPaDlOCXvvuFcjszI1rs2DXTPCkzTW07IjEXm8/s320/100_1646.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo7k7PrzsRB46CpeINntQRG4vbq_Ny1rWauzt0YRUeIbqSdkhx5XH-3DdXa5NTEpQGRGZhBLMIa8211pYApV2O14XR_tFm-GYdHdO1uMiGiT35b_HvyXqNwITRPb6BhwQOg9TEm6jEOk/s1600-h/100_1647.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361829211790309634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizo7k7PrzsRB46CpeINntQRG4vbq_Ny1rWauzt0YRUeIbqSdkhx5XH-3DdXa5NTEpQGRGZhBLMIa8211pYApV2O14XR_tFm-GYdHdO1uMiGiT35b_HvyXqNwITRPb6BhwQOg9TEm6jEOk/s320/100_1647.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Braden's favorite parts were the dogs and the bubbles.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sqEXSd1Js3s7cLrztInK1Bi3nXWYwVgyHoqvawqh9HMXaQgQvgE_pmfh_pr8i_aJv15RzySX6RzAhYWNd8-Ho-n_fJ7XKOtSRwtAp9DOmQbhyXyQil4bVF9nRql4TmRv_pHOaKgjaJ0/s1600-h/100_1654.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361829204587309010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sqEXSd1Js3s7cLrztInK1Bi3nXWYwVgyHoqvawqh9HMXaQgQvgE_pmfh_pr8i_aJv15RzySX6RzAhYWNd8-Ho-n_fJ7XKOtSRwtAp9DOmQbhyXyQil4bVF9nRql4TmRv_pHOaKgjaJ0/s320/100_1654.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscQhbORP3e695Iwlzqvp9JJ8Auq0thwydy_ReuwRbVPTRL7wEqQid64ryYYum6bIYRKhVBwTl-xphrUgQpE6rq_coZd4fV1kqYhvYX8Tf5oEMdg5UXQKXEcN9icwos6JGSm_IUTMn7XY/s1600-h/100_1661.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361829198898996978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiscQhbORP3e695Iwlzqvp9JJ8Auq0thwydy_ReuwRbVPTRL7wEqQid64ryYYum6bIYRKhVBwTl-xphrUgQpE6rq_coZd4fV1kqYhvYX8Tf5oEMdg5UXQKXEcN9icwos6JGSm_IUTMn7XY/s320/100_1661.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mia's mom, Jessi, and Matt have been friends since they were teenagers. Jessi is the sweetest. Her dad is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Filipino</span> so Matt had a great time talking to him and his family in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Tagalog</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS2nPhKgj4RSWsaZqkNpYIiysSsEHTr6KUQC8-JCDZBa_GC65Mj8r2espTzbRHuYEJ7b73QW8PzIBaS9zPEEWZu4Xb9mp_Jb8binWyx73RGXx5WwLpFO8Dy5zRqwNWLULxVKfzR0RuE0/s1600-h/100_1663.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361829190447333810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirS2nPhKgj4RSWsaZqkNpYIiysSsEHTr6KUQC8-JCDZBa_GC65Mj8r2espTzbRHuYEJ7b73QW8PzIBaS9zPEEWZu4Xb9mp_Jb8binWyx73RGXx5WwLpFO8Dy5zRqwNWLULxVKfzR0RuE0/s320/100_1663.jpg" /></a><br />Mia was a crack-up as usual. She is so cute. It was a great 2<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span> birthday. <br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0BbRiDqXnd4ffeF2kv-UjJUm7aZ31g1D4QotKQEB-aNUIinkwaE3iBKmYgP0Yq_Q7t0q2XeJhlPPnO9lkSLMlEuIu_9JMCRq79LwF7OgYYWK4wIZnVRTwHiV4nlWsWNIXPN5cUB0gmM/s1600-h/100_1665.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361829185763680418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge0BbRiDqXnd4ffeF2kv-UjJUm7aZ31g1D4QotKQEB-aNUIinkwaE3iBKmYgP0Yq_Q7t0q2XeJhlPPnO9lkSLMlEuIu_9JMCRq79LwF7OgYYWK4wIZnVRTwHiV4nlWsWNIXPN5cUB0gmM/s320/100_1665.jpg" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-31270061999220055792009-07-18T12:37:00.001-07:002009-07-19T18:53:37.891-07:00Orange County FairOn Friday night we went with the Shermans to the Orange County fair. It was a blast! We all piled into the Shermans car after everyone had gotten off of work and we totally expected the fair to be crazy busy by that time but it wasn't at all.<br /><br /><br /><br />Troy and Sarah grabbed some fair food, Sarah's selection was Australian battered potatoes with ranch dressing. She was so brave!<br /><br /><br />We headed over to the animals and the kids were so thrilled. Braden kept saying "hi" to the animals in the hopes that they would pay attention to him.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKgLBbwJKimpHV3vNZrYzK3bfT3r6XNZEMRKBzeKnhnHkd-8SAc4kbfqpx5zdDjIXFloP6bF5-EXfkiZPidJWnmRZwIW5Dd2JBlxKO1kvsuXrjgpVorwxe1KzvJpqrmm4GtVSJZttQMw/s1600-h/100_1603.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359902727703285634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrKgLBbwJKimpHV3vNZrYzK3bfT3r6XNZEMRKBzeKnhnHkd-8SAc4kbfqpx5zdDjIXFloP6bF5-EXfkiZPidJWnmRZwIW5Dd2JBlxKO1kvsuXrjgpVorwxe1KzvJpqrmm4GtVSJZttQMw/s320/100_1603.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />He kept reaching out his hand to try and pet the animals, but when an animal got close he'd pull his hand away really quickly and act shy.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo7Vn7E3hv7aaC3PMT0prQ9iD5bag6gBvt5xstaWk7FWSKoJ3yRuR1B4VqGYEQl1nT5zjRREzflfAP2SZbvehSWJuygc-WGAurcumgwonE05IS9zO9QvISzlwwhN6Ho8DAyKxEiOmsfQ/s1600-h/100_1607.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359902723385949394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLo7Vn7E3hv7aaC3PMT0prQ9iD5bag6gBvt5xstaWk7FWSKoJ3yRuR1B4VqGYEQl1nT5zjRREzflfAP2SZbvehSWJuygc-WGAurcumgwonE05IS9zO9QvISzlwwhN6Ho8DAyKxEiOmsfQ/s320/100_1607.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden finally found something he could reach, the baby chicks.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQvJb9jT2ijnWCggyELUXza1YVjMaoEIl8ibDKAjgNskgOozu9CcSZoyPf4GVyjwhpPvW5jNhnUZgAEoKPZl3Au6x5Y5_ctw5XvXMSEtg_Koc41ARehrbCcqLeBvB9e1K_ARdb-dN0-g/s1600-h/100_1608.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359896798894703730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQvJb9jT2ijnWCggyELUXza1YVjMaoEIl8ibDKAjgNskgOozu9CcSZoyPf4GVyjwhpPvW5jNhnUZgAEoKPZl3Au6x5Y5_ctw5XvXMSEtg_Koc41ARehrbCcqLeBvB9e1K_ARdb-dN0-g/s320/100_1608.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug6JEIDoOlWh5NM6QErTxv0N0Ix-h0aVFdS1y6tNLzo-nkFb2PagsWdwN1-enelV198CvpFk_AbcGKLw4Y_l4LFG98EO31keO5_-B6AkuTKtJE32K-ySFI-_M6F85M0_TUw3ufujwvdg/s1600-h/100_1609.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359896794020047586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug6JEIDoOlWh5NM6QErTxv0N0Ix-h0aVFdS1y6tNLzo-nkFb2PagsWdwN1-enelV198CvpFk_AbcGKLw4Y_l4LFG98EO31keO5_-B6AkuTKtJE32K-ySFI-_M6F85M0_TUw3ufujwvdg/s320/100_1609.jpg" /></a><br /><br />There were all sorts of fun animals including the handsome fellow pictured below. How does he sleep? Does he get massive headaches? Amazing!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx8hBsUmKLArdyK7SrJQEToFJazhCJCH-Nz1L389p6a35NcmQuacJilMBmiXdMfD-oo5oHUT8rp8Jm8XLCMVYWNturVwm6_9-93PDsveL2w20ZtR-Z4glHGtoCaw69a8l2EMI6igr-4U/s1600-h/100_1610.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359896783728450930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnx8hBsUmKLArdyK7SrJQEToFJazhCJCH-Nz1L389p6a35NcmQuacJilMBmiXdMfD-oo5oHUT8rp8Jm8XLCMVYWNturVwm6_9-93PDsveL2w20ZtR-Z4glHGtoCaw69a8l2EMI6igr-4U/s320/100_1610.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden was so intrigued with the ginormous (compared to Braden) horse and tried so hard to be so cute so that the horse would actually pay attention to him. But alas, to no avail.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gc5SJH3tZCE0F28xoHM0m7bsA3iQiSNlHP9j42QZba7iTFb02bKpG24K0KIHtzmjLA3jljwiv1xzLVoiVqFCIiKcWbO-LiFuQGy6B1t8C52j2ZNpo24DAseywDegIWEHO_LMQXxTKhc/s1600-h/100_1611.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359896780044546194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gc5SJH3tZCE0F28xoHM0m7bsA3iQiSNlHP9j42QZba7iTFb02bKpG24K0KIHtzmjLA3jljwiv1xzLVoiVqFCIiKcWbO-LiFuQGy6B1t8C52j2ZNpo24DAseywDegIWEHO_LMQXxTKhc/s320/100_1611.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden liked the huge HUGE <strong>HUGE </strong>snake we saw but all of the adults were pretty convinced that the snake could bust out of its teeny-tiny enclosure if it really wanted to so we high-tailed it out of there. Seriously HUGE. This picture does it no justice at all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZub6bcTzkqUnmgzYCMiymbP8UP_DlniTCKMxF2aX6RQawWriW2bDC3DYA3VvM_PSWVORQbgGqXRLAOIl0Klj7hCy8_eG86nSHbZkAptGWyHPNTIDGXi7ZN6mUdgFqu_rkNSEeiph5kk/s1600-h/100_1614.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359896776197515506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZub6bcTzkqUnmgzYCMiymbP8UP_DlniTCKMxF2aX6RQawWriW2bDC3DYA3VvM_PSWVORQbgGqXRLAOIl0Klj7hCy8_eG86nSHbZkAptGWyHPNTIDGXi7ZN6mUdgFqu_rkNSEeiph5kk/s320/100_1614.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />The kids were so good and so cute. They were adorable as always! Lucy can say Braden's name now and it's pretty much my favorite thing in the world.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_zO9b-j0G1c60xDyZGE0f4qqZ2_z8rfdJyYgvqMgygSAp4j4EUPfdM2-rQRBiTX1ofh9hklE0UGxDSXzXniNEVzuW3yX98kI4R-vXFiAScaodpS9pt9eESX-6dGcJjT1D5O9xM6PN3A/s1600-h/100_1619.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359895101562944162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_zO9b-j0G1c60xDyZGE0f4qqZ2_z8rfdJyYgvqMgygSAp4j4EUPfdM2-rQRBiTX1ofh9hklE0UGxDSXzXniNEVzuW3yX98kI4R-vXFiAScaodpS9pt9eESX-6dGcJjT1D5O9xM6PN3A/s320/100_1619.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We were horrified by the food signs we saw everywhere. Good ol' county fair fare. Fried EVERYTHING. Ugh. Just the thought of it makes me sick.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNM-qmbNp9UlG5P6au68p7GWv-KkjGtnoisVNf5H_p_FGcGzn2j-7iRfTOfiDa9Nyqum-P49JvzD7aNqoB8gAlmmEj74xz8QZAiapvD5_kZ3PBEicF9cMyt2i57oGLgRCDU65USG08sI/s1600-h/100_1615.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359895099180965970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqNM-qmbNp9UlG5P6au68p7GWv-KkjGtnoisVNf5H_p_FGcGzn2j-7iRfTOfiDa9Nyqum-P49JvzD7aNqoB8gAlmmEj74xz8QZAiapvD5_kZ3PBEicF9cMyt2i57oGLgRCDU65USG08sI/s320/100_1615.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />And c'mon, chocolate covered bacon?! There isn't a single person in the history of time who has honestly said, "You know what I could really go for right now? Some chocolate covered bacon. Nothing hits the spot quite like chocolate covered bacon." The only people who buy this stuff are morbidly curious and hate their stomachs.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjO6NpNTD4CqK6OOnJQrL7jXhYEHESbsRu0PIjAGtot_HWTU2UI-loJtxSHI8sLlwDifixX7Tv4YJF1TlAa_-RgR3wtEvrI223diTSNG1VdyFxui2fGfeaGo5UB-q48j8pn0nFoSvCI8/s1600-h/100_1620.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359895091609188546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjO6NpNTD4CqK6OOnJQrL7jXhYEHESbsRu0PIjAGtot_HWTU2UI-loJtxSHI8sLlwDifixX7Tv4YJF1TlAa_-RgR3wtEvrI223diTSNG1VdyFxui2fGfeaGo5UB-q48j8pn0nFoSvCI8/s320/100_1620.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We happened upon the Chinese acrobats (which Matt and I love to see every year) and it was by far Braden's favorite part.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOX6Xiq7_n3Ml3-KkVykVKmRHt3thOPX48T5H-ZkWt_yIi27k7262flLfDGqPBN1kHxPszOha1hFD7ktQMj6ow6GzWq8SDx_BT0cLITCugOMKU5AUcNVqvsktZkmLyvHrUN-VzqRv1CA/s1600-h/100_1621.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359895085471649122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJOX6Xiq7_n3Ml3-KkVykVKmRHt3thOPX48T5H-ZkWt_yIi27k7262flLfDGqPBN1kHxPszOha1hFD7ktQMj6ow6GzWq8SDx_BT0cLITCugOMKU5AUcNVqvsktZkmLyvHrUN-VzqRv1CA/s320/100_1621.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyL6G506-Z-ecI_Ar7XdF315OEum2r2R0fFPIyYYbQ_aEZfx6O2S3OemP0ZRt9wjXkX-xIgixit5l8Scft-DxftgH0lcuiC1r6nU4zNMXURZZnrfMAx60-hqyjumYVd5a5bI62J5VVQM/s1600-h/100_1623.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359895081769210610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyL6G506-Z-ecI_Ar7XdF315OEum2r2R0fFPIyYYbQ_aEZfx6O2S3OemP0ZRt9wjXkX-xIgixit5l8Scft-DxftgH0lcuiC1r6nU4zNMXURZZnrfMAx60-hqyjumYVd5a5bI62J5VVQM/s320/100_1623.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden was cheering and clapping the ENTIRE time. He was the most enthusiastic person in the crowd by far. It was awesome.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq4e_zuOT9RoPxsfha_VCywVL_EoIJhK4AWCk6Na-9xHnmcE5WBM__Niv5LfyzCsTCCiq03u-YJGD-Io54diIrnlIC5RCId9xh8xc6MNFJJ4ie5Dh-Q6T0nMS6sQMrvcdunQiOmiAxng/s1600-h/100_1627.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359888635327630594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq4e_zuOT9RoPxsfha_VCywVL_EoIJhK4AWCk6Na-9xHnmcE5WBM__Niv5LfyzCsTCCiq03u-YJGD-Io54diIrnlIC5RCId9xh8xc6MNFJJ4ie5Dh-Q6T0nMS6sQMrvcdunQiOmiAxng/s320/100_1627.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jZk-G0TOqyxQBrbSM6uVFU2SAm5_5Ef7Ht3y2HZAcQFEG759Z0B7VLzg1k2BbkzGXeqpWgs3bdC-hXQlIEF9O2rv3hyphenhyphenVnFprnuDHWE1dS28Gr5XwAw7eeTEf9CfZvXUYBvpE_5S9Lqk/s1600-h/100_1629.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359888628288122818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9jZk-G0TOqyxQBrbSM6uVFU2SAm5_5Ef7Ht3y2HZAcQFEG759Z0B7VLzg1k2BbkzGXeqpWgs3bdC-hXQlIEF9O2rv3hyphenhyphenVnFprnuDHWE1dS28Gr5XwAw7eeTEf9CfZvXUYBvpE_5S9Lqk/s320/100_1629.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />He was so excited, the stroller could barely contain him.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYPgH4ZFlhGH8uZPNlORbK109OlTaTsymtINd96TXv-VtR4_NRZuNke8S6sf7hyphenhyphenh-wuh4qxW0JOTY-nL_IpP0hccbYgq2hywG0riqn7gf1LUKcEgWfk6Rgny1RtTbKwBoiodqbB-nLpg/s1600-h/100_1631.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359888626988170498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYPgH4ZFlhGH8uZPNlORbK109OlTaTsymtINd96TXv-VtR4_NRZuNke8S6sf7hyphenhyphenh-wuh4qxW0JOTY-nL_IpP0hccbYgq2hywG0riqn7gf1LUKcEgWfk6Rgny1RtTbKwBoiodqbB-nLpg/s320/100_1631.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCUvpOtgug0RNNGEH0bhBgtR5JQaXTstS-vaex3xvhbKoyzOLMUOwTlIjk_sqhAqyaui8VwELsPb5hGEgu72wlcV_s-KA43EUD3dhtZ_ewNJMArFRoUugppV3VJ_o5OoM_AOQ_oMewdU/s1600-h/100_1633.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359888615795292866" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCUvpOtgug0RNNGEH0bhBgtR5JQaXTstS-vaex3xvhbKoyzOLMUOwTlIjk_sqhAqyaui8VwELsPb5hGEgu72wlcV_s-KA43EUD3dhtZ_ewNJMArFRoUugppV3VJ_o5OoM_AOQ_oMewdU/s320/100_1633.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div>After the fair we stopped at Golden Spoon for some frozen yogurt and then drove home. The kids passed out, they were sooo tired. We had to transfer Braden from the Sherman's Expedition back to our car, but he didn't wake up at all.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBPtx2MkCJqt_ipV-F87TUp5x-6mPiCz1HD0KRyDNocRfEZfzQdj8-uvnEkHRwFJBlOLh8_evF7uGk6hLXvuSsHze9Gihyphenhyphen9H-SCadIFaKChyphenhyphensrDgwIvl1XfsZVzsH7-PoeZjMYjeV1CY/s1600-h/100_1636.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5359888611056356738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBPtx2MkCJqt_ipV-F87TUp5x-6mPiCz1HD0KRyDNocRfEZfzQdj8-uvnEkHRwFJBlOLh8_evF7uGk6hLXvuSsHze9Gihyphenhyphen9H-SCadIFaKChyphenhyphensrDgwIvl1XfsZVzsH7-PoeZjMYjeV1CY/s320/100_1636.jpg" /></a><br /><br />That's right, we left our child sitting in the parking lot all night. He was covered in dew the next morning. And couldn't lift his head for the first 4 hours he was awake because he'd been sleeping in the same position all night.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Yeah right! Lucy went to bed and the adults talked a while before we drove home, Braden and all, and put Braden to bed.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We had such a great time!</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-52619984406322641942009-07-15T09:10:00.000-07:002009-07-17T09:28:01.168-07:00Disneyland with Natalie and Kai Part IIThis last Tuesday Braden, my mom, and I met Natalie and Kai at Disneyland again! It was so much fun to spend more time with them. The kids were really great. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG5yr8I-Y9rXHOm2gF0R62DMAYPeQ4kqEkqlnxXjtBmc-Qo6UGKl6Oge29_7GoQfaLMEGbf8lHclpJ5vXeJf1yBTOjdWPL4qAieyHLnyvwzp1NKK2k7eyFK13usZaDh6BFtzBR7bBN1o/s1600-h/100_1579.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358723669720505106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqG5yr8I-Y9rXHOm2gF0R62DMAYPeQ4kqEkqlnxXjtBmc-Qo6UGKl6Oge29_7GoQfaLMEGbf8lHclpJ5vXeJf1yBTOjdWPL4qAieyHLnyvwzp1NKK2k7eyFK13usZaDh6BFtzBR7bBN1o/s320/100_1579.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Kai was still a little perplexed as to what crazy, weird place we had taken him to, but he still had a good time especially since he could give Braden lots of hugs and kisses.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZVIZGhCRvs59aFVmqui718iIxtD7QjRWdne8JUbubg5tXIMzYbR_b7yAYur6QErpQGh-q6BH6fqsEv5kuk2ua0X22F2EGa8K5h1Kv8eJIFArC8hxbQPUDjTTYhxFdmpCbZWMwTVvt68/s1600-h/100_1582.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358723665447807954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZVIZGhCRvs59aFVmqui718iIxtD7QjRWdne8JUbubg5tXIMzYbR_b7yAYur6QErpQGh-q6BH6fqsEv5kuk2ua0X22F2EGa8K5h1Kv8eJIFArC8hxbQPUDjTTYhxFdmpCbZWMwTVvt68/s320/100_1582.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The boys were very brave on the swinging gondolas on Mickey's Fun Wheel. Braden was smiling and laughing and really enjoying the ride.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq6csemGvi00DBhpP2pr4IhBPiMAyaGoMdOzQZC9ioVKfjcKdCiE-IaqiRfVXcgPo95kGwSQ2xHEZSBvYPb9kuppggEX8yjARaFc3GWMKKsrjJdDoUv6Tg0aFOIhHeePBEbewWVqLF8g/s1600-h/100_1584.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358723662308790482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikq6csemGvi00DBhpP2pr4IhBPiMAyaGoMdOzQZC9ioVKfjcKdCiE-IaqiRfVXcgPo95kGwSQ2xHEZSBvYPb9kuppggEX8yjARaFc3GWMKKsrjJdDoUv6Tg0aFOIhHeePBEbewWVqLF8g/s320/100_1584.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM6cgScbsTOlzFL2veh0hw-9RXSnvykw6QZdAP_m-CwiOBoUSVPhFtVC8-eIUzC2z_nRuLKfbLq8WdUXcaIruXxpMxUSnTzdmtb5rYCYodQKMRk1w0aCAKD5DWcCDbKML82MmZuUVki0/s1600-h/100_1585.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358723651911007986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSM6cgScbsTOlzFL2veh0hw-9RXSnvykw6QZdAP_m-CwiOBoUSVPhFtVC8-eIUzC2z_nRuLKfbLq8WdUXcaIruXxpMxUSnTzdmtb5rYCYodQKMRk1w0aCAKD5DWcCDbKML82MmZuUVki0/s320/100_1585.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Among the couple of shows we saw, we went to Playhouse Disney. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPLJevtfE5IbII0SMGFN6-OQTquJXoCDxeXrCgpMzm9NrSZddPvFJtpTYGNt0NzOLDGgQ2Fv0cmRlJxOaqU_bxwKFA_yDmJxryVvShvteRqgZODhd52x__oz2bD3mrHhVJLC_hqLdtMI/s1600-h/100_1589.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358723646404545554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPLJevtfE5IbII0SMGFN6-OQTquJXoCDxeXrCgpMzm9NrSZddPvFJtpTYGNt0NzOLDGgQ2Fv0cmRlJxOaqU_bxwKFA_yDmJxryVvShvteRqgZODhd52x__oz2bD3mrHhVJLC_hqLdtMI/s320/100_1589.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-MduXE5r4F1hSb-lvX9umxXoZp4sIny0a31Xxt9ew0mb5YNPpUZmQp1_YwcIVQgbtg08QL5a8F-8nU3AM503-bsDeuDyrtAovDM83k2xWxMlURQ2CbsF7wjN9_xTLIU5WvrWDE1rgh8/s1600-h/100_1590.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358721418404931410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-MduXE5r4F1hSb-lvX9umxXoZp4sIny0a31Xxt9ew0mb5YNPpUZmQp1_YwcIVQgbtg08QL5a8F-8nU3AM503-bsDeuDyrtAovDM83k2xWxMlURQ2CbsF7wjN9_xTLIU5WvrWDE1rgh8/s320/100_1590.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Braden was standing, clapping, and bouncing the whole time. It's the third time he's seen this show but he still gets so excited every time.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie463S5-Ok7nAIelWRAH55DD5A69_3SL-3pRtSbaljTvIKmVGtS_HFI-Pe1trRaBoA-IrEbHCekukOAcWWGSatZUM-NmhqttKz3E-5aH1TnaJuBOzpwpWGP8xjLUYZJeMCIk_EcAsD4hQ/s1600-h/100_1587.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358721413992440226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie463S5-Ok7nAIelWRAH55DD5A69_3SL-3pRtSbaljTvIKmVGtS_HFI-Pe1trRaBoA-IrEbHCekukOAcWWGSatZUM-NmhqttKz3E-5aH1TnaJuBOzpwpWGP8xjLUYZJeMCIk_EcAsD4hQ/s320/100_1587.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Kai didn't know what to think about it all.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV4dFwXLoYK6RXPlmdkk330qEgaeq0cbbhzALdu06evqGF96Keg30hiqshu80OSOGEcOd_TodeE_-YQpqkgQNxVeVEpEzT3iHwxKyNBf-V_qFLFp6wgEGcoyp_YB7ccXeTkMWIqAFBJE/s1600-h/100_1594.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358721408083182354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQV4dFwXLoYK6RXPlmdkk330qEgaeq0cbbhzALdu06evqGF96Keg30hiqshu80OSOGEcOd_TodeE_-YQpqkgQNxVeVEpEzT3iHwxKyNBf-V_qFLFp6wgEGcoyp_YB7ccXeTkMWIqAFBJE/s320/100_1594.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />The boys had lots of fun playing together and just being boys.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-28QGcU9O0rKb6rzpbpRW3ejfHM1eoyPOz5hathiYsVx9eR5o1YMaC7NhZ1ad5Mi2qLzkkmMhwFQxdILNt2BZP-OUFELsPk52EFS-cEav9YYhX7MB-fRskQFTPqxoYcnqRQa1RT9VDLU/s1600-h/100_1599.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358721404904927442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-28QGcU9O0rKb6rzpbpRW3ejfHM1eoyPOz5hathiYsVx9eR5o1YMaC7NhZ1ad5Mi2qLzkkmMhwFQxdILNt2BZP-OUFELsPk52EFS-cEav9YYhX7MB-fRskQFTPqxoYcnqRQa1RT9VDLU/s320/100_1599.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />And, of course, Kai had to sneak lots of hugs and kisses!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTob2RydSu-EzO3gNoVErsDBrpC77Pd01GlviGoB1ZJSLs3UlwNgKD1mUjArMXVNI40DxEItLj-BUX5iMB_-34Mc1Qs2CCJTL-uxgMt01zM_5tgONPRvcyzBlNBqZgerowgIBpJVUKB1o/s1600-h/100_1602.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358721392702881538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTob2RydSu-EzO3gNoVErsDBrpC77Pd01GlviGoB1ZJSLs3UlwNgKD1mUjArMXVNI40DxEItLj-BUX5iMB_-34Mc1Qs2CCJTL-uxgMt01zM_5tgONPRvcyzBlNBqZgerowgIBpJVUKB1o/s320/100_1602.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />We miss Kai and Natalie already! We can't wait to see them in Thailand!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-31341621471116549592009-07-15T08:55:00.001-07:002009-07-17T09:01:26.761-07:00Orange County Great ParkAfter Bibian's shower last Saturday, we went to the Orange County Great Park. They were having another on of their fun free events.<br /><br /><br />Braden tried to make friends at the petting zoo but the goats weren't too interested. A goat in a petting zoo ate my Diet Coke can when I was a kid, so I'm always afraid that they are going to bite Braden's hand.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS36QVxR-7pGtZNI8Pcr03QJvup5Xtz7ZIkdicZglFndjQwAwRZRlxPXb4mMN-YLcu7F1uNtc0UT2DrR9HmoyWo-AkeljozY42Dy2LoIW-1Na-Rc2PWMMOpdp5jlpvEdoNPRaYX3nV_lc/s1600-h/100_1567.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358720020205377250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS36QVxR-7pGtZNI8Pcr03QJvup5Xtz7ZIkdicZglFndjQwAwRZRlxPXb4mMN-YLcu7F1uNtc0UT2DrR9HmoyWo-AkeljozY42Dy2LoIW-1Na-Rc2PWMMOpdp5jlpvEdoNPRaYX3nV_lc/s320/100_1567.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFkLFxOF6lPF8nd_NZ9HDnAtgCna-s7qnOweov0qTKA-RVXWZyuepJLJ1Rwz7GL858xj35_uBjQjn1HH2KkfLsPmgw7SLINHGZuZhGijaJ2HkAGrTYhyphenhypheniYZUx7AidRdZWn8XId1OZCmk/s1600-h/100_1568.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358720013193619794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPFkLFxOF6lPF8nd_NZ9HDnAtgCna-s7qnOweov0qTKA-RVXWZyuepJLJ1Rwz7GL858xj35_uBjQjn1HH2KkfLsPmgw7SLINHGZuZhGijaJ2HkAGrTYhyphenhypheniYZUx7AidRdZWn8XId1OZCmk/s320/100_1568.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br />There were a few fun things to do, but we were feeling kind of disappointed because normally we have so much fun at these events.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi1DikhFxre0ieaKXFlT5T3FbCX4gMZlzmbDkqqLOtztC76w4LlLHqpVdDdwLD9xCze27CNDez-nAdWgyMUH1DtTJBN6mpPKpur_pUYJD8lfmuNYfSQ-lTUszeHO7fLARdY50H2wKSDc/s1600-h/100_1569.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358720007131007186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOi1DikhFxre0ieaKXFlT5T3FbCX4gMZlzmbDkqqLOtztC76w4LlLHqpVdDdwLD9xCze27CNDez-nAdWgyMUH1DtTJBN6mpPKpur_pUYJD8lfmuNYfSQ-lTUszeHO7fLARdY50H2wKSDc/s320/100_1569.jpg" /></a><br /><br />But then we found the most awesome part of all. There were a bunch of Marines and we got to check out their weapons and vehicles.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Check out the size of this Howitzer!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiivTGFIAs5K0wbbKlfLiYTQw2y8ESEb0Qbl5U3tFr4X_CqdAWDxdNsDjcPqUIH_kT5ZDTQ62_Q6GlLlLeKU4Sniv9_gzTcWTu03CnjOiFsEo3PLLj6U1CY6FhRgIoT-JGr0Ap8GYAJU/s1600-h/100_1571.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358720003485600690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiivTGFIAs5K0wbbKlfLiYTQw2y8ESEb0Qbl5U3tFr4X_CqdAWDxdNsDjcPqUIH_kT5ZDTQ62_Q6GlLlLeKU4Sniv9_gzTcWTu03CnjOiFsEo3PLLj6U1CY6FhRgIoT-JGr0Ap8GYAJU/s320/100_1571.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden loved all of the levers on the gun. What can I say? He's a boy through and through.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunvNvCFQe-cL6cfJHHNm6Obns89eYdKbZciNxsIXefJtuDEBR6R3Pit2OCNwo1qTRMSGyvjBJR8d2gmmRNoHEpepWz4cOQ-4LttL6g1Z53W6rvsxPG5egvj_QoYAywrkEbJwr53lnb-I/s1600-h/100_1572.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358717838902554450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunvNvCFQe-cL6cfJHHNm6Obns89eYdKbZciNxsIXefJtuDEBR6R3Pit2OCNwo1qTRMSGyvjBJR8d2gmmRNoHEpepWz4cOQ-4LttL6g1Z53W6rvsxPG5egvj_QoYAywrkEbJwr53lnb-I/s320/100_1572.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />It is astounding how heavy duty everything is. I know everything has to be built extremely tough, but it was still nuts to see and feel how heavy and sturdy everything is.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwv_eq4F9msUTUc5ybIBkY12d1NdklsXdaYIveF2DZz3MXc_beLA8O6aiahOX_VTDR0CglMrrGMLfuOizdaFBSDrjQPideSSV8rPdgxydLmz0QReLKv0WbVH9qrYaQcffR25yZB_VUcw/s1600-h/100_1574.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358717824379918466" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwv_eq4F9msUTUc5ybIBkY12d1NdklsXdaYIveF2DZz3MXc_beLA8O6aiahOX_VTDR0CglMrrGMLfuOizdaFBSDrjQPideSSV8rPdgxydLmz0QReLKv0WbVH9qrYaQcffR25yZB_VUcw/s320/100_1574.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzd_ze-E9qPQdDxM0Db6ZWepyIUPd-Fz1sqKTK3f5OrAJfpy2RWQv-8BXw_qnfEBZI9MiahaLmgreRtydaL-jgvabSrPPBhyeisPVDv7t_kKUyWwvZcvTXlrSoj2Ptuxdm09bZ-GCvfo/s1600-h/100_1575.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358717821390786338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzd_ze-E9qPQdDxM0Db6ZWepyIUPd-Fz1sqKTK3f5OrAJfpy2RWQv-8BXw_qnfEBZI9MiahaLmgreRtydaL-jgvabSrPPBhyeisPVDv7t_kKUyWwvZcvTXlrSoj2Ptuxdm09bZ-GCvfo/s320/100_1575.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Braden did a good job pretending that he was driving. He L-O-V-E-S cars of all types. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2FFbfoOe28cEKdaJ-LT8heiicMW7xBNJeO92prktPNl6GGON0UuV3U-SqbFJAY2Y2d4Qo1xBbIM_CWLgBujP43153jixa7ff785TB-N5QutkzVwulwYWRnipxIGMj6b4jX9yuM0ui30/s1600-h/100_1576.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358717816842335058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY2FFbfoOe28cEKdaJ-LT8heiicMW7xBNJeO92prktPNl6GGON0UuV3U-SqbFJAY2Y2d4Qo1xBbIM_CWLgBujP43153jixa7ff785TB-N5QutkzVwulwYWRnipxIGMj6b4jX9yuM0ui30/s320/100_1576.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It was crazy to see how big everything is in real life. It made me feel like a midget!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5VTtaYnwDC_eqQadPDaTNPJGoYgFn_ChaYxbU_RN7FJBScQOQ7-TX18FLmyjAtLCzAoESpSYea9tmU4vjPtpAlEvNw2yConTfkZHan2omIHtD3Jc1_dZcQelkjiL8jK-Ztu7qLp5F80/s1600-h/100_1577.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358717807000357890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO5VTtaYnwDC_eqQadPDaTNPJGoYgFn_ChaYxbU_RN7FJBScQOQ7-TX18FLmyjAtLCzAoESpSYea9tmU4vjPtpAlEvNw2yConTfkZHan2omIHtD3Jc1_dZcQelkjiL8jK-Ztu7qLp5F80/s320/100_1577.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was tons of fun, but that is the closest Braden will ever get to being a Marine. I love and appreciate everyone who is in the armed forces but I'm too much of a worry wart to let my own kid do it!<br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-42762916253221087952009-07-14T21:52:00.000-07:002009-07-17T08:44:29.574-07:00Bibian's ShowerLast weekend we attended a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Bibian. She's married to Matt's brother, A.J. It was a lovely shower; there was great food, games, and presents.<br /><br /><br /><br />At long last, Bibian actually looks pregnant!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFRWKCqqx8DNxIJf0GrMAQUO8tJYU2sEce5rrmzrBFjQ6-8nLqzWUyr1gVn-gVI24uHnp-Bk7-TGtbVcf_JKwb3yZ7N-7O9LRvHyK7msJA2xyz6Kjq818ZQ8QWFO8o2ChpUWvBCKWtTk/s1600-h/100_1540.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358549796041978306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFRWKCqqx8DNxIJf0GrMAQUO8tJYU2sEce5rrmzrBFjQ6-8nLqzWUyr1gVn-gVI24uHnp-Bk7-TGtbVcf_JKwb3yZ7N-7O9LRvHyK7msJA2xyz6Kjq818ZQ8QWFO8o2ChpUWvBCKWtTk/s320/100_1540.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A.J. was supposed to go out with Matty and do manly things during the shower, but he stayed and videoed the shower.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM9ZO-Z3Ydmdq1b0BQ0y7mqseLHVCg22h7ScCdSNqdPCZURbDagxIscSkvn_OM_FjKoGan8ZslGqMXA2Kov-m8sIeV5DcWMZ9Gi7EgdT6AXfaoe-zsUION2Dmm-KCbep7RP6NtByxGs0/s1600-h/100_1543.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358549393074397234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJM9ZO-Z3Ydmdq1b0BQ0y7mqseLHVCg22h7ScCdSNqdPCZURbDagxIscSkvn_OM_FjKoGan8ZslGqMXA2Kov-m8sIeV5DcWMZ9Gi7EgdT6AXfaoe-zsUION2Dmm-KCbep7RP6NtByxGs0/s320/100_1543.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Many women from church not only brought gifts, they also brought food. It was really thoughtful and the food was excellent.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JLw2p-m5zKW3tr76vybee21I8PJHkaAYYLWJFULPsPTcywvMPUKgsdhS0u7PqprrdMupJFmZeUtSpM8iMgBSY2FHyW1L2wcbhS8XOm2zf9XVz8dOtYW1Y873khntsrRKgyCjchp03k4/s1600-h/100_1546.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358549384272319474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JLw2p-m5zKW3tr76vybee21I8PJHkaAYYLWJFULPsPTcywvMPUKgsdhS0u7PqprrdMupJFmZeUtSpM8iMgBSY2FHyW1L2wcbhS8XOm2zf9XVz8dOtYW1Y873khntsrRKgyCjchp03k4/s320/100_1546.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My saintly Matty ended up babysitting the kids since he and A.J. didn't go out like they had planned. He taught them the finer points of exercising.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP7V3M2uF2vUJD02Jtk0U35edHb22Cgn5UZv0_YLJzNkJMIT14FdwrJeXxVYSM1CDp7uQfNElRaz-2K5dQVa2b4gFx_zTNJvtiV0X7dmg6y21UFBuzDqwHIKdqf5kqpg9NTCFHSqbQmA/s1600-h/100_1544.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358549375209822258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBP7V3M2uF2vUJD02Jtk0U35edHb22Cgn5UZv0_YLJzNkJMIT14FdwrJeXxVYSM1CDp7uQfNElRaz-2K5dQVa2b4gFx_zTNJvtiV0X7dmg6y21UFBuzDqwHIKdqf5kqpg9NTCFHSqbQmA/s320/100_1544.jpg" /></a><br />Like at Disneyland, Kai couldn't get enough of Braden. He loves his little cousin.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99B-19hgY0CVfoLWZJ_ecT-yRyhIqq_eKRRMKW7-Hxptv-B8kx738FyV4gvJ5hRHPnE8GcvG4FYa3HEjzb9-gAAvl24TqSrV7zfQtgPdsj9-WgDvOAwxWNVINooyL6M0789ZyBqE9W_4/s1600-h/100_1547.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358549367099014482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi99B-19hgY0CVfoLWZJ_ecT-yRyhIqq_eKRRMKW7-Hxptv-B8kx738FyV4gvJ5hRHPnE8GcvG4FYa3HEjzb9-gAAvl24TqSrV7zfQtgPdsj9-WgDvOAwxWNVINooyL6M0789ZyBqE9W_4/s320/100_1547.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Braden successfully mooched off of Aunt Natalie for quite a while. Braden will do anything for fresh fruit.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz2oHrjQAgv6HC29jKKpIqO-e5lZxQ6xOZB0uTMH_GdfErnx7RJv5zweamIjHHU21lknjomBC5do67dkONasvhAQqlsFgYdjX0yv8XcXLA2wQXktHOguapuKuV-67GaumtIM2wlHkbpo/s1600-h/100_1548.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358547170316947170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz2oHrjQAgv6HC29jKKpIqO-e5lZxQ6xOZB0uTMH_GdfErnx7RJv5zweamIjHHU21lknjomBC5do67dkONasvhAQqlsFgYdjX0yv8XcXLA2wQXktHOguapuKuV-67GaumtIM2wlHkbpo/s320/100_1548.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The boys had a great time running around the house and wreaking havoc. After the shower Matt said, "I'm so glad we don't have twins, I don't know how people do it."<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tiRjOzfx7K6UBqrVbfuwU0hEOOgp9zHLp4_c1oOqbhmOnilBKXnxuwcwuvwJTtEdVLO8KIhjDIeP2jjLxs_Iprf6RhQ2SMSIYVjl4qRWRgZTUPgjo7KhA4Dy2j69aISIvK956-XSW4/s1600-h/100_1552.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358547164811075730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tiRjOzfx7K6UBqrVbfuwU0hEOOgp9zHLp4_c1oOqbhmOnilBKXnxuwcwuvwJTtEdVLO8KIhjDIeP2jjLxs_Iprf6RhQ2SMSIYVjl4qRWRgZTUPgjo7KhA4Dy2j69aISIvK956-XSW4/s320/100_1552.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Bibian received so many awesome gifts! She now has nearly everything she'll need for her baby boy. She got tons of cute baby clothes and gift cards as well as a thermometer, blankets, socks, diapers, toiletries, 3 diaper bags (she'll use them all eventually), toys, etc. The family she nannied for before she got married already gave her a car seat, a crib, and other important baby items.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci3k1Oga65fpTMOC1D8XG-bDuBfhNGNEEt1cvRau9n5CF9LPFYQa1vSJ9OOoBM0zSwOXy6NyDkMfgd8abns3ESBDv3QZwFS2Pd_55ZsPWDWBf10LFhyphenhyphenJrkQvVOD9KmxEN78FmJG05vpg/s1600-h/100_1560.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358547158489989330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhci3k1Oga65fpTMOC1D8XG-bDuBfhNGNEEt1cvRau9n5CF9LPFYQa1vSJ9OOoBM0zSwOXy6NyDkMfgd8abns3ESBDv3QZwFS2Pd_55ZsPWDWBf10LFhyphenhyphenJrkQvVOD9KmxEN78FmJG05vpg/s320/100_1560.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ3CiY5zj8YmyNLF1QyLrvH-9uEhLixD6cPDisuJ-SWXMBx4I7Tcd_JouNxA2L0RoCkFlARq5LDCoWia5cVoGPLgkOlS7zCPR1_Uvtx1Tq8g5PlfSs1Dm7lyfnvCr13BMj1e95Q0MG0c/s1600-h/100_1562.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358547147419881490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQ3CiY5zj8YmyNLF1QyLrvH-9uEhLixD6cPDisuJ-SWXMBx4I7Tcd_JouNxA2L0RoCkFlARq5LDCoWia5cVoGPLgkOlS7zCPR1_Uvtx1Tq8g5PlfSs1Dm7lyfnvCr13BMj1e95Q0MG0c/s320/100_1562.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The games were a lot of fun, too. Natalie and I were in charge of games and the matching game was a huge hit!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIgnZPvF9CIkuIoRZU2yN6dZF_8oehFRzkhc_3WVeRty1svCsvjU1vsoPcZ8kROecHb8y5aBtIV2Zt4ltsKIF8xxNqBUWD82HtsoqoGdIfV6_ZWsOK249O3evxwNj7vTo-2gkrt9Cvhs/s1600-h/100_1564.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358547145689083922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhIgnZPvF9CIkuIoRZU2yN6dZF_8oehFRzkhc_3WVeRty1svCsvjU1vsoPcZ8kROecHb8y5aBtIV2Zt4ltsKIF8xxNqBUWD82HtsoqoGdIfV6_ZWsOK249O3evxwNj7vTo-2gkrt9Cvhs/s320/100_1564.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We had a nice time at the shower and wish A.J., Bibian, and little George the best!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-13386404601131388882009-07-14T21:39:00.000-07:002009-07-16T21:57:43.698-07:00Matt's BirthdayMatt's birthday was really fun this year. Matt had a night shift the night before his birthday so after he got home in the wee hours of the morning and slept for a few hours we went to Disneyland and California Adventure. The lines for rides were surprisingly short (Disneyland has been so dead as compared to any other summer I have been there) and we were able to go on lots of rides and see a couple shows like "It's Tough to be a Bug" (which you really should see if you haven't) and "Playhouse Disney" (Braden can't sing any of the songs but Matt and I know ALL the lyrics).<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN2M5yY43xtk-9rOgjHLGZH4lHwg9BzAxFZQeHoA0h5So8Y3Whe3p5FQXwHe3h5mXempPcsH8ZO1jEcKcnL9beqZEhPWOD6b4P3YKN0PqFfNR8-C2-Kin0BsHVmWDNGkN7euiocccaK4/s1600-h/100_1510.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358544412986047074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtN2M5yY43xtk-9rOgjHLGZH4lHwg9BzAxFZQeHoA0h5So8Y3Whe3p5FQXwHe3h5mXempPcsH8ZO1jEcKcnL9beqZEhPWOD6b4P3YKN0PqFfNR8-C2-Kin0BsHVmWDNGkN7euiocccaK4/s320/100_1510.jpg" /></a> Matt was so happy to be celebrating his birthday at Disneyland.<br /><br /><div><br />It was so fun to spend a full day together as a family.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fj8OR7tOsFkap7YrOam1se3B1TpSdBadFXjkHk4QlmPWF61_Y-MOabBGU9S8c9ew1RlafFVLKPjvnCEnaTnJCFMatU5SFcEZe0pS7Hq3aiIRhS0omgM3_7Uy-B9_O86BBO858Kxn4CU/s1600-h/100_1516.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358544404136951474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3fj8OR7tOsFkap7YrOam1se3B1TpSdBadFXjkHk4QlmPWF61_Y-MOabBGU9S8c9ew1RlafFVLKPjvnCEnaTnJCFMatU5SFcEZe0pS7Hq3aiIRhS0omgM3_7Uy-B9_O86BBO858Kxn4CU/s320/100_1516.jpg" /></a><br /><br />While in line for Toy Story Mania, Matt went for the arachnid look.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ0TrcIMQOiMUvwK1gSAHgsX2aveVIRE4HbSP-RaKZCcphUmF5yMbUdfvOTclPsZGomRIOhyTF7pHjmOQIuwM64XpWzRyo21hoalDB-6UAvlM49Vv05Vb1SE23R6OelQF0u43_a8DYOY/s1600-h/100_1523.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358543297421707634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZ0TrcIMQOiMUvwK1gSAHgsX2aveVIRE4HbSP-RaKZCcphUmF5yMbUdfvOTclPsZGomRIOhyTF7pHjmOQIuwM64XpWzRyo21hoalDB-6UAvlM49Vv05Vb1SE23R6OelQF0u43_a8DYOY/s320/100_1523.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Braden thought his daddy was being a goober.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhvB2kRiCoJuBAm4NPZFTP-uUHWPCsCoS-I7trJE90njIVXuffnoi224nSqZ-rnL6b_AnlMn3kPzxU8EXTeLnPZCPe1VK5GHxlXWTNrU3MYMKqmF2ZJmCVhWdk3v-S0wh6HbyGCAYKQ8/s1600-h/100_1524.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358543291786937410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhvB2kRiCoJuBAm4NPZFTP-uUHWPCsCoS-I7trJE90njIVXuffnoi224nSqZ-rnL6b_AnlMn3kPzxU8EXTeLnPZCPe1VK5GHxlXWTNrU3MYMKqmF2ZJmCVhWdk3v-S0wh6HbyGCAYKQ8/s320/100_1524.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />After a full day at Disneyland we met my parents at Red Robin in Foothill Ranch for Matt's birthday dinner. Not only did he get a free burger, he got a free birthday dessert. It was pretty awesome.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsTi3IREk4xLtFEcG2QzQJu_bn9VWuY7s4TJAAHkSPRdjhJWBauGa1LsnU_T9_XcNNPhUKRl3RVKzRv6J6XikPHdteiGmNmd5ms2lxwV7zbLYHgY0_nnSuiLswGuR7wYWgHiGIHz0Uzs/s1600-h/100_1530.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358543287382169138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsTi3IREk4xLtFEcG2QzQJu_bn9VWuY7s4TJAAHkSPRdjhJWBauGa1LsnU_T9_XcNNPhUKRl3RVKzRv6J6XikPHdteiGmNmd5ms2lxwV7zbLYHgY0_nnSuiLswGuR7wYWgHiGIHz0Uzs/s320/100_1530.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We went home and Matt opened his presents. He got an Angels t-shirt, movie making software for our computer, a book, and a dash mount for his GPS.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_W8l2Jfq1zFOE4QNuw3uxNt-Y-geA6vteahKOZXQI4rB_3_KONnbGW79HN4p37he6COZMMW1CFWJfIgPximIBw3olXgqIJpX1unrQ9ltYVih1pK4AJWU1DwnjA7VECw8lwcqTNAeHXI/s1600-h/100_1532.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358543279065601618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_W8l2Jfq1zFOE4QNuw3uxNt-Y-geA6vteahKOZXQI4rB_3_KONnbGW79HN4p37he6COZMMW1CFWJfIgPximIBw3olXgqIJpX1unrQ9ltYVih1pK4AJWU1DwnjA7VECw8lwcqTNAeHXI/s320/100_1532.jpg" /></a><br />After presents we had delicious Costco hockey cake. When I picked up Matt's birthday cake, the guy at the register at Costco thought the cake was for Braden. I told him it was my husband's birthday cake. "Your husband wanted the hockey cake?" "Yes." He thought about this for a moment and then said, "That's even MORE awesome!" It made me laugh. What's wrong with a 27 year old man wanting a hockey cake?<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1H_tyJzq4QPbMLC5B-Q9rmB2C0FUVDBJWWVjp8Tezh_3h5JgmOuMpl8Z0faZITV-dQDGYoROkbLcHSRC6VU6kudpAL6zGSJZy5xPUtkTF8GJNCzOpo2xnIAbo3qvX5RoGnMHK7Hwp4tY/s1600-h/100_1536.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358543272042954434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1H_tyJzq4QPbMLC5B-Q9rmB2C0FUVDBJWWVjp8Tezh_3h5JgmOuMpl8Z0faZITV-dQDGYoROkbLcHSRC6VU6kudpAL6zGSJZy5xPUtkTF8GJNCzOpo2xnIAbo3qvX5RoGnMHK7Hwp4tY/s320/100_1536.jpg" /></a> </div><div>It was a really great day.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-8947226441986139072009-07-14T21:24:00.000-07:002009-07-16T21:47:25.252-07:00Disneyland with Natalie and Kai Part IWe had the pleasure of going to Disneyland not once but twice with our sister-in-law Natalie and her son, Kai. Natalie is Matt's brother, Peter's, wife and she and Kai were in town from Tokyo. The first time we went to Disneyland with them was the Tuesday before Matt's birthday. Matt had any early work day so he was able to join us. We had a great time and Natalie's family was gracious enough to allow us to tag along with them.<br /><br /><br />Braden and Kai have always seemed like best buds and this day was no exception. Kai immediately started giving Braden hugs and kisses as soon as he saw him. It was so adorable and Braden could handle it for the most part until it got overbearing and he would push Kai away, which didn't deter Kai at all.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlmJF9ReBob_PH9ic9zXzdV682BPw2BVMcKx8uOCJnYpvQY93jq6r_96-v6iOhQxzr0da0jxWdsoVDHe7HQzoeFGjCItE4f4mjm5eycBM690M7efC40Dx5jONvLnp_gtsdcyBU5nuNzc/s1600-h/100_1480.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358541372618412226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdlmJF9ReBob_PH9ic9zXzdV682BPw2BVMcKx8uOCJnYpvQY93jq6r_96-v6iOhQxzr0da0jxWdsoVDHe7HQzoeFGjCItE4f4mjm5eycBM690M7efC40Dx5jONvLnp_gtsdcyBU5nuNzc/s320/100_1480.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHMMAbp2hjlw4YVIjSRfuzVUxNerpURMB834SHh9A-Bq91n3CxzNZPuRwC1jdZu_G8yI2fiP_q6gij0XdeUyMe9bvKwU321lq3BCwB7kTBSZgrmg2aCufNhT7jQwlUJcLqvw-OyqqDW8/s1600-h/100_1483.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358541368393762290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHMMAbp2hjlw4YVIjSRfuzVUxNerpURMB834SHh9A-Bq91n3CxzNZPuRwC1jdZu_G8yI2fiP_q6gij0XdeUyMe9bvKwU321lq3BCwB7kTBSZgrmg2aCufNhT7jQwlUJcLqvw-OyqqDW8/s320/100_1483.jpg" /></a><br />We were able to hit up a ton of rides! Braden was his normal, rambunctious self but Kai looked pretty serious most of the time. He couldn't figure out where on earth we had taken him.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SnDQEJYPwKhd0FnhuYvvpaU8PDlwuv-_P3jEjXgdb6lkJO_XT9JLhtZwtOM25TIu2SfUF_2IRm7_t8b_OFd-lAfEplEkRChnwNPBGbj3v61Suv16tLMIrANGKpdSdbLkd4Bn4Xj58qY/s1600-h/100_1487.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358541359383417458" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SnDQEJYPwKhd0FnhuYvvpaU8PDlwuv-_P3jEjXgdb6lkJO_XT9JLhtZwtOM25TIu2SfUF_2IRm7_t8b_OFd-lAfEplEkRChnwNPBGbj3v61Suv16tLMIrANGKpdSdbLkd4Bn4Xj58qY/s320/100_1487.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Braden was way into pretending to drive a car in front of Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I'm convinced this baby has gasoline running in his veins.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSTnmEO5vSSm_oHS4im8VdmIx8_ODJcLKCitkN0dKTcvTnZWYNQHNzqKVxMHFhLFPCj4S5Gqc8elK2NHAUHpmSOBTtnQ_sXW97OVBWIFqb5hIIeFVDDCo1JcY3Nvszy3YS3ddnMltLq8/s1600-h/100_1492.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358541354394802162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihSTnmEO5vSSm_oHS4im8VdmIx8_ODJcLKCitkN0dKTcvTnZWYNQHNzqKVxMHFhLFPCj4S5Gqc8elK2NHAUHpmSOBTtnQ_sXW97OVBWIFqb5hIIeFVDDCo1JcY3Nvszy3YS3ddnMltLq8/s320/100_1492.jpg" /></a><br />Braden was in such good spirits and thought the Matt was being hysterical!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAe5QRo_qL-Ac2QizX8SHelKZvjFYc3UWgJM3pI-k1r9484Xf104QUkru03ZOvCmzZEeo8SgWigq60_sqT4Y06ncMMeFiB_-S6zVNGqC0pA4cXJqi9Ghsc_r4H6B2YOqA3Twn8Mfgv6DU/s1600-h/100_1495.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358541346766771874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAe5QRo_qL-Ac2QizX8SHelKZvjFYc3UWgJM3pI-k1r9484Xf104QUkru03ZOvCmzZEeo8SgWigq60_sqT4Y06ncMMeFiB_-S6zVNGqC0pA4cXJqi9Ghsc_r4H6B2YOqA3Twn8Mfgv6DU/s320/100_1495.jpg" /></a><br /><div><br />The boys had fun on the teacups but the crazy spinning started to worry Kai. Braden is used to Matt pushing the limits but it was a whole new experience for Kai.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5_UjiNF8DjxCDdrAVOEkVnTad4oboQH2qGDcnO_rsZlA_ztAcRpflCxMpP-KRuEoheketwkehGDELhLOYJ4H-xfW8RByeZthcF_OSY6sLSr7rmfayEKwWTTUFRDjrOuzlHbJjC7H46o/s1600-h/100_1501.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358539738880495282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc5_UjiNF8DjxCDdrAVOEkVnTad4oboQH2qGDcnO_rsZlA_ztAcRpflCxMpP-KRuEoheketwkehGDELhLOYJ4H-xfW8RByeZthcF_OSY6sLSr7rmfayEKwWTTUFRDjrOuzlHbJjC7H46o/s320/100_1501.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Kai just could not contain his love for Braden. He is the sweetest little guy. Come this fall he is going to make a great big brother!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkksHnkQcGSglmoO07RqQ6Em-4ncMQphTmxioQXii1WLIezkg0reGPlX4yQKg4xMo2b0pDWexynDbVTOqQ9tFQC7NrUpyt8B4wWVppFMUdOuivkaIPtfldwg8urit5kmIg8ealelw4Pc/s1600-h/100_1503.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358539733729023474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggkksHnkQcGSglmoO07RqQ6Em-4ncMQphTmxioQXii1WLIezkg0reGPlX4yQKg4xMo2b0pDWexynDbVTOqQ9tFQC7NrUpyt8B4wWVppFMUdOuivkaIPtfldwg8urit5kmIg8ealelw4Pc/s320/100_1503.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiec8soCcorlDLsP8HuULGvW2zLRKJLy75AdSSUWCwXWN7DMJEEnPF_8feug9HZqDIddBg3Ftp3H8CZjeIbZwR5j1OeCTfyCqvrqg76uRRikHK88DMPmNMRNiFAVcXiWfyFGNrvvwxMEVY/s1600-h/100_1504.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358539730777685186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiec8soCcorlDLsP8HuULGvW2zLRKJLy75AdSSUWCwXWN7DMJEEnPF_8feug9HZqDIddBg3Ftp3H8CZjeIbZwR5j1OeCTfyCqvrqg76uRRikHK88DMPmNMRNiFAVcXiWfyFGNrvvwxMEVY/s320/100_1504.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFgqXhjGRrfAz1Fmc6jGRDrqccbIaqh4uLMO9lbmOkbFtphnCCbuS61s7QpHxgXTc2tKftEU6dSuMV5ISxxVfUDkvMhY1AEOMIsSeaAsHcfB0mklupbKYjwcmBRWvu5Nl7e0DMfduMHw/s1600-h/100_1505.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358539727913144418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFgqXhjGRrfAz1Fmc6jGRDrqccbIaqh4uLMO9lbmOkbFtphnCCbuS61s7QpHxgXTc2tKftEU6dSuMV5ISxxVfUDkvMhY1AEOMIsSeaAsHcfB0mklupbKYjwcmBRWvu5Nl7e0DMfduMHw/s320/100_1505.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-67390966403734051922009-07-14T21:04:00.001-07:002009-07-16T21:37:02.753-07:00Fourth of JulyIndependence Day is becoming one of my favorite holidays. I love the barbecues, fireworks, and fun activities but most of all I love the patriotism. I love my country. I am so proud of our history and still find myself fascinated by it even though I have studied it for most of my life. Our country is great. I listen to the news and sometimes get really depressed about the things I hear, but when it really comes down to it I am so proud of what we stand for and I am so proud of what our forefathers fought for. Don't ever let anybody make you feel ashamed or embarrassed for being American. This is a remarkable country that stands as an ensign to people all over the world. We are so blessed to live here. Never forget it. Tony Blair (the British Prime Minister) stated:<br /><br />First, we should remain the closest ally of the US, and as allies influence them to continue broadening their agenda. We are the ally of the US not because they are powerful, but because we share their values. I am not surprised by anti-Americanism; but it is a foolish indulgence. For all their faults and all nations have them, the US are a force for good; they have liberal and democratic traditions of which any nation can be proud. I sometimes think it is a good rule of thumb to ask of a country: are people trying to get into it or out of it? It's not a bad guide to what sort of country it is.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We had a fantastic fourth of July this year. In the morning we went to the church where there were activities and tons of yummy food (albeit odd food to have at 9am, i.e. nachos, brownies, snow cones, cotton candy, cookies, etc.).<br /><br />Braden went into a bounce house for the first time.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvrbQMbhBq-T2Dij19AHpgI69BRzDUT7b4HtllwbA6f6vBzzYFJYLDAAY_OzcATqvPkHWiscfeHSZI0QlEepJywfNmp98zNlETGGeGWaJ2Mp1beV5oUIcm4RActAGyUYrAb8iMZMk2wE/s1600-h/100_1437.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358537334633619762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvrbQMbhBq-T2Dij19AHpgI69BRzDUT7b4HtllwbA6f6vBzzYFJYLDAAY_OzcATqvPkHWiscfeHSZI0QlEepJywfNmp98zNlETGGeGWaJ2Mp1beV5oUIcm4RActAGyUYrAb8iMZMk2wE/s320/100_1437.jpg" /></a> He tried it alone but didn't last long before he sat down because he was weirded out about not having control over his balance.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEpRd8IpMofQdMiZdAIj5oXk6BbylVzz5lKJZw4QAlxqWFZ0onV3Xmes1s2opfICAr7qMQJmXPefF9tmwE2MXGGw6_r5bLg589unn-sa_wsb3kflWYNEZjcqTikfo7Idh8P9Q-b0XLsA/s1600-h/100_1438.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358537328330733346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEpRd8IpMofQdMiZdAIj5oXk6BbylVzz5lKJZw4QAlxqWFZ0onV3Xmes1s2opfICAr7qMQJmXPefF9tmwE2MXGGw6_r5bLg589unn-sa_wsb3kflWYNEZjcqTikfo7Idh8P9Q-b0XLsA/s320/100_1438.jpg" /></a><br />Matt came in and joined him, but Braden still didn't last very long. Maybe next year.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR-Cw-3HTF5XfD6Th2k9im9ICYvoNbYMvZxuqtsPHp_rJsASzGJ9fOGomarTLGU9TfUHOE0gQDKSfFdzPnlGNfWsCN68KdPYT5s-p1YXcuygLQq4W1u0D1anopqXVIwaxbRACNHHiPsQ/s1600-h/100_1439.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358537318889561538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR-Cw-3HTF5XfD6Th2k9im9ICYvoNbYMvZxuqtsPHp_rJsASzGJ9fOGomarTLGU9TfUHOE0gQDKSfFdzPnlGNfWsCN68KdPYT5s-p1YXcuygLQq4W1u0D1anopqXVIwaxbRACNHHiPsQ/s320/100_1439.jpg" /></a><br />We ate way too much junk food and visited with people in the ward. It was tons of fun.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcvrbQMbhBq-T2Dij19AHpgI69BRzDUT7b4HtllwbA6f6vBzzYFJYLDAAY_OzcATqvPkHWiscfeHSZI0QlEepJywfNmp98zNlETGGeGWaJ2Mp1beV5oUIcm4RActAGyUYrAb8iMZMk2wE/s1600-h/100_1437.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gh_ebgOJULrFgt2CDvuM8G5-su8UWtc_hN6HXtTcw7JQutq5NI811gi2ADLy5VRfy0fPVQgNFSpHe2gVLsU_8p8bJKsDmgrU1Z8SOjhnHzjeesZ_JCWUxqzpAGO18nYSai8JGBDWtsk/s1600-h/100_1444.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358537316067059698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Gh_ebgOJULrFgt2CDvuM8G5-su8UWtc_hN6HXtTcw7JQutq5NI811gi2ADLy5VRfy0fPVQgNFSpHe2gVLsU_8p8bJKsDmgrU1Z8SOjhnHzjeesZ_JCWUxqzpAGO18nYSai8JGBDWtsk/s320/100_1444.jpg" /></a><br />In the afternoon we went to a barbecue that our friends, Chad and Rachel Trotter, were hosting. There was great food and great company. David and Allyson Didlake were there, too, with their two cutie pies. All of the kids had a fun time playing together and especially loved swimming in the pool.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwCgNxn2jEMFYFRRwFXYJLop1n7w-Enh9DRU-NH_lHS1uuhzAPdQFHVx2yXha0tpQywsf48CzeKjAnjBcsDOrUHM-Yy7Y9CH7Q9fE20bTB50Ns7X_w7W7ZLQ5_oWMYmghPD3aU3vfvUY/s1600-h/100_1445.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358537307838815762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDwCgNxn2jEMFYFRRwFXYJLop1n7w-Enh9DRU-NH_lHS1uuhzAPdQFHVx2yXha0tpQywsf48CzeKjAnjBcsDOrUHM-Yy7Y9CH7Q9fE20bTB50Ns7X_w7W7ZLQ5_oWMYmghPD3aU3vfvUY/s320/100_1445.jpg" /></a><br />In the evening we did our traditional Independence Day walk from our house down to Mission Viejo Lake where there are always lots of fun things to see and do on the fourth of July. Olympiad is shut down from Marguerite Parkway to Melinda Road and there are tons of booths, shopping, food, games, and music. We never buy anything but we always have fun checking everything out and listening to whatever band/choir/orchestra is performing.<br /></div><div></div><div>Braden was totally enthralled by the music and I was so happy to hear all of our traditional patriotic songs. Thank goodness some people still think we can sing about God and our country without worry about if it might offend someone.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJL-AmKvQOvGh-v9HvDeL-V2s6Cq4mBujUomLYweClbCQLsPAlQ_Xf1_AsPmTAdU1BPXUrCgabR7-nmlZ52PRbFd0V4l0Ka0cASeRk-UOLy7ZnMN9evvaViy0WWoKPiE_WesK-sNltII/s1600-h/100_1453.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358534748640847906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpJL-AmKvQOvGh-v9HvDeL-V2s6Cq4mBujUomLYweClbCQLsPAlQ_Xf1_AsPmTAdU1BPXUrCgabR7-nmlZ52PRbFd0V4l0Ka0cASeRk-UOLy7ZnMN9evvaViy0WWoKPiE_WesK-sNltII/s320/100_1453.jpg" /></a> </div><div>After we finished up on Olympiad, we walked up Melinda a tiny bit and sat at our favorite spot to watch fireworks.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHlOULgWRVcjxuZP9dqS4Yi2kn1yPkmR1PcDPFeUL1hCUGKAXoGnOxGNeYvq9jWQLroMJjrLaTek-4ES_994RN0Q2Gmf-Jxsg2HdHlbPKI55jMf4Y4gKNBsgKfrm2UY4-a2HZuU58rLA/s1600-h/100_1454.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358534740125935154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqHlOULgWRVcjxuZP9dqS4Yi2kn1yPkmR1PcDPFeUL1hCUGKAXoGnOxGNeYvq9jWQLroMJjrLaTek-4ES_994RN0Q2Gmf-Jxsg2HdHlbPKI55jMf4Y4gKNBsgKfrm2UY4-a2HZuU58rLA/s320/100_1454.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The fireworks were even better this year than they were last year. A guy sitting on a blanket behind us kept saying "these fireworks are EPIC!" It made me laugh, but he was right. Braden loved the fireworks this year (last year he lasted about 30 seconds before he started crying) and kept saying, "Ooo!"</div><div></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMvsVdoIxLOowV4KFJ6juwdVO6l3CZ7jntpMiHdzL1iH3wWl472M9_ia1FMaixj2Frrium8t8jeSkSwdX27pmA66FIvyN17n-ZHhJyafisQ7s-gbpVEf-iBNc-YZ7sXsN_w8zBxADh6Q/s1600-h/100_1462.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358534734498209730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMvsVdoIxLOowV4KFJ6juwdVO6l3CZ7jntpMiHdzL1iH3wWl472M9_ia1FMaixj2Frrium8t8jeSkSwdX27pmA66FIvyN17n-ZHhJyafisQ7s-gbpVEf-iBNc-YZ7sXsN_w8zBxADh6Q/s320/100_1462.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfpnEV75bGFN4PjXc7OnakpxAUvel_EPDrtBhKuoyArR_EgS22dae8pEDi8jW26AgszGOhKkm0QFDGPbhXzNh-5hb4XKD0fGurtBODnxw5HhQa5Y3nE3tC1vwRZzJCIrPVFxFU3DM4Jg/s1600-h/100_1467.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358534725590534754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfpnEV75bGFN4PjXc7OnakpxAUvel_EPDrtBhKuoyArR_EgS22dae8pEDi8jW26AgszGOhKkm0QFDGPbhXzNh-5hb4XKD0fGurtBODnxw5HhQa5Y3nE3tC1vwRZzJCIrPVFxFU3DM4Jg/s320/100_1467.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztuuzr0jpMUzrs4BQNyteRCJEemXMoSOMReFp9mu6NVQc9eHHS1K7waUMeDOIT4stwOxj6g1kAdXiMiGWrjxlwJ2FiQ1iivVEScfWQ2bVSj0NPyYKytQE9TTdbLRS_oWbbdkhivgf1Ys/s1600-h/100_1470.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358534722457391698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztuuzr0jpMUzrs4BQNyteRCJEemXMoSOMReFp9mu6NVQc9eHHS1K7waUMeDOIT4stwOxj6g1kAdXiMiGWrjxlwJ2FiQ1iivVEScfWQ2bVSj0NPyYKytQE9TTdbLRS_oWbbdkhivgf1Ys/s320/100_1470.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was an awesome day, and all the more meaningful because we had just gotten back from our trip to Washington, D.C.<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>God bless America!<br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-49662558378066021432009-07-14T20:56:00.000-07:002009-07-16T21:08:47.868-07:00Disneyland with Sarah and LucyBraden and I went to Disneyland and California Adventure with Sarah and Lucy Sherman the week after we came back from Washington, D.C. Thankfully things were A LOT less crowded than the last time we had attempted to go together! The kids had a great time and Lucy was such a hamburger! She was adorable.<br /><br />Lucy was so excited to be on King Triton's Carousel!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1adZnr-0iSXjHMQZcZHbqkXY378OLjX6oJDEFjilgR1w2-94fJ5bQbUuPSQMAiOHByL62_edQhYbeQkLh9SSiLGlwL6sDkmgXOhfBypUhyphenhyphenVT0YlQ_OzovxTAFpTfT8YTNbvcwm4R5wc/s1600-h/100_1431.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358532719352912690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG1adZnr-0iSXjHMQZcZHbqkXY378OLjX6oJDEFjilgR1w2-94fJ5bQbUuPSQMAiOHByL62_edQhYbeQkLh9SSiLGlwL6sDkmgXOhfBypUhyphenhyphenVT0YlQ_OzovxTAFpTfT8YTNbvcwm4R5wc/s320/100_1431.jpg" /></a> Braden enjoyed it, as well, but wasn't quite as enthusiastic. :)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN5FNVF2QzpLaIebjtxNHo0_G_egsUiT4wTTtnm_J9r9XYATnG9DSWHGai2R_tBMYxN1wKm8qIy7e15mAANiLy7nhTa4nETl-mS7uItrArqzmOp6P-k1C9aeDqwRwELhmCehYGfN6weE/s1600-h/100_1433.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358532715264814658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN5FNVF2QzpLaIebjtxNHo0_G_egsUiT4wTTtnm_J9r9XYATnG9DSWHGai2R_tBMYxN1wKm8qIy7e15mAANiLy7nhTa4nETl-mS7uItrArqzmOp6P-k1C9aeDqwRwELhmCehYGfN6weE/s320/100_1433.jpg" /></a><br />The kids were so well behaved and Sarah was brave to try the rides I suggested. She totally kicked butt on Toy Story Mania and put my scores the first few times I played to shame.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyPq6gK5OEEEpALnOqPQTxwlwh_qiN8hd7CAxmPuaN19VX-9PuexIF0Ipqhq9qgPkSAFnIYDEwAaKxfUcSqq6gg3eduPTee78CtXN2m7SFGBGeYOi0XPfrDgdZ3ku4pYij4tEbK3GdrI/s1600-h/100_1434.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358532711397231986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyPq6gK5OEEEpALnOqPQTxwlwh_qiN8hd7CAxmPuaN19VX-9PuexIF0Ipqhq9qgPkSAFnIYDEwAaKxfUcSqq6gg3eduPTee78CtXN2m7SFGBGeYOi0XPfrDgdZ3ku4pYij4tEbK3GdrI/s320/100_1434.jpg" /></a><br />The kiddos had fun on Mickey's Fun Wheel, too, and Lucy continued to ham it up!</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nV9A6v9t1ZQeW1pPuFwzBChyphenhyphenbYL6Y5S5dpuAHK2q8qZjE58y5mzOlC9n2j_eu8GeWaEKp-J1pa1gkkFc80aL1TDe1gKmewsDKOCE-xuE6BBdo7Ci7esO_3Hg8vd8do_p4dbyNMEApCk/s1600-h/100_1435.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358532702390724610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8nV9A6v9t1ZQeW1pPuFwzBChyphenhyphenbYL6Y5S5dpuAHK2q8qZjE58y5mzOlC9n2j_eu8GeWaEKp-J1pa1gkkFc80aL1TDe1gKmewsDKOCE-xuE6BBdo7Ci7esO_3Hg8vd8do_p4dbyNMEApCk/s320/100_1435.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We had a wonderful time!</div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-85617798805272343432009-07-05T21:07:00.000-07:002009-07-16T12:57:53.029-07:00Washington, D.C. and VirginiaIn mid June, Matt was flown out to Virginia for two weeks for a business trip. Braden and I flew out after Matt had been there for a week and spent the last week there together. We had the time of our lives. It had been years and years since Matt and I had been in that area (14 years for me) and Braden, obviously, had never been. We didn't have much time since Matt had to work long hours during the week. We managed to do everything on Saturday, Sunday, Monday night (for Bull Run), and on Wednesday Braden and I drove two hours south to Monticello. We did nearly everything in D.C. that we wanted to but we still have plenty more we can do in Virginia at a later time.<br /><p> </p><br />Believe it or not, I only posted a very small number of our photos. We saw and did so many things.<br /><br /><br />On Saturday we started out by going to the U.S. Capitol. We got poured on all morning long! It was a crazy storm but was much nicer than the heat and humidity that we experienced later that day. Gotta love summers on the east coast.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6k-goJCt1Bi7qeBEcgSL0X3oFyYQkl4uzqOLOHrIwANpcgtEStycCCOvSXV8iZLKSjQYntGs2nK7YQYIs__zAL2BkHpK6PwtNBby8OI_zBTNkXISSbO0sejikxo3A2JMc9pFefcjbu0/s1600-h/100_1161.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358157253196491794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw6k-goJCt1Bi7qeBEcgSL0X3oFyYQkl4uzqOLOHrIwANpcgtEStycCCOvSXV8iZLKSjQYntGs2nK7YQYIs__zAL2BkHpK6PwtNBby8OI_zBTNkXISSbO0sejikxo3A2JMc9pFefcjbu0/s320/100_1161.jpg" /></a> We did a tour inside of the Capitol which was really awesome. It was so beautiful inside! We started out in the rotunda which is under the dome of the building. The ceiling was gorgeous and there were tons of huge famous paintings and sculptures.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHesGN1p2LaKaQkk9wJLGNg-oLeZeCdRmVzhO9Qgq06tNq4MxPE_QbnYJH5w4IgqPZhWyemcR2fnWexc1XuW2VuSMbm30RTCFxL_oZAdcMDgmo_vht_YeJW9sl4e-K5J_7O_PreGsoJ8/s1600-h/100_1166.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154979020109634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGHesGN1p2LaKaQkk9wJLGNg-oLeZeCdRmVzhO9Qgq06tNq4MxPE_QbnYJH5w4IgqPZhWyemcR2fnWexc1XuW2VuSMbm30RTCFxL_oZAdcMDgmo_vht_YeJW9sl4e-K5J_7O_PreGsoJ8/s320/100_1166.jpg" /></a> There was so much fascinating history to the building. It was a great experience.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Next we went to the Library of Congress.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYfivqzoZOn43tckftQWUop1_BUQzHfe_v1r9HsqtzfeMPCwQpIr3wlCliGWuWPdenqj-juCMek_88hjKY9JaFQwlxaQKD1bHuGtViziuad2U0Jap-xyoQBv8qRG3c414FWChw5dgABc/s1600-h/100_1178.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154975534135490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYfivqzoZOn43tckftQWUop1_BUQzHfe_v1r9HsqtzfeMPCwQpIr3wlCliGWuWPdenqj-juCMek_88hjKY9JaFQwlxaQKD1bHuGtViziuad2U0Jap-xyoQBv8qRG3c414FWChw5dgABc/s320/100_1178.jpg" /></a> Not only was is beautiful on the outside; it was stunning on the inside. There were many mosaics and beautiful frescoes paying homage to famous writers since the beginning of time and what each part of the world contributed to science, literature, religion, etc.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazZWX3KvuGBxEek6SJJrMralkSNGeI0kPCu-JCEZCu0F0vPbYsfXMsX1rI-WgA6PGdSsgUJPWlqqyiKZX1LBe-gr7F28TcVEfMKSecfOOjXPqeYjTxxWjHiKjwNZPecDRZq5p1cvA_WU/s1600-h/100_1181.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154961919429986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiazZWX3KvuGBxEek6SJJrMralkSNGeI0kPCu-JCEZCu0F0vPbYsfXMsX1rI-WgA6PGdSsgUJPWlqqyiKZX1LBe-gr7F28TcVEfMKSecfOOjXPqeYjTxxWjHiKjwNZPecDRZq5p1cvA_WU/s320/100_1181.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFK5RY6lAsFatS6QOgKflC_-MR6M6oFc0iXfID7YV7fCKKHMeyMRmmQQOYmSQmLSKTwuM300KaoJN-_BqW0XMMebQLNRwOguGdLMRApxohItcCTc9xv6GaqZ-RWLyyedorV6AG8L_aZM/s1600-h/100_1183.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154958265734658" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFFK5RY6lAsFatS6QOgKflC_-MR6M6oFc0iXfID7YV7fCKKHMeyMRmmQQOYmSQmLSKTwuM300KaoJN-_BqW0XMMebQLNRwOguGdLMRApxohItcCTc9xv6GaqZ-RWLyyedorV6AG8L_aZM/s320/100_1183.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We saw the research area which requires special permission to access. Thousands of the books here belonged to Thomas Jefferson himself. There is literature on literally every subject imaginable; I could get lost in there for weeks going through the books they have.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU7H0hIU7pllXUIYVjVcpos8Rg4JmmADpOhzvbDiYpd8vaFCNKv2mJiD1ZpwyxF8sZvr-sdvIPcTlL46sqcGK8bt28D0Wcgb-rFp5g9yJNcS7B2fA6Gu7yEmsUWuGR22MaDZUpK5q8FQ/s1600-h/100_1186.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358154947063876738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxU7H0hIU7pllXUIYVjVcpos8Rg4JmmADpOhzvbDiYpd8vaFCNKv2mJiD1ZpwyxF8sZvr-sdvIPcTlL46sqcGK8bt28D0Wcgb-rFp5g9yJNcS7B2fA6Gu7yEmsUWuGR22MaDZUpK5q8FQ/s320/100_1186.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Next we ran up to the Supreme Court building and took a picture in the pouring rain.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4kbtnd_NSnYKMTN031HwwCs4tL1qcjputCRBUT-e1PDYDKQvBrJhfSizx4dWKLvjvXmEubKudk31AknhaiyjB4VeQ6X7nnHg5rQ3nZdWduJi7yJmeLuMCE1zpyLHJjb_tZvqnOpxb-A/s1600-h/100_1187.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358096646366041986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4kbtnd_NSnYKMTN031HwwCs4tL1qcjputCRBUT-e1PDYDKQvBrJhfSizx4dWKLvjvXmEubKudk31AknhaiyjB4VeQ6X7nnHg5rQ3nZdWduJi7yJmeLuMCE1zpyLHJjb_tZvqnOpxb-A/s320/100_1187.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We walked from the back to the front of the White House and saw a huge protest for Iran and its most recent election.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj86VmCuY4fS1z-Ozc3LnvU3c6rTdokP2exTn2Tj24yJt_oJKL_J-QxbQUOvN2CK6wDfj7b7YZeyNEUjrGGXLEim1bmtwe1WynxeqQqJf-eU4NI5EoPq6kHvP1a-jahk0B0ww9p_pChc/s1600-h/100_1193.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358096637085397490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj86VmCuY4fS1z-Ozc3LnvU3c6rTdokP2exTn2Tj24yJt_oJKL_J-QxbQUOvN2CK6wDfj7b7YZeyNEUjrGGXLEim1bmtwe1WynxeqQqJf-eU4NI5EoPq6kHvP1a-jahk0B0ww9p_pChc/s320/100_1193.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We stopped by Ford's Theater where Abraham Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth and across the street was the house where Lincoln died.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD2BR-sMZcuH4IHPaNuhFhybEcsHuO3MOux2OgINBrQzPjoatTq2ASTy5ZgYC42soE9o3AuKC8u8Cn4MOvoSaWGI6QTVJ-7kli2k1qb0jhcYyAJGnIN3awpSdS6k6v8VfGOvUtUdsPYc/s1600-h/100_1196.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358096631443731698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHD2BR-sMZcuH4IHPaNuhFhybEcsHuO3MOux2OgINBrQzPjoatTq2ASTy5ZgYC42soE9o3AuKC8u8Cn4MOvoSaWGI6QTVJ-7kli2k1qb0jhcYyAJGnIN3awpSdS6k6v8VfGOvUtUdsPYc/s320/100_1196.jpg" /></a><br />We passed by the Internal Revenue Service Building and shed a few tears . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7WNV1ju8tW3iXBcV3Sp_8GIM0jwE9sdiuXF0ehdPg2xt-D4JTa7cxCuQtUV5cv6VwdLZr89KXkfEbO1RGfk0KEJ10_qLoY2uHpbU4AAJbrE7XcXibqZ-enHOt81qtuVBEaVwAYMIOiA/s1600-h/100_1197.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358096624813004146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7WNV1ju8tW3iXBcV3Sp_8GIM0jwE9sdiuXF0ehdPg2xt-D4JTa7cxCuQtUV5cv6VwdLZr89KXkfEbO1RGfk0KEJ10_qLoY2uHpbU4AAJbrE7XcXibqZ-enHOt81qtuVBEaVwAYMIOiA/s320/100_1197.jpg" /></a><br />We went to the National Museum of American History where we saw tons of amazing artifacts from our history. My favorite was seeing the actual Star Spangled Banner that Francis Scott Key wrote our national anthem about. It was GIGANTIC! I had always envisioned it as a typical sized flag but it was something like 30 by 40 feet and almost completely intact. It was phenomenal!<br /><br />While we were there we also saw C-3PO.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2raty3dBUVHvGGuxUosucDOKlUo4FSecUdeWckUNFHRZSHCsgK43xoX9NDjwqNwthU27krWpP46dd9d1q1r5fdgbhmMehEXMkMu3fxhjz0MM-yWb0fcNxF-W_QXuEfaAhcZUzUil17FM/s1600-h/100_1199.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358096615301058562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2raty3dBUVHvGGuxUosucDOKlUo4FSecUdeWckUNFHRZSHCsgK43xoX9NDjwqNwthU27krWpP46dd9d1q1r5fdgbhmMehEXMkMu3fxhjz0MM-yWb0fcNxF-W_QXuEfaAhcZUzUil17FM/s320/100_1199.jpg" /></a><br />The white-only counter where four black college students sat and ordered food during the civil rights movement.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbcaUv-hh-UBKClX_uCkt8qyeB-ccffGKw5FBBMD8Y2_WAm5yWkhI7QcSUpbFD5Qnqbax9fr4RYKsfP2JHmOuGVRmkVYZF8-4rI8SExj36pLQR39LbGUg9L2FumVWtB2X2yUEC1VPms4/s1600-h/100_1201.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358037954464317554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbcaUv-hh-UBKClX_uCkt8qyeB-ccffGKw5FBBMD8Y2_WAm5yWkhI7QcSUpbFD5Qnqbax9fr4RYKsfP2JHmOuGVRmkVYZF8-4rI8SExj36pLQR39LbGUg9L2FumVWtB2X2yUEC1VPms4/s320/100_1201.jpg" /></a><br />The desk that Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence on (you could even see his ink stains on it).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtxTQ-C_LxDsS_hpva6mrmtVYSbGUvFhY1HWqgY9KbcQhAn_-YIi8EdQVnug26eARMEgU8Grl0TLVnSgMfQKedkZfsEh5jSYq3cbqfI1F0w45yYzVZpVc6u07R6OPC3Os-CN_mCGk1hk/s1600-h/100_1203.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358037951507223938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMtxTQ-C_LxDsS_hpva6mrmtVYSbGUvFhY1HWqgY9KbcQhAn_-YIi8EdQVnug26eARMEgU8Grl0TLVnSgMfQKedkZfsEh5jSYq3cbqfI1F0w45yYzVZpVc6u07R6OPC3Os-CN_mCGk1hk/s320/100_1203.jpg" /></a><br />And outside the museum is a fountain you can wade in. Across the street is the EPA building.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf4xncTkwmJUyW_NKSy0d1uOil20QtPml4jZiLYnpE9R3M2aUrk0H7NNMwX0Sey4g-ZlLrEje9n-HLq88hnZzhWCSiUDcdnz0ZgOWqTaJa0seiCS8x07-GeOIcIvQ5f4VjK1f8r2f5Q8/s1600-h/100_1205.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358037940713656962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPf4xncTkwmJUyW_NKSy0d1uOil20QtPml4jZiLYnpE9R3M2aUrk0H7NNMwX0Sey4g-ZlLrEje9n-HLq88hnZzhWCSiUDcdnz0ZgOWqTaJa0seiCS8x07-GeOIcIvQ5f4VjK1f8r2f5Q8/s320/100_1205.jpg" /></a><br />We hit up the Natural History Museum to check out the Hope Diamond which is the largest blue diamond in the world. It is over 47 carats! It is said to carry a deadly curse. Muahaha!!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pSPXH89ZgRca9DL5UiB0UwNaUxEo3LbgrfijlfQapu-d91Jbdn6wuRm6DIFtltV_qWwb41vGJLWB9D0RcCSCpMuzjhD3IiGHf2x-demvfhTWJwYoAYU4e25UuHDKFoGavLCxL5ZavNM/s1600-h/100_1212.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358037935604214450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pSPXH89ZgRca9DL5UiB0UwNaUxEo3LbgrfijlfQapu-d91Jbdn6wuRm6DIFtltV_qWwb41vGJLWB9D0RcCSCpMuzjhD3IiGHf2x-demvfhTWJwYoAYU4e25UuHDKFoGavLCxL5ZavNM/s320/100_1212.jpg" /></a><br />By this point in the day, Braden had had too much excitement.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLn5BxlCZEwIDEqbe5upA6N470Hzo6oaA1DM5xgEOcWnaSbvRq_F95g7rLPHWhM1xFa7zTaP_2kR2J0kDRD_AOxE1kHWdJIjIVrxq99ldxHn6n3fOMcJaqfel9mI5BCyrK45p9nK0xA8/s1600-h/100_1214.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358037931136758626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixLn5BxlCZEwIDEqbe5upA6N470Hzo6oaA1DM5xgEOcWnaSbvRq_F95g7rLPHWhM1xFa7zTaP_2kR2J0kDRD_AOxE1kHWdJIjIVrxq99ldxHn6n3fOMcJaqfel9mI5BCyrK45p9nK0xA8/s320/100_1214.jpg" /></a><br />We finished up the day at the National Archives where we saw some of the most important documents relating to our country's history. First we saw the Magna Carta which was so awesome! It's in such great shape especially considering that it is from the 1200s.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNxlJyxj5cQ-wsR8hlDTHPaE3NNSRn5ak3UfSwQgYULjWn0lF3VTKVnMt1LYmx8zTaUcR7lVVBz0qdcmhyttsJvlrANWSqT5q4C1hzPtXoqJwp9dE0d_HL9oiypGXaLCXcMmXuU691JY/s1600-h/100_1215.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358028303433652338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNxlJyxj5cQ-wsR8hlDTHPaE3NNSRn5ak3UfSwQgYULjWn0lF3VTKVnMt1LYmx8zTaUcR7lVVBz0qdcmhyttsJvlrANWSqT5q4C1hzPtXoqJwp9dE0d_HL9oiypGXaLCXcMmXuU691JY/s320/100_1215.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We saw the document giving women the right to vote.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0zSSr827oT9UBNLEprYNIa7Fbtou0ZisjcaPJ3TG1yas364vl5jrdw9N1dVoqYHN7d7Y7U7LCdTjp7zsWjs6DDk_4HtqRKPt-nwmSSPTWzVQzSJ4q1PpvKF_Kms0cC0h0pyTw20J7W0/s1600-h/100_1217.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358028295437082898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT0zSSr827oT9UBNLEprYNIa7Fbtou0ZisjcaPJ3TG1yas364vl5jrdw9N1dVoqYHN7d7Y7U7LCdTjp7zsWjs6DDk_4HtqRKPt-nwmSSPTWzVQzSJ4q1PpvKF_Kms0cC0h0pyTw20J7W0/s320/100_1217.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The Bill of Rights<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCITXrhOZqBUF3wsg-53vBS4sNodrtY3DfTJYiQrTpPCIozaIPGIIC5gXMCvnlVwnvpLX3hDQ0lgepo_xsEXWAWauVs46xAL2Yt0ymQ4Yc4jpIbM3B22rI-CS6lp_4TmXPotebsOo1m-s/s1600-h/100_1218.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358028291839151666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCITXrhOZqBUF3wsg-53vBS4sNodrtY3DfTJYiQrTpPCIozaIPGIIC5gXMCvnlVwnvpLX3hDQ0lgepo_xsEXWAWauVs46xAL2Yt0ymQ4Yc4jpIbM3B22rI-CS6lp_4TmXPotebsOo1m-s/s320/100_1218.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The Constitution of the United States of America<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBKA_bUPy-CffaQQMm9G24Uz6M1pIyR4q4TiVVzuQAlbGWYNmnZgCWCk8jfEBi_zxEC3VS91xmdQ0rXMswbkHX847xdqsjXfi7JUYvXTaaJznAj7dNcmcYYM64rqKwg7khlDLinVnrCQ/s1600-h/100_1220.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358028284868864258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBKA_bUPy-CffaQQMm9G24Uz6M1pIyR4q4TiVVzuQAlbGWYNmnZgCWCk8jfEBi_zxEC3VS91xmdQ0rXMswbkHX847xdqsjXfi7JUYvXTaaJznAj7dNcmcYYM64rqKwg7khlDLinVnrCQ/s320/100_1220.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />and The Declaration of Independence.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNC5yOCbfJrNlKHtRF0RaqI-RGEKz9hJu2W1S_Vn199dcaCfUn8pJbD0iBuuwBHdioiIS4VTUXpxn3tpXlOU4AnF19EVHeVhuih7u93tnuWXa8AoM566CCwYAyKGLE50LUY-RDWK1hj2w/s1600-h/100_1221.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358028277441839394" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNC5yOCbfJrNlKHtRF0RaqI-RGEKz9hJu2W1S_Vn199dcaCfUn8pJbD0iBuuwBHdioiIS4VTUXpxn3tpXlOU4AnF19EVHeVhuih7u93tnuWXa8AoM566CCwYAyKGLE50LUY-RDWK1hj2w/s320/100_1221.jpg" /></a><br /><br />By the late afternoon, it was a gorgeous day to be in Washington, D.C.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS3VbZVeWaEhfBSHFzdfk2j2nlYeElf1SuoIuh7_Owa5CBhyDMRGruFizgLVpPwAaWNXCZZhYVuuEjsFBWKuKSEW5LnHeaCTG7H0SP98ey4pSPcrPtNVeZOQ6JFkVHhrH-I_5qCgFQ4Q/s1600-h/100_1225.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358025907104206706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCS3VbZVeWaEhfBSHFzdfk2j2nlYeElf1SuoIuh7_Owa5CBhyDMRGruFizgLVpPwAaWNXCZZhYVuuEjsFBWKuKSEW5LnHeaCTG7H0SP98ey4pSPcrPtNVeZOQ6JFkVHhrH-I_5qCgFQ4Q/s320/100_1225.jpg" /></a><br /><br />On Sunday we drove to Mount Vernon, George Washington's home.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG5-XF-j3AWePv77O554_l1kZn7ot_8BtmpPzZ8H_0DxQ-sMt1CoWbVs3UYwp6dnKMx6mNeArCIWl_07wxy8VQo75qWw94dVoykx1je5ir-7YCzlCUT9VBAaQg8O9LDVHKpP0cNiAj6U/s1600-h/100_1228.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358025903444862290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG5-XF-j3AWePv77O554_l1kZn7ot_8BtmpPzZ8H_0DxQ-sMt1CoWbVs3UYwp6dnKMx6mNeArCIWl_07wxy8VQo75qWw94dVoykx1je5ir-7YCzlCUT9VBAaQg8O9LDVHKpP0cNiAj6U/s320/100_1228.jpg" /></a><br />Braden loved running around the grounds.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pkQWD8TwC1AyJuBfsd2SkvzDdLNszHyn3M2ptRNWvHYQFQ1tCSUvUQdiTi5IWIMJcgyelg6fin29rJeCxFYMGlfMz2iEGrpGpBoov0Mjwt_lgTK6FILLRQQD3ByephRw9N9ox3U-R8E/s1600-h/100_1234.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358025889681665538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2pkQWD8TwC1AyJuBfsd2SkvzDdLNszHyn3M2ptRNWvHYQFQ1tCSUvUQdiTi5IWIMJcgyelg6fin29rJeCxFYMGlfMz2iEGrpGpBoov0Mjwt_lgTK6FILLRQQD3ByephRw9N9ox3U-R8E/s320/100_1234.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiJkRXvN8GgSz4q_lzEYKNfPo9DnKsEu1PbNS2OyikyQ5ATHfMcQhxL2KXW588QYcKRcZKBK5eylKLkstissMFLgcJpzNFok480UQzLwIYQDOnBwiLmKvUiyRBq1mGYR1IPGDH3SaE98/s1600-h/100_1237.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358025884108006834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTiJkRXvN8GgSz4q_lzEYKNfPo9DnKsEu1PbNS2OyikyQ5ATHfMcQhxL2KXW588QYcKRcZKBK5eylKLkstissMFLgcJpzNFok480UQzLwIYQDOnBwiLmKvUiyRBq1mGYR1IPGDH3SaE98/s320/100_1237.jpg" /></a> The property was so beautiful and the view of the Potomac was out of this world. If I had gazillions of dollars, I'd buy a vacation home there.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEXCVDyJGP9UeZ_J9t7zxpTiSqLZ12fhtSM_PEf2EMHyeYBJDRyw33GG4W2rBM0SysSXv4NFaC8WWO6KPZrQUOjymuSLLGpjpn60cR7zwByzaBl4hZG25bq9XmG6oNZBdR5W6HH3UsPs/s1600-h/100_1238.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358025875751994290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEXCVDyJGP9UeZ_J9t7zxpTiSqLZ12fhtSM_PEf2EMHyeYBJDRyw33GG4W2rBM0SysSXv4NFaC8WWO6KPZrQUOjymuSLLGpjpn60cR7zwByzaBl4hZG25bq9XmG6oNZBdR5W6HH3UsPs/s320/100_1238.jpg" /></a><br />The inside of the home was amazing and mostly contained furniture and art that had been there when Washington was alive. The grounds were quite extensive. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We saw George Washington and Martha Washington's tomb where they were interred years after death. The original family tomb was old and so Washington wanted the newer structure built. They were relocated to the newer location upon its completion.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM8xTRz5GKPM9SFJgj7GHMmp49hlqEJBfHKY9pux0h6dFxAcIBUZz0XdjMsGPIKzG_FuqKqVO8MLXHR8YmaeCH7ljxX7XlyLnWzarJy8Hu-PHcSPNKRA-_JA5s2qeEMEImA6YEOoQ1E4/s1600-h/100_1240.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358023183597863314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjM8xTRz5GKPM9SFJgj7GHMmp49hlqEJBfHKY9pux0h6dFxAcIBUZz0XdjMsGPIKzG_FuqKqVO8MLXHR8YmaeCH7ljxX7XlyLnWzarJy8Hu-PHcSPNKRA-_JA5s2qeEMEImA6YEOoQ1E4/s320/100_1240.jpg" /></a> The one on the left is Martha Washington and the one on the right is George Washington. The dark metal square on the wall is the covering for where more than 20 other relatives are buried. The scripture on the wall above the dark square is John 11:25-26:</div><div>I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. <br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RFdkJgcKSuC05oaw1lBPxYk76uW6kfEVmySMGqwEonUJB9x5IxSgFjKe3XrYfSne4ewFvCg-Ykogd5B5GTAS04laRIi7mwHPYbWd0U-fXM34n3_utO2UHLyTUNT5Bh90jvpdczVvEAM/s1600-h/100_1242.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358023171133316322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RFdkJgcKSuC05oaw1lBPxYk76uW6kfEVmySMGqwEonUJB9x5IxSgFjKe3XrYfSne4ewFvCg-Ykogd5B5GTAS04laRIi7mwHPYbWd0U-fXM34n3_utO2UHLyTUNT5Bh90jvpdczVvEAM/s320/100_1242.jpg" /></a> We saw where the slaves worked and even saw one of George Washington's inventions, the round barn, which you can see in the distance in the picture below. The round barn allowed for more efficient separation of grains.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrSPb40vu7s2RtSW9nxP0f71y_DqrRRLqprQs3-klWTM94MsT6JnLP42H_4YQUl2zy1dapJArLVrXDfncmK9ml7vK8EBXQaamQPEoxp8G4RMz6CzBQa3R2ZL0tGTVi5fjDtofR5Xy0t0/s1600-h/100_1246.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358023165132015058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBrSPb40vu7s2RtSW9nxP0f71y_DqrRRLqprQs3-klWTM94MsT6JnLP42H_4YQUl2zy1dapJArLVrXDfncmK9ml7vK8EBXQaamQPEoxp8G4RMz6CzBQa3R2ZL0tGTVi5fjDtofR5Xy0t0/s320/100_1246.jpg" /></a> There is a slave cabin on the property and it was sad to see what tight quarters families lived in.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpcczWu2yZa0uJL__TSKPk3GRF5TkbWWDm3F1VZBdserHtt8Kr1aVyFpekfTTEU0cNoStx5hfvH2JstOomt-ZezvkpYPJ5u901SGRh7WuE7mcWUshwwQ1QI6zjVog-0Yfr8LYG1Ghx80/s1600-h/100_1247.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358023156227611314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQpcczWu2yZa0uJL__TSKPk3GRF5TkbWWDm3F1VZBdserHtt8Kr1aVyFpekfTTEU0cNoStx5hfvH2JstOomt-ZezvkpYPJ5u901SGRh7WuE7mcWUshwwQ1QI6zjVog-0Yfr8LYG1Ghx80/s320/100_1247.jpg" /></a> Mount Vernon is heavily wooded and we enjoyed hiking through all of the trees. It was so gorgeous.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBbvcPeyoJOcpfQCh51OvFCnnU68008ZI2VFJbVG6vx-7w1QslScyyQts2e6Dww_h0LhKFhTOUBAT9sZCZOmRC5ueWgK1WF0LlVDiRvO1-QyOTCmSasUqNchO83kJ71e9WmsYOQSWnDo/s1600-h/100_1250.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358023154787713346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBbvcPeyoJOcpfQCh51OvFCnnU68008ZI2VFJbVG6vx-7w1QslScyyQts2e6Dww_h0LhKFhTOUBAT9sZCZOmRC5ueWgK1WF0LlVDiRvO1-QyOTCmSasUqNchO83kJ71e9WmsYOQSWnDo/s320/100_1250.jpg" /></a><br />Next, we drove to Arlington National Cemetary. It is so beautiful and peaceful there but most of all it's very humbling. So many people have given their lives for our freedom; this is a blessed nation.</div><div><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVH_B_OxzXmhZvO4ELW0A9-JHZdY7mIIzLqtpCnyc9HOEZKva5vg66V0HDUrCNBl_OwOFtWYMqt0yhmGLzPonGuj2mnqJiygyVpJlVy-ZeISTMLoz_Szieggn6jV7O87lWxrScAGkZk0/s1600-h/100_1256.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358020451539384018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVH_B_OxzXmhZvO4ELW0A9-JHZdY7mIIzLqtpCnyc9HOEZKva5vg66V0HDUrCNBl_OwOFtWYMqt0yhmGLzPonGuj2mnqJiygyVpJlVy-ZeISTMLoz_Szieggn6jV7O87lWxrScAGkZk0/s320/100_1256.jpg" /></a> Arlington is on a hill above Washington and the views of the city are stunning. In the picture below, you can see the Lincoln Memorial on the left, the Washington Monument in the center, and the Capitol building on the right.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBhjkWbEsmwPbfsax8oYus5X-X3zYzY1ETCHityDdNwBEeyTJ94Mf2FKT3KSAc_hx7_O6HpEMYeRhMK5Ou_Af7RjFDfBM_KtkAmoUiE0SCbqQdL5gqdTdSi3M2gfMInDstkvPWYXP8J8/s1600-h/100_1260.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 137px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358020445129613986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBhjkWbEsmwPbfsax8oYus5X-X3zYzY1ETCHityDdNwBEeyTJ94Mf2FKT3KSAc_hx7_O6HpEMYeRhMK5Ou_Af7RjFDfBM_KtkAmoUiE0SCbqQdL5gqdTdSi3M2gfMInDstkvPWYXP8J8/s320/100_1260.jpg" /></a><br />We visited the Tomb on the Unknown Soldier and watched the changing of the guard.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6v5hBBxAm85ZNrnZccoIl0aOnnnCijSP_o0I9R1L91BoYScnkrRC3grIqf0rFEPFks8025taWT3xsmxm-BfnNRJrFWXXUjcvSYqEuD32HKTOHAu1uJLihDLSP0hUGLfeHC1yq3XVJUQ/s1600-h/100_1286.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358020435637728210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH6v5hBBxAm85ZNrnZccoIl0aOnnnCijSP_o0I9R1L91BoYScnkrRC3grIqf0rFEPFks8025taWT3xsmxm-BfnNRJrFWXXUjcvSYqEuD32HKTOHAu1uJLihDLSP0hUGLfeHC1yq3XVJUQ/s320/100_1286.jpg" /></a> We saw the graves of JFK and Jackie O. and above the hill from their graves is Robert E. Lee's house.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCdG_mJOsO15o37RRjT_Cf4qEZuiv5unlY-a5QsJXhFWXberVNkCSJ5tkiOYzVLwMimFm4zzmZGItr4g6ogMOkfQizktJj4Chb4zsx4Wn-SmwcSlB8QmTW8RcTlXLz7-opgek6n7lv0c/s1600-h/100_1295.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358020426321785778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCdG_mJOsO15o37RRjT_Cf4qEZuiv5unlY-a5QsJXhFWXberVNkCSJ5tkiOYzVLwMimFm4zzmZGItr4g6ogMOkfQizktJj4Chb4zsx4Wn-SmwcSlB8QmTW8RcTlXLz7-opgek6n7lv0c/s320/100_1295.jpg" /></a> After Arlingotn we walked over to the memorial for the Marine Corps.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_omjE8PFNPff733f83gzzy_Fut6ElbYvhmLVCuKW-srOtuLZ0KukfvnblSR1g7U8Dnzd0qSxK2Ssg7ADkLmrjMTjocAHiw3DMBMMJyg9vpJM7BnjMtRdJbaBwIZlC4JvKEM9nVEWh1f4/s1600-h/100_1304.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358020415869106626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_omjE8PFNPff733f83gzzy_Fut6ElbYvhmLVCuKW-srOtuLZ0KukfvnblSR1g7U8Dnzd0qSxK2Ssg7ADkLmrjMTjocAHiw3DMBMMJyg9vpJM7BnjMtRdJbaBwIZlC4JvKEM9nVEWh1f4/s320/100_1304.jpg" /></a> It is, without a doubt, one of my favorite sculptures.<br /><br /><br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIbo1ckWYQZ4nmcxK2HdxtRTODEA5KgR5vJ5xNij1JAGsQtH1n5yQ7U6Mz4zacDvDjQp-C0JWI__P0Y3lrDB4guLOIcqVeW4x4kmyR1eMobE4Yes8r-iR3feoV1Twj87ZVTgC_PF1bFs/s1600-h/100_1305.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355935632671803762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghIbo1ckWYQZ4nmcxK2HdxtRTODEA5KgR5vJ5xNij1JAGsQtH1n5yQ7U6Mz4zacDvDjQp-C0JWI__P0Y3lrDB4guLOIcqVeW4x4kmyR1eMobE4Yes8r-iR3feoV1Twj87ZVTgC_PF1bFs/s320/100_1305.jpg" /></a> </div><div>The view of Washington from the Marine Corps Memorial was amazing.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvt5auV4mhDhm4oivxoNZfDKSFzgGFJIFJiSCivQe_Te3FIdvGEtD7LSl_DzQl-PGC0kEdR34lqZQGhyVLur2V54K-RLJUMig-24H-NVSAZ1oZh3jUdPXa9uprCJPEUOENDVYgqlFHwxs/s1600-h/100_1307.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355935626630160642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvt5auV4mhDhm4oivxoNZfDKSFzgGFJIFJiSCivQe_Te3FIdvGEtD7LSl_DzQl-PGC0kEdR34lqZQGhyVLur2V54K-RLJUMig-24H-NVSAZ1oZh3jUdPXa9uprCJPEUOENDVYgqlFHwxs/s320/100_1307.jpg" /></a> </div><div>We went to a few more Smithsonian museums </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7KZN1xZYQUH4GQw7IYjpXapQ23TvcNznJkEuQFyJF80sM4pu_cJZYDbx5_naPQhMv4kCDPPzLaAW3glc_a5bJX5MRk0CwegXReCP_vv1BTodOSEtdGCiDlNjUq-Qhn4544cEHJ7c1dQ/s1600-h/100_1317.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355935624613056690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7KZN1xZYQUH4GQw7IYjpXapQ23TvcNznJkEuQFyJF80sM4pu_cJZYDbx5_naPQhMv4kCDPPzLaAW3glc_a5bJX5MRk0CwegXReCP_vv1BTodOSEtdGCiDlNjUq-Qhn4544cEHJ7c1dQ/s320/100_1317.jpg" /></a><br /><br />and then walked along the National Mall. We saw the Washington Monument.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ3Gun8GtIVHXZokPyW_BO0LwKUxSQRHV_0Qd3gZp-dH5bRgs8Fy_Qu6KR-WbdeSHMd1vaWPi40nKNhEXRTeComF6_kcEPzmXOmU79X0rpzevGuANtMLQQzkQYfkUNei48A0E3if9BY4/s1600-h/100_1325.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355935612850060002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQ3Gun8GtIVHXZokPyW_BO0LwKUxSQRHV_0Qd3gZp-dH5bRgs8Fy_Qu6KR-WbdeSHMd1vaWPi40nKNhEXRTeComF6_kcEPzmXOmU79X0rpzevGuANtMLQQzkQYfkUNei48A0E3if9BY4/s320/100_1325.jpg" /></a> Then we went to the Vietnam War Memorial. There are sooo many names; it takes your breath away.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IfiEMpRGASvEKG_zRrRIG_XN-lUa3-8lN_lmQrsMqPdiQa-k4JT3vn0VmqBlOwQX6_Enx_ob1ku4nTwv1ojx5WTd8XodEixuLqQK8o60xiWHGi1UyGglQmpii4SBZm7xAjoey0skBvc/s1600-h/100_1330.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355935606741875842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IfiEMpRGASvEKG_zRrRIG_XN-lUa3-8lN_lmQrsMqPdiQa-k4JT3vn0VmqBlOwQX6_Enx_ob1ku4nTwv1ojx5WTd8XodEixuLqQK8o60xiWHGi1UyGglQmpii4SBZm7xAjoey0skBvc/s320/100_1330.jpg" /></a><br />We visited our buddy, Abe, at his place.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD07uC1oY_rPLmRUxdR66__Qv5bFbB6gSAIpVRTXeCi6JTd23mxS-u5yjkkHr_z5oydOb9s8IKJ7F-HGrgZ77W5vmcDC8FktspMZk7cv0wwlbfhJvpK29RnGwT8Cz754hr-61LyzecDI/s1600-h/100_1335.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355933026616571698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrD07uC1oY_rPLmRUxdR66__Qv5bFbB6gSAIpVRTXeCi6JTd23mxS-u5yjkkHr_z5oydOb9s8IKJ7F-HGrgZ77W5vmcDC8FktspMZk7cv0wwlbfhJvpK29RnGwT8Cz754hr-61LyzecDI/s320/100_1335.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvOCDuAyB2WtESTbXwOKCTLp3lkICka0G13BiI0uk_f9tb51lPJt3btDWquwgrTy9rfzqMLDX72Vm4Z_9nwd4A7kR8NAswh5LiD2kEsX4vJL3sK3PniLIcjB8-SBLpFCB0ROFzAHaIWw/s1600-h/100_1334.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355933021673181986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvOCDuAyB2WtESTbXwOKCTLp3lkICka0G13BiI0uk_f9tb51lPJt3btDWquwgrTy9rfzqMLDX72Vm4Z_9nwd4A7kR8NAswh5LiD2kEsX4vJL3sK3PniLIcjB8-SBLpFCB0ROFzAHaIWw/s320/100_1334.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VFg2yAkGqH-MjOYVMFb5vNsacPR7yFrc98Uw2nj36Dft7m3yYtaNpGuwJNCXaF8HPaWBVck6-M4kU8ZbSXa47ZPekuZ2wQW5M8_zlzjSljhhyphenhyphenrl1pYJSZ4DCDVBrNss1uvSpyq257lA/s1600-h/100_1336.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355933011296756274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0VFg2yAkGqH-MjOYVMFb5vNsacPR7yFrc98Uw2nj36Dft7m3yYtaNpGuwJNCXaF8HPaWBVck6-M4kU8ZbSXa47ZPekuZ2wQW5M8_zlzjSljhhyphenhyphenrl1pYJSZ4DCDVBrNss1uvSpyq257lA/s320/100_1336.jpg" /></a> We walked over to the Korean War Memorial which is very near and dear to my heart because my dad served in the Korean War.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ndlNxrNOAl9vGp_YKNYd64ggMriUYrbK7Eir952vmcoHksJ9ESfomH1UfxLNeM5rIbucHXXtV5tpnxqXsvL_n-at_UcCgggJHt7FZYyoT4IvosSf809EfEOe4bvwSeTEapSW1UlMZE/s1600-h/100_1337.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355933009068775538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn7ndlNxrNOAl9vGp_YKNYd64ggMriUYrbK7Eir952vmcoHksJ9ESfomH1UfxLNeM5rIbucHXXtV5tpnxqXsvL_n-at_UcCgggJHt7FZYyoT4IvosSf809EfEOe4bvwSeTEapSW1UlMZE/s320/100_1337.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAd_D7J_xMmtQM0QvKdLBGc6ru2KcClUZCfRm1eTyH7g_kqkJQI221yrU1riiFix3vqaI-E4Y33ZdOTpssJFH_-yySgFtUWieANwCd1tD7RKXWKjKCfK-mQ-Du5ACZIUB4Uj9KOB4rFg/s1600-h/100_1338.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355932999123589410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEAd_D7J_xMmtQM0QvKdLBGc6ru2KcClUZCfRm1eTyH7g_kqkJQI221yrU1riiFix3vqaI-E4Y33ZdOTpssJFH_-yySgFtUWieANwCd1tD7RKXWKjKCfK-mQ-Du5ACZIUB4Uj9KOB4rFg/s320/100_1338.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMIBt6lYMzEulRk6Xfk9AM6NsNxWhgBDXCqmfVVMxLXXM4oRwCNKYNMr3tNSBdyMZ5b53BZAYMfxwmhgxO7yAPtgzU45wRubMpNHlUccFzkivewUEQr2MYbT7j5lV9FD_X3Hi2779ABE/s1600-h/100_1341.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355931047495010674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlMIBt6lYMzEulRk6Xfk9AM6NsNxWhgBDXCqmfVVMxLXXM4oRwCNKYNMr3tNSBdyMZ5b53BZAYMfxwmhgxO7yAPtgzU45wRubMpNHlUccFzkivewUEQr2MYbT7j5lV9FD_X3Hi2779ABE/s320/100_1341.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2b0n3CIncoYpPDO02H5-mN_fjVCvT57PgWQ6Oww1gxl25GfK8l7n7vLTgzfim-sBTgHoKPLFAMY2KWDildQpkvwXzAVZdJ_oL0_FfBFq1MdWyBDg36TrhKK4m8SXcVDD8kn1tew5bSo/s1600-h/100_1342.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355931038263389650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2b0n3CIncoYpPDO02H5-mN_fjVCvT57PgWQ6Oww1gxl25GfK8l7n7vLTgzfim-sBTgHoKPLFAMY2KWDildQpkvwXzAVZdJ_oL0_FfBFq1MdWyBDg36TrhKK4m8SXcVDD8kn1tew5bSo/s320/100_1342.jpg" /></a><br />We saw the Jefferson Memorial and then called it a day.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeB6EfMw4g0wdBNCXlPyWx9ECWARxW8IcCvKUtuzDdJFIE9i_RfSN_w5PpQt1pqCL5WIzUneuTTUPjr125II5jbhJnnyuTiYuTETjpYrLNvpN7qAN6Fr2TYKnxbSfMPHWTd5Pm6uI8G4/s1600-h/100_1344.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355931036510065266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDeB6EfMw4g0wdBNCXlPyWx9ECWARxW8IcCvKUtuzDdJFIE9i_RfSN_w5PpQt1pqCL5WIzUneuTTUPjr125II5jbhJnnyuTiYuTETjpYrLNvpN7qAN6Fr2TYKnxbSfMPHWTd5Pm6uI8G4/s320/100_1344.jpg" /></a> </div><div>On Monday after Matt got off of work we drove to the battlefield of the Battle of Bull Run/Manassas. It was so awesome! The battlefield and treeline is basically the same as it was during the Civil War.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2QQ-efJsPLFGdrJH_irXQAtY__vQcoaBRxly8UkJLzcSybhLdW4u1jdG9fMP_Lm1iI0-v6xZJboKq7I6770VFBApC4J2JtbkSYltOyiMagJ8sLhYeWBnPcWzs3sKnEbVoH-c_mAhqvE/s1600-h/100_1354.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355931022931332418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2QQ-efJsPLFGdrJH_irXQAtY__vQcoaBRxly8UkJLzcSybhLdW4u1jdG9fMP_Lm1iI0-v6xZJboKq7I6770VFBApC4J2JtbkSYltOyiMagJ8sLhYeWBnPcWzs3sKnEbVoH-c_mAhqvE/s320/100_1354.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNec9w00RK-RwVNCfgJqjX6-GWH3EnsjlXVAP3GRcZONrlJDR_-7edzV2SSBBmSND1ayjEMYdt8Rp7DXABbdT5YOjBW1Uz20VGBfV49kHdz4Z94RAZRlE8W2EkVG_M4k4u3_urTNUaA-o/s1600-h/100_1370.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355931014565566514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNec9w00RK-RwVNCfgJqjX6-GWH3EnsjlXVAP3GRcZONrlJDR_-7edzV2SSBBmSND1ayjEMYdt8Rp7DXABbdT5YOjBW1Uz20VGBfV49kHdz4Z94RAZRlE8W2EkVG_M4k4u3_urTNUaA-o/s320/100_1370.jpg" /></a> </div><div>It was astonishing to me that soldiers were forced to use the fences as their sole protection from gun and cannon fire.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnrfpfNd2RvR2fpnbvRQYiPn7suhU6VbF_at0fQd3eaSP-c6uq8Fhq2j8v4e1bJhGcJqyXmnKcjJ24TQ4TX3NMfldupNzP1vR9znRXZMopE9dusFo5HF4DTX61o2eJthh4jje7OMGdjw/s1600-h/100_1372.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355202924617973826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnrfpfNd2RvR2fpnbvRQYiPn7suhU6VbF_at0fQd3eaSP-c6uq8Fhq2j8v4e1bJhGcJqyXmnKcjJ24TQ4TX3NMfldupNzP1vR9znRXZMopE9dusFo5HF4DTX61o2eJthh4jje7OMGdjw/s320/100_1372.jpg" /></a><br />In the picture below, on the right in the distance you can see the farmhouse that was standing during the battle. Bullets and shrapnel flew through the house and killed a woman who lived there.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrnE19JGqPNi0pSdveHYiyEBDQthSkUSd5di8m8xsYRWRovql1Tx5aH0HroX_FYfhvInVyBHSL7HB6sxNTaoo-CGWLs2qxnvY9EfVBe29TDnZWQTc7zoDyptuGqtE42frv_ohtr-hIm0/s1600-h/100_1383.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355202915205380242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrnE19JGqPNi0pSdveHYiyEBDQthSkUSd5di8m8xsYRWRovql1Tx5aH0HroX_FYfhvInVyBHSL7HB6sxNTaoo-CGWLs2qxnvY9EfVBe29TDnZWQTc7zoDyptuGqtE42frv_ohtr-hIm0/s320/100_1383.jpg" /></a><br />There is a Confederate grave on the battlefield. The man buried here was the man who inadvertantly gave Thomas J. Jackson the nickname Stonewall Jackson while fighting during this battle.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillt4MkTeeIDRZDPyIIMaEcxMUEzSf8BVwVFuAEaTB1_tKE9rGV8RtQurE_DlRelMgWSheBIeBrlAHzsu8US00l2-2I1wl3rWvATM-LzSXek8kenZPWuBVTb3tVXEpcUUNXLWLTVOPgqE/s1600-h/100_1389.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355202911522920786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEillt4MkTeeIDRZDPyIIMaEcxMUEzSf8BVwVFuAEaTB1_tKE9rGV8RtQurE_DlRelMgWSheBIeBrlAHzsu8US00l2-2I1wl3rWvATM-LzSXek8kenZPWuBVTb3tVXEpcUUNXLWLTVOPgqE/s320/100_1389.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIwt7gK_VyuHhTPSzYFD7pLIoYXb4FZyolr9MAeJVIrf0n7FP4VPths3oEOe3sFxBVfju8xGJHGvA_nrssyJJbKWAYbBfqpyh4GBj07tvwn4qJFC0xRVEV7OJB_iaY1CdvHCTufHuajs/s1600-h/100_1392.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355202906119881218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdIwt7gK_VyuHhTPSzYFD7pLIoYXb4FZyolr9MAeJVIrf0n7FP4VPths3oEOe3sFxBVfju8xGJHGvA_nrssyJJbKWAYbBfqpyh4GBj07tvwn4qJFC0xRVEV7OJB_iaY1CdvHCTufHuajs/s320/100_1392.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>On Wednesday, Braden and I rented a car and drove two hours south to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM_LwVxu0y5_CC4vR2dC7LkkJ71CV_xym7GnOspGSIEWjdLL7SSdr14ncyTIKRijP3Jk_QZoxppItqMhyphenhyphenkjED-qL7PtD8VaVBf5i9F12DpnE2BPYOOj4160_KInYeOWlMdJ7jbIk175I/s1600-h/100_1412.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355202896826458098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVM_LwVxu0y5_CC4vR2dC7LkkJ71CV_xym7GnOspGSIEWjdLL7SSdr14ncyTIKRijP3Jk_QZoxppItqMhyphenhyphenkjED-qL7PtD8VaVBf5i9F12DpnE2BPYOOj4160_KInYeOWlMdJ7jbIk175I/s320/100_1412.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The house and the grounds are beautiful, of course. The inside of the house is amazing (unfortunately we weren't allowed to take pictures of the interior) and so I decided that we are going to buy property in Mount Vernon and build a house just like Monticello on it. It should only take several million dollars. :)</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBzAtNOgD6UqEfcuXtZouPdCbLihyphenhyphenraOprLB9oFnmApeFMjUASpwJVjaHPIoKFfOpffvPZD30_jT-lMsT4vtnap1NEzc4ZXEjAyKN30FYjPqAp3Axzz2WSm-Df0D6acyZu-083koZZjM/s1600-h/100_1404.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355200526061366434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBzAtNOgD6UqEfcuXtZouPdCbLihyphenhyphenraOprLB9oFnmApeFMjUASpwJVjaHPIoKFfOpffvPZD30_jT-lMsT4vtnap1NEzc4ZXEjAyKN30FYjPqAp3Axzz2WSm-Df0D6acyZu-083koZZjM/s320/100_1404.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR8386krqr60BIvxgj8q_1tG4347HnfL1Nq_7BVnXX2C5oK9cv7kCKQKrrh1xE5uFI3rDHK_Nh93ekr5-GEvq1c0t4epDmWiuTr3_8mDsWQwjNlXBetKXlKnMOQ7U8sFvd-80re_1DYk/s1600-h/100_1398.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355200518361913954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQR8386krqr60BIvxgj8q_1tG4347HnfL1Nq_7BVnXX2C5oK9cv7kCKQKrrh1xE5uFI3rDHK_Nh93ekr5-GEvq1c0t4epDmWiuTr3_8mDsWQwjNlXBetKXlKnMOQ7U8sFvd-80re_1DYk/s320/100_1398.jpg" /></a> </div><div>I think Braden's favorite part was roaming around after having been stuck in the car for two hours.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb54ZpbW8kUMqGmHUrzvkTgXbB8R0DI5mft3i1a11caJs9Y7Z28MaEI-DZd-WGZCIOxnbiBjot7GbRPU5treHbJPlo9DXxBXCbmSzgSGmNWCIaE_LQnvu7psJvuAFIy0rDQF-q7kQG4Ac/s1600-h/100_1399.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355200513141687218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb54ZpbW8kUMqGmHUrzvkTgXbB8R0DI5mft3i1a11caJs9Y7Z28MaEI-DZd-WGZCIOxnbiBjot7GbRPU5treHbJPlo9DXxBXCbmSzgSGmNWCIaE_LQnvu7psJvuAFIy0rDQF-q7kQG4Ac/s320/100_1399.jpg" /></a><br />There are elevated walkways coming off of both sides of the house which were Thomas Jefferson's idea so that he could conceal the smoke house, storage, kitchen, etc. below ground so that they would not ruin the view.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGaw1XOeaO2UoUR2R4Tjqs1FdbbLDk7lRo4_jwSs5KNv_n0DTW9QEXsVg3bFL-7z0kp6gaVb5QO7sGilEEXJyhZvJ9xDydm__tmYi2RkI_BAsr75hiV-KLvMkyZ2Z8zusAub8vPzJq7E/s1600-h/100_1402.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355200503226974530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGaw1XOeaO2UoUR2R4Tjqs1FdbbLDk7lRo4_jwSs5KNv_n0DTW9QEXsVg3bFL-7z0kp6gaVb5QO7sGilEEXJyhZvJ9xDydm__tmYi2RkI_BAsr75hiV-KLvMkyZ2Z8zusAub8vPzJq7E/s320/100_1402.jpg" /></a><br />Once you walked down the hill, you could see where the kitchen and everything were.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2oAjwU9s8kc1nP9-In10l7vZx6FJtC2u-BK1cSk7faWF2o1nmnaGvWoSs0u-MWZpWmz1NTM-vL8sZCjUcpk82Oh_CwuAMljE3ICzBr0XuWl7N6hMCDw6aMdio7yS65tshSQhCoe5VDE/s1600-h/100_1416.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355200500945134050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2oAjwU9s8kc1nP9-In10l7vZx6FJtC2u-BK1cSk7faWF2o1nmnaGvWoSs0u-MWZpWmz1NTM-vL8sZCjUcpk82Oh_CwuAMljE3ICzBr0XuWl7N6hMCDw6aMdio7yS65tshSQhCoe5VDE/s320/100_1416.jpg" /></a> </div><div>There is even a tunnel under the house where there was a toilet, where alcohol was brewed and stored, and where they had an ice house which could keep ice from winter through mid summer! <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1y_NRzI_HFxLd3y5cFHNAG5tAM4AfGSiweVTPh70A0L_v6kiDysxGijoYXhAI1ilU7nnNWvHwy-yqBEkI2CeqfV_AxdAeZovRVhgIWTyOVSmwoZ4RrfGM5TUDAxyukQIsMV8B4VmVH8/s1600-h/100_1407.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355197379533331314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg1y_NRzI_HFxLd3y5cFHNAG5tAM4AfGSiweVTPh70A0L_v6kiDysxGijoYXhAI1ilU7nnNWvHwy-yqBEkI2CeqfV_AxdAeZovRVhgIWTyOVSmwoZ4RrfGM5TUDAxyukQIsMV8B4VmVH8/s320/100_1407.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>They grew many of their own vegetables on the plantation and the garden and the views from the garden are spectacular.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ofin3cHSO2X9tGClYw3Y8tZhDp0L2osfirzAuA3CyxUKsJ2uUqVyYQJutERT9RY-3AW36td9puJgls1dcI1F8H2TwG0MEW_ubmofBPkFcxuqNohVcj_UV-vWDsrEz4m2HahrG3KgpFo/s1600-h/100_1415.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355197373848616018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ofin3cHSO2X9tGClYw3Y8tZhDp0L2osfirzAuA3CyxUKsJ2uUqVyYQJutERT9RY-3AW36td9puJgls1dcI1F8H2TwG0MEW_ubmofBPkFcxuqNohVcj_UV-vWDsrEz4m2HahrG3KgpFo/s320/100_1415.jpg" /></a> </div><div>From the brick structure you had a view of the gorgeous landscape below.</div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6IeSbzbu30k0EBlA5qLnQlfj2-Y18u5VfOGzMAQzyB0LMQkRGSQe_3xyWC7pUGuHHSZyJPx5nxgoKkWdK_hQB-b5haPXpvCwD54jmpDv1IDE5rBBCR7bX15zZJQJnU8EMSmTT2IlS_M/s1600-h/100_1413.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355197366641271250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6IeSbzbu30k0EBlA5qLnQlfj2-Y18u5VfOGzMAQzyB0LMQkRGSQe_3xyWC7pUGuHHSZyJPx5nxgoKkWdK_hQB-b5haPXpvCwD54jmpDv1IDE5rBBCR7bX15zZJQJnU8EMSmTT2IlS_M/s320/100_1413.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZ5COD869J9EW3NwsyF7BjqGYMaw_EQwCKKaZYDOA12fH66h1kI-RWZ9v5KW_hUJzdXCCd9QUFCiuqSthZcJ8jvEa1G7QUc5kzdNEvjLiB70anDPKVczgPi-afLGYbIqva_0mqW2kDLI/s1600-h/100_1414.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355197363247053186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLZ5COD869J9EW3NwsyF7BjqGYMaw_EQwCKKaZYDOA12fH66h1kI-RWZ9v5KW_hUJzdXCCd9QUFCiuqSthZcJ8jvEa1G7QUc5kzdNEvjLiB70anDPKVczgPi-afLGYbIqva_0mqW2kDLI/s320/100_1414.jpg" /></a><br />As we were leaving, we stopped by Jefferson's grave. He wrote specifically what he wanted on his marker and gave strict instructions that he didn't want anything else added to it. Among many of his great accomplishments that he did not want on his marker, he did not want "President of the United States." He died fifty years to the day after the Declaration of Independence was presented, on July 4, 1826, as did John Adams.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgba03Z2xPTfbSNu5wBB_fprRrrObqZeilb3ccuUuKl1K8k4ucfyWLQZ4_ymtmLwyW-dW8PEHre7kfHsj1MC5pM18gAHmEvwsPZ5INCfY8TL0ykDJ27IllmeGhaSI18qypEZKX8KAf9-NQ/s1600-h/100_1418.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355197351623856018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgba03Z2xPTfbSNu5wBB_fprRrrObqZeilb3ccuUuKl1K8k4ucfyWLQZ4_ymtmLwyW-dW8PEHre7kfHsj1MC5pM18gAHmEvwsPZ5INCfY8TL0ykDJ27IllmeGhaSI18qypEZKX8KAf9-NQ/s320/100_1418.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Needless to say, it was a fantastic trip. We made tons of great memories!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-47299652442365380412009-07-05T20:47:00.000-07:002009-07-05T21:04:39.705-07:00Dana PointOh the joys of living near the ocean. A few Saturdays ago we decided it would be fun to head down to Dana Point. We had so much fun and Braden had pretty much the best time ever. He was determined to jump into the ocean.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-puEPYandDUP1FYNho0FA1K3WIsemmxYhUfgdKVFuA03ib_XAWrqc1QNiKZR2jeZHfqDOzikb5hWhCbGNmocejgBiD1Z71XZ_vHyTnkiVX4hVapbCiUCucJx8jyc9W1sSrjhh9LtlF1s/s1600-h/100_1140.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355191192984587650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-puEPYandDUP1FYNho0FA1K3WIsemmxYhUfgdKVFuA03ib_XAWrqc1QNiKZR2jeZHfqDOzikb5hWhCbGNmocejgBiD1Z71XZ_vHyTnkiVX4hVapbCiUCucJx8jyc9W1sSrjhh9LtlF1s/s320/100_1140.jpg" /></a><br /><br />But we managed to keep him out of the waves for the most part.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr9WH7X4hGyeDEEZv9akIstjnDcyvXN8Bm1flh1Db0yNYe-MTPpCXP7uDqe86ZRWaAE0-DiamA4VblHMZgySp0_c7vxVWcjzbcbG-CrumhqNnhzhaJD90LGP4BUYtH6zzGjDED6bvLWs/s1600-h/100_1142.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355190365017032626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUr9WH7X4hGyeDEEZv9akIstjnDcyvXN8Bm1flh1Db0yNYe-MTPpCXP7uDqe86ZRWaAE0-DiamA4VblHMZgySp0_c7vxVWcjzbcbG-CrumhqNnhzhaJD90LGP4BUYtH6zzGjDED6bvLWs/s320/100_1142.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>We tried desperately to get a picture of us as a family, but little kids don't care about stuff like that. Braden was so mad that we stopped his frolicking to get a picture. </div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZwIx5TtSheZ8CWYpnYqcTr3KBVMNQgOkf90KvtX2XjapKViS3C0SIOeWi8AMrrlYkNMxOXrsbHkinWG5RMUdUil2JnCsN4yFkxKTFrPBgh78RROwKdfJyUOW4qW0D4SGff7mcqeDF3o/s1600-h/100_1144.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355190362487936130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmZwIx5TtSheZ8CWYpnYqcTr3KBVMNQgOkf90KvtX2XjapKViS3C0SIOeWi8AMrrlYkNMxOXrsbHkinWG5RMUdUil2JnCsN4yFkxKTFrPBgh78RROwKdfJyUOW4qW0D4SGff7mcqeDF3o/s320/100_1144.jpg" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>Braden has recently decided that everytime he sees a camera he needs to point. We don't know what he's pointing at or why he does it, but it's really cute anyway.</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBngESrUvCkRyf_7WLcV5U5Y3nfuQU7vU0fb3w087kyevRBD_RK1kO30-ad1Mgbpuv6ooCLY36_zY332DktdjWsB1aT0wDWh5Ocp90EkeHT47QpsgLJDGH9X6hzXaRMHy8Qz6lfuviGek/s1600-h/100_1147.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355190352057195746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBngESrUvCkRyf_7WLcV5U5Y3nfuQU7vU0fb3w087kyevRBD_RK1kO30-ad1Mgbpuv6ooCLY36_zY332DktdjWsB1aT0wDWh5Ocp90EkeHT47QpsgLJDGH9X6hzXaRMHy8Qz6lfuviGek/s320/100_1147.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_cs2SNzRSSu6tl5Axnq6MDlAETh4Lg-vll4R_UY79bQaBHAcfaJGAHTKAIqjaO7hCYMs2sf6oL1mEc-dXlF_dKJwjZN3sPG-1mE3tA03OgsTaBmBIzFQIvRD8PZcfNpGwzfHxw09fys/s1600-h/100_1155.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355190347681240514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_cs2SNzRSSu6tl5Axnq6MDlAETh4Lg-vll4R_UY79bQaBHAcfaJGAHTKAIqjaO7hCYMs2sf6oL1mEc-dXlF_dKJwjZN3sPG-1mE3tA03OgsTaBmBIzFQIvRD8PZcfNpGwzfHxw09fys/s320/100_1155.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />After we left the beach, we walked around the harbor and checked out the boats. Braden loved looking at the big rocks with crabs crawling all over them and was much more interested in the crabs than hearing about Matt's and my field trips aboard the Pilgrim. Go figure. :)</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdNmgHt69N0p9QCt6Z7bU6DnuLg6iQB0m3NAbBzOYRL_PWbrbnHG_10p-iBTYdImgCfAd5ss7ukkt1rjEaPK8Pmz1h3Plm8MPnNXttH5t2VwD0B2J5X4boa0XAj2pd9PNZY-t3GuxmoI/s1600-h/100_1158.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355190342263540066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdNmgHt69N0p9QCt6Z7bU6DnuLg6iQB0m3NAbBzOYRL_PWbrbnHG_10p-iBTYdImgCfAd5ss7ukkt1rjEaPK8Pmz1h3Plm8MPnNXttH5t2VwD0B2J5X4boa0XAj2pd9PNZY-t3GuxmoI/s320/100_1158.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-30936668626677919032009-07-05T20:14:00.000-07:002009-07-05T20:47:18.406-07:00Disney's Electrical Parade<u><span style="color:#0000ff;"></span></u>I am waaaay behind on the blog . . .<br /><br />Way back on June 12th we met up with our friends Jessi, Mike, and their daughter, Mia, for some Disney/CA Adventure fun. The kids had fun hanging out together, especially now that Braden can almost keep up with Mia. Braden and Mia were great on all of the rides, even though the swinging gondolas on Mickey's Fun Wheel kind of freaked them out. They were so good and sooo cute!<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWsZ0YnKxbW4Cxp52uIW3K7kNc7hxmzpj7jkxAcp5IgXwrbCk285Mo28NywmeuzkY7c6YnIMbh1rIhFJpdFhoBcRhWTV8r9Qz3tiVO_XghZJaT1POdfGQIpOmizA_Do3rhNFfkZNsSac/s1600-h/100_1067.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355184433474038290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYWsZ0YnKxbW4Cxp52uIW3K7kNc7hxmzpj7jkxAcp5IgXwrbCk285Mo28NywmeuzkY7c6YnIMbh1rIhFJpdFhoBcRhWTV8r9Qz3tiVO_XghZJaT1POdfGQIpOmizA_Do3rhNFfkZNsSac/s320/100_1067.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;">Waiting in line for Monsters, Inc.</span> </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuS8uhBhUJhr8ShFKOLJJxVH54R9NdkU9tFH_d2nTS7LhCqPP2P0ZdgXAcU_pUGE4R4uf6-ifi3A5H4NOlI1uaP_hX8-5cUpKANv9N7BMY40EISdZ6mVmbmYqS-y6O_6-rOsDhG4MA28/s1600-h/100_1071.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355184426462946130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuS8uhBhUJhr8ShFKOLJJxVH54R9NdkU9tFH_d2nTS7LhCqPP2P0ZdgXAcU_pUGE4R4uf6-ifi3A5H4NOlI1uaP_hX8-5cUpKANv9N7BMY40EISdZ6mVmbmYqS-y6O_6-rOsDhG4MA28/s320/100_1071.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:78%;">King Triton's Carousel</span><br /></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEMcXP6AGmsHeOjfYowuDxqfrhdvFHAwgHvXt6ykmjVTmOBUs5-hb49qQAjEQTyTaT2kYcFwoWt02_RcFVircI1aWF9CPaUeueVOAogMo82l0cMYInU53CheEUqp4tZUGuEWkHpFVhew/s1600-h/100_1073.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355184420670493906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEMcXP6AGmsHeOjfYowuDxqfrhdvFHAwgHvXt6ykmjVTmOBUs5-hb49qQAjEQTyTaT2kYcFwoWt02_RcFVircI1aWF9CPaUeueVOAogMo82l0cMYInU53CheEUqp4tZUGuEWkHpFVhew/s320/100_1073.jpg" /></a> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left"><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLzzNpk0DF7th28umWveY5Ch4WpwV1sLjusHzy57SebshFjHl5Na0wDnVbxqKMxNGPzY4H_Q5_-kFAjqW7e4EmEF5-UKbzY0yFAyRQb1yB5S_n5QVkBee2Pezd7AYF5Bn25A0EoU7IkE/s1600-h/100_1075.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355184415337214050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLzzNpk0DF7th28umWveY5Ch4WpwV1sLjusHzy57SebshFjHl5Na0wDnVbxqKMxNGPzY4H_Q5_-kFAjqW7e4EmEF5-UKbzY0yFAyRQb1yB5S_n5QVkBee2Pezd7AYF5Bn25A0EoU7IkE/s320/100_1075.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />When it got dark we fed the kiddos and waited for the Electrical Parade. I cannot even begin to tell you how long I'd been looking forward to seeing the parade. One of my FAVORITE all time childhood memories is going to Disneyland for my birthday and getting to see the Main Street Electrical Parade at the end of the day. To see the parade again warmed my heart. :)<br /><br /><br /><br />The music is the same and so many of the floats are the same. It was awesome! I took a bazillion photos of the parade (I was on a serious nostalgia high) but I spared all of you by posting just a few. Enjoy!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAG5fYeQBlbG_ld1O9w9BjIskyEZX8vGaGSpMCNMhFtQw4ItmdOojmVo2qNZNFQmfQFP39ESFbJJGiwubglyUqPK7pLzcHFiLiDC3uHOryfF1AxvssA4FjXnyK_hUs3fKzeM7c874R7Y/s1600-h/100_1081.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355184408295181042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAG5fYeQBlbG_ld1O9w9BjIskyEZX8vGaGSpMCNMhFtQw4ItmdOojmVo2qNZNFQmfQFP39ESFbJJGiwubglyUqPK7pLzcHFiLiDC3uHOryfF1AxvssA4FjXnyK_hUs3fKzeM7c874R7Y/s320/100_1081.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdn-Mnhun9QkgQpw7Sh4oh7-Y26zQ6f-GznN48i5mEdKAEX7YaYkzrgD6Ohy7s74wtS9urzc0zXxLXxlYLdQmnJKngvgHujTHESDbv4luFqYD_pOaxGDXdWBI_So9he_Hn1jCFWj4eNE/s1600-h/100_1082.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355182718434311730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdn-Mnhun9QkgQpw7Sh4oh7-Y26zQ6f-GznN48i5mEdKAEX7YaYkzrgD6Ohy7s74wtS9urzc0zXxLXxlYLdQmnJKngvgHujTHESDbv4luFqYD_pOaxGDXdWBI_So9he_Hn1jCFWj4eNE/s320/100_1082.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eXTvXk425-vhfHRwYqUZH4kDeUlFMDPgU7EnmwwfHJhH3T-d43D8kr-xLr2UM6W4yO4h6r1LW3dhIuVRPev2rS9VRJxfl6HlX62xI6aQtBT2ba0plK4FUOGH9XbeT-kFL3FfuOtOEdI/s1600-h/100_1086.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355182717194813314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2eXTvXk425-vhfHRwYqUZH4kDeUlFMDPgU7EnmwwfHJhH3T-d43D8kr-xLr2UM6W4yO4h6r1LW3dhIuVRPev2rS9VRJxfl6HlX62xI6aQtBT2ba0plK4FUOGH9XbeT-kFL3FfuOtOEdI/s320/100_1086.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KxNgVgBT5hualODrh5fj_OHM0WCtE4RBWbuBRzN2WEz13jjuLyTIhEBUA6CBxRfBm6vhXSW-LnURS7x-ZguwhK5q1PfuenT6tF6dEOepOAcCeYIedJBPwVDOdOED_V7xMFTWqZPO1jg/s1600-h/100_1093.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355182712591797522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KxNgVgBT5hualODrh5fj_OHM0WCtE4RBWbuBRzN2WEz13jjuLyTIhEBUA6CBxRfBm6vhXSW-LnURS7x-ZguwhK5q1PfuenT6tF6dEOepOAcCeYIedJBPwVDOdOED_V7xMFTWqZPO1jg/s320/100_1093.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuVQkQBSyRYyO3xWRlJJeRm8F2WU2nkb-1DeIpdm6xtr6JNJJhGcup2Z9ucRbGnvgicJcCzo6ncDexPALOWpX3O0YHULhyphenhypheng1WoOI53QphmIw9lBPHGRF-xexOm2qbg0QEuzntBlrmqIo/s1600-h/100_1101.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355182700746319954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuVQkQBSyRYyO3xWRlJJeRm8F2WU2nkb-1DeIpdm6xtr6JNJJhGcup2Z9ucRbGnvgicJcCzo6ncDexPALOWpX3O0YHULhyphenhypheng1WoOI53QphmIw9lBPHGRF-xexOm2qbg0QEuzntBlrmqIo/s320/100_1101.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxtsfeDGFR0OkMBavUZOL2Qte0LB5NuJu5wGN6kso3q301aBrjGy6LPCatRs09OYY-ASyCHOC6E3WmZ7iFEQ_gc_PbtdCAB99aiq12msYiYoKXnikTmu8-ys7G1cVYWScgLcMWdjVanE/s1600-h/100_1105.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355182696764665218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzxtsfeDGFR0OkMBavUZOL2Qte0LB5NuJu5wGN6kso3q301aBrjGy6LPCatRs09OYY-ASyCHOC6E3WmZ7iFEQ_gc_PbtdCAB99aiq12msYiYoKXnikTmu8-ys7G1cVYWScgLcMWdjVanE/s320/100_1105.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-74022368694804945782009-06-06T22:54:00.000-07:002009-06-06T23:32:12.786-07:00Braden's First HaircutThis evening Braden got his first haircut! He needed it, too, he was our little mullet boy. You can't really appreciate how long his hair was in these pictures, just trust me, it was getting close to little girl long.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o6CGxkOa80kGGx4uy5PYS84ehoFOcwL7pmGYeKzTvWsSI7QopOhZmlQoqzYrA_kgMLPOq2b9gztdedngTUPRuTcFoUGXTB4oPOSoc4YPs274Mgui6qjJR_spRe3bOF-xh9LYY0ck4oo/s1600-h/100_1038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344463706294718450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o6CGxkOa80kGGx4uy5PYS84ehoFOcwL7pmGYeKzTvWsSI7QopOhZmlQoqzYrA_kgMLPOq2b9gztdedngTUPRuTcFoUGXTB4oPOSoc4YPs274Mgui6qjJR_spRe3bOF-xh9LYY0ck4oo/s320/100_1038.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQhXTb4EFEcSaYb0qYvtAoLmaXVVRpgPrLTxicXvQ8-7bHN9XicRBsNpNWiO_Q5ZS5CKDuW2JQS0O_TSryXylrjr25kxEIEcUfBVninHKVqD-qXyG8ccx7cCFd2m4iJ0qzsVdvNkMLuo/s1600-h/100_1039.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344463703190514594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwQhXTb4EFEcSaYb0qYvtAoLmaXVVRpgPrLTxicXvQ8-7bHN9XicRBsNpNWiO_Q5ZS5CKDuW2JQS0O_TSryXylrjr25kxEIEcUfBVninHKVqD-qXyG8ccx7cCFd2m4iJ0qzsVdvNkMLuo/s320/100_1039.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div>There was no special fanfare; we all just crammed ourselves into our tiny downstairs bathroom. My mom, Braden, and I sat on the floor, Matt took pictures while sitting on the toilet, I cut Braden's hair, Braden wore a Target bag to collect the clippings, and my mom fed Braden pineapple sorbet to keep him preoccupied.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZFBWVIpqeCapWhQGDwD9Xzh-1tAdkwnidLjRAW-NV8q18bDqc90vQTDoQSXLL6qLd35Gu3HguEH0tXlsbduKr8RYXAINNFS7sQtsia-fw5P5qGqUPWMM3eU5NYxuEylC0mp1FyeA2gQ/s1600-h/100_1045.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344463694885088226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZFBWVIpqeCapWhQGDwD9Xzh-1tAdkwnidLjRAW-NV8q18bDqc90vQTDoQSXLL6qLd35Gu3HguEH0tXlsbduKr8RYXAINNFS7sQtsia-fw5P5qGqUPWMM3eU5NYxuEylC0mp1FyeA2gQ/s320/100_1045.jpg" /></a><br /><br />His hair was REALLY long.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1uX5DrvDrUliXN8sAIJPyx-3zAdpYRZ7v1uM7u4R-FEVcVuZRv-8qtQP_l1dti7bsm0Q6sMZJzsZrRuTnQUPNg2ZA9M-Uf0ZKcPehj12Qp5sAu5mP9XXr5TF_LSG-0vQyyH3sEvnQ30/s1600-h/100_1046.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462100336308418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1uX5DrvDrUliXN8sAIJPyx-3zAdpYRZ7v1uM7u4R-FEVcVuZRv-8qtQP_l1dti7bsm0Q6sMZJzsZrRuTnQUPNg2ZA9M-Uf0ZKcPehj12Qp5sAu5mP9XXr5TF_LSG-0vQyyH3sEvnQ30/s320/100_1046.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4l3u9u46nxroAq9szxt6b_FKOFZdheQBaEU5crdBf3EqKmcWtT37neYUw7oiLCiB0P9szm2RGlIbZj_oc8CNmbnjt190CSX9OMWrEiTN8SwOipZP2YDHFbYbtxubEFgCIu8FSWNHMd8/s1600-h/100_1056.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462095779882626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4l3u9u46nxroAq9szxt6b_FKOFZdheQBaEU5crdBf3EqKmcWtT37neYUw7oiLCiB0P9szm2RGlIbZj_oc8CNmbnjt190CSX9OMWrEiTN8SwOipZP2YDHFbYbtxubEFgCIu8FSWNHMd8/s320/100_1056.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />Braden could not figure out why Matt was taking so many pictures and kept looking up at the camera (which made cutting his hair pretty difficult).</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzYatZfqMjmpyfij1R3WxjnWiAgdRKTJrpPwg2CigdQ7bioSJIgoxieNgeh6jou6d_nmbgl-K3S_RCwm7aEg_QybkYIvjmS0mLq2nQ9pqFnxHZT9lO-VehxySiF0tA1RGcumqDro0zls/s1600-h/100_1059.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462091419980114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtzYatZfqMjmpyfij1R3WxjnWiAgdRKTJrpPwg2CigdQ7bioSJIgoxieNgeh6jou6d_nmbgl-K3S_RCwm7aEg_QybkYIvjmS0mLq2nQ9pqFnxHZT9lO-VehxySiF0tA1RGcumqDro0zls/s320/100_1059.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />It worked out pretty well, though.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxczGO4kEQUPeY8Xjz86qDTxzAmefgT4PbXFykxeUyiNkecdS8dS0L5bmOnanLJ9C7d9MOhtfpju1a3G6rXju4lIPzIpLxA406L72qEZC-1DzipzVK5-9dlcM-T1Ajkwz9GL4RqNayCFw/s1600-h/100_1060.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462085360817970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxczGO4kEQUPeY8Xjz86qDTxzAmefgT4PbXFykxeUyiNkecdS8dS0L5bmOnanLJ9C7d9MOhtfpju1a3G6rXju4lIPzIpLxA406L72qEZC-1DzipzVK5-9dlcM-T1Ajkwz9GL4RqNayCFw/s320/100_1060.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We all had a good time and Braden now looks like we've actually taken the time to groom him. I even saved his hair clippings in a dated envelope and put it in our fire safe. :)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHnkpef-zwJK4UnMDZeQDRe4AWX5Ba_OdDTILpU8FIr1bXu9HApF82Dw92xGrEHJzKBhfdbRfgoSvTAwEruQVjF2kQSSM76M3paRC00ljppnA8u6854LvopNOhXkmGaHmrCaX7DpTRBM/s1600-h/100_1061.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344462080665925026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHnkpef-zwJK4UnMDZeQDRe4AWX5Ba_OdDTILpU8FIr1bXu9HApF82Dw92xGrEHJzKBhfdbRfgoSvTAwEruQVjF2kQSSM76M3paRC00ljppnA8u6854LvopNOhXkmGaHmrCaX7DpTRBM/s320/100_1061.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-4159846416651201802009-06-06T22:24:00.000-07:002009-06-06T22:54:02.729-07:00BBQ Fun at the Taylor'sThis afternoon we went over to Russ and Debbie Taylor's house for a delicious barbeque. There were tons of fun people and tons of great food . . . so much great food that my pre-Thailand diet went out the window. But it was so worth it. :) <br /><br /><br />We ate, played Wii, watched some of Russ's racing movies, and watched the kiddos play. Braden had fun playing with his new friend, Abigail, who's almost one and playing with the Taylor's dog, Baxter.<br /><br /><br /><br />Braden was having a great time . . .<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu_wwi319i6rG8CFN77AsEY_S7P9k0-YhwUpDplViSuCyanAAPOipE1OXqOuOs5gNe3WCHuM9xPCYnxA845siqNW6seq0AwrjkMzt6cCoVT0No61o87Mky-4B_rdCM_f_sxhy75r15_o/s1600-h/100_1015.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455960862598642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJu_wwi319i6rG8CFN77AsEY_S7P9k0-YhwUpDplViSuCyanAAPOipE1OXqOuOs5gNe3WCHuM9xPCYnxA845siqNW6seq0AwrjkMzt6cCoVT0No61o87Mky-4B_rdCM_f_sxhy75r15_o/s320/100_1015.jpg" /></a><br /><br /> . . . and then we got mean . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u8ZjqFEme9ju0X_lNlA5BPz36espYk6FicQhU4QFSx9YlMLsezl49r0rsV_DTyCSlalOuiAnSyo9e2K-ER_iy0Cs2k52mne4S4JVnzHgfXRRXfPUx7BEUvhaicMkkAmNkjZGO3mg18M/s1600-h/100_1021.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455959129560194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0u8ZjqFEme9ju0X_lNlA5BPz36espYk6FicQhU4QFSx9YlMLsezl49r0rsV_DTyCSlalOuiAnSyo9e2K-ER_iy0Cs2k52mne4S4JVnzHgfXRRXfPUx7BEUvhaicMkkAmNkjZGO3mg18M/s320/100_1021.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />In our defense, he was SO STINKING CUTE.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSLXLCXO0I4JDYP4PnrLw0TkZaBDIuq86i3ak-GGAmEqQCPWCk5S2BIk86rCGZTBA7uPzgKdEugSq1Jy6UKPWUD6TuCHsyqY-9nLruTW3Yot5p9LzBnj_6hsu8almEhoz_3EHGEQooUg/s1600-h/100_1023.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455023351156498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSLXLCXO0I4JDYP4PnrLw0TkZaBDIuq86i3ak-GGAmEqQCPWCk5S2BIk86rCGZTBA7uPzgKdEugSq1Jy6UKPWUD6TuCHsyqY-9nLruTW3Yot5p9LzBnj_6hsu8almEhoz_3EHGEQooUg/s320/100_1023.jpg" /></a><br /><br />He didn't mind the wigs or the glasses independently of each other. In fact, I think he felt pretty cool in the shades. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l1Avi8QoirT_7vS1raP07n-ssTJWOtMh4tMhnFpAYFm-p01AnVvfFEXt1bz80H4XJsSZREG-0KXrZ5BDJaPDTtNKzaijAT9MD2pJi2TRdRaf6MdSnVuXtxiMqErxtsuykdNF8f2i5m8/s1600-h/100_1026.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455019993366450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1l1Avi8QoirT_7vS1raP07n-ssTJWOtMh4tMhnFpAYFm-p01AnVvfFEXt1bz80H4XJsSZREG-0KXrZ5BDJaPDTtNKzaijAT9MD2pJi2TRdRaf6MdSnVuXtxiMqErxtsuykdNF8f2i5m8/s320/100_1026.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>But he REALLY hated wearing the glasses and a wig at the same time; it was too much to bear.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCfdfqDTc5wj_KDYHPr9wWW7ATv0KNYE9tdcrMkzk34_zFan_ZzhHfa_y2ydunrD2MHHido9WodUypaab3lugFfzcWF_BKhfQzRF3TDOKnuYSWc8gpf3IYpniSLqTOAAjmWEqLOssW7o/s1600-h/100_1027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455014739641970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCfdfqDTc5wj_KDYHPr9wWW7ATv0KNYE9tdcrMkzk34_zFan_ZzhHfa_y2ydunrD2MHHido9WodUypaab3lugFfzcWF_BKhfQzRF3TDOKnuYSWc8gpf3IYpniSLqTOAAjmWEqLOssW7o/s320/100_1027.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"> This is his glamour shot. Hehehe</span><span style="font-size:78%;">.<br /></span></div><div> </div><div><br />The poor little guy was so mad. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D2qIuQY9Gi1ci9HEgdIAwUFK9Pi27YZRIVVvMXYsJnw4gvmZhSyVMRi94D9pliu3I32eeJkXJqPe7LQJLFyrEjNbc0SFWcCoq-cwNNbLfM654zk8PZM0P_MSJILtTAV-UdpjTaYxheQ/s1600-h/100_1033.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455012033809698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_D2qIuQY9Gi1ci9HEgdIAwUFK9Pi27YZRIVVvMXYsJnw4gvmZhSyVMRi94D9pliu3I32eeJkXJqPe7LQJLFyrEjNbc0SFWcCoq-cwNNbLfM654zk8PZM0P_MSJILtTAV-UdpjTaYxheQ/s320/100_1033.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br />Even now I can't help but laugh looking at these pictures. Abigail would not have anything to do with the wigs and Baxter resigned himself to allowing us to put the afro on him.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>We made it up to Braden by going out to the garage to look at Russ's car. Braden is crazy about cars. He kept walking around in the car, checking it out, and touching things that interested him like reflectors and lights.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJSThnfutwPM8f87ezY-BiDUZALA2pS84IViuRZ95_TCh5EKSX0FWgI3yBsARouMt-ITgEt_rflpe987gq7UL1gxy1XdF2qk9PzRNiV484ot_Y63PXofZ4MdKb466rQ_O4KxYViioQiw/s1600-h/100_1034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344455006976775490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJSThnfutwPM8f87ezY-BiDUZALA2pS84IViuRZ95_TCh5EKSX0FWgI3yBsARouMt-ITgEt_rflpe987gq7UL1gxy1XdF2qk9PzRNiV484ot_Y63PXofZ4MdKb466rQ_O4KxYViioQiw/s320/100_1034.jpg" /></a><br />It was a great way to spend a Saturday!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-82862648347770014532009-06-06T21:47:00.000-07:002009-06-06T23:23:53.563-07:00Disneyland and California Adventure AGAINFriday was Braden's 16th time to Disneyland. That is not a typo. He has been to Disneyland 16 times since the very end of March. We have been having a blast. We have been discovering new things everytime we go. For example, in California Adventure, we went to Flik and Hopper's show in A Bug's Land for the first time on Friday and LOVED it! We also did the wilderness/adventure trail by the river rafting ride and had a great time walking across rope bridges and learning about different trees and animals. It was so awesome!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbWs5yVD7mYrfn39v7qd-rmWOQd-cbch_Yq7X6IkdEtwHt-1TbxPD5T4TnqPsWoJo65rNcuex8GNrrMdrtqkcTGLXXcH54DhBRUsIyrPEyj_kQbr288pysAiEq-f1M3QLlPE5OBcyaoc/s1600-h/100_0992.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344447846713930722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijbWs5yVD7mYrfn39v7qd-rmWOQd-cbch_Yq7X6IkdEtwHt-1TbxPD5T4TnqPsWoJo65rNcuex8GNrrMdrtqkcTGLXXcH54DhBRUsIyrPEyj_kQbr288pysAiEq-f1M3QLlPE5OBcyaoc/s320/100_0992.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We also went to a Food and Wine Festival Chef's Showcase for the first time. Free food prepared by an experienced, talented chef . . . I really don't think it gets any better.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbTOfMofDC2LfFEOoAifig2jWmr-MM3ie3Bwo8-31DdplHdtFi0MZApB5ocwV8tapdAWK9wx0dqNdY4a10dzDuRK67gV63Hq521oweg2lE9wJwyhgo7MBTF17FFW3SRq8rkRj3Xcyju0/s1600-h/100_1012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344447844820933266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZbTOfMofDC2LfFEOoAifig2jWmr-MM3ie3Bwo8-31DdplHdtFi0MZApB5ocwV8tapdAWK9wx0dqNdY4a10dzDuRK67gV63Hq521oweg2lE9wJwyhgo7MBTF17FFW3SRq8rkRj3Xcyju0/s320/100_1012.jpg" /></a><br /><br />While we were waiting in line before the showcase, Braden kept himself busy by stepping on every seed pod and leaf in sight. He loves to do this wherever we go. I think it gives him a sense of power; the feeling that he is bigger than something else.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk4oCqWIcQcfTpCUDOZ0PvmY-jBnP8EPEeZUa2UTROYXguf9u953JjRZIvxcemNobapZV93en8En7vvAU5CYo4SVx143vIc06k2Y8iQgcz5xVBwpT_uoXwkqu7xcdyboCVxtByX3BNBY/s1600-h/100_0996.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344447840963236770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk4oCqWIcQcfTpCUDOZ0PvmY-jBnP8EPEeZUa2UTROYXguf9u953JjRZIvxcemNobapZV93en8En7vvAU5CYo4SVx143vIc06k2Y8iQgcz5xVBwpT_uoXwkqu7xcdyboCVxtByX3BNBY/s320/100_0996.jpg" /></a><br />When that got old, Matt and Braden wandered around playing . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX29rIZ6ZG6Q-nuyC7O9jEGeFSAUMZR_p80Jrikm-3RzmDOg8jwlkkXbeFoJz4N7NMmjhNrU7DQrd5QN8HQzCcELLshVscKv_8e-400PtR-aygGpLiv3ga6iU8wtpB3LqdjBWR5chbPU/s1600-h/100_1000.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344446123776011698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX29rIZ6ZG6Q-nuyC7O9jEGeFSAUMZR_p80Jrikm-3RzmDOg8jwlkkXbeFoJz4N7NMmjhNrU7DQrd5QN8HQzCcELLshVscKv_8e-400PtR-aygGpLiv3ga6iU8wtpB3LqdjBWR5chbPU/s320/100_1000.jpg" /></a><br />. . . while I took pictures of them . . .<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxBgJYxffUTo8pbSIUBZT-VdO-iX3V5YN-37f9eBpmXn8UtJNEucb8wG5VnJZxHkj9KDuWzDog9wms6Bj1gCdC_kH6aTnwZBYrGVzoF6JzIysfpLzJJ60U407j_gJbbusMCx31I_jBRA/s1600-h/100_1002.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344446118896037602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxBgJYxffUTo8pbSIUBZT-VdO-iX3V5YN-37f9eBpmXn8UtJNEucb8wG5VnJZxHkj9KDuWzDog9wms6Bj1gCdC_kH6aTnwZBYrGVzoF6JzIysfpLzJJ60U407j_gJbbusMCx31I_jBRA/s320/100_1002.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl7H8jJN20WUQWtybwO5U2i8xuH1ntwATQa9CNW8yD-5IaXmGOld-eFREHi6HF0HXFovj5xa65s-ClUgw4n_oH-Hj3S7q9BC2sVqfF3r9wYfukb69NVhcc6OPMV8jgzGpgPmKJu8RyeI/s1600-h/100_1004.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344446115183969410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCl7H8jJN20WUQWtybwO5U2i8xuH1ntwATQa9CNW8yD-5IaXmGOld-eFREHi6HF0HXFovj5xa65s-ClUgw4n_oH-Hj3S7q9BC2sVqfF3r9wYfukb69NVhcc6OPMV8jgzGpgPmKJu8RyeI/s320/100_1004.jpg" /></a><br /><br />. . . and the flowers . . . They're gorgeous, huh?!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFLVzuv5FtaOdiVQBSDoAwAsp1kX_0lbcIbs6Okw-ia8cSbUh9Wrdd0Vm3oenG1VN_RIrTzE2QH5on1jA68xbfTrDAn6Y-jCGTWXX0wLdYzrvFF49eD25aTJ0g0xne6zKM304h6soQzY/s1600-h/100_1010.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344446110196442434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwFLVzuv5FtaOdiVQBSDoAwAsp1kX_0lbcIbs6Okw-ia8cSbUh9Wrdd0Vm3oenG1VN_RIrTzE2QH5on1jA68xbfTrDAn6Y-jCGTWXX0wLdYzrvFF49eD25aTJ0g0xne6zKM304h6soQzY/s320/100_1010.jpg" /></a> When we were finally seated, Chef Juan Mendoza Lopez made chicken mole (pronounced Mol-AY, like guacamole, not like a mole on your face or a furry animal who lives in a hole . . . chicken mole would be a lot less appealing if it was pronounced like mole).<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsjCx8ny0MEwTV6dV0Mwerr4oqDB5ThDgzUahlZXibTLoy_L2y9knFR_CHwec-SB-9CE81-94maUpe2LP67u3f4A4U2ZXgJE_ZD8428OFnQ_Q6YxyVw9CFgIIklMqYsq3KseHEZyfP9I/s1600-h/100_1013.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344446104477034674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsjCx8ny0MEwTV6dV0Mwerr4oqDB5ThDgzUahlZXibTLoy_L2y9knFR_CHwec-SB-9CE81-94maUpe2LP67u3f4A4U2ZXgJE_ZD8428OFnQ_Q6YxyVw9CFgIIklMqYsq3KseHEZyfP9I/s320/100_1013.jpg" /></a> Moles generally have a minimum of 36 ingredients and can have as much as over 80! They contain herbs, spices, peppers, chocolate, corn meal, and other ingredients. The chicken mole was so delicious! Even Braden loved it. I wrote down the recipe and e-mailed the chef to get the formal recipe and thank him for such a great experience.<br /><br />We had so much fun, we'll be going to many more chef showcases in the future!Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-82431191646098958062009-05-27T20:50:00.000-07:002009-05-27T22:26:20.247-07:00Bubbles, Bubbles, My BubblesFor those of you who do not have kids yet make a note of this: BUBBLES ARE GOLDEN.
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<br />I have a new calling at church and so for the last two hours of church every Sunday I'm in nursery watching the 18 months to 3 years olds. Generally at the very end we play with bubbles, magical bubbles. The kids all love it and I'm not ashamed to admit that bubbles still fascinate me, too.
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<br />Matt, Braden, and I went and sat on our front lawn and played with bubbles yesterday and had a great time together. This summer commit yourself to playing with bubbles, I promise you'll have fun and will find yourself in a good mood.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXcg4pAtyOGjss9_PpwpJUw9iqqLJSLZUnkDkeUmF3dnrR9Wo8QweFiC0FxNq6K4kKiZ4GRi6QrLIvyDQQ7mWIXQtIscJgpRTDVSegiZLqJeUpy5WvYg5suqRTtStM-WQjown7O7s2Wk/s1600-h/100_0958.jpg">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXcg4pAtyOGjss9_PpwpJUw9iqqLJSLZUnkDkeUmF3dnrR9Wo8QweFiC0FxNq6K4kKiZ4GRi6QrLIvyDQQ7mWIXQtIscJgpRTDVSegiZLqJeUpy5WvYg5suqRTtStM-WQjown7O7s2Wk/s1600-h/100_0958.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340740553056026626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXcg4pAtyOGjss9_PpwpJUw9iqqLJSLZUnkDkeUmF3dnrR9Wo8QweFiC0FxNq6K4kKiZ4GRi6QrLIvyDQQ7mWIXQtIscJgpRTDVSegiZLqJeUpy5WvYg5suqRTtStM-WQjown7O7s2Wk/s320/100_0958.jpg" /></a>
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<br />Braden loves bubbles and is so gentle with them, just like he is with most everything else.
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnL3PSM65YgqGKBJ0z5I_akA0a8S88DJ6sz6r3LZN08rsbWg2jO_cZhEvlvqBpnPWrk2_W3tzvB6e2_ittM82iejpt0GqjO7vOmE_KDvF9z5b3LEJ6qF4d_uyR6ZcZsmClBS44duvawY/s1600-h/100_0964.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340740537277586066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnL3PSM65YgqGKBJ0z5I_akA0a8S88DJ6sz6r3LZN08rsbWg2jO_cZhEvlvqBpnPWrk2_W3tzvB6e2_ittM82iejpt0GqjO7vOmE_KDvF9z5b3LEJ6qF4d_uyR6ZcZsmClBS44duvawY/s320/100_0964.jpg" /></a>
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<br />Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-2703271147810585502009-05-27T18:16:00.000-07:002009-05-27T21:59:59.674-07:00The PoolLast week we took Braden to the pool for the first time this season. We only spent a little time in the pee pool. Braden walked around, splashed a lot, and then totally ate it (I got it on video). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8JVMYGAjAKrPV1UBu69fIWM84TzW643o7XNcjXuddFHAlQQYqI0ir1KBCsmArvb37PlQNDG4nmjNAolsjvdc0CQmZ-bLYZYb8HcM3r-g4YEs_VKLJ1yX7425dqunybcCezLwsCqQfv8/s1600-h/100_0898.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340734482220704354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY8JVMYGAjAKrPV1UBu69fIWM84TzW643o7XNcjXuddFHAlQQYqI0ir1KBCsmArvb37PlQNDG4nmjNAolsjvdc0CQmZ-bLYZYb8HcM3r-g4YEs_VKLJ1yX7425dqunybcCezLwsCqQfv8/s320/100_0898.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BmouoPdqjMqrNMSZHYkH-I6MncJDPHZGK3QQaW0nEcNdxXA1aKcpDWWr8Tpt7vwtezbAgYmHSSLt4an3vUXZfnByW5hf8SnAxApLp4Z9m2JTDG_qAydRy7If3iihTxKZ-GGDt8TNQV4/s1600-h/100_0899.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340734481521790610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3BmouoPdqjMqrNMSZHYkH-I6MncJDPHZGK3QQaW0nEcNdxXA1aKcpDWWr8Tpt7vwtezbAgYmHSSLt4an3vUXZfnByW5hf8SnAxApLp4Z9m2JTDG_qAydRy7If3iihTxKZ-GGDt8TNQV4/s320/100_0899.jpg" /></a><br />Braden looked like a little dancer extending his legs way out into the water. He must take after his daddy.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi38CI3WpqtK7nB2i28nEQmWluGnYO_bXW3VfvF-bklXKUZvfyqW5FCNrdm3-Q705b56bRoOHBfURn1zoiD4uS5t6gv1OsXTChazFhU1rorAQkMr5arlL_u_989NLVsWEP_95HT6aZDs/s1600-h/100_0897.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340734475194848786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisi38CI3WpqtK7nB2i28nEQmWluGnYO_bXW3VfvF-bklXKUZvfyqW5FCNrdm3-Q705b56bRoOHBfURn1zoiD4uS5t6gv1OsXTChazFhU1rorAQkMr5arlL_u_989NLVsWEP_95HT6aZDs/s320/100_0897.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>We spent most of our time in the big pool and met another family with a really cute girl named Lily. Lily is four months older than Braden. She kept giving him hugs and kisses and even kissed him on the lips a couple of times, which made us all laugh. They were an extremely nice family and we hope to run into them again at the pool.</div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><div>We had a ton of fun and Matt and I totally got sunburned but Braden was fine. We hope to go to the pool a lot more this summer.</div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-57382783680990932762009-05-27T17:50:00.000-07:002009-06-06T17:36:30.625-07:00Christine's Birthday and Memorial Day WeekendThis last weekend was really great. My birthday was on Friday and Memorial Day was the following Monday so it was basically four days of awesomeness. Matt had to work one of his crazy shifts from 9 pm Thursday to 5 am Friday and so he came home from work and slept for several hours while Braden, my mom, and I began my birthday celebration at Disneyland and California Adventure.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We started off the day by going to the ticket booth to get my birthday pin and "Birthday Fun Card" in lieu of free admission to the park since I have an annual pass. We had tons of fun going on a bunch of rides and my mom treated us to my FAVORITE lunch in the whole wide world: Bakersfield Broccoli Cheese Soup in a sourdough bread bowl and a Coke in California Adventure. I'm salivating just thinking about it . . . Mmmmmm . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Braden rode on the carousel in Disneyland by himself for the first time and later rode King Triton's carousel in California Adventure by himself.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzALumg6jp4U-A4HxTwJwI6-rpWSTWdJnrGpk4ROlXqREYFx8v1myrONORztiXHqJtFun54Wj0Udsb9tvJ0awagov_CaZVKrVWiLDcDY-IshuYG_wqL63rfh1AS4kdxRWu_eA3QtvVIi4/s1600-h/100_0900.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340729315266898034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzALumg6jp4U-A4HxTwJwI6-rpWSTWdJnrGpk4ROlXqREYFx8v1myrONORztiXHqJtFun54Wj0Udsb9tvJ0awagov_CaZVKrVWiLDcDY-IshuYG_wqL63rfh1AS4kdxRWu_eA3QtvVIi4/s320/100_0900.jpg" /></a> Matt met us at California Adventure in the early afternoon. We took Matt to Blue Sky Cellars because he had never been before. It's where they have a brief movie as well as models and drawings of all the future attractions they plan on putting in California Adventure. If you haven't been you have to go because it's really awesome. My mom and I have decided that we'll have to get passes through at least 2012 so we can see everything they currently have planned come to fruition.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXRtu7FuLKmaynhZBVMaPk5gIxVi2Xyiwj3QQdAUQM2iDP6c0kCXkLTDfHqyGtFokXnoHiLszMwRWRxZh_iaMrcx4nLzyO4JQ9jpv34C-6lbphn1_k2SOW_nBA0qBghb1cHnsmcLm55g/s1600-h/100_0905.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340729314258925202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXRtu7FuLKmaynhZBVMaPk5gIxVi2Xyiwj3QQdAUQM2iDP6c0kCXkLTDfHqyGtFokXnoHiLszMwRWRxZh_iaMrcx4nLzyO4JQ9jpv34C-6lbphn1_k2SOW_nBA0qBghb1cHnsmcLm55g/s320/100_0905.jpg" /></a> We got to meet Handy Manny! He is one of Braden's and my favorites. However, I don't think Braden realized that this was Handy Manny.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBbURiRxRL5r0wuOr8oEOa9YIjLso0bHOvPGjaX3nboGGdNmwgMlM5rFkSN_kgSfLT62fRXPf9aUayD89Z4UIiMNZx-0YXsEWXV8TmS2tUu5X9pZ2ZA8rhfibPBaIXVmFoEZ4C0BBZVQ/s1600-h/100_0906.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340729310513270018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBbURiRxRL5r0wuOr8oEOa9YIjLso0bHOvPGjaX3nboGGdNmwgMlM5rFkSN_kgSfLT62fRXPf9aUayD89Z4UIiMNZx-0YXsEWXV8TmS2tUu5X9pZ2ZA8rhfibPBaIXVmFoEZ4C0BBZVQ/s320/100_0906.jpg" /></a><br />My mom left early to go to the grocery store and then make my birthday dinner. Matt, Braden, and I continued to play at Disneyland and had a blast. We finished it off by going to the giant Disney store in Downtown Disney so I could use my Birthday Fun Card to buy some stuff. I was pleasantly surprised that I was actually able to get quite a bit of stuff for $69 (the value of the Birthday Fun Card).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />We left in the early evening and came home to a beautifully prepared dinner. My mom made tomato, basil, feta pasta; fruit salad; and bread. It was a perfect meal. She even bought gorgeous tulips to put on the table. I have the sweetest mom in the world.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNvIgbxD0jsUklYsRkQ8sptZup_5Pk8EBIf4osgX3xAoHLUQPd7iT6irwb2ZBhPLHnpCwe8GTm6dv0MnjACCC_gbZ4X76RGhCfj38tFoHEB94IZNXMUSA36nBe-IK0EHFxDtJMBLR4MQ/s1600-h/100_0911.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340728129662922738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNvIgbxD0jsUklYsRkQ8sptZup_5Pk8EBIf4osgX3xAoHLUQPd7iT6irwb2ZBhPLHnpCwe8GTm6dv0MnjACCC_gbZ4X76RGhCfj38tFoHEB94IZNXMUSA36nBe-IK0EHFxDtJMBLR4MQ/s320/100_0911.jpg" /></a><br />After dinner we did presents and cake. I was totally spoiled with presents and the cake was my favorite Costco cake. It was the best birthday I have had in a very long time and pretty much a perfect day. Thanks family!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoGmZAesS-mTsxIqrnLaVDl0uNE8pMMR7gIkwm3C9Qs_PcrF9JX2fi2eu5j-s2oEgPeT_MgGm2YR_lj_4N9naQF2xpO93bGTOaIIgf8QvEBcni_R_mxU0rWr2PGto7L7JTTwcz2CqjRA/s1600-h/100_0918.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340728122345004002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyoGmZAesS-mTsxIqrnLaVDl0uNE8pMMR7gIkwm3C9Qs_PcrF9JX2fi2eu5j-s2oEgPeT_MgGm2YR_lj_4N9naQF2xpO93bGTOaIIgf8QvEBcni_R_mxU0rWr2PGto7L7JTTwcz2CqjRA/s320/100_0918.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />On Saturday morning we drove up to Newport Beach to hang out with the Rob, Sarah, and Oliver Winn. On the 405 before Jeffrey and University we saw this:<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifu_eGWQYIEmjDwIp3E_3bs5eE5LEB7_EPJhgureVtHLUDNRAb9-29SVy7TRLkrtG0xtk57eRTsVc5AztScVg-ZS-oMPmNwlD-SVuG7oo-5v8Kv2sHc_qI5Ovmv7JS2_gCHtHBprkGEI/s1600-h/100_0922.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340728118661640770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifu_eGWQYIEmjDwIp3E_3bs5eE5LEB7_EPJhgureVtHLUDNRAb9-29SVy7TRLkrtG0xtk57eRTsVc5AztScVg-ZS-oMPmNwlD-SVuG7oo-5v8Kv2sHc_qI5Ovmv7JS2_gCHtHBprkGEI/s320/100_0922.jpg" /></a><br />We were in hysterics we were laughing so hard. I thought it was a giant stuffed bear at first but it began clawing at the air and we realized it was a person in a very large bear suit, or a giant stuffed bear that had been magically brought to life by fairies. I'm not sure but I'm guessing it was a person in a bear suit.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />We met the Winns at their place and then drove down to Balboa Island where we walked around, got frozen bananas and reminisced about "Arrested Development," and took the ferry over to the peninsula. We walked around the Fun Zone and the shops on the peninsula and walked out on the pier. We came back on the ferry and the Winns took us to a farmers market in Corona Del Mar. The fruit was AMAZING. It was a really fun (and delicious) experience! Afterwards, we went to Taco Rosa (another Winn find) by the Newport Beach Temple and had a wonderful lunch. We had a blast!<br /><br /><br /><br />On Memorial Day Matt, Braden, and I went to Disneyland again. We got there when it opened at 8 am. It actually wasn't crowded at all in the morning! We were really surprised that we were able to get on rides so quickly on Memorial Day.<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We went to the Pirate's Lair (formerly Tom Sawyer's Island) which we hadn't done since it had been revamped. It was really cool! There are tons of interactive things to do and of course lots of caves and tunnels. Braden loved being able to roam around and it will be even better when he's a little bigger and he can navigate the tunnels without us having to hold him.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOVGrbpfsChd4xyK98sC0HSd8SehFuK_rYlpKKjWfBFX4qrgTg7_oSxlUIs8QwSVX7pU_gYJqOBoHP3STdsu4iQM48pGaaDGmOLbFsNuLbVurPcXeHMm6ZPdv-QIZMdOpX2hmkpns6kc/s1600-h/100_0944.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340728110208272098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZOVGrbpfsChd4xyK98sC0HSd8SehFuK_rYlpKKjWfBFX4qrgTg7_oSxlUIs8QwSVX7pU_gYJqOBoHP3STdsu4iQM48pGaaDGmOLbFsNuLbVurPcXeHMm6ZPdv-QIZMdOpX2hmkpns6kc/s320/100_0944.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG7Qwy5zCiQP42j0d-3fvUX0tNamIgavT54hh5VMpxvc6W7pAuGB_aFcfG6BgqMW_m4C2QWY2z_pyWeosZ3VZ3npowqjElWxTtddBB8Njh0BrQktzd1diX6qkImfxAG90zV7WLBPMq_E/s1600-h/100_0947.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340728103976958194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRG7Qwy5zCiQP42j0d-3fvUX0tNamIgavT54hh5VMpxvc6W7pAuGB_aFcfG6BgqMW_m4C2QWY2z_pyWeosZ3VZ3npowqjElWxTtddBB8Njh0BrQktzd1diX6qkImfxAG90zV7WLBPMq_E/s320/100_0947.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz1v60uqvA45AC5JN0UpZHHwDwWbB_ROPBuUDiIDbzK22n8DO2_OHmnH6DwAF-bR9YlPaodUPyr70M_vQbPiZdVorhInQKmTGcCgeRsDdCGlUkOVVMvV8_igzpGq1BqluAY6xITdhGDM/s1600-h/100_0948.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340726301880000738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqz1v60uqvA45AC5JN0UpZHHwDwWbB_ROPBuUDiIDbzK22n8DO2_OHmnH6DwAF-bR9YlPaodUPyr70M_vQbPiZdVorhInQKmTGcCgeRsDdCGlUkOVVMvV8_igzpGq1BqluAY6xITdhGDM/s320/100_0948.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />While we were on Alice and Wonderland the ride stopped and we were stuck at the top of the vine (the part that winds outside of the ride). Because of regulations we were the last ones to be evacuated and they had to manually move our caterpillar car down. Apparently if we were to walk on the vine and the fire department saw, they would shut down Disneyland because it's too dangerous.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ6uLbFof0U8SuaOgjh6kopseYrhaKkoBOgwX_k-UHrqglxlsv10sLtQpKqd1VyO9IYoXQo3TMkZxvA99-PHSkH-JGTuj7iEpfpqGccDTXWcjPtaIMPH3Jn2HrOlG-4bQ0r1cBKuEnk4/s1600-h/100_0931.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340726296528801106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQ6uLbFof0U8SuaOgjh6kopseYrhaKkoBOgwX_k-UHrqglxlsv10sLtQpKqd1VyO9IYoXQo3TMkZxvA99-PHSkH-JGTuj7iEpfpqGccDTXWcjPtaIMPH3Jn2HrOlG-4bQ0r1cBKuEnk4/s320/100_0931.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Braden was not a happy camper.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmaVC25fm4ijUVS0PumAeMAq0CLRynr8C93UisZY0cZSPkGUbOQh7_M66i8P1cquzUYRF_Vv82W6bTq2sRN51mMkA6sPO0zsfeUohns8v4iETdK7FPmQzD9iTkR9Z5W4ZD9qspyxkn-k/s1600-h/100_0939.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340726292822372258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfmaVC25fm4ijUVS0PumAeMAq0CLRynr8C93UisZY0cZSPkGUbOQh7_M66i8P1cquzUYRF_Vv82W6bTq2sRN51mMkA6sPO0zsfeUohns8v4iETdK7FPmQzD9iTkR9Z5W4ZD9qspyxkn-k/s320/100_0939.jpg" /></a><br /><br />It was a bummer having to wait all of that time but the awesome thing was that we got two "Attraction Readmission" passes which allow you to jump to the front of any line to go on a ride. We used the first one to go on Finding Nemo which had an insanely long line and we tried to use the second on Small World (since we'd been on pretty much every other ride already) but the nice ride operator, Mike, told us to keep it and use it on another ride and put us at the front of the line anyway.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJU4L5lh4D2ViTmgZMmjyG0NzFQQFwJa0bvDyAjoatilHlpIPJ8dsA6JbT9IhLAuHBGU62OZpn8eUUBvW3feUOD7H5D9Azp97miyJqEfspZ7Un_c9CFsJjqayCGxF5XS2tMdoJzjddAYg/s1600-h/100_0955.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340726291176341202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJU4L5lh4D2ViTmgZMmjyG0NzFQQFwJa0bvDyAjoatilHlpIPJ8dsA6JbT9IhLAuHBGU62OZpn8eUUBvW3feUOD7H5D9Azp97miyJqEfspZ7Un_c9CFsJjqayCGxF5XS2tMdoJzjddAYg/s320/100_0955.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Braden passed out on Small World and so we gave our second ticket to another family to use for whatever ride they wanted.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0btT3Nag_LSZn0P4XzNZYKbrNHhMIpdSGKHmtVo_gsXGyDEYU4dk3A51NvSakVZW_MmyOIgKaqvDKhZbv_AziHbXhNu0P4ZVOuf4uQHdPSuJgGbAQuFQLMux8uTRNXS0joQgQa5wjh0w/s1600-h/100_0953.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340726284180027250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0btT3Nag_LSZn0P4XzNZYKbrNHhMIpdSGKHmtVo_gsXGyDEYU4dk3A51NvSakVZW_MmyOIgKaqvDKhZbv_AziHbXhNu0P4ZVOuf4uQHdPSuJgGbAQuFQLMux8uTRNXS0joQgQa5wjh0w/s320/100_0953.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>All in all we were able to go on 16 rides in 5 hours. It was amazing! </div></div><div> </div><div><br /><div>We left around 1:30 and went home for a couple hours before we went to a barbecue at my grandma's nursing home. The food was great and it turned out to be a lot of fun. Matt made the day of one of the Filipino employees there because Matt spoke to him in Tagalog; it was so fun to watch them talk and joke with each other.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-39148062053037794022009-05-20T22:14:00.000-07:002009-05-20T22:47:46.513-07:00Special AnnouncementWe are going to THAILAND in August! Woohoo!!!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W0eeJbXsc-ocSnXCtyCCwqsNAAQokppshhVLwMmSpUBFHLQFBjWzBuzz6vPldcr2d9GUei8vIvWWLG24ETZqDqjzeXwNw4KZhvILCEbHEJH65XSAqOZbZjefBqFw3HSpPtwM-FFJYrg/s1600-h/Thailand+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338148873901619954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_W0eeJbXsc-ocSnXCtyCCwqsNAAQokppshhVLwMmSpUBFHLQFBjWzBuzz6vPldcr2d9GUei8vIvWWLG24ETZqDqjzeXwNw4KZhvILCEbHEJH65XSAqOZbZjefBqFw3HSpPtwM-FFJYrg/s320/Thailand+1.jpg" /></a> We weren't planning on doing any more big trips this year but we've been really REALLY trying to save money even more than usual. I cook all of our meals now; I think we've been out to eat once in about three months (and my meal was for free because it was a birthday e-mail club thing). We've cut out pretty much everything except for house bills, insurance, car maintinence costs (Matt and my dad have even been doing a lot of the work on our cars lately), food, toiletries, and diapers. No DVDs, CDs, books (love the library), snacks, clothes, toys, shoes, purses, trips to the salon for a haircut, text messaging, sodas, etc. BUT now we can comfortably afford Thailand. Not to mention there are killer deals to go there right now. So come join us! :)<br /><br />We'll be there for most of August so we'll actually be doing something exciting for our anniversary for once. We are so thrilled!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakk1tQ0Ywh30K6gPT7Ao3YKdfDvEPaNcwRAVii-BRNnUUxOnWeck4VAcAF3rQk7UEN20DR3r19snnfPG4F03b1DVQDqdxV__VNCmvFMs2W_WMWAscPlKcPXUKDSqL9CnNmqy_CJma77s/s1600-h/Wat_Arun,_Bangkok,_Thailand.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338148875248655730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakk1tQ0Ywh30K6gPT7Ao3YKdfDvEPaNcwRAVii-BRNnUUxOnWeck4VAcAF3rQk7UEN20DR3r19snnfPG4F03b1DVQDqdxV__VNCmvFMs2W_WMWAscPlKcPXUKDSqL9CnNmqy_CJma77s/s320/Wat_Arun,_Bangkok,_Thailand.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div> </div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-68657503336725882192009-05-14T21:44:00.000-07:002009-05-14T22:55:01.950-07:00Too Much Fun To HandleWe have been keeping ourselves super busy the past couple of weeks (what else is new?) but we've been having a blast!<br /><br /><br /><br />Matt got what I would like to call a secret promotion. He didn't get a raise or anything but now his title is "Project Engineer." It's a secret promotion because Matt didn't realize that he was a Project Engineer until he was filling out his timecard one day and saw his new position on it. It's really exciting because at his last job he was only a Staff 1 Engineer even though he had worked there for over a year. He was hired on to ERI as a Senior Staff Engineer and already he's a Project Engineer!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I got my ring back last week. I find myself constantly staring at the prongs, making sure everything looks secure.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eEMQWsXhUcqnaNVb_mGjNMP7MymAU7s5tghiQ2LmEM8MYL8-0AxudWikewSr-gmFNkdPz9-VbaXdMwcngYPLq78AANqj3NHPZJRHHI4O-FyezNIzRGPg4Ejz1-XRviEQzeckAK68BW4/s1600-h/100_0880.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335914048151442082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6eEMQWsXhUcqnaNVb_mGjNMP7MymAU7s5tghiQ2LmEM8MYL8-0AxudWikewSr-gmFNkdPz9-VbaXdMwcngYPLq78AANqj3NHPZJRHHI4O-FyezNIzRGPg4Ejz1-XRviEQzeckAK68BW4/s320/100_0880.jpg" /></a> They did a really beautiful job repairing it. Thanks again, Mom, for finding my diamond!<br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It was Matt's brother, A.J.'s, birthday on Cinco de Mayo and so after he and his wife, Bibian, had spent the day at Disneyland they visited us.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Because we had cake.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Who can blame them?<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>I'd visit most anybody for cake.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>It was fun to see them and Braden loved spending time with his aunt and uncle. A.J. and Bibian have moved back to Mission Viejo for the time being so we look forward to spending more time with them and with Bibian's baby belly.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb46mp_5rs0nPfnoyMTjCtaGNhc53agcfrmACnOZmP5sum8fnurlt-a_ClnB86v9TMKPUX8LTXnlhw753C2wOEoJDevvWs68_7n4PhIvJ07Y9WJpL_GjuDPuKe82YBzl-Ps-Vn8Hz20yA/s1600-h/100_0851.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335912759143741890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb46mp_5rs0nPfnoyMTjCtaGNhc53agcfrmACnOZmP5sum8fnurlt-a_ClnB86v9TMKPUX8LTXnlhw753C2wOEoJDevvWs68_7n4PhIvJ07Y9WJpL_GjuDPuKe82YBzl-Ps-Vn8Hz20yA/s320/100_0851.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmruiKbQ1OqV4dn6rAceQKwFesGXBfgFjLOuL4ZO738J1-6BJVgWYUqH6JsjReGfPk012f7eVCvJn24fExXazdcp76DZIAZn1Oqk2S1ffqNwAQ-1PnNOTFWGOblgDe7puoswBPkEAHH4/s1600-h/100_0852.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335912754199184450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmruiKbQ1OqV4dn6rAceQKwFesGXBfgFjLOuL4ZO738J1-6BJVgWYUqH6JsjReGfPk012f7eVCvJn24fExXazdcp76DZIAZn1Oqk2S1ffqNwAQ-1PnNOTFWGOblgDe7puoswBPkEAHH4/s320/100_0852.jpg" /></a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br />Last Friday, Braden and I went to the park with Sarah and Lucy Sherman. It was the first time Braden had been to the park since he has been walking. Technically, he goes to the park everyday on our morning walk, but this time he wasn't in the stroller and could meander all on his own. He loved it!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5dfZbIZnoQCWxDGAfK_0bKBil9j1Dy55Lt097kDjPrAQIZzVNZKKZcH3VToXWH-hgF_YHmwCB_AyTB2_KGZz2B9HgjxsM5Ucp8km0NiYeY1q9mIsR5HqRN0DpdZAk8qQsXWbVhD9XJY/s1600-h/100_0854.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335912757128932514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd5dfZbIZnoQCWxDGAfK_0bKBil9j1Dy55Lt097kDjPrAQIZzVNZKKZcH3VToXWH-hgF_YHmwCB_AyTB2_KGZz2B9HgjxsM5Ucp8km0NiYeY1q9mIsR5HqRN0DpdZAk8qQsXWbVhD9XJY/s320/100_0854.jpg" /></a><br />He shovel-napped Lucy's shovel for a while, but didn't dig with it. He just liked carrying it around and occasionally put it in his mouth because that's what he does. Everything goes in the mouth. I managed to prevent him from eating a few rocks while we were there.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg34Kk8_VuZEp8PR7ET7YQVZ63aZnxshxaYtgD1HnSnRE0lR1CvnpFDCSfLVjxGvRAhySfmjaGALysDb4YOzqF-9Ym-L2Xs9ha73g-6YmwLMrfkDZBQvq8sTx4QhXokWYILvgACAY8_Gc/s1600-h/100_0855.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335912752860468274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg34Kk8_VuZEp8PR7ET7YQVZ63aZnxshxaYtgD1HnSnRE0lR1CvnpFDCSfLVjxGvRAhySfmjaGALysDb4YOzqF-9Ym-L2Xs9ha73g-6YmwLMrfkDZBQvq8sTx4QhXokWYILvgACAY8_Gc/s320/100_0855.jpg" /></a> </div><div></div><div><br />On Saturday we went to Laguna Beach. We checked out the scene of May 1st's accident (ugh) and walked along Main Beach and up PCH.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH50CL25b6ZyocZx3w1dYHPk9TSKJLWU7qu1uD1JmlD-pMz6hA_VlHNmUyCmpRLBhtLv1_IiCe_ccyVRiHfep6KD3Xs6dSXic1iW7oevcG0laJ353cxOIU2tjUdRdyt8zI8vyIu3LFUtM/s1600-h/100_0857.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335910957297171666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH50CL25b6ZyocZx3w1dYHPk9TSKJLWU7qu1uD1JmlD-pMz6hA_VlHNmUyCmpRLBhtLv1_IiCe_ccyVRiHfep6KD3Xs6dSXic1iW7oevcG0laJ353cxOIU2tjUdRdyt8zI8vyIu3LFUtM/s320/100_0857.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />There is a small playground on Main Beach and so Braden got to swing for a while which was pretty much his favorite thing ever.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYErezaUyBCzxeJOj_VkFFLRopcHpwDA7bRSio4TTneps0JPfb2iJRmE5SfE3UT7LK0NWapAbFqW3Ywu569NhyyHiDm_p6jjG0NOxxxPKYPo142ZB6-jGTgcuQs7WUmaVhLV2kkb7PzyQ/s1600-h/100_0862.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335910953296613154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYErezaUyBCzxeJOj_VkFFLRopcHpwDA7bRSio4TTneps0JPfb2iJRmE5SfE3UT7LK0NWapAbFqW3Ywu569NhyyHiDm_p6jjG0NOxxxPKYPo142ZB6-jGTgcuQs7WUmaVhLV2kkb7PzyQ/s320/100_0862.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC_ACvHWRTxvt4c2x-j-JHY5cApte0h8hVSXzxLidQ0nxknq2ykcbxUMlR-YAcdFmNo9yK7nL78tRszdpHInAdwDXWWn0QZRBQyHF-A8y1u1_ODm04h6nzV0bWbPXcq_Ca4iyzxa5Li0/s1600-h/100_0864.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335910947663311810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaC_ACvHWRTxvt4c2x-j-JHY5cApte0h8hVSXzxLidQ0nxknq2ykcbxUMlR-YAcdFmNo9yK7nL78tRszdpHInAdwDXWWn0QZRBQyHF-A8y1u1_ODm04h6nzV0bWbPXcq_Ca4iyzxa5Li0/s320/100_0864.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZSjsSwgQ4kVTXaEGbJB2wSADEJHJyim8n8a4IATExsete1NZXTLEBoZx-VlZ8Bbl1gjhn3tszIUr6jCWDnxaYY5HP0ZwIr_zyzJlkxZUkcbmvkyy1EFnPLDh6y-KZYcIM4XNImy4lcU/s1600-h/100_0869.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335910948595873666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZSjsSwgQ4kVTXaEGbJB2wSADEJHJyim8n8a4IATExsete1NZXTLEBoZx-VlZ8Bbl1gjhn3tszIUr6jCWDnxaYY5HP0ZwIr_zyzJlkxZUkcbmvkyy1EFnPLDh6y-KZYcIM4XNImy4lcU/s320/100_0869.jpg" /></a><br />He is such a happy boy!</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>On Mother's Day we had our friends Rob and Sarah, and their son, Oliver, over for dinner. They just finished law school at BYU and will be here for the summer if not for longer. Both Rob and Sarah worked at law firms in Irvine (or was it Costa Mesa? It's the big glass building off of the 405 just north of Boomers and south of John Wayne Airport) last summer. Hopefully the firm Rob is working at this summer will offer him a fabulous position with gobs of money.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsPmJLIF0wtl-MrEkCiwNhBSxojOrehijyirujksahkytfE9EnsgzuiHnr6Yh44F2a0uQmPBhtOqrBN0mq8Innnvs2oA4QYM_GEnSavCt4WcDkx-kl_SihHVrT1hdg06GK_30KznbxKM/s1600-h/100_0870.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335910944959293698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsPmJLIF0wtl-MrEkCiwNhBSxojOrehijyirujksahkytfE9EnsgzuiHnr6Yh44F2a0uQmPBhtOqrBN0mq8Innnvs2oA4QYM_GEnSavCt4WcDkx-kl_SihHVrT1hdg06GK_30KznbxKM/s320/100_0870.jpg" /></a> Matt, Braden, and I got to meet Oliver for the first time and he is so stinking cute! He was such a good little baby and made Braden look like a complete wild child by contrast.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGoFthm8JyBSIB8jRUnQEP1BPxHlxD2uQH9fHPM3KSfRgj0UCsnZA1a2fNuUzUPjohNnEYRYWMFqdgCeb5IkdAobTcrr0ulF6ntPkyJMFEVQIVDP1drd51w3YSqlBktAsNg_uXGi5b4o/s1600-h/100_0871.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335909302220899714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGoFthm8JyBSIB8jRUnQEP1BPxHlxD2uQH9fHPM3KSfRgj0UCsnZA1a2fNuUzUPjohNnEYRYWMFqdgCeb5IkdAobTcrr0ulF6ntPkyJMFEVQIVDP1drd51w3YSqlBktAsNg_uXGi5b4o/s320/100_0871.jpg" /></a> The babies were totally into Veggies Tales and Elmo. When the TV is on it's like nothing else in the world exists. Dani, I don't think you ever grew out of that. ;)<br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>This Wednesday, Matt, Braden, and I went to California Adventure and Disneyland. Braden rode on Mickey's Fun Wheel (the ferris wheel) for the second time and like last time we went in one of the swinging gondolas.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Braden still loves us anyway. Bless that child.</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGwmRr8J6W6K38KQBiyj3ey68AgBCc0-NKrD2MpyVCwLrmS6LVa9jGdacQU6h7Q0gmuKevt-UVMn7IiP4KVt7MVmGpi21SCjeBA9irJuNynh38F7DrmFntE7xZtb7Xfc0EgZeg1W5ajM/s1600-h/100_0873.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335909304972258338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGwmRr8J6W6K38KQBiyj3ey68AgBCc0-NKrD2MpyVCwLrmS6LVa9jGdacQU6h7Q0gmuKevt-UVMn7IiP4KVt7MVmGpi21SCjeBA9irJuNynh38F7DrmFntE7xZtb7Xfc0EgZeg1W5ajM/s320/100_0873.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />We took Braden to "Playhouse Disney Live" in California Adventure for the first time. At first it was obvious that he couldn't figure out what we were doing, and was getting bored quick.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFkVFxW2ehMXiKBJIIWHHwGX10y8RcREH25MDNOlL0Ub9MXSOWi1s_Kjlq0kQf5I8_ZtE7ofGFNxCFyvD86ZsBD7XvC-mxubp3jWpfrJnXBYaiIvPqD7MNIzvS8Gp2SWCxtnuv_dRRV8/s1600-h/100_0874.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335909297388159506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFkVFxW2ehMXiKBJIIWHHwGX10y8RcREH25MDNOlL0Ub9MXSOWi1s_Kjlq0kQf5I8_ZtE7ofGFNxCFyvD86ZsBD7XvC-mxubp3jWpfrJnXBYaiIvPqD7MNIzvS8Gp2SWCxtnuv_dRRV8/s320/100_0874.jpg" /></a><br />But then the show started and he was in love. He was standing and clapping and dancing and "singing."<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1noqX7Eq_YJejNceXSqjYOLeXksl7Prdl0160nmKPG2p11Ki-DfqgqkXRQwnuCyk-yItesnyLU903lGlykNO-ghS5_WbLppsFbMsSk-qxouTyutGqgNXjvwgbnJZgh5Gb_81Hxb781C0/s1600-h/100_0876.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335909295516908242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1noqX7Eq_YJejNceXSqjYOLeXksl7Prdl0160nmKPG2p11Ki-DfqgqkXRQwnuCyk-yItesnyLU903lGlykNO-ghS5_WbLppsFbMsSk-qxouTyutGqgNXjvwgbnJZgh5Gb_81Hxb781C0/s320/100_0876.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0cJ2Z7YgN-MEVqKJa3e-EdhyphenhyphenK0jVC5Yz-RSyGbXV14zXtD44uRcYYPFxTYHriHz3MwjNuLGf03EYTzzCwVdOTB_T6T2-PnPH0wbd44vVDVDcB-zv2UQn34vJzV41b-nk01nJknPlerw/s1600-h/100_0877.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5335909290560295778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0cJ2Z7YgN-MEVqKJa3e-EdhyphenhyphenK0jVC5Yz-RSyGbXV14zXtD44uRcYYPFxTYHriHz3MwjNuLGf03EYTzzCwVdOTB_T6T2-PnPH0wbd44vVDVDcB-zv2UQn34vJzV41b-nk01nJknPlerw/s320/100_0877.jpg" /></a><br />He loved seeing all of his favorite characters. I realized that I need to watch more grown up TV because I knew every song. Am I the only one who gets "Handy Manny" stuck in my head all the time???</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Matt and I really enjoyed it, too. It was cute and was the highlight of Braden's day. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-57701520155061193502009-05-03T19:13:00.000-07:002009-05-04T12:48:53.490-07:00One CrAzY WeekThis past week Matt worked in Santa Monica like he did the week before. By the end of the week he had put in about 70 hours. Poor Matty. He didn't have much of a week because he was either working, driving to or from Santa Monica, or trying to get some sleep since he was working such long hours.<br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>For Braden and I, this week was absolutely insane . . . does anybody else have a hard time saying "insane" without thinking of "THE CLIFFS OF INSANITY!!!!!" or is it just me? If you have no idea what I'm talking about, go to Blockbuster right now and rent "The Princess Bride."<br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Go.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Now.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'll wait.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>OR</strong>, you can come over to my house and we'll watch it together . . . I'll make brownies . . .<br /><p><br /></p><br /><br />Anywho, this week started out great. Diane Arsenijevic and her sister Karen and all of their kids came out to visit for the week. Diane lives in Illinois and Karen lives in Wisconsin. My mom met Diane through work years ago when my mom used to travel to Green Bay, WI a lot. On Monday, my mom, Braden, and I drove to Balboa Island and had lunch with everyone at Wilma's Patio and walked around the island a bit. We took the ferry to the peninsula and walked around there, too.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzxzi8X-t3R9hhD7s6P4zLWgchNAbpVj9My190Q-dpQkAoWfLfCYgTlTh7QZslcHanZW-psDR4ABMoQBsp_v1UzgjEA2BprksFHcTqpEbEvhtPMo6-cgRSYPNy0pS2TA7hTfgc8uTCPo/s1600-h/100_0809.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331792391207347794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLzxzi8X-t3R9hhD7s6P4zLWgchNAbpVj9My190Q-dpQkAoWfLfCYgTlTh7QZslcHanZW-psDR4ABMoQBsp_v1UzgjEA2BprksFHcTqpEbEvhtPMo6-cgRSYPNy0pS2TA7hTfgc8uTCPo/s320/100_0809.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Karen, Nadia, Bennet, Derek, Katrina, Diane, and my mom on the ferry. The boys are Karen's and the girls are Diane's.</span><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><br /><br />Diane, Karen, and the kids decided to go whale watching and so my mom, Braden, and I went home. Braden had had enough excitement for the day anyway . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJAFc337FdjY1dxTeXpL8UY5f1skrsB3uUmCWY5xOEs_b0eHH8ooNk_GLGYnFwgO6kZZ8_G7W-pqVYE_ANgj_pIRQ1uAXAnvBxqctLaIpqqmz_GlR_y66aCc17JWKc_xLnTxppQoqq70/s1600-h/100_0812.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331792000623097570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJAFc337FdjY1dxTeXpL8UY5f1skrsB3uUmCWY5xOEs_b0eHH8ooNk_GLGYnFwgO6kZZ8_G7W-pqVYE_ANgj_pIRQ1uAXAnvBxqctLaIpqqmz_GlR_y66aCc17JWKc_xLnTxppQoqq70/s320/100_0812.jpg" /></a><br /><br />On Wednesday, we joined Diane and the family at Disneyland and California Adventure. It was Braden's 8th time to Disneyland and his 7th to California Adventure. I think he'll qualify to be a Disney tour guide by 18 months.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We all went together on Finding Nemo and Braden got to do his favorite thing: hang out with Diane.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEgannbMZSdUerPGxNz5j5Z2r0gOROgmfa7A3H8zO73vAO9oOua_5q81sE025GsZAzEjVZdyGE0Nn_7l_rpgYkjV3yQ9FZ0mUDL87w9jOypF8Jv0ug12d9DVh_4JBMezgMfOX84A4PEY/s1600-h/100_0817.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331791997197553570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEgannbMZSdUerPGxNz5j5Z2r0gOROgmfa7A3H8zO73vAO9oOua_5q81sE025GsZAzEjVZdyGE0Nn_7l_rpgYkjV3yQ9FZ0mUDL87w9jOypF8Jv0ug12d9DVh_4JBMezgMfOX84A4PEY/s320/100_0817.jpg" /></a> Braden's sign of affection is smacking your face. Braden really likes Diane, can't you tell?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Karen and the boys left the group to do all of the wild rides while us girls and Braden hit up the kid rides. As we exited through the castle we saw Cinderella's fairy godmother and had to stop and take a picture. Being the fairy godmother at Disneyland is my mom's dream job.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbu7aAiFozYpvZOXuQEMmo6lB6EhNe5oySa_p3M-yhkA8z8BpIuQJhggGe05FHmjvK8BaVEB0S03C39Vw3ZQw4MQx8xwVvksLzeVKeVDbvipfb_lFwxcgLQTxM32lAvDKLS71w42uXn4g/s1600-h/100_0821.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331791990761015122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbu7aAiFozYpvZOXuQEMmo6lB6EhNe5oySa_p3M-yhkA8z8BpIuQJhggGe05FHmjvK8BaVEB0S03C39Vw3ZQw4MQx8xwVvksLzeVKeVDbvipfb_lFwxcgLQTxM32lAvDKLS71w42uXn4g/s320/100_0821.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I_zkrkV9KcKzztKOdOFAw8LNy95xbbq2tBDnrxQVj0WMDfQgRXotyrrDntetwLhtOWHHSGvU7grebAwUL-W4Z2SRkknHm-NmYoC-chWop3tzqW1fhGffUFO7f6bJP2JdWCNhxtFrvco/s1600-h/100_0822.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331791988043924098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I_zkrkV9KcKzztKOdOFAw8LNy95xbbq2tBDnrxQVj0WMDfQgRXotyrrDntetwLhtOWHHSGvU7grebAwUL-W4Z2SRkknHm-NmYoC-chWop3tzqW1fhGffUFO7f6bJP2JdWCNhxtFrvco/s320/100_0822.jpg" /></a> Diane and the girls in front of the castle. Nadia likes Captain Hook and adventure rides. Katrina loves princesses. They are so different but both are sooo cute and sweet.<br /><br /><p></p><br /><br />We hung out in California Adventure for a few hours. After the Monster's Inc. ride we hit up "A Bug's Land."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCckf69MnxWYZXqM8USICg1XlQSJ0-IFdVvpLJT6U1sbYB4wVZM-4U1LTDkmdQYj0MyW2x1SZuIfwtrIRMCe03czTe7qza520SXIx5f7KLcJmpa6LXd0vMmhoftU9MJsZkXaiovrYX-OY/s1600-h/100_0825.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331791982281150114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCckf69MnxWYZXqM8USICg1XlQSJ0-IFdVvpLJT6U1sbYB4wVZM-4U1LTDkmdQYj0MyW2x1SZuIfwtrIRMCe03czTe7qza520SXIx5f7KLcJmpa6LXd0vMmhoftU9MJsZkXaiovrYX-OY/s320/100_0825.jpg" /></a><br />Nadia drove Diane around in their bumper car.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLFrHAczxdTXN5X8i9D4IPkhawFsoBuNg3j0O7E48OsmugG3LEHDMy869JzdORKScn4kSC9AhQ3-0Enko3mCBbQLvjraVWybcZ91_nTmj-RynnHEm7NttNYA_YhGLloIzNwCbYjXGPJg/s1600-h/100_0826.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331789939788368210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyLFrHAczxdTXN5X8i9D4IPkhawFsoBuNg3j0O7E48OsmugG3LEHDMy869JzdORKScn4kSC9AhQ3-0Enko3mCBbQLvjraVWybcZ91_nTmj-RynnHEm7NttNYA_YhGLloIzNwCbYjXGPJg/s320/100_0826.jpg" /></a> But Katrina wanted my mom to drive their bumper car.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This day was also too much excitement for Braden.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUbSZ4FQqTakI-u8pCfDB3dgQYKjA1BL5QkxCyqM6sAbUD_28Lv1rGtI_oMDepvQ_hnMg6UuyMK02zgCqd5QQSBHOZduI1MKcSfyrDS-6fZlxY8gATAkQKdC5brRt2_MyK96mvjtHej0/s1600-h/100_0827.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331789933127949298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUbSZ4FQqTakI-u8pCfDB3dgQYKjA1BL5QkxCyqM6sAbUD_28Lv1rGtI_oMDepvQ_hnMg6UuyMK02zgCqd5QQSBHOZduI1MKcSfyrDS-6fZlxY8gATAkQKdC5brRt2_MyK96mvjtHej0/s320/100_0827.jpg" /></a><br />Although he only slept for 20 minutes or so. He's really well behaved at Disneyland and California Adventure. Braden, my mom, and I left around 7pm and drove home.<br /><p></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Little did I know what I would discover the next morning . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thursday morning I picked up my wedding ring to put it on and looked down at it to discover that the center diamond was gone!!! My heart still sinks into my stomach just thinking about it. I was convinced I had lost it at Disneyland or California Adventure since the last time I remembered actually looking down at my ring was in California Adventure in the early afternoon. My mom, dad, and I began tearing the house and my car apart. We did this for over an hour. I was prepared to take pipes apart, dig through Braden's poop, and search the Disneyland parking structure when my mom discovered the diamond under the fridge.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOs2wORLZE3qCd_wX7GzATjpvbmEAevLLC8BfpuY8NHwJbkieUIg-Lhk3SPPfwZc1pa7-0EZ-0XdlKHtpeO3uMtSEuT8kHgCcwUJ3TsSnd9XUatbvZDCpCsPUE1uyaS1iN3P7HYgqsAjg/s1600-h/100_0831.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331789927112554306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOs2wORLZE3qCd_wX7GzATjpvbmEAevLLC8BfpuY8NHwJbkieUIg-Lhk3SPPfwZc1pa7-0EZ-0XdlKHtpeO3uMtSEuT8kHgCcwUJ3TsSnd9XUatbvZDCpCsPUE1uyaS1iN3P7HYgqsAjg/s320/100_0831.jpg" /></a><br /><br />No woman should have to endure such torture.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My ring is in the shop getting repaired and I should get it back within the next couple of days.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />After that incident, I should have known that I needed to stay at home and let the black cloud over my head pass, but did I? Of course not!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On Friday, Braden, my mom, and I drove to Laguna Beach to have lunch with Diane and her family before they flew home. I drove up the hill on N. Coast Hwy where I normally park and then . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Ohhh I'm getting sick to my stomach just thinking about it . . .<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And then, this happened:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2H_ksJSk6ViL5PLk4Sue75Bnvyue85xKCL7PMbFEDtZao2iQgzPm9zz-V-IorMz9FCTtQpvakY1ofUQC7U_ggaGPUaMeoPKgdrHR1IvCPJYIfKRgxaM_GBuUDX-RybcfIY4N7V3x4y8/s1600-h/Overall+damage+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331789924419766450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2H_ksJSk6ViL5PLk4Sue75Bnvyue85xKCL7PMbFEDtZao2iQgzPm9zz-V-IorMz9FCTtQpvakY1ofUQC7U_ggaGPUaMeoPKgdrHR1IvCPJYIfKRgxaM_GBuUDX-RybcfIY4N7V3x4y8/s320/Overall+damage+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I had turned on my left turn indicator to go into a parking spot on the opposite side of the street but the woman behind me (for some strange reason) thought I was pulling over to the right and crossed over the yellow line on the left side of me to go around me and she hit my car. Fortunately, no one was hurt. As I pulled over to the side of the road, parts kept falling off of the car but I didn’t realize how much damage there was until I got out of the car . . . and then I burst into tears.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRx_9aAvCn-CSD0XGqGAWl7VnmJ6P3OD07xQanCfLvqJU3xJX3WevvjEPSnQeyYr6V0gPJbm0Gvx9RVYgZLcYVk65JWKvZ9yLFekn6Kn4E47zsAKxetPhwnQg4paZpG4rHJRQ4MyN5WA/s1600-h/Overall+damage+1.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 258px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331789916374887106" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguRx_9aAvCn-CSD0XGqGAWl7VnmJ6P3OD07xQanCfLvqJU3xJX3WevvjEPSnQeyYr6V0gPJbm0Gvx9RVYgZLcYVk65JWKvZ9yLFekn6Kn4E47zsAKxetPhwnQg4paZpG4rHJRQ4MyN5WA/s320/Overall+damage+1.jpg" /></a><br />The woman's car took out my headlight, hubcap, one side of the bumper, damaged the strut and wheel, bent the fender down onto the hood, and totaled the fender.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgPdgwA4W1MC2x8s2RsC4JalRx7LpAvwaO31tmfyQlMOiz5qhhsF0DvzbPDHvxpnOjhzdcCixU-giZ21ig3dFzNi7MUYntFXlSvNp-GOnNUG9b6ZpS_IeerDBW9Nk-FA4h2wGba7SkzY/s1600-h/Close+up+of+where+headlight+was.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788215717944194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRgPdgwA4W1MC2x8s2RsC4JalRx7LpAvwaO31tmfyQlMOiz5qhhsF0DvzbPDHvxpnOjhzdcCixU-giZ21ig3dFzNi7MUYntFXlSvNp-GOnNUG9b6ZpS_IeerDBW9Nk-FA4h2wGba7SkzY/s320/Close+up+of+where+headlight+was.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">Where's the headlight? Oh yeah, it's on the road 20 feet behind me in a pile of wreckage!<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-qh-FJ19HtsgPM2jS5GECdPESt7TlxujQZBxonxiQ9LzyCghBa-_yYYXQTX6G4RC01gCnV20wrcIHG2k2WmrFalMWoQG8bMaGRPrF8FFZ7tLhTKUNB1trkWO5cj4AJ1ufslG0jK2O5I/s1600-h/Close-up+of+fender+and+hood.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788213726953314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-qh-FJ19HtsgPM2jS5GECdPESt7TlxujQZBxonxiQ9LzyCghBa-_yYYXQTX6G4RC01gCnV20wrcIHG2k2WmrFalMWoQG8bMaGRPrF8FFZ7tLhTKUNB1trkWO5cj4AJ1ufslG0jK2O5I/s320/Close-up+of+fender+and+hood.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Where the fender and the hood used to meet.<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSrdQCpLoiHNGsLxPs0qNeGwJo2y_YtfAOmr2FhyJLhaqcXwL0rXa7CpR_LGfnFZz0d8x-iVx8L1Wufs9MMXMSvdc37nA02WjEtK7DBZ-oXVtIUu0vVMfzus5pwP6CB9vFce4cQ49pnc/s1600-h/Grill+and+hood.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788209224908354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSrdQCpLoiHNGsLxPs0qNeGwJo2y_YtfAOmr2FhyJLhaqcXwL0rXa7CpR_LGfnFZz0d8x-iVx8L1Wufs9MMXMSvdc37nA02WjEtK7DBZ-oXVtIUu0vVMfzus5pwP6CB9vFce4cQ49pnc/s320/Grill+and+hood.jpg" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The grill and bumper hanging down off the car.<br /></span><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP2W-GeN_D0vI33TFlGcvZ0CDPCZeea_B-S8FxL5K72j1-eCvnvl_tTvC2D0kUfpRimz5DtsPPKTxgr5xXCo1lB25ukMDh7oeWtb-vg22UtWJnZMRgXaNvE5TO5y__vaffv_ZFGGqZm4/s1600-h/Wheel+damage.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788206173467170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivP2W-GeN_D0vI33TFlGcvZ0CDPCZeea_B-S8FxL5K72j1-eCvnvl_tTvC2D0kUfpRimz5DtsPPKTxgr5xXCo1lB25ukMDh7oeWtb-vg22UtWJnZMRgXaNvE5TO5y__vaffv_ZFGGqZm4/s320/Wheel+damage.jpg" /></a> <span style="font-size:85%;">Crunched fender and missing hubcap.</span></div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>The lady who hit me actually turned out to be a lovely woman and was extremely apologetic and totally accepted all the blame. She and I both called our insurance companies and got all of that dealt with. There wasn’t too much damage to her car although it will still be expensive. Her front passenger door had three deep scrapes that bent the metal a little and both of her hubcaps on that side of the car were damaged. Her fender was a little crunched, too, but her car was completely drivable, mine was not. My bumper was dragging on the street and I’m not sure how much the damaged strut would have affected the drivability.<br /></div><div></div><div><br />We had to get it towed to a repair shop and Braden waved goodbye to the car as it was put onto the tow truck, which was actually really cute.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JdWI7b2vtgQeRIC8-TtPabZZ13PnO2vSweQJAxqa-pEqiBljsPGaZIPqbAnow1lTp8zN1LDyglc_UQYfkUZHqT_vYGSVcymaqTe3dtsTRwMowqu2izxK_unWtURSitNo3rqN2w_V-AU/s1600-h/Car+loaded+on+tow+truck.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5331788201796473010" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2JdWI7b2vtgQeRIC8-TtPabZZ13PnO2vSweQJAxqa-pEqiBljsPGaZIPqbAnow1lTp8zN1LDyglc_UQYfkUZHqT_vYGSVcymaqTe3dtsTRwMowqu2izxK_unWtURSitNo3rqN2w_V-AU/s320/Car+loaded+on+tow+truck.jpg" /></a><br />Diane was so sweet and drove up to keep Braden entertained while I handled all of the insurance stuff. My mom gave Braden snacks, talked a lot with the lady who had hit me, and had to drag the broken wreckage left by my car off of the road. </div></div><div></div><div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>It was scary but we were so lucky that nobody was hurt and that the damage was mostly cosmetic and didn’t damage the engine or frame. It will still be extremely expensive to repair; thank goodness for insurance and thank goodness I was not at fault.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Needless to say, I kept the weekend pretty low-key. I figure there's no sense in me tempting the fates any more than I already have.<br /></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>BUT, on a high note, Braden's finally walking! HOORAY!<br /><br /><br />UPDATE 5/4/2009: </div><div>I got a call from the collision repair place this morning and it's going to cost $3493.30 for the repairs (oh how I love my car insurance company right now) and I should get the car back on May 12th.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-56605689370662001092009-04-17T22:17:00.000-07:002009-04-17T23:19:40.318-07:00We love DisneylandBraden has now been to Disneyland six times since the end of March. Overkill? Not at all!! The first time we went with Aunt Bibian and Uncle AJ since they got us tickets for Braden's birthday. A couple weeks later we finally got our annual passes! We have been having so much fun going to both Disneyland and California Adventure! Braden loves it and is such a trooper, especially when we drag him on ride after ride without a nap and sometimes past his bedtime. He's such a good baby.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsKhzaSlbMwhNtM5mEBzSUFxXAdvboTDNaOV5T9fMXumJ8VX7gJ_l47-M0xRN3EBe2t4mcOEfNitqIcZT8kteaItqmfEwqy8aDIivLZDiN-w7peRdCjt3IwK2f8MBHGtCedhEQSpICT8/s1600-h/100_0710.jpg"><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325902605890853970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsKhzaSlbMwhNtM5mEBzSUFxXAdvboTDNaOV5T9fMXumJ8VX7gJ_l47-M0xRN3EBe2t4mcOEfNitqIcZT8kteaItqmfEwqy8aDIivLZDiN-w7peRdCjt3IwK2f8MBHGtCedhEQSpICT8/s320/100_0710.jpg" /></span></a></div>Bra<span style="font-family:georgia;">den</span> liked his first time on the teacups except when Matt began to spin it too fast! Matt wanted to see how far he could push it before Braden started freaking out . . . Men . . .<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyfXzS54MLHDV1lL8JJrkottcoVpNZRhAr181MXOmW2os0vgBMPqmSFFU15oslwQoiOYtLCGKeYgMo3tZzpYEfaYZKJv2RgGVFew6Hc2QpPvUtV3bmZCoT1wwPjUP6ildTcEnWubuFFA/s1600-h/100_0715.jpg"><span style="font-family:arial;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325902602400211682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyfXzS54MLHDV1lL8JJrkottcoVpNZRhAr181MXOmW2os0vgBMPqmSFFU15oslwQoiOYtLCGKeYgMo3tZzpYEfaYZKJv2RgGVFew6Hc2QpPvUtV3bmZCoT1wwPjUP6ildTcEnWubuFFA/s320/100_0715.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> This was Braden's first time on a carousel! We found out from AJ that this horse is named Jingles and was actually chosen by Walt Disney's daughter. Amazing!</span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3YerxHpkrkjZGh2KdUWhLhBlZh8zkkvuOnbGV80I7egKAamVYAhPKyucb7nxy_I1OUc-cfLnG2rKm62fTPz6B2tyNymDy_1CpUR0Jd8UyYklMHjYnfP6wwC2HVuwrLj0EYbzjoo09Fc/s1600-h/100_0720.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325902596349983698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS3YerxHpkrkjZGh2KdUWhLhBlZh8zkkvuOnbGV80I7egKAamVYAhPKyucb7nxy_I1OUc-cfLnG2rKm62fTPz6B2tyNymDy_1CpUR0Jd8UyYklMHjYnfP6wwC2HVuwrLj0EYbzjoo09Fc/s320/100_0720.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> Braden loved staring at his reflection in this book in front of the Snow White ride.<br /><br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRdw2owKmT5SMXskYYjCnONl6KaTtKgWn7-mVs5Ui92K8kTkEMzkXTO2scT_sa9oMMG68rjmmhuK8MjXJTPHJ78kFF7MfbdnBnrGYMJOOwwHAaizyw5e7LwUAcIBO5M0ORH6xT98TUcQ/s1600-h/100_0742.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325902589806061506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQRdw2owKmT5SMXskYYjCnONl6KaTtKgWn7-mVs5Ui92K8kTkEMzkXTO2scT_sa9oMMG68rjmmhuK8MjXJTPHJ78kFF7MfbdnBnrGYMJOOwwHAaizyw5e7LwUAcIBO5M0ORH6xT98TUcQ/s320/100_0742.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Sweet Uncle AJ and Aunt Bibian joined us in the afternoon. Braden loved Pooh Bear but was a little scared of Tigger. I think it was the bouncing that did it. Or perhaps the blinding orange.<br /></span><div><br /><br /><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6Ba-xrEftZqBVMmixq5tzUSzFOpEU2CUCb-WRCHIBLdB9Q_HonmU_XUg7Qw7m2bjroJhubYkCsB-EdLMDhzVLRNiHKzkuvsBSsGOxrEr9LvuZ53tLbWlOTNf2SINVWFpPrSJVXsX31U/s1600-h/100_0751.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325900242825853154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn6Ba-xrEftZqBVMmixq5tzUSzFOpEU2CUCb-WRCHIBLdB9Q_HonmU_XUg7Qw7m2bjroJhubYkCsB-EdLMDhzVLRNiHKzkuvsBSsGOxrEr9LvuZ53tLbWlOTNf2SINVWFpPrSJVXsX31U/s320/100_0751.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> My mom got an annual pass, too! She, Braden, and I generally go together once a week and Braden and I try to also go with Matt once a week. It's such a burden but someone's got to do it! ;) It's so much fun to spend so much time with family.<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuvIKR_Qvg9u93NsDWepVQ8QsFQHB3k-C79XCY0fRB7ZVR2BKAKA9GlPLHRXbfwSyLy705tvS5A0p72PXgOybb9YgE8IsL9iNPJXnMd2cE7x9zh-6tXILswFMRnxVobhe3uPSe1YX4gg/s1600-h/100_0761.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325899371307920194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuvIKR_Qvg9u93NsDWepVQ8QsFQHB3k-C79XCY0fRB7ZVR2BKAKA9GlPLHRXbfwSyLy705tvS5A0p72PXgOybb9YgE8IsL9iNPJXnMd2cE7x9zh-6tXILswFMRnxVobhe3uPSe1YX4gg/s320/100_0761.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />Braden actually tried to start walking for the first time at California Adventure! We were waiting in line for the ladybug ride in "A Bug's Land." It's like the teacups. It turned out to be the ladybug ride o' doom! Our ladybug was spinning out of control and we couldn't stop it or slow it down and the backpack, camera bag, and baby were flying. Matt and I were in hysterics we were laughing so hard but my mom began to look a little green.<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPpsHAMjNPYy_djVhLd6WINs3vR-hd1L7FFutI-0wwdHl0UXvleUt836ro4YnlMDTcuOLpYkIctpWBT0I52zmvIyuZWoQakEyaHc3nUsLGwr6vppnEpq0sE0U6QFINyZ9IDXTzYSQEfE/s1600-h/100_0768.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325899367389736002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPpsHAMjNPYy_djVhLd6WINs3vR-hd1L7FFutI-0wwdHl0UXvleUt836ro4YnlMDTcuOLpYkIctpWBT0I52zmvIyuZWoQakEyaHc3nUsLGwr6vppnEpq0sE0U6QFINyZ9IDXTzYSQEfE/s320/100_0768.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> We went inside the newly redone Sleeping Beauty diorama extravaganza in the castle. It's really cool! Sleeping Beauty is one of Matt's and my absolute favorite Disney movies.<br /><br /></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQO9BIuNUCi9W42bTOfFGLUvj1HvOYDEie6D_BEvQiWgyfEB2QBSwXH2SXNKdQwcOYgmr9fqdu1cOPK7BGzhQ8PlR0idFN7O210Xu75zWdriHtoFReq_sv9l33sP_wcOhrkQQoLjpdcU/s1600-h/100_0788.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325899362396700786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQO9BIuNUCi9W42bTOfFGLUvj1HvOYDEie6D_BEvQiWgyfEB2QBSwXH2SXNKdQwcOYgmr9fqdu1cOPK7BGzhQ8PlR0idFN7O210Xu75zWdriHtoFReq_sv9l33sP_wcOhrkQQoLjpdcU/s320/100_0788.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />On Thursday we went and dressed Braden as Eeyore. He was so adorable! We really wanted to get a picture of him with Eeyore but by the time we got to Eeyore's hang out, Disney cast members were stealing him for a parade. Bummer!<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbQhrKudaamoaWs_VndCtKrWND8OdzSn_DTMWmicWmuAPac8sQx58QIutticXBkmXcutbbyFJL8hbhWmViMmrnL3ca00IlNOdOnD8iqy6qTZ0QHAmd2jSAnRZsf0yaLt8FcfYfIbwIr0/s1600-h/100_0797.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325899359551259954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbQhrKudaamoaWs_VndCtKrWND8OdzSn_DTMWmicWmuAPac8sQx58QIutticXBkmXcutbbyFJL8hbhWmViMmrnL3ca00IlNOdOnD8iqy6qTZ0QHAmd2jSAnRZsf0yaLt8FcfYfIbwIr0/s320/100_0797.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> So we got this picture . . .<br /></span><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6Xv3Pjz1iOCvg4ejVa5McUcwbUFra2PjOXL_7TPMPmegHWiH7IK6ZTddYPMovWitgWKHoq1wVCEYC_ZTfv0ixcVM_n12XDn3U_viZUAQOwDj5FQ8yGS65jvnwb44zk4uBliQRRieX70/s1600-h/100_0798.jpg"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325899355312394642" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6Xv3Pjz1iOCvg4ejVa5McUcwbUFra2PjOXL_7TPMPmegHWiH7IK6ZTddYPMovWitgWKHoq1wVCEYC_ZTfv0ixcVM_n12XDn3U_viZUAQOwDj5FQ8yGS65jvnwb44zk4uBliQRRieX70/s320/100_0798.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><br />And this picture . . .</span></div><span style="font-family:georgia;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:georgia;"><div></div><div></div><br /><div>We really tried!</div><br /><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Anyway, if anybody else has passes or plans for going to Disneyland or California Adventure let us know! We're always looking for an excuse to go.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-75903634882610291702009-04-17T21:00:00.000-07:002009-04-17T21:47:53.003-07:00Easter!So we're back . . . after a nearly 14 months hiatus. I blame it all on the baby. ;) Anyway, we had a great Easter this year and hope you did, too! the day before, my mom and I made the annual bunny cake and even did it in record time!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKNgjoFgosJDydr0nT6-g-g7_ejalQGEsQ4w52qS3WIKN_H9nMxKAf4vIX-vLaLGmM0-05POXKNNVqhagrcMUaHr48Vz0gWa31oYRJHIEKn-wd0SPxSn4xT1FeLAj0Ri9MdWSms33zUY/s1600-h/100_0774.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325885508431755922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXKNgjoFgosJDydr0nT6-g-g7_ejalQGEsQ4w52qS3WIKN_H9nMxKAf4vIX-vLaLGmM0-05POXKNNVqhagrcMUaHr48Vz0gWa31oYRJHIEKn-wd0SPxSn4xT1FeLAj0Ri9MdWSms33zUY/s320/100_0774.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxBGKrr3FaT1vjF0F3nIzgsRgbkZgiC_jiae0flAsUF0Nh-pp6Birryr2R0C33WFyjYrG7jLsRJ2HjxnOoiBk15bDOw1g3VNzkJhE4SkwrFmaOaogOW0ux0kIt4w2Da0VLGEq4lfTWxo/s1600-h/100_0776.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325885503529374114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpxBGKrr3FaT1vjF0F3nIzgsRgbkZgiC_jiae0flAsUF0Nh-pp6Birryr2R0C33WFyjYrG7jLsRJ2HjxnOoiBk15bDOw1g3VNzkJhE4SkwrFmaOaogOW0ux0kIt4w2Da0VLGEq4lfTWxo/s320/100_0776.jpg" /></a> In our house we consider it inhumane to start eating the face first so we start with the bowtie, move to the ears, and then eat the face last. This year I realized that with the bowtie and ears gone we had a perfectly nice looking snowman cake. I'll have to remember that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I took pictures of Braden with the only stuffed rabbit in his room again this year like I did last year. It's actually "Rabbit" from Winnie-the-Pooh.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I8Plot9XtGgiwjPJ4txPRiydfLkrPgfFR6vMssQgmJrIsrg2VMefoA5Nl9wHUCaINuqfhin88UFSpFgCORBicUnuKNsRBQVTYUiF9C1OEcBKcxXDB792YRM_yOfpISEv7C3OzuIrAYI/s1600-h/IMG_2950.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325885489645046098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7I8Plot9XtGgiwjPJ4txPRiydfLkrPgfFR6vMssQgmJrIsrg2VMefoA5Nl9wHUCaINuqfhin88UFSpFgCORBicUnuKNsRBQVTYUiF9C1OEcBKcxXDB792YRM_yOfpISEv7C3OzuIrAYI/s320/IMG_2950.JPG" /></a> This was last year.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx-tsIPZrpNK6Pans621Df5YQqddfqlYjRnxNhbn55fVRWKRUo_m1ncUeHnHsnY5ISK2HZ28BjauPsM-TYeyvKdLFINS1SO8XtvBJyIr81-MvG9bE6rqdj98-KTOBRkY0ScVhNxg414k/s1600-h/100_0772.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325885481413449362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx-tsIPZrpNK6Pans621Df5YQqddfqlYjRnxNhbn55fVRWKRUo_m1ncUeHnHsnY5ISK2HZ28BjauPsM-TYeyvKdLFINS1SO8XtvBJyIr81-MvG9bE6rqdj98-KTOBRkY0ScVhNxg414k/s320/100_0772.jpg" /></a><br />This was this year! It's crazy how quickly they grow!</div><div><br /></div><br /><div>Matt and I had an awesome dinner of leg of lamb, strawberries, and broccoli with cheese. We told my mom, the sweet vegetarian, that the lamb had a bum leg which it needed to get amputated. But don't worry! The lamb was given a prosthetic leg and is happily running around Australia. It's true, I swear! :) It was a very tasty bum leg. Lamb is traditionally eaten during Passover so we felt pretty cool eating something that the Savior likely would have eaten during the Last Supper.</div><br /><div><br />We didn't have an Easter egg hunt because Braden is anti-walking.<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AGKIKCaFRJtbTM8o8Gmb5slHLaCt523VFxvxPf_3Sd5FDNJgCXOM1Wpvu-iVpTgEpezew2uXWlBpEDZid7ZJdHPIUwOnn9x8n0H00Z6VIAiR8ulooF5fZyI7AHmoqb6YAV7IIWoNNqQ/s1600-h/100_0783.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325885474689980114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AGKIKCaFRJtbTM8o8Gmb5slHLaCt523VFxvxPf_3Sd5FDNJgCXOM1Wpvu-iVpTgEpezew2uXWlBpEDZid7ZJdHPIUwOnn9x8n0H00Z6VIAiR8ulooF5fZyI7AHmoqb6YAV7IIWoNNqQ/s320/100_0783.jpg" /></a><br />But he feels really cool when he stands all by himself.</div><div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>It was a wonderful day!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8496266743127822762.post-56807035807442194422008-02-20T22:09:00.001-08:002008-02-20T22:09:54.631-08:00Baby NewsI went to the doctor today and everything looks great! My weight gain is still normal, blood pressure is good, the baby's heartbeat is perfect, and he has moved down considerably! The doctor was really surprised at how far along things have come. She could feel his head and said that I am dialated at 1 "and a finger tip," so somewhere between 1 and 2 centimeters. He is REALLY low. She said that I MIGHT make it to my due date (two weeks from Friday) but she said I really could go at anytime (which I take with a grain of salt since I know a couple of girls who were "about to go" and still had a few weeks before their babies came, but I would like to think so anyway). I'm wildly uncomfortable, can't sleep, spend most of my nights in the bathroom, and have killer heartburn and back pain, but other than that things are going really well (in other words, I feel lousy but it could be a lot worse and I'm grateful that it's not). We're ready for him and we can't wait!Matt and Christine Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15147662169978377407noreply@blogger.com0