tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91929393261433502862024-03-13T22:40:42.810-07:00The Howell JrsEveryday is an Adventure!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-51697562109700197512012-01-10T14:22:00.000-08:002012-01-10T14:22:59.771-08:00CarnitasIt's January and the middle of Winter, but here in San Diego its 70 and sunny. And while I can't complain about the weather, I do miss the snuggle up with a blanket, scarf and boots weather that we had when we lived back east. Winter makes me want to use my Crock Pot for stews and soups, to have a pot of warm yumminess waiting for you when you get home. But this warm weather doesn't lend well to those recipes in our house, so I've brought back one of my absolute favorite Crock Pot recipes...and I'm proud to say its one I came up with all by myself! I've had several people ask for this recipe, so I thought I'd type it out and share it. I made this with a small roast because it was just me and the kids, but you could definitely use a larger roast and double the other ingredients.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzCVQaiqCoo/Twyu0ODaYKI/AAAAAAAABcg/OyGeCSc2vno/s1600/carnitas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzCVQaiqCoo/Twyu0ODaYKI/AAAAAAAABcg/OyGeCSc2vno/s320/carnitas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">I stink at taking pictures of food, so this was hijacked from Google Images...<br />
but mine looked this good ;)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px;"><br />
</span></div>Pork Carnitas:<br />
1 small pork roast, with fat trimmed<br />
1/2 jar organic garlic cilantro salsa (8 oz)<br />
Juice from 1/2 of a lime, orange and lemon<br />
1/2 bottle of beer<br />
2/3 cup chicken broth<br />
1/2 packet taco seasoning (or if I don't have any, a liberal sprinkling of garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder)<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
<br />
Dump it all in the crock pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours, until the meat is falling apart and the juice has reduced slightly. <br />
<br />
Shred the meat and mix with the juice. I served it with lightly fried corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, sliced avocado and a dollop of low fat greek yogurt. Yum!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-70735667811470726892012-01-07T13:17:00.000-08:002012-01-07T13:17:24.421-08:00JackI really can't believe that "Baby" Jack is already 19 months old! He's practically TWO for goodness sake! I had the crazy realization how quickly time passes with your kids when Michael turned six in November...and in less than 10 years he will be DRIVING! Well, Jack might as well be 19 months going on 5 with as quickly as the last year has gone by...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny-xaXvA1YY/TwizKH_mPXI/AAAAAAAABbY/tV9-yRImpK4/s1600/IMG_1843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ny-xaXvA1YY/TwizKH_mPXI/AAAAAAAABbY/tV9-yRImpK4/s320/IMG_1843.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>He seems to have jumped head-first into wanting to be an independent toddler. Gone are the days of my sweet, snuggly baby! He's still sweet and snuggly, but hardly a baby any more. At the beginning of December, Jack dismissed his high chair as an acceptable means for dining. Any time I put him in his high chair and served him food, he would immediately dump in on the floor. Or throw it at me. Or feed it to the dog. But never put a single bite in his mouth. This lasted about a week before I began {attempting} to reprimand him by taking the food away and removing him from his chair. He quickly discovered that if he lingered by the big table long enough, one of his siblings would get up and leave their partially eaten food on the table, rather than clearing their dishes. He'd scamper up into their chair, park himself ON THE TABLE and eat their left overs! Using a fork none the less. Any attempts to use a fork in his high chair were futile. But apparently sitting on the table gave him the power to eat like a civilized adult. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wO0Oy-n0Mno/Twiz5TT_UCI/AAAAAAAABbw/hFELuQ5dB60/s1600/IMG_1519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wO0Oy-n0Mno/Twiz5TT_UCI/AAAAAAAABbw/hFELuQ5dB60/s320/IMG_1519.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
So I began feeding him at the table, but we didn't have a booster seat yet, so he usually stood on a chair and ate with us. I purchased a booster seat for Christmas and he was ecstatic! His new favorite game is raiding the pantry, climbing into his seat, and dumping whatever he scavenged onto the table. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6I_Tln5BU8/Twiz23r8h-I/AAAAAAAABbo/DC1MFKstrCk/s1600/IMG_1511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6I_Tln5BU8/Twiz23r8h-I/AAAAAAAABbo/DC1MFKstrCk/s320/IMG_1511.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>With this new found independence, he has also entered the Terrible Two's a bit earlier than expected! He has reached to point where the most desirable object in the house is whatever is just out of his reach. He stands on his tippy toes, reaches, grunts, attempts to grow taller by the second, then throws himself on the floor in a fit of frustration. What am I usually doing durning this fit? Standing by laughing and taking pictures. Sweet Jack throwing a fit is one of the cutest things I've ever seen a kid do. It's almost like he has to muster every ounce of rottenness in his being to pitch a fit. I'm not sure if it is the wisdom that comes with having a third child or the insanity that allows me to stand by and laugh. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4JurxvYTTs/Twi0GaAAqnI/AAAAAAAABcI/7eOmbKfVVQE/s1600/IMG_1834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4JurxvYTTs/Twi0GaAAqnI/AAAAAAAABcI/7eOmbKfVVQE/s320/IMG_1834.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Jack is still the most snuggly baby. Every time I pick him up, he nuzzles his head down on my shoulder and wraps his arms around me. It makes my heart melt. He also asks for kisses by pressing his forehead to my lips. Whenever I go to pick him up from a child care (at the gym or at church) he runs across the room in a full sprint with a huge smile on his face and leaps into my arms. People constantly say, "Well, there's no doubting who he belongs to!" Jack's also the only one of the three that will sleep in my bed. He doesn't do it very often, but when he isn't feeling well the only place he wants to sleep is next to me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqpm4g-yxSw/Twi0BxfSnFI/AAAAAAAABcA/SNViKbi7ejA/s1600/IMG_1829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tqpm4g-yxSw/Twi0BxfSnFI/AAAAAAAABcA/SNViKbi7ejA/s320/IMG_1829.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
Other favorites at 19 months include any and all cereal, his lawn mower, the red and yellow little tykes buggy, jumping on the trampoline, trying to eat dog food, playing with Michael's very tiny Legos, being dressed up by Savannah (ok, not sure if he really loves this, but she sure does!), sunglasses and hats, and squeezing the hand on his bear to hear Stephen's voice. Oh, and milk. We should probably invest in our own dairy cow with as much milk as these boys drink! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJUHEa6wKZU/TwizLf7oOMI/AAAAAAAABbg/eBjGsxMBKjU/s1600/IMG_1855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rJUHEa6wKZU/TwizLf7oOMI/AAAAAAAABbg/eBjGsxMBKjU/s320/IMG_1855.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
I sure do love this little guy. I can't wait for Stephen to see how much he has grown since August and I know he is going to be so thrilled to have his dada back!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-84760548472870896662012-01-06T20:12:00.000-08:002012-01-06T20:12:27.268-08:00A happy and healthy New Year!<div style="text-align: left;">The tail-end of 2011 brought its fair share of colds, ear infections, strep throat, stomach flus, and various other ailments to the Howell house despite my best efforts to sanitize hands, Clorox counters and boost Vitamin C intake. It also seems that once one kiddo goes down with a bug, they take on very picky eating habits. And I'm usually too tired to fight the dinner battle, so pizza, chicken nuggets, cereal and peanut butter sandwiches quickly became the go to meals. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rtle6cKji7I/TwfFt1uXCOI/AAAAAAAABbQ/t3YfhtUP8fY/s1600/junk-food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rtle6cKji7I/TwfFt1uXCOI/AAAAAAAABbQ/t3YfhtUP8fY/s320/junk-food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Healthy, I know. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So this year I am resolving to make some changes in our house, and thanks to Once a Month Mom and the <a href="http://onceamonthmom.com/get-real/" target="_blank">Get Real 2012 challenge</a>, I think we may actually have a plan to slowly transition our house to a {primarily} real food household! Every month they post a goal, health information, and recipes to help eliminate processed foods in your house, beginning with cleaning out and using up your pantry items in January. Here's their goal:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the end, our hope is that we arrive at the end of the year successfully, together, making a transition that will make us proud, our families healthier and our lives richer.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br />
</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">I love this! As we've added more kids, more deployments, more scheduled (and unscheduled) activities to our lives, it's too easy to succumb to the ease of fast food, take out, and pre-packaged meals. I hope the Get Real Challenge, and all the other resources I have found so far, can help push me toward a healthier 2012! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">This year, I'm going to use this blog to document our successes and failures in this endeavorer, recipes I'd like to share and remember, and links that I have found helpful. Please feel free to comment or share any tips you have along the way! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I found an amazing website, www.WholeLiving.com, that I'd like to share. It's a Martha Stewart affiliate, which probably explains why I love it so much. I know, you either love her or hate her, but I LOVE her. The website is pretty, has beautiful pictures and is easy to navigate. The recipes look and sound incredible! I spent a good chunk of time this afternoon while the kids were resting in their rooms reading smoothie and juice recipes and I'm already planning my grocery list for next week! Here's the link to the site:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZW4Ws3V9mDg/TweMCn0h61I/AAAAAAAABbA/ouF_y4IAcM4/s320/Smoothie+1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="256" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wholeliving.com/">www.wholeliving.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">Good health isn't a gift; its a habit you cultivate!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Here's to a happy and healthy New Year :)</div></div></div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-53548319779634262642011-12-21T10:23:00.001-08:002011-12-21T10:23:33.835-08:00Stationery card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AasW7Vs4bMWLCwg&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AasW7Vs4bMWIA/0AasW7Vs4bMWIOLA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1324491797000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Sparkle And Shine New Year's Card</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Click here to browse Shutterfly's <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">holiday card collection</a>.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-48209034332808863832011-05-28T18:12:00.000-07:002011-05-28T18:12:04.773-07:00Can you guess what makes Jack happy?I will give you one guess at what makes this little guy happy...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3CEQtYFgHmQ/TeGdEe-bIMI/AAAAAAAABag/I3n4R-Qqp2g/s1600/P4102356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3CEQtYFgHmQ/TeGdEe-bIMI/AAAAAAAABag/I3n4R-Qqp2g/s320/P4102356.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDpQ_0R8Ack/TeGdFuYVweI/AAAAAAAABak/hYCrmK0aHok/s1600/P4112363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aDpQ_0R8Ack/TeGdFuYVweI/AAAAAAAABak/hYCrmK0aHok/s320/P4112363.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4bC8bZoVzM/TeGdGqVTckI/AAAAAAAABao/YxfAghdNqZY/s1600/P4122378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4bC8bZoVzM/TeGdGqVTckI/AAAAAAAABao/YxfAghdNqZY/s320/P4122378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9ww9e49sdQ/TeGdIyt4oOI/AAAAAAAABas/Sp98lHmds9g/s1600/P4142381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N9ww9e49sdQ/TeGdIyt4oOI/AAAAAAAABas/Sp98lHmds9g/s320/P4142381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htH-ScYaJq8/TeGdKNMak4I/AAAAAAAABaw/F0oNpQoRLFM/s1600/P4152388.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-htH-ScYaJq8/TeGdKNMak4I/AAAAAAAABaw/F0oNpQoRLFM/s320/P4152388.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhdS1jedn-A/TeGdMVUaRfI/AAAAAAAABa0/2SYnBuTEr7c/s1600/P4192435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KhdS1jedn-A/TeGdMVUaRfI/AAAAAAAABa0/2SYnBuTEr7c/s320/P4192435.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Yep, he's basically a food monster!!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-70615580945327925632011-05-28T18:08:00.000-07:002011-05-28T18:08:32.872-07:00Savannah's Birthday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our Sweet Savannah turned FOUR on May 10th! She had an awesome birthday WEEK, beginning with her birthday celebration at school on Tuesday, lunch with Grandma and me on Wednesday, celebrating with daddy on Friday and a birthday blowout party on Sunday! Amazed with what a beautiful young lady she is becoming and so blessed to have her as our daughter!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9J8CrpT0YvQ/TdM5iNeVcMI/AAAAAAAABZQ/lP-c5AFODDQ/s1600/P4042134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9J8CrpT0YvQ/TdM5iNeVcMI/AAAAAAAABZQ/lP-c5AFODDQ/s320/P4042134.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSs9upzM1N0/TdM5hTOnEfI/AAAAAAAABZM/TYfUhO9cfEI/s1600/P4042128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSs9upzM1N0/TdM5hTOnEfI/AAAAAAAABZM/TYfUhO9cfEI/s320/P4042128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trKjQTgahl0/TdM5jFpoIPI/AAAAAAAABZU/TibwzFJuSmM/s1600/P4072143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-trKjQTgahl0/TdM5jFpoIPI/AAAAAAAABZU/TibwzFJuSmM/s320/P4072143.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kHJfUC4ZfM/TdM5j2E-R8I/AAAAAAAABZY/mXLWZNDNOSQ/s1600/P4072149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kHJfUC4ZfM/TdM5j2E-R8I/AAAAAAAABZY/mXLWZNDNOSQ/s320/P4072149.JPG" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Alt8oguKBGE/TdM5kmnjOoI/AAAAAAAABZc/gYOwKtdEadI/s1600/P4072172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Alt8oguKBGE/TdM5kmnjOoI/AAAAAAAABZc/gYOwKtdEadI/s320/P4072172.JPG" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waHtAOWWzdg/TdM5lQ-jEgI/AAAAAAAABZg/4I2Uk21eDLk/s1600/P4072188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waHtAOWWzdg/TdM5lQ-jEgI/AAAAAAAABZg/4I2Uk21eDLk/s320/P4072188.JPG" width="228" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDozkE1qaho/TdM5nPBWQ6I/AAAAAAAABZk/H9yoi1ToQEs/s1600/P4072196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CDozkE1qaho/TdM5nPBWQ6I/AAAAAAAABZk/H9yoi1ToQEs/s320/P4072196.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLIvZtUE-zM/TdM5ozDO-WI/AAAAAAAABZo/B8Rtc1ap-kM/s1600/P4082199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DLIvZtUE-zM/TdM5ozDO-WI/AAAAAAAABZo/B8Rtc1ap-kM/s320/P4082199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0biAOpodII/TdM5qaWfIrI/AAAAAAAABZs/fkh7wg4Ce7A/s1600/P4082223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r0biAOpodII/TdM5qaWfIrI/AAAAAAAABZs/fkh7wg4Ce7A/s320/P4082223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmyVldoVM5g/TdM5r3qVg8I/AAAAAAAABZw/YMkR4NM77w8/s1600/P4082226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmyVldoVM5g/TdM5r3qVg8I/AAAAAAAABZw/YMkR4NM77w8/s320/P4082226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfVQ4vcaLL0/TdM5tq2bzeI/AAAAAAAABZ0/5p8Hoi-PsEk/s1600/P4082247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OfVQ4vcaLL0/TdM5tq2bzeI/AAAAAAAABZ0/5p8Hoi-PsEk/s320/P4082247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yj0OD6-63I/TdM5vqQ83bI/AAAAAAAABZ4/SwBCYP5ejRY/s1600/P4082254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yj0OD6-63I/TdM5vqQ83bI/AAAAAAAABZ4/SwBCYP5ejRY/s320/P4082254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfaNhPxnrY8/TdM5xL0f5FI/AAAAAAAABZ8/RmXwNRkAXCA/s1600/P4082260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfaNhPxnrY8/TdM5xL0f5FI/AAAAAAAABZ8/RmXwNRkAXCA/s320/P4082260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SfwyvZknCMo/TdM5yqspt2I/AAAAAAAABaA/G_6sxDOmz0g/s1600/P4082271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SfwyvZknCMo/TdM5yqspt2I/AAAAAAAABaA/G_6sxDOmz0g/s320/P4082271.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RdCZAUDVkeI/TdM50rpVeII/AAAAAAAABaE/qfEXK8DwLKk/s1600/P4082273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RdCZAUDVkeI/TdM50rpVeII/AAAAAAAABaE/qfEXK8DwLKk/s320/P4082273.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-35380232769162063192011-05-05T14:37:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:37:00.866-07:00Yummy Coconut Curry Shrimp RecipeI've been in a bit of a dinner slump lately...think hamburger helper, frozen lasagna and too many quesadillas! Not that there is anything wrong with any of these foods, but they aren't terribly fresh or healthy. Typically, when Stephen is out in the field, training or deployed, I become more adventurous in the kitchen--largely due to his being a meat and potatoes guy and my fear that a lighter, healthier meal won't be filling for him. He also avoids spice...we joke that ketchup has just the right amount of heat for him while I pour on the Cholula or Tapatio Hot Sauce!<br />
<br />
But Spring is in full-swing in San Diego and something about fresh air and sunshine makes me want to lighten things up! So with an arsenal of Cooking Light and <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/">www.skinnytaste.com</a> recipes to try, I headed to the store to purchase groceries for a weeks worth of healthy meals!<br />
<br />
He was the plan:<br />
Steak with baked sweet potatoes and roasted asparagus<br />
<a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/thai-coconut-curry-shrimp.html">Coconut Curry Shrimp</a> with rice and sugar snap peas<br />
Grilled chicken, corn on the cob, and Mexican rice with black beans<br />
<a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/04/asian-peanut-noodles-with-chicken.html">Asian Peanut Noodles with Chicken</a><br />
Lightened up Chicken Enchiladas with left over rice and beans<br />
Greek burgers with salad<br />
<br />
I was most nervous to serve the Coconut Curry Shrimp because it involved both curry and coconut, which I know Stephen isn't crazy about...but c'est la vie! The kids devoured it and asked for seconds, I loved it and Stephen even said it was really good and a keeper!! And the best part, it took no time at all to whip up and only had a handful of ingredients. I have had several people ask for the recipe, so here it is:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGFu1cRmB-w/TcMN9EwLMsI/AAAAAAAABZI/fEnH3fbx1h4/s1600/coconut-shrimp-curry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qGFu1cRmB-w/TcMN9EwLMsI/AAAAAAAABZI/fEnH3fbx1h4/s320/coconut-shrimp-curry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Coconut Curry Shrimp with Rice:<br />
<ul><li>1 tsp oil</li>
<li>4 scallions, whites and greens separated, chopped</li>
<li>1 tbsp Thai red curry paste<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ginsweiwatrec-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00099YRGK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></li>
<li>2 cloves garlic, minced </li>
<li>1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined </li>
<li>6 oz light coconut milk</li>
<li>2 tsp fish sauce<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ginsweiwatrec-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00016UX14" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /></li>
<li>1/8 cup fresh cilantro and 1/8 cup parsley, chopped</li>
<li>salt to taste</li>
</ul>In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil on medium-high. Add scallion whites and red curry paste<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ginsweiwatrec-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00099YRGK" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> and sauté one minute. Add shrimp and garlic, season with salt and cook about 2-3 minutes. Add coconut milk, fish sauce<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=ginsweiwatrec-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B00016UX14" style="border: medium none ! important; margin: 0px ! important; padding: 0px ! important;" width="1" /> and mix well. Simmer about 2-3 minutes, until shrimp is cooked through. Remove from heat, mix in scallion greens, cilantro, and parsley. I served this over steamed rice and sauteed snap peas!<br />
<br />
After the success of the curry dish, I was less anxious to serve the Asian Peanut Noodles recipe...it was definitely spicier with the use of Sirracha and loaded with vegetables, but the kids didn't seem to notice (even as Stephen wiped his brow and guzzled his lemonade)! Hope you enjoy the recipe and please share any yummy "lighter" recipes you have!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-76885848536271422352011-05-03T15:55:00.000-07:002011-05-03T15:55:11.236-07:00Summer is on the way!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxkOd9ohdoM/TcCB8Qnz_FI/AAAAAAAABZE/ILtW3YxSwtI/s1600/P3172090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uxkOd9ohdoM/TcCB8Qnz_FI/AAAAAAAABZE/ILtW3YxSwtI/s320/P3172090.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In the last three days, I have watched my kids play in the sprinklers, shucked a bag of fresh corn, ate two dozen strawberries, and cut up a giant watermelon...what about that does not SCREAM Summer!!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLQbT7LUuDw/TcBy2SWXY5I/AAAAAAAABXo/k5fmyueajtc/s1600/beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zLQbT7LUuDw/TcBy2SWXY5I/AAAAAAAABXo/k5fmyueajtc/s320/beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have begun venturing to the beach...with three kids 5 and under and even with both puppies too!! The kids LOVE the beach and we are blessed with amazing beaches within two miles of our house. Gunner and Penny also love the water, but their days at the beach are limited to when Stephen and I can divide and conquer kids and dogs...I am not daring enough to venture to the dog beach alone yet! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izNJeTTbvfg/TcBy3F4MHKI/AAAAAAAABXs/w0ohKdidWUY/s1600/Bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izNJeTTbvfg/TcBy3F4MHKI/AAAAAAAABXs/w0ohKdidWUY/s320/Bike.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Speaking of Summer...bike riding is big in our neighborhood! We have a ton of kiddos on just our little stretch of Wahoo Lane (17 kids between 6 houses and they are mostly between 3 and 6 years old) and bike riding is a serious sport/activity! Savannah has recently joined the "big kid" club and can ride with NO TRAINING WHEELS!!! Woo hoo and way to go!!<br />
<br />
Anyway...my thoughts have been on our upcoming Summer with this warm weather. So, here's to hoping this Summer is sunnier than the last (and a few pictures of our recent shenanigans)! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgbU_xglnDE/TcBy4Ra8TxI/AAAAAAAABXw/JbqlJf7PClk/s1600/P3031879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bgbU_xglnDE/TcBy4Ra8TxI/AAAAAAAABXw/JbqlJf7PClk/s320/P3031879.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying a kite...doesn't get much easier than this!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lG9EBImpnIc/TcBy5OGD0rI/AAAAAAAABX0/SCptUeN37Pg/s1600/P3041914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lG9EBImpnIc/TcBy5OGD0rI/AAAAAAAABX0/SCptUeN37Pg/s320/P3041914.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the playground...a rare group photo with out nose picking, screaming, cheese smile, excessive drool, hitting, or three heads looking three different directions!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onAZE7zc-r4/TcBy8WBcWOI/AAAAAAAABX8/xv5nv432lmk/s1600/P3132006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-onAZE7zc-r4/TcBy8WBcWOI/AAAAAAAABX8/xv5nv432lmk/s320/P3132006.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bubbles! Lots of bubbles!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ecaZ8y8eVQ/TcBy96QDfdI/AAAAAAAABYA/CGf4_vqWFsA/s1600/P3162045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--ecaZ8y8eVQ/TcBy96QDfdI/AAAAAAAABYA/CGf4_vqWFsA/s320/P3162045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sand tastes good...but the waters sure is cold!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lzc02YW7Rk/TcBy_xex1MI/AAAAAAAABYE/VNy4lg8GC6c/s1600/P3202116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_lzc02YW7Rk/TcBy_xex1MI/AAAAAAAABYE/VNy4lg8GC6c/s320/P3202116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our most recent acquisition--a sandbox. May not last too long if they keep dumping the sand overboard though!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITcUzSfIOc0/TcBy7KS0PdI/AAAAAAAABX4/GwxD3jvB-Dk/s1600/P3041939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span id="goog_2028463079"></span><span id="goog_2028463080"></span></a></div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-10038051233662974322011-04-05T21:41:00.000-07:002011-04-05T21:41:14.147-07:00The birth of a ballerina...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-isw0yNOSt0Q/TZvo1YKQ9II/AAAAAAAABXU/NyqDQnvfXkk/s1600/Ballerina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-isw0yNOSt0Q/TZvo1YKQ9II/AAAAAAAABXU/NyqDQnvfXkk/s400/Ballerina.jpg" width="316" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok, so that may be exaggerating a little...<br />
but she surely did have a great time! <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAj-YqUq8M4/TZvo3m7BSkI/AAAAAAAABXg/5apC_0g1GyQ/s1600/Joy+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YAj-YqUq8M4/TZvo3m7BSkI/AAAAAAAABXg/5apC_0g1GyQ/s400/Joy+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Monday afternoon we had our first ballet "class." This is by NO means any sort of real ballet school, just a preschool class at the YMCA that meets once a week for a month. But to Savannah, she was joining the National Ballet Company! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEKUIYzpYPI/TZvo3Gh-ppI/AAAAAAAABXY/IzF-_bQJP54/s1600/ballet+collage+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IEKUIYzpYPI/TZvo3Gh-ppI/AAAAAAAABXY/IzF-_bQJP54/s400/ballet+collage+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
I made the mistake of telling Savannah about this ballet class more than a week ago, and I have been asked no less than a thousand times "Am I going to go to ballet class tooo-daaayy?!" You have to understand that she has thought of herself as a ballerina for many months now and firmly believes that all her practice while watching the Angelina Ballerina movies has her lined up to be starring in The Nutcracker next month. The problem largely lies in the fact that Savannah is less than graceful--she is downright clumsy! Stephen makes fun of me all the time for the many bruises I rack up from colliding with the corner of the counter, the banister, the edge of our bed frame, and any other number of inanimate objects that jump in front of me. <br />
<br />
Let's just say that my ballet dreams were largely unfulfilled as a little girl! And unfortunately, Savannah takes after me. She loved this ballet primer class, and I'm hoping (without turning into some crazy Toddlers and Tiaras stage mom) she will stick with it...because she surely makes one adorable little ballerina!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUqHZ7PlpwQ/TZvo4EixyeI/AAAAAAAABXk/_t5geoGOWK0/s1600/Twirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PUqHZ7PlpwQ/TZvo4EixyeI/AAAAAAAABXk/_t5geoGOWK0/s400/Twirl.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah's favorite mode of transportation across a room is twirling...this was right up her alley</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWVBrvhfc-E/TZvo3Zu3pAI/AAAAAAAABXc/RHEHuqsNv68/s1600/ballet+collage+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wWVBrvhfc-E/TZvo3Zu3pAI/AAAAAAAABXc/RHEHuqsNv68/s400/ballet+collage+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Savannah and Ashley dancing with Miss Haley and practicing her ballet arms and tippy-toes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-89599923312777600922011-04-04T11:27:00.000-07:002011-04-04T11:27:49.775-07:0010 month birthday!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Can't believe how quickly time can fly..."baby" Jackson is already 10 months old!!<br />
Here are a few things he is loving right now:<br />
1. Standing and cruising<br />
2. Climbing the stairs (and occasionally tumbling down one or two)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeM0P7Hdo7w/TZoDzpxngLI/AAAAAAAABW4/5mY7JNHBc9w/s1600/Jack+Playground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FeM0P7Hdo7w/TZoDzpxngLI/AAAAAAAABW4/5mY7JNHBc9w/s320/Jack+Playground.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>3. Only eating foods he can feed himself<br />
4. Racing Penny to her dog food bowl in the morning and trying to get a yummy morsel before she inhales it. This is a pretty funny game to watch!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYrFurJwzgg/TZn-7sVXAeI/AAAAAAAABWU/9xY5UyxoteY/s1600/Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYrFurJwzgg/TZn-7sVXAeI/AAAAAAAABWU/9xY5UyxoteY/s320/Jack.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>5. Crawling around our den and kitchen loop saying "dadadadadadada" as though he may materialize if you repeat it with enough volume and frequency<br />
6. Playing with Savannah's Barbies<br />
7. Eating mulch, and sticks, and rocks, and grass...basically any organic matter he can get his hands on<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08ZgNRRArC0/TZn-9uyVE-I/AAAAAAAABWg/8-SIE_Lt4m4/s1600/P1251493+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-08ZgNRRArC0/TZn-9uyVE-I/AAAAAAAABWg/8-SIE_Lt4m4/s320/P1251493+2.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>8. Screaming almost everytime I try to put you in a carseat<br />
9. Smiling at everyone!<br />
10. A little dance we fondly call the Jackson Hucky-buck, which consists of bouncing his legs like a frog while flapping his arms wildly<br />
11. Slobbering<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wcsPjfnmMo/TZn-8rCVo2I/AAAAAAAABWc/ciOgbiblAvQ/s1600/P1221425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5wcsPjfnmMo/TZn-8rCVo2I/AAAAAAAABWc/ciOgbiblAvQ/s320/P1221425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>12. Giving kisses with a wide open mouth, usually covering the recipient in the above mentioned slobber<br />
13. Making a wide-variety of interesting noises including something that sounds like an elephant, a squeal, a giggle that melts my heart, blowing raspberries, clucking like a chicken, and shrieking...but not too many real words yet!<br />
And finally...<br />
Just being the BEST baby I could have ever asked for!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIay6U8ohao/TZn--XpFfBI/AAAAAAAABWk/1-r5iWaUHtc/s1600/P2011576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sIay6U8ohao/TZn--XpFfBI/AAAAAAAABWk/1-r5iWaUHtc/s320/P2011576.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy 10 month birthday, baby Jack! You sure do light up our lives =)howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-1545772821943347502011-03-09T12:21:00.000-08:002011-04-04T10:19:06.092-07:00Bye Bye Snacking!My biggest weakness is snacking--I will snack all day long and by the end of the day, I really have no clue how much junk I have consumed! It's easy to convince yourself that one or two bites don't count, but much harder to remember how many little indulgences you have had throughout the day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BmGqBlSQNkA/TXfPNyKWSgI/AAAAAAAABVU/5LLqtIJIWV4/s1600/P1221428.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-BmGqBlSQNkA/TXfPNyKWSgI/AAAAAAAABVU/5LLqtIJIWV4/s400/P1221428.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>His new favorite activity is raiding the pantry!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>In my effort to lose the last few baby pounds and get back in shape, I have decided to nix the unhealthy snacking. This will be hard. With a 3 year old and 5 year old, our pantry is overflowing with snacks--chips, cookies, crackers, pudding...But I am lucky that my children really do eat pretty healthy and the snacks on hand aren't "too" bad. This is going to simply be a matter of not munching mindlessly and thoughtfully planning what snacks I have on hand for me. So today, I whipped up a batch of black bean dip, chopped some veggies, washed some fresh fruit and arranged the refrigerator so I have a shelf just for my " mommy" snacks :) Here's to dropping a bad habit while sacrificing the yummy treats! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SjAPQpBaYP0/TXfPOlD9eII/AAAAAAAABVY/6L4pMrmEmqY/s1600/Veggie+Garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SjAPQpBaYP0/TXfPOlD9eII/AAAAAAAABVY/6L4pMrmEmqY/s400/Veggie+Garden.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>With the signs of Spring showing, the kids and I recently planted a vegetable garden and it is already producing! We pulled our first batch of radishes and our cilantro and basil are ready to use! We also planted a lemon tree and have hopes for some strawberries in the future! Now if I can just keep the rabbits out of it...howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-4220904959396606362011-02-28T11:21:00.000-08:002011-02-28T11:25:16.456-08:00Seals and "Sea Enemies"<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HbqtP0-6ugY/TWv1SvLJSVI/AAAAAAAABVA/_l0CVIV9c2o/s1600/Brother+and+sister.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HbqtP0-6ugY/TWv1SvLJSVI/AAAAAAAABVA/_l0CVIV9c2o/s400/Brother+and+sister.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are moments that make me forget that they fight like cats and dogs, and leave me believing that they truly do love each other!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5se9G9Xc-k/TWv1TGQTbtI/AAAAAAAABVE/s2TQH52JOYM/s1600/Jackson+tidepool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E5se9G9Xc-k/TWv1TGQTbtI/AAAAAAAABVE/s2TQH52JOYM/s400/Jackson+tidepool.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seriously, the sweetest child I have ever known.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XbegQgMd9UU/TWv1R6RK_zI/AAAAAAAABU8/AhGuGZpy49U/s1600/3+and+SG+tidepool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XbegQgMd9UU/TWv1R6RK_zI/AAAAAAAABU8/AhGuGZpy49U/s400/3+and+SG+tidepool.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say cheese....</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nVWounjICFk/TWv1UO5c-3I/AAAAAAAABVI/vEHfMWdOmRI/s1600/Jr+and+Jack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nVWounjICFk/TWv1UO5c-3I/AAAAAAAABVI/vEHfMWdOmRI/s400/Jr+and+Jack.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and his little man. It took three children for Stephen to decide that wearing the baby carrier isn't too bad :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-liorHg7lHW0/TWv1UuVgG2I/AAAAAAAABVM/5e9D1G63UX8/s1600/Tidepool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-liorHg7lHW0/TWv1UuVgG2I/AAAAAAAABVM/5e9D1G63UX8/s400/Tidepool.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at "sea enemies" and loving their sticky tentacles! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wSandkDHk_Q/TWv1VgBXZ5I/AAAAAAAABVQ/Qz_MsXIcZzY/s1600/woo+hoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-wSandkDHk_Q/TWv1VgBXZ5I/AAAAAAAABVQ/Qz_MsXIcZzY/s400/woo+hoo.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the big splash!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YuYGixHw8Wg/TWnChur9R6I/AAAAAAAABUg/fNRXrtOl7XI/s1600/Seals+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YuYGixHw8Wg/TWnChur9R6I/AAAAAAAABUg/fNRXrtOl7XI/s400/Seals+2.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waving at the seals</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6-plUxtJ1Is/TWnCith5h5I/AAAAAAAABUk/iu1i66PJrRs/s1600/Seals+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6-plUxtJ1Is/TWnCith5h5I/AAAAAAAABUk/iu1i66PJrRs/s400/Seals+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheeeeese!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VOiuwYlNPjc/TWnCjnM2HiI/AAAAAAAABUo/bI0Fhp8wKM8/s1600/Seals+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-VOiuwYlNPjc/TWnCjnM2HiI/AAAAAAAABUo/bI0Fhp8wKM8/s400/Seals+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom thinks we are a little too close...big guy on the right was flailing around and barking loudly--clearly not happy about his company! </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oIWX4wpMjGk/TWnCkv7GCII/AAAAAAAABUs/_TodRXYixuw/s1600/Seals+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-oIWX4wpMjGk/TWnCkv7GCII/AAAAAAAABUs/_TodRXYixuw/s400/Seals+5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard to believe Savannah is almost as tall as Michael!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-41917822112841919202011-02-25T16:26:00.000-08:002011-02-25T16:26:15.211-08:00Stephen: "Let's go this way" Me: "Ok, (I hope we don't die)."If you read the camping trip post, you may recall me mentioning Stephen's adventurous side and it's tendency to collide with my cautious side...here's a photo from one of those times:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NB70W82TrBw/TWhGbZf0aBI/AAAAAAAABT4/PEX8vbd9CX0/s1600/P1010029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NB70W82TrBw/TWhGbZf0aBI/AAAAAAAABT4/PEX8vbd9CX0/s320/P1010029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This picture is taken out the windshield on an unmarked dirt trail along the side of the mountain road driving into Big Bear. Stephen saw the road (if you would call it that) and said, "Let's go down there." I responded with, "Really? But we might get stuck." <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5LteN8Swbk/TWhGcErv69I/AAAAAAAABT8/OdKQZ-5Qj4w/s1600/P1010030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V5LteN8Swbk/TWhGcErv69I/AAAAAAAABT8/OdKQZ-5Qj4w/s320/P1010030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>He smiled, as he always does, and turned off the paved road. And we headed down this road for several miles, with room for only one vehicle at a time, as the snow piled up on either side as high as the truck was tall...until we got stuck, with no cell service, and no idea where to tell someone to look for us if we were able to get cell service. I began to get worried and Stephen still smiled.howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-4390388107438329742011-02-25T16:07:00.000-08:002011-02-25T16:07:17.277-08:00Tale of the camping trip that wasn't meant to be...<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(The pictures are in totally random order...the captions explain when/where they took place. Yes, this could be confusing)</i></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsX5hcE-tgw/TWgF7TIIAeI/AAAAAAAABTw/qiNC7JcOY0I/s1600/DSCN3340+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NsX5hcE-tgw/TWgF7TIIAeI/AAAAAAAABTw/qiNC7JcOY0I/s320/DSCN3340+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sweet baby Jack...who would come home from this adventure with Croup and a double Ear Infection despite his cool hat :(</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Stephen and I love to camp, but with three children under five our camping options (especially in the Winter months) are rather limited. We've had this idea of renting an RV or trailer and heading out on a camping adventure for some time and we finally requested leave, booked the RV and made plans to spend four days, three nights in Julian. Julian is a sweet, old mining town to the East of San Diego in the low mountains...cold enough to feel like we were getting a mountain vacation, but not so cold that the kids would be miserable. We planned to take our bikes, explore an old gold mine and ride the train, eat apple pie, buy fresh backed bread from Dudley's Bakery, "burn" marshmallows...it was planned and we were excited!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWLtf7AHZuQ/TWgFi4TNijI/AAAAAAAABTE/lhYlCcxafEU/s1600/DSCN3227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IWLtf7AHZuQ/TWgFi4TNijI/AAAAAAAABTE/lhYlCcxafEU/s320/DSCN3227.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>On our way up to the Kern River Valley...crossing fingers it wouldn't rain (or snow).</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Now, please understand that at the time we requested leave and planned this vacation it had been in the 70's and sunny EVERYDAY for a few weeks. The weather was gorgeous and it seemed like the perfect chance to get away. Little did we know that the Gods of Camping Weather were preparing to spit on our lovely plans. Monday, the day before we were to leave for this little adventure, we received a call from the campground in Julian that they were going to be closing because of the weather in anticipation of snow. We were bummed, but we were not going to let one set back ruin our trip.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBlhpNOORaE/TWgFp8-YxUI/AAAAAAAABTU/brg1toucQE0/s1600/DSCN3263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BBlhpNOORaE/TWgFp8-YxUI/AAAAAAAABTU/brg1toucQE0/s320/DSCN3263.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Jacks face pretty much sums it up...it was cold. Windy and cold.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We scrambled to make a new plan and decided to head north to the Kern River Valley at the South end of the Sequoia National Forest. We camped here for our honeymoon and it was beautiful, and yes it was also the middle of June. Please note: We were scrambling the night before leaving. Finding a campground with full RV hookups that isn't a senior citizen vacation resort is not easy and in retrospect driving north into the storm path in February wasn't the best choice... <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6686DWKtYE/TWgFlGBwMyI/AAAAAAAABTM/GkpBbWJ2MDU/s1600/DSCN3242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q6686DWKtYE/TWgFlGBwMyI/AAAAAAAABTM/GkpBbWJ2MDU/s320/DSCN3242.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Morning of Day 2: after being pummeled by rain all night, but before the snow that closed the campground and blocked the roads.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>I am a planner. I like to know where we are going, how long it will take to get there, what there is to do when we get there, the weather forecast...Stephen is more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-our-pants kind of guy. He is a Howell and I have come to accept this over the past eight years. I used to love this attitude-it challenged me to let go of the planning every once and a while and just go with it. With that attitude in hand, we packed up and headed north. We found a "quaint" KOA campground along Lake Isabella (that looked great online) and settled in for the night. It was deserted and pretty run down, but we had a fire pit, playground and hookups for water and electric so we were all happy. We built a fire, ate supper, roasted marshmallows, and ran the dogs around before settling in for the night. So far, no bad weather...until the ran began pounding down around 2am and the temperature dropped about 30 degrees. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWh_Qk6aUxc/TWgFrf3xBSI/AAAAAAAABTY/fRYJd0lKE2s/s1600/DSCN3279+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sWh_Qk6aUxc/TWgFrf3xBSI/AAAAAAAABTY/fRYJd0lKE2s/s320/DSCN3279+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Afternoon day two: settling in at Pyramid Lake RV "resort"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The weather forecast the next morning was glum: rain, sleet, snow, wind, ice. The campground issued us a refund because we would likely not be able to drive out the mountain road if we stayed another night. We packed up and decided to try to visit the Trail of a Hundred Giants anyway. We found the first of two roads into Sequoia National Forest closed due to snow in the mountain pass and were told by the ole' trusty Garmin that there was a second road in to the west entrance. Here's where my planning instinct collides with Stephens spontaneous instinct: we stop for gas before heading around the lake and I mentioned that the guy at the counter looks like a real wilderness-type of guy and we should maybe ask him about the accessibility BEFORE wasting loads of time and gas going up and over and around the lake and mountain. I was met with a response similar to "Nah" and so we drove on.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Api-Tpw_UyE/TWgFm3r2KAI/AAAAAAAABTQ/XBLkkxk4-8A/s1600/DSCN3245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Api-Tpw_UyE/TWgFm3r2KAI/AAAAAAAABTQ/XBLkkxk4-8A/s320/DSCN3245.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Attempting to drive to the Trail of a Hundred Giants in the sleet.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Another fact about me: I am cautious. I think about things like not having cell service, what if we get snowed in, where's the nearest hospital, is this safe...Stephen is adventurous. He is a Marine and a man, and because of this attitude we have made some very good memories that start off with Stephen saying "Let's go this way" and me half-smiling with sweaty palms and saying "Sure, I hope we don't die." I have learned over the years to trust his judgment and have tried hard to not freak out when I think it may not be the best choice...this was going to be one of those times...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_9OPgH9m7w/TWgFu6DLGAI/AAAAAAAABTc/CaIKMHDZ5OI/s1600/DSCN3296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U_9OPgH9m7w/TWgFu6DLGAI/AAAAAAAABTc/CaIKMHDZ5OI/s320/DSCN3296.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pyramid Lake RV Resort had two redeeming qualities. Number 1: A playground!</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The drive around the lake in the early morning was beautiful. We passed campgrounds that we visited during our honeymoon, stopped to look at waterfalls along the Kern River, saw a rainbow, and (despite the rain that was gradually turning into sleet) generally marveled at the beauty of this place. The drive quickly turned uphill and narrowed significantly. Here's where my cautious instinct kicked in. We were driving a rented 31 foot RV along a very narrow road which was becoming icy, isolated, and had almost no opportunities to turn around. We also had no battery left on the GPS, no cell phone signal, and it was below freezing outside. Stephen was LOVING IT; I was praying in the passenger seat. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRx0h5eW66U/TWgFyFyM5gI/AAAAAAAABTg/pGbz92MWG7c/s1600/DSCN3307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PRx0h5eW66U/TWgFyFyM5gI/AAAAAAAABTg/pGbz92MWG7c/s320/DSCN3307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Campfire, night 2</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>The kids, so far, were happy but it was coming up on lunch time and they had been in their carseats for the entire morning. I was starting to get restless with this drive, mostly because we were passing signs that said "Snowplows only" and "Icy Roads Ahead" and I was beginning to think that if we managed to get over the pass and into the valley 1) we wouldn't really even be able to get out and enjoy the big trees because of the sleet and 2) we may not be able to drive back out. Where would we camp, how would we stay warm, how long would we be able to stay if we were stuck...you get the idea. Stephen assured me there would be another way out and we would not have to go back over the mountain pass...I had less faith. I was wrong, yes you heard it here, but that comes later.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vh4sTyivM0M/TWgF1UIUSyI/AAAAAAAABTk/PKhF5Rb7UhM/s1600/DSCN3321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vh4sTyivM0M/TWgF1UIUSyI/AAAAAAAABTk/PKhF5Rb7UhM/s320/DSCN3321.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redeeming Quality #2: the park backed up to a hillside with little trails to explore.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We followed Garmin (which was on it last, dying cell of battery because the outlet on the dashboard wasn't working to charge it) until it directed us to a dead end, told us to drive through a front yard, and into the side of the mountain via gravel driveway...We were disappointed, slightly frustrated and now done trying to find the back way to the trail. We turned around and pulled over on the side of a field and made lunch. To say that I was frustrated was an understatement. To say that I was anxious about driving back over that pass was an understatement. But Stephen was right...there was a road that would take us back out another direction and drop us off somewhere in the middle of Central California Farm Country. We were once again scrambling to find a place to stay for the next two nights, but didn't have a clue where we were in relation to any nearby city. I worked on Google on my cell phone to try to find a local campground, but could only find Lawrence Welk-type Retirement Resorts. We wanted something that would at least resemble camping in the wilderness and came across Pyramid Lake just north of Los Angeles...it would have to do. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-momhWFHVUEI/TWgF3RqKWVI/AAAAAAAABTo/ofkbSlCFHPk/s1600/DSCN3325+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-momhWFHVUEI/TWgF3RqKWVI/AAAAAAAABTo/ofkbSlCFHPk/s320/DSCN3325+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Yeh, she can sure strike a pose...</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We drove in around 4. Everyone was tired. The kids were getting sick and the dogs were restless from being cooped up all day. It didn't matter what this place had to offer at this point: We were staying here and we would make the best of it. To say that this place was run-down would be a compliment, but the Chinese folks running the place were happy to have guests and were very accommodating. They provided a fire pit so we could have a campfire (we were were in a no-ground fire zone of the Los Angeles Nation Forest) and free WI-FI and cable TV hook-ups. We set up our camp, built a fire and headed to the playground. The beauty of having small children is that they can be happy anywhere. To us this was a dilapidated, off season RV park off the side of the 5 freeway. To them, it was a nature adventure and their enthusiasm was infectious. The weather held up, no rain but very cold. The poor kids were all working on ear infections, Michael had a wicked cough, and they didn't last outside for too long before complaining that they were cold. We settled in shortly after dark for baths and a movie<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgr_q7OfAe4/TWgF6tTeIEI/AAAAAAAABTs/sZXYt4w7HSo/s1600/DSCN3329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgr_q7OfAe4/TWgF6tTeIEI/AAAAAAAABTs/sZXYt4w7HSo/s320/DSCN3329.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Headed back toward camp from the hillside.</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We spent the next day by the fire, riding bikes, taking a hike and playing at the playground. We napped and headed back out to the playground and scouted around the hillside, filling their pockets with rocks and collecting sticks to burn. We knew we would be heading home early the next day. Stephen and I were both suffering from a lingering cold, Michael's cough was getting worse by the hour, Jack and Savannah weren't much better, and the dog's were up most of the night with (ahem) bowel problems. After burning more marshmallows, we settled in early with homemade Chinese food (appropriate considering our hosts), played several rounds of Chutes and Ladders, Candyland, and Whack-a-mole (which is pronounced in a way that it rhymes with guacamole) and watched Man vs. Wild and Gold Rush Alaska on the Discovery Channel. We cranked up the heat, dished out the cold medicine and fell asleep early. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8R4bSg03AE/TWgF8YFCnUI/AAAAAAAABT0/GKeFTHdim_Q/s1600/DSCN3354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K8R4bSg03AE/TWgF8YFCnUI/AAAAAAAABT0/GKeFTHdim_Q/s320/DSCN3354.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>How could you not enjoy a trip with this little angel?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Heading home early was bittersweet. We very much enjoyed the trip; and despite the poor planning, bad weather, and sickness, the kids had a great time. Number one lesson learned: camping with babies is probably best done in the warmer months, when rain, ice, and ear infections are less likely to threaten your vacation. We will surely remember this trip for many years and I am SO thankful Stephen and were able to enjoy it with a sense of humor :)howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-87181803974904633732011-02-20T16:34:00.000-08:002011-02-20T16:34:54.663-08:005 things...Because I think it is a very good exercise to learn to take yourself not so seriously...here are five things that made me feel like a dork this week...<br />
1. Stephen witnessed me do a happy dance when I discovered my first edition of my Cooking Light magazine subscription (which he purchased for me for Christmas) in the pile of mail we collected after our camping trip. I {very literally} hopped, skipped and twirled from the kitchen to the living room to thank him and share my joy with this gift...I was met with sarcasm and ridicule over my excitement over a cooking magazine!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdizF2hCX3Y/TWGwsWeIf6I/AAAAAAAABSM/RI2_lMhVMX0/s1600/cooking-light-magazine-020911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RdizF2hCX3Y/TWGwsWeIf6I/AAAAAAAABSM/RI2_lMhVMX0/s200/cooking-light-magazine-020911.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
2. Very much along the same lines as number one, I was over the moon excited by my Valentine's Day gift to myself this past week: a 38 piece set of new Tupperware from Costco. This not only made me feel like an old housewife, but having a $5 off coupon that prompted the sale made me feel even more domesticated.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9uP_ErMDYI/TWGwsC2WN7I/AAAAAAAABSI/kPPwEOq8kSM/s1600/Airtight_38pc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j9uP_ErMDYI/TWGwsC2WN7I/AAAAAAAABSI/kPPwEOq8kSM/s320/Airtight_38pc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
3. I think about and laugh at Michael's knowledge of Star Wars at age five, because it FAR exceeds my knowledge of Star Wars accumulated over the past 30 years...I laugh at "the round robot named R-doo Dee-doo" and that "Anikan grows up to be the bad Darf Vador and he has a life saver!" He is SO sure of this information.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pCSfDCI074/TWGwsoW8OBI/AAAAAAAABSQ/GzTVAnookHs/s1600/r2d2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2pCSfDCI074/TWGwsoW8OBI/AAAAAAAABSQ/GzTVAnookHs/s200/r2d2.jpg" width="134" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
4. I was also equally excited about having really bad WiFi/Cable TV at the campground we stayed at this past week because it meant Stephen and I were able to veg-out and watch re-runs of Man vs. Wild and Gold Rush Alaska after playing too many rounds of Chutes and Ladders and Whack A Mole, pronounced Whackamole like Guacamole, with the kiddos. Our camping trip would be called by some a disaster...it was bitterly cold outside and we were being pounded by storms...but that's another story for another blog post!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6EqJSjaieQ/TWGx9hoRqSI/AAAAAAAABSY/qr1INRAwoz0/s1600/gold_rush_alaska-show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k6EqJSjaieQ/TWGx9hoRqSI/AAAAAAAABSY/qr1INRAwoz0/s200/gold_rush_alaska-show.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
5. I LOVED my Valentine's Day flowers from Stephen (a bunch of Star Gazer lilies and Blue Iris) so much so that I dragged them on our RV/road trip...packing them oh-so carefully in the sink--between a can of baby formula, a camping stove pot and a roll of paper towels--so they wouldn't dump over as Stephen drove haphazardly up north! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXtLkG5n_cQ/TWGw0y8ZIcI/AAAAAAAABSU/RE-22tHJ3Os/s1600/DSCN3261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FXtLkG5n_cQ/TWGw0y8ZIcI/AAAAAAAABSU/RE-22tHJ3Os/s200/DSCN3261.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-86890157513783993462011-01-30T11:18:00.000-08:002011-01-30T11:18:59.998-08:00Meet Penny...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TUBy0pQ14WI/AAAAAAAABR4/y1lc90sO3Lo/s1600/Penny+Jack+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TUBy0pQ14WI/AAAAAAAABR4/y1lc90sO3Lo/s320/Penny+Jack+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penny loves Jack, and I think he loves her too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The most common question I have answered over the last week has been, "Are you crazy?" And I do believe the answer is a resounding YES! <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TUW3-ZQn9PI/AAAAAAAABR8/C41ojdE_R4I/s1600/DSCN3048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TUW3-ZQn9PI/AAAAAAAABR8/C41ojdE_R4I/s320/DSCN3048.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Gunner and Penny</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
So, our family of seven now includes three children (five, three, and eight months) and two lab puppies (9 months and 9 weeks)...let's just say I'm praying for my sanity ;)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TUW40QAXJQI/AAAAAAAABSA/vU6bBDBsBD4/s1600/DSCN3083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TUW40QAXJQI/AAAAAAAABSA/vU6bBDBsBD4/s320/DSCN3083.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-26661828995031105662011-01-12T10:20:00.000-08:002011-01-12T12:42:52.832-08:00Bobbing for toysJack is just now stable enough to sit up in the tub without dumping over...and he has a BLAST! I think this is sort of the baby equivalent of bobbing for apples, just splash around enough and a toy will come to you!<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxOSlud_v1zFPpn1AakOdcrC1fvvmxfarCCCtAZn2VKig-kgRCLDPOLDj0Mz6zvPfLlXy5sigPGO_PBrz8ZZw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-24943550586818428442011-01-10T13:17:00.000-08:002011-01-10T13:30:18.554-08:00The song that doesn't end...For two months before Christmas, Michael (and eventually Savannah as she picked it up) sang a song to the tune of 10 Little Indians depicting the story of Christ's birth...it went a little something like this: Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem riding on a donkey...and on and on for about 10 versus. It was very catchy, and while I appreciated how well it taught Michael and Savannah the Christmas story, I was so thankful for Christmas to end so we could hopefully move on from hearing the song at least 40 times a day.<br />It has since been replaced with this song:<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPtRZW5kPYe8kWEWj5UOb0f0IcZuRAnLQv1ybnENFS4Q2IYbkkCHrLAfJ8Hhck5VdohJyh9gb2C-KZGT77Vg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />And while they are very cute singing it, the song HAS NO CLEAR ENDING! It goes ON and ON and ON until one of screams to be quiet!<br />Oh, how I miss the days of Mary and Joseph, the donkey, and the Wise Men traveling from the "ornament"!!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-58860283561727626012011-01-09T14:45:00.000-08:002011-01-09T15:15:00.459-08:00RAK '11<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSo6iBRLn8I/AAAAAAAABRw/BCpblNI-9kw/s1600/RAK.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSo6iBRLn8I/AAAAAAAABRw/BCpblNI-9kw/s400/RAK.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560321046072762306" border="0" /></a><br />I know, I know. I said I wasn't big on resolutions, but I think this is definitely worth giving a shot: Random Acts of Kindness for the big kids.<br />I sort of thieved this from my wonderfully creative friend Lori, with her permission of course, because I was sort of disheartened by Michael and Savannah's greediness this past holiday season. Yes, I am aware that this sort of greediness is perfectly normal for 3 and 5 year olds, but I cringed every time they would ask if someone was bringing them a present or said "I want that" for every toy commercial on TV. I tried fostering their giving spirit by helping them clean out their toys before Christmas and explaining that we would be donating them to children who don't have as many toys as they have...and they were surprisingly generous with what they were willing to give up for a good reason.<br /><br />Lori's idea is this: fill a bag with the names of all the people Michael and Savannah know. Once a week (our day will be Monday) Michael and Savannah pick one name from the bag and do something kind for that person. <br /><br />Michael and I talked today about this idea and, after the basic discussion about what it means to be kind, the conversation went something like this:<br />Me: What is something kind you could do for Grandma or Lovey?<br />Michael: Ummm...draw a picture of me and Gunner and Jack and you?<br />Me: That's a great idea! They could hang the picture on their refrigerator! What about for your teacher, Miss Lisa?<br />Michael: Ummm...draw a picture?<br />Me: Let's try to think of another idea. What about taking her a yummy muffin for breakfast?<br />Michael: Yeh, that's a good idea. She could eat it at snack time.<br />Me: Ok, what about for Miss Angie (mommy of our friends across the street)?<br />Michael: How 'bout drawing a picture of me eating a muffin?<br />Me: HAHAHAHA!<br /><br />Anyway, we will be giving this a shot tomorrow! I will let you know how it goes:)howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-30983308090849398082011-01-06T12:01:00.001-08:002011-01-06T12:01:59.937-08:00End of 2010 Slideshow<div><embed src="http://widget-bc.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=1513209474823377596&site=widget-bc.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:375px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=1513209474823377596&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-bc.slide.com/p1/1513209474823377596/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=1513209474823377596&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-bc.slide.com/p2/1513209474823377596/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=1513209474823377596&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-bc.slide.com/p4/1513209474823377596/bb_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-23555745943030192932011-01-05T10:07:00.000-08:002011-01-05T11:13:53.237-08:002011...a new start with the blog?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSTCdJpUz1I/AAAAAAAABRg/miZ4rt-U4ms/s1600/DSCN2689.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSTCdJpUz1I/AAAAAAAABRg/miZ4rt-U4ms/s320/DSCN2689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558781646143278930" border="0" /></a><br />{Sweet baby Jack and his new favorite toy, sitting all by himself!}<br /><br />First off, happy new year! I'm really not a fan of resolutions since I rarely follow though for a whole year, but since things here are finally calming down after the chaos that was 2009, I guess I will give it a shot with several manageable resolutions.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSS5O9QXQmI/AAAAAAAABRA/dew4zclxFrc/s1600/Splash%2B1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSS5O9QXQmI/AAAAAAAABRA/dew4zclxFrc/s320/Splash%2B1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558771506694537826" border="0" /></a><br />{escaping the house after a long day of rain to splash in the puddles}<br /><br />First, I will try to keep this blog updated more often. It seems that with Facebook so easily accessible, I don't really take the time to sit down and write about what we have going on. I like the idea of blogging if for no other reason than keeping a record of all the little things that happen as the kids grow up that I don't want to forget: the milestones, the funny things they say, precious videos that I don't want to get lost in the hundreds of files I have saved...<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzYZBC8WIJTdF15SNszpGM74_hsdM9mw7gbW64nIfDXkeK5bawp4MXfxXQc5AlPp1bdlB0ziymmVYyc-CNn7Q' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />{Jack really crawling, almost seven months old}<br /><br />Second, I am running a half marathon and challenging myself to be more active this year! As of right now, I am planning to run this half marathon <a href="http://www.sandiegozoo.org/halfmarathon/">http://www.sandiegozoo.org/halfmarathon/ </a>on March 13th...and yes, that is 13.1 miles and only two months away!! Good luck, right?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSS817cEi-I/AAAAAAAABRI/hQsHITrBygQ/s1600/SG%2BJump.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSS817cEi-I/AAAAAAAABRI/hQsHITrBygQ/s320/SG%2BJump.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558775474756553698" border="0" /></a><br />Stephen and I are also signed up to run the "World Famous MARSOC Mud Run" at Camp Pendleton on June 5th. You can check it out here <a href="http://camppendletonraces.com/mud_sat.html">http://camppendletonraces.com/mud_sat.html</a>. The Mud Run is a challenging 10K run with hills, tire obstacles, river crossings, two 5-foot walls with mud on both sides, tunnel crawl, slippery hill climb, and the final 30-foot mud pit. We are on two teams with Stephen's Captain and his wife and as grueling as it sounds, I am actually looking forward to it! If you recall, I ran an ordinary 10K two years ago and though it might do me in, so this should be AWESOME;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSS_x5-48ZI/AAAAAAAABRY/BrHdpqV8OjU/s1600/Michael%2Bsplash.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TSS_x5-48ZI/AAAAAAAABRY/BrHdpqV8OjU/s320/Michael%2Bsplash.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558778704181129618" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, I am resolving to get back to cooking fresh and healthy meals. I really love cooking and don't pretend to be any good at it, but it makes me happy! Stephen bought me a subscription to my favorite magazine, Cooking Light, for Christmas and I can't wait for it to start arriving in our mailbox. That's about it from here...I will leave you with a video of Jack, who just cut his first tooth yesterday, destroying a banana! I needed a fire hose to clean him up after this.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw-nJbdUFCgRkxmx7Yspg40YxQogHTJ9cM7dbStM-mvyi_ZlbshnpGbIMbZNOIrAUIw3T3hL_7XeHT9NgszJw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-71568991573051662982010-07-24T11:54:00.000-07:002010-07-24T12:49:58.392-07:00Catching upWow, so I've been really absent from updating this blog for the past two months...and so very much has happened! Here's a very abbreviated photo tour of May, June and July:<br /><br />We had one very special little princess turn three!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_vZ9hhBI/AAAAAAAABQE/TqS-FCdvUck/s1600/P1010446.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_vZ9hhBI/AAAAAAAABQE/TqS-FCdvUck/s200/P1010446.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497557853791159314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_whZnkHI/AAAAAAAABQU/IjBJVl6RlzU/s1600/P1010466.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_whZnkHI/AAAAAAAABQU/IjBJVl6RlzU/s200/P1010466.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497557872967913586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_u3TNtOI/AAAAAAAABP8/5elhM6lJ-vs/s1600/P1010344.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_u3TNtOI/AAAAAAAABP8/5elhM6lJ-vs/s200/P1010344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497557844486894818" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_wDdGrtI/AAAAAAAABQM/NMIEfqpE028/s1600/P1010489.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_wDdGrtI/AAAAAAAABQM/NMIEfqpE028/s200/P1010489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497557864929472210" border="0" /></a><br />Have made several trips down to the beach, which is about 2 miles from our house! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_urtlBTI/AAAAAAAABP0/mEyA6y-a5bQ/s1600/DSCN0400f.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs_urtlBTI/AAAAAAAABP0/mEyA6y-a5bQ/s200/DSCN0400f.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497557841376249138" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9ujabUaI/AAAAAAAABPU/Xx3YfZYD6iY/s1600/DSCN0548.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9ujabUaI/AAAAAAAABPU/Xx3YfZYD6iY/s200/DSCN0548.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497555640125182370" border="0" /></a><br />Ride bikes and play at our playground everyday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9wT3BU2I/AAAAAAAABPs/7havUfAdUqM/s1600/DSC05991.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9wT3BU2I/AAAAAAAABPs/7havUfAdUqM/s200/DSC05991.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497555670309884770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9v6ICpWI/AAAAAAAABPk/LAIxW4JDHZo/s1600/DSC06034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9v6ICpWI/AAAAAAAABPk/LAIxW4JDHZo/s200/DSC06034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497555663401952610" border="0" /></a><br />Lovey came to visit for the arrival of Jack and took the kids to pick strawberries and have ice cream at the harbor.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9vWcJDkI/AAAAAAAABPc/aCyG-a6GuuQ/s1600/DSC06062.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9vWcJDkI/AAAAAAAABPc/aCyG-a6GuuQ/s200/DSC06062.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497555653822582338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8GJXqVII/AAAAAAAABOs/fgQCZm_OHE8/s1600/P1010801.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8GJXqVII/AAAAAAAABOs/fgQCZm_OHE8/s200/P1010801.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497553846427866242" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9uQdOXvI/AAAAAAAABPM/nCoAoE_6CoU/s1600/DSCN0498.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs9uQdOXvI/AAAAAAAABPM/nCoAoE_6CoU/s200/DSCN0498.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497555635036643058" border="0" /></a><br />We had a very special Fourth of July visit from daddy, complete with a new trampoline, lots of time outside, and playing with our cousins!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8HaT19sI/AAAAAAAABO8/SIH6moR5YUU/s1600/P1010896.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8HaT19sI/AAAAAAAABO8/SIH6moR5YUU/s200/P1010896.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497553868155123394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8H4jT02I/AAAAAAAABPE/BaP1-YRwU8A/s1600/P1010963.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8H4jT02I/AAAAAAAABPE/BaP1-YRwU8A/s200/P1010963.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497553876273058658" border="0" /></a><br />Jack's gotten stronger and fatter everyday! He has a really *tough* life ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8Gt4M-3I/AAAAAAAABO0/BM6tXBIflm8/s1600/P1010813.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8Gt4M-3I/AAAAAAAABO0/BM6tXBIflm8/s200/P1010813.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497553856228031346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8Fgqn05I/AAAAAAAABOk/Pfa_PZknorE/s1600/P1010786+w.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs8Fgqn05I/AAAAAAAABOk/Pfa_PZknorE/s200/P1010786+w.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497553835501540242" border="0" /></a><br />Michael started soccer in July and has had a love/hate relationship with the game...he gets really frustrated and then really excited within a matter of five minutes. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs62hG-JNI/AAAAAAAABOU/Cr4AxTTd9oY/s1600/P1011042.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs62hG-JNI/AAAAAAAABOU/Cr4AxTTd9oY/s200/P1011042.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552478410777810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs63CieSLI/AAAAAAAABOc/-GyiOenI2us/s1600/P1011033.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs63CieSLI/AAAAAAAABOc/-GyiOenI2us/s200/P1011033.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552487384500402" border="0" /></a><br />We have even ventured to the pool a few times, but it just hasn't warmed up enough to be real enjoyable.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs611uvfoI/AAAAAAAABOE/v6PZ0OL1hP4/s1600/DSCN0636.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs611uvfoI/AAAAAAAABOE/v6PZ0OL1hP4/s200/DSCN0636.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552466766429826" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs62TpECuI/AAAAAAAABOM/UKEDGygllXA/s1600/DSCN0633.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs62TpECuI/AAAAAAAABOM/UKEDGygllXA/s200/DSCN0633.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552474795674338" border="0" /></a><br />We took the kids to Lake Elsinore to ride on the boat and play on the beach with Aunt Nicky and our cousins, Mason and Kayden. It was HOT-105-but the water felt good and they swam until they passed out!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs61fmcuCI/AAAAAAAABN8/XM56yD_mKI8/s1600/DSCN0709.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs61fmcuCI/AAAAAAAABN8/XM56yD_mKI8/s200/DSCN0709.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497552460826064930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4u13_CkI/AAAAAAAABN0/CYqxJN3L2sU/s1600/DSCN0758.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4u13_CkI/AAAAAAAABN0/CYqxJN3L2sU/s200/DSCN0758.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497550147522857538" border="0" /></a><br />Jackson got his first pair of jeans;) and is already wearing size 3 month clothes! He is gonna be a chunk! Michael also learned how to ride a skateboard and I am just waiting for our first ER visit...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4uLBoD_I/AAAAAAAABNs/1tQLf7CmFDE/s1600/DSCN0788.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4uLBoD_I/AAAAAAAABNs/1tQLf7CmFDE/s200/DSCN0788.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497550136020570098" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4tgbEo9I/AAAAAAAABNk/rSGWSMZJ-90/s1600/DSCN0790.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4tgbEo9I/AAAAAAAABNk/rSGWSMZJ-90/s200/DSCN0790.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497550124584575954" border="0" /></a><br />And in one surprising turn of events, Stephen bought us a chocolate lab puppy, named Gunner, in Oklahoma. While I am very excited and the kids are thrilled, I don't know that I am 100% OK with adding a puppy to our already chaotic house..he's awfully cute though!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4sh9U2DI/AAAAAAAABNU/g308eyfSQ4I/s1600/35219_1477930944748_1127987655_31402324_3663584_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4sh9U2DI/AAAAAAAABNU/g308eyfSQ4I/s200/35219_1477930944748_1127987655_31402324_3663584_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497550107816810546" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4s3BMTbI/AAAAAAAABNc/FD8MQTB9g2E/s1600/38021_1477928824695_1127987655_31402306_4389635_n.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs4s3BMTbI/AAAAAAAABNc/FD8MQTB9g2E/s200/38021_1477928824695_1127987655_31402306_4389635_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497550113470172594" border="0" /></a><br />It's been a wild three months, with Stephen being in Oklahoma, Jack's arrival, Savannah's birthday and the adjustment to having three babies. The end of July and August bring more soccer games, a trip to Oklahoma, and the promise/hope of some more sunshine and warm weather!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-42842162787199096372010-07-23T21:05:00.000-07:002010-07-24T11:52:49.378-07:00Meet William Jackson Howell, "Baby Jack"...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0bkkXhwI/AAAAAAAABMc/Iyyzg-fgh6w/s1600/DSCN0477.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0bkkXhwI/AAAAAAAABMc/Iyyzg-fgh6w/s320/DSCN0477.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497545418413147906" border="0" /></a><br />Baby Jack made his grand entrance on June 4th at 5 pm, weighing in at a tiny 6 lbs 2 ounces and 18 inches! The Lord truly blessed us that Stephen was able to fly in the night before I went to the hospital and be here for his birth. Michael and Savannah were thrilled to see daddy and meet baby Jack...it was a very special weekend to say the least!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstZND5-OI/AAAAAAAABL8/dFUT5xUNQF0/s1600/P1010530.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstZND5-OI/AAAAAAAABL8/dFUT5xUNQF0/s320/P1010530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497537681161844962" border="0" /></a><br />Overall, Jack's delivery was relatively easy but not without complications...seems that my babies DO NOT like to be induced and just like my labor with Michael, Jackson's heart rate kept plummeting as each contraction came. After a few hours of very intense Pitocin contractions, they actually stopped the medication all together to let him have a little recovery but it also basically stalled my labor completely.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstYc6hxuI/AAAAAAAABL0/mkRB8ngpFq4/s1600/P1010595.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstYc6hxuI/AAAAAAAABL0/mkRB8ngpFq4/s320/P1010595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497537668237608674" border="0" /></a><br />They very slowly started the medication again, gave me an epidural, and encourage me to rest. Stephen and I just prayed that the Lord would deliver him quickly and without any further complications, and although they were telling me to try to sleep, I held my breath and fought back tears as I watched his heart rate drop with every contraction. Thankfully and with God's mercy, the second half of labor went very quickly and our baby boy arrived within 2 hours!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstZeWMAZI/AAAAAAAABME/FO3clk6NeDo/s1600/P1010609.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstZeWMAZI/AAAAAAAABME/FO3clk6NeDo/s320/P1010609.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497537685801927058" border="0" /></a><br />While the sex of the baby was a surprise, we were both SHOCKED to find out our baby was a boy...Stephen and I both thought this baby was a girl and I would have bet money on it!<br />We chose the name William Jackson after my much beloved grandfather, William Kinkella and Stonewall Jackson, one of the most gifted tactical commanders in US history. Savannah quickly named him Baby Jack and it has stuck!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstZ6iBbcI/AAAAAAAABMM/p00phdmOmXc/s1600/P1010624.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstZ6iBbcI/AAAAAAAABMM/p00phdmOmXc/s320/P1010624.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497537693367758274" border="0" /></a><br />Jack has been the sweetest addition to our family. He has the best temperament, sleeps {relatively} well, and just loves to be held. Michael and Savannah have done surprisingly well adjusting to the new baby, especially with daddy being gone for five months. Michael is definitely the helper and Savannah is the nurturer.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstaWdJtzI/AAAAAAAABMU/Qb3FnFBILEs/s1600/P1010649.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEstaWdJtzI/AAAAAAAABMU/Qb3FnFBILEs/s320/P1010649.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497537700863522610" border="0" /></a><br />We have adjusted pretty well so far. Everyday is a different challenge with a four year old, three year old and newborn...we are counting down the days until Stephen comes home in September and praying I don't lose all sanity before then:)<br /><br />Here's a few more favorite pictures from Jack's first month:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0dgB4CbI/AAAAAAAABM8/lK_mNnm1h2I/s1600/P1010987.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0dgB4CbI/AAAAAAAABM8/lK_mNnm1h2I/s320/P1010987.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497545451554474418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs16zZKwfI/AAAAAAAABNM/pkMOUvUcTm4/s1600/DSC06060.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs16zZKwfI/AAAAAAAABNM/pkMOUvUcTm4/s320/DSC06060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497547054480278002" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs16XbjTSI/AAAAAAAABNE/QRCAKgBjg_8/s1600/P1010747.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs16XbjTSI/AAAAAAAABNE/QRCAKgBjg_8/s320/P1010747.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497547046974082338" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0c0AlP6I/AAAAAAAABM0/us-tS6YWmV0/s1600/P1010737.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0c0AlP6I/AAAAAAAABM0/us-tS6YWmV0/s320/P1010737.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497545439737888674" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0cX9d2XI/AAAAAAAABMs/gS_QT8YLJiA/s1600/P1010735.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0cX9d2XI/AAAAAAAABMs/gS_QT8YLJiA/s320/P1010735.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497545432208628082" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0cL-db4I/AAAAAAAABMk/zvmWUNN3Sz0/s1600/P1010689.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/TEs0cL-db4I/AAAAAAAABMk/zvmWUNN3Sz0/s320/P1010689.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497545428991569794" border="0" /></a>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-70316946293015157482010-05-09T13:19:00.000-07:002010-05-10T08:16:48.591-07:00One of the Greatest Mother's Day Gifts...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-gjS3SYEjI/AAAAAAAABJY/fADpz6M0lE0/s1600/Mothersday+-128-Edit.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-gjS3SYEjI/AAAAAAAABJY/fADpz6M0lE0/s400/Mothersday+-128-Edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469660554427109938" border="0" /></a><br />It's incredibly hard to believe that three years ago, this little bundle of sunshine was my Mother's Day gift. Our sweet Savannah Grace came home from the hospital on Mother's Day and has continued to be one of the most precious blessings I could ever have hoped for.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-cZ9_kTjBI/AAAAAAAABJI/uRIsPRZ_gIY/s1600/mother%27s+day+%2813%29_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 273px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-cZ9_kTjBI/AAAAAAAABJI/uRIsPRZ_gIY/s400/mother%27s+day+%2813%29_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469368825291181074" border="0" /></a><br />Even more amazing to me is that in a little less than four weeks, this tiny newborn will be a big sister and our comfy family of four will grow to a family of five! The Lord has blessed us in so many ways!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-cZ9ctBdoI/AAAAAAAABJA/Lgm0a5TSZ1g/s1600/DSC01513+edited.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-cZ9ctBdoI/AAAAAAAABJA/Lgm0a5TSZ1g/s400/DSC01513+edited.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469368815932503682" border="0" /></a><br />Savannah Grace, as you turn three years old tomorrow, I want you to know several of the things you remind me of everyday:<br />1) Smile, and smile often. You sometimes even manage to smile while you are crying, pouting and throwing a fit.<br />2) Laugh and be cheesy! You will belly laugh until you snort, then say "what that noise?"<br />3) Dance and twirl, even if there isn't any music...and sing as loudly and off key as possible!<br />4) It's perfectly acceptable to leave the house wearing pink high heels, a tutu, superhero cape, a tiara and carrying a sword. Let the people stare, they are just jealous they can't pull that look off with such charm!<br />5) Nothing in the world warms my heart like a full body bear hug from you...even at 3 years old, you are still my "Baby".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-cZ-R2PjfI/AAAAAAAABJQ/fc0N2Vv4zhA/s1600/P1010081.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S-cZ-R2PjfI/AAAAAAAABJQ/fc0N2Vv4zhA/s400/P1010081.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469368830198255090" border="0" /></a><br />I love you sweet girl and all the "shun-shiny" you have brought to our lives!howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9192939326143350286.post-73623700079279562542010-03-24T11:32:00.000-07:002010-03-24T11:39:59.219-07:00Beautiful Pictures from my Uncle David...What a gift!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pccoOxmbI/AAAAAAAABIY/PmSDVqn9EIg/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--669-edit_3633.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pccoOxmbI/AAAAAAAABIY/PmSDVqn9EIg/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--669-edit_3633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271945790888370" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pccH7KcGI/AAAAAAAABIQ/PFD41VitTOM/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--785-edit_3227.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pccH7KcGI/AAAAAAAABIQ/PFD41VitTOM/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--785-edit_3227.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271937118695522" border="0" /></a><br />My wonderfully talented Uncle David took some pictures of Michael and Savannah this month while we were visiting San Diego...here are just a few of my favorites!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbp1FnbZI/AAAAAAAABHw/-ydX1jAfkd0/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--672-edit_2845.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbp1FnbZI/AAAAAAAABHw/-ydX1jAfkd0/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--672-edit_2845.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271073068805522" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbpktZVJI/AAAAAAAABHo/AqjlQUJ7t40/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--615-edit_8117.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbpktZVJI/AAAAAAAABHo/AqjlQUJ7t40/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--615-edit_8117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271068672251026" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbrL4h8GI/AAAAAAAABII/HusJycFQHMM/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--761-edit_387.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbrL4h8GI/AAAAAAAABII/HusJycFQHMM/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--761-edit_387.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271096367804514" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbq5FWHFI/AAAAAAAABIA/ztZgrQioorE/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--753-edit_8496.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbq5FWHFI/AAAAAAAABIA/ztZgrQioorE/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--753-edit_8496.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271091321281618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbqqeoqZI/AAAAAAAABH4/IF6yfPishjw/s1600/orig_3-7-10-howel--734-edit_8455.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_775Mg7ptnc8/S6pbqqeoqZI/AAAAAAAABH4/IF6yfPishjw/s400/orig_3-7-10-howel--734-edit_8455.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452271087400823186" border="0" /></a>howelljrshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08025422947118622993noreply@blogger.com0