tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43890376187196511082024-03-13T10:18:14.119-05:00Tupps FamilyJenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-4297665132877346762011-09-01T17:29:00.000-05:002011-09-01T17:29:21.350-05:00The BEST pumpkin bread!! (And it's vegan)<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so my husband and I recently met some sweet new neighbors, and we invited them over for dinner. They told me that they were vegan, so I had to really be conscious of what was in the things I was cooking to eat! I really got stumped when I got to dessert. I didn't want to be too boring and serve sliced strawberries or canned peaches or something equally lame, so I was excited when I found a recipe for vegan pumpkin bread.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I consider myself a conisseur of pumpkin breads and this one (even being vegan and all) was EASILY the tastiest ever! Here's the recipe, which I found on allrecipes.com</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ingredients:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 c. chopped walnuts (I only used 1/2 cup, and wished I had bought more!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">3.5 c. all-purpose flour</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 c. packed dark brown sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">2/3 c. white sugar</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 tsp. baking soda</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp. salt</div><div style="text-align: center;">1 tsp. ground nutmeg</div><div style="text-align: center;">1.5 tsp. ground cinnamon</div><div style="text-align: center;">2 c. pumpkin puree (I used Libby's canned pumpkin and it turned out delish - it came out to maybe 1.5 cans)</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 c. vegetable oil</div><div style="text-align: center;">1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce</div><div style="text-align: center;">2/3 c. coconut milk (NOT coconut water!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">2/3 c. flaked coconut</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Directions:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour two 8"x4" loaf pans. (I used Pam for baking instead of greasing and flouring and I could only find 9"x5" loaf pans - both worked great)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Toast walnuts if you want for 5-10 minutes in the oven (I didn't do this part)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. In a large bowl, stir together the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Add pumpkin puree, oil, applesauce and coconut milk to the dry ingredients. Mix til all the flour is absorbed. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Fold in the flaked coconut and walnuts.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Divide the batter evenly between your prepared pans and put into the oven.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven (or until a knife in the middle comes out clean - you know the drill).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">8. NOW HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART!!!!!!! After the loaves are baked and the knife comes out clean, remove the loaves from the oven and cover them TIGHTLY with aluminum foil. Let the loaves steam for 10 minutes! After 10 min., remove the foil and turn the loaves out onto a cooling rack. Tent them loosely with the foil now, and let them cool.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">9. EAT!!! (And don't tell people they're vegan. Seriously. It really scares people for some unknown reason. They are delicious!!!)</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-38119447994809117122011-08-26T16:34:00.000-05:002011-08-26T16:34:40.834-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 8Today's topic is: Someplace I've visited.<br />
<br />
Well, I like to travel a LOT. Like, I'd sell everything I own and become a hippie gypsy if Ryan would 1) allow it and 2) come with me. I don't want to go alone!<br />
<br />
Here's where I've been by continent:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Africa:</u></strong><br />
Cape Town, South Africa<br />
Hermanus, SA<br />
<br />
<strong><u><strike>Antarctica</strike></u></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><u>Asia:</u></strong> <br />
Saigon, Vietnam<br />
Hanoi, Vietnam<br />
Vung Tau, Vietnam<br />
Tokyo, Japan<br />
<br />
<strong><u><strike>Australia</strike></u></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><u>Europe:</u></strong><br />
Amsterdam, Netherlands<br />
London, England<br />
Paris, France (got engaged here - awww)<br />
Nice, France<br />
Milan, Italy<br />
Lake Como, Italy<br />
Rome, Italy<br />
Pompeii, Italy<br />
Florence, Italy<br />
Venice, Italy<br />
Bologna, Italy<br />
Lucerne, Switzerland<br />
Wengen, Switzerland (LOVED)<br />
Bern, Switzerland<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>North America:</u></strong><br />
Oklahoma City, OK (hahaha!)<br />
NYC<br />
LA<br />
San Diego<br />
Honolulu, HI (where we were married - awww)<br />
Kauai, HI<br />
San Francisco<br />
Vegas<br />
Atlanta<br />
Chicago - lovely in summer<br />
And pretty much everywhere else in OK, AL and MS)<br />
Cancun, Mexico<br />
Acapulco, Mexico<br />
Cozumel, Mexico<br />
Tikal, Guatemala<br />
Antigua Guatemala, Guatemala<br />
Nassau, Bahamas<br />
Freeport, Bahamas<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u><strike>South America</strike></u></strong><br />
<br />
Next up: Miami in 2 weeks<br />
<br />
Costa Rica - August 2012<br />
<br />
Brazil - 2014Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-44957440848625574032011-08-18T17:43:00.001-05:002011-08-18T17:45:24.898-05:00Rough daySO...I cannot get out of my funk! Two things happened recently which made me funkier (???) Not like funky funky, but like pissy funky. Ha!<br />
<br />
1. People who have babies due in January 2012 (when our baby was due) are now announcing "It's a Girl!" and "It's a Boy!". I kind of want to announce "Baby T due 1/24/12. J/K! It died!!" GAG.<br />
<br />
2. I learned that it most likely wasn't some one-off chromosomal thing that caused the last miscarriage. It was because I have a luteal phase defect. Apparently my corpus luteum sucks. Looks like I get to take progesterone forever. GAG.<br />
<br />
If you read this, so sorry for the negativity. Tomorrow will be a better day! (Repeat. Repeat.) In other news, I look really cute today. I bought a new Joie top at the new Saks Off 5th when the new outlet mall opened in OKC. YAY!Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-71619500103727266702011-08-14T23:56:00.000-05:002011-08-14T23:56:34.915-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 7Today's post is favorite movies. I have a few.<br />
<br />
They are:<br />
<br />
The Little Princess - starring Miss Shirley Temple. I just adored this movie growing up, and probably watched it 50 times. It's about this little girl, Sara Crewe, whose dad goes off to war and leaves her at boarding school. Obvs, the headmistress is evil and makes Sara a servant. Well, Sara knows her dad will be coming back for her, and so she checks the infirmary regularly to try to find him. No big deal for a 6 year old. But it's precious - and I love it. Here's the trailer from 1939! <br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0eJNWhFlUw<br />
<br />
Another favorite movie is Chips the War Dog. This one's a Disney movie from 1990 about a German Shepherd that is loaned by a family to the military. He fought in WWII alongside his handler and actually received a bunch of military awards, including a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. However, the army took them back, because apparently they can't give awards to non-humans. Boo. He was a hero! I couldn't find a clip on YouTube - I guess you'll just have to get the DVD!<br />
<br />
And my final fave movie: Sliding Doors. This one had Gwyneth Paltrow as a lady and it follows her parallel universe lives - one in which she makes a train and one in which she misses the train. It's kinda cheesy, but I like it. It's super interesting and delightful! Here's the trailer!<br />
<br />
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDqdB-JegLMJenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-977457064875789582011-08-14T23:37:00.000-05:002011-08-14T23:37:54.533-05:00Pinterest train of thought<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">So I was on pinterest (like I am 22 hours of the day) and someone posted a recipe for banana bread. It sounded yum - you can find that post on my pinterest account <a href="http://pinterest.com/jenntupps/foodstuffs">here</a>. I'm trying it asap! But then I decided to go check out the website that the pin came from. It's called <a href="http://shabbottshabits.com/">Shabbottshabits.com</a>. The author of the blog is trying to really change her lifestyle. I like to watch shows like the Biggest Loser and Extreme Makeover: Weightloss Edition and watch people change their lives through eating healthily and exercising. However, I watch these shows while sitting on my couch and eating Doritos and then I drink a Dr. Pepper and go to bed. I have very grand ideas about getting up early and working out (which I did for a year or two) to lose weight. These people on the weight loss shows have these "breakthrough moments" where all of their new healthy habits stick with them and miraculously they "get it" and can drop the weight. So I'm still waiting for this magical moment to occur for me - haha! But anyhoo, back to the point of the story. This gal, Ms. Shabbott, has decided to make changes in her lifestyle month by month, using a 13-month plan. The plan is this:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Devote 28 days to each habit - the first 21 days form the habit and the last 7 make it stick. So goes the theory. Here are the habits:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 1: Drink More Water - 64 oz. or more per day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 2: Move it or Lose it: 45 minutes of cardio 5 times per week - also make small changes: take stairs whenever possible, get up from my desk and move around, and extend Kiki's walks by 5-10 minutes each day. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 3: Breakfast of Champions: Have a healthy and balanced breakfast each and every day. Experiment to find tasty and healthy breakfasts - we can't have Eggs Benedict every day, I don't guess.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 4: Sleep Like a Baby: OH! I should be good at this one. Get at least 7 hours of sleep each night. No caffeine before bed.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 5: Say Yes to Fruits and Veggies: Get the recommended servings of fruits and veg each day, AND try F&V that I don't normally eat. Yes, I'm talking to you, bok choy. So for me, that's 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of veggies per day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 6: No Wait for Weights: Lift weights 5 days per week. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 7: Empty out Empty Calories: Bye-bye candy, gum, sweet tea (SOB), and DP. Thank God they make caffeine-free Diet DP, so I'm all good. Alcohol=2 drinks max per week. Baked goods and sweets only occasionally.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 8: Take your Vitamins! And by that, she means daily.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 9: No Artificial Sweeteners - see ya Splenda, Equal and Pink Stuff.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 10: Core Challenge: Do core exercises daily - hello - I DID learn this routine at bootcamp. I can do this again!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 11: Portion Control: Don't eat so much!!</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 12: Meditation Sensation: 15 minutes of quiet time/yoga/stretching each day.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Habit 13: Peace-Out Processed Foods: No pre-packaged foods. That includes Oreos and Weight Watchers Smart Ones. </div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-53983550655949476132011-08-10T14:40:00.000-05:002011-08-10T14:40:26.831-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Okay, back on track now. Today's post is a photo that makes me happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HeXbLtPNzDOuUbDn3x_m-x0NIRTMB4LzDyt-NwJsMG3Rp2WfsOwD6htzMXHjtvW2OBHdfYvmHMYNRALeBM-SuB7CYhRoXPk4CZDoGwQNcB2DA66hKZrVGekweLyQf3sCRbvOq76O-E0/s1600/IMG_1144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1HeXbLtPNzDOuUbDn3x_m-x0NIRTMB4LzDyt-NwJsMG3Rp2WfsOwD6htzMXHjtvW2OBHdfYvmHMYNRALeBM-SuB7CYhRoXPk4CZDoGwQNcB2DA66hKZrVGekweLyQf3sCRbvOq76O-E0/s320/IMG_1144.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aaah - 4 years ago tomorrow, my lovely husband and I were married in Hawaii. This pic reminds me of how fun it was. Our friends and family gathered in Honolulu for the big day - it was perfection. :)</div><br />
Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-31048064123127986132011-08-09T18:27:00.000-05:002011-08-09T18:27:36.785-05:00I now interrupt the regularly scheduled blog posting...to tell you that I'm annoyed with babies. And facebook. And people posting cutesy baby crap on facebook. I swear to god, every time I log onto fb, someone else is pregnant. Or showing pics from their baby showers. Or their nurseries. And then comes the five minute spiral into my personal pity party, complete with screeching violins. I hate trying so hard to have a baby. I hate that other people don't have to try. I hate teenagers who get pregnant and go on idiotic reality shows about what horrible parents they are. I hate that some people are lucky enough to have children, only to treat them like crap. AND I hate what this hatred is doing to me. I am mean. I am hateful. My bestie told me she was pregnant the other day and instead of responding that I was so excited (which I am - duh), I told her I was going to steal her baby. WTF? Who says that?!?! Sigh.Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-19717457905666055492011-08-08T18:59:00.000-05:002011-08-08T18:59:27.011-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 5Welp, today's topic is a song to dewcribe my mood. It's a JT song. It's ALWAYS JT. Today I think I'm in a "Carolina in My Mind" kind of mood. It takes me back to the summer of 2001. I had this teensy apartment in Norman on the second story of a home near the Theta house. I LOVED it. It had a tiny kitchen with a weird walk-in pantry, a little living room and a bedroom with the closet built inside one of the house's dormers. There were little bitty hidey holes all over - stash holes that would have been a mobster's dream (or a drug dealer's - ha!). I tried to find pics, but I failed. Sigh. Oh well - surely I have some somewhere.<br />
<br />
Anyhoo, I would hang out in my little upstairs apartment and at first I only had a radio, no TV. So I listened to my James Taylor Greatest Hits CD that I got at Hastings on repeat. I would play it for white noise as I went to sleep. (As my first time living completely on my own, white noise was a MUST). I am slightly (ok, very) paranoid, and I thought every noise was someone coming to get me! He really helped me sleep and to this day, a little JT puts me right out. :) I LOVE him. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxIoGi7_psRY1QuNdnCWcZXs4Fw9TVHk-cItUcQOB9ZN7uUWm-xAl5ZohbVjBSU-1PLlsL2C3e8ZJkIXz7bpJ4utgoZhSWsnbgN0thOicg2qwNg06zmOUKJNjEGf2mtpfHwbCgndA9nI/s1600/James_Taylor_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGxIoGi7_psRY1QuNdnCWcZXs4Fw9TVHk-cItUcQOB9ZN7uUWm-xAl5ZohbVjBSU-1PLlsL2C3e8ZJkIXz7bpJ4utgoZhSWsnbgN0thOicg2qwNg06zmOUKJNjEGf2mtpfHwbCgndA9nI/s320/James_Taylor_full.jpg" width="280px" /></a></div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-85313962986067509532011-07-28T18:35:00.000-05:002011-07-28T18:35:06.893-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 4<div style="text-align: center;"> Doing zero better with timely posts. :/ Today's Blog Challenge post is about my parents!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">These are my parents with me at my 30th birthday party:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CYKBs2WEZp0-CGAMMwJDgqd-glNRjkudsm3UvxmTdxWLc_Wzy1ORVzBU0kGn_1q8xD_hB-2447Cr9eEyPonJLf4iY_HgQg4qcNkEp9nxarpQu0jiYzDnytk7h1oe0A5aD_naQ-2iGsw/s1600/DSC_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CYKBs2WEZp0-CGAMMwJDgqd-glNRjkudsm3UvxmTdxWLc_Wzy1ORVzBU0kGn_1q8xD_hB-2447Cr9eEyPonJLf4iY_HgQg4qcNkEp9nxarpQu0jiYzDnytk7h1oe0A5aD_naQ-2iGsw/s320/DSC_0757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my mom at my wedding:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv3EME3PvVu5LlHwmxyETBaMRN2qZa8ol-PUKZmgz-Fr6y32nUZlt_b9p1XyeskOgfAmKtNlOcOLLUj-bF2c607uOqjQScRxuqDiUw5DnHN9Hq2lRw7TB_-rlJpyytfR5PMHWhQD-0tc/s1600/14690003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfv3EME3PvVu5LlHwmxyETBaMRN2qZa8ol-PUKZmgz-Fr6y32nUZlt_b9p1XyeskOgfAmKtNlOcOLLUj-bF2c607uOqjQScRxuqDiUw5DnHN9Hq2lRw7TB_-rlJpyytfR5PMHWhQD-0tc/s320/14690003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They are both just wonderful - my mom is a very sweet lady, and I have loads of fun memories with her. Like when I was obsessed with acting out television commercials and she would oblige me and play the non-starring roles. And how she drove me around to sell Girl Scout cookies, come hell or high water. (I did sell enough to pay most of my way to GS Camp, so it was totally worth it!). She's loud and super talkative and my most favorite thing to do is to make her laugh so hard she can't talk or breathe - it's HILARIOUS because she still tries to talk through sobs of laughter and it sounds like gibberish!) She truly is a nice nice person-she will do anything ANYTHING for me and I probably don't tell her enough that I appreciate her. But I do. I LOVE YOU, MOM!!! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Usually, she is behind the camera snapping the pics, but I have a few of her too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are with my sweet Mama at a luau in Hawaii.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pq08F0mADr62B3GbaTbgte2lHTHYB_21zdHPWPN0D66a6sjFDZUfRgy85W-psJn-prtlHCyoaB1jWHJ2b-lmC9oS2O55REsPk8-nC7X2OEdrLS1VoCqJOp6d9fyKOw1RKFa1RRSmRZM/s1600/008_08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pq08F0mADr62B3GbaTbgte2lHTHYB_21zdHPWPN0D66a6sjFDZUfRgy85W-psJn-prtlHCyoaB1jWHJ2b-lmC9oS2O55REsPk8-nC7X2OEdrLS1VoCqJOp6d9fyKOw1RKFa1RRSmRZM/s320/008_08.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And on my wedding day:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p3vHEmxv6ZcTSSQE6cP8_Ev-YfUpGpky8uVOqzXQv3THvZlfKKPJsur6gRIj85B0e1eZJKPr2yaDjnPI7UHkQ__YUen1RmH1V1cu-eDsnEc-mAsnGC3ha04VCNh1zIhvX-bni6TzY4I/s1600/n18802086_32122623_9866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p3vHEmxv6ZcTSSQE6cP8_Ev-YfUpGpky8uVOqzXQv3THvZlfKKPJsur6gRIj85B0e1eZJKPr2yaDjnPI7UHkQ__YUen1RmH1V1cu-eDsnEc-mAsnGC3ha04VCNh1zIhvX-bni6TzY4I/s320/n18802086_32122623_9866.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Come to think of it, I have lots of pics of me and my mom, it's my dad that rarely makes a photo appearance. Here's another of he and I at my birthday:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhsLzlsSJoXn5Lx0tcNCSnEodGvq4kg7C_1Zaz3MGk7i_zDncMdr0dC__75tjenpOTbAAfLQxxavi9KWk9WqRYcBfUJWfqeynabD57mIWRbQ84M-I99NaRb6cVlRk8wy-NF2N-x377ic/s1600/DSC_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhsLzlsSJoXn5Lx0tcNCSnEodGvq4kg7C_1Zaz3MGk7i_zDncMdr0dC__75tjenpOTbAAfLQxxavi9KWk9WqRYcBfUJWfqeynabD57mIWRbQ84M-I99NaRb6cVlRk8wy-NF2N-x377ic/s320/DSC_0758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
He's great too. Super laid-back, loves outdoorsy things like fishing and grilling out. He is always quick to lend a hand (thanks for helping us move last year, for example! And in and out of the sorority house! And each apartment I lived in! He could be a professional mover - ha!) He generally is a pretty quiet guy, but has the warmest laugh - it's contagious! :) LOVE YOU DAD!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And although it's a parental blog post, I also have a little bro who's pretty great and deserves a mention:</div><br />
Hi Matty!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBpWjcMvtI9Vlb1v9NqKQPEje_I-shtG_UQt_wtVx8Er04fln6oDWnzmFqm6hO1FJzUjdjjRn6yCXPIRtZrqVJ56KKnLtC9Zne_xcEJJWtpiZtyaNuAMsQD34MxND4e1u08w9PzDnDf4/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBpWjcMvtI9Vlb1v9NqKQPEje_I-shtG_UQt_wtVx8Er04fln6oDWnzmFqm6hO1FJzUjdjjRn6yCXPIRtZrqVJ56KKnLtC9Zne_xcEJJWtpiZtyaNuAMsQD34MxND4e1u08w9PzDnDf4/s320/DSC_0759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here we are at the Black Eyed Peas / U2 concert in Norman a few years ago:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBpWjcMvtI9Vlb1v9NqKQPEje_I-shtG_UQt_wtVx8Er04fln6oDWnzmFqm6hO1FJzUjdjjRn6yCXPIRtZrqVJ56KKnLtC9Zne_xcEJJWtpiZtyaNuAMsQD34MxND4e1u08w9PzDnDf4/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bPYGu6dPIK3RmYW3mHOmWj49hVy0mn4oWvCzQZ4K8tBzj3_M4r8jg1jaDorn00bhlSs_ADPvsSDtBRN4RZoREDKk6OzkBBLdOANBAXtbQ72Fw1X0Tv2TLuyieLHR7cmK2NRz_fXbtdc/s1600/06_22A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3bPYGu6dPIK3RmYW3mHOmWj49hVy0mn4oWvCzQZ4K8tBzj3_M4r8jg1jaDorn00bhlSs_ADPvsSDtBRN4RZoREDKk6OzkBBLdOANBAXtbQ72Fw1X0Tv2TLuyieLHR7cmK2NRz_fXbtdc/s320/06_22A.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course, the rest of my family, my lovely second set of parents - the Tupps! Here are all 4 of my parents:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhhDlZEqGnYhquCW6u7gfZ0mzEPaoj9rCPVkNIA-ZqdXng6Gfq_JKQ3pNEsW0AP_15NQUI_cK5LIPZSVjTwdy6ogxgfcg2SXYzd9BK2Hu2YCNLqr2UaIaYQyfF6s4X5ImxLHqvKUKB6Y/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRhhDlZEqGnYhquCW6u7gfZ0mzEPaoj9rCPVkNIA-ZqdXng6Gfq_JKQ3pNEsW0AP_15NQUI_cK5LIPZSVjTwdy6ogxgfcg2SXYzd9BK2Hu2YCNLqr2UaIaYQyfF6s4X5ImxLHqvKUKB6Y/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_2080851942"></span><span id="goog_2080851943"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The ladies:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ybvcR_wbQ6U_5xJEOY7CC1qOl4dvcm7qVt7ZVsggf1GKevlSujwXu0GD6NGqTt5wfvLMaVmWHt9ijeALuUNZ8jG6ApsjGBpZoBHoKfTa3yBGPsG1E8jpuE7SLb04_0ajizMryZZxNYo/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ybvcR_wbQ6U_5xJEOY7CC1qOl4dvcm7qVt7ZVsggf1GKevlSujwXu0GD6NGqTt5wfvLMaVmWHt9ijeALuUNZ8jG6ApsjGBpZoBHoKfTa3yBGPsG1E8jpuE7SLb04_0ajizMryZZxNYo/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and my MaMa - see my mom on the right getting her camera ready? Told you!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYI81OBBsEJ5jAOmGkqWZo_dEvb3TPCOVpGKe_85ibBlqQsuygto1wCEDLB84NErn6tFhXbri_JAchZzgVc23cWEriOfSDv9rhDs-afrnn9VYiWLI59Y7j_kzYEB9y2223k1I06Uwopk/s1600/DSC_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYI81OBBsEJ5jAOmGkqWZo_dEvb3TPCOVpGKe_85ibBlqQsuygto1wCEDLB84NErn6tFhXbri_JAchZzgVc23cWEriOfSDv9rhDs-afrnn9VYiWLI59Y7j_kzYEB9y2223k1I06Uwopk/s320/DSC_0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan and MaMa</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx82CXkbujt3xcaypvLnPtjBZYPaXLQp8hsEr362fNjva81G6R7wElRsImtXe7qm5Oyiriu7Xo0IXhxsZXacjrbuUlQCMUflXBm0NrKSr2iD1a3kY5VXjeSS_lm7uM4d9OAVX3K05j3s8/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx82CXkbujt3xcaypvLnPtjBZYPaXLQp8hsEr362fNjva81G6R7wElRsImtXe7qm5Oyiriu7Xo0IXhxsZXacjrbuUlQCMUflXBm0NrKSr2iD1a3kY5VXjeSS_lm7uM4d9OAVX3K05j3s8/s320/DSC_0030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">In this pic from Mother's Day, you can totally see my mom cracking up - her eyes practically close and she just laughs and laughs. Hehehehe!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pMMc8y3X0XIhCgsXEPMo3FYo_0Zayd_okShFEFjF9Z5r-B59ZHwiv4sgARLzGpEIgYuarLQY9PqsOCsujbNxWxMiZFYHu4VFF58ONVf9kVDrk3ITC1TMSYWdDHnMq8hPOQLEefor-4g/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pMMc8y3X0XIhCgsXEPMo3FYo_0Zayd_okShFEFjF9Z5r-B59ZHwiv4sgARLzGpEIgYuarLQY9PqsOCsujbNxWxMiZFYHu4VFF58ONVf9kVDrk3ITC1TMSYWdDHnMq8hPOQLEefor-4g/s320/DSC_0032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">LOVE MY PARENTS!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-79262938923571983782011-07-20T17:16:00.000-05:002011-07-20T17:16:32.944-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 3<div style="text-align: center;">Well, apparently I'm working the 90-120 day blog challenge at this rate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today's topic: My first love.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I had a picture of her, but I do not. Pics from the early 80's are not easy to come by, it turns out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But my first love was born in Alabama, in a house across the street from where my Aunt Bessie lived. Oh, I just loved Aunt Bessie - she was little bitty, and cute, and she had a porch swing. Perfect, in the mind of a 5 year old. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But back to my first love. I crawled around on this floor, peeking into a cabinet, where a momma cat was hiding her little kittens. My parents let me have one, which I promptly named Cupcake! I loved Cupcake. She lived with us in Mississippi and eventually had a few litters of her own kittens, a few of which I loved dearly. But Cupcake was my very very first love! She was gray and white, kind of like this:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IWc6kmXzm0erWlJByHyy0Zr2L5ngksXU9m4Ex7Bd4mNseFR_0l-YB-1vbei-_jNUJ_xjGKLDCs8iLB8wz_JlAaL0bTr49bs5_zKayabjSXgKezP6BNfuR764xDgp4WSUzp73MwvOD6k/s1600/1732330299_fe6e575a28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IWc6kmXzm0erWlJByHyy0Zr2L5ngksXU9m4Ex7Bd4mNseFR_0l-YB-1vbei-_jNUJ_xjGKLDCs8iLB8wz_JlAaL0bTr49bs5_zKayabjSXgKezP6BNfuR764xDgp4WSUzp73MwvOD6k/s320/1732330299_fe6e575a28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And it was one of her babies that became my BFF - his name was Cinnamon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyzMKt01sxS4pqhV7iWeMsyu02tO-3ERDNl7Yp-k8bmQBgEGUlWz4O8F34gKZeWr2-FrtuFrru87c3qtxzE1ARG2b9FI3EEUqv0ahq9HwOyRZ9CycqIRIfuKoaB7nPXKi9EH4f-KTskU/s1600/Light_Brown_and_White_Cat_by_camilah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyzMKt01sxS4pqhV7iWeMsyu02tO-3ERDNl7Yp-k8bmQBgEGUlWz4O8F34gKZeWr2-FrtuFrru87c3qtxzE1ARG2b9FI3EEUqv0ahq9HwOyRZ9CycqIRIfuKoaB7nPXKi9EH4f-KTskU/s1600/Light_Brown_and_White_Cat_by_camilah.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He kinda looked like this - only with more brown instead of all the white on his back leg. He was a gem - he'd let me and my brother carry him around our necks, like a scarf. He was also enormous - a huge tom cat that fought with other cats during the night (loudly) and loved on us during the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And his littermate was my bro's fave cat: Flour or Flower - there's a debate today over his correct name. I say it's Flour to go with all the cooking and pastry names, and others think it's Flower like from Bambi. Who knows? My 2 year old brother named him!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He looked something like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTrYer63aWRm4Bk-6oFmSpxnb7oOhLB77D6kK9EF43yPbK2eSY-br-8d_dUoLQVA8Ccj4AIbStS8dNRuYMVNTKVXT_ENwxsd_CkRCEJu6vjetLfM0tSSkjuKRpVFxG2IJ0KKokmiqP7g/s1600/Picture+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQTrYer63aWRm4Bk-6oFmSpxnb7oOhLB77D6kK9EF43yPbK2eSY-br-8d_dUoLQVA8Ccj4AIbStS8dNRuYMVNTKVXT_ENwxsd_CkRCEJu6vjetLfM0tSSkjuKRpVFxG2IJ0KKokmiqP7g/s320/Picture+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Flower had a short temper. And that's about all I have to say about him - HA!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And now I'm deathly allergic to cats - and I'm now a dog person!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-82765739696288745152011-07-14T16:22:00.000-05:002011-07-14T16:22:08.007-05:00Blog Challenge: Day 2!<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, after the day off yesterday from blogging (I DID have to drive to the Texas state line to see Steely Dan play at Winstar Casino last night, so that's my excuse), I am back for Day 2 of the Blog Challenge.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Today's task is to name something I'd like to do before I die.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My answer: Step foot on all 7 continents!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is where I have been:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. North America (duh). This is where I call home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WImeWPA_ccFPH1SE3CDCE8b9gRj-q1Rvu_qqB5RqBNkvqH9aXeyu4d8t_AjsiAHHWqwM2pGLZdbbJ2XOel6wGe81JFLKPcfBAbCV-eOPR2Udq-gyG1_cFNrgMAged0eLXQ25h3ord88/s1600/oklahoma_wallpaper-182348-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8WImeWPA_ccFPH1SE3CDCE8b9gRj-q1Rvu_qqB5RqBNkvqH9aXeyu4d8t_AjsiAHHWqwM2pGLZdbbJ2XOel6wGe81JFLKPcfBAbCV-eOPR2Udq-gyG1_cFNrgMAged0eLXQ25h3ord88/s320/oklahoma_wallpaper-182348-1.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw3qd_xSqKvJc9SVEPBgBjNWxaxkXqOsQrNikCl5FrrJLmOvDoS_pkO_HjhGSPKiHhmzzI5TPXEoSPpUXPPHZfBCV3XKq-EUYxPzVJZaBkL7GSdOiEmPMnfg3Rm85fDMtAZ895LcDNLw/s1600/n68201054_30034672_1163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGw3qd_xSqKvJc9SVEPBgBjNWxaxkXqOsQrNikCl5FrrJLmOvDoS_pkO_HjhGSPKiHhmzzI5TPXEoSPpUXPPHZfBCV3XKq-EUYxPzVJZaBkL7GSdOiEmPMnfg3Rm85fDMtAZ895LcDNLw/s320/n68201054_30034672_1163.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Africa. In 2004, Ryan and I got to visit South Africa for the launch of a new motorcycle (one of the major perks of running the dealership, for sure!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA0FdNgkNDwWvAKJOvFcv9k_4CJZqA2c6pZuC2I_huReNq2f_VxXBFLskQ9R9WvAvTykSERjkyvZAddkZanUu7nLmb_HjIvVXI0KynIfI4MlslbVAqtJ0GlRVlW65tqTGH5yfGidqXH0/s1600/35740001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA0FdNgkNDwWvAKJOvFcv9k_4CJZqA2c6pZuC2I_huReNq2f_VxXBFLskQ9R9WvAvTykSERjkyvZAddkZanUu7nLmb_HjIvVXI0KynIfI4MlslbVAqtJ0GlRVlW65tqTGH5yfGidqXH0/s320/35740001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFM7gDQqetQLQ823Jh5L-QcisV-Ksy9A1DeTG7S8LnVy0yng2RKODRPs3Q4RyKeEbTZpdC3SNnocBWoPvI0274j3m7ZnfFCWkpxWLtKTxYYuNGG38VhBHJITwzpgqwRXgt2A6FjtHMoo/s1600/35740057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFM7gDQqetQLQ823Jh5L-QcisV-Ksy9A1DeTG7S8LnVy0yng2RKODRPs3Q4RyKeEbTZpdC3SNnocBWoPvI0274j3m7ZnfFCWkpxWLtKTxYYuNGG38VhBHJITwzpgqwRXgt2A6FjtHMoo/s320/35740057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSB8eG_8o2qeDjsjBLqT4G_jeSfLS5x3bUoEIy5MtnnVLgWfWGlnD67RWy4d4uWz7DnY7euaxhoGIbNBG1Ll0nlrdXF5z3wiQc-3as6sH5uV1wDLNCnU02gRQ-wei4NrV3JkpCO0nvyU/s1600/9323_523956081333_68201054_30972352_5423523_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSB8eG_8o2qeDjsjBLqT4G_jeSfLS5x3bUoEIy5MtnnVLgWfWGlnD67RWy4d4uWz7DnY7euaxhoGIbNBG1Ll0nlrdXF5z3wiQc-3as6sH5uV1wDLNCnU02gRQ-wei4NrV3JkpCO0nvyU/s320/9323_523956081333_68201054_30972352_5423523_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">3. Europe. Been a few times to a few different places, most recently in 2007 to Milan for the EICMA show (another motorcycle event) and a little vacation in Bologna.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqGLbwRPcHq0bt2hFqeKdlkLTcsZusHmaKbHtJLB1Uyaq3vlW76cQKYVb4paJDdJfuN6ozAZVOyx_YwwKxbE2P7ud3psiF1opz2rG5Da9KMZ-_O4pfByffY5Ty1Hu3KWsVZQu4zTus3Y/s1600/IMG_0100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqGLbwRPcHq0bt2hFqeKdlkLTcsZusHmaKbHtJLB1Uyaq3vlW76cQKYVb4paJDdJfuN6ozAZVOyx_YwwKxbE2P7ud3psiF1opz2rG5Da9KMZ-_O4pfByffY5Ty1Hu3KWsVZQu4zTus3Y/s320/IMG_0100.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEZd6ijz48QCCODYRZtiHbUuu_7IDsOcyNKztxKs4ZoA5QUTwrViANj9RPx3o-W9nnuh1YdMNn9-imONa1UcIx2D3U_GQweGJC99KpcJeHrdbkjm4AzFJvFkrTG768YPLaJGgcbwBuFA/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYEZd6ijz48QCCODYRZtiHbUuu_7IDsOcyNKztxKs4ZoA5QUTwrViANj9RPx3o-W9nnuh1YdMNn9-imONa1UcIx2D3U_GQweGJC99KpcJeHrdbkjm4AzFJvFkrTG768YPLaJGgcbwBuFA/s320/IMG_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. Asia. Ryan had already been to this continent (Russia), so I caught back up - ha! We went to Vietnam and Japan in March 2011 - it was awesome (and sweltering)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaEiIjnznkR-BWPiiiwT4W4OdqvJL2cY7p1I0a8ldITS2Eedz76s5OqshjJIryaiCkzitZKzCtsFnZUdWI8XjxppHCJYKZni0LrjAaNK9SKVvR_KMhdfjTmpn_1G3qezlcJcqjOACVl8/s1600/DSC_0472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIaEiIjnznkR-BWPiiiwT4W4OdqvJL2cY7p1I0a8ldITS2Eedz76s5OqshjJIryaiCkzitZKzCtsFnZUdWI8XjxppHCJYKZni0LrjAaNK9SKVvR_KMhdfjTmpn_1G3qezlcJcqjOACVl8/s320/DSC_0472.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_rV7svTAZqs1epQif23m6mPenDVzBmkCDQGl7vd5iO-1DUnXCHZ8GuVymz293wiWq3AeNxGdEMuqy7zjrJU_QGDUti9cpyvYR3qMNTOMcyCmU77aKQu9WNGYoHb03Ii1DcjTzcvDZIU/s1600/DSC_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_rV7svTAZqs1epQif23m6mPenDVzBmkCDQGl7vd5iO-1DUnXCHZ8GuVymz293wiWq3AeNxGdEMuqy7zjrJU_QGDUti9cpyvYR3qMNTOMcyCmU77aKQu9WNGYoHb03Ii1DcjTzcvDZIU/s320/DSC_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Those are my have-dones.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now for the to-do list:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. South America. I've planned (in my head) many trips to South America, but I think it will come true in 2014. My kooky husband wants to go to the World Cup in Brazil - and I am ALL about it! But someday, I also hope to see Machu Picchu and the Galapagos (in one trip - that's totally doable!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDnc-4n0FV42kmB3YqjjxHwwO3z1kWnjJt8NR31DHP5c0EifvMVrfB3VyO1o-Edu3txeeH0hcYYS_JLQ5sJuxXIsp5FVLbPfXuFGRpSNChy9OS0bPk_SnHvITKBqfhWh1STp1ZLDnD_s/s1600/christ_the_redeemer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDnc-4n0FV42kmB3YqjjxHwwO3z1kWnjJt8NR31DHP5c0EifvMVrfB3VyO1o-Edu3txeeH0hcYYS_JLQ5sJuxXIsp5FVLbPfXuFGRpSNChy9OS0bPk_SnHvITKBqfhWh1STp1ZLDnD_s/s320/christ_the_redeemer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. Australia. Hopefully we can see the land down under by cruise ship, because I am DYING to see the South Pacific - Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Samoa, etc. and there are many decently affordable cruises leaving from Sydney going to these destinations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLan3Fp3GoZ8gjR1kdzYa01jCHJfQMhIaFKL-4fWVh76geLeNhMWO2fHXjMGlcNhyphenhyphenOy3lNWSt341f_2pra9suaWSuNOoONUYHrhVJxJb2EKyAcNK_Xgm9O0mI6gJjMM4T1nI2ttNLqLI/s1600/australia-sydney-opera-house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLan3Fp3GoZ8gjR1kdzYa01jCHJfQMhIaFKL-4fWVh76geLeNhMWO2fHXjMGlcNhyphenhyphenOy3lNWSt341f_2pra9suaWSuNOoONUYHrhVJxJb2EKyAcNK_Xgm9O0mI6gJjMM4T1nI2ttNLqLI/s320/australia-sydney-opera-house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNfr7ipUxz7oWSAIEb0WtmZ8GiaBb4_qZp9rIw481nlHAgiwQ5-q_I1fVYPuZBVXWqXOsNXMxzip7hjLODiCQWMIBqO0bCG6wLcVOiMczsqpXnFuX7GRRIsP-K2MCQW7uK_vsVpmtYCQ/s1600/passages.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNfr7ipUxz7oWSAIEb0WtmZ8GiaBb4_qZp9rIw481nlHAgiwQ5-q_I1fVYPuZBVXWqXOsNXMxzip7hjLODiCQWMIBqO0bCG6wLcVOiMczsqpXnFuX7GRRIsP-K2MCQW7uK_vsVpmtYCQ/s320/passages.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And last, but not least...ANTARCTICA! I am just SO pumped to visit someday. Just to say I've been. For no other reason. Except maybe to visit the penguins. And because you board your ship to get to Antarctica from South America. So it's like a two-in-one!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2SGLOOTzQYx3FUPuG1eGvCBlT_zi8JDBxPRUcw78YLmXM3yEHJXxaUk0FZnpFot52KzZT6PIxz9E-BvvanyvogyjjwOuJsYQoZAWOvLv-l2IkrmActq6SNOrubkO8IaabrIndCcEwY4/s1600/05ANT-20059-1354-Antarctica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi2SGLOOTzQYx3FUPuG1eGvCBlT_zi8JDBxPRUcw78YLmXM3yEHJXxaUk0FZnpFot52KzZT6PIxz9E-BvvanyvogyjjwOuJsYQoZAWOvLv-l2IkrmActq6SNOrubkO8IaabrIndCcEwY4/s320/05ANT-20059-1354-Antarctica.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9cluGG84Hb3xWvsz1gKEjfBMbi1sz1B1fpRK4e1buwVwE-FM8i7IOeiOnnONcSbPwRUKeY467EY71tfnD9QbAZwE9AP86916Xnlr34rsKt_p75GUZFPcUrXzIn4kM1WalZ7-ztbNIDk/s1600/05ANT-10954-Iceberg-arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9cluGG84Hb3xWvsz1gKEjfBMbi1sz1B1fpRK4e1buwVwE-FM8i7IOeiOnnONcSbPwRUKeY467EY71tfnD9QbAZwE9AP86916Xnlr34rsKt_p75GUZFPcUrXzIn4kM1WalZ7-ztbNIDk/s320/05ANT-10954-Iceberg-arch.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's my life's goal. Fingers crossed I get to them all!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-71450450200418812942011-07-12T14:16:00.000-05:002011-07-12T14:16:05.828-05:00Day 1 of the Blog Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">Haha! Well, obviously I'm prompt, seeing as how 4 days have passed since I committed to the 30-day Blog Challenge. Sigh. I really do have the best intentions, I swear! So maybe this will be more like the 40-45 day blog challenge, with 30 posts. Ha!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, Day 1 is to introduce myself and provide 15 facts about myself, so here goes!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hi, I'm Jenn! This is me (any my husband):</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmSYa90JWv3R_JRNscvMSa0BwOybe65o810vG5TA83pMPbwogEzoJfIRVZXU7Vlc0UM-WFY4I4WqSyCjbDP_3bIweNjFNwCTN1_dREfJrAMIHpXiLvy9rBDkP-28IiBcm-c85iPirzas/s1600/DSCN4242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmSYa90JWv3R_JRNscvMSa0BwOybe65o810vG5TA83pMPbwogEzoJfIRVZXU7Vlc0UM-WFY4I4WqSyCjbDP_3bIweNjFNwCTN1_dREfJrAMIHpXiLvy9rBDkP-28IiBcm-c85iPirzas/s320/DSCN4242.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was born in Alabama and lived in Mississippi until I was in third grade - at that point my family moved to Oklahoma, where I still live. I went to OU and OU Law, and now work for the family business.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are 15 things about me!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">1. I don't like watermelon</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">2. I love dogs, and would be a crazy dog hoarder if my husband would let me have more than one</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">3. I am obsessed with collecting things I don't use (For example, I have over 200 vintage James Avery charms and I'm always on the lookout for more, even though my 2 charm bracelets are bursting)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">4. I like thinking and scheming and planning (more so than doing)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">5. I am obsessed with making my yard beautiful (I want to be the "good grass" house)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">6. I love swimming and am debating rejoining the Y so that I have pool access</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">7. I feel like I'm a really fantastic driver, and that no one but me was properly taught how to drive. (It feels that way, anyway)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">8. I cannot mask my feelings - you've heard of "heart on your sleeve", well that's me to a T.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">9. Love rainstorms, but am scared of thunder. And fireworks. And loud bangs in general.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">10. I'm a light sleeper, so I wake up about 1.3 billion times per night. Unless the vent is on - with white noise I can sleep thru anything (except a loud thunderstorm)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">11. I'm a salty/savory person. I do NOT have a sweet tooth.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">12. I've been to 4 continents and hope to visit all before I die.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">13. I struggle at times, but I try to remind myself that I have it pretty great!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">14. I've lived in Oklahoma for over 20 years now, and the only time I've seen a 'nader (knock on wood) was in Mississippi. How strange!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">15. I love Akitas - I think I will always want to own one of this awesome breed of dogs. And to leave you, a picture of my sweet Kiki dog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK9-or52XqUmtO9wUWB9YUbR2NCLxU8FAXRmUZpU5Z9Czf643EzZib9wjPmklAcTy9-nnes8ci-0dwEXW5ITDh2l-k8IowtU8xf0095mwl-3eKAQCbpTsmQNXKiemWbRUZ2qiowybpfE/s1600/IMG_0137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtK9-or52XqUmtO9wUWB9YUbR2NCLxU8FAXRmUZpU5Z9Czf643EzZib9wjPmklAcTy9-nnes8ci-0dwEXW5ITDh2l-k8IowtU8xf0095mwl-3eKAQCbpTsmQNXKiemWbRUZ2qiowybpfE/s320/IMG_0137.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is when he was younger - now he spends most of his day like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1IK7EMWcrw7D-uVUoluPY1i_4OYTELymkyiz5yXpvvTeF6SEWtxAJK-Wj6CKa6zpERGt7LLHhTCLhrQJEk0eDB4FvNZbj06m8FUYRichywQ05zl8pMZf43knpVlKrSJ0gsHc-FKH3b4/s1600/IMG_0547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1IK7EMWcrw7D-uVUoluPY1i_4OYTELymkyiz5yXpvvTeF6SEWtxAJK-Wj6CKa6zpERGt7LLHhTCLhrQJEk0eDB4FvNZbj06m8FUYRichywQ05zl8pMZf43knpVlKrSJ0gsHc-FKH3b4/s320/IMG_0547.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Asleep! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-12132619394988627332011-07-08T14:41:00.000-05:002011-07-08T14:41:55.869-05:0030 Day Blog ChallengeSo I was reading this super cute blog, <a href="http://mallorybthompson.blogspot.com/">Truly Thompson</a>, and stumbled across a post she did for a 30 day blog challenge. I decided it sounded like a fun project, so I have decided to do one of my own! The basic gist is that you blog every day for thirty days about random stuff. Here is the schedule:<br />
<br />
Day 1: Introduce, recent picture of yourself and 15 interesting facts<br />
Day 2: Something you want to do before you die<br />
Day 3: Your first love<br />
Day 4: Your parents<br />
Day 5: A song to match your mood<br />
Day 6: A picture of something that makes you happy<br />
Day 7: Favorite movies<br />
Day 8: A place you've travelled to<br />
Day 9: A favorite picture of someone you could never imagine your life without<br />
Day 10: Something you're afraid of<br />
Day 11: Favorite TV shows<br />
Day 12: Something you don't leave the house without<br />
Day 13: Something that means a lot to you<br />
Day 14: A picture of you last year - how have you changed?<br />
Day 15: Favorite pet<br />
Day 16: Dream house<br />
Day 17: Something you're looking forward to<br />
Day 18: Favorite food<br />
Day 19: Something you miss<br />
Day 20: Picture that always makes you smile<br />
Day 21: Favorite picture of yourself of all time. Why?<br />
Day 22: What's in your purse?<br />
Day 23: Favorite singer/band/artist<br />
Day 24: Something you've learned<br />
Day 25: Picture of the place you'd love to visit most<br />
Day 26: Your dream wedding<br />
Day 27: Photo of the city you live in<br />
Day 28: Pet peeves<br />
Day 29: 3 wishes<br />
Day 30: A picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that have happened since you started the challenge.<br />
<br />
See you tomorrow for Day 1!Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-19047028595276024292011-06-25T13:49:00.000-05:002011-06-25T13:49:59.935-05:00Things I can doWell obviously, the number one thing on my mind right now is the baby we lost. And how soon we can try for another little one. BUT my OB was very specific when I went in for my D&C that she did not want me getting pregnant for at least one full cycle. Although this is 4-6 weeks away, it still feels like an eternity. So rather than focusing on NOT being able to try for another baby, I have decided to try to focus on what I CAN do. These include:<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Call fence guy to get rear fence installed</li>
<li>Call gate guy to get gate plans arpproved and move forward with the Historical Society to get the gate installed</li>
<li>Call gutter guy to get gutters installed</li>
<li>Buy book on laying flagstone to prepare for our 4th of July project (which I have decided is laying a flagstone porch/walkway in our backyard)</li>
<li>Call sprinkler people to get estimates for sprinkler installation</li>
<li>Clean out storage room</li>
<li>Clean out basement and waterproof it</li>
<li>Close crawl space</li>
<li>Buy new door for basement to make a storm shelter type-space out of it</li>
<li>Paint old storage room</li>
<li>Move guest room into old storage room</li>
<li>Paint old guest room blue</li>
</ul><div>That list should keep me occupied for a while...</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-82139083717676843042011-06-19T12:29:00.000-05:002011-06-19T12:29:02.121-05:00Baby NewsPlease note: This is not seeking sympathy. I just wrote what I was feeling to remember it someday (hopefully when I am snuggling our baby). Also, sorry if it's TMI. Get over it.<br />
<br />
On May 22, when I got home from Dallas for Cathy's shower, I began to suspect I might be pregnant. So I took a pregnancy test, expecting a negative like it had been for months before. Well, this one was positive! I was so excited and ran to show Ryan, who was thrilled as well. I called my dr the very next morning, but she wanted to wait to see me after 2 weeks passed, since she didn't see patients before 6 weeks since LMP. I guess I detected it really early, and my scheduled appointment would have been at the beginning of week 7 of the pregnancy.<br />
<br />
Well those 2 weeks were torture, but finally my appointment rolled around and I went, full of excitement! She chatted with me and sent me for bloodwork. I also mentioned to her that I felt absolutely NO symptoms whatsoever, and if the stick didn't say so, I would not know I was pregnant (at least according to the symptoms I was supposed to be feeling at this gestation). Well, that seemed to worry her, so she sent me for an ultrasound the next day as well to date the pregnancy and to check the viability of the baby.<br />
<br />
I went to the lab and had blood drawn and then went back to work, waiting for the u/s the next day. Another long night! Well, the ultrasound tech couldn't find anything transabdominally, so she opted for a transvaginal u/s to check on the babe. At this time, she showed me my uterus and the gestational sac. She thought she saw the fetal pole and she dated the pregnancy to 5 weeks, 1 day, which was 2 weeks off from my LMP. So this worried me because what on earth had the baby been doing in there for 2 weeks?!?! Anyhoo, she also said that she thought she saw the flutter of the baby's heartbeat, which made me super excited, so I didn't worry.<br />
<br />
Later that day, the dr got my lab results back and said that my progesterone was low. She said it should be in the 20 range, but mine was at a 5. Since progesterone is what keeps you from shedding your uterine lining while you're pregnant, it is super important for this hormone to be present during pregnancy, or I would run the risk of miscarriage. So she put me on progesterone supplements twice a day to get the levels raised. Plus, after looking at my u/s results, she thought that both my hormone levels and the u/s were dating the baby to about 5w1d gestation. Fine by me! I can deal with a February baby instead of a January baby!<br />
<br />
My dr scheduled me for another round of labs the next week, and a follow-up u/s at the end of the following week. The first stop was my appointment for labwork. The phlebotomist drew a sample of blood and I left with my fingers crossed. And then got a call saying that my hcg levels were off. I didn't really ask many questions, just kind of mumbled okay, thought the worst, and hung up. But as I did some online research, I learned that this can be okay, and a healthy pregnancy can still come of this. So when she called back the next morning to tell me that my progesterone levels were up where they needed to be, thanks to the drugs, I asked the nurse what my hcg levels were exactly.<br />
<br />
The results: on the first day I went in for bloodwork, the hcg level was 1312. Apparently it is supposed to double every 48-72 hours, so being generous and saying every 72 hours, my levels should have been around 5200 or so for my bloodwork exactly one week later. Well, they were at 1832. NOT good. The nurse has told me that it looks like this pregnancy will end in a miscarriage. But to wait and see a few days later with more bloodwork and then attending my u/s as scheduled. So the next lab appointment came and my level had dropped, apparently a certain sign of a miscarriage or an impending miscarriage.<br />
<br />
And I was/am heartbroken.<br />
<br />
But then I think, hey! I still have the u/s to look forward to on Friday. I should just wait until then to see if they can find a heartbeat before I have a meltdown. Because I read somewhere that if you can see the heartbeat, there is a 70% likelihood that the baby will be a viable pregnancy. But my OB wanted to cancel my u/s, as there was almost no possible way there would be a viable baby in there after my hcg started declining. So I cancelled it. And instead, had to schedule a D&C to remove the deceased fetus. :(<br />
<br />
My feelings have been all over the map. I obviously want a healthy baby, so if there is something wrong with this one, I'd rather just miscarry and try again for a healthy baby. But another part of me wants THIS baby. The one that is already inside of me (but an obviously unhealthy one who has stopped growing). And then I sink into a pity party. I get SO sad about the loss. And then it turns to blame - maybe that Dr. Pepper I drank caused it. Maybe the glass of iced tea caused it. Maybe it had a genetic disorder. I JUST DON'T KNOW! And it is driving me nuts. No one would want to be so excited to be pregnant (as we were), and then learn of an impending miscarriage. Let's just get it over with already.<br />
<br />
Plus, I'm not really a religious person, which also plays into my pity party. I start to wonder if maybe I went to church or prayed more, maybe I would have had a healthy baby. Maybe there really is a God, and maybe he's punishing me right now for not behaving. (Not a way to win fans, by the way). But then my rational brain kicks in and then I realize it is just natural selection at work, weeding out the baby with problems (my precious, wonderful baby, sadly).<br />
<br />
And then what do I do with the baby crap I've already purchased? I've got the nursery planned out - already bought the rug and called a wood floor refinisher to come give me an estimate for sealing the floors. And I've called a landscaper to make our yard a safe fun place for kids. And a gate to keep the bad guys out. And I've been eating super healthily, giving the baby TONS of nutrient rich foods and milk. So that can't be it. Or did I do something wrong?<br />
<br />
It just sucks. I want to move on and try again. If I have to think about it, do I have to acknowledge that it WAS going to be our baby, and name it as I would have before? And mourn it? And do I have to change my nursery ideas for the next baby that we do have? And rethink names? Or is that horrible of me to worry about that?!<br />
<br />
I just want it to be over, and for the next stage of my life to begin - the one where we can start again. I willl continue eating healthily and exercising in case that was it. I will be proactive next time, knowing about my low progesterone in this pregnancy. I am also really scared about trying again--what if I conceive and then it dies again? Am I unable to carry a child? I don't want to have to be strong enough to go through this again.Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-31642412771889250732011-06-18T14:29:00.000-05:002011-06-18T14:29:26.766-05:00Random Musings 41. I really like the new Chris Brown song, and wish I could understand the lyrics and rap along with the song.<br />
<br />
2. I simply cannot write a capital "I" without the extra lines on the top and bottom (or its roof and shoes, as I like to say). I just cannot do it! The "I without" is so much prettier at times, and I'll start out with the good intention to make a cute I. And I will get the envelope addressed or whatever, and the I (in MI, for example) sticks out at me like a sore thumb. <br />
<br />
3. I also really like cupcakes.<br />
<br />
4. Dear Mr. Lupe Fiasco: there is no such thing as a win-doo. Just so you know.Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-5021437875954435132011-06-07T16:05:00.000-05:002011-06-07T16:05:31.408-05:00Baby Shower and Decor!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Recently I was a co-hostess for a friend's baby shower. She was my Big during my sorority days at Delta Gamma and she is expecting a sweet baby boy any day now. My tasks for the shower were decorations and party favors. I just KNEW that a diaper cake was a must-have. But I had no idea how to go about making one. So I did some google homework and came up with a plan. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, I needed supplies. Tecate (with limes, of course) and diapers. You would be surprised how many dirty looks I got at CVS while buying this combo of items. I mean really...if I'm buying diapers, surely that means "my baby" has already been BORN, so I'm not a horrible pregnant drinking mother. Duh. Just a horrible drinking nursing mother, for all you know!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDdJbfth2Y_bygBYal3N4KYZd0KtWG_Fl3mwhB3Agb-mUZv4Sfdycmwsvsg8sR4PS1r_VTQ6rOC1cATBlfOGSq0JZMrM4dHeOIYPg_ZgnfZVLt9VZOzUzgtXfWRUz3Qkd2Uq4vTKxMKU/s1600/IMG_1330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLDdJbfth2Y_bygBYal3N4KYZd0KtWG_Fl3mwhB3Agb-mUZv4Sfdycmwsvsg8sR4PS1r_VTQ6rOC1cATBlfOGSq0JZMrM4dHeOIYPg_ZgnfZVLt9VZOzUzgtXfWRUz3Qkd2Uq4vTKxMKU/s320/IMG_1330.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I spread out in the living room - thrilling my husband to no end.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXJmq0NB4f-akURSDcxJsARMPSvxh7f4uzr7nFkoO74hh9rxYPwGuF88uPf8QLPLjHUu4OWPwozEC8t0L2rhMzwQkIHkF_wlOnRNvq78XCAz-LhQsLhRnGCbDVF63zbqq4PWwlj-0F-8/s1600/DSC_0551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFXJmq0NB4f-akURSDcxJsARMPSvxh7f4uzr7nFkoO74hh9rxYPwGuF88uPf8QLPLjHUu4OWPwozEC8t0L2rhMzwQkIHkF_wlOnRNvq78XCAz-LhQsLhRnGCbDVF63zbqq4PWwlj-0F-8/s320/DSC_0551.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh35aVIKg3NJhuWLs6l8iMGcIk8zNRDsrBjIR1d_ocmGf8FXJNkO_JpUnYnI5AS1_LMr0dZoAr85GdBRrTB2x8ZjGyUeWcYC8PjziPPiV3_gdZq6evgs4aW606YRg0AvOIjI7oh3m-YCI/s1600/DSC_0552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh35aVIKg3NJhuWLs6l8iMGcIk8zNRDsrBjIR1d_ocmGf8FXJNkO_JpUnYnI5AS1_LMr0dZoAr85GdBRrTB2x8ZjGyUeWcYC8PjziPPiV3_gdZq6evgs4aW606YRg0AvOIjI7oh3m-YCI/s320/DSC_0552.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each of these NINETY-TWO(!!!!!) diapers had to be rolled and secured with a rubber band around the middle. That took awhile! Luckily I had booze.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9r1jTcCXEcPxm8OOBp5XHwYfMc6-Rf26qBiOk9aI9EvUz_POrGvo06q-Pg6jjuKwCAkfWjmhoMPWSjIHdqlfnySfLacAGX5yqghPipL4vrfq5V0Nmr-EMxwZc2JUbCaz4qVPpq-s9TE/s1600/DSC_0553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9r1jTcCXEcPxm8OOBp5XHwYfMc6-Rf26qBiOk9aI9EvUz_POrGvo06q-Pg6jjuKwCAkfWjmhoMPWSjIHdqlfnySfLacAGX5yqghPipL4vrfq5V0Nmr-EMxwZc2JUbCaz4qVPpq-s9TE/s320/DSC_0553.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wow! That's a lot of diapers - but really, not even half!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYApH4clmgbRGw78dv9XKiDctAYzaQlEiSZoFt3eWyMSX3JBFxg-VaJhNO5-5CgARZPgCdNFS2WCSpMqgrWAj7EtEbE-N8DRhtCbM4aQ4u8PGRLW-whbBlU3iHgc_TKSfLAkGxSg71Z4/s1600/DSC_0554.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIYApH4clmgbRGw78dv9XKiDctAYzaQlEiSZoFt3eWyMSX3JBFxg-VaJhNO5-5CgARZPgCdNFS2WCSpMqgrWAj7EtEbE-N8DRhtCbM4aQ4u8PGRLW-whbBlU3iHgc_TKSfLAkGxSg71Z4/s320/DSC_0554.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMe_MyJKVBNVl1vzlZrYX7xdy0G1_DZN5X1CJyVsIUEzNirChFJX5SVVsGFesDDgy9llVFGKaKkI0f-ozrPVlRdixjh3Y8gyCln92WCbRPkiKfnbZMwTOJYy9CWzvuUAFIfKH8A4o4qI/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMe_MyJKVBNVl1vzlZrYX7xdy0G1_DZN5X1CJyVsIUEzNirChFJX5SVVsGFesDDgy9llVFGKaKkI0f-ozrPVlRdixjh3Y8gyCln92WCbRPkiKfnbZMwTOJYy9CWzvuUAFIfKH8A4o4qI/s320/DSC_0555.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then each rolled diaper had to be tied with blue and white gingham ribbon - this was to hide the rubber band!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCsPplzqmj0KuQvuDqhekOrYedU5IKvf-PO7Xy-4z2yZmKok51KfIK9YnKblIul_Cmug41_qgA1dSfAN0k0gwNfRWJJhcowEcHzjVM9aD9-ShVy6xPfXjD5PJh8PxysJnk2vilc8O_IE/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCsPplzqmj0KuQvuDqhekOrYedU5IKvf-PO7Xy-4z2yZmKok51KfIK9YnKblIul_Cmug41_qgA1dSfAN0k0gwNfRWJJhcowEcHzjVM9aD9-ShVy6xPfXjD5PJh8PxysJnk2vilc8O_IE/s320/DSC_0556.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Each finished diaper looked like this:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vtAgudR7ZWHjUO7um7qJikmvaZ0EUpXb4fawxe37JGWDO2j4QYVI9mIg2cX3hoPRR42belcqpw3iMJ1RwDLp2q69JXk2di_XUaqQlRa835E5sSDrQJaETwyaBtZIUbclOfKOuO6pZRE/s1600/DSC_0557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vtAgudR7ZWHjUO7um7qJikmvaZ0EUpXb4fawxe37JGWDO2j4QYVI9mIg2cX3hoPRR42belcqpw3iMJ1RwDLp2q69JXk2di_XUaqQlRa835E5sSDrQJaETwyaBtZIUbclOfKOuO6pZRE/s320/DSC_0557.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then it was time to start building. I got a cardboard cake round from Hobby Lobby to use as my base. First I hot-glued a large bottle of baby powder to the center of the board. (Actually, the first time I missed and had to unstick it and measure out the center, because when I eyeballed it, it looked wonky and lopsided). So this is take 2.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I used a large rubberband to hold the first layer of diapers to the powder bottle. Then another larger rubberband (from our dinner asparagus - look at me, so clever!) to do the next layer.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDgFKhttChjxoRUNpjMhGo_WjlSCkODVpz0MZzlctq_es4M98MIy6xsNGZGtE-tW9Qfa8pDkmozhhn8oqaGeI_ulDx3NYrJ5R3-a9celJVf3h5e5UAdhWFD1ILTqoCntzSYOI6bpTb6k/s1600/DSC_0558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDgFKhttChjxoRUNpjMhGo_WjlSCkODVpz0MZzlctq_es4M98MIy6xsNGZGtE-tW9Qfa8pDkmozhhn8oqaGeI_ulDx3NYrJ5R3-a9celJVf3h5e5UAdhWFD1ILTqoCntzSYOI6bpTb6k/s320/DSC_0558.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aaah - taking a break and sitting on the couch - wood floors hurt your bum after a few hours of diaper rolling!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsMeYLzpBlqRKZulO7zKoG5_8tDqxTFQd-fb8Z3Jz3y-fIs5KFnLRUKB1zo6ftys4RgoGtQ3NPrBHgpANhpaFzpxgk-gBjoy15Wh3eF_fhS-HbIuB06bkPYbYtkcNpXYRxOppI6jxGes/s1600/DSC_0559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsMeYLzpBlqRKZulO7zKoG5_8tDqxTFQd-fb8Z3Jz3y-fIs5KFnLRUKB1zo6ftys4RgoGtQ3NPrBHgpANhpaFzpxgk-gBjoy15Wh3eF_fhS-HbIuB06bkPYbYtkcNpXYRxOppI6jxGes/s320/DSC_0559.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4hR_pxt1C7q84H5sdivrt4evJxRILDlHptpk1cGKaRaPAMkqrjTVeMgFrudzipwpxTu5FOe4XUqj4OzsBjQdV8BDAWMGSktRlB6q8FEvtu22GPchU5laBWCFbRS-Fl6fhBhoInRzTLE/s1600/DSC_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4hR_pxt1C7q84H5sdivrt4evJxRILDlHptpk1cGKaRaPAMkqrjTVeMgFrudzipwpxTu5FOe4XUqj4OzsBjQdV8BDAWMGSktRlB6q8FEvtu22GPchU5laBWCFbRS-Fl6fhBhoInRzTLE/s320/DSC_0560.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA2mrNR9VMlbC-gk27LQ7LCWWqvoS67tF8B9xZ2F3wlMGY2NlxiuO9_MIliasjDTeqPAI9wB6db8_tVpHJTn4YnbCNAGYIiwcBn1Ma_rNmZ1X7rw-F-LczSTYjYzqUP6pRo3_-wuVfas/s1600/DSC_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKA2mrNR9VMlbC-gk27LQ7LCWWqvoS67tF8B9xZ2F3wlMGY2NlxiuO9_MIliasjDTeqPAI9wB6db8_tVpHJTn4YnbCNAGYIiwcBn1Ma_rNmZ1X7rw-F-LczSTYjYzqUP6pRo3_-wuVfas/s320/DSC_0561.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is it after two layers were added on the bottom. See how the baby powder will act as the next tier's base as well??</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEy4M_WPlqKUfQP1kPIUFbpZi_KF1GYHTUlUB5gNwyINwQ4OJ92on78RaRtWCn_AZD-jcbiX02epyXpM5OIoY78jQebB54aNT3w7PQifbz_XEAqK6GGj4dchPZfPLYVRsisXC6mie7cc/s1600/DSC_0562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZEy4M_WPlqKUfQP1kPIUFbpZi_KF1GYHTUlUB5gNwyINwQ4OJ92on78RaRtWCn_AZD-jcbiX02epyXpM5OIoY78jQebB54aNT3w7PQifbz_XEAqK6GGj4dchPZfPLYVRsisXC6mie7cc/s320/DSC_0562.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I added a layer on the second tier, and secured with a rubber band. Also at Hobby Lobby, I found a gigantic oversized baby bottle (I think it may also be a bank??) to top the cake. I hotglued the bottom of the bottle to the top of the baby powder - this would become my third and final tier.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioElpG4FWvPtO7EdwoMdAZFNFFArj-f5ECtSRUEK_Ho2gACWt7bi3YY3Coa1lPTjgqmFGbAaYxNJvaB4wXqV4vd85tZ5H-OqYNJbp9TZLf3D7UmFRljJsXZ9hNOY96osXU-nrTC2Q4rLI/s1600/DSC_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioElpG4FWvPtO7EdwoMdAZFNFFArj-f5ECtSRUEK_Ho2gACWt7bi3YY3Coa1lPTjgqmFGbAaYxNJvaB4wXqV4vd85tZ5H-OqYNJbp9TZLf3D7UmFRljJsXZ9hNOY96osXU-nrTC2Q4rLI/s320/DSC_0563.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hyphenhyphenIBrYZWKOZbt4CLRa-hG15ZucrpTA4QOk9uZqE11wvthZpa7xtZGaC4lvSQ82jPsYX2F7Sdvg3VBWu2EYu5sPy1NGtpuH9w7aJg65sByagWsPf_6loAqHKmc8A2et-kTHUsBfFetAk/s1600/DSC_0564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hyphenhyphenIBrYZWKOZbt4CLRa-hG15ZucrpTA4QOk9uZqE11wvthZpa7xtZGaC4lvSQ82jPsYX2F7Sdvg3VBWu2EYu5sPy1NGtpuH9w7aJg65sByagWsPf_6loAqHKmc8A2et-kTHUsBfFetAk/s320/DSC_0564.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next I added another layer of diapers to the bottom tier and wrapped a 1" wide ribbon to the bottom of the first tier, securing with hot glue. Also note that I made sure the be-ribboned diapers were on the outside of the cake to up the "finished" factor of the cake. This last layer of diapers was really tricky, since 1) I didn't have a large enough rubber band for that and 2) you can't use hot glue on the diapers themselves since they are supposed to be useful to the expectant mother!! So I had to get Ryan to help me with that step, as the ribbon has to be pulled taut in order to keep the diapers from falling out!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGom8ap6e62bV84NH2LZzRk9_vKxcMOAe69ribbThwP1HGJJv7IyC-YykJJJ5iyzaFO8_tFRXonlZa-TvgQAWQxCGL0aazOeCo6yMAHwJuefRRtG12GK6HOpBLX1UYkUI5vVejZgqSUY8/s1600/DSC_0565.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGom8ap6e62bV84NH2LZzRk9_vKxcMOAe69ribbThwP1HGJJv7IyC-YykJJJ5iyzaFO8_tFRXonlZa-TvgQAWQxCGL0aazOeCo6yMAHwJuefRRtG12GK6HOpBLX1UYkUI5vVejZgqSUY8/s320/DSC_0565.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiug5AsZYuGqk7EqCQ4T86_WASYX84ftUFrCydxn8jxYHXTKJh1drbOXe5wbcXVr_oBEA1I7aKm6zP9wcSfTyfF7gw8ZzcBOzM8kx_E-CryZ8pN9hqvx-3VfQlBpJ6JhQBI-U70eGXjKhs/s1600/DSC_0566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiug5AsZYuGqk7EqCQ4T86_WASYX84ftUFrCydxn8jxYHXTKJh1drbOXe5wbcXVr_oBEA1I7aKm6zP9wcSfTyfF7gw8ZzcBOzM8kx_E-CryZ8pN9hqvx-3VfQlBpJ6JhQBI-U70eGXjKhs/s320/DSC_0566.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA38XNJXftgX9UHwmiT7YQ5mX8RWaQd0DzUGmZLgIieBlJ464SjY_HrTTEiCAN1Ch-cUmyyadtB_WCwLkjtPNBPEKKWr1PGICIGmNZ-eVnzT-3-41q-p9aJPSaZ68kgGYaGfIwhLG6x_U/s1600/DSC_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA38XNJXftgX9UHwmiT7YQ5mX8RWaQd0DzUGmZLgIieBlJ464SjY_HrTTEiCAN1Ch-cUmyyadtB_WCwLkjtPNBPEKKWr1PGICIGmNZ-eVnzT-3-41q-p9aJPSaZ68kgGYaGfIwhLG6x_U/s320/DSC_0567.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now repeat with the top two layers. When all was said and done, there were three layers on the bottom tier, two on the second tier and one on the top.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSlWWsXq18R75hO-hr2ycY4tZ7Q0DdekMsvunhJvI5DmmFuDp7wOVQtiTxkIvN9u-ALjE06VeTIibgPt5UQVz5ZaF89dmyGNgJl0BcecMza8XG9jdYcL-V2fkPiRlVpvEkWjCPVW55Yg/s1600/DSC_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSlWWsXq18R75hO-hr2ycY4tZ7Q0DdekMsvunhJvI5DmmFuDp7wOVQtiTxkIvN9u-ALjE06VeTIibgPt5UQVz5ZaF89dmyGNgJl0BcecMza8XG9jdYcL-V2fkPiRlVpvEkWjCPVW55Yg/s320/DSC_0570.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">DONE! (Almost!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsgoJn_up7RSktIq77xFDJVAfu3Qn0ExPPwtOy8vS0tcmUV4AOuSkR4HxtLcgXmZXRZifcW68TRRQ-73myTeb6EN7haKF5OyKU5pARCwMpQ8KHQhzPwTlcgeBOLy30Hrk76VK4fEG-HA/s1600/DSC_0571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsgoJn_up7RSktIq77xFDJVAfu3Qn0ExPPwtOy8vS0tcmUV4AOuSkR4HxtLcgXmZXRZifcW68TRRQ-73myTeb6EN7haKF5OyKU5pARCwMpQ8KHQhzPwTlcgeBOLy30Hrk76VK4fEG-HA/s320/DSC_0571.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittgIqrRkUnUbL96BRL9dkU__M8V_kNcLRGBnL2m58Ma3mOXcToH9ur2DPsIF0eZ_cbWxXO40kqkRlIlEVQSos0QcSdbHGoqSinC4bos9KrV1UvXrP-xk2rtgG3zH2jpSxBJrzG8M00vE/s1600/DSC_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEittgIqrRkUnUbL96BRL9dkU__M8V_kNcLRGBnL2m58Ma3mOXcToH9ur2DPsIF0eZ_cbWxXO40kqkRlIlEVQSos0QcSdbHGoqSinC4bos9KrV1UvXrP-xk2rtgG3zH2jpSxBJrzG8M00vE/s320/DSC_0572.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a picture of the cake on shower day - I went to Pinkitzle and bought tons of blue M&Ms to fill the bottle with! I waited to add those til the last minute, since I hauled this cake from my house in OKC to the shower location - a park in Dallas! (Oh, and the bottom of the cardboard round was covered with the same ribbon as each layer of the cake - thanks to another co-host (and my Grand-Big) Ms. Darcy Ford! **Snaps**)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo1ndlhV-3msum1T1_boGjXTi6zbdl2vD5wEauLAGAmvMBptaw7XhgVRMmV147knYkk5XIii654yVy0r-S-XjHytA6Cxy5HfSyFl2jHkDBSegscMRYtb9MHHrm_4FRkybEHlKwcgLYig/s1600/DSC_0689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFo1ndlhV-3msum1T1_boGjXTi6zbdl2vD5wEauLAGAmvMBptaw7XhgVRMmV147knYkk5XIii654yVy0r-S-XjHytA6Cxy5HfSyFl2jHkDBSegscMRYtb9MHHrm_4FRkybEHlKwcgLYig/s320/DSC_0689.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That was definitely the most time-consuming decoration. I also painted these cute little wooden letters I got at Hobby Lobby. I tried to match the shower invitation with the colors for the letters (I will scan a pic of the invite in later - ooh, it was SO cute - I got them from Tiny Prints and they were precious!!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back to the letters - I painted them all white first, and then added the blues and browns with paint pens. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc2ew-iBzKSOap2O5jE3afokP388OfG5rq4RmfKSdkIBet5Jiqe2IOdRf4vOpcL0Wi0Evyma5Ml7jjqGopNTsRgcz1rPpiL6dK_Iqk6O2Q8O0D-UpYu33AblIAzQNTT6s0xPMnoSugpQ/s1600/DSC_0573.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWc2ew-iBzKSOap2O5jE3afokP388OfG5rq4RmfKSdkIBet5Jiqe2IOdRf4vOpcL0Wi0Evyma5Ml7jjqGopNTsRgcz1rPpiL6dK_Iqk6O2Q8O0D-UpYu33AblIAzQNTT6s0xPMnoSugpQ/s320/DSC_0573.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few more beers were needed - haha!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkomYQiU10LJF569XyKfXYD22YUn8jLO_WsziZEitQI8p7H4X6nkdaTDsk2of5W1p36yJO-gqwm6YjGouJrA8nIbdAe4NyvdVjRo8WXePUFr55iV_1P_kcQHmKndjPQjsnl7nwS-w1Xk/s1600/DSC_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkomYQiU10LJF569XyKfXYD22YUn8jLO_WsziZEitQI8p7H4X6nkdaTDsk2of5W1p36yJO-gqwm6YjGouJrA8nIbdAe4NyvdVjRo8WXePUFr55iV_1P_kcQHmKndjPQjsnl7nwS-w1Xk/s320/DSC_0574.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcyDqETFF-ydPiOgzSBtvJ5dzl944NxGbMC-0keWauk-PmotvKSL7vxyl-pisiOmfCrfiHDb5ev4GwSZTBV-a6UgRS_-RQiiPDrsQJu7uZTT1UyG76Q7-UQHPtB46eFv81qfosIvabBw/s1600/DSC_0575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcyDqETFF-ydPiOgzSBtvJ5dzl944NxGbMC-0keWauk-PmotvKSL7vxyl-pisiOmfCrfiHDb5ev4GwSZTBV-a6UgRS_-RQiiPDrsQJu7uZTT1UyG76Q7-UQHPtB46eFv81qfosIvabBw/s320/DSC_0575.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the result:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaHDN4nSNiMz8fD4GCd7QdMMnNOQQWNsC1H13lVf9wdqN9z34PHfF6XB46IOugJzfQccBoe2UlzfOyR8RwM1cjV-1LgSGmzxF8e7-TigZoK9WG2o7qWjDUAknydurUZtRHwqLFI0V5Ew/s1600/DSC_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgaHDN4nSNiMz8fD4GCd7QdMMnNOQQWNsC1H13lVf9wdqN9z34PHfF6XB46IOugJzfQccBoe2UlzfOyR8RwM1cjV-1LgSGmzxF8e7-TigZoK9WG2o7qWjDUAknydurUZtRHwqLFI0V5Ew/s320/DSC_0591.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHMdM-o5fVV-7js_sZo2FcBiA7NwsrjNPMsXX5AGZVUcOhbVEcL_RARBhChYVMpdYbm_tMZUHgdVstcE27c_pzBdRiAq2Xd_-Qlq-uTfXvuXTkrJLUUJx1RbmNzkdE401vrrTUww5cF4/s1600/DSC_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieHMdM-o5fVV-7js_sZo2FcBiA7NwsrjNPMsXX5AGZVUcOhbVEcL_RARBhChYVMpdYbm_tMZUHgdVstcE27c_pzBdRiAq2Xd_-Qlq-uTfXvuXTkrJLUUJx1RbmNzkdE401vrrTUww5cF4/s320/DSC_0592.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCYgqYTfIxBNm4Tev6s7SfGk0gqVcylmcFvIt2sc_K4dJoQuqHFWDGKp2yeeqgSNT4QZNL2cr4Gzqx9eEhAjYD5JGStf3-3K5dfHBaGLJkc27MIxcFrFPyYCxkkZRzjO9X9LksCzGrEo/s1600/DSC_0593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDCYgqYTfIxBNm4Tev6s7SfGk0gqVcylmcFvIt2sc_K4dJoQuqHFWDGKp2yeeqgSNT4QZNL2cr4Gzqx9eEhAjYD5JGStf3-3K5dfHBaGLJkc27MIxcFrFPyYCxkkZRzjO9X9LksCzGrEo/s320/DSC_0593.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gOJsCtF7WqIduMjltwzCzn1GMYePUwKHobBiQT4o8IX_gS-BIvulgz3BybFXpn_oibcmAWH5w9InSEutbR6W426IIzThn2jRcVRDgWYCoz9pZN6_LsOSXo1eq8bwnCkvu6m7y_gIhsQ/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gOJsCtF7WqIduMjltwzCzn1GMYePUwKHobBiQT4o8IX_gS-BIvulgz3BybFXpn_oibcmAWH5w9InSEutbR6W426IIzThn2jRcVRDgWYCoz9pZN6_LsOSXo1eq8bwnCkvu6m7y_gIhsQ/s320/DSC_0622.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB9TuaAtxd36WAzbyRoFJLIue7x4P6HtKD75yUq4qhh8JjMpMnSDWQsdtQ6lcPk4tMvuFiYphK25XnUX4D03vAqADbawJMmbpGOY5pk0qGmBUYfsLYTcbgA4WAf_79oel3VfuPkNB6cA/s1600/DSC_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjB9TuaAtxd36WAzbyRoFJLIue7x4P6HtKD75yUq4qhh8JjMpMnSDWQsdtQ6lcPk4tMvuFiYphK25XnUX4D03vAqADbawJMmbpGOY5pk0qGmBUYfsLYTcbgA4WAf_79oel3VfuPkNB6cA/s320/DSC_0623.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3sL4JkKW7ILZKqRj6zDxNts_rE08LjlN8mSDRgTkyWH1xby2Bj84LsW-otyBrcm_zo8ODNFvEao2rxkE81Qs5c8q8HgTeAqad4qRsbrNOsi_WM2RcOM63rFf2YTE8fgV9ZMAMWgbXCI/s1600/DSC_0624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3sL4JkKW7ILZKqRj6zDxNts_rE08LjlN8mSDRgTkyWH1xby2Bj84LsW-otyBrcm_zo8ODNFvEao2rxkE81Qs5c8q8HgTeAqad4qRsbrNOsi_WM2RcOM63rFf2YTE8fgV9ZMAMWgbXCI/s320/DSC_0624.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8jwFNTvedAEIdaV3ljUoG3mMSMqhjw8w3V9cidrjgn2dxPhws_JrJg3PpdlkTgHLKcba8EVaBk5y1VjojdwE-zlM9YPwwbv3Y13RwHpVolOS5j6yJVb8vMGkpIAHKpJ2bF9QghgAbsI/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD8jwFNTvedAEIdaV3ljUoG3mMSMqhjw8w3V9cidrjgn2dxPhws_JrJg3PpdlkTgHLKcba8EVaBk5y1VjojdwE-zlM9YPwwbv3Y13RwHpVolOS5j6yJVb8vMGkpIAHKpJ2bF9QghgAbsI/s320/DSC_0625.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NRrOo24KfZTmosiXVN8bVVckG8eG_EFkqCgWJXpwCTaGygiCzpzMLWcVLbI4Tm4z01JE1OxxJ88MRjq6wbfWzmfOXh4w3DKZFUCBvp6yDVh848e73iJ5acsbpcvjLnuytLm9WN18-hY/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0NRrOo24KfZTmosiXVN8bVVckG8eG_EFkqCgWJXpwCTaGygiCzpzMLWcVLbI4Tm4z01JE1OxxJ88MRjq6wbfWzmfOXh4w3DKZFUCBvp6yDVh848e73iJ5acsbpcvjLnuytLm9WN18-hY/s320/DSC_0626.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">AWWWWWWWW. Next I made signs to alert people that they'd arrived at the party! I found these in the clearance aisle at Hobby Lobby and they were perfect with the shower colors. I just wrote on them in brown paint pen and done!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYXIojO0SvRLXToyYYDTNYC-ska7ngHOKuNoKmFjvcwdNZWbZhUX26L1diEgXywiWlSVFjwGyAaRALEueHFkQZGLr23WQVpPZ0OSV8W726WjxTMMHUG2IuMbw5-_o06dSU3WPhoSdIhk/s1600/DSC_0576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYXIojO0SvRLXToyYYDTNYC-ska7ngHOKuNoKmFjvcwdNZWbZhUX26L1diEgXywiWlSVFjwGyAaRALEueHFkQZGLr23WQVpPZ0OSV8W726WjxTMMHUG2IuMbw5-_o06dSU3WPhoSdIhk/s320/DSC_0576.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhG07iMpohJKdRA2PMql3XlClABp4_j3DEzJAI9w2TLgLcSkzaEAyr0C1P_Rr8PPSAHZXDqe1FF1UKw1SglG0yvdg2fbRjnz7ZxkZ7B2n7YXTG_tnCvQE25EBJNf7FcxeAn5jlR_hcIU/s1600/DSC_0577.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhG07iMpohJKdRA2PMql3XlClABp4_j3DEzJAI9w2TLgLcSkzaEAyr0C1P_Rr8PPSAHZXDqe1FF1UKw1SglG0yvdg2fbRjnz7ZxkZ7B2n7YXTG_tnCvQE25EBJNf7FcxeAn5jlR_hcIU/s320/DSC_0577.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDl7L4l5DA8un7L6GN9tFxAZAvqT0ielD77U84P4LSgkKyy5mT0VS6fz6k-Xo5fhjOX2uul2gE_yUr_UsKfSOi7dh6brx56Ri-tnE05bEhbuF2l8pDNkcerZux4O8A9XwClqmy-VwTWg/s1600/DSC_0578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDl7L4l5DA8un7L6GN9tFxAZAvqT0ielD77U84P4LSgkKyy5mT0VS6fz6k-Xo5fhjOX2uul2gE_yUr_UsKfSOi7dh6brx56Ri-tnE05bEhbuF2l8pDNkcerZux4O8A9XwClqmy-VwTWg/s320/DSC_0578.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryKu-t91ZmvNSBqyDbBXZ85b731W2EYEb-AJv1POxYCUs0tuUAFquBa_wMm4avcl7KElZTzuiVw4a81tu_WeyWBiX9u2njYG8Y6G4NcfWqoayfj9EJyhwt6ZHYaRSU7lzsdOA6df3x8w/s1600/DSC_0579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgryKu-t91ZmvNSBqyDbBXZ85b731W2EYEb-AJv1POxYCUs0tuUAFquBa_wMm4avcl7KElZTzuiVw4a81tu_WeyWBiX9u2njYG8Y6G4NcfWqoayfj9EJyhwt6ZHYaRSU7lzsdOA6df3x8w/s320/DSC_0579.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzChjokB46sLWNpou4Xh7ce8y0Eot6j-Lo0WQVfs87H5g16YwdTpNp9IySFQQkzh50mncOmZBkkb02jwP-yyVM6QIZDcIbud0kOgBBFq9qo3mb30yvy2YifqfCl-Iku0rngOLOE5mr5s/s1600/DSC_0580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDzChjokB46sLWNpou4Xh7ce8y0Eot6j-Lo0WQVfs87H5g16YwdTpNp9IySFQQkzh50mncOmZBkkb02jwP-yyVM6QIZDcIbud0kOgBBFq9qo3mb30yvy2YifqfCl-Iku0rngOLOE5mr5s/s320/DSC_0580.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">OH! And I also bought these yard stakes to hold these signs - I bought blue spray paint and Ryan sprayed them blue! These stakes held these signs and some balloons. Did you know HL sells mini helium tanks? Well they do and they are awesome!!! Here is the finished result:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOlmmuk3ML9MLB8NoOQTHsx38mUCVcVEtsCHLHdL43yJ-hv0YarnKN8ovMutec4FeXBJ66Y9EtrsgEqqdA7YqTxjbG5E6pUqIOniEJAi9QzB_UzBv6IQRoYsTslwizVZfTOBUiR094fY/s1600/DSC_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmOlmmuk3ML9MLB8NoOQTHsx38mUCVcVEtsCHLHdL43yJ-hv0YarnKN8ovMutec4FeXBJ66Y9EtrsgEqqdA7YqTxjbG5E6pUqIOniEJAi9QzB_UzBv6IQRoYsTslwizVZfTOBUiR094fY/s320/DSC_0598.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX45NOzD5uoQdXYsb0-KCDisWSHuzGUvqjA6zYHcr7keL-Ri7a0ifUVZ-QoGH6E_I4QpP4R8TOl8GDTdkvGI0t9XtB1_vsKalZTf-8sF36qnb3nDjGpOJjL8DOecinUluXDC4hrow9Ow/s1600/DSC_0599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilX45NOzD5uoQdXYsb0-KCDisWSHuzGUvqjA6zYHcr7keL-Ri7a0ifUVZ-QoGH6E_I4QpP4R8TOl8GDTdkvGI0t9XtB1_vsKalZTf-8sF36qnb3nDjGpOJjL8DOecinUluXDC4hrow9Ow/s320/DSC_0599.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4J7blNxphM86tKQsescwrScuOVG_rNPgQ57GPEt6xRH78bpI2rm6qoDwJwRf9OYlwZxWCnqftzwVshJEPlvifZZE3vn7LezffESFcPclf0LKd7i5xtl2lEg1AAdDLz3GGb3etIe_N1FI/s1600/DSC_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4J7blNxphM86tKQsescwrScuOVG_rNPgQ57GPEt6xRH78bpI2rm6qoDwJwRf9OYlwZxWCnqftzwVshJEPlvifZZE3vn7LezffESFcPclf0LKd7i5xtl2lEg1AAdDLz3GGb3etIe_N1FI/s320/DSC_0601.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_hp4STpIew-mKvkChbMtT4Laa0CCvjtqwliPTRXP8uosp0aAS2uGhIWP6E82J6u854whYYOa4DtdTQ9ZWr1N9DwaVUxBamCthx9FOh40IAY0B8VMBy3ImUFUzypEetKe2jkJWWuQqr0/s1600/DSC_0600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_hp4STpIew-mKvkChbMtT4Laa0CCvjtqwliPTRXP8uosp0aAS2uGhIWP6E82J6u854whYYOa4DtdTQ9ZWr1N9DwaVUxBamCthx9FOh40IAY0B8VMBy3ImUFUzypEetKe2jkJWWuQqr0/s320/DSC_0600.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq40m4QgEsZgwMAhlRDeYajGmmmfL2gSn_HFy9LDEOi1otikHx96kgoMC4PwKIieK4PALChJH2K9iKXSbDph29y092ZSi5To9SxYZkpLdRuA7pu55fsYDwjsNRrkVYoyDvTUvEaOBhU30/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq40m4QgEsZgwMAhlRDeYajGmmmfL2gSn_HFy9LDEOi1otikHx96kgoMC4PwKIieK4PALChJH2K9iKXSbDph29y092ZSi5To9SxYZkpLdRuA7pu55fsYDwjsNRrkVYoyDvTUvEaOBhU30/s320/DSC_0602.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTlW7VOwOVDMnhjwpswxsMiiIsJqZnKJ9DeCjwXJYev0M37xa7hkfYNBK_1AmNu1qGolfNvfr3nqcmxCnu4AGRlweo_WtjOC3peb_g5XFZPA7PoqNA5yUzwzWDMqDS2Sqy8dogirQNZA/s1600/DSC_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHTlW7VOwOVDMnhjwpswxsMiiIsJqZnKJ9DeCjwXJYev0M37xa7hkfYNBK_1AmNu1qGolfNvfr3nqcmxCnu4AGRlweo_WtjOC3peb_g5XFZPA7PoqNA5yUzwzWDMqDS2Sqy8dogirQNZA/s320/DSC_0603.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLVE7lvJDZWffad5cx1Wm0YXnyXDboji9iHV6UvwHpGJyPsvU_rTCNI6BPGL-9ksYJxMpFTj0w9nSHGJiZgyk4InFQWE7Nsaq46D4rKPRwXlDGT8tZUw04HQB3NSvbEtxLnltoNDeUaQ/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWLVE7lvJDZWffad5cx1Wm0YXnyXDboji9iHV6UvwHpGJyPsvU_rTCNI6BPGL-9ksYJxMpFTj0w9nSHGJiZgyk4InFQWE7Nsaq46D4rKPRwXlDGT8tZUw04HQB3NSvbEtxLnltoNDeUaQ/s320/DSC_0635.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXccmgHqUtreyTeetnnTyOdS_gi1jtmUDwNmuNfDafXWD_NHtxpW_pu2Xhm418OjE_V3R9Ons9EBgOZsj2CPpJHDtd_wZ5QQB-CuVtd1_6_JsWXhPbgrAxEccIPcltd2LI6d71mQDZ_0/s1600/DSC_0638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXccmgHqUtreyTeetnnTyOdS_gi1jtmUDwNmuNfDafXWD_NHtxpW_pu2Xhm418OjE_V3R9Ons9EBgOZsj2CPpJHDtd_wZ5QQB-CuVtd1_6_JsWXhPbgrAxEccIPcltd2LI6d71mQDZ_0/s320/DSC_0638.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I also found a super cute banner on etsy for the shower - here are pics of it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeaehDZ8gqOvVgI3UvC7iE7OSamoBmWAPz_trA7RBDMu5SKkqdfVzuMN1Bg-SF9MtvV58uBD9EkxXt9wR11fGhMumz-Eu3hqE28xZroLMP_jlFL7S0J89Zxk2MuuJpFjkn7lIMWa1s80/s1600/DSC_0650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyeaehDZ8gqOvVgI3UvC7iE7OSamoBmWAPz_trA7RBDMu5SKkqdfVzuMN1Bg-SF9MtvV58uBD9EkxXt9wR11fGhMumz-Eu3hqE28xZroLMP_jlFL7S0J89Zxk2MuuJpFjkn7lIMWa1s80/s320/DSC_0650.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVDeX49RODyJ2JfGxgT6JcIkC5-QrBdSRkh4meDmMCeWWwOAggMnJrcu_pOHV7DMwFf1iSFDsPTSUk5f128VGscnPILJ7cztfPWptoq2iG-m1kn6LbeRZKZp99JdhKSuSB-HLiiKRnRo/s1600/DSC_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVDeX49RODyJ2JfGxgT6JcIkC5-QrBdSRkh4meDmMCeWWwOAggMnJrcu_pOHV7DMwFf1iSFDsPTSUk5f128VGscnPILJ7cztfPWptoq2iG-m1kn6LbeRZKZp99JdhKSuSB-HLiiKRnRo/s320/DSC_0618.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5PO2Qm7Lf6GdbdUhyLNz-QaROONg-g0zSA8hCX1pzesQe8nDhfUpyAbqRRYNb4UQ4w_-Er_nbZl1aw82jgx_s5xT-6hTO35344bL8wZhcB47iF6Q_MaKLCVLnHkGqsV9wvIt8-i14Es/s1600/DSC_0666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5PO2Qm7Lf6GdbdUhyLNz-QaROONg-g0zSA8hCX1pzesQe8nDhfUpyAbqRRYNb4UQ4w_-Er_nbZl1aw82jgx_s5xT-6hTO35344bL8wZhcB47iF6Q_MaKLCVLnHkGqsV9wvIt8-i14Es/s320/DSC_0666.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The set-up for the shower was pretty easy - since it was held at an outdoor pavillion, we really only had to add tablecloths and balloons to make it festive! But it was SUPER windy on the day of the shower, which made me glad I 1) got flowers for the tables and 2) got weights for the edges of the tablecloths. They were amazingly helpful - I found them at (guess where? ) Hobby Lobby and they were miracle workers. You just clip them on the edges of the tablecloths and they hold it in place!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFcOGPdX9s_GZy50eZP8YWpxRTzdwiD2SEQatiNtUEwEazPOL1CEIFtE_fRENxLfaICnavKaP1RW9Jfo20qeC7JsQam7sWRkOdu2_U6qYr3CYAHCKMV_NonrE3_gCxJ6XzTBVOJujGd8/s1600/DSC_0590.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUFcOGPdX9s_GZy50eZP8YWpxRTzdwiD2SEQatiNtUEwEazPOL1CEIFtE_fRENxLfaICnavKaP1RW9Jfo20qeC7JsQam7sWRkOdu2_U6qYr3CYAHCKMV_NonrE3_gCxJ6XzTBVOJujGd8/s320/DSC_0590.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrQDqKZOs05_2XzpAOLGZThySvAN83LtomXM347NYy8_toWAzNtsXVpLDrFg8kQn19SR0GYkJnAb1CCatF32mI0vQpJCWgbEYLRyk241Fj8gtSeXPyXxZRA_nVxmgHT4rYHEqHloUehI/s1600/DSC_0641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJrQDqKZOs05_2XzpAOLGZThySvAN83LtomXM347NYy8_toWAzNtsXVpLDrFg8kQn19SR0GYkJnAb1CCatF32mI0vQpJCWgbEYLRyk241Fj8gtSeXPyXxZRA_nVxmgHT4rYHEqHloUehI/s320/DSC_0641.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5SIk4Wt6DAiHl4jdFGdt9apVgTM3fpM6TRGiB313A-SKotnSxPD-KBYGB8LyZO4G0rIvmDgZgtqUi2WWt2Mj70wfdgZBxgJ9g3UZOSyWKfOJ-uyPH3UtYNCDWEPXhZSl6WEXL8Duul4/s1600/DSC_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5SIk4Wt6DAiHl4jdFGdt9apVgTM3fpM6TRGiB313A-SKotnSxPD-KBYGB8LyZO4G0rIvmDgZgtqUi2WWt2Mj70wfdgZBxgJ9g3UZOSyWKfOJ-uyPH3UtYNCDWEPXhZSl6WEXL8Duul4/s320/DSC_0645.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkZqik80iY1k5ZCDO2bVT0x8FgSRVLWVlUyqdhKFi1twJyKm_sBWzUZXZ3AtpSxg_2vg8Ga2Fhkj9ZZrbTGS5cOctN4NPnin9iwXtblC4GHfDUKKBAKyqdkXK6x-BlExOE2ZGBvhXxXE/s1600/DSC_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZkZqik80iY1k5ZCDO2bVT0x8FgSRVLWVlUyqdhKFi1twJyKm_sBWzUZXZ3AtpSxg_2vg8Ga2Fhkj9ZZrbTGS5cOctN4NPnin9iwXtblC4GHfDUKKBAKyqdkXK6x-BlExOE2ZGBvhXxXE/s320/DSC_0679.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQTabCdi6KhHaw3CqVvz4VQF9STdgO_uMDebQ-Wt4lpds-kMNgoGHaw_P135c9j3RdN4EYhY1WQMKF3UkQ3CwMkPECG1wrYPq1xMKD3lIQYzx2Euk4azjCVKuZyWkIKwfpFgP1ey18Ys/s1600/DSC_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOQTabCdi6KhHaw3CqVvz4VQF9STdgO_uMDebQ-Wt4lpds-kMNgoGHaw_P135c9j3RdN4EYhY1WQMKF3UkQ3CwMkPECG1wrYPq1xMKD3lIQYzx2Euk4azjCVKuZyWkIKwfpFgP1ey18Ys/s320/DSC_0680.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The park was beautiful and everyone seemed to have a good time. Plus, Cathy got lots of cool stuff for Baby C!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uQlKA9JAvgQ-uKAzKkZUae0Fe5NYZLmjV7X8p6OYBsbKaKKthfTPA1gkovpuzdJ0jv6lV50h3VYVdF51dtV6hG9Lxx_artoI0l9-4fUmZZey6j_G8q9pqbsvgw3CJzNRxcPIXWQOt7k/s1600/DSC_0704.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uQlKA9JAvgQ-uKAzKkZUae0Fe5NYZLmjV7X8p6OYBsbKaKKthfTPA1gkovpuzdJ0jv6lV50h3VYVdF51dtV6hG9Lxx_artoI0l9-4fUmZZey6j_G8q9pqbsvgw3CJzNRxcPIXWQOt7k/s320/DSC_0704.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiympjmqIfTYlA3qsurBkR74lhjm8YilZLmShWRh_pz9ILuCgtSXzlZgbC_Utqek0_5eQuaxWKuTYRWZ_unGo0KGcAsyFmvUQRBzOvXV9C1qwopMYPED2Qe8mI_bShQ_SaQxfeqlauY4P8/s1600/DSC_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiympjmqIfTYlA3qsurBkR74lhjm8YilZLmShWRh_pz9ILuCgtSXzlZgbC_Utqek0_5eQuaxWKuTYRWZ_unGo0KGcAsyFmvUQRBzOvXV9C1qwopMYPED2Qe8mI_bShQ_SaQxfeqlauY4P8/s320/DSC_0681.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, my favorite part: COOKIE FAVORS! I went to One Smart Cookie, which I believe is a franchise type store, to get these favors. I had her made little blue onesies with C on the front. They were big!! And had the cutest little details, like silver balls as the little snaps at the bottom of the onesie. Too cute! Here's the not cute part: I paid to have them individually wrapped in cellophane and tied with blue ribbons at the top. Ummm...these are just laying in a box. Which is how I got them. But after I pitched a good old-fashioned fit, the nice lady at the store gave me the stuff for free so that I could wrap them myself. I saved 50 cents a cookie this way, but still! I picked these up Friday afternoon, and was heading for Dallas Saturday at 7 am. I knew what my Friday night entailed! HA!</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsghWr4-o7FKEjrecDKQJWOEQbafhVjUrvp1eQYdk0m3cONAqndTvo72Ipn51DCTtxzXYYyVny0ywQbjXXX_pjaMWa0BS0o_ZdbYtmp6J2lOwrfJVoP6laOjlrsnh8MRdOXX6OSTC9Hg/s1600/DSC_0581.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEsghWr4-o7FKEjrecDKQJWOEQbafhVjUrvp1eQYdk0m3cONAqndTvo72Ipn51DCTtxzXYYyVny0ywQbjXXX_pjaMWa0BS0o_ZdbYtmp6J2lOwrfJVoP6laOjlrsnh8MRdOXX6OSTC9Hg/s320/DSC_0581.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTw0VkNmyQwUZ8rht_h0ftovGt48_VfIrHaRG2aXWifLLftG4FOc2SkAD3M-0fMk43YGquznnRFYol3h8MqwR895cFlGtwWQtU_7Me3VqbvCFH-lyIKOEMmDS-tnxW0qRU0GngO4noWM/s1600/DSC_0582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTw0VkNmyQwUZ8rht_h0ftovGt48_VfIrHaRG2aXWifLLftG4FOc2SkAD3M-0fMk43YGquznnRFYol3h8MqwR895cFlGtwWQtU_7Me3VqbvCFH-lyIKOEMmDS-tnxW0qRU0GngO4noWM/s320/DSC_0582.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjbmfH8L7rL6nYgbVi-waGrQbrOFN4DTtB0X-YsT0YYC0MAnhfIFrTDCKH7I9usCPLFZe0LBknlForYqlSafSPMkejDV80fS0_7K0_ZOzkY2IJNR5xjP91zR7MfJeE4_I4UfSQ5iq3xI/s1600/DSC_0583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjbmfH8L7rL6nYgbVi-waGrQbrOFN4DTtB0X-YsT0YYC0MAnhfIFrTDCKH7I9usCPLFZe0LBknlForYqlSafSPMkejDV80fS0_7K0_ZOzkY2IJNR5xjP91zR7MfJeE4_I4UfSQ5iq3xI/s320/DSC_0583.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wrapping cookies! It was hard! Those suckers wanted to shift all around in their bags, making tying the ribbon kind of hard! Luckily, Ryan did the heavy lifting on this task. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa1W57vKZYG-naUO9XEFjua56bZ1A9feqJWg7GZMFlPUKLiWZq2zZGZ5YYAWTN3v9rpOJldSPrHwWFFpQ2JEAaKSMCE1jPKD1UOrBtXlNZXi9xRtLkQnC0E200O1TaGrha20drMtP1VU/s1600/DSC_0584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAa1W57vKZYG-naUO9XEFjua56bZ1A9feqJWg7GZMFlPUKLiWZq2zZGZ5YYAWTN3v9rpOJldSPrHwWFFpQ2JEAaKSMCE1jPKD1UOrBtXlNZXi9xRtLkQnC0E200O1TaGrha20drMtP1VU/s320/DSC_0584.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfld0C8CS5C08Snd3JTK3u75nmBBgHisMH4NIEVveHPgOL2AbQ2GOnob-ZefHTZp1c9lpzdnMURxMwPQmvE_0TvilJGaeipvRq5Y6ggE8nldg7J-VvmX7O1M_vUe42dfGfWZaKIaShww/s1600/DSC_0585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfld0C8CS5C08Snd3JTK3u75nmBBgHisMH4NIEVveHPgOL2AbQ2GOnob-ZefHTZp1c9lpzdnMURxMwPQmvE_0TvilJGaeipvRq5Y6ggE8nldg7J-VvmX7O1M_vUe42dfGfWZaKIaShww/s320/DSC_0585.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwjdZEAQeXQgar6OP2qbkeDGn5gZUPWeqgfqz-72Okx13I_ncmGB2fdBDOI4uSKEPuZVvsJRn2KuPQ0x3lbG4DUTUHEdYLMyqJHJ6L3TyPO4SxghvrR7DltlQpEs_Bh3MMrKA_U6oKqE/s1600/DSC_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIwjdZEAQeXQgar6OP2qbkeDGn5gZUPWeqgfqz-72Okx13I_ncmGB2fdBDOI4uSKEPuZVvsJRn2KuPQ0x3lbG4DUTUHEdYLMyqJHJ6L3TyPO4SxghvrR7DltlQpEs_Bh3MMrKA_U6oKqE/s320/DSC_0586.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For his help, he ate two of the cookies. hehehe!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpzLsuxqxa-yx28bGkh1JvCBDU0lIidyr_WXO24jDlr2jX0O0FdvSIfnti3XYKMfz6veGRTEOKYn5ApERiVlj0gFledOdh4R7rBU2c_oQbtpzeMr6E-bOQxdKlcXGBiu-QFSrj_zT8gk/s1600/DSC_0587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpzLsuxqxa-yx28bGkh1JvCBDU0lIidyr_WXO24jDlr2jX0O0FdvSIfnti3XYKMfz6veGRTEOKYn5ApERiVlj0gFledOdh4R7rBU2c_oQbtpzeMr6E-bOQxdKlcXGBiu-QFSrj_zT8gk/s320/DSC_0587.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here are the pretty cookies on the table ready to be eaten!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhE6nMOWLzpRquMiuL5ryziZYp6qa-VgbKx8CzGk4o9W6x4ZWXI3TAKlhz4yvOImggH_-d465qTPO9fXZB9hgra34hLPaO3KMht4GpjbMfh88c_B2QQxCmzTXgTTcn_3UoVCNu0HkFkg/s1600/DSC_0607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhE6nMOWLzpRquMiuL5ryziZYp6qa-VgbKx8CzGk4o9W6x4ZWXI3TAKlhz4yvOImggH_-d465qTPO9fXZB9hgra34hLPaO3KMht4GpjbMfh88c_B2QQxCmzTXgTTcn_3UoVCNu0HkFkg/s320/DSC_0607.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGx3tWyg3ldubA-UO6Uqw7L9PVJqJUQGBiWmlEwK-iAUiZttBYaZvwFCYRkJA3AnvVYpcb9ZmGIe65aYV5Q2rIape5qvN4oGQlR_C98HHLKNXtqPWNQHBqiKbK6h2GfYz6MOdJJW-nwI/s1600/DSC_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGx3tWyg3ldubA-UO6Uqw7L9PVJqJUQGBiWmlEwK-iAUiZttBYaZvwFCYRkJA3AnvVYpcb9ZmGIe65aYV5Q2rIape5qvN4oGQlR_C98HHLKNXtqPWNQHBqiKbK6h2GfYz6MOdJJW-nwI/s320/DSC_0687.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3dsJ7_WMb79z9FbVyar82-xW6eQ_H6FXxu1yuKqSlgRvzmPA9Oze9gnK2v9tiU1ikwSUX-D8VFmn0d95aXmdfcvXoaApE1dWI3kQvjlygkQMwtuTJH4S1Q9ip8DJW0vBh-8y3mubido/s1600/DSC_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3dsJ7_WMb79z9FbVyar82-xW6eQ_H6FXxu1yuKqSlgRvzmPA9Oze9gnK2v9tiU1ikwSUX-D8VFmn0d95aXmdfcvXoaApE1dWI3kQvjlygkQMwtuTJH4S1Q9ip8DJW0vBh-8y3mubido/s320/DSC_0716.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nina was in charge of the cake - and it was SO cute and more importantly, SO yummy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpikm60P6zulq59NBMwMvk0G5nzJtQQr2wyCuy1_KjodZPS_FVaQzdHinaL5oeEsT-Pva1n8vu8tX4LH7Ay0mzea4Hvs5yjhIG3XLtIhiTaHYXJtzD2yhWgmi_YFqjeT9c2ZwKkqDuKKs/s1600/DSC_0653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpikm60P6zulq59NBMwMvk0G5nzJtQQr2wyCuy1_KjodZPS_FVaQzdHinaL5oeEsT-Pva1n8vu8tX4LH7Ay0mzea4Hvs5yjhIG3XLtIhiTaHYXJtzD2yhWgmi_YFqjeT9c2ZwKkqDuKKs/s320/DSC_0653.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmTY_INxEwG-KBJQKgc2SPO5bHR1gXfZ7G6WA1qMGU7bVSBhpHQnrl_yKoXFRU_ZULCbVw8Sc1w4sPinXN_Vd0drfuJwChZVzKiEdWTgwSmYQcS_rOr6unFBFkXtQIskfo7qrsy6eUk/s1600/DSC_0655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASmTY_INxEwG-KBJQKgc2SPO5bHR1gXfZ7G6WA1qMGU7bVSBhpHQnrl_yKoXFRU_ZULCbVw8Sc1w4sPinXN_Vd0drfuJwChZVzKiEdWTgwSmYQcS_rOr6unFBFkXtQIskfo7qrsy6eUk/s320/DSC_0655.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUzzssCTPQ2xav7iUmvNXyglCmimz1KqGRv89HXarO2913r0xQEIAiJ-atKfxGjzF9ZqY-1kzOvpHQVQx7nuCsHkLeNywwUhSAJ-Klbc6mJb3yhydHqtPo8W3PVhmtoSFbB-DviVLVHY/s1600/DSC_0656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKUzzssCTPQ2xav7iUmvNXyglCmimz1KqGRv89HXarO2913r0xQEIAiJ-atKfxGjzF9ZqY-1kzOvpHQVQx7nuCsHkLeNywwUhSAJ-Klbc6mJb3yhydHqtPo8W3PVhmtoSFbB-DviVLVHY/s320/DSC_0656.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eventually, Darcy and I became a little sunburned and kooky and things like this started happening...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Darcy used my silver platter to tan.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gwmdS_myuSkCPsz2qARqRfJoPzYibzR7nCF2S_njdlT-gtgoelc5JApAEg1CsrO8G0HQDPTeNl2HfIbfDpAzmZN5Wo04gwcU3bbgFK4pKcud04emzo-oVnyxzPAN1sEIK6-tajzjFHs/s1600/DSC_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gwmdS_myuSkCPsz2qARqRfJoPzYibzR7nCF2S_njdlT-gtgoelc5JApAEg1CsrO8G0HQDPTeNl2HfIbfDpAzmZN5Wo04gwcU3bbgFK4pKcud04emzo-oVnyxzPAN1sEIK6-tajzjFHs/s320/DSC_0757.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Darcy twirled a sign like a baton.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8AQvrc_VBDj8T9-bBlY2r8RqvKnw2_i9XhUu32_qJ861HRF3SHvUeB5nPTLjLDPYxExRAZ5gxB6mCgDgN3c7oH3c2Nkwup7-DRqqjStULoaJOdwe6bVRSqt-FlxGmfYg72o0WiiAXCU/s1600/DSC_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8AQvrc_VBDj8T9-bBlY2r8RqvKnw2_i9XhUu32_qJ861HRF3SHvUeB5nPTLjLDPYxExRAZ5gxB6mCgDgN3c7oH3c2Nkwup7-DRqqjStULoaJOdwe6bVRSqt-FlxGmfYg72o0WiiAXCU/s320/DSC_0763.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-EIQBHVxeU80tUpI43A1Y66HvHR_qtgEl0hhp6Te-WyLZyAh3jZClZmvAMQekRT2wxUh0iXG3ZGls4yEgMke-DCRhJlE-jidZpwiZExk3DaGtyV8TO1G25CMKdIss0pHntew2NWqayg/s1600/DSC_0764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-EIQBHVxeU80tUpI43A1Y66HvHR_qtgEl0hhp6Te-WyLZyAh3jZClZmvAMQekRT2wxUh0iXG3ZGls4yEgMke-DCRhJlE-jidZpwiZExk3DaGtyV8TO1G25CMKdIss0pHntew2NWqayg/s320/DSC_0764.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3PLZ1HzOIs5iogEaj25uTaqScH8j1jC6EOSzyiU1hTFu5pNAj29ZQfl3oUX2g3XsfGLyYcoRRx5t1Q1MTfi109yF_eB4x4Ep_-esOSk_Lz9reGNyB5PJgXlqBuvbzvEeINnAzKyuszI/s1600/DSC_0765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3PLZ1HzOIs5iogEaj25uTaqScH8j1jC6EOSzyiU1hTFu5pNAj29ZQfl3oUX2g3XsfGLyYcoRRx5t1Q1MTfi109yF_eB4x4Ep_-esOSk_Lz9reGNyB5PJgXlqBuvbzvEeINnAzKyuszI/s320/DSC_0765.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Darcy apparently does not watch America's Next Top Model like a good American. I told her to give me fierce and she gave me a cat.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeuZ_c-4SLhdVdVdJqVZoAajPHPEOqYr_S30K81LI38InZRJkJpCsmPB5WkOvUIezrfdHgQuJfdjFfWNNsEoO0xgXEqW5oLpggcVI3hPvIO7MMVAtDnTRGsIu9_xAj6T_I2LYhN0k62Y/s1600/DSC_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEeuZ_c-4SLhdVdVdJqVZoAajPHPEOqYr_S30K81LI38InZRJkJpCsmPB5WkOvUIezrfdHgQuJfdjFfWNNsEoO0xgXEqW5oLpggcVI3hPvIO7MMVAtDnTRGsIu9_xAj6T_I2LYhN0k62Y/s320/DSC_0731.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Interpretive dance. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZcjHZ45G9r7mioguNxAQSJpAbbYVyCMmaf2rw5hTXbRXUHGk6hZUFo2Pjmtpe8Rw-2myISNaMuZ-mjkeQLkj3cAG9EoMpOwLeEygl3l5UlzO2xj-nAtu7H_2eY2WKBgP5r9vs93PSYY/s1600/DSC_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ZcjHZ45G9r7mioguNxAQSJpAbbYVyCMmaf2rw5hTXbRXUHGk6hZUFo2Pjmtpe8Rw-2myISNaMuZ-mjkeQLkj3cAG9EoMpOwLeEygl3l5UlzO2xj-nAtu7H_2eY2WKBgP5r9vs93PSYY/s320/DSC_0726.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have two thumbs!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IeE6j73VOqGKKwmuDJ2Mn2u_I1O6Mr1PYBMg0FmEysf5xwliIf8iTjVsaQeWlv2q3S86JK844vycrl-BnKDmDkjnbUpgeWTBvjDMqVc62J_Rmv4cAaEn46x9CABWKrMP_8h6OzV9YBc/s1600/DSC_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_IeE6j73VOqGKKwmuDJ2Mn2u_I1O6Mr1PYBMg0FmEysf5xwliIf8iTjVsaQeWlv2q3S86JK844vycrl-BnKDmDkjnbUpgeWTBvjDMqVc62J_Rmv4cAaEn46x9CABWKrMP_8h6OzV9YBc/s320/DSC_0723.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And a lovely singing voice. I think this was me operatically singing the praises of nature??</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNMpj1MiMM6z7u91VSPz6SnvHOAUoECruPqlOeFxRbIxsDfvyNRTJldeL1d0_G_jhFhyphenhypheneO7rqwH7-HHI7GG5bRjIKY_Z2Y3yz5gjf4v_7VRR6tW7DzhqMxST4SrKV3A19v4EqEZr6Gyo/s1600/DSC_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWNMpj1MiMM6z7u91VSPz6SnvHOAUoECruPqlOeFxRbIxsDfvyNRTJldeL1d0_G_jhFhyphenhypheneO7rqwH7-HHI7GG5bRjIKY_Z2Y3yz5gjf4v_7VRR6tW7DzhqMxST4SrKV3A19v4EqEZr6Gyo/s320/DSC_0722.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, we calmed down and took a pic with Cathy - and here are the hostesses with the beautiful mom-to-be!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUOdtYhNocf-yd5OBddFE4CFHsVgAwWqPSgVfA5EOw4FVnnZ6Ff3cghrJNAXTFoRmy2vh5kDFOcQCCgsUmULYT7IHGd6qwOtJlDQXEKUkOLi-1hqA9sofMSLlaK-FecBiRTZS0ouPx0Y/s1600/DSC_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioUOdtYhNocf-yd5OBddFE4CFHsVgAwWqPSgVfA5EOw4FVnnZ6Ff3cghrJNAXTFoRmy2vh5kDFOcQCCgsUmULYT7IHGd6qwOtJlDQXEKUkOLi-1hqA9sofMSLlaK-FecBiRTZS0ouPx0Y/s320/DSC_0693.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now hurry up and get here, Baby!</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-16010264532594410872011-05-21T08:00:00.000-05:002011-05-21T08:00:07.413-05:00Vietnam - Day 3: Grill Restaurant!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a long day of sightseeing and fresh manicures, Tony and his family took us to Nam Bo, AKA "The Grill Restaurant". We were told over and over again about the grill, and how fun it was, but we had no idea until we were really there. After a taxi ride, we were dumped in what appeared to be a residential area, except for the massive amounts of people coming in and out of a fluorescent three-storied restaurant! Nam Bo! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaWbgs0aZ84Pa-w4QiRjSoE6aSm9C0kLLm3JXLNNwFLST2_Y5xJL1TcbJ6uk_SMUtuyz8SpmMaQZ-QWDyo_eU2ls7XhdT6OZDdWJkOzrs7xsc3LGVkX0QHdyiU4oyOb5tkFvxUsL6iag/s1600/DSC_0342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioaWbgs0aZ84Pa-w4QiRjSoE6aSm9C0kLLm3JXLNNwFLST2_Y5xJL1TcbJ6uk_SMUtuyz8SpmMaQZ-QWDyo_eU2ls7XhdT6OZDdWJkOzrs7xsc3LGVkX0QHdyiU4oyOb5tkFvxUsL6iag/s320/DSC_0342.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnMH2PfcHSsfHmEX938Js9z04OLk9ilIJxfeSAuvKe8Uzf3CGWXXL5Au6QAf853W8M07T0T2xcMMqznUVRi1QU_cn9ZkNhFyW_aYGEkFEz25qzDBEsslMMjVhrqMOxOqX5y5bP5P8tUY/s1600/food+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKnMH2PfcHSsfHmEX938Js9z04OLk9ilIJxfeSAuvKe8Uzf3CGWXXL5Au6QAf853W8M07T0T2xcMMqznUVRi1QU_cn9ZkNhFyW_aYGEkFEz25qzDBEsslMMjVhrqMOxOqX5y5bP5P8tUY/s320/food+3.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Instead of a hostess stand, there were 5 or 6 grills roasting piglets as you walked in. Again, the whole no A/C thing led to this being an open air restaurant. Everything was just like a normal restaurant except there were no walls! (These piglets were delicious by the way).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfjGVsPu1AjjZuklZ6KTP0RXWh7HdCv1CvwKPKwwQwxJNDY-VTrBQyexjzzFTVoTdURS1uK2NHVPC2q_P_x5t57FGhE6aHz69w788AubvSlq8KdzSivkocJmUQxYvsr5XNFUJFKOXlkA/s1600/DSC_0343.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHfjGVsPu1AjjZuklZ6KTP0RXWh7HdCv1CvwKPKwwQwxJNDY-VTrBQyexjzzFTVoTdURS1uK2NHVPC2q_P_x5t57FGhE6aHz69w788AubvSlq8KdzSivkocJmUQxYvsr5XNFUJFKOXlkA/s320/DSC_0343.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNHPlReR7MhBETBBtXvnX2EQojYJY1lKRxgFIpgg4zKRgABylShoFxlXYh39XjC032CwBsnc8V-7-jAfwzVpfuSmk8dhgmyS79eG_0y5gghRevdC5Jse6O3k38c7icuiMg8kIlg2G3Ug/s1600/200520_960999068240_23920047_47212877_7382985_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNHPlReR7MhBETBBtXvnX2EQojYJY1lKRxgFIpgg4zKRgABylShoFxlXYh39XjC032CwBsnc8V-7-jAfwzVpfuSmk8dhgmyS79eG_0y5gghRevdC5Jse6O3k38c7icuiMg8kIlg2G3Ug/s320/200520_960999068240_23920047_47212877_7382985_n.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were seated upstairs and our first (of maybe 7 or 8) course was brought out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First were little small green pickled something or others (a cucumber relative maybe?) and fertilized soft-boiled quail eggs with hot pepper salt. The pickled veggie was delicious and I ate loads of them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjKLyRMVm7sV5ND_MW4aKrQuPE8MXuehBTPAMh_vhIaPhNUMCKw4EYBR5NMLIbOUkf4BKnECEFl4egHNUBHFnBVX8xubERnVRGylQlkwlhsUVvZ7rHgL80S-aS-BNnVZhXpHcsWo9ImM/s1600/DSC_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRjKLyRMVm7sV5ND_MW4aKrQuPE8MXuehBTPAMh_vhIaPhNUMCKw4EYBR5NMLIbOUkf4BKnECEFl4egHNUBHFnBVX8xubERnVRGylQlkwlhsUVvZ7rHgL80S-aS-BNnVZhXpHcsWo9ImM/s320/DSC_0345.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Others in the group were sucking these little quaillings down, but there was something about the fertilized part that skeeved me out. I was told it was just like a hard-boiled egg and so I finally tried one.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKIWlwyZGhprfGewtUTwA9kTZs0uYRIyJKOSKiHh0ZBwdOj8JXUAvjkx_wqtg4B8J3x2mpcpnSzTSUCjGkD1bqFOUsrLfHoI4QTQIXJhBdCccgPElBU_v4lpz4fG9tJl3KXz-qFIvDP0/s1600/DSC_0346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKIWlwyZGhprfGewtUTwA9kTZs0uYRIyJKOSKiHh0ZBwdOj8JXUAvjkx_wqtg4B8J3x2mpcpnSzTSUCjGkD1bqFOUsrLfHoI4QTQIXJhBdCccgPElBU_v4lpz4fG9tJl3KXz-qFIvDP0/s320/DSC_0346.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One, I tell you. ONE. It wasn't horrible I don't guess, but I don't like my eggs crunchy, sorry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CWubEvJ2bwdHkhv09rgiIrsjqUdV5at3EGc1XyZCNwRsF5q1dYxTln7Ix90IMGLj7rT2HCpr0b8mZFoY2SSvDpUbT51DB66TYS20f1nkCB7TevFRPXPIp9ypV23WCh1kUbM6gKMmA4o/s1600/DSC_0351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CWubEvJ2bwdHkhv09rgiIrsjqUdV5at3EGc1XyZCNwRsF5q1dYxTln7Ix90IMGLj7rT2HCpr0b8mZFoY2SSvDpUbT51DB66TYS20f1nkCB7TevFRPXPIp9ypV23WCh1kUbM6gKMmA4o/s320/DSC_0351.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One thing I DID like was the Tiger beer. Tiger beer is not a Viet beer, but it was delicious. Perfect for the drinking game in the restaurant. Essentially the restaurant was set up into long tables, as this seemed to be a place where everyone brought all their family and friends for dinner. Then each table would "cheers" each other by screaming "MOT, HAI, BA, YO!" (Sounds like Mo, Hi, Ba, YO!) It means One-Two-Three-YO! in Vietnamese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVhs2BcEDuA&feature=related">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVhs2BcEDuA&feature=related</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This isn't us, but it gets the idea across. Now imagine each table, of about 12-20 each screaming this in a competition. You couldn't let a table near you be louder than you, God forbid. So we were cheersing to anything ("Oh, you ate a bite of food? Hooray! Let's Cheer!!!") </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cTE_cSGpFuNFfWUDszrLX44Cb7SGSZsd5mMGajI6oMqsuw_o8EO01syG2bwpAtsUHfg0y-Yu-yvFxJMjhy_CtUAaoR5U336E1hHM5KHVZ_czwI8Fnuf859WKwSktnh395efTDoMfei0/s1600/DSC_0347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cTE_cSGpFuNFfWUDszrLX44Cb7SGSZsd5mMGajI6oMqsuw_o8EO01syG2bwpAtsUHfg0y-Yu-yvFxJMjhy_CtUAaoR5U336E1hHM5KHVZ_czwI8Fnuf859WKwSktnh395efTDoMfei0/s320/DSC_0347.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They didn't chill their beer - instead they had glass sized chunks of ice that they kept in buckets scattered around the restaurant. I had heard all kinds of stories about not eating ice or drinking the water in Vietnam, and for the most part, I kept to bottled water. But I couldn't drink a hot beer! And nothing bad happened. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZFKbc8Do3WrKpmbxBZkXH06bdrIm0_F5ox6NjyOHr6GZAI6T0XvjGG1NLkqpqG24PkZMZAqGnC1ZCwDh-8QAOsAd2zkx2RH4sO6WIEGv2g0-Jgb8g3U1O2c3Y7OojV60_F2dASunTBA/s1600/DSC_0348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCZFKbc8Do3WrKpmbxBZkXH06bdrIm0_F5ox6NjyOHr6GZAI6T0XvjGG1NLkqpqG24PkZMZAqGnC1ZCwDh-8QAOsAd2zkx2RH4sO6WIEGv2g0-Jgb8g3U1O2c3Y7OojV60_F2dASunTBA/s320/DSC_0348.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now back to the food. At this point, we still weren't sure exactly what the draw was, and that's when they brought out the grills. And the coals. And the wooden chopsticks for handling the raw foodstuffs to cook on the grills.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw7GfS-3nfGq1FGIrpRb9zLy6IEfExCBgkhYWs82UzbFDoAqkgMdgv2yO0eGoW8dMEOXwz3Nuhdfe-ITL-O5zJ6xCDfAq6d6ChG0-TkxFKZ-FzX4rTA8VmS2b7ZKAjI7K226tNw0-3Jg/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnw7GfS-3nfGq1FGIrpRb9zLy6IEfExCBgkhYWs82UzbFDoAqkgMdgv2yO0eGoW8dMEOXwz3Nuhdfe-ITL-O5zJ6xCDfAq6d6ChG0-TkxFKZ-FzX4rTA8VmS2b7ZKAjI7K226tNw0-3Jg/s320/DSC_0352.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW0b3Yc1oHS5szFtfrORLsdEVnlpTNKKSZL3fPkmvM5NSYX2bopZn9znughsAryhO5BHBWZdD7w0VVVHgf_HM7ZV24iCKBK_2zDSRXfm-HWU01SuvmOardT1LCBMCN_aiLsdyjhJKpyI/s1600/DSC_0353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIW0b3Yc1oHS5szFtfrORLsdEVnlpTNKKSZL3fPkmvM5NSYX2bopZn9znughsAryhO5BHBWZdD7w0VVVHgf_HM7ZV24iCKBK_2zDSRXfm-HWU01SuvmOardT1LCBMCN_aiLsdyjhJKpyI/s320/DSC_0353.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First up: SHRIMPY-SHRIMPS. Now, I'm deathly allergic to shellfish, so I did not partake in these little critters (besides, shellfish are SEA BUGS, so ew anyway). But I did take the role of helping cook the little buggers while Ryan, Eric and Richard ate them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMZ6JKLMHwmPeOaxR0D1UsRS71smPwFle2wviLtxKj4jJg8uo78DDLTyAeki44TNnT9fg8fuSprqLBduA8jSk5cO5w06rPh6gyzNb8pwFJBQZcJU0TWybWIp2G6hr9zCw_KpRC_FAOWY/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMZ6JKLMHwmPeOaxR0D1UsRS71smPwFle2wviLtxKj4jJg8uo78DDLTyAeki44TNnT9fg8fuSprqLBduA8jSk5cO5w06rPh6gyzNb8pwFJBQZcJU0TWybWIp2G6hr9zCw_KpRC_FAOWY/s320/DSC_0354.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MmmMmmm, scrimps.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDKvZ-Fkk4VwoLEu7gj1pWJnGv77XKBQ1nlPxOggSs0WwmEXUm0lUHz8vMJ6iGULS1-4oRQtS86Om6L020NQDl0Zg1x3UyV-IHm4Zc6d7spMVDwi_a0bgOJD0iF91bQ1BlUtlAOjEoGQ/s1600/DSC_0357.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDKvZ-Fkk4VwoLEu7gj1pWJnGv77XKBQ1nlPxOggSs0WwmEXUm0lUHz8vMJ6iGULS1-4oRQtS86Om6L020NQDl0Zg1x3UyV-IHm4Zc6d7spMVDwi_a0bgOJD0iF91bQ1BlUtlAOjEoGQ/s320/DSC_0357.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eric turning the prawns.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1XIh6WEzI2WtSGMJwyL5NoeFZ_fXUOnvYFG5hxzIOjTopTpeCP6hqogKLfStbhK8N2MlPMSzG78wYsw00FbwkAyfFE2vsRs60J424fLmdPrU9iU9uUVpDb_TRWCLt6yJgz4lCTr51lQ/s1600/DSC_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG1XIh6WEzI2WtSGMJwyL5NoeFZ_fXUOnvYFG5hxzIOjTopTpeCP6hqogKLfStbhK8N2MlPMSzG78wYsw00FbwkAyfFE2vsRs60J424fLmdPrU9iU9uUVpDb_TRWCLt6yJgz4lCTr51lQ/s320/DSC_0355.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfYySuEEsRmAofvoR1EK8RX_dfA_LTSKAd1Qnk8rw_fri_JCiLdq2W4iCMQbeerKsorwUlDUPV8WCaCMqq2lFTBQjzUfvBGUfLu6mkl20gGsvBD4-TWiMX9z2fOZSMpE9B5mGQL6a-kU/s1600/DSC_0356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfYySuEEsRmAofvoR1EK8RX_dfA_LTSKAd1Qnk8rw_fri_JCiLdq2W4iCMQbeerKsorwUlDUPV8WCaCMqq2lFTBQjzUfvBGUfLu6mkl20gGsvBD4-TWiMX9z2fOZSMpE9B5mGQL6a-kU/s320/DSC_0356.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up: GOAT UDDER. I made Ryan cook it and try it all by himself (I couldn't do it). Here he goes...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hI7OqtNXHgciFW209aftPAfCxE6DIQ0rxSj9z0vADdlDTs2lWdGUfS66VTGtQfVjpjCQani4AYQnUh3O-clXWywmBS7jGAYMYexzcejQWOSK3IhftXc07gG3rIWgF31JQ3qVsIbz7QE/s1600/DSC_0359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9hI7OqtNXHgciFW209aftPAfCxE6DIQ0rxSj9z0vADdlDTs2lWdGUfS66VTGtQfVjpjCQani4AYQnUh3O-clXWywmBS7jGAYMYexzcejQWOSK3IhftXc07gG3rIWgF31JQ3qVsIbz7QE/s320/DSC_0359.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aaaaahhhh! He said it was "udderly delicious", hahaha!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKf_R89DVewq6J8yKUnDyNvfIj3c9FnC61nZZDN1qBoxdw-lwNhSymzLdvKnPg4AKWhZzETOwkujc-GpSomceYExFvzAcXnBrAwkHBB1LwOI16oaVPYymBqM9BaAM4jA6i7QLAMIrxVY/s1600/DSC_0360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKf_R89DVewq6J8yKUnDyNvfIj3c9FnC61nZZDN1qBoxdw-lwNhSymzLdvKnPg4AKWhZzETOwkujc-GpSomceYExFvzAcXnBrAwkHBB1LwOI16oaVPYymBqM9BaAM4jA6i7QLAMIrxVY/s320/DSC_0360.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I stole this pic from Lisa - it shows all the food we had that night in a fancy composition. She's talented like that.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL8zNz5As9_NU8ZwR7f12aug7UJaVt4zzzzVEGGA4QTwvp4L4vaoXMiqC5B_w2ry7eHLfF7tHHuDw4ONIj5p8DZOB1Pd_uHr-zjMKtycBOjFUYstyVHtUi9pNO2rRFf9VxtwKUaZXHQE/s1600/food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilL8zNz5As9_NU8ZwR7f12aug7UJaVt4zzzzVEGGA4QTwvp4L4vaoXMiqC5B_w2ry7eHLfF7tHHuDw4ONIj5p8DZOB1Pd_uHr-zjMKtycBOjFUYstyVHtUi9pNO2rRFf9VxtwKUaZXHQE/s320/food.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The bottom right was my favorite - it was the little suckling pigs that they were roasting at the front door. It was juicy and the skin was so so crispy, and it was served with these little bun bao kind of bread puffs. They looked like marshmallows and were almost as sweet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37ytkwMPVU465tWM1I3utuVT-bWvESbP43fJQL3LY7SYPmp8KCgo4AXx5Sh90SiGvpnBXNtB4ibGxOBtiuGXIRR5WpAn0_wZc2fyvWpXXcUiRwcUyQQVIHwgb55xYPbK8VVVsFS2C5n0/s1600/DSC_0363.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37ytkwMPVU465tWM1I3utuVT-bWvESbP43fJQL3LY7SYPmp8KCgo4AXx5Sh90SiGvpnBXNtB4ibGxOBtiuGXIRR5WpAn0_wZc2fyvWpXXcUiRwcUyQQVIHwgb55xYPbK8VVVsFS2C5n0/s320/DSC_0363.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkxy6yRyri_rKIxCBSS5TUtBVmFCmAvrWfuuYnFiv6hESfJyImePVRhl91tpe1bIvVqGTttCIHwNkeeunhFNel4c7NLdEY5xI4TM3mOkgxmwd8gx0FwhOriEVuHwNArPWiGMxikG9n6E/s1600/DSC_0364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipkxy6yRyri_rKIxCBSS5TUtBVmFCmAvrWfuuYnFiv6hESfJyImePVRhl91tpe1bIvVqGTttCIHwNkeeunhFNel4c7NLdEY5xI4TM3mOkgxmwd8gx0FwhOriEVuHwNArPWiGMxikG9n6E/s320/DSC_0364.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are the peeps at dinner.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSiDTJCk8fg5ZTrScd1CqTfOKkPNWtv5-hInisxzzkRLk99BbLx6AjwGh459SwU-u3XMXWtShCYvpAifcDHmhx5IigoiZS9FV9C7OyNojD41x2NTP2j8wKK1-xtwTgUbrgvJCewIY57Y/s1600/DSC_0366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSiDTJCk8fg5ZTrScd1CqTfOKkPNWtv5-hInisxzzkRLk99BbLx6AjwGh459SwU-u3XMXWtShCYvpAifcDHmhx5IigoiZS9FV9C7OyNojD41x2NTP2j8wKK1-xtwTgUbrgvJCewIY57Y/s320/DSC_0366.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tony and little Tony - we wanted to steal him, but his parents said no.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9hay6LK1MQJYQxBMBk86U9oMFVGGrodTpfJCQHGmnhtu3vFG9f_LaxlgntwaB7dGqGxtDUqQu-lQms-KwDvuwVeYZuo7LT9QOLwKfyRkqOyirT-hPPG3wNQ-NkFPli9YRTzCpnUANmc/s1600/DSC_0372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9hay6LK1MQJYQxBMBk86U9oMFVGGrodTpfJCQHGmnhtu3vFG9f_LaxlgntwaB7dGqGxtDUqQu-lQms-KwDvuwVeYZuo7LT9QOLwKfyRkqOyirT-hPPG3wNQ-NkFPli9YRTzCpnUANmc/s320/DSC_0372.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan's stuffed. And not drunk. That's because he cheersed with Coke.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4802zDpfPA7dmXc_Ng7TpH-Yw-I8OyW3t9ruG16cU1usl79JNmq84sQC6d6AamylKdGopo_-TJcmMMCiYJYOceqdIEagIjtrzW1ryHRo98rS1HM8nwcZ2TQF1s7Z8skoRVLxNitPB8Y/s1600/DSC_0371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4802zDpfPA7dmXc_Ng7TpH-Yw-I8OyW3t9ruG16cU1usl79JNmq84sQC6d6AamylKdGopo_-TJcmMMCiYJYOceqdIEagIjtrzW1ryHRo98rS1HM8nwcZ2TQF1s7Z8skoRVLxNitPB8Y/s320/DSC_0371.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We tore up the food and literally destroyed our area. We ate and ate and grilled and ate and cheered and drank and ate and cheered some more. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiPeACQzmZDfUL1we3JauN2_61h8oQE7L_7bQw5PmOwuA-UWIug2eNmjI5UGlTIbfYBkf4zz8-Qxm0_s-jtJLxEk4toQsS9GpCJpllmxQ-tqnXdYCJRdOVM7KuJMzvaX3X-HIILhMvFg/s1600/DSC_0368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxiPeACQzmZDfUL1we3JauN2_61h8oQE7L_7bQw5PmOwuA-UWIug2eNmjI5UGlTIbfYBkf4zz8-Qxm0_s-jtJLxEk4toQsS9GpCJpllmxQ-tqnXdYCJRdOVM7KuJMzvaX3X-HIILhMvFg/s320/DSC_0368.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the wreckage we left behind! MOT-HAI-BA-YO!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkGMg9PSQU6yZrdSiaqFLZNq6ByW5PfIcfW90A70bdhMpUAL50iNzO5OZRjsR-lZlRiAJjmUz0mglBSJod_axjLik1GzuE3ocLtQ5ebFbvhRbuVzxAJ3TjevE9EJ-HsN2UmVf8HOOkf0/s1600/DSC_0370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkGMg9PSQU6yZrdSiaqFLZNq6ByW5PfIcfW90A70bdhMpUAL50iNzO5OZRjsR-lZlRiAJjmUz0mglBSJod_axjLik1GzuE3ocLtQ5ebFbvhRbuVzxAJ3TjevE9EJ-HsN2UmVf8HOOkf0/s320/DSC_0370.JPG" width="212px" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-80213783379288321092011-05-20T17:25:00.000-05:002011-05-20T17:25:52.653-05:00Random Musings 31. Just recently joined Pinterest. And Polyvore. How is it that I am so behind on web trends? I mean, I practically have to find new cool sites by stalking cooler people than myself who are in the know. Okay, not practically - it's definitely something I do. Hello! This is how I found facebook! In 2001, I was sitting in my Spanish 1225 class at OU and overheard Cool Guy asking Cool Girl if she was on "The Facebook" yet. That made me look it up when I got back to the DG house, and the rest is Social Network history. It's weird when I think that when I joined, the site was called THEfacebook - that seems weird to me. Anyway, the point of the story is that I wish people who have clever ideas would run them by me first so that I can stay in the loop. K thanks.<br />
<br />
2. I am literally being driven mad by my desire to have a baby. I enjoy things going according to schedule, and by my accounts, this should have happened right away. Instead, it's been 7 months with no luck so far. Grrrrrr.<br />
<br />
3. My desire for said child is making me excited for a baby shower I am co-hosting tomorrow afternoon. Don't worry, I won't steal her baby. But only because she's my Big from college. She's having a little boy this summer - Baby C. Awwwwwww. I am really excited to see her and her cute little belly!!! For the shower, I am in charge of decorations, and I have been undergoing a crash course in baby shower decor. I have tons of stuff ready and I cannot wait to get it all set up! I am definitely doing a blog post solely on the shower and all my decor I created. I even made a diaper cake!<br />
<br />
4. A new hot dog restaurant opened a few days ago, from the same people who brought us Big Truck Tacos. Since I love BTT (usually - I always get the Fifth, and sometimes it just doesn't work!), I bet I will love this place. And since both are within walking distance of our house, even better! Even though I stopped at Forward Foods (LOVE!!!) last night and bought ingredients for baked ziti, the hot dog place wins and I will have to make the ziti once home from Dallas on Sunday!Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-87567701235001820832011-05-16T19:08:00.000-05:002011-05-16T19:08:00.231-05:00Vietnam - Day 3: Saigon sight-seeing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So after two days in Saigon, (most of) the rest of our group arrived! Hooray! We got to the airport, and the first flight came in right on time. It brought Medlin!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RENTWbg7XSFDHmQQjXXy-F-lkGTc_lx38H5qGM7RQHXbrML_MYxMx4lXjNv10QnKgITRLeJRUeYm3GwnVF6GQiJXX3HgBQG9HPHctFT80-C-1FO0BHXLF2OnI-obkzt5wxVsk3b5lxQ/s1600/DSC_0192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RENTWbg7XSFDHmQQjXXy-F-lkGTc_lx38H5qGM7RQHXbrML_MYxMx4lXjNv10QnKgITRLeJRUeYm3GwnVF6GQiJXX3HgBQG9HPHctFT80-C-1FO0BHXLF2OnI-obkzt5wxVsk3b5lxQ/s320/DSC_0192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After we met up with him, we were expecting the next flight within a half hour or so. Eric, Ana, Lisa and Richard were on it. But the time came and they weren't there! So we waited (along with the 47 million other people jammed outside the airport waiting on their loved ones). And we waited. And waited. For what seemed like forever, but was probably only a few hours. The crowds thinned as people found their people, and the airport cleared. When they finally arrived, the newbies got a scooter introduction to Saigon, but I opted for a taxi. By this time, it was probably 1 AM, and so we all went to the hotel and crashed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The next morning, we all gathered together for breakfast in a random alleyway, and it was amazing!! Here's our group eating brekkie.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I_L-mRwIXqGwYFzfddR_lz3Zd2CDyvZmT8lZwRF8D0WpzpW2nFwcnaIQr-E8GttS4WHgd6EkAQJYrrPn-CNMrfwCYEmFYaVvzkcLxlm2A7La33tjfYzx9CZTqn1U4DAbZrmojSvllVs/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9I_L-mRwIXqGwYFzfddR_lz3Zd2CDyvZmT8lZwRF8D0WpzpW2nFwcnaIQr-E8GttS4WHgd6EkAQJYrrPn-CNMrfwCYEmFYaVvzkcLxlm2A7La33tjfYzx9CZTqn1U4DAbZrmojSvllVs/s320/DSC_0193.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was called broken rice, which I believe is just...ummm...rice that is broken? And a fried egg! And short ribs! Washed down with a cafe sua da (more on that later!), it was a great start to a great day. Since everyone else had just arrived, we spent this day sightseeing again. And it was nice to see the sights again! (Especially the Rex bar - ha!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48cFADSnBMUwMPB7jJP4Vztttkqks85iGOdj3UCQKdiZBO2ik9I4Scf7nRuW4VYXuy2lJQs8lFWDgdPmdm07jDYQqzuSsI_aghyphenhyphenewr8hoz_3vjqWOzam-pMALFeT8gWteHhKFNW4krpA/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi48cFADSnBMUwMPB7jJP4Vztttkqks85iGOdj3UCQKdiZBO2ik9I4Scf7nRuW4VYXuy2lJQs8lFWDgdPmdm07jDYQqzuSsI_aghyphenhyphenewr8hoz_3vjqWOzam-pMALFeT8gWteHhKFNW4krpA/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the view past our table down the alleyway.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bid9rFPUUakf_JaWST4CZocciaaiIVUGE950TTmsTvi6hY2lo2BlHsWgxsIZCQ8vVYy1g1mLHzUxUd-P7sNO36IlQTGLIJg44wVOOgvHg3FfpMqH4v3wVTFhYMznsDw4cp2QnWyDxVA/s1600/DSC_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Bid9rFPUUakf_JaWST4CZocciaaiIVUGE950TTmsTvi6hY2lo2BlHsWgxsIZCQ8vVYy1g1mLHzUxUd-P7sNO36IlQTGLIJg44wVOOgvHg3FfpMqH4v3wVTFhYMznsDw4cp2QnWyDxVA/s320/DSC_0196.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking around Saigon - headed to the market! We spent a lot of time in there - everything you possibly needed was there (except Tutti Frutti, a smoothie bar we found near our hotel).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea0eWdsZZzPiTNhT_k6dEBNUqSJU9Xefbu3457jAdrLddyDOg0K8WQj_bjST5HyCnp9gbXBNlfn7OQ2-OnPh0HZ9zdNv_m4xxNw1FxwvheTxTY1zxvzbqEfbYAZ6YadXQa8rUIWfVc14/s1600/DSC_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhea0eWdsZZzPiTNhT_k6dEBNUqSJU9Xefbu3457jAdrLddyDOg0K8WQj_bjST5HyCnp9gbXBNlfn7OQ2-OnPh0HZ9zdNv_m4xxNw1FxwvheTxTY1zxvzbqEfbYAZ6YadXQa8rUIWfVc14/s320/DSC_0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fruit stand. Most of the fruits were recognizable, but some were completely foreign to me!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ6xzRq4NM2SZa5-F0OYDnVdTjqiO0vYDk9AMkJI5Hb1olPb5mxh3jsQtM9fbrg1Oe-xxMpUnSa-rDxssPaMAZYmoK03lcUwN2087fr0JkaZG6EEKjLHWZnFbWJJiUn37c_7eO2ww_40/s1600/DSC_0199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ6xzRq4NM2SZa5-F0OYDnVdTjqiO0vYDk9AMkJI5Hb1olPb5mxh3jsQtM9fbrg1Oe-xxMpUnSa-rDxssPaMAZYmoK03lcUwN2087fr0JkaZG6EEKjLHWZnFbWJJiUn37c_7eO2ww_40/s320/DSC_0199.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here we are in the market. Try as I might to be cute each day, it was impossible. It was about 95 degrees each day, with the blazing hot equatorial sun beating down on us, no air conditioning (except in our hotel room), and almost 100 percent humidity. So straightening my hair was out, wearing my hair down was out, my makeup lasted maybe 15 minutes before sweating off, and the sheen of perspiration never quite went away. It may sound gross, but hey - it was HOT! Two showers a day and I still felt dirty all the time!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAma8BPq0_XrFoHRVqWDvqXFKJpzOltpOOLRBCPKc08PoCK3G1CN1UhtHMg9kXvMAzYiQLrwrMsvzPB2n6gdUkQTgREgO8Y1KV7d0Y2eE5QaCEBMvmhPPeAPivyWCDDnuD04YjeH7j-B8/s1600/DSC_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAma8BPq0_XrFoHRVqWDvqXFKJpzOltpOOLRBCPKc08PoCK3G1CN1UhtHMg9kXvMAzYiQLrwrMsvzPB2n6gdUkQTgREgO8Y1KV7d0Y2eE5QaCEBMvmhPPeAPivyWCDDnuD04YjeH7j-B8/s320/DSC_0200.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eric & Ryan in the market</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5brLGC5Ngk_xFy4Wog7M8O7EqAPch3KRfCJmejmeVX7utg1xGZgOVARF4BLgEJ4ZNamnKial40xcfGq7NERbZp7eYxG4yNe8J4yurG_TxTIN3qhBuFC67AkFEEuAOwl7-fHkKQWqgd6M/s1600/DSC_0201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5brLGC5Ngk_xFy4Wog7M8O7EqAPch3KRfCJmejmeVX7utg1xGZgOVARF4BLgEJ4ZNamnKial40xcfGq7NERbZp7eYxG4yNe8J4yurG_TxTIN3qhBuFC67AkFEEuAOwl7-fHkKQWqgd6M/s320/DSC_0201.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Eric, Ryan and Medlin</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB32_6PfAAI1LuLvlsgAiD5Iw0vYExi1q0ksZcZ_wvNpi6LTmMiJBHgxcXm3c7k-o6KBUc65XDnm3z5-AjD4SJvGPdGyDR4dDqmz5IunsH0AqDbdVmAX7BdpNRxsHUAuq0suYPkG4Au3Q/s1600/DSC_0202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB32_6PfAAI1LuLvlsgAiD5Iw0vYExi1q0ksZcZ_wvNpi6LTmMiJBHgxcXm3c7k-o6KBUc65XDnm3z5-AjD4SJvGPdGyDR4dDqmz5IunsH0AqDbdVmAX7BdpNRxsHUAuq0suYPkG4Au3Q/s320/DSC_0202.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">With few Americanized stores around, you pretty much found what you needed in the market. It was like a hot, crowded Wal-Mart. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This would be the Babies R Us. They sold diapers, lotions, shampoos, clothes--everything for little ones.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RLmvJbwCOEShBu3E7ZVtt0-TtIaJYeS0cNDBbgptaE0oEODo-j85o2suQLGakXFz1obq2y9EFeM6i2mBOy1rcG0KBQEodvP4yIliO0gfPYFlJr5KYTwFq7VCMHSmAXCt-NqcYkSptb8/s1600/DSC_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RLmvJbwCOEShBu3E7ZVtt0-TtIaJYeS0cNDBbgptaE0oEODo-j85o2suQLGakXFz1obq2y9EFeM6i2mBOy1rcG0KBQEodvP4yIliO0gfPYFlJr5KYTwFq7VCMHSmAXCt-NqcYkSptb8/s320/DSC_0203.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I'm kind of drawn to anything sparkly or brightly colored, and this stall hooked me! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTHzCVkffgeqjtE1Lfn2FxdMTDMZe_kDSV8Jdqaq0z0mOR02WtGpc9251lgNDIa-dsYleSkrT4asE-EXOJ0pd32Lao9qygGNiMwZHExw-4Gwjj1tpxfMIv2zYC9_HArgsbFDsdGbiT6o/s1600/DSC_0204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTHzCVkffgeqjtE1Lfn2FxdMTDMZe_kDSV8Jdqaq0z0mOR02WtGpc9251lgNDIa-dsYleSkrT4asE-EXOJ0pd32Lao9qygGNiMwZHExw-4Gwjj1tpxfMIv2zYC9_HArgsbFDsdGbiT6o/s320/DSC_0204.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Heading back to the hotel from the market, I noticed this apartment with awesome looking gardens...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdqp4mWDobufk6ey3ZuvfCzaVcLBfKtyA77GiCHRE_knXyxVsmh4trJY-Zf8LTgn2oXhHCfy35pGg2rzcSNROT9GLTGlyySB1S1ewaT5nhe8MlvUbcdSfq-30XXO6rjSz7oHgaTBIluY/s1600/DSC_0205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrdqp4mWDobufk6ey3ZuvfCzaVcLBfKtyA77GiCHRE_knXyxVsmh4trJY-Zf8LTgn2oXhHCfy35pGg2rzcSNROT9GLTGlyySB1S1ewaT5nhe8MlvUbcdSfq-30XXO6rjSz7oHgaTBIluY/s320/DSC_0205.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROv0s1hv1On6CiS2ZbVzPldMMXmNTAtorEL7JFNG3xI-L-XITzdCJ5SIOS3hul2YX592p71kbv3NJc2mb5XiHO3rpAAmOetWgYe-Wp9D_dKvGdJZAwnj6OKD8wMV-gyj6AV0F16x4lAo/s1600/DSC_0207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROv0s1hv1On6CiS2ZbVzPldMMXmNTAtorEL7JFNG3xI-L-XITzdCJ5SIOS3hul2YX592p71kbv3NJc2mb5XiHO3rpAAmOetWgYe-Wp9D_dKvGdJZAwnj6OKD8wMV-gyj6AV0F16x4lAo/s320/DSC_0207.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When we got back to the hotel, it was time to eat all the weird fruits we had purchased at the market.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPbKGrhzcblDNOcU2_LEaGRpuZ0SVYyOHAYFL0s4VtkVfkYbXAoakZ-lcaWUXbchyphenhyphenC82e65To3uJQL4m0HHJ1vX2cpEBvfqA3XXpNDwWKw8uy1gR0I88W6_MmNbHKK4OpqI9CJRy8shs/s1600/DSC_0208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPbKGrhzcblDNOcU2_LEaGRpuZ0SVYyOHAYFL0s4VtkVfkYbXAoakZ-lcaWUXbchyphenhyphenC82e65To3uJQL4m0HHJ1vX2cpEBvfqA3XXpNDwWKw8uy1gR0I88W6_MmNbHKK4OpqI9CJRy8shs/s320/DSC_0208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We called these "orangutans" (said with "tang" on the end, but I don't like seeing the red squiggly line underneath the word as I type it - lol). They are, in reality, called rambutans. The outside was prickly and scary looking.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztx4kAynFE4ea1LlUtTC4MchkbPxbFs3Q9HgTzvWymjgXg3wBndsfX5QXYw0TCL89oBeNXobZlpOjyTscCERMgg1UXzZzDuPMjvgBo_I8OBjuAD1dnzSKT12UD4-2hACz_8TzQzHhFFU/s1600/DSC_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgztx4kAynFE4ea1LlUtTC4MchkbPxbFs3Q9HgTzvWymjgXg3wBndsfX5QXYw0TCL89oBeNXobZlpOjyTscCERMgg1UXzZzDuPMjvgBo_I8OBjuAD1dnzSKT12UD4-2hACz_8TzQzHhFFU/s320/DSC_0209.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Inside was a fruit that had kind of looked like an eyeball, but had the consistency and texture of a peeled grape. They kind of tasted like grapes too, and by that I mean that they were juicy and kind of had no flavor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfrLdQaVoLH6gvsBtJ5Rw_Kd1ZObm1zxUHkeY7uRZwjQ9_uRmFtuMhFmVqtZzHCfQzqIGqEHLhIysT63cjGNNncytIHfFODhyphenhyphenl8aiLmCWTPhZUGBdsThKRrwE_F9qUBlIipaK6AHJMXM/s1600/DSC_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfrLdQaVoLH6gvsBtJ5Rw_Kd1ZObm1zxUHkeY7uRZwjQ9_uRmFtuMhFmVqtZzHCfQzqIGqEHLhIysT63cjGNNncytIHfFODhyphenhyphenl8aiLmCWTPhZUGBdsThKRrwE_F9qUBlIipaK6AHJMXM/s320/DSC_0214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next we tried custard apples, which were not my favorite. They kind of looked like an artichoke, with large black seeds inside creamy white flesh. They were just okay.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K1ED_1VtdU_nryUXfmRvEwNQ-9xcJ_xryIeph86QGmC4_YyJBX4oIvb21x2nAMGTJDISqYG08FBCqfNVPk43CzKa8XfzjkLFqcc-8jVA21Gx4LDJKVNF-OkTmSFmWxX0fPGiJWt1T3E/s1600/DSC_0210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6K1ED_1VtdU_nryUXfmRvEwNQ-9xcJ_xryIeph86QGmC4_YyJBX4oIvb21x2nAMGTJDISqYG08FBCqfNVPk43CzKa8XfzjkLFqcc-8jVA21Gx4LDJKVNF-OkTmSFmWxX0fPGiJWt1T3E/s320/DSC_0210.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIwQ9iuox-W0NZ4CRVmfSAoXw9lXwcsFhW-iNJoBQ93GNbQxlviuare8BvbzhSNWdFfJVVG76IV0cgiyGEezBH8BHTKD8CZa7ZrxhRgT_bnyBiSWtVnhKVNAj88U6Mw_CaGjcNBswfUI/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUIwQ9iuox-W0NZ4CRVmfSAoXw9lXwcsFhW-iNJoBQ93GNbQxlviuare8BvbzhSNWdFfJVVG76IV0cgiyGEezBH8BHTKD8CZa7ZrxhRgT_bnyBiSWtVnhKVNAj88U6Mw_CaGjcNBswfUI/s320/DSC_0215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up: dragonfruit. Now I've had dragonfruit before, as it is very pretty. As I mentioned above, I'm a sucker for anything sparkly or brightly colored, and this includes at the grocery store!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGt1ra7tASjXQdvRkV_KWjj96NiGbI31gsAMYllm57sj-LAvSEMegOyY84Jlh0YAj9lIbhBDV6ENFJxxzfU0ze7j7YAHfqx86gNp3JGrRN6BB7aM_rDfJp2kl_9VCSq-hjwLi6RH_NbI/s1600/DSC_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGt1ra7tASjXQdvRkV_KWjj96NiGbI31gsAMYllm57sj-LAvSEMegOyY84Jlh0YAj9lIbhBDV6ENFJxxzfU0ze7j7YAHfqx86gNp3JGrRN6BB7aM_rDfJp2kl_9VCSq-hjwLi6RH_NbI/s320/DSC_0211.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuL6Zj1XaSkqs5zd3OAJn76LdwBDB7aA9Aj_1DGQ7lJr8UuUo48uRBr3yYQKFYEpcOsItO2NrIJg5ZIRp2Bme1RQI5az8RKF3fnMd-fgW5pJ0fW9Pdox5UcHzz8CHeVJgDr2ZRDJ8Rtw/s1600/DSC_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuL6Zj1XaSkqs5zd3OAJn76LdwBDB7aA9Aj_1DGQ7lJr8UuUo48uRBr3yYQKFYEpcOsItO2NrIJg5ZIRp2Bme1RQI5az8RKF3fnMd-fgW5pJ0fW9Pdox5UcHzz8CHeVJgDr2ZRDJ8Rtw/s320/DSC_0212.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I guess I didn't take a pic of the inside, which is actually beautiful as well, so I borrowed this one from the internet:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDcric1SuHd1YQvU07aRTD-dREkZxPqRzEhPr-qZgKFcVpa5u3dim6kp3vTk3rWrZtH8eKCVpbK9br4Lhlm_IUQaenubp_NriBMan6li3gk2SQwPx4I6s6bxDSUNY7PR_UWHaRg2bmDM/s1600/Dragon-Fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDcric1SuHd1YQvU07aRTD-dREkZxPqRzEhPr-qZgKFcVpa5u3dim6kp3vTk3rWrZtH8eKCVpbK9br4Lhlm_IUQaenubp_NriBMan6li3gk2SQwPx4I6s6bxDSUNY7PR_UWHaRg2bmDM/s320/Dragon-Fruit.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, we had some mangosteens. These were my absolute favorite. They kind of looked like plums on the outside, but once cracked open looked like bulbs of garlic. Thankfully they tasted like sweet sweet plums almost. Sickly sweet, really.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx05EtYFtl6zeJjb1QJhrNKEJhBz4WW5jl7X8ModzXYjymwd8BWlN9Crhw0LDW6I3DVqFSmSfjMeMiTYhT-qfIJUnmEIdfBEzrWh2dma7_eqQHy4YzR7VtzSc43bpni5iN6TV56IcRryg/s1600/DSC_0220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx05EtYFtl6zeJjb1QJhrNKEJhBz4WW5jl7X8ModzXYjymwd8BWlN9Crhw0LDW6I3DVqFSmSfjMeMiTYhT-qfIJUnmEIdfBEzrWh2dma7_eqQHy4YzR7VtzSc43bpni5iN6TV56IcRryg/s320/DSC_0220.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Medlin & Eric enjoy some fruits!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpH1EOAV0hPfyKGMKfLXluhUS_-R1YXfqM8pkajry_ca1GgE7RdrM_pZI_MG_zbOR7ovFNOIgqd4fBRGMpGSdc3K_kSutYbXUUB2efSs19S_FSRBh3OtMX9g-aENLhh6E2WOXFV-Xc0k/s1600/DSC_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpH1EOAV0hPfyKGMKfLXluhUS_-R1YXfqM8pkajry_ca1GgE7RdrM_pZI_MG_zbOR7ovFNOIgqd4fBRGMpGSdc3K_kSutYbXUUB2efSs19S_FSRBh3OtMX9g-aENLhh6E2WOXFV-Xc0k/s320/DSC_0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan ate so much fruit he had to rest. :)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-n359_-l0vjqN7s9dfeonLaQHCIrfO47IuYeJS2KzIxloYlyu2qK_T43bYCi0cviMpXtQak7dwCoOhSceEGmG3PQmsUWa0H58CQ16hk6kK77lOvKfSFlINJYjqilQwI5XIgMjjYTtQQ/s1600/DSC_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-n359_-l0vjqN7s9dfeonLaQHCIrfO47IuYeJS2KzIxloYlyu2qK_T43bYCi0cviMpXtQak7dwCoOhSceEGmG3PQmsUWa0H58CQ16hk6kK77lOvKfSFlINJYjqilQwI5XIgMjjYTtQQ/s320/DSC_0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Tony eats fruit!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEoftdcwne1MlI6MWjllwJjEiFuOrwDAChw2HZIn1-dUmepXBVIdXtl3kgmzBi2rUPiX1bjTdmSIh1r16vz0r4a46e0XRkMNW4Vw3_S3MEqMLKFL-VBdf2bwY3IZAur2wQVtrG3-WJf0/s1600/DSC_0219.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEoftdcwne1MlI6MWjllwJjEiFuOrwDAChw2HZIn1-dUmepXBVIdXtl3kgmzBi2rUPiX1bjTdmSIh1r16vz0r4a46e0XRkMNW4Vw3_S3MEqMLKFL-VBdf2bwY3IZAur2wQVtrG3-WJf0/s320/DSC_0219.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So after our culinary lesson (and hello! A break in the air conditioning!), we decided to head back out for more sightseeing.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3XfxLMFz7t5vWOHKglnFlbiS0LXc5L3jffKkkoFHLI8Jku81Nr9uFH-nYMTACtZupLSnMJvkoceHI8Ite2SVVFd41Fm8zrSKJQJ055T5Vd9iXGLilx-PMLWocqLA6iyLBihFdzq1BXY/s1600/DSC_0224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz3XfxLMFz7t5vWOHKglnFlbiS0LXc5L3jffKkkoFHLI8Jku81Nr9uFH-nYMTACtZupLSnMJvkoceHI8Ite2SVVFd41Fm8zrSKJQJ055T5Vd9iXGLilx-PMLWocqLA6iyLBihFdzq1BXY/s320/DSC_0224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is what durian fruit looks like. This is as close as I would get. NASTY NASTY NASTY stuff. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO2Ukc19OdXhSaAYBHcgurr921P-qn6KJwG44Fe6RAhdxb9nEcICrO-IRZFk-2oN3on6HYKvFsNQ9wdT8GpiFVbaJqYy8yZO_tq9NIp3kpD8ejiBJhhTnQrHxQjJ8wVvlXIglu1_p5sY/s1600/DSC_0225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwO2Ukc19OdXhSaAYBHcgurr921P-qn6KJwG44Fe6RAhdxb9nEcICrO-IRZFk-2oN3on6HYKvFsNQ9wdT8GpiFVbaJqYy8yZO_tq9NIp3kpD8ejiBJhhTnQrHxQjJ8wVvlXIglu1_p5sY/s320/DSC_0225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufytkuPAfgr7i416UK-97fyXJAgG32gVAPbxowFy6vDuIlFl47SwsP5SX5KDNTebDu1UwS_tO5H61M-ABE385WYtD4KAzAOsq_Yw_KCQfm6oHCWFoOAFxM_J-g5P26TEvlF3tHmH155Q/s1600/DSC_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufytkuPAfgr7i416UK-97fyXJAgG32gVAPbxowFy6vDuIlFl47SwsP5SX5KDNTebDu1UwS_tO5H61M-ABE385WYtD4KAzAOsq_Yw_KCQfm6oHCWFoOAFxM_J-g5P26TEvlF3tHmH155Q/s320/DSC_0226.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWIHwrBC0OpLG3gwNhqN4tPFEky_INHVWpXcj2xx1M4zVqTyAs7h_G2wi0oC3l7MMFSbh1hNJI5EnrZV515Tiz55qFu1uKu-qElv6s2DydFeKmo-adw7qX8SED4ZFUveTuAsXOHUw8lQ/s1600/DSC_0227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWIHwrBC0OpLG3gwNhqN4tPFEky_INHVWpXcj2xx1M4zVqTyAs7h_G2wi0oC3l7MMFSbh1hNJI5EnrZV515Tiz55qFu1uKu-qElv6s2DydFeKmo-adw7qX8SED4ZFUveTuAsXOHUw8lQ/s320/DSC_0227.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIHCuCyXk4AcGhx8LSPheG-P5054H6LYKjoOwqfu7KBuEk-Dhm301uc-0tftFTBbcbu4S5gMECclWhsggNHOSP6S0pvDrmW2F_WCcHoatmAhhgV6sOJEYr-7JyMjZTMOJcktoGz3n-ZQ/s1600/DSC_0228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIHCuCyXk4AcGhx8LSPheG-P5054H6LYKjoOwqfu7KBuEk-Dhm301uc-0tftFTBbcbu4S5gMECclWhsggNHOSP6S0pvDrmW2F_WCcHoatmAhhgV6sOJEYr-7JyMjZTMOJcktoGz3n-ZQ/s320/DSC_0228.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4YCCTGtAr-reXsEoibQDkG22N22f2-oEMOpz7I7ZEm8yjFn3gHgfY0PkaWorFkU2haLt-wTcs3Gf0LGmq3WXuMkuTNKp6AgrLG1QOkKeGxmqYx-7Fx7XYQANuY7abJMiunPbYvVM33M/s1600/DSC_0229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4YCCTGtAr-reXsEoibQDkG22N22f2-oEMOpz7I7ZEm8yjFn3gHgfY0PkaWorFkU2haLt-wTcs3Gf0LGmq3WXuMkuTNKp6AgrLG1QOkKeGxmqYx-7Fx7XYQANuY7abJMiunPbYvVM33M/s320/DSC_0229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRXDTKK-z9d7ZZG0YcUJRqEm4qfhDqGpGqMQCKdK0q4HpH8keMxNzI2OzlruwPHGos7ywdGnSqUt95Fs00rbSNeE1lbiVAtOFDULeVAKcASvjMlXutYd95OPf0NSe737mdslmljV2AJw/s1600/DSC_0230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRXDTKK-z9d7ZZG0YcUJRqEm4qfhDqGpGqMQCKdK0q4HpH8keMxNzI2OzlruwPHGos7ywdGnSqUt95Fs00rbSNeE1lbiVAtOFDULeVAKcASvjMlXutYd95OPf0NSe737mdslmljV2AJw/s320/DSC_0230.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvheU0sHD14GWkcO-bzJyDDmnd9XmkK7HWxYawBwxCbBgISEBviT47fEXWQW8w1xPETPG13Xhy4PYcntY7HX2UIap9As1Lq1df7VKgrE4FTBxpEiBmh8fl0OxvY7DiB79-fYfIRtpyE_U/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvheU0sHD14GWkcO-bzJyDDmnd9XmkK7HWxYawBwxCbBgISEBviT47fEXWQW8w1xPETPG13Xhy4PYcntY7HX2UIap9As1Lq1df7VKgrE4FTBxpEiBmh8fl0OxvY7DiB79-fYfIRtpyE_U/s320/DSC_0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ivy1h1kVbosXRdy5hv09842v5KIzcqvb0QqEkB0DnLgMk13p-_M5YtWWEupP07xgYPQMJfCSX2WMn_Umj22Mf9NB3rxLCq7RmHqOSQnuCZiK8YYSff2wcGYITMalniLOSZxGaqGK4Vg/s1600/DSC_0232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Ivy1h1kVbosXRdy5hv09842v5KIzcqvb0QqEkB0DnLgMk13p-_M5YtWWEupP07xgYPQMJfCSX2WMn_Umj22Mf9NB3rxLCq7RmHqOSQnuCZiK8YYSff2wcGYITMalniLOSZxGaqGK4Vg/s320/DSC_0232.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh35jAmvSTMhWWFZ6PnPGq4irJtEaJdjdJ-VglOA0czZACFZpm2IHRoLCkcAJMRY_WkxeoT8Lqai68IX56SfZOPc7Jrc1u8mwj_WuAJAtaNJV5m5ixwb19GDWga0WH98tIaq8ZUdh9A7g/s1600/DSC_0233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh35jAmvSTMhWWFZ6PnPGq4irJtEaJdjdJ-VglOA0czZACFZpm2IHRoLCkcAJMRY_WkxeoT8Lqai68IX56SfZOPc7Jrc1u8mwj_WuAJAtaNJV5m5ixwb19GDWga0WH98tIaq8ZUdh9A7g/s320/DSC_0233.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAEab51KKwfJfkAAirmXBQCK_kOfKRQx67li6K5eP0aJlzbwtpYRa7Sbwm5bzFO3Ph_jwKYIi195F8MkwMHqAT1-HzF0csHLFR-RcWSXQNPMQgSYQ57O55fLrEWcjWO4y4zHTibTtKZA/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAEab51KKwfJfkAAirmXBQCK_kOfKRQx67li6K5eP0aJlzbwtpYRa7Sbwm5bzFO3Ph_jwKYIi195F8MkwMHqAT1-HzF0csHLFR-RcWSXQNPMQgSYQ57O55fLrEWcjWO4y4zHTibTtKZA/s320/DSC_0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Huzzah! Back to the Rex for more bevs! But first, a walk around the area...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJL5tG9UzVBZO94yoRbbb6lhs6hF2MfVHGlDZseL5prLi-tfVmiHWrNVsi0Lz5AUUnffQbJQ9Nq6lJf814eiXEeTWWha0C7bSFVXIoLzf0erXxJpwLzzF_9X3v6BWarsH1duhCyiXxSI/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJL5tG9UzVBZO94yoRbbb6lhs6hF2MfVHGlDZseL5prLi-tfVmiHWrNVsi0Lz5AUUnffQbJQ9Nq6lJf814eiXEeTWWha0C7bSFVXIoLzf0erXxJpwLzzF_9X3v6BWarsH1duhCyiXxSI/s320/DSC_0237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a swanky building. That's Chanel on the ground floor.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmoTrH-X3bATjXZEHkFGkq_hzO9327LlO7bf5fN19zi3nue86Grggl3brwFPZz4S9GleAQ6JurF_kc5G40v0ZIWE4DNIw7fjt9CerV2a1U0KjA63ilPBqE_zwqPMJnlWSh3aeM_a-5pY/s1600/DSC_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmoTrH-X3bATjXZEHkFGkq_hzO9327LlO7bf5fN19zi3nue86Grggl3brwFPZz4S9GleAQ6JurF_kc5G40v0ZIWE4DNIw7fjt9CerV2a1U0KjA63ilPBqE_zwqPMJnlWSh3aeM_a-5pY/s320/DSC_0238.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan and I in front of a building...I'm going to google it and try to figure out what it is...okay, it is the HQ for the Ho Chi Minh People's Committee and is in the French Colonial style. Gorgeous, but closed to the public. Which is fine with me. I really only care about the architecture of most buildings, not what's inside them. That's how I roll when I sight-see.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv8I2MTc3cT3gkiy_lAXQHsxPuXBeeIsmd-j85OEbgiTBitc-5OSFGuCLc9TlioZ6FbyqaBApQ5sOrm1goUdUSDiE2DOdNt5b0D84_g71oDX9XxrBBoTgHkKzU-pIC7Rr6cRUuAc10AE/s1600/DSC_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbv8I2MTc3cT3gkiy_lAXQHsxPuXBeeIsmd-j85OEbgiTBitc-5OSFGuCLc9TlioZ6FbyqaBApQ5sOrm1goUdUSDiE2DOdNt5b0D84_g71oDX9XxrBBoTgHkKzU-pIC7Rr6cRUuAc10AE/s320/DSC_0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the busy roundabout in front of the Rex. I like roundabouts, or roundy-rounds, as I call them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZhB-1ToGenbS_kdabJVrwJ25y5ETgxSDdK-UO3MaM3KpBsJZCCfdmYOb62y2oVFtHgk9V1YT4mO-XcrS_lUNqgC72x5vk5OsIUFJF3OdGrALO6iNhpU7qWERnTBO0k-TW-siOHQ21QE/s1600/DSC_0244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDZhB-1ToGenbS_kdabJVrwJ25y5ETgxSDdK-UO3MaM3KpBsJZCCfdmYOb62y2oVFtHgk9V1YT4mO-XcrS_lUNqgC72x5vk5OsIUFJF3OdGrALO6iNhpU7qWERnTBO0k-TW-siOHQ21QE/s320/DSC_0244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Walking toward the Opera house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1VwTiMcb4N6ityF6ko8I1abhrD-m1TsZ8K0YUkSqNz8wP74lA0trgktPU3R-S5Xn-n-gzdcV9qz5nBqjT1KiRqk9DB1FWI42862I31qr72_ubZvHNPAcLQYNRLdEwgeEVrNC4raWqQY/s1600/DSC_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-1VwTiMcb4N6ityF6ko8I1abhrD-m1TsZ8K0YUkSqNz8wP74lA0trgktPU3R-S5Xn-n-gzdcV9qz5nBqjT1KiRqk9DB1FWI42862I31qr72_ubZvHNPAcLQYNRLdEwgeEVrNC4raWqQY/s320/DSC_0245.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWvjlTQwbEuUk_IanUecpqig91kxGDNR67LSih55vDzfJt4EKMR0_rJ5hlCWUiC2ZLWmppbVzlH_qJSmdwM-AADTvfC6HX648Q8FOVqf4MsjMRDbCOtPTzwTjLfq319hDevdYYjjJ07E/s1600/DSC_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWvjlTQwbEuUk_IanUecpqig91kxGDNR67LSih55vDzfJt4EKMR0_rJ5hlCWUiC2ZLWmppbVzlH_qJSmdwM-AADTvfC6HX648Q8FOVqf4MsjMRDbCOtPTzwTjLfq319hDevdYYjjJ07E/s320/DSC_0246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gathering all the potted palm trees together, thank goodness???</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87bxjCHdIPGLWx0J5AxQAPOFe2QN6MjzWBhW41RX7F_sAP9mTTT_OylVYdIMFLmEHFgEz3J9dc9RFQn9j3ZmoLrOkaHJazgNmrr-gzMrMdBTGrm6jb1yg43L0uQlJBZo0EjF6qlTFx6Y/s1600/DSC_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87bxjCHdIPGLWx0J5AxQAPOFe2QN6MjzWBhW41RX7F_sAP9mTTT_OylVYdIMFLmEHFgEz3J9dc9RFQn9j3ZmoLrOkaHJazgNmrr-gzMrMdBTGrm6jb1yg43L0uQlJBZo0EjF6qlTFx6Y/s320/DSC_0247.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saigon Opera House (or to be politically correct, the Ho Chi Minh Municipal Theatre)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04hgV8iUvrW8TheCM34FPcDDS6ryyQUrqKmdDxXkAtqh2xgcAuP1JhmkQ1NUbsYLcg9VJI0xwcMx3F62RkCHqzgvIomMG145_639CserY4M2HOR6fTzbZYdPaUPPyZuAl1DxLi2hUoRA/s1600/DSC_0248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj04hgV8iUvrW8TheCM34FPcDDS6ryyQUrqKmdDxXkAtqh2xgcAuP1JhmkQ1NUbsYLcg9VJI0xwcMx3F62RkCHqzgvIomMG145_639CserY4M2HOR6fTzbZYdPaUPPyZuAl1DxLi2hUoRA/s320/DSC_0248.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4aA_LHigffFvyZz2Y5nNvWmnLw18c2f_aOu3-Ba883iZ0MQbHhVN2Mz6AK_j7837iDTR-tVW81NSwLlcHgR-lay474TqDEt6Yed0VNy2pQUCHgfaXc9XeyJ86R7Lh1-NCgN58s6JiOw/s1600/DSC_0249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn4aA_LHigffFvyZz2Y5nNvWmnLw18c2f_aOu3-Ba883iZ0MQbHhVN2Mz6AK_j7837iDTR-tVW81NSwLlcHgR-lay474TqDEt6Yed0VNy2pQUCHgfaXc9XeyJ86R7Lh1-NCgN58s6JiOw/s320/DSC_0249.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pretty!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4tRVUzhspzvTv8P3rqW1L8j1t683whQM00OYo9DnP8VzFry5T9G-KCKm9seW4hyLErLrz89EGm6Xt4S4MMM2p3Uxo0umz-VIe0FgAxlNXOJx660HNfvblq43Wb3rD5-s0zM0UlWno5I/s1600/DSC_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi4tRVUzhspzvTv8P3rqW1L8j1t683whQM00OYo9DnP8VzFry5T9G-KCKm9seW4hyLErLrz89EGm6Xt4S4MMM2p3Uxo0umz-VIe0FgAxlNXOJx660HNfvblq43Wb3rD5-s0zM0UlWno5I/s320/DSC_0251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuekAqkEmQLk46HFnHhsy60jWADFzC0Nb5yNAW9tKy2uwGoi9lC6jh90BQm8M7OL_sGyC3gIxCPW6e4VudVWv6fJ5v6kAEozdZNZt0G5-Fp5FlgApRaZAf1a6KVfa2h9FE0WYD_Z2JU9s/s1600/DSC_0252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuekAqkEmQLk46HFnHhsy60jWADFzC0Nb5yNAW9tKy2uwGoi9lC6jh90BQm8M7OL_sGyC3gIxCPW6e4VudVWv6fJ5v6kAEozdZNZt0G5-Fp5FlgApRaZAf1a6KVfa2h9FE0WYD_Z2JU9s/s320/DSC_0252.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I love that these columns holding up the ceiling are ladies. I think it's actually pretty awesome, and if I ever built a magnificent palace or building in which I needed columns, I would TOTALLY do this!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYK4L3JNJZ8h_SMGeIEFX-B-dp7tNRHmLSWnXwCdPv-5FPV4i2viWGlzRZA2ftuiJ6ph1gZUSInCCruCz0ybJ_xfTis6tmFpvQo2jdLmszIX0m0BMxsji8eVke2Xwo_iEV1UqklHdQd4/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYK4L3JNJZ8h_SMGeIEFX-B-dp7tNRHmLSWnXwCdPv-5FPV4i2viWGlzRZA2ftuiJ6ph1gZUSInCCruCz0ybJ_xfTis6tmFpvQo2jdLmszIX0m0BMxsji8eVke2Xwo_iEV1UqklHdQd4/s320/DSC_0253.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys in front of the opera house</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgTWUgE_NSD1Ma-YRXc0ocHdiTz-4lM3IKY9h6wCodrqtQClivWsLidNxJ5Cb-sxd7nAEwvkR84hWKIonLU3QFrkafWwPKCckVzIU8aOHf5WkVvIcdN3PihiHmAVWYK_l_OGo88jRARA/s1600/DSC_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGgTWUgE_NSD1Ma-YRXc0ocHdiTz-4lM3IKY9h6wCodrqtQClivWsLidNxJ5Cb-sxd7nAEwvkR84hWKIonLU3QFrkafWwPKCckVzIU8aOHf5WkVvIcdN3PihiHmAVWYK_l_OGo88jRARA/s320/DSC_0254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dunno. There was no pay phone inside either, so I wonder why they just left the busted up phone booth in place? Everything else around this area was so nice and swanky (note the perfectly manicured hedge in the background!)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxkZXLRziPJmudvgHrDSkk1SqRuy2b0LMB6QL9EppGp7nyugzTDIUMohlYkHiKi2sDiS86b9NUz6gH1YdTHECrGa1NnSl71kHQb0xLKh6ntWh7YHTw6uIahir2h5LY6Un08F_4_bfaNQ/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxkZXLRziPJmudvgHrDSkk1SqRuy2b0LMB6QL9EppGp7nyugzTDIUMohlYkHiKi2sDiS86b9NUz6gH1YdTHECrGa1NnSl71kHQb0xLKh6ntWh7YHTw6uIahir2h5LY6Un08F_4_bfaNQ/s320/DSC_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvIosTO9n0VrncxiDsbEytl4fRMx2lHoTI3sChYaisNbfpr8-EY2Q-RNiMKqbcaXkOsqQ4MOOmyAAE7q6X4KpvDdkbw3L2RRM3zEEGqhxHVEPcdMcO2SoN0vT1S-23KVDfGLcmiq1VBE/s1600/DSC_0256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvIosTO9n0VrncxiDsbEytl4fRMx2lHoTI3sChYaisNbfpr8-EY2Q-RNiMKqbcaXkOsqQ4MOOmyAAE7q6X4KpvDdkbw3L2RRM3zEEGqhxHVEPcdMcO2SoN0vT1S-23KVDfGLcmiq1VBE/s320/DSC_0256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We made it to the Rex! Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhh.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuBiKq-4HfV6GcpKHE6vCXpbZ61hmcEoUCqoxPlKYNgvAzaeodaedVBMWWoxCbUfG_3nmddqwSNO5KnZiCmRR38yyXn04dssoTaMHTRSEWaGWEq7TsMUB1mkju31KAUIE_V8QaiHMrNA/s1600/DSC_0257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVuBiKq-4HfV6GcpKHE6vCXpbZ61hmcEoUCqoxPlKYNgvAzaeodaedVBMWWoxCbUfG_3nmddqwSNO5KnZiCmRR38yyXn04dssoTaMHTRSEWaGWEq7TsMUB1mkju31KAUIE_V8QaiHMrNA/s320/DSC_0257.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOWnyHGRYZK5acCmVUAACN22DkanU9f1Aa3oC336AAKF8xCCkvO5cP5VE1hMDyFqgrRN2Wk_rgicai_N4lXV6_TNULFrReNTewMQ7LWeHQ5VMdM9uHsxHnOmUt8hjU8OS2JYcVuOLitc/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirOWnyHGRYZK5acCmVUAACN22DkanU9f1Aa3oC336AAKF8xCCkvO5cP5VE1hMDyFqgrRN2Wk_rgicai_N4lXV6_TNULFrReNTewMQ7LWeHQ5VMdM9uHsxHnOmUt8hjU8OS2JYcVuOLitc/s320/DSC_0259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today, I tried a 333 beer - said in Vietnamese "ba ba ba". I preferred the Saigon beer, but this one was still delicious. And they served the BEST beer nuts I've ever eaten. Hands down.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WPjQIz1HgW9yW4jT0sceJ58fbUdFkCN78J9XskUpkX9sKVB0aOrcM92GxTyn_nqjHBlX1pqDdQMz-A242UhMiqlOpcifK3H9AThaE4W-Kl2wIpyHMd1AfOS2uJM1Guy77mkXsX1uZAo/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WPjQIz1HgW9yW4jT0sceJ58fbUdFkCN78J9XskUpkX9sKVB0aOrcM92GxTyn_nqjHBlX1pqDdQMz-A242UhMiqlOpcifK3H9AThaE4W-Kl2wIpyHMd1AfOS2uJM1Guy77mkXsX1uZAo/s320/DSC_0261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Closeups of the People's Committee building. It was amazingly detailed and I wished I had brought my zoom lens on this excursion. I almost got ran over while taking photos of this building!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIqfx2M_r1VlG8LSMnwrVd3Rp2ON05qtPaDC20lXgn17PZdDfQ0SeNz7spqRAnTnbDQ5LvdorX1rNC7MMLbTiRVgX9ySGDocym9sYZR_QBFatG9k756csVn4Adhzs4Z96AvyVzhCPkBk/s1600/DSC_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIqfx2M_r1VlG8LSMnwrVd3Rp2ON05qtPaDC20lXgn17PZdDfQ0SeNz7spqRAnTnbDQ5LvdorX1rNC7MMLbTiRVgX9ySGDocym9sYZR_QBFatG9k756csVn4Adhzs4Z96AvyVzhCPkBk/s320/DSC_0267.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sO2eGREbBaAgB7JoQT3DCYQ_PBwVzq8hX7A7imA7OfszH_mYKb6C6x7RhK5EVi7XKEbxskXZsixTKmRjMK5Sab_-qUVNk-gte94eT79-kxuV8SLkNxOzCo9IJC_06XCiZ5K_Jh7-Tuw/s1600/DSC_0268.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sO2eGREbBaAgB7JoQT3DCYQ_PBwVzq8hX7A7imA7OfszH_mYKb6C6x7RhK5EVi7XKEbxskXZsixTKmRjMK5Sab_-qUVNk-gte94eT79-kxuV8SLkNxOzCo9IJC_06XCiZ5K_Jh7-Tuw/s320/DSC_0268.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There's the Lexus that tried to do me in.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iMMA0CsTR1Uenc4Inv3zSyXbcTVpCEpFoFVqDfqlFogFA3AtzaXCajFhVi8p-Oi8LCAwfRHZnUkBRILanusG-oGpc6L-DwHnIRADDJ6fy0N-XsFBFMCWwY6FRIGiERFU5hglaOwMTHY/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iMMA0CsTR1Uenc4Inv3zSyXbcTVpCEpFoFVqDfqlFogFA3AtzaXCajFhVi8p-Oi8LCAwfRHZnUkBRILanusG-oGpc6L-DwHnIRADDJ6fy0N-XsFBFMCWwY6FRIGiERFU5hglaOwMTHY/s320/DSC_0269.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To be fair, I was in the middle of a busy street. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehFsR-UAXg1oeKqMy7LqxVRFKuucNCXapatL0VnloyzSuTgzHSMKBX1aNm7hzR3qGHqr1N4BGPL_hga8OXyuItUbRTX23tgKWu66wqSUCl5aavdwV6ziLUiMGCYUN3CoNCBB7MI2bG4k/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgehFsR-UAXg1oeKqMy7LqxVRFKuucNCXapatL0VnloyzSuTgzHSMKBX1aNm7hzR3qGHqr1N4BGPL_hga8OXyuItUbRTX23tgKWu66wqSUCl5aavdwV6ziLUiMGCYUN3CoNCBB7MI2bG4k/s320/DSC_0270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up, we headed to the Saigon Notre-Dame cathedral. I was a Letters major in college and took almost all my electives in the Art History department. As such, I am a complete sucker for anything with Gothic spires or anything cathedral-y.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuj260FG9rHLODOKpZIUwP24olyP3LmksGMlTcD2GoaUCRDAaio8ZxVvIz_msiYMNXOCl32askuc54P7-D9Mer0BwBiha6HEA-Shsa2KUFe93r7l4asRD2I6VSj3-wwI8LN_GDa-Y22o/s1600/DSC_0273.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihuj260FG9rHLODOKpZIUwP24olyP3LmksGMlTcD2GoaUCRDAaio8ZxVvIz_msiYMNXOCl32askuc54P7-D9Mer0BwBiha6HEA-Shsa2KUFe93r7l4asRD2I6VSj3-wwI8LN_GDa-Y22o/s320/DSC_0273.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan was in LOVE with this Jag. Apparently you can't get it in America yet. And since cars are so ridiculously expensive in Vietnam (at least 3-4 times higher than here) and since car owners have to "tip" the customs people to get their vehicles through customs (read: bribe), cars, especially incredibly nice ones like these would cost an arm and a leg. Although if you can afford a car in Vietnam, you can probably afford the vig too.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCu0X_WfRc5Or6dffAIBw2HcA78nx6JiOhoLGIur4p2eEWu7x1Tent56eEp62_Sw3T94WDUwaOqCWsqecjqL2ohDWsuKDgf9MzkleLTFzmmjIbYwbB4bIfOo5i4MFIjj_W3zL_m8BeIY/s1600/DSC_0277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHCu0X_WfRc5Or6dffAIBw2HcA78nx6JiOhoLGIur4p2eEWu7x1Tent56eEp62_Sw3T94WDUwaOqCWsqecjqL2ohDWsuKDgf9MzkleLTFzmmjIbYwbB4bIfOo5i4MFIjj_W3zL_m8BeIY/s320/DSC_0277.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is Our Lady. I was obsessed with this statue. I just simply loved it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9hWEzawVPmn3oM4tl26EhSWS1SH5KhBuABapTlQ1wu3yHtKOFCesTWHb60C8JtTZszAmsphCDzZSVVPNMg27BvMletZjWWz_VeTBxZUHinZy1tG8qsvV_IcprPpT2M8evAr2Xr1afyk/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy9hWEzawVPmn3oM4tl26EhSWS1SH5KhBuABapTlQ1wu3yHtKOFCesTWHb60C8JtTZszAmsphCDzZSVVPNMg27BvMletZjWWz_VeTBxZUHinZy1tG8qsvV_IcprPpT2M8evAr2Xr1afyk/s320/DSC_0278.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsrlr4vMEa0Zl7Pk0IrADVBniCoKRHjoP-BHFiB1pqU1qY3aFau-3PHGqEK0cUDXXBUGFfQtg5MMxirGOClyAWw6O-pHgHVd3Y9KM_dD0wetRQJq6tUW56oXNxizk_k6sfKrR6wHayL0/s1600/DSC_0279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUsrlr4vMEa0Zl7Pk0IrADVBniCoKRHjoP-BHFiB1pqU1qY3aFau-3PHGqEK0cUDXXBUGFfQtg5MMxirGOClyAWw6O-pHgHVd3Y9KM_dD0wetRQJq6tUW56oXNxizk_k6sfKrR6wHayL0/s320/DSC_0279.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN0aKrY7AbYKnn2D5JdPJUTmTlCmzK2Qd_6-zuUdIZWuHYIBDtPfLprubBUobxSE2ZxqKiy7MBbSRf1gtdm-kBok0AdVro2ulOY-an0JgdyITKBi86cBduXaRIwh5Edg7zZyJX5XPijk/s1600/DSC_0280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN0aKrY7AbYKnn2D5JdPJUTmTlCmzK2Qd_6-zuUdIZWuHYIBDtPfLprubBUobxSE2ZxqKiy7MBbSRf1gtdm-kBok0AdVro2ulOY-an0JgdyITKBi86cBduXaRIwh5Edg7zZyJX5XPijk/s320/DSC_0280.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ywYylVnC93XqFeFa4AB7rwC4Cjyn_gCoE50MR_Eed5PMJ501YbRabL7MXjAMeMd96sH9xXQsdekveIuk3bbpq8SvM758AGPSWsoamhG4qO-VSKRGXmv9VUAw3mU3HHZSZrE2BzekzNc/s1600/DSC_0281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ywYylVnC93XqFeFa4AB7rwC4Cjyn_gCoE50MR_Eed5PMJ501YbRabL7MXjAMeMd96sH9xXQsdekveIuk3bbpq8SvM758AGPSWsoamhG4qO-VSKRGXmv9VUAw3mU3HHZSZrE2BzekzNc/s320/DSC_0281.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7fwWWkJJJ9nMypGuGIrzgqS9ml1dUijvwCFO_oYhGvNXO0DIq3b6NDJP2UPlubk-z6woYrq-R-RUbTM41rrd9u7pYp26jmEcdgNUGm3lPEIFJD7X5nv63h7ih5sDdlibOWxcUlaj-wU/s1600/DSC_0282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR7fwWWkJJJ9nMypGuGIrzgqS9ml1dUijvwCFO_oYhGvNXO0DIq3b6NDJP2UPlubk-z6woYrq-R-RUbTM41rrd9u7pYp26jmEcdgNUGm3lPEIFJD7X5nv63h7ih5sDdlibOWxcUlaj-wU/s320/DSC_0282.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Break from looking up at the statue to see the sunflower garden at her feet.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQRYwesta-z2AGwLLocNv8eWZ0RmS-lXMkiw8fng5wXc1xf16TJFRtlnShMYzdhtGi7iIVzQ2HmxUf4HDfzamBFRwiS2eE7nrAG4XUKEQvElYsP94EsTKQosvQzdasSWkY6ISz1XQzQg/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZQRYwesta-z2AGwLLocNv8eWZ0RmS-lXMkiw8fng5wXc1xf16TJFRtlnShMYzdhtGi7iIVzQ2HmxUf4HDfzamBFRwiS2eE7nrAG4XUKEQvElYsP94EsTKQosvQzdasSWkY6ISz1XQzQg/s320/DSC_0283.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0re-PBKL4pFlXNKyNzXRbQ4eJ2wBEXQNhU3oDSABRIEVtA_R_eG5yynUbygKN0O1IGA_ZjggdHlCMJ3j65xhxEFiFFJLDNcMj_qDNZAYo_xiX0J2V-4a4xYhsezU9Wrh9DFlsBQan7K8/s1600/DSC_0284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0re-PBKL4pFlXNKyNzXRbQ4eJ2wBEXQNhU3oDSABRIEVtA_R_eG5yynUbygKN0O1IGA_ZjggdHlCMJ3j65xhxEFiFFJLDNcMj_qDNZAYo_xiX0J2V-4a4xYhsezU9Wrh9DFlsBQan7K8/s320/DSC_0284.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">TK and Lisa - bro and sis!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKFCypLHkSz7uivMvR3BgLs09uHRfLvqbeDSfjv4th8IMDpcCVgoD02FVpAioTGs8p2D1TCQB8hzvEivJO6i-6WG58PvZzMKOmuQYSZZ5UHN4_ythsNeUtb3W0rfHgCh-oQKtI24w15k/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKFCypLHkSz7uivMvR3BgLs09uHRfLvqbeDSfjv4th8IMDpcCVgoD02FVpAioTGs8p2D1TCQB8hzvEivJO6i-6WG58PvZzMKOmuQYSZZ5UHN4_ythsNeUtb3W0rfHgCh-oQKtI24w15k/s320/DSC_0286.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A picture of Tony taking pictures.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnttTsLYz520469JaDTwsbTvi2yNg40sAcVmtHF66uvzRTVdfL7HI0Cd4wHm4UcO23wpx0FCgCWJarYe-1S76NSM6L-8TVn-5rwxLSKCe3vgOhtzmE5hhaqjebRo6z8AAo8r977oqJX4/s1600/DSC_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnttTsLYz520469JaDTwsbTvi2yNg40sAcVmtHF66uvzRTVdfL7HI0Cd4wHm4UcO23wpx0FCgCWJarYe-1S76NSM6L-8TVn-5rwxLSKCe3vgOhtzmE5hhaqjebRo6z8AAo8r977oqJX4/s320/DSC_0288.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HEPa51zqSSrKhfDe7vhyS_9MOlv4iEdQF8ZZNDmQel2Fj2q0NL6vBQH-wHeu_wVRDo9JD4HmHqqcMmOL5tIDMewvL_ST_S0WfhDf4Q93czhtEnydnB32yk_Od4QMLnpqig1O0heyDkY/s1600/DSC_0289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HEPa51zqSSrKhfDe7vhyS_9MOlv4iEdQF8ZZNDmQel2Fj2q0NL6vBQH-wHeu_wVRDo9JD4HmHqqcMmOL5tIDMewvL_ST_S0WfhDf4Q93czhtEnydnB32yk_Od4QMLnpqig1O0heyDkY/s320/DSC_0289.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The boys</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxOxSBWl60q5W0tzSghKePLcYI2vHe04BZ1attxM8VediqLIGTNuGGMTATntkKyQWBpMBW3TkdH4nv6tiidK2o8nz2k6PlBeCQPDepwMpjhQMocaCBttStZMfPROBJ14QqY6h_YohbwM/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMxOxSBWl60q5W0tzSghKePLcYI2vHe04BZ1attxM8VediqLIGTNuGGMTATntkKyQWBpMBW3TkdH4nv6tiidK2o8nz2k6PlBeCQPDepwMpjhQMocaCBttStZMfPROBJ14QqY6h_YohbwM/s320/DSC_0290.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Saigon Central Post Office. We didn't go in.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkSSCIWKmD9qSYg1EbO1D3TGqcheXLdoIc0ZVchQjWmY059I9IANklVFNi7wWHR4Nl5lkRSZMlgxQJkOh8fvahHMZnABM-2ryIxVNTSKezjf8oyk3Z-mG_f_r6Lf-iZbyhBLpEJIVzy8/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNkSSCIWKmD9qSYg1EbO1D3TGqcheXLdoIc0ZVchQjWmY059I9IANklVFNi7wWHR4Nl5lkRSZMlgxQJkOh8fvahHMZnABM-2ryIxVNTSKezjf8oyk3Z-mG_f_r6Lf-iZbyhBLpEJIVzy8/s320/DSC_0291.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Back to the statue! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDBgkffRwIcF6z9xg6HTs_oJcG1HhsAmMXmDHlUoL41uUW48CN1a1lUa6oIi07Mtb4XVjoiMKansFAe2nCuCkEzTHWPTbtEJ_RFJEyTrSWUqR-J3dfZW0zK5H2cDs71ZiXeCFTIL9d1Y/s1600/DSC_0292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDBgkffRwIcF6z9xg6HTs_oJcG1HhsAmMXmDHlUoL41uUW48CN1a1lUa6oIi07Mtb4XVjoiMKansFAe2nCuCkEzTHWPTbtEJ_RFJEyTrSWUqR-J3dfZW0zK5H2cDs71ZiXeCFTIL9d1Y/s320/DSC_0292.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhnLY5k1zQKXBZrZ4DREXJRIDzyZSig87fTGqlZVCXhDjJhGzONpgqa76Gq1LDWsvcWIZbWVqNtzFlAbBTIM-cJYoICPCk_fmS9B5q_WFIQxjGvL5zSTr6UYzbtHQkFngHqN8PFMW8ys/s1600/DSC_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhnLY5k1zQKXBZrZ4DREXJRIDzyZSig87fTGqlZVCXhDjJhGzONpgqa76Gq1LDWsvcWIZbWVqNtzFlAbBTIM-cJYoICPCk_fmS9B5q_WFIQxjGvL5zSTr6UYzbtHQkFngHqN8PFMW8ys/s320/DSC_0293.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think this one is my favorite:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOc8gCF8f03zji0SCTaH2EQRtn4YMTUKbf-P1opu1p1PXDXWQiJfwd5vNUSYPJCgCg-nGDJgTOPlHhmOaD4VXMYXPLoKYkTsxVGq9PfdT5bDwQaf09BJtzERHsHQvVu-3VI0FbcgoQdys/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOc8gCF8f03zji0SCTaH2EQRtn4YMTUKbf-P1opu1p1PXDXWQiJfwd5vNUSYPJCgCg-nGDJgTOPlHhmOaD4VXMYXPLoKYkTsxVGq9PfdT5bDwQaf09BJtzERHsHQvVu-3VI0FbcgoQdys/s320/DSC_0294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrPfGuV9BB1fsDgRHovTVfua5b3dg3i2STOP02JKxb7hguJA2nhO1GnTbXNfAqhueT_BMqC3Cxf91s3kDDys3CLlLq1CA8Rez8SKoMvio3NHr_BbnI2R5fmS1ezz9D0NqVpWYn0Hzrfc/s1600/DSC_0300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtrPfGuV9BB1fsDgRHovTVfua5b3dg3i2STOP02JKxb7hguJA2nhO1GnTbXNfAqhueT_BMqC3Cxf91s3kDDys3CLlLq1CA8Rez8SKoMvio3NHr_BbnI2R5fmS1ezz9D0NqVpWYn0Hzrfc/s320/DSC_0300.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Side of Notre-Dame</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5XF_f9r-bAR8bAOkTSTnsHl89VxPKB3_iP5FzRDrtRLxu-5rPXUtu2RGMNv8qEbq6cWwVJq09BfDJjV3bwCQjWsKTSwLNc1qvxU3R7yl37jdapp_T6r0oNAO-W4E5RL41bEmQwvWYII/s1600/DSC_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq5XF_f9r-bAR8bAOkTSTnsHl89VxPKB3_iP5FzRDrtRLxu-5rPXUtu2RGMNv8qEbq6cWwVJq09BfDJjV3bwCQjWsKTSwLNc1qvxU3R7yl37jdapp_T6r0oNAO-W4E5RL41bEmQwvWYII/s320/DSC_0301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d9d7aEVnXTms5Tk9a7XFDikgyneuWqGGk72U20GzOmLWREIBofH7oR93aPztYshmu2FpBkMHVNkFQCsburKqgbHny3JUXsCLO6USXm6sN8n11J-4dJgWGI68gAtG7YTycnFcOwbsqUU/s1600/DSC_0302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0d9d7aEVnXTms5Tk9a7XFDikgyneuWqGGk72U20GzOmLWREIBofH7oR93aPztYshmu2FpBkMHVNkFQCsburKqgbHny3JUXsCLO6USXm6sN8n11J-4dJgWGI68gAtG7YTycnFcOwbsqUU/s320/DSC_0302.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhCuXJoQU3u4OMP0le2JiBfy1FLKpepYco47EJKtC7dAHrRFUfukFw5A06gSjqdwGonxGIijl96PRka9uaFmxTng3SwzeuCWl76Alx9fgw6oU2Wqpjndpz_CdFadMgGYLaWlEBzGK09g/s1600/DSC_0303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPhCuXJoQU3u4OMP0le2JiBfy1FLKpepYco47EJKtC7dAHrRFUfukFw5A06gSjqdwGonxGIijl96PRka9uaFmxTng3SwzeuCWl76Alx9fgw6oU2Wqpjndpz_CdFadMgGYLaWlEBzGK09g/s320/DSC_0303.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFaCZ6gIyYwfIeIeR8_VaBCFf_m8ZcDYQ91tgZTFMBQrYBLfV2Z6awECDHfQLNbuh7_uq3Q5lht2GS07Xm8m00E63ODjRLwc7eMcA7JjeHNkPIfH9ZwI54TSeIlSrBbLQhFuNF4nOiQ/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYFaCZ6gIyYwfIeIeR8_VaBCFf_m8ZcDYQ91tgZTFMBQrYBLfV2Z6awECDHfQLNbuh7_uq3Q5lht2GS07Xm8m00E63ODjRLwc7eMcA7JjeHNkPIfH9ZwI54TSeIlSrBbLQhFuNF4nOiQ/s320/DSC_0304.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr95UCqyX7fosiabe99YewhH-PxBbVnLA9bgnVKiJRqrQ45X7FeaWX0YLp7GhAsn6-BVYPBhzqpJvUvhzQUKVnIOT0D5NVxi5vEV-I_oja-ZBHBZRhBmT9aq2-FMWthiqjC_6FYACdMM/s1600/DSC_0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfr95UCqyX7fosiabe99YewhH-PxBbVnLA9bgnVKiJRqrQ45X7FeaWX0YLp7GhAsn6-BVYPBhzqpJvUvhzQUKVnIOT0D5NVxi5vEV-I_oja-ZBHBZRhBmT9aq2-FMWthiqjC_6FYACdMM/s320/DSC_0305.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The park</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOR_1qnw30uEQD0PbB72zC2TmgkzfB9u7oGL8eGMWtynGgFpJjW0l834MqUMppKst0dNk5O0kIa5_ZmDirFPo38ivhZ_13jq4v31qtkitXo4Qjohyphenhyphenu1-Fu2Duaw4YYRYyRPCmRMz8cJ8/s1600/DSC_0306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOR_1qnw30uEQD0PbB72zC2TmgkzfB9u7oGL8eGMWtynGgFpJjW0l834MqUMppKst0dNk5O0kIa5_ZmDirFPo38ivhZ_13jq4v31qtkitXo4Qjohyphenhyphenu1-Fu2Duaw4YYRYyRPCmRMz8cJ8/s320/DSC_0306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79bFeKyAxUNQ56zbsnqY08y-b3yfQLZTM8gBzTA0_LuJXLYD52p1Jb_Fl1d_GHQt96lKsinJ7H9hEOXTFGGfKA2L4r2Wk0DuSaQYR5T74n5hF2rjt3h98WCIyCU-LpslOQrwXrDYVZpU/s1600/DSC_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79bFeKyAxUNQ56zbsnqY08y-b3yfQLZTM8gBzTA0_LuJXLYD52p1Jb_Fl1d_GHQt96lKsinJ7H9hEOXTFGGfKA2L4r2Wk0DuSaQYR5T74n5hF2rjt3h98WCIyCU-LpslOQrwXrDYVZpU/s320/DSC_0309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZj8aLgr-CuWQRoyppm-CfPoGFN8Q_SXmfh7MSjTxJ0pND7XSlfDpFNuH4GAISdNnPZYnOq3BK2RRPSgJNWtftuP2NRSg2EuaHztIHcHeRwUolrBieHMfvWfuN7qGl3L-JKZtykuTNA/s1600/DSC_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOZj8aLgr-CuWQRoyppm-CfPoGFN8Q_SXmfh7MSjTxJ0pND7XSlfDpFNuH4GAISdNnPZYnOq3BK2RRPSgJNWtftuP2NRSg2EuaHztIHcHeRwUolrBieHMfvWfuN7qGl3L-JKZtykuTNA/s320/DSC_0311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4NXoZ7Hl0HSUBPzVFPTuvOlFASusKS4z4tGYQiWSbzUREQNWpRrqPBuALCIEClPgctX4e_XFhdxuJoVkAtGDuweb5XKRW6qllK0dWTYqSWKlkU8VLlkgg64aHpbSO87yrogoQsWUg3k/s1600/DSC_0315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC4NXoZ7Hl0HSUBPzVFPTuvOlFASusKS4z4tGYQiWSbzUREQNWpRrqPBuALCIEClPgctX4e_XFhdxuJoVkAtGDuweb5XKRW6qllK0dWTYqSWKlkU8VLlkgg64aHpbSO87yrogoQsWUg3k/s320/DSC_0315.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reunification Palace</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTEk3okC0_9yeq17QV6TCxdVxrjIOJK4Ez99veyemAjbxYxDM7bbq-0GSk_q2hqOa7lAL9Jn3aD9KEIhyphenhyphenauT1ONLwqVP7hUXX16g0rb47A5WswE8iunLaX-u2ZDvFD-hNc0Po1VCqyHk/s1600/DSC_0316.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVTEk3okC0_9yeq17QV6TCxdVxrjIOJK4Ez99veyemAjbxYxDM7bbq-0GSk_q2hqOa7lAL9Jn3aD9KEIhyphenhyphenauT1ONLwqVP7hUXX16g0rb47A5WswE8iunLaX-u2ZDvFD-hNc0Po1VCqyHk/s320/DSC_0316.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUyKXdFGEiRFTBKlBa96kprt1gKBzFzDUFkYO1L358LkN-_Uo4auRCWOKgzScwYM4jhqp6RfEu2kmFwRqgoEn66Wl2mrZnAab71IW5eZhWWwCXVm1ua-GhCdG2YVs_axbgcHzKpIZwhM/s1600/DSC_0317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEUyKXdFGEiRFTBKlBa96kprt1gKBzFzDUFkYO1L358LkN-_Uo4auRCWOKgzScwYM4jhqp6RfEu2kmFwRqgoEn66Wl2mrZnAab71IW5eZhWWwCXVm1ua-GhCdG2YVs_axbgcHzKpIZwhM/s320/DSC_0317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN0MIFBfc5ZnZcfJW3gGD3WUrPQBDBn1vKR2oOmqZ6hLhBcdpe6Ky7SSlUjHV7RtjV7jj0XZ8pB45t8i2Y7cfXC9TpBsrCGqBiD1NAUTw6PyPsMvN1FGMk5nNcN7E1_R4gQF6WGKStj8/s1600/DSC_0318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdN0MIFBfc5ZnZcfJW3gGD3WUrPQBDBn1vKR2oOmqZ6hLhBcdpe6Ky7SSlUjHV7RtjV7jj0XZ8pB45t8i2Y7cfXC9TpBsrCGqBiD1NAUTw6PyPsMvN1FGMk5nNcN7E1_R4gQF6WGKStj8/s320/DSC_0318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUjJR32BIr0pBr3L3slC8yV-ArPXkt6NV0-YOfwxjozrmtk3Xb2ZJ2jSmfp-lecxJbjAJbbvFpFDROVXMqtGbXW9-obMJuN4vYYmMaydk2HCyxkcTyemQ1uEzmNGPBVarz831DrUFoj4/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUjJR32BIr0pBr3L3slC8yV-ArPXkt6NV0-YOfwxjozrmtk3Xb2ZJ2jSmfp-lecxJbjAJbbvFpFDROVXMqtGbXW9-obMJuN4vYYmMaydk2HCyxkcTyemQ1uEzmNGPBVarz831DrUFoj4/s320/DSC_0319.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Gates. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was strange seeing it in real life, since all I was familiar with was this image from the Vietnam War (this is when the War ended - the Fall of Saigon - when the communist Northern Vietnamese army broke down the gate at this palace (which at that time was the home and workplace of the Southern Vietnamese president - like their White House) - this pic is from April 30, 1975):</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR9KgOdI0RrbYA2axUmWaWJiSC7QOhqQFUtQc-G-QrOgAHkX2GURHMKhyphenhyphenGpl0xX7_rJQvfm3gm0kbKz-lhMnb_Da95pP6Q2dEdINzilJ0KV1-8iI4EWuYHkMqHcpvqZrrLCARUWVFEO0/s1600/1.1274290141.saigon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYR9KgOdI0RrbYA2axUmWaWJiSC7QOhqQFUtQc-G-QrOgAHkX2GURHMKhyphenhyphenGpl0xX7_rJQvfm3gm0kbKz-lhMnb_Da95pP6Q2dEdINzilJ0KV1-8iI4EWuYHkMqHcpvqZrrLCARUWVFEO0/s320/1.1274290141.saigon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anywho...more sightseeing...I just loved this little angel/soldier on the top of the fence at a nearby Saigon site.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7MbwOr8HjNhW8KFlpkk_4CSub4JsJ_pLPEvmJVi36JRGDyfc3HhLR9p15kmt97WVc3BCsBTlRXpzIA4mZv8ohBH1RF5VHXSxsSJqWBxoHjI3W9amMVFJjNfav23sNAGv4QDC7ubsNLI/s1600/DSC_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7MbwOr8HjNhW8KFlpkk_4CSub4JsJ_pLPEvmJVi36JRGDyfc3HhLR9p15kmt97WVc3BCsBTlRXpzIA4mZv8ohBH1RF5VHXSxsSJqWBxoHjI3W9amMVFJjNfav23sNAGv4QDC7ubsNLI/s320/DSC_0321.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi4k1mf5TZNfKbQrzCVn33Gvm2bqKgB6w_RN9kR1xbexUJ1geiQHR8SvrzbX8oz1it3WFobtRmN3yM8hJx-crv8lgGEqPkW7icU7IDvogF-Nqk1mhQyNtcb5pHu-e1Rar0p1rMWrgq_s/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEi4k1mf5TZNfKbQrzCVn33Gvm2bqKgB6w_RN9kR1xbexUJ1geiQHR8SvrzbX8oz1it3WFobtRmN3yM8hJx-crv8lgGEqPkW7icU7IDvogF-Nqk1mhQyNtcb5pHu-e1Rar0p1rMWrgq_s/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4PyR_Y1vbNj-j0SMirQNPT-_wkcY8Ie-Z8PepN8VTtmYoE0pC39m9WsXCFzlFqh96AYZOfF92fS6RMaikOEmiFML7g1z9U_UyX8lKoxfo8aq-eS_PquvIzNAU8Clav9zyxO2qiH_ejU/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4PyR_Y1vbNj-j0SMirQNPT-_wkcY8Ie-Z8PepN8VTtmYoE0pC39m9WsXCFzlFqh96AYZOfF92fS6RMaikOEmiFML7g1z9U_UyX8lKoxfo8aq-eS_PquvIzNAU8Clav9zyxO2qiH_ejU/s320/DSC_0323.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L3Al18Nxeo8MHTI1piFHuByg8n0xwqPDdZRtjHorYOZs7XH_6ksnslAqc18d41zOl2vDdxEd_vkNFxe1W5cgQ4o7kR93tkO-KMsptMBX6gG-CKQJKdV2XCAzuQajV_-HI640uqEEOnc/s1600/DSC_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L3Al18Nxeo8MHTI1piFHuByg8n0xwqPDdZRtjHorYOZs7XH_6ksnslAqc18d41zOl2vDdxEd_vkNFxe1W5cgQ4o7kR93tkO-KMsptMBX6gG-CKQJKdV2XCAzuQajV_-HI640uqEEOnc/s320/DSC_0324.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmW9evuVyFfqKGDKq6ulzIVuqdZFPdANDdvJBCliR5QLxQgCWoSTs8_0rf83_Biz64vRDScekQMgYYMcAE6zCO4FUusCdwSPe4g95v09omYgmKbKABK_UAReuIaCTV8ptOPnAdH34dus/s1600/DSC_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmW9evuVyFfqKGDKq6ulzIVuqdZFPdANDdvJBCliR5QLxQgCWoSTs8_0rf83_Biz64vRDScekQMgYYMcAE6zCO4FUusCdwSPe4g95v09omYgmKbKABK_UAReuIaCTV8ptOPnAdH34dus/s320/DSC_0325.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan then saw a Mercedes Benz Brabus, which apparently (according to him) is probably the only one I will ever see in my life. A quick google search tells me that they are insanely fast and cost around 350,000 EUROS. Wow. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFDj5tDrs6q6Aywq5xntPNedhCErbPLs3gEOWah4ibFFbFz6cWGy3S0JKgRHUfU1PuUqHPk-dz6bCzqsWJ_Unk9ysSRwD6oNu2KIcx-bd3gayNq0Zr04jWvRvySq1aLgs0C-KC0YMshQ/s1600/DSC_0327.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFDj5tDrs6q6Aywq5xntPNedhCErbPLs3gEOWah4ibFFbFz6cWGy3S0JKgRHUfU1PuUqHPk-dz6bCzqsWJ_Unk9ysSRwD6oNu2KIcx-bd3gayNq0Zr04jWvRvySq1aLgs0C-KC0YMshQ/s320/DSC_0327.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBDmCHw58DQLBaK9xiRk6294F1cXvyPdcrc9BIsb9pLHzY3aPOcX-pxtOrYmr1NICkqeSEm6Qs5cPwzR4Ch3Te80F474V-JgKMIzvPz3wva_zJTvviDIQ3RAbsoq8umbmwAvo_JkoL8/s1600/DSC_0328.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnBDmCHw58DQLBaK9xiRk6294F1cXvyPdcrc9BIsb9pLHzY3aPOcX-pxtOrYmr1NICkqeSEm6Qs5cPwzR4Ch3Te80F474V-JgKMIzvPz3wva_zJTvviDIQ3RAbsoq8umbmwAvo_JkoL8/s320/DSC_0328.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Big Banyan tree.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8viIAIYP9RCseaJGcZ6BV-QlkCRTVsAEiPgj-1vWn5q7T8nyB4xz0D751h7kko33NIGwMewQk0LvJF6y3gjL6wbWSbwHwp2-hg5TPP2ohPZPaP2YeLUyGl6C2Hyl5IREH_GrIfBIxiM/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8viIAIYP9RCseaJGcZ6BV-QlkCRTVsAEiPgj-1vWn5q7T8nyB4xz0D751h7kko33NIGwMewQk0LvJF6y3gjL6wbWSbwHwp2-hg5TPP2ohPZPaP2YeLUyGl6C2Hyl5IREH_GrIfBIxiM/s320/DSC_0329.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ7SsJiWb9h5-th8UEoyywjN0z8Soj-R5InRCYHzEx55N1tgOeaXmbLCTCxlc5CdqePMZezgoKMyKmh_cbv1Xy9UI0T0l8o46cM6RlDdaKikHeFoYYFvlWnTjz2G1N0GPT5-535WOK6k/s1600/DSC_0330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ7SsJiWb9h5-th8UEoyywjN0z8Soj-R5InRCYHzEx55N1tgOeaXmbLCTCxlc5CdqePMZezgoKMyKmh_cbv1Xy9UI0T0l8o46cM6RlDdaKikHeFoYYFvlWnTjz2G1N0GPT5-535WOK6k/s320/DSC_0330.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD1R4PW3l_fC1IK6M9WSyECmoXDvaBXMQJh5gYnrNWbwTHD2bQL5w2unHaVkN2eWH2rPRr440aV5g397ViqDsE3N6YMEBsRSRJPWKvD5NvLq-C2QEAEQdifhCGPyGA43OuDR5LNOSh0M/s1600/DSC_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD1R4PW3l_fC1IK6M9WSyECmoXDvaBXMQJh5gYnrNWbwTHD2bQL5w2unHaVkN2eWH2rPRr440aV5g397ViqDsE3N6YMEBsRSRJPWKvD5NvLq-C2QEAEQdifhCGPyGA43OuDR5LNOSh0M/s320/DSC_0331.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So we were walking along, heading back in the general direction toward our hotel and we found a lady selling these little waffle-wafer-cookies. They were quite possibly the most delicious thing I had in Vietnam.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN-7MHCY8p4UFIF5nwXvAN1BmK1AB3vAqfjsXbhQNFyu3-3pygz2pn7kiX-_WYnYTBz_s4TIZ6NEYLrGzZOHHCr4dsgcH2by5YR4y3ogfNdXSrmT3iBsTzwYBrL3AT7-JndAS3oUQlgo/s1600/199096_960998274830_23920047_47212862_3875516_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXN-7MHCY8p4UFIF5nwXvAN1BmK1AB3vAqfjsXbhQNFyu3-3pygz2pn7kiX-_WYnYTBz_s4TIZ6NEYLrGzZOHHCr4dsgcH2by5YR4y3ogfNdXSrmT3iBsTzwYBrL3AT7-JndAS3oUQlgo/s320/199096_960998274830_23920047_47212862_3875516_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> After we got some food, we bought some familiar-looking water.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9Pbt3FVS_iSlostGP6eTmd5v6KclNOlyl-hHjEkt5AtKbzAOAFz7UMEBOsmemk404Xmmfgo4y6JvuztRkAO_suh0RBGpDoBcohOWhLCcfQl9DCDanUgdmZNslXaqFNX1pkb7TMZqCTw/s1600/DSC_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb9Pbt3FVS_iSlostGP6eTmd5v6KclNOlyl-hHjEkt5AtKbzAOAFz7UMEBOsmemk404Xmmfgo4y6JvuztRkAO_suh0RBGpDoBcohOWhLCcfQl9DCDanUgdmZNslXaqFNX1pkb7TMZqCTw/s320/DSC_0333.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">BUT WAIT!!!! That's not Aquafina. It's AJAFIFA! What the crap??? Knockoff water?!?! Turns out, that's exactly what it was. Ajafifa. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2iqaM7q79fdw35-ehyphenhyphenIbubEEiIZCzSbCdXUJjpw3qT3uxnchnWtpsryKd3slA6Kd2Zu6RuUvWtUQMpHeDHw9TSMOE4biLFrl82gERPOM7MRmWJ0LAY5_ALqNQPsnjApqC0rYtNwjSYI/s1600/DSC_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib2iqaM7q79fdw35-ehyphenhyphenIbubEEiIZCzSbCdXUJjpw3qT3uxnchnWtpsryKd3slA6Kd2Zu6RuUvWtUQMpHeDHw9TSMOE4biLFrl82gERPOM7MRmWJ0LAY5_ALqNQPsnjApqC0rYtNwjSYI/s320/DSC_0334.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG5LK5JHm1x5KvRm8KAVwRdMVu-C9NBOdz7hxnxVksq1LoKjmPJY3tGo5gsU3VEODlC7f2BSkYHGzQuo6Zi0nK83bf9YJbKgiRCZDESftFYZyLdAT3FOENjiiJ14OafCvs5Kv3ID1C9M/s1600/DSC_0335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkG5LK5JHm1x5KvRm8KAVwRdMVu-C9NBOdz7hxnxVksq1LoKjmPJY3tGo5gsU3VEODlC7f2BSkYHGzQuo6Zi0nK83bf9YJbKgiRCZDESftFYZyLdAT3FOENjiiJ14OafCvs5Kv3ID1C9M/s320/DSC_0335.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYe1OSDf58hkJgbW4ruyy3etBZc0S8Xt0AsznWxHT5s09Dx5fSQQooY4oLBP57yoLDgGJa2dVxUn8uqn2utf7OiCWYs8XiIlOOQ1M1cGVDstLgci2GkmzT-Eg2BeXeJZNPETdAFU6qHg/s1600/DSC_0336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLYe1OSDf58hkJgbW4ruyy3etBZc0S8Xt0AsznWxHT5s09Dx5fSQQooY4oLBP57yoLDgGJa2dVxUn8uqn2utf7OiCWYs8XiIlOOQ1M1cGVDstLgci2GkmzT-Eg2BeXeJZNPETdAFU6qHg/s320/DSC_0336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were swindled, I tell you.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNF_X45Uyt9MCStXP2VHJ-A4LQVC8jp4wJYKFdw0iP627ygRsbmmbWEIQLrRrKz1LtsYl4biqDGCKf0RcJ87UXrQa8Xer066p4ii-TRcjria_pnPg9ZrfF_fKJ4D2aS71SlNwIW8nhx8/s1600/198561_961105015920_23920047_47214741_1863121_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNF_X45Uyt9MCStXP2VHJ-A4LQVC8jp4wJYKFdw0iP627ygRsbmmbWEIQLrRrKz1LtsYl4biqDGCKf0RcJ87UXrQa8Xer066p4ii-TRcjria_pnPg9ZrfF_fKJ4D2aS71SlNwIW8nhx8/s320/198561_961105015920_23920047_47214741_1863121_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well, it was only like 15 cents, so we dealt with it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And across the street from our hotel was a salon offering $3 manicures! That's right - remember how cheap I told you it was? Here's Eric getting a mani.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc0Qg2620JbFdzLVZDQJDX4nu7Upv1isILLU9rrcHEdasJ-kM804WKpeYv2B9R4fS7b88m4kt16OZIVHsmvMRIFTgdW1H7BN6XBf4G62uF6O3OY5J3BFFWHcZUBk0FrPgpftVMsv2Qzw/s1600/DSC_0339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhc0Qg2620JbFdzLVZDQJDX4nu7Upv1isILLU9rrcHEdasJ-kM804WKpeYv2B9R4fS7b88m4kt16OZIVHsmvMRIFTgdW1H7BN6XBf4G62uF6O3OY5J3BFFWHcZUBk0FrPgpftVMsv2Qzw/s320/DSC_0339.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And Ryan...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInv8V73CsjIPLEcNK45KriXsJwLJ12PXOQfJcwSrWSfFoJZE8E6S_1OvQsqS2WMZCtH2kmRdr00_0JF3AcKWSc4do0g_KZQ2_K4OhgoUd8ue_j6Eu6OmwznWuJ1xNjB6FPcGHhd-izIM/s1600/DSC_0340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhInv8V73CsjIPLEcNK45KriXsJwLJ12PXOQfJcwSrWSfFoJZE8E6S_1OvQsqS2WMZCtH2kmRdr00_0JF3AcKWSc4do0g_KZQ2_K4OhgoUd8ue_j6Eu6OmwznWuJ1xNjB6FPcGHhd-izIM/s320/DSC_0340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally it was naptime. In my next post, the Grill Restaurant. It was unlike any dinner I had ever had before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-42312614155664124552011-05-15T10:39:00.000-05:002011-05-15T10:39:26.372-05:00Random Musings 2<div style="text-align: center;">Here are things I've been thinking about, in no particular order...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">1. I became hooked on VersaSpa tans a few years ago when it was suggested to me before a friend's wedding (by the bride - I know, I know! I'm pasty!!). Well, I loved it. It is so simple to become tan, and requires zero skin cancer on my part. So I joined a tanning salon that offers these spray tans, and go occasionally (although probably not often enough to justify the squillion dollars said package costs me each month, but that's neither here nor there). Well, as summer has begun, I've been going more frequently to spray tan, and my skin has completely gone to crap. It's really kind of creeping me out actually, and I may have to forego the spray tans. I am still deciding which is the greater evil, although I think the problem skin is winning out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. I am a complete sucker for all things makeup related, and I bought the lipstick color that Kate Middleton wore for her wedding (Bobbi Brown - Sandwash Pink), and it looks HORRIBLE on me!! It always shocks me when I see a color look so good on someone only to find that it does not suit my coloring at all. Tear.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. I have a candle problem. I will buy ANYTHING in candle form, especially if it's made by Tyler Candle Co. I have TWO entire shelves in my storage closet dedicated to candles and smelly-good things. See?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w9GWpCuzdCbIkzXKY3H7kvB-OeOJUs4iIyJ2eS0wq-Vipxfk3KRFL2J_cjq2gQc71R6HEba7b8L56IXuMPfeoZBjOOE-TE4WRcLk4PR5Af_8Wyfb9TVsarsHcvJ3vxNc5djueUOAUaY/s1600/DSC_0555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0w9GWpCuzdCbIkzXKY3H7kvB-OeOJUs4iIyJ2eS0wq-Vipxfk3KRFL2J_cjq2gQc71R6HEba7b8L56IXuMPfeoZBjOOE-TE4WRcLk4PR5Af_8Wyfb9TVsarsHcvJ3vxNc5djueUOAUaY/s320/DSC_0555.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder how long it'd take to burn them all. I cannot stop buying them - I think I may have a problem.</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-73442352864117232392011-05-11T16:36:00.000-05:002011-05-11T16:36:26.861-05:00Our House Saga<div style="text-align: center;">When we were in undergrad at OU, Ryan bought a house for us in Norman. It was precious - the perfect starter home in the perfect starter neighborhood near campus. We lived there for 7 years, and tried to make it as cute as possible. Okay, who am I kidding? I tried to make it as close to the Pottery Barn catalog as funds would allow.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimQNII_fJjzMX_jBMwx9vlDxyMTFWkh1Zj6qxI0BP7Lmd89gwMVNz9f71IiuxCKxtJyz0SUTBi0qGBGfVaEMORyHNJEkvc50JHDHGQK7_RerX69WAJPzol__77IEcm-rkLgZM7cwbOh8/s1600/picture-uh%253Da96f5bdc1d7ea6422e17c635d5b8a9d-ps%253Dcb609f2b1bb843baf4483cac9306f9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimQNII_fJjzMX_jBMwx9vlDxyMTFWkh1Zj6qxI0BP7Lmd89gwMVNz9f71IiuxCKxtJyz0SUTBi0qGBGfVaEMORyHNJEkvc50JHDHGQK7_RerX69WAJPzol__77IEcm-rkLgZM7cwbOh8/s320/picture-uh%253Da96f5bdc1d7ea6422e17c635d5b8a9d-ps%253Dcb609f2b1bb843baf4483cac9306f9f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxbzAztNGYcuwRKXtLLqlxxmv15TogYQLcNQWD0fiTmSb7VsUmYo4KeZDssHQkjY_wEhTpWjDNETs0cZOCx3TR3v22pqgAvFxPfUHtefXGEGFWnXtjQPAXemz01KviqZAp422uA1FkLo/s1600/DSC_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxbzAztNGYcuwRKXtLLqlxxmv15TogYQLcNQWD0fiTmSb7VsUmYo4KeZDssHQkjY_wEhTpWjDNETs0cZOCx3TR3v22pqgAvFxPfUHtefXGEGFWnXtjQPAXemz01KviqZAp422uA1FkLo/s320/DSC_0255.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We got professional landscaping a few years before we sold it. Best $$ spent for sure.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD33kG9qfEjK2FwfXPigaPMVzQHf0DzSJd_euDprFphA_W3hdielixKBh7G62JxylzW7p7VdYK6pQNkC3WicrG8JM7K69E2nrXmLW4XXMOtdfuJUibmfb4tpVWkW6M89cWhzKFdLoE4ik/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD33kG9qfEjK2FwfXPigaPMVzQHf0DzSJd_euDprFphA_W3hdielixKBh7G62JxylzW7p7VdYK6pQNkC3WicrG8JM7K69E2nrXmLW4XXMOtdfuJUibmfb4tpVWkW6M89cWhzKFdLoE4ik/s320/DSC_0258.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Loved my wreath. Ryan - not so fond of it.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eYWfUrROI01PUjkrbJ0kWLgF6XsIc6Qkp9EdZmZHZmtq1HZbXmQfiAUA5FkSvIkJwJl_s3IeZyU5dZiNhenAqCNlJA8vjr_mQw7YoZfO6ivX5nIaM5zg3_gb8fFhFwlQhC1gsRg3dp4/s1600/DSC_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5eYWfUrROI01PUjkrbJ0kWLgF6XsIc6Qkp9EdZmZHZmtq1HZbXmQfiAUA5FkSvIkJwJl_s3IeZyU5dZiNhenAqCNlJA8vjr_mQw7YoZfO6ivX5nIaM5zg3_gb8fFhFwlQhC1gsRg3dp4/s320/DSC_0259.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I ADORED the light exterior light fixtures that Jan found for me at Garbe's in Tulsa. (That store is the coolest!)</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0NUBp2qOiJb234beAMmwpPEIYygNFtqUJx9TwuP2i8PnIIpV_UlQjMSAHlomzT9NGSyBUG48-hBv5GsB3U9AAxaamQ0DE9tH_zDWEwd5tqV1Zs4zNOmD2ufF6Y-GX8ycMxsq-QXg-B0/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0NUBp2qOiJb234beAMmwpPEIYygNFtqUJx9TwuP2i8PnIIpV_UlQjMSAHlomzT9NGSyBUG48-hBv5GsB3U9AAxaamQ0DE9tH_zDWEwd5tqV1Zs4zNOmD2ufF6Y-GX8ycMxsq-QXg-B0/s320/DSC_0261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here was the entrance to our home - it was a living/dining room that was really just one big room.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqgstO3ESXfuMDXh8xr7ijqdTz-oetQ7ESr2xnKoptdM0WiNkT4YluHugmmmMkxbsBDmI6u09_ZX-7ZzKoEmF1ucyBvvtt50T84TPR8br-_WcOPzhCSf3FDkfilJD9-2cEqmSXLe8Ehk/s1600/ISrl7d21mpylk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSqgstO3ESXfuMDXh8xr7ijqdTz-oetQ7ESr2xnKoptdM0WiNkT4YluHugmmmMkxbsBDmI6u09_ZX-7ZzKoEmF1ucyBvvtt50T84TPR8br-_WcOPzhCSf3FDkfilJD9-2cEqmSXLe8Ehk/s320/ISrl7d21mpylk3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The kitchen. I got the brilliant idea to stain the ENTIRE kitchen by myself approximately 2 weeks before we put the house on the market. Before they were a light light wood - like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkXRZO0zBLwr9ZwPWLpDJby5FyvHtEWeYfv2QCcVcZLQP-KoOY-RRViF_9FqlRUejsueJeN13h5s5HCGZCLsm3TWBuDT4KYgRRxMTT2APs5EVlvDo8jo6xMByIRGKxBb1-SOiZrrvs78/s1600/n68201054_30641708_6553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkXRZO0zBLwr9ZwPWLpDJby5FyvHtEWeYfv2QCcVcZLQP-KoOY-RRViF_9FqlRUejsueJeN13h5s5HCGZCLsm3TWBuDT4KYgRRxMTT2APs5EVlvDo8jo6xMByIRGKxBb1-SOiZrrvs78/s320/n68201054_30641708_6553.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then I slaved away at staining them this color:</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7M1N134zt5pYElH7-VbodOX37qk6hLS6lW7P_cgYsxEUYG4yEkDNZjxAyr_LLqXVtxC_TNOGNmuPeTm2RJt3WtUpAyNVcchStTRbKuRL6fnxpH8h2MMs7OYcLR0-Y8sSd_Rwygn7GSg/s1600/picture-uh%253Df0bed2d7c55ddf86c18376e24c7232-ps%253D417663839cbaf1538c1161eb4fd01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7M1N134zt5pYElH7-VbodOX37qk6hLS6lW7P_cgYsxEUYG4yEkDNZjxAyr_LLqXVtxC_TNOGNmuPeTm2RJt3WtUpAyNVcchStTRbKuRL6fnxpH8h2MMs7OYcLR0-Y8sSd_Rwygn7GSg/s320/picture-uh%253Df0bed2d7c55ddf86c18376e24c7232-ps%253D417663839cbaf1538c1161eb4fd01.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Side note: MAN, do I ever miss that oven. We left our gorgeous matching GE Profile appliances (microwave, oven, dishwasher, and fridge). Out of all of them, I miss this oven the most. It had two separate compartments with two separate heat controls, so baking things at different temps was no big deal. Now I have to use the oven in the guest house if I need things on at two different temperatures. (Wow, that really sounded snotty and it wasn't meant to. "Oh my god, I have to use the uuuuhhhhhhven in the gueeeesssst house. Can you imaaaaagine the horror?" *Said with a british accent* ) The point is: I loved those appliances.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like the darker stain, but it just doesn't look like "my" kitchen to me. I guess it's because I stained them right before we wound up selling and leaving! (Dumbest idea ever, btw).</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYyyW5mVLtejVzz3sv7zGMjhRpH4V3LO4CJKd0dyDJA-Rxg-sRizFDLCthWo1Pp2EvYfUjauEFPXJiG3n1K70VJ1-kEqa2hu2vKHuT6CpnL0bufe4OXxEHdEIrsZKBRFhbvo3eLHj0ys/s1600/picture-uh%253D64c149ae933f4a42090936ada7534b-ps%253De8ce232d8b1c3bf6b3eee457693350ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSYyyW5mVLtejVzz3sv7zGMjhRpH4V3LO4CJKd0dyDJA-Rxg-sRizFDLCthWo1Pp2EvYfUjauEFPXJiG3n1K70VJ1-kEqa2hu2vKHuT6CpnL0bufe4OXxEHdEIrsZKBRFhbvo3eLHj0ys/s320/picture-uh%253D64c149ae933f4a42090936ada7534b-ps%253De8ce232d8b1c3bf6b3eee457693350ed.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dining room. Note: you cannot hang chair rail with Loctite. I tried.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dvT4TxwUPbyYrzbiJlg5Dxqdlsduu60QBuZjU3q3-XKfiReQqHdrEo4OnxU1RrojxCbRKoAkTaaZuiATH-ekZi6-hkOlqlx0pkPOqyXxWukuUeiyg-7kRVRzclqC3pNyRYOelXJUzso/s1600/picture-uh%253Dbbfade5141b5945e92d33449ec233e9a-ps%253Da717fe317a63cfbd41f2b978b554539e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dvT4TxwUPbyYrzbiJlg5Dxqdlsduu60QBuZjU3q3-XKfiReQqHdrEo4OnxU1RrojxCbRKoAkTaaZuiATH-ekZi6-hkOlqlx0pkPOqyXxWukuUeiyg-7kRVRzclqC3pNyRYOelXJUzso/s320/picture-uh%253Dbbfade5141b5945e92d33449ec233e9a-ps%253Da717fe317a63cfbd41f2b978b554539e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The back living room (the den??)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSspgZn7OPiuOM8OwcyJqC-pS4i5IIvQgU41qafCq73WgTM3WQUVtVvjn1BH35EbXh8mEty7DJQI77Ht0LBlS2eCoBkOdAkRUi9WaMzinbH_cPpS8WzMrgGvMVw2eCJrEgoitwDg5xBCw/s1600/picture-uh%253D2ce927d808fde3aeed9bacfee87a52-ps%253Dd5131081dd36839483b7223fff66cb81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSspgZn7OPiuOM8OwcyJqC-pS4i5IIvQgU41qafCq73WgTM3WQUVtVvjn1BH35EbXh8mEty7DJQI77Ht0LBlS2eCoBkOdAkRUi9WaMzinbH_cPpS8WzMrgGvMVw2eCJrEgoitwDg5xBCw/s320/picture-uh%253D2ce927d808fde3aeed9bacfee87a52-ps%253Dd5131081dd36839483b7223fff66cb81.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Master bedroom. This bedspread is NOT our real one - it is a crappy cheap and incredibly slick faux-silk bed-in-a-bag set I got to try to "bring the colors together" like they told me to on HGTV. I hated it. It stayed with the house.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknkoA5sowFqULHnCh_kE2qokFMQ_gwiglI8vp8zZ2OVEF7bwSgCgeCOsBez13fk8r1o9NrVMURXm99p0fGLnf_eZzdj0GS9sTEgpwN60eJHBAu9dVklRguxhbDSYW4acmDaxIdRJY0U8/s1600/picture-uh%253Dca41a9c0c61dca3392aa9c51fec2363-ps%253Da1b73262ecc0d5ff9a7feea88f482630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknkoA5sowFqULHnCh_kE2qokFMQ_gwiglI8vp8zZ2OVEF7bwSgCgeCOsBez13fk8r1o9NrVMURXm99p0fGLnf_eZzdj0GS9sTEgpwN60eJHBAu9dVklRguxhbDSYW4acmDaxIdRJY0U8/s320/picture-uh%253Dca41a9c0c61dca3392aa9c51fec2363-ps%253Da1b73262ecc0d5ff9a7feea88f482630.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A spare bedroom - we turned it into a poker room and sports memorabilia room. Ryan collects all things sports related and it makes me sad that they are all chilling in boxes still in our new house. : /</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaYeJr2lL0IvoDcpyeGIDIziEpWy4gmdUSE86cHDYUsIW-Q3sLLz-HEEGX_8i66g8nYcvWRi1y7wbZse39uoviy1Dedm8ek6yHov0zxFmiYCSfKp3MLciWZ2neqXvlLi_C5rcyUiyQBQ/s1600/picture-uh%253D4a16ea5536bc86211acca9cfca439485-ps%253De0b6fb209b2bc74063bf13b78219cf30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuaYeJr2lL0IvoDcpyeGIDIziEpWy4gmdUSE86cHDYUsIW-Q3sLLz-HEEGX_8i66g8nYcvWRi1y7wbZse39uoviy1Dedm8ek6yHov0zxFmiYCSfKp3MLciWZ2neqXvlLi_C5rcyUiyQBQ/s320/picture-uh%253D4a16ea5536bc86211acca9cfca439485-ps%253De0b6fb209b2bc74063bf13b78219cf30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Other guest bedroom with an actual bed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFHKML902Nsujblkb9TAt9VJw0MSUPJSWMSKz3AlOVqFZ8rfZRUd1JZ4QnoWmLjDKQJ-Zr3XnySjymEyf-6FlepyWy2i6aQyv5nqUE5n_EN_L7GCJxFPcu-XUUntPzdAjApgKGvklK94/s1600/picture-uh%253De6b153f5a7bea5a01919f07b5dd29a5-ps%253D56c014b8886150759ca4b7df2711e4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFHKML902Nsujblkb9TAt9VJw0MSUPJSWMSKz3AlOVqFZ8rfZRUd1JZ4QnoWmLjDKQJ-Zr3XnySjymEyf-6FlepyWy2i6aQyv5nqUE5n_EN_L7GCJxFPcu-XUUntPzdAjApgKGvklK94/s320/picture-uh%253De6b153f5a7bea5a01919f07b5dd29a5-ps%253D56c014b8886150759ca4b7df2711e4.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Backyard. We also lost this in the move - our new house is half dirt and half crummy grass, so hopefully we will one day have this type of spread going on.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyH9Juu7y82fVMZsOcxOsMDpZEMd9x-yyoZI_H63iuNz-4jBoXKEyrFfQJwcW2KXFqAmw_M1Mnk3r_Laz-RrsVFN8HM4EKcUMK2czEJTM3A-YGi14rwIYo2OLJiTgegyxoYcJslIcZFM/s1600/picture-uh%253D1042c9b2d11b849b45abd7a3f3d6b528-ps%253Dd3d8c6c75658386e9e4b62023026f9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyH9Juu7y82fVMZsOcxOsMDpZEMd9x-yyoZI_H63iuNz-4jBoXKEyrFfQJwcW2KXFqAmw_M1Mnk3r_Laz-RrsVFN8HM4EKcUMK2czEJTM3A-YGi14rwIYo2OLJiTgegyxoYcJslIcZFM/s320/picture-uh%253D1042c9b2d11b849b45abd7a3f3d6b528-ps%253Dd3d8c6c75658386e9e4b62023026f9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Laundry room. I didn't bother staining these cabinets, so you can see what the kitchen started off as. We left these machines too, and upgraded to amazing stainless LG units. Remembering that makes me less sad about the oven - haha!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3AXqd6ttO7-QC8oEoX9lVDrwu_DeyWU4f_SFqBCmK5sEmRs0BJ8c8IqXaucxicaPgBwSuGflb04DQjyg0hM1KH_fCQHLpGRiBeIG1uWrC3psJ75yo4HFaJFIkZEiLUTexCgarGCKJfs/s1600/picture-uh%253D7bcb311de3417e1d391185b2e9f8b37-ps%253Da6f97ba36e359f84c1ac6ca62c73e68.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb3AXqd6ttO7-QC8oEoX9lVDrwu_DeyWU4f_SFqBCmK5sEmRs0BJ8c8IqXaucxicaPgBwSuGflb04DQjyg0hM1KH_fCQHLpGRiBeIG1uWrC3psJ75yo4HFaJFIkZEiLUTexCgarGCKJfs/s320/picture-uh%253D7bcb311de3417e1d391185b2e9f8b37-ps%253Da6f97ba36e359f84c1ac6ca62c73e68.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So this was the old house in Norman that we left.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We wanted to find a house in OKC that had a guest house, so that Michael would have a place to stay when he was in town. We really only considered two houses. Oooh! Let's play House Hunters. I am going to show you both houses and then you decide which one I picked and then I'll do the *DING DONG* noise thingy and show you which one we picked!! Wooo!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">House 1:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the view when you walk in the front door. You walk into a giant open room with a kitchen at the far back. This is if you look left from the front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZGaggenmbWFywwrT8D5VJxhBRUmbjBOte0VKRuG35khMkzPEql4CsLgXiXNlgEUJPaYzv0HrRIjJRPCtjrrDsxZAiO0kc26aOjafecbR5ktQKieXhgjYIGuEx2NwCwaAJ8MgYzEloWw/s1600/IMG_0620.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZGaggenmbWFywwrT8D5VJxhBRUmbjBOte0VKRuG35khMkzPEql4CsLgXiXNlgEUJPaYzv0HrRIjJRPCtjrrDsxZAiO0kc26aOjafecbR5ktQKieXhgjYIGuEx2NwCwaAJ8MgYzEloWw/s320/IMG_0620.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And this is if you look right from the front door. The stairs go up the far right wall, and the black box in the back corner is the downstairs bathroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5OHzEs_xeOjCljkKBzWPal7jv60gS4B7I1zPPmfcMiD3ZQTRaLwhe1Rc8gbsvEvCzkg6suzx2i3lIIUFVPrZOxI4nf2nmkMtFR-d-Uo9d8OGuuiOnOtJfGjatht4RSkPCjKRurFTFLE/s1600/IMG_0619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5OHzEs_xeOjCljkKBzWPal7jv60gS4B7I1zPPmfcMiD3ZQTRaLwhe1Rc8gbsvEvCzkg6suzx2i3lIIUFVPrZOxI4nf2nmkMtFR-d-Uo9d8OGuuiOnOtJfGjatht4RSkPCjKRurFTFLE/s320/IMG_0619.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's me lounging on their "show couch".</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKxCL9_00KkhBK04ARJS59rw_lappqmSNsfi93nXp95f7B_tKEJ0QFNLg9WznWkVqpdpS-X8IDfuNYloFBGZb_sD_NX2be6J-lljgnjiEiWlx3-0f6tlcFmM58Yo1yS7sfabkCzszv2Y/s1600/IMG_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYKxCL9_00KkhBK04ARJS59rw_lappqmSNsfi93nXp95f7B_tKEJ0QFNLg9WznWkVqpdpS-X8IDfuNYloFBGZb_sD_NX2be6J-lljgnjiEiWlx3-0f6tlcFmM58Yo1yS7sfabkCzszv2Y/s320/IMG_0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The stairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KFAeHsuJf0O5YcFQZezR0HSvMxZ9JtjCAjlHtV9HkMuAXJJHXatR0Y65oia7cZ5UNJaDKrJ-j8TEksgMfXRTyc_fIuxby82DyAq7GWPMNEeLmZM11sWppy9SdOYN2fQbxGjLTfdKf48/s1600/IMG_0618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8KFAeHsuJf0O5YcFQZezR0HSvMxZ9JtjCAjlHtV9HkMuAXJJHXatR0Y65oia7cZ5UNJaDKrJ-j8TEksgMfXRTyc_fIuxby82DyAq7GWPMNEeLmZM11sWppy9SdOYN2fQbxGjLTfdKf48/s320/IMG_0618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the family room upstairs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaqGvZdFVVkE1BpvesGxkxS4-Xxou51r9cmSaw07MVPDl0cugZISOGoBQHTOAn5Ais_UHbP20cot16iEasZ9WivLCtK5YOFTFAdMBPBXj4sOQ8HikoU1p_wAd_VgI1-rCKZDB5bRBRDM/s1600/IMG_0614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvaqGvZdFVVkE1BpvesGxkxS4-Xxou51r9cmSaw07MVPDl0cugZISOGoBQHTOAn5Ais_UHbP20cot16iEasZ9WivLCtK5YOFTFAdMBPBXj4sOQ8HikoU1p_wAd_VgI1-rCKZDB5bRBRDM/s320/IMG_0614.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guest bedroom # 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2m3JT_wyAAWjQ2U5yVyBSj7U0pc8jjIu1wvpHffg5nslCA49kQgKFpBz6Lm16ktTrBl4p3b2uIhaF3sCmUJrXEaXCYI1axtIwce4NfsMpJ_pQGoNDvPZPWIYZbtux_CzFbnIelycpYY/s1600/IMG_0615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2m3JT_wyAAWjQ2U5yVyBSj7U0pc8jjIu1wvpHffg5nslCA49kQgKFpBz6Lm16ktTrBl4p3b2uIhaF3sCmUJrXEaXCYI1axtIwce4NfsMpJ_pQGoNDvPZPWIYZbtux_CzFbnIelycpYY/s320/IMG_0615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Guest bedroom #2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7Zi4VtG1H_4ReJLtMXDY7GpPLu2wZ8DTtY-bPIUHFT0PJoAoM-1GHtuYPjzF8B98cE_H6RPoawDCxtTzU_HvyuHMCjqK7erdCAUmROW_yXLXNtgv82MiU6V4R9lXP0vDqkp2Vo2livU/s1600/IMG_0616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7Zi4VtG1H_4ReJLtMXDY7GpPLu2wZ8DTtY-bPIUHFT0PJoAoM-1GHtuYPjzF8B98cE_H6RPoawDCxtTzU_HvyuHMCjqK7erdCAUmROW_yXLXNtgv82MiU6V4R9lXP0vDqkp2Vo2livU/s320/IMG_0616.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For some reason, I didn't get a pic of the master bedroom or either of the bathrooms...shrug.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[COMMERCIAL BREAK]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And here's House # 2:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's right - it comes with a greenhouse on the front! Ooh-la-la!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT86MnJ1k6Ql9FPzZujNYp4r3GuN-HnYbtM4Y2e8GXRDT9TDflaCgw37roNqWwkrUKjI3mEuhnfD3h2DViSyOVZ_4Y6vrBwNh_mWl6pwKFxHDpd99vnWIzUdD9xoJwHv4SwjEa7xdick8/s1600/DSC_0160.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT86MnJ1k6Ql9FPzZujNYp4r3GuN-HnYbtM4Y2e8GXRDT9TDflaCgw37roNqWwkrUKjI3mEuhnfD3h2DViSyOVZ_4Y6vrBwNh_mWl6pwKFxHDpd99vnWIzUdD9xoJwHv4SwjEa7xdick8/s320/DSC_0160.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The left of the front of the house...(sorry, I only had my zoom lens on this day, so these are as pulled back as I could get it)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7jeJk7mByplVqo8fBmh_oqhUHz4rbYgD0bN3-7_Up1wRuf780MzCt1njM8IknmZ0PQfkUB7o40642J6NVCgZ5MCC3q40U1Lje_pLFBQAZlWC92iJ-y6pQceEHw0GVLxDo2sG9MCUtxE/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh7jeJk7mByplVqo8fBmh_oqhUHz4rbYgD0bN3-7_Up1wRuf780MzCt1njM8IknmZ0PQfkUB7o40642J6NVCgZ5MCC3q40U1Lje_pLFBQAZlWC92iJ-y6pQceEHw0GVLxDo2sG9MCUtxE/s320/DSC_0161.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remodeled kitchen (but almost nothing else)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhAq9Mi9fDPSGaPL4MkeQLywZiq6RWuOdlp-6peVlLwgT3ffIcBDbnGrk0Mpqf2fq1HF8DwsIh2WVqjJ50vv4FUCDO7fVim3vD4bZddACscx2PG6_vYWosq-zhky-Xe45nkurLD6QQxM/s1600/DSC_0213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJhAq9Mi9fDPSGaPL4MkeQLywZiq6RWuOdlp-6peVlLwgT3ffIcBDbnGrk0Mpqf2fq1HF8DwsIh2WVqjJ50vv4FUCDO7fVim3vD4bZddACscx2PG6_vYWosq-zhky-Xe45nkurLD6QQxM/s320/DSC_0213.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is from down in the basement - there was a full fireplace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSocUJCGOTpGAv_wtbIAy0ttGw5WpZZJ-K32DYMJ5qx53tfRCuhbVcNOK06DMDfNbysIfecbHCZTKyKI4GnGsfhqowxuVUMF5zD6hsjhQqANQQbKt_O3dzPqfwCZmiwCI-WgZOugDqlSE/s1600/DSC_0066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSocUJCGOTpGAv_wtbIAy0ttGw5WpZZJ-K32DYMJ5qx53tfRCuhbVcNOK06DMDfNbysIfecbHCZTKyKI4GnGsfhqowxuVUMF5zD6hsjhQqANQQbKt_O3dzPqfwCZmiwCI-WgZOugDqlSE/s320/DSC_0066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Partially redone bathroom on the first floor - I wasn't wild about the color scheme, but it could be okay.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSeF2Y-LpHURy4nkE8zvNq4A01dEKa-Qlf6U5mFqv1BZdaBceKbQxPuhVsFL_MrgLnWQwlQPQAvqgEDFhsSDKaO-fYf1bxeqA13xu18Da9lxuDNu8fxc0fRzj9GwwnC6PRMScPCqmyu4/s1600/DSC_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQSeF2Y-LpHURy4nkE8zvNq4A01dEKa-Qlf6U5mFqv1BZdaBceKbQxPuhVsFL_MrgLnWQwlQPQAvqgEDFhsSDKaO-fYf1bxeqA13xu18Da9lxuDNu8fxc0fRzj9GwwnC6PRMScPCqmyu4/s320/DSC_0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But the wallpaper and old light fixtures would have to go!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp879SnwQguCLFuyW6ZFfny_ub7lHkx9D8-gFJLd34Effdrehz_d0674GKMNysWYcgqgPXRHBcSQZuzIYGji2DOrq3DqBwd61IotmZ4XPuCYpXGPNm7t5ZJKSCy9QaFbJ115rwcdEwvPs/s1600/DSC_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp879SnwQguCLFuyW6ZFfny_ub7lHkx9D8-gFJLd34Effdrehz_d0674GKMNysWYcgqgPXRHBcSQZuzIYGji2DOrq3DqBwd61IotmZ4XPuCYpXGPNm7t5ZJKSCy9QaFbJ115rwcdEwvPs/s320/DSC_0080.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, I know you're probably thinking these are heinous, but they are REALLY cool. Imagine them buffed and polyeurethaned (sp?) and all shiny and they would have been awesome. They were original to the house (built in 1905). I loved them.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmC04UEAYCD_dI6ojUgAUAUOdkfFBIfM7yYMWtwKBc6VP-tl6LE_RgSV7QmNqrsB5chaDxqlESIrj8ppRM6U4vNf0c7nMGLuM9RDnn0H7qmbDerC5uxpW_eZn0t_9u-rcP-z5lJWrua4/s1600/DSC_0081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFmC04UEAYCD_dI6ojUgAUAUOdkfFBIfM7yYMWtwKBc6VP-tl6LE_RgSV7QmNqrsB5chaDxqlESIrj8ppRM6U4vNf0c7nMGLuM9RDnn0H7qmbDerC5uxpW_eZn0t_9u-rcP-z5lJWrua4/s320/DSC_0081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the view looking down the (OPEN!) staircase to the first floor. I just know Kuro would fall right down, so we propped some stuff up on it. Now, in case it is not obvious, no one lived in this house. It was a gaping 4,500 sf monster just sitting all alone with its old owners in Houston.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa_e5ocvdhgeYtDCUFqfi5TVBYopWu6p40O0xC4KSnu18BChmwidI8jszgulG1gWCmxIqcfiac_O2f0yBaGwb0UtiiQxOCScoBztmKkWKXPQuXdc2W0_FNTmJYuduTlKtKJLk2A-osx8/s1600/DSC_0086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa_e5ocvdhgeYtDCUFqfi5TVBYopWu6p40O0xC4KSnu18BChmwidI8jszgulG1gWCmxIqcfiac_O2f0yBaGwb0UtiiQxOCScoBztmKkWKXPQuXdc2W0_FNTmJYuduTlKtKJLk2A-osx8/s320/DSC_0086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the bizarre window we found boarded up inside the closet on the second floor. See my feet in the mirrored closet door?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LlSgAlg0IgHYgtrAM08omKf4DBWsVlTF-teeMJji4lUZJDIYgN2i6_lkVMDS5xt_I44GfR7XivBiXZ2GE1KIBXoGW5tI4AGBwp8XFSYqoygvcCIGUnQgyMslKXaAdgSIq0iAZg8Pnbk/s1600/DSC_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LlSgAlg0IgHYgtrAM08omKf4DBWsVlTF-teeMJji4lUZJDIYgN2i6_lkVMDS5xt_I44GfR7XivBiXZ2GE1KIBXoGW5tI4AGBwp8XFSYqoygvcCIGUnQgyMslKXaAdgSIq0iAZg8Pnbk/s320/DSC_0087.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The master bedroom. It had gorgeous floors and appeared to be in the best condition of the whole house (I am kicking myself for the zoom lens now - I wish you could see the rooms better)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFJUtUCjjq9R_p9uCO0xTM27BXGH_MfF4RD79ZGNhsskIDlbdRkGMnTESWUUq5aMCydlVh4hXeFJZmT-DrEwUtuybnkenzSyKzZ5XCYI49iVsZSa9d7NY5GgjMHdHPCnbtq8TC9dZZIo/s1600/DSC_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQFJUtUCjjq9R_p9uCO0xTM27BXGH_MfF4RD79ZGNhsskIDlbdRkGMnTESWUUq5aMCydlVh4hXeFJZmT-DrEwUtuybnkenzSyKzZ5XCYI49iVsZSa9d7NY5GgjMHdHPCnbtq8TC9dZZIo/s320/DSC_0091.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a sink I found hidden inside a closet on the second floor (a different closet). That was why I loved this house - it was so quirky and weird and random things popped up in random places (like the staircase entrance to the third floor opened about 4 feet off the ground on the 2nd floor. Why????)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWqKd5knroR0RAq2ydIUEaO2hI47753uZxNmw2af9WljVhs_Xi8x7i6JfJVnSQhauSx0q-Ljuf_Fhuu1cEithcwOrY-HctrURF3OTtGYDu2yXZa7YiQuuVKKeEhmj5t6y0NUP4tIFVWA/s1600/DSC_0118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPWqKd5knroR0RAq2ydIUEaO2hI47753uZxNmw2af9WljVhs_Xi8x7i6JfJVnSQhauSx0q-Ljuf_Fhuu1cEithcwOrY-HctrURF3OTtGYDu2yXZa7YiQuuVKKeEhmj5t6y0NUP4tIFVWA/s320/DSC_0118.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is that staircase I was just talking about. It was a walk-up third floor apartment with no other access from the main house except for that 2nd floor weirdo 4-ft high door (with no stairs). While it appeared to be used as an apartment (and it was BIG - like maybe 1000 sf), we had planned to add access from the main house and turn the entire third floor (well, fourth actually if you could the basement) into a childrens suite - a playroom and a few bedrooms.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYxGBt-aMmUwFz164-zJbyVHqPaAWv9w2E70YKnsWHMMy9GF0Cgxqrgqv0pp2WJGk0L9pGnMtBsi1OfhjmhtUblkcmBQoRbUceL6BuOgrTdY5KNjDOBs4xkFvRsrh-FYUO51ISxj9jxI/s1600/DSC_0138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYxGBt-aMmUwFz164-zJbyVHqPaAWv9w2E70YKnsWHMMy9GF0Cgxqrgqv0pp2WJGk0L9pGnMtBsi1OfhjmhtUblkcmBQoRbUceL6BuOgrTdY5KNjDOBs4xkFvRsrh-FYUO51ISxj9jxI/s320/DSC_0138.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But this was our main problem (crap, you are probably figuring out our decision now. Or are you???) This would be a sunroom/greenhouse contraption that leaked water. And I mean leaked water BAD. You see that orange cone in the bottom right of the picture. That's to warn people that walking there would be unacceptable. (We never tried)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWKk9I6t5wf5GcGojnK9yR3qAdybws4xuEfApl5PL-2eAktGMLk_r4FckaXqALYMyV2FQjaELqnHgWBe54ZuitJ89qODUWUsCnqr1cloAxhb5MFCACgJB_de097PTxQ9zUM0Fy8ScwD8/s1600/DSC_0175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWKk9I6t5wf5GcGojnK9yR3qAdybws4xuEfApl5PL-2eAktGMLk_r4FckaXqALYMyV2FQjaELqnHgWBe54ZuitJ89qODUWUsCnqr1cloAxhb5MFCACgJB_de097PTxQ9zUM0Fy8ScwD8/s320/DSC_0175.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The leaks led to this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rotten wood (this is to the left of the front door, which is directly below the sun room. The water had rotted the floor, which they had replaced with plywood, which had then rotted through. Ew.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNcuwdjdB30I4IZUebRXU5OjVhlEoWTuW32pq1F3vYmrXmxqd59zwYH1VfAtWs15BaQ7z6gVaZ2YlHO0MkD6DILj1xLZID3xdzOH7FaR41Y7x9n5AK-fxzKLq7JlfOKS1CGBZ_JDTEeE/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNcuwdjdB30I4IZUebRXU5OjVhlEoWTuW32pq1F3vYmrXmxqd59zwYH1VfAtWs15BaQ7z6gVaZ2YlHO0MkD6DILj1xLZID3xdzOH7FaR41Y7x9n5AK-fxzKLq7JlfOKS1CGBZ_JDTEeE/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They had to tape the window.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0ZRRm6JQJTo6IR0lhYv0awtBCtaE9wwE-PfX-UXUJ59P1kqispYwzAYZTG5jBGZHYWOeLTBfijV2Y6oIXJ1Q9I4hyphenhyphenvtSYreEK-tvFQiNLfQVZMS0iTQirnjv1qr0LcA9jmxTxh5CBe0/s1600/DSC_0059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0ZRRm6JQJTo6IR0lhYv0awtBCtaE9wwE-PfX-UXUJ59P1kqispYwzAYZTG5jBGZHYWOeLTBfijV2Y6oIXJ1Q9I4hyphenhyphenvtSYreEK-tvFQiNLfQVZMS0iTQirnjv1qr0LcA9jmxTxh5CBe0/s320/DSC_0059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The seam tape was falling off due to water damage. And note the lovely discolorations from the mold!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKDo7149h7ZFOsZ0-FBSzBsMpxNj7IbG3JawpgraeOk5ma5EQbaMYZC_Rjda_Q9uSHMmQb_F8R5u80oNCv2JVJY2-4QYgqaDQFtygwkzWBPGIkMvW2uGM9uMbPHA_lRROqJxrZtNfmBI/s1600/DSC_0052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKDo7149h7ZFOsZ0-FBSzBsMpxNj7IbG3JawpgraeOk5ma5EQbaMYZC_Rjda_Q9uSHMmQb_F8R5u80oNCv2JVJY2-4QYgqaDQFtygwkzWBPGIkMvW2uGM9uMbPHA_lRROqJxrZtNfmBI/s320/DSC_0052.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mold.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WmsilkQ9TyCCAcVgCv0PFW4d0I-d-flsjGlqcRMLmoVOAYpscUXiPS3bsZCw1cf6HecNAdmMDsxDAMjoN-aOhSzuXc8jwkr_pJR0DzvsGjLy9lmpW-6kLaA5W5JMfepDkDg5riU6E6w/s1600/DSC_0065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2WmsilkQ9TyCCAcVgCv0PFW4d0I-d-flsjGlqcRMLmoVOAYpscUXiPS3bsZCw1cf6HecNAdmMDsxDAMjoN-aOhSzuXc8jwkr_pJR0DzvsGjLy9lmpW-6kLaA5W5JMfepDkDg5riU6E6w/s320/DSC_0065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Standing water on the roof.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiVlhoehzFtK7TdG1Q9LOtWP-mK_9S-5uxuPzRYnV1JeCECaRh8hwLu1lBVZfX2AD-bQ41iY4X5-GKzAVCZx7leLxKcT0F52SdQCUL5vnA8hL4GohNy7TNbiJqH6Qtma5mErhnAAn5SM/s1600/DSC_0110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbiVlhoehzFtK7TdG1Q9LOtWP-mK_9S-5uxuPzRYnV1JeCECaRh8hwLu1lBVZfX2AD-bQ41iY4X5-GKzAVCZx7leLxKcT0F52SdQCUL5vnA8hL4GohNy7TNbiJqH6Qtma5mErhnAAn5SM/s320/DSC_0110.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">More mold.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a5w-P3azRQqhgN3zY3KlYecyMyn1uJoCE6bx6KHPfw5WgqINVbVKH3Yt6-v0VHHG3btgFp_H8gc0qy7ZMjpKEPIfGLGjFmFv4EDZhd44xoe-h-e5i6kZ4Ouc6L0haMrzRNkI41Sfxto/s1600/DSC_0112.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a5w-P3azRQqhgN3zY3KlYecyMyn1uJoCE6bx6KHPfw5WgqINVbVKH3Yt6-v0VHHG3btgFp_H8gc0qy7ZMjpKEPIfGLGjFmFv4EDZhd44xoe-h-e5i6kZ4Ouc6L0haMrzRNkI41Sfxto/s320/DSC_0112.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The top of the sunroom - where the leak magic happened.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-maUOFXaHsKkoUaVWFqM9nBRyr4Nzzvd8_anPx511vhJpRTX-J4SnmrcXBKrMVjd2EjSBSYV0vRmbaqmhnefwxc3OZpCBgsLm7DBmeIzt7JpEk5l9FWNmZax4LfMBdsMEXKcb0R_SUg/s1600/DSC_0113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-maUOFXaHsKkoUaVWFqM9nBRyr4Nzzvd8_anPx511vhJpRTX-J4SnmrcXBKrMVjd2EjSBSYV0vRmbaqmhnefwxc3OZpCBgsLm7DBmeIzt7JpEk5l9FWNmZax4LfMBdsMEXKcb0R_SUg/s320/DSC_0113.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Caused insulation to flop out.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQI2Y-9-Oz8jnOZ9H4eoiB9sUCFujbQanvf3Tk8rZ3PoeiiOvY30PhXfPuMnWKeVfw17jUhaWFe1ChznfC5deOecRYvWK3DRkDq9m3pWqTDXwfZxD5fPGJUkyo8XjHftTktBfwGIc5VQ/s1600/DSC_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFQI2Y-9-Oz8jnOZ9H4eoiB9sUCFujbQanvf3Tk8rZ3PoeiiOvY30PhXfPuMnWKeVfw17jUhaWFe1ChznfC5deOecRYvWK3DRkDq9m3pWqTDXwfZxD5fPGJUkyo8XjHftTktBfwGIc5VQ/s320/DSC_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So that was the sunroom. Now about the added on porch...here's the front entry to the house: Everything that is white on the ground floor is NOT original and would have to come off. (Side note: since both houses are in the same neighborhood, we had to deal with the historical preservation dept with either one. The deal is that the interior of the house could be done with no approval needed, but any work to the exterior needed major approval and had tons of red tape to go through. So, while we could fix up the interior of this house right away, the exterior could not be touched without lots of paperwork, and since it was leaking water and growing mold, there was no point in starting on the interior until the exterior was fixed. Make sense?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOstuWGFELmZDZoqn7PZ0p2gvyW6fa3J8kFjZP1Vrhwqj6x40Zl8VNlyvQ7whcI312V4Z98w3O3J-MrCGikF647kTxw2NCSU4UXj7E4neuW9q2C9lBUGMJM6SfwbhYBIoY1FzDE4zsSzE/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOstuWGFELmZDZoqn7PZ0p2gvyW6fa3J8kFjZP1Vrhwqj6x40Zl8VNlyvQ7whcI312V4Z98w3O3J-MrCGikF647kTxw2NCSU4UXj7E4neuW9q2C9lBUGMJM6SfwbhYBIoY1FzDE4zsSzE/s320/DSC_0159.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Anywho, back to the story. All things white on the ground floor were add-ons and would have to go. This is the right side of the original entryway/porch (the tan half-column on the right)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7HYCFlIjm_wwLkrYiMW4YG8go6AJ36U7rukFOxq78o3O92GJ-AB6VzFA7zu8cM6Wx4o2pqr5hsISzwUS_y7oMHCjN53Q26KhN9L9iggNZfsLp-TPPacr5dRJgCqdBQ7X9w6k8r1EGM/s1600/DSC_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIM7HYCFlIjm_wwLkrYiMW4YG8go6AJ36U7rukFOxq78o3O92GJ-AB6VzFA7zu8cM6Wx4o2pqr5hsISzwUS_y7oMHCjN53Q26KhN9L9iggNZfsLp-TPPacr5dRJgCqdBQ7X9w6k8r1EGM/s320/DSC_0177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And the left side of the original porch. Essentially the white stuff would need to be torn off to expose the real facade of the house, which was STILL THERE, believe it or not!!! This house once had a gracious porch and NO sunroom. But we couldn't rip off this white siding until the sunroom was off, otherwise it would have crashed down on the first floor. So essentially, all the renovations needed to be done right away, but the house wouldn't have been livable during these renovations, and we needed somewhere to live! I think I tallied up the renovations and we estimated a good $200,000 would have to be pumped into the house right away for renos.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxi86BayIq40M4mse6zTAa-RV2aOCfgAz7HCnTCrKzfm9Qcn2txSC5itcc_CtO0lgcA5H8OrCp8VtHMIlg43Esgsg_1mwM8A-xBKCFkSGul5I3NE7_fISvB6ZJ4sNsK3HLC5KwpDAvLY/s1600/DSC_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxi86BayIq40M4mse6zTAa-RV2aOCfgAz7HCnTCrKzfm9Qcn2txSC5itcc_CtO0lgcA5H8OrCp8VtHMIlg43Esgsg_1mwM8A-xBKCFkSGul5I3NE7_fISvB6ZJ4sNsK3HLC5KwpDAvLY/s320/DSC_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But look at this little guy! He is on the outside of the house, to the right of the bay window in the front guest bedroom. I LOVE him.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0izRybOATGd42Gv3ukmINkZgXdJjLj68QUGvlgAGV-627Hng6aEC-EgI4pgJOnImTntW0fgH6Fkd4PTcs3v2t7FpNxwN3Z-BVh71Vrbz6DOuTN5eShKAwad-GoQN6fjyuwO8zvzKXqlE/s1600/DSC_0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0izRybOATGd42Gv3ukmINkZgXdJjLj68QUGvlgAGV-627Hng6aEC-EgI4pgJOnImTntW0fgH6Fkd4PTcs3v2t7FpNxwN3Z-BVh71Vrbz6DOuTN5eShKAwad-GoQN6fjyuwO8zvzKXqlE/s320/DSC_0185.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This guy, I did NOT love. Hello annoying. Seriously, there is almost nothing more annoying than a beagle. Sorry but it's true.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnHgaP-A1PK6YtGLq1kF-ilWbz0RyIyaYWPtu_H5aTdifaueYUm1xdZTBw-VLq6cr3LuJrkf3-EMpijZjNb_B9yIAFYHlF0GUhSgZdjc99DfZ32JUGc7B65n5hG-MKArmickCbuWoSZk/s1600/DSC_0197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnHgaP-A1PK6YtGLq1kF-ilWbz0RyIyaYWPtu_H5aTdifaueYUm1xdZTBw-VLq6cr3LuJrkf3-EMpijZjNb_B9yIAFYHlF0GUhSgZdjc99DfZ32JUGc7B65n5hG-MKArmickCbuWoSZk/s320/DSC_0197.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's the formal living room. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKphfI45DzmFSTURYGfFW18Ful51FKgC0wjWgvmADBA6e6m2bh3_hVXR1FkLH9DS-ZlpPG9-mlbNPZL1o60eQPo6KdzUUmP1G8KzhDMw1RMQtganVHhghbvCKO-IQxQECcFzL4joK5v7U/s1600/DSC_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKphfI45DzmFSTURYGfFW18Ful51FKgC0wjWgvmADBA6e6m2bh3_hVXR1FkLH9DS-ZlpPG9-mlbNPZL1o60eQPo6KdzUUmP1G8KzhDMw1RMQtganVHhghbvCKO-IQxQECcFzL4joK5v7U/s320/DSC_0217.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stupid stupid zoom lens!!! So, which one did we pick?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..........</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">............................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..........................................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">.............................................................</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">HOUSE # 2!!! This one:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOstuWGFELmZDZoqn7PZ0p2gvyW6fa3J8kFjZP1Vrhwqj6x40Zl8VNlyvQ7whcI312V4Z98w3O3J-MrCGikF647kTxw2NCSU4UXj7E4neuW9q2C9lBUGMJM6SfwbhYBIoY1FzDE4zsSzE/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOstuWGFELmZDZoqn7PZ0p2gvyW6fa3J8kFjZP1Vrhwqj6x40Zl8VNlyvQ7whcI312V4Z98w3O3J-MrCGikF647kTxw2NCSU4UXj7E4neuW9q2C9lBUGMJM6SfwbhYBIoY1FzDE4zsSzE/s320/DSC_0159.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know, right??? What were we thinking?? Actually, we were thinking it was $25/sf in a neighborhood where homes can fetch 5 times that value. Literally, this was to be our retirement plan - buy it, completely renovate it, live there with our kids, in a GORGEOUSLY redone massive-sized home, and then one day sell it for oodles of money OR have glorious familial gatherings there a la the Walker residence from Brothers & Sisters. Hooray! We win! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We applied for and were accepted to star in a reality TV show about the renovation of our home (no kidding) and were to be compensated $25,000. The catch: we had to finish our complete renovations within 6 months. And since we work 6 days a week, until 7 PM each night, there was almost no way we'd have enough time to get it done that fast. But since they have to pay camera people and their living expenses, the timeline was non-negotiable. So we were stressed about that to say the least. But we pressed on, and made an offer and got a counter, and countered that, and settled on a final price. We did inspections galore, on the foundation, plumbing, electrical, structure, roof, etc. We hired an architect and began the paperwork for the historical society to get that damn sunroom off the front of the house. We got our mortgage in place and were rocking right along since it was SO SO cheap! Everything was in place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then our architect said this: "Hmmm...well you know that when we rip off the sunroom, we'll have to have a haz-mat team tent the place and do the removal, right?" Me: "Why?" Him: "Well, this is asbestos siding and it's toxic." Me: "Huh. Well, okay. Whatever." </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me recounting that same story to my MIL later that night: Me: "And he said we'd even get a cool haz-mat team to tent the house for removal of the siding because it has asbestos siding. And then I think we should call the landscaper because the flowerbeds are absolutely atrocious. And what about cleaning up the plants around the driveway?" Her: "SCREEEECCHHHH!!! I'm sorry, did you say ASBESTOS?!?!" Me" "Yeah, why?" Her: "Call your realtor NOW!!!!!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turns out she was right, as that innocent sounding asbestos removal was going to cost us $125,000!!!!! Did I mention it was a big house? Are you kidding me?!?! It was at this point that I did call my realtor, and since there was a material omission in the listing, we got our earnest $ back and moved on down the road. Sigh. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I still think about it and wish it would have been our dream house and perfectly easy to renovate and lovely and wonderful and birds chirping and sunshine and roses. It's really easy for me to romanticize things from my past and make them better than they really were. This is what's happening here. In reality, my husband and I would probably be in the middle of a divorce if we had stayed with that house. It would have taken every single drop of $ that we could get our hands on, the cameras would have stressed us to the max, the pressure of the timeline beating upon us, we would have done things wrong and have ceilings crashing down on us or fires from crappy electrical work that we had rushed to get done, or been held up by historic society approval. Essentially the house would have always been a work in progress, and would never really be finished. And that would have strained our relationship so much. And who wants that drama? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So we went down the road (4 blocks north of the other house) and bought House #1 - the finished loft-style house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSSpEAOKxGOmuBuKx3s2gF8fZVbf4n_M9VzRPqJmPHnqnAdLgGM6ODrd04UNOtDAcil3ztW3wrgTqhCFGYeRdtlG8EfBYgSC_b77N1vOzaNPF72-ePfXIM2IFOg_1gP1w92ie4gD559g/s1600/DSC_0556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSSpEAOKxGOmuBuKx3s2gF8fZVbf4n_M9VzRPqJmPHnqnAdLgGM6ODrd04UNOtDAcil3ztW3wrgTqhCFGYeRdtlG8EfBYgSC_b77N1vOzaNPF72-ePfXIM2IFOg_1gP1w92ie4gD559g/s320/DSC_0556.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> It really was so much easier to just move in and worry about what color to paint the room rather than worry about how to hang drywall. It is sometimes sad though - we lost about 1500 square feet in the house change. Don't get me wrong, 3000 sf is still plenty, but before I had all sorts of wacky nooks and weirdo useless rooms that I could have really spread out in. But I'm still holding onto the hopes of winning the lottery and then I will evict whoever lives in that house and turn it into the plans I have stored on file in my brain. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-39014738799714900442011-05-09T18:56:00.000-05:002011-05-09T18:56:54.165-05:00Random musings for the day...1. I really hate it when people use the word "whilst". I HATE hate it. It's archaic, people. I mean, even Wikipedia says so: "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">In </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_English" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="American English">American English</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_English" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #0645ad; text-decoration: none;" title="Canadian English">Canadian English</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;">, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>whilst</i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"> could be considered pretentious or archaic". </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 19px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">By the way, I didn't make that up. This tidbit was taken from </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Strunk, W., and White, E.B. <i>The Elements of Style</i>. 4th ed. 2000. Allyn & Bacon, Boston. Pg. 63-64.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">2. I went to the dentist today for a filling that was coming out. Does this happen frequently? I have never had to get a filling to replace a filling. Seemed strange to me. Also, due to said dentist appointment, my mouth is severely swollen from the numbing shots. I ran around at work like a crazy demonstrating how half my face was numb, and Ryan said one side of my face was smiling, one side not. It made me stop and wonder if this is what Botox does to you. Hmmm...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">3. One of my favorite stores, Horchow, is having a sweepstakes where you could win everything in your shopping cart up to $15,000. I am debating whether it is worth my time to even create such a shopping cart, as I will most likely not be the sweepstakes winner. But what if I was...</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">4. The house we originally were under contract for in Mesta Park didn't work out due to an unfortunate asbestos situation. Now I find myself obsessing over winning the lottery and using my winnings to buy that house and fix it up. However, a recent check of the address in the OK County Assessor's page (yes, I'm a stalker) informs me that it was finally sold, and that makes me sad. So I found another house in our neighborhood to cyber stalk. Here it is: </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SBd6ZpbcaOkFH9iHCEBC8FpPY8bKbNHwkNZ4CTCeYYp_nL8TkT22FLWSusGydWDT9DYO89-vN7ZFBnFHMaEGw91oZvomOrzxNihZYfk3SwbtIJCxPTPP81qjNtjdgMQW_Y446LwXGjI/s1600/picture-uh%253D6af48243955628f2012dc793393ba25-ps%253D7b54406c275462508fa37fccbedfddb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8SBd6ZpbcaOkFH9iHCEBC8FpPY8bKbNHwkNZ4CTCeYYp_nL8TkT22FLWSusGydWDT9DYO89-vN7ZFBnFHMaEGw91oZvomOrzxNihZYfk3SwbtIJCxPTPP81qjNtjdgMQW_Y446LwXGjI/s320/picture-uh%253D6af48243955628f2012dc793393ba25-ps%253D7b54406c275462508fa37fccbedfddb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The outside needs some MAJOR TLC. Like the railing on the second story balcony is falling apart, and the yard sucks, and paint is peeling like crazy, and the driveway is all busted. But it could be magnificent. Just look at this interior:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkquy5dWjcFDtpHaP9isjt294t0NsfXrRcIj06MdJatqkOiau3TwAwMxeiuEEwScQphAqBG8grCUuBni0iK92j3VJ1l4aNf9by4hBZiqfeD3BtBmEPgBHPVxggX3R1HFFMQdeGj29zCDI/s1600/picture-uh%253D3fa7827e2a5d24748239aece7841f9bd-ps%253D149f8e2bfe65d2aa41f52af0481b535b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkquy5dWjcFDtpHaP9isjt294t0NsfXrRcIj06MdJatqkOiau3TwAwMxeiuEEwScQphAqBG8grCUuBni0iK92j3VJ1l4aNf9by4hBZiqfeD3BtBmEPgBHPVxggX3R1HFFMQdeGj29zCDI/s320/picture-uh%253D3fa7827e2a5d24748239aece7841f9bd-ps%253D149f8e2bfe65d2aa41f52af0481b535b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUFuTENsn9iv15mb6wePioyWnakSXaYAzSfe46yyG0VRKURSn-3FdRN4ioyiOwbA0YDtu6klssCPoq37qUoK64fhjv7rMLGueJ3i3mUpK4tlJBiqrWqi7TY_Pq_d5cH-re7cfJ1I3nEM/s1600/picture-uh%253D80cb7f927159822c61e886466e664e6-ps%253D9bef69a0672bc4ea533bf44b86b28da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUFuTENsn9iv15mb6wePioyWnakSXaYAzSfe46yyG0VRKURSn-3FdRN4ioyiOwbA0YDtu6klssCPoq37qUoK64fhjv7rMLGueJ3i3mUpK4tlJBiqrWqi7TY_Pq_d5cH-re7cfJ1I3nEM/s320/picture-uh%253D80cb7f927159822c61e886466e664e6-ps%253D9bef69a0672bc4ea533bf44b86b28da.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I just adore those shiny dark wood floors. And it's a 6 bedroom home, with 6 total bathrooms. (4600 sf). But the problem: they want $300,000 (!!!) for it! What the crap??? For 300-Large, I'm getting a house with more curb appeal than that!!! I'll post on the other house we previously were under contract for in a week or so. It was a money pit for sure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And those are my random thoughts for the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span></span>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-82049618432121067642011-05-05T11:16:00.000-05:002011-05-05T11:16:00.455-05:0013.1 Miles - done!<div style="text-align: center;">Last winter, I decided to run a half-marathon. Actually, at first I decided to leap right in and sign up for the full marathon, but luckily, that idea was seen for the insanity it truly was prior to clicking the register button. So I settled on 13.1 miles. And I had big plans to train train train, and to run a blazing time, and become a "real" runner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I printed out training schedules and bought cold weather running gear and got some new tennies - Newtons, natch. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga27OcNW5ExuYf_htYPsC7m5wF69GLZwVskWCcVccpwYJmKJVmvi60pZh7n8_AQzFaqMiUYQ_tW67wa75Z1e0NjC3affzU93OPqgOc5WR9x5SweKKbOLNnVUv1kRD3nFhfnqr-tf44WTU/s1600/IMG_0932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga27OcNW5ExuYf_htYPsC7m5wF69GLZwVskWCcVccpwYJmKJVmvi60pZh7n8_AQzFaqMiUYQ_tW67wa75Z1e0NjC3affzU93OPqgOc5WR9x5SweKKbOLNnVUv1kRD3nFhfnqr-tf44WTU/s320/IMG_0932.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I brushed off the Bodybugg, and thought this would be it. The time I truly got into shape and became an elite athlete. Well, it was about this time that Ryan and I decided to start trying to start a family of our own. And little voices in my head said things like "well, obviously you'll get pregnant right away, so I mean can you REALLY run a half-marathon 5 months preggo?? NO." So I put off training and secretly decided that I'd probably just blow it off. Well, months went by and no babies decided to inhabit my womb, so it came to be April and I came to be mildly unprepared for the race, to say the least.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I could say that it was at this time that I poured my heart into training and ran every day to get ready for the half-marathon. But I didn't. I thought about it, if that counts, but no real training happened. Until the Redbud Classic day rolled around. I had signed up for it earlier as well (the 10K), and I decided this would be the way to jump start my two weeks prior to the half-marathon. So I showed up for the RBC and it was blazing hot. The distance was a little over 6 miles, and I struggled. I kid you not, I was DEAD LAST in the Redbud Classic. Look it up. NO ONE finished slower than me. So obviously I was well prepared for the half-marathon(!!!). Just remember, I was still convinced down to my core that I would not truly be participating in the race.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But by this time, my friend Maghen decided she would drive down from STL and run it with me. She was staying at my house the night before, so I figured that would be the extra push I needed to actually run the thing. And it turns out, it was! <br />
<br />
Here we are, getting ready to head out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TMiRL_SveZvTJVoqGwLZmBvy6dxkhrEtBjzzz5gitwxjhxu24vX2VVCbdGEdNn3B4xf2hWnbkx-j2YeL6J1PZAwCqTqx7q_pI3m0OlbIFHakf4VihTZSqZA0JXgygpuDxxhxs16mrjE/s1600/IMG_1276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TMiRL_SveZvTJVoqGwLZmBvy6dxkhrEtBjzzz5gitwxjhxu24vX2VVCbdGEdNn3B4xf2hWnbkx-j2YeL6J1PZAwCqTqx7q_pI3m0OlbIFHakf4VihTZSqZA0JXgygpuDxxhxs16mrjE/s320/IMG_1276.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot8r_Ci8BCW7NvdYcQ1nE0GYtnuqJdOi19szhOF3CcTzg40uUHMWWpMK6hyphenhyphenAQOvC84SLBVUjcQj2Q8jJUqonY5oxS5TohJuEInZCBPLCUJfToDG7uYLqa2vDEjAyljZlApDlK4xNyWZw/s1600/IMG_1277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjot8r_Ci8BCW7NvdYcQ1nE0GYtnuqJdOi19szhOF3CcTzg40uUHMWWpMK6hyphenhyphenAQOvC84SLBVUjcQj2Q8jJUqonY5oxS5TohJuEInZCBPLCUJfToDG7uYLqa2vDEjAyljZlApDlK4xNyWZw/s320/IMG_1277.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ4o-wgMybVVPadels8OXuqGv-xFdXWLJzxOsw6l2woJ0zzST4gAVuCIIehCrdfHGfLP9yCLkRI0eLmRqi8orb80vab8Y7QzHYAfJq-gCLeOXCbjiqusLL0g62XB9T_HI7ty6zMeSEYg/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQ4o-wgMybVVPadels8OXuqGv-xFdXWLJzxOsw6l2woJ0zzST4gAVuCIIehCrdfHGfLP9yCLkRI0eLmRqi8orb80vab8Y7QzHYAfJq-gCLeOXCbjiqusLL0g62XB9T_HI7ty6zMeSEYg/s320/IMG_1278.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5VmPJ85n_CQnYfPBFJ2Hulctf-gvanq_F_8taO9vJnPHrp0O1_-YM3wcPzCmrWO62RdmnXRcTIQX4W0PKmx7GYgIlvvtzsrraX1qOL2QNO7uTCPMBaJ4CL-QJq9tOd3JbjDXAdNxI1E/s1600/IMG_1279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5VmPJ85n_CQnYfPBFJ2Hulctf-gvanq_F_8taO9vJnPHrp0O1_-YM3wcPzCmrWO62RdmnXRcTIQX4W0PKmx7GYgIlvvtzsrraX1qOL2QNO7uTCPMBaJ4CL-QJq9tOd3JbjDXAdNxI1E/s320/IMG_1279.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><br />
It was a good thing she made me go, because the morning of the race was nightmarish, weather-wise. A giant cold front pushed into Oklahoma at about 5:30 am (race started at 6:30), and brought rain and even a little hail with it. I jokingly (but not really) suggested that we skip it--no one would ever know--no one would blame us if they did know--etc. But Maghen really stuck with it, and she dragged me to the starting line, where the marathon was promptly rain-delayed. Yay. So we huddled under a little awning area with maybe a hundred new friends and waited for the new start time to come around. When we finally left our cozy area, the start was called and we still weren't in the corral. Not to worry though, since there were thousands of people that had to cross the starting line, it didn't much matter. We didn't wind up crossing the start line for about 25 minutes after the people at the front started the race. It was still raining at this time, and the waterproof jacket I was wearing turned out to be a windbreaker ONLY, offering absolutely no rain protection. So I was soaked and freezing!<br />
<br />
Here we are waiting in the corral...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g5T_fVI73WmjJJZz1voZRjU7rzkqKRuZv1vnVRcQQ5NhZhABn7V54oETVKCtnh_hp6rxnuSi4-QhZGZJ1NprSVk9OlNYItxiGo0dZOHNn9jd_9X-B3KHO3nH3XEOzn0So7sDr1ZUM0c/s1600/IMG_1255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3g5T_fVI73WmjJJZz1voZRjU7rzkqKRuZv1vnVRcQQ5NhZhABn7V54oETVKCtnh_hp6rxnuSi4-QhZGZJ1NprSVk9OlNYItxiGo0dZOHNn9jd_9X-B3KHO3nH3XEOzn0So7sDr1ZUM0c/s320/IMG_1255.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A guy in front of me as we approached the start line ripped off a black trash bag he was wearing, and with Maghen's encouragement, I snatched it up greedily! Put that sucker on and I swear to you, it was the thing I was most grateful for during the run. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Other things I was grateful for include: </div><br />
<ol><li style="text-align: center;">My trash bag (I didn't want it to NOT get the #1 spot)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">My hat! A stroke of genius, I grabbed a hat right before we left for the race</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The gloves that Ryan brought me in Mile 10, as we jogged LITERALLY 1/2 a block from my warm, comfortable house</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Gu that the nice race people provided for us</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The sport beans that Maghen gave me before the race</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Under Armor Cold Weather leggings I had purchased months earlier and never worn</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">This weird blue gorilla on Gorilla Hill</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmVISXHGW0ILdkIzMdz5hlQ6Rh1FZto9yEuNIljIesPaZKESNxZ4La1xSIV39qeP5eDA_qqa6ec-OZFqaJbh4tOLGdu7N7q_1_cv0gxxUT9weS1eJlyO2yqq0TI0TV7InIBwkN3K2ElM/s1600/IMG_1256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTmVISXHGW0ILdkIzMdz5hlQ6Rh1FZto9yEuNIljIesPaZKESNxZ4La1xSIV39qeP5eDA_qqa6ec-OZFqaJbh4tOLGdu7N7q_1_cv0gxxUT9weS1eJlyO2yqq0TI0TV7InIBwkN3K2ElM/s320/IMG_1256.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Still, with no training to speak of, I jogged 13.1 miles. I kind of felt like I just went in and "winged" the Bar Exam, or something ridiculous like that. I mean, I finished in about 3.5 hours. Let's not kid - I wasn't breaking any land-speed records, but I did finish it. And I finished WAY ahead of some other people. When Ryan came to pick me up after the race, he found me walking along Harvey back toward our house in Mesta Park. And we had to wait for gaps in the runners since the race ran thru our neighborhood. And some of the people that we were waiting on were people running the half-marathon! I didn't come in last!!!!!!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a memorable experience, and I will definitely do it again. That it commemorates the OKC bombing makes me glad I didn't blow it off. I mean, I despise that there ever was an event so tragic that needs commemorating, you know? But it's almost the least I could do. After walking around the memorial last year, it was really moving. And I do remember it. And I was there. And I do hate that it happened.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSL9aEWWV6V20GslFaSzelGBsHFWfKtoI2BNrIu1vmkfbAx3xMxHGNOpIStdOyhU142Q-GwezCQOEV9t3ecdUgm-GkGmfXI3mCemhy10PjGgMD5S07xl089_xxVd0vk-xa5uQEWDJ6IYY/s1600/img_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSL9aEWWV6V20GslFaSzelGBsHFWfKtoI2BNrIu1vmkfbAx3xMxHGNOpIStdOyhU142Q-GwezCQOEV9t3ecdUgm-GkGmfXI3mCemhy10PjGgMD5S07xl089_xxVd0vk-xa5uQEWDJ6IYY/s320/img_0013.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm sure I will run another half-marathon and eventually a full. Next time, however, I WILL train and hopefully it will be nicer weather. Maybe I'll do the Route 66 half-marathon in Tulsa in November. Then again, maybe I won't be able to...(this is foreshadowing. Not that I'm actually pregnant, but that I will probably actually run the half-marathon in November, and I will probably not train for it either. Just to clear that up.).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's me - the 6,795th person to cross the finish line after running the half-marathon!</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvfNUuLv9TqpfZUsMxj1xmJn3TCkKew7at3Vew4WzmAofYi5LKv-AYPOEQG-gI9dIK14oMsWGKohxQSRyjln9PBcZaD6Gwh9KGmCne_b88lfWbAn6dhJurnHHUijVwOF9H3-ukMOkL5I/s1600/78992-1066-036f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJvfNUuLv9TqpfZUsMxj1xmJn3TCkKew7at3Vew4WzmAofYi5LKv-AYPOEQG-gI9dIK14oMsWGKohxQSRyjln9PBcZaD6Gwh9KGmCne_b88lfWbAn6dhJurnHHUijVwOF9H3-ukMOkL5I/s320/78992-1066-036f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And back at my house after the race:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzEfiFwYw_F68v0KvxF8Qeo7bDQ5z-rNDcbFTf3jim2H9jzkGl33e8Io8N8eN4DHjRV1cdEEKXzMuhuXnvldH4gjqfY_UnZNiIYMpTRAD-d45dvN8GxfX0YR7AFVfVmBZib4OiX53m_Y/s1600/IMG_1257.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmzEfiFwYw_F68v0KvxF8Qeo7bDQ5z-rNDcbFTf3jim2H9jzkGl33e8Io8N8eN4DHjRV1cdEEKXzMuhuXnvldH4gjqfY_UnZNiIYMpTRAD-d45dvN8GxfX0YR7AFVfVmBZib4OiX53m_Y/s320/IMG_1257.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My bib:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZJwE-x33A6w8x64Y6-gpPkxtIigLOEjz3GkOSekqt3Tol6Nq0sQl1AeSHeHoregf6HWqPcZE5n24wxaVMND2F5tp5AtkF4ie6zqr2aK93jZ3d9-D-tAAr8IgsH3LimLgypoDWtPHGyk/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZJwE-x33A6w8x64Y6-gpPkxtIigLOEjz3GkOSekqt3Tol6Nq0sQl1AeSHeHoregf6HWqPcZE5n24wxaVMND2F5tp5AtkF4ie6zqr2aK93jZ3d9-D-tAAr8IgsH3LimLgypoDWtPHGyk/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My finisher's medal:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40WOGZJOvjYrEENXnf6mXoVWl551qDARn93RzV0eNzBgmhToz_wPRZFibMK3oe4VxB7gZeHaAdFkdcieXiSjdVRsjXxB5RACbccUP9ObMY1N2epjbLpxNAXOjmSgae0MK5a06nlRNlzU/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40WOGZJOvjYrEENXnf6mXoVWl551qDARn93RzV0eNzBgmhToz_wPRZFibMK3oe4VxB7gZeHaAdFkdcieXiSjdVRsjXxB5RACbccUP9ObMY1N2epjbLpxNAXOjmSgae0MK5a06nlRNlzU/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7rrXuacEdMm4CSbrI0Y8qtEVZYFMWyKRD1UMIAmeFDcGn5UfriPeqUMsSbesHS0GXPdhB9y35FVp8JVL2yr8OlyANnJqCSRaj1axQ4-WPONu_KHetZkgwzKXkhVV449HBkBSlmTCG_g/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB7rrXuacEdMm4CSbrI0Y8qtEVZYFMWyKRD1UMIAmeFDcGn5UfriPeqUMsSbesHS0GXPdhB9y35FVp8JVL2yr8OlyANnJqCSRaj1axQ4-WPONu_KHetZkgwzKXkhVV449HBkBSlmTCG_g/s320/DSC_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And of course, Kiki wearing my medal:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOfPAhJ0OQqhsGLXBF_uehIfE-zOnR0MrPiEChjl1-30k_lkWbxojKnh3XTCDkPvMP9uXbDUKETm1F7NorUiq8wubiKN7aNVd8ghxKePDe9noBF1NinKamxLXflGdWYURcFeCzNOmy_I/s1600/IMG_1280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOfPAhJ0OQqhsGLXBF_uehIfE-zOnR0MrPiEChjl1-30k_lkWbxojKnh3XTCDkPvMP9uXbDUKETm1F7NorUiq8wubiKN7aNVd8ghxKePDe9noBF1NinKamxLXflGdWYURcFeCzNOmy_I/s320/IMG_1280.JPG" width="238" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div><br />
</div><div><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4389037618719651108.post-63812069656762671392011-05-03T22:26:00.000-05:002011-05-03T22:26:00.405-05:00I'm 30!<div style="text-align: center;">On April 23, I joined the ultra-exclusive club that you can only get into once you are 30. Well, I tried to make it sound more glamorous, but in reality, I just had another birthday. It's weird...when I was younger I would spend my time thinking about how I couldn't wait to get older, couldn't wait to move out on my own, couldn't wait turn 21, couldn't wait to become a grownup, etc. And now I'm just like "CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HIT THE BRAKES?!?!" Wow, I mean...thirty. My friend told me that many people go thru little "issues" when they have a milestone birthday, but I think it went pretty smoothly for me. I only went nuclear on my family a couple of times - haha. (But they still love me, so all is well). </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Since the shop is open on Saturdays, I worked on my birthday. But it was made so special when I got flowers, not once but twice! The tulips are from my darling husband (on threat of death should he forget) and the assorted bouquet is from my parents. Awwwww. They made my office smell delightful! And since Easter was the next day, they worked perfectly as flowers for my house! :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here they are in my office.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXoaAJwDbrSkDY2Irzxv2lX9ylJ84Pdon-iQBDWmQFTJiQcdntI4JQlxrf9o7v0vJ9N6eYibtpGvsJ3Vkn6w7LzAQ_ii1HfhkfT6eWXx01Wp9VtnvQ7qRPtnQWietEBrRF5Xep4StgLY/s1600/IMG_1193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpXoaAJwDbrSkDY2Irzxv2lX9ylJ84Pdon-iQBDWmQFTJiQcdntI4JQlxrf9o7v0vJ9N6eYibtpGvsJ3Vkn6w7LzAQ_ii1HfhkfT6eWXx01Wp9VtnvQ7qRPtnQWietEBrRF5Xep4StgLY/s320/IMG_1193.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After work, Ryan took me to dinner at Mickey Mantles, where we had (strangely) never before eaten. I think we'd been to happy hours in their bar, but never a sit down meal in the dining room. It was REALLY good. We both got the wagyu beef filets, which were so tasty. I kind of expected to be able to cut it with my fork, judging by the sales pitch from the server, but no such luck. Hehehe! It was good though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my favorite adult beverage is a glass of rose, which I indulged in during our dinner. Not white zinfandel - that's just nasty. FYI: rose wines are made with the same grapes as red wine, but the skins of the grapes are removed very early during the fermentation process, and since the wine gets the color from the pigments in the grape skins, the rose wine doesn't become as dark as a red wine. White zin, while it looks pink, is not the kind of rose that I like. White zin is a mixture of zinfandel grapes (almost 100% from Napa Valley) with white muscat wine (almost like a dessert wine), which makes it taste sugary sweet and like fruit punch. So, while a white zin is technically a rose as it is the same color, the rose wines I like are NOT white zinfandel. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found this one particular brand that I ADORE. It is called Red Bicyclette, and their rose is phenomenal. Everyone that I have forced to try it also loves it. The label looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLqcVOGB2ICC27AtlZqhqgYcYLWzAge1Fb1pkLC-C3ZwxlQwJpEw4xCca0UIj9bV9WeKitL4xSZ4_-HzQm2ZVnfDHZXSc0RNhV1CQNCkdL5QJ7mOqYeDZ-_qsck8e8wbfi0oADw_7qLk/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVLqcVOGB2ICC27AtlZqhqgYcYLWzAge1Fb1pkLC-C3ZwxlQwJpEw4xCca0UIj9bV9WeKitL4xSZ4_-HzQm2ZVnfDHZXSc0RNhV1CQNCkdL5QJ7mOqYeDZ-_qsck8e8wbfi0oADw_7qLk/s1600/logo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I found it easily for years and always had some on hand. Well, imagine my surprise when it's suddenly gone from the shelves at Byrons! It turns out that it's just sold out. What the crap??? I guess I've never cared enough about a wine to notice when certain varieties/vintages were or were not available. Well this one is GONE. Poof. Vanished. I've searched high and low, tried to buy it online (but no one will ship to OK), and called different stores looking for it. Whenever I found a store with some stock, I bought it all. I actually only wound up finding 5 bottles this way, but it was still better than nothing. I only have one lone bottle left of the delightful elixir, and it's being saved for a special occasion! :) So I'm on the lookout for a new favorite. And I've tried TONS that have been recommended by liquor store employees and the random guy at Central Market in Dallas who happened to be pushing TX wines the day I was in. And these suggested wines are okay, but jut not nearly as smooth as my beloved RB (okay, it may sound like I have a bit of a drinking problem, but it's fine, I swear). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So back to Mickey Mantle's. I asked the waitress if they had any awesome roses, and she said they did. I was all about trying something new, but I wasn't sure I would like it as well as my old faithful. She brought me this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmIhF9mWFyxP6ZnX66MiwDkZa1WujPhZ8OL-4UBTt290r9y8Qor0VmaYkLKdLsTDCnzwm7pmNMTTX_Y104uMEsABvtJ9CCvvPzdWp-SQ5FI8NM3BbvckIzffuK93ZAarVNctdHLvcYeU/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZmIhF9mWFyxP6ZnX66MiwDkZa1WujPhZ8OL-4UBTt290r9y8Qor0VmaYkLKdLsTDCnzwm7pmNMTTX_Y104uMEsABvtJ9CCvvPzdWp-SQ5FI8NM3BbvckIzffuK93ZAarVNctdHLvcYeU/s320/IMG_1194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which is actually this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmpvl4Y8NC6QFhrjFF7B7SjRGzeKHNP15ScA2wj0EyeSvAb015OtnGEX7faKFxQeNq0eELTNIbQ-RDYzO8prCQ2-uquU55cCSI8LrSqbJ9FzmKi3yBWlt8rxek1CyciiJulvyH5cL-94/s1600/blackbird-rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmpvl4Y8NC6QFhrjFF7B7SjRGzeKHNP15ScA2wj0EyeSvAb015OtnGEX7faKFxQeNq0eELTNIbQ-RDYzO8prCQ2-uquU55cCSI8LrSqbJ9FzmKi3yBWlt8rxek1CyciiJulvyH5cL-94/s320/blackbird-rose.jpg" width="277" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blackbird Vineyards Arriviste</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was SO SO SO good! Far smoother than the Red Bicyclette (and far more expensive than the $9 I pay for the RB). I hate buying bottles of wine in restaurants because I always feel like a retard when I go to the liquor store afterwards and see the same bottles I just paid $50 for on sale for $9.99. You know? So I still don't know how much this wine is in real life (I mean, it has a screw-off lid), but it was about $75 in the restaurant. So I'm guessing maybe $20. Ha! Anyway, it was insanely delicious, and I don't feel so bad about losing my beloved Red Bicyclette anymore! A birthday miracle!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And after my delicious dinner, we went to Pinkitzle in Bricktown. I'd heard a lot about the massive candy/cupcake store, and it did not disappoint! I got more taffy than I know what to do with, and a cupcake that was in the flavor of "birthday surprise" - but I still don't know what the surprise was, so that's disappointing. But we couldn't stay there forever (like I wanted to) because the day after my birthday was Easter, so I had to both cook for a legion of family and finish cleaning my house!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had quite a few people over for Easter, and it turned into an impromptu 30th birthday party for me as well!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Presents!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzirmi1WdlrB7XfdKuY-1qsRHAvqcExRR0CrzmDnkzaHkH7qN0zObZzb1e1F8aq9P1YzL2DpUfzZlQe392dOy8io8Q2X7jdsHqQpN1gyG-xA9YBj7hR753XYEKS55-ZZQSYz9mIV2R3I/s1600/DSC_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzirmi1WdlrB7XfdKuY-1qsRHAvqcExRR0CrzmDnkzaHkH7qN0zObZzb1e1F8aq9P1YzL2DpUfzZlQe392dOy8io8Q2X7jdsHqQpN1gyG-xA9YBj7hR753XYEKS55-ZZQSYz9mIV2R3I/s320/DSC_0736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The dessert table (with my awesome birthday cake - closeups below!) And notice how wonderfully the tulips Ryan gave me look on the table!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC0nPwDBUYWw9PhHZoU6brSMCFe5BIm57io2N-ZF-whjLWV-BBznQjGOHTUjVQNhcMP-bPIHd_3GseLhhuJdA1PyMhFDEfJZ9yGAm6MRImMBmOK33PE8SZioOsDVe6pjCgbFBDZpJ5Zs/s1600/DSC_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGC0nPwDBUYWw9PhHZoU6brSMCFe5BIm57io2N-ZF-whjLWV-BBznQjGOHTUjVQNhcMP-bPIHd_3GseLhhuJdA1PyMhFDEfJZ9yGAm6MRImMBmOK33PE8SZioOsDVe6pjCgbFBDZpJ5Zs/s320/DSC_0727.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzfd1QEtpCIswjk7nz0_ixE43TF7vYZoz0_mYnnZ426u4QIPA-KFY1bgzZ_J5CA4dYjsy_89xtW1l1akubKx4ddTVfIbdFqqDB2qaTToRPWI7PgMqzvfddn9WaFypme3OCmkPIn-7btw/s1600/DSC_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAzfd1QEtpCIswjk7nz0_ixE43TF7vYZoz0_mYnnZ426u4QIPA-KFY1bgzZ_J5CA4dYjsy_89xtW1l1akubKx4ddTVfIbdFqqDB2qaTToRPWI7PgMqzvfddn9WaFypme3OCmkPIn-7btw/s320/DSC_0738.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And my mom picked these pink roses from her rose bush and arranged them in this amazing arrangement! Major snaps to Patricia! I actually thought they were purchased. It wasn't until I got the "I really like that vase, and I want it back" from my mom that I realized she indeed made them herself!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HjbJ9GLI9c3sTVO1kn7a6RLnNc6JCg_Qu8iJz207pv_U-Nwm7Xzc6PN05J2jY1j2BFKbfa9aQ1YuMhTsT0hh82iTXmhdTr3t9RVLo_5FW95lbH1xZAvVAElfIxMAmmJFCsRqACM7i1o/s1600/DSC_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2HjbJ9GLI9c3sTVO1kn7a6RLnNc6JCg_Qu8iJz207pv_U-Nwm7Xzc6PN05J2jY1j2BFKbfa9aQ1YuMhTsT0hh82iTXmhdTr3t9RVLo_5FW95lbH1xZAvVAElfIxMAmmJFCsRqACM7i1o/s320/DSC_0734.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We had fun napkins!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppgZnRZKZE1VZ0VxTnaBlZMTW7PrVMK0_2-fTvCAYdQ28xUlhXvSy2dd584U1LrLKAZhxQon5KZyRNq25qJlk6CXo-RnXbqEZCU5ebBv738s3Ku7gZvuERNJHTMkvdpJzf8QEbYQVN-A/s1600/DSC_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppgZnRZKZE1VZ0VxTnaBlZMTW7PrVMK0_2-fTvCAYdQ28xUlhXvSy2dd584U1LrLKAZhxQon5KZyRNq25qJlk6CXo-RnXbqEZCU5ebBv738s3Ku7gZvuERNJHTMkvdpJzf8QEbYQVN-A/s320/DSC_0740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And presents!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLfXC0L8mv2Vy8PpTq_LCz64Uly8hGv6py8VRq_MG9KsbnUBgiMXjp9CELyKEliHhT86FJ98sTKaSuiScEvUANVpYdzjcOS1-uMACjJslWt-CwuQoX_JNztX6s9lkm7SGO0yV-S-DUKo/s1600/DSC_0741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLfXC0L8mv2Vy8PpTq_LCz64Uly8hGv6py8VRq_MG9KsbnUBgiMXjp9CELyKEliHhT86FJ98sTKaSuiScEvUANVpYdzjcOS1-uMACjJslWt-CwuQoX_JNztX6s9lkm7SGO0yV-S-DUKo/s320/DSC_0741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">New Yurman earrings! WOOO!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ux7JHgzxmntqPvZzFvwunZTBV-twxUY3LZT4DnrdygsLkoBgFnRzLLqf-p-B6-ZrOqgRIyUhjUibBU8tR2M59NAcITgejSIOmgja4Wybs1nWzYzTrIfUBX22hjTerJNRh45vuSlqHAY/s1600/DSC_0747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ux7JHgzxmntqPvZzFvwunZTBV-twxUY3LZT4DnrdygsLkoBgFnRzLLqf-p-B6-ZrOqgRIyUhjUibBU8tR2M59NAcITgejSIOmgja4Wybs1nWzYzTrIfUBX22hjTerJNRh45vuSlqHAY/s320/DSC_0747.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A matching bracelet!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnn07-3jxhlb8wJJr6KlR6zysI_4BIPnR3hkf8ZIxPp9_L3Wdes9poxNE6797JyuvbjJuBcrhM8B2ar_vYjRokQamHoHFpkmmA2tf11lSs_8Ue6GUOgpdVMdQB1T9zTYHgk8hYaLznKY/s1600/DSC_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnnn07-3jxhlb8wJJr6KlR6zysI_4BIPnR3hkf8ZIxPp9_L3Wdes9poxNE6797JyuvbjJuBcrhM8B2ar_vYjRokQamHoHFpkmmA2tf11lSs_8Ue6GUOgpdVMdQB1T9zTYHgk8hYaLznKY/s320/DSC_0748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me hugging my sweet MaMa, who looks amazingly well, especially since she only got out of the hospital from having pneumonia two weeks before!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWU32IGiR6kahL4J2_TuqpCnWuHUym6WaXIEmw6EXp2D6uCP86zidMR5qJltbYA_n8rHeuRrF4vGzqzY_wUFG-k73moP0it-5nfVuXtxtFyQJ4CI3CH3ODIuwAv5wRAQbhyphenhyphen6kPs5Ihmc/s1600/DSC_0749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigWU32IGiR6kahL4J2_TuqpCnWuHUym6WaXIEmw6EXp2D6uCP86zidMR5qJltbYA_n8rHeuRrF4vGzqzY_wUFG-k73moP0it-5nfVuXtxtFyQJ4CI3CH3ODIuwAv5wRAQbhyphenhyphen6kPs5Ihmc/s320/DSC_0749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Now, I love you Mama, but back to the cake...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bJScyp2Gt3PykSd9JOCmxPOkzJZeFRYEjPzilGlyjzFxYxFWxMbr5kNLUcndZoo2qAtW7TTBtxy9pMHTPXUX9-f41SrO-lVP7_zNZ8zDFt9KdAEFUTi-I7mcOtNkm_o95EDfDBxlnB0/s1600/DSC_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0bJScyp2Gt3PykSd9JOCmxPOkzJZeFRYEjPzilGlyjzFxYxFWxMbr5kNLUcndZoo2qAtW7TTBtxy9pMHTPXUX9-f41SrO-lVP7_zNZ8zDFt9KdAEFUTi-I7mcOtNkm_o95EDfDBxlnB0/s320/DSC_0724.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQyY-NoFSRsB5NoWvf7S_bv1R4Q2Uiq9lEil2pPcxnoqhDV5Eq0unP6OfKI0lu5TfESujLgoTGflig2pC2HJvTcu1Pb66zsFmW_bg3tEZIajhukqRnW7xsxdWayMrfIP_Lx4W1z_oQeQ/s1600/DSC_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgQyY-NoFSRsB5NoWvf7S_bv1R4Q2Uiq9lEil2pPcxnoqhDV5Eq0unP6OfKI0lu5TfESujLgoTGflig2pC2HJvTcu1Pb66zsFmW_bg3tEZIajhukqRnW7xsxdWayMrfIP_Lx4W1z_oQeQ/s320/DSC_0725.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzTOhbzfNa_6KiikC8s17R9q_v_2O7KOQ9HzJJW9eZI5O-czhERx92D9ftD__XNLz14Ply19MHO0qe14qIQWascCCTyaradMIWfmQLUuVIsynopg1olB81LSMjYtPIHY-l6BIAd4z9Mw/s1600/DSC_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOzTOhbzfNa_6KiikC8s17R9q_v_2O7KOQ9HzJJW9eZI5O-czhERx92D9ftD__XNLz14Ply19MHO0qe14qIQWascCCTyaradMIWfmQLUuVIsynopg1olB81LSMjYtPIHY-l6BIAd4z9Mw/s320/DSC_0726.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's an Easter basket!!! WITH PEEPS!!!!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcheO5iEkn3s1sCgN9JbSiti6rbziXzIT3lBse4hBoxW3dNHXGmPcC95Me7ji-GGdR02c2HnbJ9JLP1-ns_C0DA9gvK10_sCTEJXKxsk5n6tb_mThXebnti0PaiKI0rHDfjkBa2eD0TO4/s1600/DSC_0732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcheO5iEkn3s1sCgN9JbSiti6rbziXzIT3lBse4hBoxW3dNHXGmPcC95Me7ji-GGdR02c2HnbJ9JLP1-ns_C0DA9gvK10_sCTEJXKxsk5n6tb_mThXebnti0PaiKI0rHDfjkBa2eD0TO4/s320/DSC_0732.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOAyQ3wdTvYotkdn7W01UzxrgNxuEdibIU1uS-VuV0wC78wd3DKxlUuMNKcU7LbYXof1ZnZjqTULIKNZ-Q4Yt9akzsjPMHAcNmAnEEn-pH08MqNkx4C3kZoSRPbUZmL-rsCMMyN4dwTs/s1600/DSC_0750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOAyQ3wdTvYotkdn7W01UzxrgNxuEdibIU1uS-VuV0wC78wd3DKxlUuMNKcU7LbYXof1ZnZjqTULIKNZ-Q4Yt9akzsjPMHAcNmAnEEn-pH08MqNkx4C3kZoSRPbUZmL-rsCMMyN4dwTs/s320/DSC_0750.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I think it's safe to say I was obsessed with my cake.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-XHC3-tEaDouvWYyfpAnT-w2rPupIMFzx96VJBp35AkEJVFjqv7HV1jh5sC2gnPvYsdwgYdu_HMcFnE52Onkbp5NdRA7w0YcyW9fIA6Kfv-nrfGDFgup5kh0Zh6WqNkQYOtYKtv_iFA/s1600/DSC_0752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-XHC3-tEaDouvWYyfpAnT-w2rPupIMFzx96VJBp35AkEJVFjqv7HV1jh5sC2gnPvYsdwgYdu_HMcFnE52Onkbp5NdRA7w0YcyW9fIA6Kfv-nrfGDFgup5kh0Zh6WqNkQYOtYKtv_iFA/s320/DSC_0752.JPG" width="212" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbO2hqURY5LjsdEZEidXGztyrzuD_XNUG_A3QpEBCCXahVEjKp0bekxjHZTqACchqcc7wVJrmpxUfeTYy8ENJ2C1pvIzDl3N27TJqi1CUcUuDG18vmtoP6lGeRB3sgLnLVEYIR4ydEd4/s1600/DSC_0753.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbO2hqURY5LjsdEZEidXGztyrzuD_XNUG_A3QpEBCCXahVEjKp0bekxjHZTqACchqcc7wVJrmpxUfeTYy8ENJ2C1pvIzDl3N27TJqi1CUcUuDG18vmtoP6lGeRB3sgLnLVEYIR4ydEd4/s320/DSC_0753.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How cute is my new apron?? Love it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9VWLtDx-Il66mcEXSYlc_Cp47j90DjFce1vTtA2fmWlLLoRgDObesVUDdxhyFW0qk1MJlJHiyOVeugIOqUQeIcj7jaJFjOLCWWeuE4UPlkvRpx3MUgk9kdf2xaXxvT6aj5YKbIO2LcQ/s1600/DSC_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv9VWLtDx-Il66mcEXSYlc_Cp47j90DjFce1vTtA2fmWlLLoRgDObesVUDdxhyFW0qk1MJlJHiyOVeugIOqUQeIcj7jaJFjOLCWWeuE4UPlkvRpx3MUgk9kdf2xaXxvT6aj5YKbIO2LcQ/s320/DSC_0729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzgL6U6GpWKXETW5cix4sSUMrPtfiQ_u4qb1mRz7BlzGL5564wXZ0jiZ8evVvaf4VeZPGHwxaoTzX3agiUqUhIa_MeqNz9bczuqckcig29kY6j6ohEDqA9m99qjB4FCWiTjk31vveEW8/s1600/DSC_0755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzgL6U6GpWKXETW5cix4sSUMrPtfiQ_u4qb1mRz7BlzGL5564wXZ0jiZ8evVvaf4VeZPGHwxaoTzX3agiUqUhIa_MeqNz9bczuqckcig29kY6j6ohEDqA9m99qjB4FCWiTjk31vveEW8/s320/DSC_0755.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Hm3OPI5rXpb6hvK8VrCmmb8iC4IDafj4sE3wc4fL9b0jVmhjVtvZ-mW5ZL94HZbPtt_P00yj1a6ujPBb0p0BK89kniIE5jqQ-awkFviuD_OCHCUGmrUGVBwGNqw8bejJeHp3-xraL6A/s1600/DSC_0754.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Hm3OPI5rXpb6hvK8VrCmmb8iC4IDafj4sE3wc4fL9b0jVmhjVtvZ-mW5ZL94HZbPtt_P00yj1a6ujPBb0p0BK89kniIE5jqQ-awkFviuD_OCHCUGmrUGVBwGNqw8bejJeHp3-xraL6A/s320/DSC_0754.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Twas magical. And made of chocolate and frosting.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There was singing...</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">which I danced to, naturally. (If you haven't seen me dance, you are lucky)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj256Iy5SpsuBgynplwxWxuzXIMFfvy_QVn-_3oLleTMRgecJDTXIPC2cC8FYxIocZqIyut1Mq2hChdeCzVx8pYtCQ_FkCud_p7GA49vXDG9cF-Q5H3ayPXcsykZcQQwm_TG3Myb-pIw/s1600/DSC_0781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj256Iy5SpsuBgynplwxWxuzXIMFfvy_QVn-_3oLleTMRgecJDTXIPC2cC8FYxIocZqIyut1Mq2hChdeCzVx8pYtCQ_FkCud_p7GA49vXDG9cF-Q5H3ayPXcsykZcQQwm_TG3Myb-pIw/s320/DSC_0781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Blowing out the candles...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nR_ZRrf49Mm8DTlH15KYIgydqHaVjd2PhRLaSGMus5cXUmJ7Ko_bDmtmnPzGkJZPpQ7gC5mB9gsUVQci4cYlphGEjAdtEkC3iwOEbbSudOSglTApOBwO1FIBf47iJ7KHLduYvWNW3aQ/s1600/DSC_0782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nR_ZRrf49Mm8DTlH15KYIgydqHaVjd2PhRLaSGMus5cXUmJ7Ko_bDmtmnPzGkJZPpQ7gC5mB9gsUVQci4cYlphGEjAdtEkC3iwOEbbSudOSglTApOBwO1FIBf47iJ7KHLduYvWNW3aQ/s320/DSC_0782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And clapping for my candle blowing-out accomplishments like a 2-year old.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oWCCeekq3kXtq_A-J_BeHFILpn9s5TVgkXeZ4zWW17eagQ8cXyoC7l4tlSekVEpWDRDmlSdxDTHIzak7FRoMxmeQ8pOU12DnL5nhtb647fxJGfCmdP4R_yFJoIL5_9XFi7M4uKuRm8k/s1600/DSC_0783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oWCCeekq3kXtq_A-J_BeHFILpn9s5TVgkXeZ4zWW17eagQ8cXyoC7l4tlSekVEpWDRDmlSdxDTHIzak7FRoMxmeQ8pOU12DnL5nhtb647fxJGfCmdP4R_yFJoIL5_9XFi7M4uKuRm8k/s320/DSC_0783.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And some shots of my lovely family...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are me and Jan</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg-PLWGILkUane5nFFaZl7fCuaHPL-GPg502arZQmiLj8Xdi5owi0HSxms2jWQHXvcpebXK19_rDIguP_1Jqf5gEV7q39eonpkJL99oaWiQ0q4yXB2ol2No709_NfTY5AkcWBCalZGlY/s1600/DSC_0756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg-PLWGILkUane5nFFaZl7fCuaHPL-GPg502arZQmiLj8Xdi5owi0HSxms2jWQHXvcpebXK19_rDIguP_1Jqf5gEV7q39eonpkJL99oaWiQ0q4yXB2ol2No709_NfTY5AkcWBCalZGlY/s320/DSC_0756.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and my parents</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp8i0SLClkyF3QCbVqAdthoYHVCnQ09ZAP1RCQbwCKHjyYFHNPdZUFGiKH41S88NM_YF_NXM5izXUwchK8gJz86-em_TImARQ4Zsp4GpdjnJcvhnQ3hviPbEV6MG41OIVcf-6R3RBXms/s1600/DSC_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbp8i0SLClkyF3QCbVqAdthoYHVCnQ09ZAP1RCQbwCKHjyYFHNPdZUFGiKH41S88NM_YF_NXM5izXUwchK8gJz86-em_TImARQ4Zsp4GpdjnJcvhnQ3hviPbEV6MG41OIVcf-6R3RBXms/s320/DSC_0757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">MaMa, Mom, Matt, me & Dad</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wDModPRL5PrwA_vXcEqx7SgzJ1L2R4lDcHaZZ8ll1McH0KpQCIobxVuSgPO02ekEaLksvlt07KgovxSUB3RvaDwoYjww4LLQg8qgu7JdVHCnbVajJ6zHx8FL7WPVyG5OvUcy9BuahMA/s1600/DSC_0758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wDModPRL5PrwA_vXcEqx7SgzJ1L2R4lDcHaZZ8ll1McH0KpQCIobxVuSgPO02ekEaLksvlt07KgovxSUB3RvaDwoYjww4LLQg8qgu7JdVHCnbVajJ6zHx8FL7WPVyG5OvUcy9BuahMA/s320/DSC_0758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Matty</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy4HUaieKtc7vbX8uZaQ6JBfmzuM9xLIwqqMohkUSfbiQI3M7wi_QGYp1LqkrfWKfXnbpKrGJuvMsSzL9f-R5PYf4ecnP4FMlY3FT2Y9xAEFoVeW0FaigBJ2x-iPND_KVCh7J61QAM7I/s1600/DSC_0759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKy4HUaieKtc7vbX8uZaQ6JBfmzuM9xLIwqqMohkUSfbiQI3M7wi_QGYp1LqkrfWKfXnbpKrGJuvMsSzL9f-R5PYf4ecnP4FMlY3FT2Y9xAEFoVeW0FaigBJ2x-iPND_KVCh7J61QAM7I/s320/DSC_0759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Ryan</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3NyWzjnMZf7Y4s1Rs7wv8eHAqhkPU-KgbmaGcLrCWF9Ho2RbcSmIWht3cHGbm1nA8YV4eZZOQYl2JCzPAQFcqTNQIpIlC78QRL4m9EF2QP8oQWA0ZMHHG_F7odlN-Gr4asRpCSggtJE/s1600/DSC_0760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3NyWzjnMZf7Y4s1Rs7wv8eHAqhkPU-KgbmaGcLrCWF9Ho2RbcSmIWht3cHGbm1nA8YV4eZZOQYl2JCzPAQFcqTNQIpIlC78QRL4m9EF2QP8oQWA0ZMHHG_F7odlN-Gr4asRpCSggtJE/s320/DSC_0760.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And again...</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4E980AsXgsVMP1_ltHJylk8U5uNGry4N7iJokTaFqCMoD36_eEigCEhsAySNQnXUqNUiH1uL8kopU4hhziBIrt17rQ3aS4slADxo8fZaBY3ooHeklLCRXxFLHJMxhD0gFrdAyFB2Gbc/s1600/DSC_0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4E980AsXgsVMP1_ltHJylk8U5uNGry4N7iJokTaFqCMoD36_eEigCEhsAySNQnXUqNUiH1uL8kopU4hhziBIrt17rQ3aS4slADxo8fZaBY3ooHeklLCRXxFLHJMxhD0gFrdAyFB2Gbc/s320/DSC_0762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ryan, me and Matt</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sXy8WjUSc0VoVKX2kE-ynmjAI7lRxdLDqztjKvT_NMEikpLoqCduqjMQVZEToPj1uS4z2e1-TLOtX-Op3hChAZ_uZe69uQ48-cM0tRJHhmpbdx8gOK3i7x5MxHlFvqjRdmfZMNiH-Pw/s1600/DSC_0763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_sXy8WjUSc0VoVKX2kE-ynmjAI7lRxdLDqztjKvT_NMEikpLoqCduqjMQVZEToPj1uS4z2e1-TLOtX-Op3hChAZ_uZe69uQ48-cM0tRJHhmpbdx8gOK3i7x5MxHlFvqjRdmfZMNiH-Pw/s320/DSC_0763.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me, MaMa and Linda</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxk5EqLfLzubKzViccNTXV_72dZyalIC_OdNXw7FhqnlO4BAOO8yH7ziDCcz1KyfHToO6PyNmoFz0SyGhrsH3xI8S3_5CrTdJqGMtJYLwrtHj0djVIzCUi3HnqlW0tDk3L5lKCrjrn-8/s1600/DSC_0766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxk5EqLfLzubKzViccNTXV_72dZyalIC_OdNXw7FhqnlO4BAOO8yH7ziDCcz1KyfHToO6PyNmoFz0SyGhrsH3xI8S3_5CrTdJqGMtJYLwrtHj0djVIzCUi3HnqlW0tDk3L5lKCrjrn-8/s320/DSC_0766.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and Mum</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnTX_09eyqLAfb9bVAiHjOv2QnHoS0S_5GWOQZvNnyd_ReXzNx3zbCCrX0hXhnVeJuu5AkBwGiaPQ16Zs2ZPyG5HRM5ts8ZCJNWb4u0J60MDfxww7c7yEMXV8uuQG_C7sMcNgUK7dxSo/s1600/DSC_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWnTX_09eyqLAfb9bVAiHjOv2QnHoS0S_5GWOQZvNnyd_ReXzNx3zbCCrX0hXhnVeJuu5AkBwGiaPQ16Zs2ZPyG5HRM5ts8ZCJNWb4u0J60MDfxww7c7yEMXV8uuQG_C7sMcNgUK7dxSo/s320/DSC_0767.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gage, Ryan & Jim</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qmt8ZITW_O_0yNRtftwigK56Vw2rCAu3_yQbvE4dfy4L5KntMdvvAqWPsDasiQohmibrkvQ-7IbiP3CMYsa4-d2JqPx0DZcJpyLeydn4rYOGv9qFq3wMqWPN5At9Q8r0lEYJbv2KMmE/s1600/DSC_0768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Qmt8ZITW_O_0yNRtftwigK56Vw2rCAu3_yQbvE4dfy4L5KntMdvvAqWPsDasiQohmibrkvQ-7IbiP3CMYsa4-d2JqPx0DZcJpyLeydn4rYOGv9qFq3wMqWPN5At9Q8r0lEYJbv2KMmE/s320/DSC_0768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jan & Pam reading <a href="http://www.thegreatwaitforlilahkate.blogspot.com/">Sean & Laurel's blog</a> from their time in China where they adopted a baby girl!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4r9-eeamw6grbogpNrtZS_CPENbkaMPdxUDTjzCiqfVz3ilzpVd5FZsXec159FTLvOvCW1wxs0jFoqBkwfKtJWFdDR0l028ii66SU6SmrVkSUPX2fqmXxFHdPXd6iLWnF8hAPw6Xnlg/s1600/DSC_0769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4r9-eeamw6grbogpNrtZS_CPENbkaMPdxUDTjzCiqfVz3ilzpVd5FZsXec159FTLvOvCW1wxs0jFoqBkwfKtJWFdDR0l028ii66SU6SmrVkSUPX2fqmXxFHdPXd6iLWnF8hAPw6Xnlg/s320/DSC_0769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dad & Matt</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP_GUxaSsrmo9c9-60vqNyr3G5_B3UFuyhdTYyl3x9nUOV9KP60XiaAVxClVPaPnUzRgJ2NlzEoxCOTHWnZEFJO-xeSq9Xv9vCChxOEWsTJQnXQHSrztPBPVi4-L6Xzc9JbMnkBBMFUc/s1600/DSC_0770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP_GUxaSsrmo9c9-60vqNyr3G5_B3UFuyhdTYyl3x9nUOV9KP60XiaAVxClVPaPnUzRgJ2NlzEoxCOTHWnZEFJO-xeSq9Xv9vCChxOEWsTJQnXQHSrztPBPVi4-L6Xzc9JbMnkBBMFUc/s320/DSC_0770.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pam & Jan</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nNHYbsnbRiPqvatQjy9gofnsRuF4GaJOFqZ885N8QDwHHQpy_7HfNChwhwcoaBJl4v9iTlySK-ZWJ-zMQSmaWk9K6S0DZUkoTlUZZswnGRkSZSEJf_2fY2YW8WqnUnE8AyUKys259lY/s1600/DSC_0771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nNHYbsnbRiPqvatQjy9gofnsRuF4GaJOFqZ885N8QDwHHQpy_7HfNChwhwcoaBJl4v9iTlySK-ZWJ-zMQSmaWk9K6S0DZUkoTlUZZswnGRkSZSEJf_2fY2YW8WqnUnE8AyUKys259lY/s320/DSC_0771.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jan, Pam & Jim</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zKaHSPBN24HMMg6Qi4BQIfaznROJ9J5p-XSlEIp7iJ8HXQmLGZs2oTvVopD-cCp0Nr2sWtoHUxFC4LU1Gd8n9X9HRf019IZiInN4QzONjo0mkfq5kJ7ZuxlUuAzneaCT6ZPMadrXWYc/s1600/DSC_0772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7zKaHSPBN24HMMg6Qi4BQIfaznROJ9J5p-XSlEIp7iJ8HXQmLGZs2oTvVopD-cCp0Nr2sWtoHUxFC4LU1Gd8n9X9HRf019IZiInN4QzONjo0mkfq5kJ7ZuxlUuAzneaCT6ZPMadrXWYc/s320/DSC_0772.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Susie & Mum</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfNFDGjntO2I8kufaCUy4ch7b1-7-1cD2cd1qk7RQa-IY-8ZVJcUIjYEqZ6YyodLLAX1wIhL8ZG8J_gEJWTIxmcFqwe6yub1Xh1vigR83t5R8gO81ezCUd7GwLQZzh6tImJod6L_Mrfk/s1600/DSC_0773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEfNFDGjntO2I8kufaCUy4ch7b1-7-1cD2cd1qk7RQa-IY-8ZVJcUIjYEqZ6YyodLLAX1wIhL8ZG8J_gEJWTIxmcFqwe6yub1Xh1vigR83t5R8gO81ezCUd7GwLQZzh6tImJod6L_Mrfk/s320/DSC_0773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">ME!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DEJ3q8MGHKiggKe664x9tRl0puQM93M-03z5HwPn7SQiuZTd8UOxkQjM7i4Bjf3AVyPaS3IkI8gQZNOg_HGV-gmX8PQTymv7Pw8zy5PNPILRxtlBxKBMhX3h8rAUy-e4h0LbBiup6mc/s1600/DSC_0777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DEJ3q8MGHKiggKe664x9tRl0puQM93M-03z5HwPn7SQiuZTd8UOxkQjM7i4Bjf3AVyPaS3IkI8gQZNOg_HGV-gmX8PQTymv7Pw8zy5PNPILRxtlBxKBMhX3h8rAUy-e4h0LbBiup6mc/s320/DSC_0777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Me and my MaMa</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NfHZ4aWeFG8rTXzaVRTAa9iNOGEPf7yw9du_BduNKzNASzhtIOGcCsQk9JhsDvX3jkjfzXD2v_eY-uk_hoLLD24mmUeEkSGrrtTr2DujMMk5rBpOuYFQ2EAotaVaLh7iTuKhY1skIOI/s1600/DSC_0778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NfHZ4aWeFG8rTXzaVRTAa9iNOGEPf7yw9du_BduNKzNASzhtIOGcCsQk9JhsDvX3jkjfzXD2v_eY-uk_hoLLD24mmUeEkSGrrtTr2DujMMk5rBpOuYFQ2EAotaVaLh7iTuKhY1skIOI/s320/DSC_0778.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was a fun day. Yummy food, good company, and birthday cake! When everyone left, we were pooped so we took a nap. This is how Ryan found me and the puppy.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIO5N688v85fL1i0pEnrdpHfCZMkBORDKY1lsOqZMablSmC6SvSLqf_GSVxNzr1fe9OUCCXSrNBQMKMWcdqte-qxs258NkkVdTbwEAsW2faJF1R_3AegeZlcQfQXZnX7YM6TNH-T5ryWM/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIO5N688v85fL1i0pEnrdpHfCZMkBORDKY1lsOqZMablSmC6SvSLqf_GSVxNzr1fe9OUCCXSrNBQMKMWcdqte-qxs258NkkVdTbwEAsW2faJF1R_3AegeZlcQfQXZnX7YM6TNH-T5ryWM/s320/IMG_1202.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then Kiki decided he was done with having his picture taken.</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmvAE9I05A8foMTarStEI63WBY1CfUE8tFIRfIQb1cF9wJcJz4L5fxBalkANWnpydQwVnOHSa3JmGNlhZx3SP8xdngyLJ8zdCbFbukkplnwr5FOTC23PFvzbjTa9IlJFOa5vUwXSrYkM/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmvAE9I05A8foMTarStEI63WBY1CfUE8tFIRfIQb1cF9wJcJz4L5fxBalkANWnpydQwVnOHSa3JmGNlhZx3SP8xdngyLJ8zdCbFbukkplnwr5FOTC23PFvzbjTa9IlJFOa5vUwXSrYkM/s320/IMG_1200.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And I decided to eat my leftover whipped cream salad all by myself! Because I'm 30!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijotFC1F_iSjlB5cJmsu5wBaX3p9J0IhhmbhukAoY24SUCfdwQ3JMcXhFilQ7Eau5AMKqIiNw4_mBQIzS7DrMdn3_vqS0xtsUYQWlFWs3RFwZFd7nzDcIBAspmVKkIUCqMP6Wb0ooI5c4/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijotFC1F_iSjlB5cJmsu5wBaX3p9J0IhhmbhukAoY24SUCfdwQ3JMcXhFilQ7Eau5AMKqIiNw4_mBQIzS7DrMdn3_vqS0xtsUYQWlFWs3RFwZFd7nzDcIBAspmVKkIUCqMP6Wb0ooI5c4/s320/IMG_1197.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Jenn and Ryan Tuppshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18098687504788640945noreply@blogger.com2