tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42661530156066399572024-03-06T03:21:45.214-06:00Alleman AdventuresNever a Dull MomentStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-28532932148764684712011-03-02T20:54:00.003-06:002011-03-02T21:02:11.122-06:00Oh Baby!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKdV8Z0WCbBm2a1hbkDytWGoVL2etVYCWf3B6KlVhHeWeL9Up0PF3B7bNms6q4Df3Zby2yupUAtEeRPPS6Fbf46WXUkUny7H93QfuYp37hq4TEGurEKuANllgwjpxGzm2-hdxnUU1ZSEE/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKdV8Z0WCbBm2a1hbkDytWGoVL2etVYCWf3B6KlVhHeWeL9Up0PF3B7bNms6q4Df3Zby2yupUAtEeRPPS6Fbf46WXUkUny7H93QfuYp37hq4TEGurEKuANllgwjpxGzm2-hdxnUU1ZSEE/s400/IMG_0026.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579681991365894178" /></a>Well, since I'm due in 10 weeks, I thought it might be good to finally post something about this baby boy! I ran by Wade's office today and his tech offered to take a peak at the baby and of course I didn't argue. I think he's adorable, but I might be partial. He reminded me of Connor when he was in utero, he had his legs crossed at the ankles, like his brother always did. We'll see if they have the same personality soon!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-63197752204221407452010-09-08T11:33:00.001-05:002010-09-08T18:31:13.229-05:00The Land of Disney!<div style="text-align: center;"><a style="font-family: times new roman; font-weight: bold;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJstMqgiyUf1y_wvlA_zh2YU6KbJUxS5-9IUSFtd7wHAWsjyYqos6DKX7LNjqGyvCE0WKdWUA2dqt74XBg9HEIsWsnXwzaANXaoLbEBofKJphy9v45E6oek-9pdIlCtyd5an10s6umTdB/s1600/Disneyland+2010+048.jpg"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span>Just after moving, we took advantage of Dad's last days of freedom and went to Disneyland! Here we all are posing with Pooh Bear. My kids loved climbing on this for some reason.</a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-NVv4jI8xetdV0pQKvKC4SgM5BSAds0EtQfdIHEDB2rJj0F-q5QYA-v8Wzi_pdikavnwK8514FVzFgBp2-VSufJki2ylBoPTLQdRRtocn32AgASUg4XVo_rQoIEPy6zAXmjipSPZHSWt/s1600/Disneyland+2010+036.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-NVv4jI8xetdV0pQKvKC4SgM5BSAds0EtQfdIHEDB2rJj0F-q5QYA-v8Wzi_pdikavnwK8514FVzFgBp2-VSufJki2ylBoPTLQdRRtocn32AgASUg4XVo_rQoIEPy6zAXmjipSPZHSWt/s320/Disneyland+2010+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514684316304402018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJstMqgiyUf1y_wvlA_zh2YU6KbJUxS5-9IUSFtd7wHAWsjyYqos6DKX7LNjqGyvCE0WKdWUA2dqt74XBg9HEIsWsnXwzaANXaoLbEBofKJphy9v45E6oek-9pdIlCtyd5an10s6umTdB/s1600/Disneyland+2010+048.jpg">And lucky us, Wade's parents joined us for the second time. They were wonderful. We couldn't have done it without them! Grandpa, Connor and Dad all smiles on "It's a Small World!" You have to go on it, right?<img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJstMqgiyUf1y_wvlA_zh2YU6KbJUxS5-9IUSFtd7wHAWsjyYqos6DKX7LNjqGyvCE0WKdWUA2dqt74XBg9HEIsWsnXwzaANXaoLbEBofKJphy9v45E6oek-9pdIlCtyd5an10s6umTdB/s320/Disneyland+2010+048.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514684835492736338" border="0" /></a>Kaelene posing for us in front of Big Thunder Mountain. This was her favorite!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQmlxBsUH9iYcdNGB9o4Ysblh7UIX5reZB-CmGoexmAzD1SEcHBXQ-0sR26CdGHXm2RqmXiWaZDAwsMCFzo5fQBXT8mEqkgTtLKSsM8XFyamY3F-QR3vuwEET1Nu6EGLyC_ZWTv8mGK_9/s1600/Disneyland+2010+041.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpQmlxBsUH9iYcdNGB9o4Ysblh7UIX5reZB-CmGoexmAzD1SEcHBXQ-0sR26CdGHXm2RqmXiWaZDAwsMCFzo5fQBXT8mEqkgTtLKSsM8XFyamY3F-QR3vuwEET1Nu6EGLyC_ZWTv8mGK_9/s320/Disneyland+2010+041.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514682653573933954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Elise having a great time with Grandma. Elise grabs her ears for comfort or when she is tired! I'm betting she's tired this time. It is so cute!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaAD_UD-HAz9FmT5ou6_paeTtv5XZ_2j2gb3uZj6vLsacYxAVwsR9FJbxeJblJv6xQwnsyT0YStnivo88wfOtbuLfuCeI20SQ-pdJL1Q77vPfSTZnTMgOZWzIWjoC9Lnzo7lAxNFa0Cc/s1600/Disneyland+2010+044.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTaAD_UD-HAz9FmT5ou6_paeTtv5XZ_2j2gb3uZj6vLsacYxAVwsR9FJbxeJblJv6xQwnsyT0YStnivo88wfOtbuLfuCeI20SQ-pdJL1Q77vPfSTZnTMgOZWzIWjoC9Lnzo7lAxNFa0Cc/s400/Disneyland+2010+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514680167391693186" border="0" /></a>Connor and Kaelene LOVE Mickey Mouse! I think Kaelene was trying to curtsy here. ???<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFMH77X3Rb40QvdH1ifC4og436oxdM4omhVtRryHyPCHH4dItKeyld89dV9JFubg4vF1XM6gA_sMbxOFnuffMuOEK2_kWmh3Bcd0UZO-xMdrGJ1PX45YeH3fpHys9Ic_wR8iFYFKFKfk/s1600/Disneyland+2010+113.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZFMH77X3Rb40QvdH1ifC4og436oxdM4omhVtRryHyPCHH4dItKeyld89dV9JFubg4vF1XM6gA_sMbxOFnuffMuOEK2_kWmh3Bcd0UZO-xMdrGJ1PX45YeH3fpHys9Ic_wR8iFYFKFKfk/s400/Disneyland+2010+113.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514679785313919058" border="0" /></a>Grandpa giving Kaelene is boost so she can see "The World of Color" show. This was unbelievable, well worth staying up for!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxafL0YYm2QbVj8uJEWMhm3dkxT6pcMO0jy86-YdZssk3dljreXm5JqyOF_6Y5zB-qzlgG39Az30LOf5g37hag71N7jXSB1JvfvnT71qwxxIb9xIBUgI71jvrOshyphenhyphenPsWyLwyeT_CsONM0/s1600/Disneyland+2010+173.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxafL0YYm2QbVj8uJEWMhm3dkxT6pcMO0jy86-YdZssk3dljreXm5JqyOF_6Y5zB-qzlgG39Az30LOf5g37hag71N7jXSB1JvfvnT71qwxxIb9xIBUgI71jvrOshyphenhyphenPsWyLwyeT_CsONM0/s320/Disneyland+2010+173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514676643509221122" border="0" /></a>Connor and Mom moseying along on "Splash Mountain. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYztNVk0yVmQN_lPW9zqET7X05FiNrTIlcujeSrTCUNCcQAlejdjypyPbijEAGzTjKJOnf8ETM55V0czgWdDtfPBD-VVcHgrEwIZLDGVIzR_GxKzwiR5g_UjL5UuN7OfxtU1FzlZca7mA/s1600/Disneyland+2010+023.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYztNVk0yVmQN_lPW9zqET7X05FiNrTIlcujeSrTCUNCcQAlejdjypyPbijEAGzTjKJOnf8ETM55V0czgWdDtfPBD-VVcHgrEwIZLDGVIzR_GxKzwiR5g_UjL5UuN7OfxtU1FzlZca7mA/s320/Disneyland+2010+023.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514674930901060210" border="0" /></a>Kaelene and Elise are so lucky to have tall men in their lives. They enjoy the parade so much more from these heights!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnyxNiWW8Cq1OETj58c__WgWbcx5oBgxuOMdOS7FjfALMHE-bpP1jAvWisVMuDh9H9JjlXd1O4R0USyomcqSUmf5EZl6bRJ9-9f-ExHIgJVxQ45CEDKF438Gage_GLImB0vPWsm2-KJ0/s1600/Disneyland+2010+005.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnyxNiWW8Cq1OETj58c__WgWbcx5oBgxuOMdOS7FjfALMHE-bpP1jAvWisVMuDh9H9JjlXd1O4R0USyomcqSUmf5EZl6bRJ9-9f-ExHIgJVxQ45CEDKF438Gage_GLImB0vPWsm2-KJ0/s320/Disneyland+2010+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514674242656502034" border="0" /></a>The last night we were there they had a street party. They had these cameras that projected you onto this screen but you were all wavy and psychedelic. It was pretty cool.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUoK_uC1hhujkJJz9RaVIQ0e2RGcsDq1AqLixDzayil7Hjeys_GBaGi9_7Wv7vAmyg1BB1tB2629NQCwpuLr0iE2UUZu9eQR10G6iWwDmna6cGQW6Q_GOm5m6Zc4_yQVcd7ix6N-7_pcF/s1600/Disneyland+2010+176.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUoK_uC1hhujkJJz9RaVIQ0e2RGcsDq1AqLixDzayil7Hjeys_GBaGi9_7Wv7vAmyg1BB1tB2629NQCwpuLr0iE2UUZu9eQR10G6iWwDmna6cGQW6Q_GOm5m6Zc4_yQVcd7ix6N-7_pcF/s400/Disneyland+2010+176.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514587181839923810" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Goodbye Disneyland, hope to see you again soon!<br /></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-85393646128511402442010-08-05T13:35:00.018-05:002010-08-07T15:24:40.204-05:00Get Your Kicks...<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">On Route 66<span style="font-size:180%;">!<br /><br /></span></span><span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We now live close to Route 66 and on our way we saw such beautiful countryside. Dry, but beautiful. The kids watched cars like a gazillion times and tried to guess where 'Radiator Springs' is.</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span>Does that look familiar?</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPuWxIvrgzs_5C_W3mVFWBmjHa_u_2TbpRjAn7WbtzXHQy7D-ao-1jkxrmz0zNu_G-wXmKWqJ_-Mecos56ceXJuHcXny1VgqEObYKYJxTkRufhaNP9VboHpLPsgIZf3aRLxPH2TOSqmzy/s1600/IMG_0115.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPuWxIvrgzs_5C_W3mVFWBmjHa_u_2TbpRjAn7WbtzXHQy7D-ao-1jkxrmz0zNu_G-wXmKWqJ_-Mecos56ceXJuHcXny1VgqEObYKYJxTkRufhaNP9VboHpLPsgIZf3aRLxPH2TOSqmzy/s400/IMG_0115.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502000228498778274" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqgYnNJks_Mqy4AwajST28uG1h_GiHM5UaO97tRnJ3vnuW3_2XeZMz6VWnV-Lpuf9xXZTe1XbBi-BB8JfFf8nwkPWw3smiZg8zGG7AcW6I5RW18_u2jms-XowjasvMogDkdREKTavLDRq/s1600/IMG_0123.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPqgYnNJks_Mqy4AwajST28uG1h_GiHM5UaO97tRnJ3vnuW3_2XeZMz6VWnV-Lpuf9xXZTe1XbBi-BB8JfFf8nwkPWw3smiZg8zGG7AcW6I5RW18_u2jms-XowjasvMogDkdREKTavLDRq/s400/IMG_0123.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502000741064272706" border="0" /></a></span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And no, this isn't the Grand Canyon. Just a random canyon in the middle of nowwhere. Pretty gorgeous, right? Not to mention the little girl is pretty cute too!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjtVUcaWv2PqhNnpO9wG713vost5byQFA_cmW-Ko7kodBJwlWgZES_UXdtJ_AxhHEYqMlcfpBzEO_UcX3UHrE9CgzVYkJq-gPqJpiHT1qu9PutAOrkRhQAUDDRzQpqd842LHzfoa8x77t/s1600/IMG_0131.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjtVUcaWv2PqhNnpO9wG713vost5byQFA_cmW-Ko7kodBJwlWgZES_UXdtJ_AxhHEYqMlcfpBzEO_UcX3UHrE9CgzVYkJq-gPqJpiHT1qu9PutAOrkRhQAUDDRzQpqd842LHzfoa8x77t/s400/IMG_0131.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502001742501495474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We had fun hiking all around. The kids started to get even more excited to get to our new desert home! Connor, Dad and Elise taking it all in.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This picture isn't spectacular, I just wanted to prove that I was there!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrl58dxbi38yiFEprFWS6NVRP1FCLFwfE6gaJHRXRwT_rrxq4b1BuPLqe4Q18113pvqU0k0UyF5evd739q2PM07RZkfFxyZhLlD6ZaKtBChlKHKphpXzm02RVeS1iwTZCN5Z5mTJzVdjN/s1600/IMG_0124.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfrl58dxbi38yiFEprFWS6NVRP1FCLFwfE6gaJHRXRwT_rrxq4b1BuPLqe4Q18113pvqU0k0UyF5evd739q2PM07RZkfFxyZhLlD6ZaKtBChlKHKphpXzm02RVeS1iwTZCN5Z5mTJzVdjN/s400/IMG_0124.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502004204757828418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Here's Copper and Kaelene stretching their legs after many hours in the car!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uYNah67PZXtbbPL7aAPWUVSAXha024zsogLcEzz3mAIcSrsoofmYiCQO8vw3P7Lk5yGxwSo7tKse8Zg1MnG2qZaOHfLYQ-lfoSXx0nxoYHqt3-BiHZjDIzsRNxK3QTLj8eUaVLjpnoBs/s1600/IMG_0133.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4uYNah67PZXtbbPL7aAPWUVSAXha024zsogLcEzz3mAIcSrsoofmYiCQO8vw3P7Lk5yGxwSo7tKse8Zg1MnG2qZaOHfLYQ-lfoSXx0nxoYHqt3-BiHZjDIzsRNxK3QTLj8eUaVLjpnoBs/s400/IMG_0133.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502004847366981634" border="0" /></a>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-66572970115826790402010-07-05T15:33:00.012-05:002010-07-08T15:33:49.041-05:00It's So Hard...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVOjTQ_K2WUC7wL_BQYW5ADwseagHayYhUXjcq8ZhW1OyHX902WGb4vq6tEeX9IHuaeg_0qesdDIuf0niHoCupuvWRla4pnFV9U4exUcgMI6-35ZEqweYLD-i6RSHuaJu34xBIZ8EqnSh/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVOjTQ_K2WUC7wL_BQYW5ADwseagHayYhUXjcq8ZhW1OyHX902WGb4vq6tEeX9IHuaeg_0qesdDIuf0niHoCupuvWRla4pnFV9U4exUcgMI6-35ZEqweYLD-i6RSHuaJu34xBIZ8EqnSh/s400/IMG_0072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490525429535527090" border="0" /></a>'To Say Goodbye'<br /><br />The Boyz II Men really had it right... cheesy but right. Anyone that knows me, knows that I loathe goodbyes. I'm just not good at them. My ugly cry sometimes surfaces. You know, the one where my face wrinkles up in a way that can only be compared to Gollum. Sigh....well anyway, here is a pic of some great friends I met at the park the day before we rolled out of town on June 11. (Pictured, left to right: Summer Gunn with baby Avery, Angie Poulson, Sarah Childs, Me, Valerie Buman, Carolyn Hanson, and Jen Brewer) Taken by 5 yr old Ben Brewer!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV4ihryi69zi7IOJlSKQbidSaVp_dnd_47GdPekSV8pCE_ONIxnPNdJXmdQ_xI_oOqcCEndI1-oZsq4yHg8ef_sn31H31EjWVkG0zXalhWIWu9JWIcOAme_TZ8E5cS4epvBosDgWUK82m/s1600/IMG_0074.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIV4ihryi69zi7IOJlSKQbidSaVp_dnd_47GdPekSV8pCE_ONIxnPNdJXmdQ_xI_oOqcCEndI1-oZsq4yHg8ef_sn31H31EjWVkG0zXalhWIWu9JWIcOAme_TZ8E5cS4epvBosDgWUK82m/s400/IMG_0074.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490527003541284418" border="0" /></a>Another friend Adrienne Dangerfield came later. We've been friends since 2003, which is a long tim<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfAJhOBc51c0s-_gACc9uOAQwP5VhEtXPLjio0M0_KWh14MGItlaIRnYR8wSecINuYJyMgmRw0uJRU4RKEs4yB_QyJSgGT9boGCwAi83tmKBm9x7VST7Esf9_4FiTEyKlAmN9q1KrY33Y/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyfAJhOBc51c0s-_gACc9uOAQwP5VhEtXPLjio0M0_KWh14MGItlaIRnYR8wSecINuYJyMgmRw0uJRU4RKEs4yB_QyJSgGT9boGCwAi83tmKBm9x7VST7Esf9_4FiTEyKlAmN9q1KrY33Y/s400/IMG_0076.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490528720463731250" border="0" /></a>e for an area so transient.<br /><br />I had to get this picture of Summer and I. She is more stylish than I, but it was so funny that we wore the same skirt that day. FYI, it was really windy that day, my skirt was doing its own thing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I love you guys!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-85716980013178690842010-06-28T15:25:00.006-05:002010-06-30T15:14:27.657-05:00Arachnaphobia<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://aaronshelby.com/aaron/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/sun-spider.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 456px; height: 500px;" src="http://aaronshelby.com/aaron/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/sun-spider.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Get a load of this beauty! This is what I saw my dog sniffing on the patio of my new house. Wade and Connor said they had seen one the night before but didn't know what it was. It looks like a scorpion without its stinger. They are called Sun Spiders and they are nasty. According to my bug guy (yah, I called the next day!) they aren't poisonous, their bite just hurts like non other. And according to wikepedia they can get up to 4.5 inches (leg span) although snopes says up to 6 inches! My little friend was as big as my palm! Isn't that lovely?<br /><br />So when did you say you were coming to visit?!<br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Wade/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" />Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-11599638703075746982010-06-25T16:20:00.005-05:002010-06-29T13:38:21.676-05:00Ward Talent Show-Take OneBack in April... our ward put on a talent show. My little family always wants to participate. Last year, Connor and Kaelene did a stand-up comedy, Kaelene sang a spanish song while Wade played his guitar. This year Wade couldn't attend (he was off taking his final boards...he passed...woo hoo!) So Connor, Kaelene and I all did something. It was fun. Here is what Valerie Buman (baby bear), Angie Pulson (momma bear), Krystine Greer (papa bear), and I (Goldie Locks) put together. I should mention that this skit/song was originally composed by my always cool sister, Pam and her jazz group in High School. We tweaked things a bit, but we had fun with it.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw8TV0vj97HV52yixf8mL3bQSnry99VSyty-T9TspVFIMmXPSJzd270gb1ybX5QYYC5xS9aYTNFA50Rn3yCHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-84257113495606789822010-06-16T12:10:00.001-05:002010-06-16T12:11:34.848-05:00We Made It!Hi everyone, we did make it to our new home...I'll post pics as soon as I (and when I say I, you know I mean Wade) download the pics. Love to all! StephStephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-92017423721515591592010-05-22T16:51:00.003-05:002010-05-24T01:38:30.101-05:00The Darndest Thing!Some random musings of my kids:<br /><br />Kae: (upon pulling up to a friend's house) "Mom, are we in the country or are we in the suburbs?"<br /><br />Elise: (after hearing Kaelene request 'something sparkly' for clothes that day): "Mom, me (meaning her), NO PANTS!" Spoken like a true girl, she refuses to wear anything but a dress or skirt. And she finally found the words to express it!<br /><br />I love my kids and I love being a Mom!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-29603300434216279732009-10-24T10:50:00.004-05:002009-10-25T22:15:28.922-05:00Grandparents Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkATTYaE03fJAiJvGaKVltDXlyAcR91RRZAWv7r3roRqOU6HBnq-G_XS45Pp2a73_qepZ9Mu18LQ-QEh7F-0WTjeyxzRFu1i5BKNHvbRTq6h256QsTGhMu2PN6HH30Dm0GAn3HpSFiTypu/s1600-h/2009+09+11+054.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkATTYaE03fJAiJvGaKVltDXlyAcR91RRZAWv7r3roRqOU6HBnq-G_XS45Pp2a73_qepZ9Mu18LQ-QEh7F-0WTjeyxzRFu1i5BKNHvbRTq6h256QsTGhMu2PN6HH30Dm0GAn3HpSFiTypu/s400/2009+09+11+054.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396194769429517010" /></a>Friday was Grandparents Day at Connor and Kaelene's school. Fortunately, Connor and Kaelene have their 'Minnesota Grandma.' Helen is a dear friend of ours. Wade went to science camp (yes, you read that right) for years with her son and she has been family since we have moved here 9 years ago. Helen graciously attended the whole day event. And Wade and I were lucky enough to have her for lunch in between visits to the kid's classes. I forgot to take any pictures so I included this recent one. We had had dinner and camped at Helen's amazing farm in September. We are smiling because our bellies are full of good food and smores. We love you Helen. Thanks for always being there.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-73957732687909868302009-10-22T13:06:00.017-05:002009-10-22T14:51:54.324-05:00First Day of School<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQbwIRyYnPW3OKQVv011fTLftVIAjNbYHX7_PVhDUgcU8-tgeQLwtj9PxIJdRZXKwKArfpRJzydW8hGnG-XJ7Emxk0Kwl8RFspa-xU-LW6wPuXST1TuouSjPY_Y1PaMMHnclPYFHvpcaG/s1600-h/2009+09+10+060.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQbwIRyYnPW3OKQVv011fTLftVIAjNbYHX7_PVhDUgcU8-tgeQLwtj9PxIJdRZXKwKArfpRJzydW8hGnG-XJ7Emxk0Kwl8RFspa-xU-LW6wPuXST1TuouSjPY_Y1PaMMHnclPYFHvpcaG/s400/2009+09+10+060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395489622485272738" /></a>These pictures of Connor and Kaelene are the perfect example of the personality differences of these 2. Kaelene was super-excited and ready for anything. Connor was excited but nervous. When it was time to line-up and go in. Kaelene was waving and saying something like, "Ok Mom, you can leave now."<br /><br />Connor, who started 2 days before Kaelene, and is a second grader wasn't sure about lining up by himself so I waited until the bell rang. And then as tears welled-up in his eyes he begged that I come in with him. I hesitated, wanting him to do it himself but I decided that I would do it just for today. Then the next day, as I dropped Connor off I waited in the <div>car to see if he was ok. I suddenly lost sight of him so I looked all around to see if he'd found someone to</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD83sUTXYVF3Ahm7uVi-pe8Y-UkXqhpNqqpAPwVhlOBt7ieteytx3nxD3Vcn_c-sekOw2SPQcaBz7JvdzCKm6XV-TcsjGSPlqpmFiosk5HWKUJJs4vCrTEjMoAYLGYw4Am8giNujgjNHk/s400/2009+09+08+068.jpg" style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395488351587062466" /><div> play with. Well, just then I hear a knock on the passenger-side window and Connor says, "Mom! DRIVE AWAY!"<br /></div><div>And that is </div><div>how it</div><div> </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIUM7ehtUJfGRBOQoPBFWhrPLamEBrqc4wPfqoM6n3LT932nVgxW44zJiwQzBb8MfJB3z1SLHgMHJAl2osjPIQfww9NM56GI-GIBV3xmZjeu7lMFva3qkQz5PyG29rEJDe9Ta_uf5F-OI/s400/2009+09+10+065.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395500246074641058" /><div>goes...Connor is always fine once he figures it out but Kaelene is the one that just dives right in. They are so different but I couldn't love them individually more! </div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. This is Kaelene's glass of milk that she left on the table at breakfast. I couldn't help but get a bit emotional because I knew she wouldn't be coming back anytime soon to finish it.</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-3573427593670137512009-10-10T22:33:00.006-05:002009-10-10T23:17:28.717-05:00For the Love of the Game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa6NRvW9iLdtTWYDEJriUyDJ9mTpVGvQihVb_0VMYM6qvKMR28rPnBrTMO4vVZjd_oE8HEtc_MQX8LaGs679Q-2UBC_uUDgdcbvXconNDIIHxYmadMassAG_fWxp-vnwwIk1RHqg7CrQs/s1600-h/Football-Connor001.bmp"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUa6NRvW9iLdtTWYDEJriUyDJ9mTpVGvQihVb_0VMYM6qvKMR28rPnBrTMO4vVZjd_oE8HEtc_MQX8LaGs679Q-2UBC_uUDgdcbvXconNDIIHxYmadMassAG_fWxp-vnwwIk1RHqg7CrQs/s400/Football-Connor001.bmp" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391186654836276114" /></a>Have you ever seen a cuter football player in your life? His smile says it all because Connor LOVES every single moment of playing this fun game. Last weeks game was cold and raining. This weeks game it was snowing and the wind was howling. Other kids could periodically be seen walking off the field, crying and climbing into their Mom's laps because they are so cold. Connor, on the other hand, just has this look on his face.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Today he had a bunch of quarterback sacks, tackles and blocks. Connor told me after the game that when he blocks and his team mate goes onto score that it's his touchdown too! I'm sure he heard that from his coach but I love that sense of teamwork he's learning. </div><div><br /></div><div>Go, Connor Go! Can't wait for the years to come!</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. Steve, Mike and Brad-This brings back so many memories when you guys played at this age! </div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-31420818229300893582009-08-03T19:53:00.062-05:002009-08-04T20:46:13.114-05:00Clyde and Ursula<div align="center">Don't you just love my parent's names? So classic! Their names are so unique I've often wondered if that is why all my siblings names are so, well common. Deborah, Pamela, Melanie, Daniel, Rebecca, Stephanie (Me), Steven, Bradley, and Michael. Well, as you may have guessed, my parents came to visit. It was in April but I didn't want to miss posting about it. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366278703451221650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dSuoW4ZGADOXIKQa4TIJgkKdPGACJbgVxkxOBqRbucfUlntmzUgzkeewFhUoKZIRX3IgvUAQpCX7ruTvnzL903lG558EWmecp6sg8Yxkm-7z1_Bw1mtnhIa-wNYemhnFbiE6IPSuJgsK/s400/09+04+25+108.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"> There was a lot of eating. We were at Victoria's---Yum, yum!!!<br /><br /></p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366280894314987858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9FQuHXPtFdBFgViUg2ujcxTLupzv-R2fRvQ8LjYdXa7ySbFzPXpKfca2fc7RNOdExlv8QP3UTLsSRWrAG0-XrxXC1gj0P_-4lwwETbARbfLfgvO093mva9iUfSISvACEvOJYFQ97DRyan/s400/09+04+26+103.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><div align="center">There was a lot of smiling....</div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFywO48FefuKeSqW0VszGozY5OK5L19lgHWuMfwtjTnZw-Yn0hLg8Jv81X11MI-3QvLQe_IGTb1ztmjZG_x8DBgfb7Rotm9mdyv57nHgNFyaz_WEPft69I0l2DtoUIybmLLZoKMCL3kdG/s1600-h/09+04+26+104.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365915059965244914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNFywO48FefuKeSqW0VszGozY5OK5L19lgHWuMfwtjTnZw-Yn0hLg8Jv81X11MI-3QvLQe_IGTb1ztmjZG_x8DBgfb7Rotm9mdyv57nHgNFyaz_WEPft69I0l2DtoUIybmLLZoKMCL3kdG/s400/09+04+26+104.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There was a lot of thumbs-uping!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y0VQJkD_xyYRWRuK4fV2OclyCvwn0ycdJdKrP9YEuEp8KPBFoBC_BpPYqqBXzdQgRz1EvsmBy760Q_QM_4cqFlUfUdC4hszB5ZNAyxEq_yvSiZlTz22zAqziWIw__sB5ze-OlM_-8jhG/s1600-h/09+04+28+057.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365917057387017890" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Y0VQJkD_xyYRWRuK4fV2OclyCvwn0ycdJdKrP9YEuEp8KPBFoBC_BpPYqqBXzdQgRz1EvsmBy760Q_QM_4cqFlUfUdC4hszB5ZNAyxEq_yvSiZlTz22zAqziWIw__sB5ze-OlM_-8jhG/s400/09+04+28+057.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There was even some binky sharing!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365922875995963922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNUH9vwzr2gJrXW_c8cDOcWEoe7msN_aaXa66vCdicGGukl0VUpTlCfl-82cbKYkkldG4ddxlCg3LRZwmuRyqvZpxVRPjUC2JBdxtfZz9ZMA_nlRchFtsqShHuDmPlB_ynshKdxF4bAKtj/s400/09+04+28+080.jpg" border="0" /><br />We made it over to Oxbow Zoo. Always a hit. And then, shocker I know, we ate again!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jy8Jg0EKiBMRw92oCxTVzHwU2XVXk35BfakCgPxrbmEZSEI4RX3-TA4eh656VTDNI3V-PfqaAwL7XyGsMdTdPRC4uT_wKtIBUFBkHNXYRiyHp2s0svFBJawKtQOC1Bq-oTa7i6kIy3mj/s1600-h/09+04+28+101.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365927632948566690" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Jy8Jg0EKiBMRw92oCxTVzHwU2XVXk35BfakCgPxrbmEZSEI4RX3-TA4eh656VTDNI3V-PfqaAwL7XyGsMdTdPRC4uT_wKtIBUFBkHNXYRiyHp2s0svFBJawKtQOC1Bq-oTa7i6kIy3mj/s400/09+04+28+101.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><br />A picnic this time. So fun! Grandpa Weber kicked the football to Connor. We flew kites that G&G brought. And we even fit in some baseball catching and hitting. What a fun-filled time, I don't think we could have fit in much more. </p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366275511991753634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmWM24f6vJYb0Tsp6EgxFuj9mZ2J-kgQ-I98MTOsp5RFO5nALQt90nzqcQJFZIR2iU2euosfbaYZUHmQdQUeDd2QqailDE7DfTviCXXc2QR9iTA68Ory9yQjrys7y0FvkjTaX5CVDvio5x/s400/09+04+29+053.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366276212903252642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsFHnkUTIXPR57jO5u1kBs0qg0PLp0lwhLd0ZmB8Y3L1Dkbo8NmMfOW1_kMAGMTsfgk2HHGrkNLyBP6sZycgNxmyNATdvxE0Vy1U9ZEIosz2sF-0oFvLIIdCgpqScaUecc5iY59qB_szj/s400/09+04+29+055.jpg" border="0" /> And then of course it came time for the goodbyes. I hate this part, but at least we knew we'd see you both soon for the Weber family reunion in Durango. We love you, Grandma and Grandpa Weber. Thanks for coming to see us. It means a lot!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-38250860252745498772009-04-20T22:55:00.011-05:002009-04-24T00:41:19.887-05:00The Happiest Place on Earth<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHcnAVzVDb3gu8au8lxRh2QcKDTERgcPyr9dol83kVh62bgcIfZQ1ckMA2HFII-XlBLep8k0t5fTQBNXX27-I8yjWj9Ae0Ui0FCmLoox9Nc5IW_Mk1sr5zxFZizi5poXsIXIuyYHjqY0c/s1600-h/2009+03+30+Disneyland+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326989683961462786" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHcnAVzVDb3gu8au8lxRh2QcKDTERgcPyr9dol83kVh62bgcIfZQ1ckMA2HFII-XlBLep8k0t5fTQBNXX27-I8yjWj9Ae0Ui0FCmLoox9Nc5IW_Mk1sr5zxFZizi5poXsIXIuyYHjqY0c/s400/2009+03+30+Disneyland+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> What could possibly be better than spending time with your dear kids and dear husband at DISNEYLAND of all places? The next picture may give you a hint....</div><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqdTkIvUygU0l5ApfHhwkJckqTJnQegpWILEBgdHXZGdAL7y3pluZnORVZdcXWJO2Ci3q_PPnRJz8xQja0tBmLYTsvR5pxBT4MRNkYxvTtrUv4rIsfs-D3_yTuPu9kGBPR_MmmfCZCTRw/s1600-h/2009+03+28+Disneyland+114.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326991650539157682" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 400px; height: 300px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwqdTkIvUygU0l5ApfHhwkJckqTJnQegpWILEBgdHXZGdAL7y3pluZnORVZdcXWJO2Ci3q_PPnRJz8xQja0tBmLYTsvR5pxBT4MRNkYxvTtrUv4rIsfs-D3_yTuPu9kGBPR_MmmfCZCTRw/s400/2009+03+28+Disneyland+114.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>That's right! Spending time at the most magical place with your in-laws! Don't smirk...I happen to be one of the lucky ones that have great in-laws who were a blast to spend time with. Connor and Kaelene were able to go on double the amount of rides, and Wade and I were actually able to go on rides. With Grandpa's amazing ability to have us on rides constantly with his Fast Pass genius, and Grandma's savant-like knack for what rides/shows to see when and where, Wade and I just passed them the keys (figuratively) to our Disney fun. They did not disappoint. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Alleman, we couldn't have done it with out you. And Elise, thanks you for the extra 3 lbs she gained everyday eating Grandma and Grandpa's snacks while waiting for Mom and Dad to get off the rides.<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326990762194923858" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; width: 400px; height: 300px; text-align: center;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidkmbfM04xM8e9W7xc52dtPb5ehE00Apw_dKDh0mJsywPmk4cichaB5TSxGzsAqdxWRYzI5htCGv69aLH4sS3oTxxdobHb5ioGNfl2hmG0ALsHUms9ehHGZi1iaB4k-vU_aRFXeLynWR3M/s400/2009+03+28+Disneyland+147.jpg" border="0" />More pictures to follow...<br /></p></div></div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-31670662115689775562009-03-15T20:11:00.003-05:002009-03-15T20:39:08.680-05:00ConfessionsSo, I've decided: I'm not much of a blogger. I have such good intentions. I think about things to blog everyday, all day but as you have seen, very few of my thoughts ever make it onto my blog. But I love keeping in contact you so I will continue to check your blogs and add to mine when I can.<br /><br />Another confession. Connor is 7 and I have tried periodically for the last 3 years to teach him to tie his shoes. Sounds easy enough, right? Well each teaching session <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">inevitably</span> would end with tears. Either mine, Connor's or both of us! I couldn't figure it out. I learned in what seamed like no time. Connor picks up things <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OK</span>, so what is the big deal?! I must confess I finally turned to YouTube for help. While watching one of the videos I realize that I AM LEFT-HANDED!!!! And I've been teaching Connor left-handed. Poor, Poor Connor. No wonder we've both been frustrated. Duh! I immediately <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">apologized</span> profusely to Connor. Making sure he knew all the failed attempts at shoe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tying</span> were my fault. Then, I taught <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">myself</span> to tie RIGHT-HANDED. (Go ahead, try it with your other hand, it's harder than you think!) 5 minutes later....BAM....we have a tied shoe! It's amazing how hard I can make things sometimes.<br /><br />P.S. After writing this, Connor showed his Dad his newly aquired skill. Apparently Wade ties his shoes left-handed too even though he's a right-hander! Unbelievable! Sorry, Connor, you never had a chance!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-49995282073398969032009-01-24T21:23:00.001-06:002009-03-15T21:57:43.218-05:00Demons Be Gone!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecuPMnBfsIoVYvBNhyphenhyphenpAV1sibfrX0_r0VsVjylDpNFYlM7c-V08o-g0BWSdOHrSQ9o3d2i53VcuK-8HWU0JDAy-fiqVsSd3ICNOhtTTdNT7g-bASljtA3IOcJrtLc5jW5Y6EyJjNzsqs5/s1600-h/IMG_0008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecuPMnBfsIoVYvBNhyphenhyphenpAV1sibfrX0_r0VsVjylDpNFYlM7c-V08o-g0BWSdOHrSQ9o3d2i53VcuK-8HWU0JDAy-fiqVsSd3ICNOhtTTdNT7g-bASljtA3IOcJrtLc5jW5Y6EyJjNzsqs5/s400/IMG_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295429684014335378" border="0" /></a><br />This is a semi-recent (can November be called recent?) pic of Elise and Kaelene. Gosh, I haven't posted in a while! Hope you all are still hanging in there with me. Wade has most of the last months pics on his computer and I need to download them to mine. I'll be posting (hopefully) a ton of material then. Reba is probably laughing right now knowing that this may never happen. Hey, I'm trying!<br /><br />So this is the post that I've been meaning to write for a while that I mentioned down below. So Kaelene goes to a wonderful Lutheran pre-school. And given that the curriculum is partially faith based, Kaelene sometimes comes home with some interesting ideas and comments. Don't get me wrong, Connor went to this pre-school too and I've loved it but yet some core doctrines that I hold dear are sometimes taught differently than I would choose to teach them. Anyway, here comes the dialoge (or at least as close as I can remember) from Kaelene on the way home from school on a random Monday in December 3008.<br /><br />Kaelene to me: Mom, Jesus washed away our sins.<br /><br />Me: Yes, he atoned for them didn't he? And when we are baptized our sins are all washed away.<br /><br />Kaelene: Well, (a common beginning to a sentence for Kae) I don't have <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> sins.<br /><br />Me: Reeeaaallly?<br /><br />Kae: But Mom, you have tons of sins. You tell me not to do stuff and get mad at me and that is bad. That is a sin. You are a sinner!<br /><br />And of course as you can imagine it went on from there. But I thought it was funny/telling that Kaelene viewed herself as having NO sins. Well, self-esteem has never been one of her issues. And for the most part, that's a good thing in my book.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-47944057702729217472008-12-08T16:03:00.003-06:002008-12-08T16:15:56.811-06:00Doing Something RightIf you are like me...you have plenty of days that you feel like maybe you aren't getting through to your kids and that you may possibly be ruining them. See my next post above, and you'll understand what I mean. Well today was a kudos day for me (finally) when Connor came home from school with his Thanksgiving list. I want to get a picture of this and post it (many of you know this will probably never happen) but for now (wink, wink) I will list what his paper said:<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Make A List<br /><br />What are some of the things you are thankful for?<br /></div><br />Connor wrote:<br /><br />God<br />my family<br />school<br />home<br />food<br />books<br />me<br />to be safe<br />mom and dad<br /><br /><br />And to top it all off, this is the actual order! I may have listed food a tad bit higher but hey, he's got his priorities. Thanks Connor, I'm thankful for you too!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-30079875628081844412008-11-05T20:58:00.005-06:002008-11-05T21:39:06.651-06:00Halloween: Cooper Style<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzqzi-lmzaUvYDcjB41Uri8hRvkOE8mJLzBJhqLPWMxvLEKV0EMq0S3OeGux29zLY5VKi2ommHWUSXy8qAE5zv6F1X33SF671j1cZCs0TWulla2C5c-ann8r_-AAS5NSSJhv6_b57at34/s1600-h/IMG_0188.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzqzi-lmzaUvYDcjB41Uri8hRvkOE8mJLzBJhqLPWMxvLEKV0EMq0S3OeGux29zLY5VKi2ommHWUSXy8qAE5zv6F1X33SF671j1cZCs0TWulla2C5c-ann8r_-AAS5NSSJhv6_b57at34/s400/IMG_0188.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265377422582690882" border="0" /></a>For Halloween weekend we were lucky enough to kick it with my sister-in-law Mandi, her husband Ryan and their two adorable kids Chris and Max. Here are the kids in all their costume glory! The funny thing was I thought I was all cool by buying some glow necklaces for everyone, just to have Mandi bring a bunch too. We are cool, right?! <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NEA4RZya7Fmg2bTQYazIMhECzcwDQPIpTOW2U8SiaHsvu4jFDNXsjxEBniaF3PltqhT8cYiGxFuSxgdN3kdCzCNwhMrHPtkJNP3-PuZoXtPVHv0zzcJel_Wheguc1MZ15teAYlNS547H/s1600-h/IMG_0214.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6NEA4RZya7Fmg2bTQYazIMhECzcwDQPIpTOW2U8SiaHsvu4jFDNXsjxEBniaF3PltqhT8cYiGxFuSxgdN3kdCzCNwhMrHPtkJNP3-PuZoXtPVHv0zzcJel_Wheguc1MZ15teAYlNS547H/s400/IMG_0214.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265381158347965010" border="0" /></a><br />Saturday we all headed over to the Nature Center and enjoyed the wonderful weather on the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSDKaB4uQ9bqm6PU-NXqtnVBwJwmzSKutBvi47ix0UbdClKDP4J82m-rqo3pthP-dCeVhw714am283mpzq3kVgbxtx0cG0YO006tAwMXtTeGxEp5O0zzNbC7GMXzLe7YKDftgkBWB2NOt/s1600-h/IMG_0208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCSDKaB4uQ9bqm6PU-NXqtnVBwJwmzSKutBvi47ix0UbdClKDP4J82m-rqo3pthP-dCeVhw714am283mpzq3kVgbxtx0cG0YO006tAwMXtTeGxEp5O0zzNbC7GMXzLe7YKDftgkBWB2NOt/s400/IMG_0208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265380575523352226" border="0" /></a>But of course this was all a ruse, (don't even know if I used that word right but I've always wanted to try) because the real reason for the excitement was was being able to watch the BYU football game. And boy we were not disappointed. GO BYU!<br /><br />Thanks for sharing the weekend with us, Coopers, we miss you already.Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-30795632974342282142008-10-27T16:06:00.004-05:002008-10-27T22:31:36.290-05:00What did you call me?Today while I'm fixing dinner Kaelene randomly comments, "Mommy...Elise drinks milk just like I do."<br />Me: "Uh huh, except you drink cow milk and she drinks...<br />Kaelene cuts in: "baby milk."<br />Me: :"Yup."<br />Kaelene: (after what looked like some deep thought) "We drink the same milk, Mom!"<br />Me: "Well, except your milk comes from a <span style="font-style: italic;">COW</span>."<br />Kaelene: "Yah, Elise drinks the SAME milk." (she then runs off to play)<br /><br />I'm confused, did my four year old just call me a cow?Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-67030654398578373132008-09-29T23:51:00.011-05:002008-11-12T22:17:13.760-06:00Presenting: Elise Rebecca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cp%20style="><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widget-5f.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" style="width: 426px; height: 320px;" width="426" height="320"><param name="movie" value="http://widget-5f.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="scale" value="noscale"><param name="salign" value="l"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="flashvars" value="cy=ms&il=1&channel=2594073385377060447&site=widget-5f.slide.com"></object></a><p style="white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=2594073385377060447&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/p1/2594073385377060447/ms_t001_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=2594073385377060447&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/p2/2594073385377060447/ms_t001_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=2594073385377060447&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-5f.slide.com/p4/2594073385377060447/ms_t001_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" ismap="ismap" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.slide.com/r/-GBxzHKn5T-QnHRco7TEv8dflMin2nMs?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://www.slide.com/r/-GBxzHKn5T-QnHRco7TEv8dflMin2nMs?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="white-space: nowrap;">Elise joined our family officially on February 24, 2008. We<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">love her very much. Connor and Kaelene (her older brother and<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">sister) often ask if we get to keep her. She is very sweet and<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">loves to be cuddled and held. Elise often laughs with (or at)<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">her siblings and enjoys grabbing at the dog's hair. She is<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">already trying to do the things everyone else is doing and<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">lets us know if she is feeling left out.We are excited to see<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">how she changes as she learns and grows but we hope she<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">keeps her kind disposition.</p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">P.S. These pics were taken by my good friend, Ann<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;">Eldredge. Isn't she amazing?!<br /></p><p style="white-space: nowrap;"><br /></p>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-361972203599985612008-09-17T20:59:00.001-05:002008-09-17T22:43:18.796-05:00Fish Out of Water<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qgqaOwHd9w8HHTMXStPZPsT0zb3FsmcQa9kFaKmRDgcyjLKGbVgdlAkaK9su3UVqpafAu8l8nIi4k6211AL-7VW4WX_RyGfJtZf8JPJSUS3v6_FVMK-dGg62szmkEtwvEX2c8aGff12Q/s1600-h/IMG_8860e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0qgqaOwHd9w8HHTMXStPZPsT0zb3FsmcQa9kFaKmRDgcyjLKGbVgdlAkaK9su3UVqpafAu8l8nIi4k6211AL-7VW4WX_RyGfJtZf8JPJSUS3v6_FVMK-dGg62szmkEtwvEX2c8aGff12Q/s320/IMG_8860e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247187998435702690" border="0" /></a><br />For those of you who know my wonderful husband Wade...he is a take charge kind of guy. He knows where he is going and what he is doing at all times. He is a planner, so he can respond with confidence in many situations because he has probably already 'researched' the death out of it. Case in point...if he ever decides he wants to purchase something, he not only knows it is a good price (he's kept his eye on it for at least 6 months) but he knows if we can afford it because he keeps track of every red cent we spend. Yes, every penny. Even if I buy dental floss, it has a category and he can tell you how much we've spent on that category last week, last year, or for the last 7 years. And it's all tallied on his precious Quicken. So going to Germany was no different. He read book after book and web sight after web sight about what to see and how to see it. He polled family members and friends who'd been, what they thought about seeing castles vs museums and on and on. So needless to say, Wade was once again prepared for anything on this trip. But planning to be in Germany and actually being in Germany is another thing entirely. For the first time, Wade was out of his element. He was finally for the first time in our marriage of 9 years, a fish out of water. Now, don't get me wrong, I love the guy completely but seeing him trying to communicate with someone who has no clue what he was saying and he had no clue what they were saying was comical to say the least. No this isn't to say that Wade didn't try to communicate in the native tongue of Germany. Someone said, "Guten tag" ('good day' in german) to him one day and without skipping a beat, he said, "Hola!" Later, I over heard him saying, "Ein Bisschen" to someone. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I was saying, 'thank you very much' to that nice person." I hated to burst his bubble that he was actually saying, 'a little.' Eventually, Wade just decided that I should just do all the talking because as you well know, 2 years of high school German does make one fluent. Right? Then since I was taking care of all the talking, albeit how elementary it was, Wade decided that he would just enjoy the funny sounds of the german language. Wade noticed that the word, 'verboten' was in bold type most places we went. It means, prohibited, not allowed. Or as Wade likes to think, forbidden. Wade just kept saying the word over and over again. Das ist verboten(that is prohibited, forbitten). Verboten this, verboten that. Verboten that, verboten this. Well, one day while we were in an art musuem an old security guard came up to Wade and pointed to the baby back pack on Wade's back and said, "blah blah, blah, blah blah, VERBOTEN!" It was all we could do to not burst out laughing. Wade looked at me and said, "Well, the guy said 'verboten,' I guess that's that." We were snickering so much we couldn't argue. Verboten had been evoked; the law had been laid down!Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-91307711999602258492008-09-14T17:24:00.000-05:002008-09-14T17:31:23.044-05:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmi0OYM9_Kf8eWXjgXnQVWKHqTJGk7_HhVszgKW0DqNwPRM_aw8wgYZUxleEe268tht_GjGmbf8JKrP-ExXpy3Hw8vuZZ8mJQ7WjIvsrJkensnDc4Tf3AEj64wlM9eYfYzapyR-F3b3v4/s1600-h/2008+09+09+017.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246007559818557618" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOmi0OYM9_Kf8eWXjgXnQVWKHqTJGk7_HhVszgKW0DqNwPRM_aw8wgYZUxleEe268tht_GjGmbf8JKrP-ExXpy3Hw8vuZZ8mJQ7WjIvsrJkensnDc4Tf3AEj64wlM9eYfYzapyR-F3b3v4/s320/2008+09+09+017.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Salzburg was amazing. We loved this imposing fortress on top of the hill. And the fountain was beautiful too. We'll be home tomorrow. Love to all.</div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4266153015606639957.post-65319637700819440752008-09-10T15:56:00.000-05:002008-09-10T16:03:35.235-05:00"Achtung, Baby!"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sOR2Wt160D5tqQtAsDCdJUL5i-3ipBra1mjcXmZWY19NqyCstB811ye_42IvawRFzpKIxqkd_p7nFcIsweEwfQbdVs2po3S2hXMO0Amw3V0ScRGn9YWG0nmm2mpsG5cNAolGRkm_LPvg/s1600-h/2008+09+08+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244500522712042002" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4sOR2Wt160D5tqQtAsDCdJUL5i-3ipBra1mjcXmZWY19NqyCstB811ye_42IvawRFzpKIxqkd_p7nFcIsweEwfQbdVs2po3S2hXMO0Amw3V0ScRGn9YWG0nmm2mpsG5cNAolGRkm_LPvg/s320/2008+09+08+041.jpg" border="0" /></a> "Look out, baby!" The Alleman's are finally joining the crazy world of blogging. And from no other place than the gorgeous country of Deutschland! You read correctly, we are in Germany and we are having the time of our lives.<br /><br />Here we are on the backside of the Neuschwanstein Castle. It was built for King Ludwig II and was Walt Disney's inspiration for Disney's fairytale castle.<br /><br />Well, I must get back to planning my adventures for tomorrow, stay tuned. Auf Wiedersehen!<br /><div><br /> </div>Stephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12010859418234842727noreply@blogger.com5