tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-231101682024-03-14T04:32:09.440-05:00Dodson JournalA boy and a girl and their dog, Sallie. <br>They love going for walks and road trips.<br> Read on to hear about all their adventures.Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-77060748016062176962011-08-26T10:21:00.000-05:002011-08-26T10:21:41.961-05:00Wazee LakeLast Sunday, Jeff finished his Advanced Open Water dive training (through PADI). He had two dives to complete before his certification would be achieved. The dives were scheduled to be done at Wazee Lake in WI. It's a 2+ hour drive, so we drove out together.<br />
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We met the dive instructor and the others in the class at a gas station in Black River Falls before heading to the lake. The lake is a reclaimed mined and one of the deepest lakes in WI (depths up to 350', I believe).<br />
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This is a gorgeous lake!<br />
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While he did his first dive, I lounged around the car - playing on Facebook and napping.<br />
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During his second dive, I decided to check out the beach.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/vertical/Sites/%7B4C09F8F2-A8A2-4929-9E2A-A836851B00CC%7D/uploads/%7BE1EDDCE9-9ABD-47E8-9D07-41658F1AB913%7D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" qaa="true" src="http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/vertical/Sites/%7B4C09F8F2-A8A2-4929-9E2A-A836851B00CC%7D/uploads/%7BE1EDDCE9-9ABD-47E8-9D07-41658F1AB913%7D.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.co.jackson.wi.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B4F95A743-1460-4D2C-BD2E-763CEB1C4625%7D">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>This beach was absolutely gorgeous, with the. softest. sand. ever! The water was perfect, too.<br />
I did feel a little weird hanging at the beach by myself, though, but was worth it to cool off a bit.<br />
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After Jeff's 2nd dive, we went for a short dive together. It was only about a 20min dive because we were getting low on air. I'd definitely consider this my first real dive, and it was so fun! It was the longest, deepest, clearest dive of my life. :-)<br />
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Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from underwater.<br />
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There are a few more pictures in my Picasa <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/clarindadodson/Scuba?authuser=0&feat=directlink">Scuba!</a> album, if you're interested.Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-75879861500931480732011-07-20T08:33:00.000-05:002011-07-20T08:33:04.894-05:00Swimming with the SharksThis past Sunday, Jeff and I headed to SeaLife MN. <br />
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As a newly certified PADI Open Water Diver, Jeff was excited to get back underwater. I decided I needed a little more time to practice before diving in front of an audience at an aquarium, so I went as an observer this time.<br />
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I'll join him next time. :)<br />
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The package deal included a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium (I didn't go on this), a dive in the freshwater tank, and a dive in the saltwater tank.<br />
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Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the freshwater tank.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few from the saltwater...</div><br />
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Jeff had a blast! <br />
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Here is what he wrote in an email to a friend:<br />
<blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Diving at SeaLife was frick'n awesome. The sharks and the sea turtles were huge. A couple big sharks went right over my head, and a giant sea turtle came right up behind me and pushed me out of her way. It was sweet. Also, in the fresh water tank, several sturgeon nipped at me with their weird hose-like mouth (it doesn't hurt, just freakie). Clarinda got some great photos of me from the underwater tunnels, and I took some really cool videos inside the tanks.</div></blockquote>I haven't had a chance to go through the videos yet, but hopefully I'll get a chance to post them soon in a separate post.<br />
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In the meantime, feel free to watch the whole slideshow.<br />
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<div align="center"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&captions=1&hl=en_US&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Fclarindadodson%2Falbumid%2F5631261044789665169%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26hl%3Den_US" height="267" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400"></div></embed>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com1SEA LIFE Minnesota Aquarium, Mall of America, 120 E Broadway, Bloomington, MN 55425, USA44.854892 -93.23914279999996844.733202 -93.472602299999963 44.976582 -93.005683299999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-20517256511077389152011-06-19T10:54:00.000-05:002011-06-19T10:54:15.867-05:00RAVE - Hastings/PrescottYesterday, Jeff, my brother, Dan, and his girlfriend, Chelsea, and I went on a <a href="http://missriverfund.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BBB3F8505-86D6-4603-9FC1-D0E5FB435367%7D">RAVE</a> - River Action Volunteer Event. We grabbed our raingear and bug spray and headed out to Hastings to help with river restoration projects in Lake Rebecca Park.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSZI1iA-v-u5CAO6jLxa7-QO0-Kp1Lh2PK51dmOrCqHKv8cC5C_3WRoFVMzKZ2DzLQeowU-dEcWf3IABKA8V8Q0Nhx_mKJ8yl8HwGp39ezmYFBXcDCRSXKv2jtLc9bFYRV-bm/s1600/P6180132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSZI1iA-v-u5CAO6jLxa7-QO0-Kp1Lh2PK51dmOrCqHKv8cC5C_3WRoFVMzKZ2DzLQeowU-dEcWf3IABKA8V8Q0Nhx_mKJ8yl8HwGp39ezmYFBXcDCRSXKv2jtLc9bFYRV-bm/s320/P6180132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The four of us in the parking lot waiting to begin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We split into groups. Some groups went to pick up trash; our group got to help with <a href="http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/woody/buckthorn/index.html">buckthorn</a> removal. Buckthorn is an invasive species that has become very troublesome. It was first brought over from Europe to plant in yards as shrubbery but now plays a part in decreasing biodiversity. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjRjIop_FeJPD_IG0y3qJk3dO1abBxe0wWjVfpbaQd_ZBaDKjwjhf5y_m6KipJlNpYOeKUWaR1Mn8fjIF7qmb9XRqAHBA96vfr_2jyBY4_S8bza8SaT3XFQwXuLJqAwxS7j8S/s1600/Pulling-Buckthorn-1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjRjIop_FeJPD_IG0y3qJk3dO1abBxe0wWjVfpbaQd_ZBaDKjwjhf5y_m6KipJlNpYOeKUWaR1Mn8fjIF7qmb9XRqAHBA96vfr_2jyBY4_S8bza8SaT3XFQwXuLJqAwxS7j8S/s320/Pulling-Buckthorn-1.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and Chelsea pulling Buckthorn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X_WNsoLoChaD3W4y6MMQCxO0WOWL-t0OtyxX9lCTauVy7cmWf3n6y5Yza1EbRQqeJDHYHycEdJbGjPiGvmku1Evy83785Tu8U65eQrNvcw02FnrNpxU5JD99QLO7TBguQerb/s1600/Pulling-Buckthorn-2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1X_WNsoLoChaD3W4y6MMQCxO0WOWL-t0OtyxX9lCTauVy7cmWf3n6y5Yza1EbRQqeJDHYHycEdJbGjPiGvmku1Evy83785Tu8U65eQrNvcw02FnrNpxU5JD99QLO7TBguQerb/s320/Pulling-Buckthorn-2.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it was a two person job!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After we finished pulling buckthorns <span style="font-size: x-small;">(no, we didn't pull them all - just worked for about 1/2 hour on the project)</span>, we donned our PFDs from <a href="http://www.wildernessinquiry.org/">Wilderness Inquiry</a> and loaded up 6 24-foot canoes to head to an island to pull <a href="http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/alpe1.htm">garlic mustard</a> plants.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nFGh25FiwBgmRsG_0GraFe_sQlFzRs3r9L9ifqmJ2AxIDG8L7jmX4tUrtOQGp970D4p8IDRdsiHMXK67SRcNW-RvsgzUj1DHd-rsNPnOds5RN6XiGfLS1RV3Yw-3PZXQuLDA/s1600/PFDs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nFGh25FiwBgmRsG_0GraFe_sQlFzRs3r9L9ifqmJ2AxIDG8L7jmX4tUrtOQGp970D4p8IDRdsiHMXK67SRcNW-RvsgzUj1DHd-rsNPnOds5RN6XiGfLS1RV3Yw-3PZXQuLDA/s320/PFDs.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the PFDs had different species written on the back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While paddling we got to go under this cool bridge and see trains going by. We also saw 3 bald eagles and a huge eagle's nest. Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of the eagles. :(<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPNyd42_1ogxzw81y4ntsJIOTKfqKR0Hu-5_TOGtaWYq-x4LVM16vTXAGSdVREPRPFDtvd8u9JoZVs_usN40gWRKqxmYXWcSk_6wAv99U1ffNHs0n477HLYh2iwVQ2WV-mrLK/s1600/bridge-train-hastings.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPNyd42_1ogxzw81y4ntsJIOTKfqKR0Hu-5_TOGtaWYq-x4LVM16vTXAGSdVREPRPFDtvd8u9JoZVs_usN40gWRKqxmYXWcSk_6wAv99U1ffNHs0n477HLYh2iwVQ2WV-mrLK/s320/bridge-train-hastings.gif" width="247" /></a></div>The canoe trip was about 3-4 miles. The thunder started while we were working our way down the river. As soon as the last canoe <span style="font-size: x-small;">(ours)</span> was unloaded, the skies really opened up and the rain began to fall. Hard. Since it was accompanied with thunder and lightning, they decided to call the event early, and we loaded back into the canoes to head to Prescott, WI, to meet our shuttle to get back to Hastings. Luckily, Prescott was very close by, so we were soon back on shore. I was a little disappointed that we didn't get to pick any garlic-mustard, as some people were talking about taking some home to make into pesto. Yum!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan and Chelsea on the shuttle back to Hastings. She claims to have been miserable, but I don't buy it. <br />
Just look at that smile!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We were soaked through and through! Before hopping in the car to head back to St Paul, Jeff and Chelsea took off their pants for the 30 min drive. Have you ever tried to put back on soaked jeans? I'd imagine it would be difficult, so back at our apartment, these two just made a run for it in their skivvies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxcCFMqo2ASTqeHb0K5Tz0CfhqpnDjrq4yFXKuDiqQ-gGLEXfTW5YJ0fhpXvcHx_wHSsw4ek1abUXYcW6GxtYdCKFxj2p9IFInoW3DWilARUMYHzODiOAaq0tLfzRVE1RRN9W/s1600/P6180149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjxcCFMqo2ASTqeHb0K5Tz0CfhqpnDjrq4yFXKuDiqQ-gGLEXfTW5YJ0fhpXvcHx_wHSsw4ek1abUXYcW6GxtYdCKFxj2p9IFInoW3DWilARUMYHzODiOAaq0tLfzRVE1RRN9W/s320/P6180149.JPG" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok. Well, Jeff stopped to pose for a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After we got dried off and cleaned up, we all went to the <a href="http://www.stclairbroiler.com/">St Clair Broiler</a> for some dinner. It was delish!</div><br />
I don't know about the rest of them, but I know I'm looking forward to the next RAVE in July! :)Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0Hastings, MN 55033, USA44.746306699995117 -92.859793084350644.717034199995119 -92.9047500843506 44.775579199995114 -92.8148360843506tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-42465483869782915792011-06-01T10:08:00.000-05:002011-06-01T10:08:18.998-05:00Cocina del Barrio - Edina, MN<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsyO7oph0zav3lT0ZFrRE4xAN9Mg3faSY0W2eGdJ3ipHI-HzUuBtc-Z_PHSlRjE36LZR_BLVPPWgDB-IHPTwpAudTet6akhPWzQx-8gahSjjemYozFKw2PwlywnjR8tvMTWBR/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXsyO7oph0zav3lT0ZFrRE4xAN9Mg3faSY0W2eGdJ3ipHI-HzUuBtc-Z_PHSlRjE36LZR_BLVPPWgDB-IHPTwpAudTet6akhPWzQx-8gahSjjemYozFKw2PwlywnjR8tvMTWBR/s1600/images.jpg" t8="true" /></a>Last night Jeff and I went to <a href="http://www.barriotequila.com/Barrio_Cocina.html">Cocina del Barrio</a> in Edina for dinner after our dance lesson at <a href="http://twincitiesarthurmurray.com/">Arthur Murray's studio</a>.</div><br />
We were in a bit of a rush because we wanted to get back to the studio for a group dance lesson, so we told the host when he was seating us that we were short on time.<br />
<br />
Our server, Matt, greeted us at our table, having been informed by the host of our time crunch. He was fantastic. We asked him for suggestions on what would be quick, and he pointed out some areas on the menu of which to steer clear. Before he even left the table, we decided on the Chicken and Black Bean Tostada (per his recommendation) and the Grilled Flatbread.<br />
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The tostada came up very quickly - even before our drinks arrived!<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">At first we were skeptical. We weren't sure how it would taste or even how to go about eating it, but we dug in, and oh wow! It was fantastic!! It was a perfect combination of flavor and texture. Now, I really wish I had taken a picture with my phone. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The flatbread arrived just as we were finishing the tostada. I was pretty full by this time, <span style="font-size: x-small;">I must not have been that hungry to begin with.</span> so I didn't savor this dish as much. It was really good, too, but definitely not as delectable as the tostada. If I had to choose one over the other, I'd definitely choose the tostada. Hands down. I believe Jeff would second that as well.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Shortly after the flatbread arrived, our server dropped off our check. We really appreciated that, since we had said we were in a hurry.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Their menu appears to have a good selection of meat, chicken, and fish options. The service was prompt, friendly, and catered to our needs. Overall, we would definitely recommend this restaurant <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and the tostada)</span>!Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-82208720892206283202011-05-30T09:25:00.003-05:002011-05-30T10:31:49.828-05:00NeglectfulWow! We've been neglectful in sharing our adventures with you. Naturally, I should be studying for my final while I wait for the rain to stop and the skies to clear, but instead I find myself in blogger.<br />
<br />
Jeff and I have done so many fun things that have gone undocumented. I even found 3 posts in my drafts that were never published. They date back to *gulp* last July. I'll start with posting them, so be sure to rifle through the archives to find the following posts:<br />
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<a href="http://dodsonjournal.blogspot.com/2010/07/camping-with-friends.html">Camping with Friends</a> - June 2010<br />
<a href="http://dodsonjournal.blogspot.com/2010/12/blizzard-2010.html?spref=fb">Blizzard 2010</a> - December 2010<br />
<a href="http://dodsonjournal.blogspot.com/2011/03/restaurant-review-capital-grille.html">Restaurant Review of Capital Grille</a> - March 2011<br />
<br />
We've missed posting lots of other things, too. These are just the few that I've begun and never finished. I'll work on playing catch-up over the next few weeks.<br />
<br />
I know you've all been dying to know what's been going on with the Dodsons!Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-70982972936698509792011-03-02T10:30:00.002-06:002011-05-30T10:29:00.206-05:00Restaurant Review - Capital Grille<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/images/top-logo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.thecapitalgrille.com/images/top-logo.gif" t8="true" /></a>I met Jeff at the restaurant after work. I simply gave my name to the host, who immediately saw that Jeff had already been seated. She brought me right to our table, which was a perfect little booth nestled in a corner. After bringing me to the table, she offered to take my coat to the coat check and return with the ticket. What a great start to the evening! The server was wonderful as she made sure to ask if we were headed to the theater that evening or had any other time constraints.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We didn't. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were just out for an evening of good food and good company together.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It was Restaurant Week, so they had a fixed menu at a really great price. We could've still ordered from the full menu as well, but we both opted for the special.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The food was absolutely succulent. We each ordered the 8-oz sirloin, cooked medium, and it was the perfect combination of flavor and texture. This steak simply melted in our mouths. The mashed potatoes and creme brulee were equally pleasing. The drinks were a little on the expensive side, but the atmosphere and food made it worth it!</div><br />
If dining here on a normal, non-Restaurant Week evening, the dinner would have been much more expensive. I would recommend this restaurant but probably only for a special occasion, as it is a bit spendier than we'd normally like to spend on just a regular date night.</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-87529345967173034922010-12-13T06:19:00.035-06:002011-05-30T10:12:04.119-05:00Blizzard 2010This past weekend was one of the five worst snowfalls in Minnesota history. It was an all out blizzard! We were very thankful that since we no longer own a car, we didn't have to worry about shoveling! <br />
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Outside our garage, the snow was knee-deep!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPigBATLMvoE3TCajBsTeJmrtpfUhw9Dc3-WG0I_0m0ftNmWDbjY-2cxnz2mZM4nW3i_NOXjDTxcyQUnYjCnaovPavvmer0moJk4WfLogxwiN7G-QfchSap3hXX47fw5UvZ6Kh/s1600/PC110001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPigBATLMvoE3TCajBsTeJmrtpfUhw9Dc3-WG0I_0m0ftNmWDbjY-2cxnz2mZM4nW3i_NOXjDTxcyQUnYjCnaovPavvmer0moJk4WfLogxwiN7G-QfchSap3hXX47fw5UvZ6Kh/s320/PC110001.JPG" width="185" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzEL28lsWdN6OIxzaAD8cNbNwSwtg-JIAePNNRvKezbYIL4yQaAg8H2QBj_xl7GMnj1e1jSBUQPCmYyTRPZjKG6Gscgh4GHR5dr65RxIgc_xOTA25oOqxBFIo_Z4P6vO7ijjq/s1600/PC110007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzEL28lsWdN6OIxzaAD8cNbNwSwtg-JIAePNNRvKezbYIL4yQaAg8H2QBj_xl7GMnj1e1jSBUQPCmYyTRPZjKG6Gscgh4GHR5dr65RxIgc_xOTA25oOqxBFIo_Z4P6vO7ijjq/s320/PC110007.JPG" width="159" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3JAl12xoPV7Fvx4cVxKcPoQxmFNNGJ2rAfkTmF260wR6ntlOtDVVlquRq38Ss9P4UwhGMOVJ3yXQp1b80OsWJtam4pnahoo_tI-lP-bTmxUu-1AMhJfTGRfH5RdUbHD-BzMT/s1600/PC110008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz3JAl12xoPV7Fvx4cVxKcPoQxmFNNGJ2rAfkTmF260wR6ntlOtDVVlquRq38Ss9P4UwhGMOVJ3yXQp1b80OsWJtam4pnahoo_tI-lP-bTmxUu-1AMhJfTGRfH5RdUbHD-BzMT/s320/PC110008.JPG" width="167" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This car across the street from our building was completely snowed-in.</div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqb02jkOn03NzI5BiZJJr2cOU07XKW07w4Yikse-TZHPIHgvqF9joYf6kjA-MeyhRmc8F4b-5d37rZXR2dOxZIFrAW092Yh1A7O2gaTw-ysBUVOxlewJGZBlOCe7FZTndV61e/s1600/PC110011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="189" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqb02jkOn03NzI5BiZJJr2cOU07XKW07w4Yikse-TZHPIHgvqF9joYf6kjA-MeyhRmc8F4b-5d37rZXR2dOxZIFrAW092Yh1A7O2gaTw-ysBUVOxlewJGZBlOCe7FZTndV61e/s320/PC110011.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early afternoon</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZIAdJk8puNJh8A1QLGO_V6L3LBXxjTO5oeJTRceFhc-zwdGAmvBhtrcj-2QrONwsdR0pPHt_TEAew0eKDRDlKITPVE6Z8l8sx77paKUYdlXqCPOSnVlD0xUVi9YDm3HIXgGl/s1600/PC110014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="172" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZIAdJk8puNJh8A1QLGO_V6L3LBXxjTO5oeJTRceFhc-zwdGAmvBhtrcj-2QrONwsdR0pPHt_TEAew0eKDRDlKITPVE6Z8l8sx77paKUYdlXqCPOSnVlD0xUVi9YDm3HIXgGl/s320/PC110014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Same car, later in the evening</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Without the pressure of having to shovel, we decided to bundle up and take a walk. It was really beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmFTkcJWStIj04YODC88_zLjB_i85m-0_ykYVuPeJFRpCG3cUtPaH_cgjCFUQ_d1wkICwr6e7Cpp_SwgIgHZDd9qDZTK_w8St2G4dTYRyWyp2s9Jgs6HALe_xbRlivfDjpnph/s1600/PC120016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmFTkcJWStIj04YODC88_zLjB_i85m-0_ykYVuPeJFRpCG3cUtPaH_cgjCFUQ_d1wkICwr6e7Cpp_SwgIgHZDd9qDZTK_w8St2G4dTYRyWyp2s9Jgs6HALe_xbRlivfDjpnph/s320/PC120016.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect height for Sallie!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c2X-K6TB4eJcBOnWMSAuPL_MG30kScnAHSYuFSaZcphN1kLj5znQeYHTV5DpQU6w-emhLHtgN_EaBzezPjfgojtHDPZLGXVhTcKASvwsXdQJKrPZNTcEaZ0KBztbXvF44jpb/s1600/PC120017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2c2X-K6TB4eJcBOnWMSAuPL_MG30kScnAHSYuFSaZcphN1kLj5znQeYHTV5DpQU6w-emhLHtgN_EaBzezPjfgojtHDPZLGXVhTcKASvwsXdQJKrPZNTcEaZ0KBztbXvF44jpb/s320/PC120017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bike owner is going to be sorry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKSyqdBFRr7riAw6sZ1U5-etqAcfCg5lDpfG_UvxcGnRi7vgwhyphenhyphen81H7Vt02ZB02dlthcF2NseHuf9UDC10hzQFy-jnUoOndOj5b032Ycthm-MNMl8tXnYeLWQJgN_sMFpOau0/s1600/PC120019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIKSyqdBFRr7riAw6sZ1U5-etqAcfCg5lDpfG_UvxcGnRi7vgwhyphenhyphen81H7Vt02ZB02dlthcF2NseHuf9UDC10hzQFy-jnUoOndOj5b032Ycthm-MNMl8tXnYeLWQJgN_sMFpOau0/s320/PC120019.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street corner at Laurel & Cleveland</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcbHJ8VrkJhMhRM7BKh5RlZVZv68M7qMmbD_RjUpwoY5ZE2dBF6zM6RHVy_wHPpvplAGmO9hedbndXJBzuxquHSo0CmPXa32kHJlfZy9Y_DAcHv1bo9c9qclGP6QA_wdAIGVh/s1600/PC120020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAcbHJ8VrkJhMhRM7BKh5RlZVZv68M7qMmbD_RjUpwoY5ZE2dBF6zM6RHVy_wHPpvplAGmO9hedbndXJBzuxquHSo0CmPXa32kHJlfZy9Y_DAcHv1bo9c9qclGP6QA_wdAIGVh/s320/PC120020.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's a park bench under all that snow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID6Mlw9RLx9WomHwsAAHYniazaJI7yufjB-bJpDw_EdoHdZBpNchefXRqvztxEW4sEd7KKIE8W29nzJz5lEwovtDfJ-1Z9ooT8pZaEPgJj1X2x2cBrYyhYdMrDhgEJVgdV7B7/s1600/PC120024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID6Mlw9RLx9WomHwsAAHYniazaJI7yufjB-bJpDw_EdoHdZBpNchefXRqvztxEW4sEd7KKIE8W29nzJz5lEwovtDfJ-1Z9ooT8pZaEPgJj1X2x2cBrYyhYdMrDhgEJVgdV7B7/s320/PC120024.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Normally, this would be a sidewalk up to JRC.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After our walk, we noticed a neighbor stuck in our alley, so we grabbed our shovels to give her a hand. We ended up shoveling and pushing her to get her back out onto the street and into a nearby parking lot.<br />
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It was a pretty neat experience because there were a quiet peacefulness lingering in the air, and there were so many people outside walking around with shovels looking to help out anyone who needed it.<br />
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Apparently, there's nothing like a blizzard to bring a community together!Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-11252651700866192972010-12-11T13:02:00.000-06:002010-12-11T13:02:26.848-06:00She's SO Cute!Ok. I know this post is nearly identical to the previous <a href="http://dodsonjournal.blogspot.com/2010/11/our-little-snuggle-bug.html">post</a>. But I just can't help myself!<br />
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She's. just. so. gosh. darn. cute!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTJTZzGIbN9AYgt9HsPSqQiUAcsuHRR8JOfseLCPwiIIPNJ2Zj0EKO18QxpXem-Brv59b6Uuuo4INHcw_k_QJtUlA-OGMZ1g0r_RruEHpZbzqGQt8nOnjwxpt4g2XYHbhVK5m/s1600/IMG_4147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtTJTZzGIbN9AYgt9HsPSqQiUAcsuHRR8JOfseLCPwiIIPNJ2Zj0EKO18QxpXem-Brv59b6Uuuo4INHcw_k_QJtUlA-OGMZ1g0r_RruEHpZbzqGQt8nOnjwxpt4g2XYHbhVK5m/s320/IMG_4147.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTA6Y8WoSU6m57wiX0RpR6dc7G60P9V6KqUMAPcDCcrW6JzIawfeTZ57VjzBElTbItjoautU8cm8Nbn_3noLHqgyCLlCD2TU1c3jn_tGQV3W97BFdm5OpCCBqximQ3XJyHc6/s1600/IMG_4148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagTA6Y8WoSU6m57wiX0RpR6dc7G60P9V6KqUMAPcDCcrW6JzIawfeTZ57VjzBElTbItjoautU8cm8Nbn_3noLHqgyCLlCD2TU1c3jn_tGQV3W97BFdm5OpCCBqximQ3XJyHc6/s320/IMG_4148.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-86253314433922749462010-11-28T17:20:00.000-06:002010-11-28T17:20:39.475-06:00Our Little Snuggle Bug!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OU_SGSNLWKQlCtAOAjkRBXvaATktRuw6Oe3-1mfbvZ0JwSp5WY-v6QvoQRyszApV4qffTTr1f3mvPNaiHnkvKh3c-kukFoVwtiZfV8fBCK3OFEWP5oMXmptmiqdwbsxaGHKS/s1600/IMG_4085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OU_SGSNLWKQlCtAOAjkRBXvaATktRuw6Oe3-1mfbvZ0JwSp5WY-v6QvoQRyszApV4qffTTr1f3mvPNaiHnkvKh3c-kukFoVwtiZfV8fBCK3OFEWP5oMXmptmiqdwbsxaGHKS/s320/IMG_4085.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All curled up for a little nap <span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: small;">I-)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-14439071995031941782010-11-26T13:17:00.055-06:002010-12-11T16:23:39.546-06:00Happy Thanksgiving!We had a lovely Thanksgiving this year! We spent the morning lounging around the house. Jeff got to sleep in <span style="font-size: x-small;">(My sleeping in was thwarted by Sallie. :()</span>; I spent some time editing some photos. <br />
<br />
My brother stopped by in his way to our parent's home to pick us up. <br />
What a nice guy! :)<br />
<br />
We spent the early afternoon putting the finishing touches on dinner. I made a scrumptious, <a href="http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/roasted-fall-vegetable-salad-120724.aspx"><span style="color: #4d469c;">Roasted Fall Vegetable Salad</span></a> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(a new recipe. got lots of compliments on it. yay!)</span> and a fruit salad ambrosia. We also had all the regular Thanksgiving fare - turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, dinner rolls, etc. My sister, of course, made her really yummy orange rolls, and PIE! There were 15 of us, and we had 9 pies total (2 sweet potato, pumpkin, lemon meringue, pecan, french silk, banana cream, apple, and blueberry). Yeah, we LOVE our Thanksgiving pies. :))<br />
<br />
After dinner, a few of us took our Thanksgiving walk - a tradition we started a couple years ago. Here's a few pictures.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WP_bJuGei6J7aS04vMUMijmOn0pZsCCx52OfMR6iuG19NSkQpThe-r38PWulXixRnzyqf9cZUrUjfGqTKhY-wY-Yfteq8lvPwP8XAY5MsjsPBlR4yV9ezGZhyI8GbZ3GGwrn/s1600/IMG_4063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WP_bJuGei6J7aS04vMUMijmOn0pZsCCx52OfMR6iuG19NSkQpThe-r38PWulXixRnzyqf9cZUrUjfGqTKhY-wY-Yfteq8lvPwP8XAY5MsjsPBlR4yV9ezGZhyI8GbZ3GGwrn/s320/IMG_4063.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Silly Selena</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3qUQlGSJbJFzhwC4LquiXL-Azvz4JIGjBuDOx90UwebNUvCqhZhMq5i5OiQb2b7XMT8JSo744xU6LKwaOcQWRWHnmiaXu80u7nkQ9V0BUn-y8MOWR3UhwwEyDetwz_CVNChi/s1600/IMG_4065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi3qUQlGSJbJFzhwC4LquiXL-Azvz4JIGjBuDOx90UwebNUvCqhZhMq5i5OiQb2b7XMT8JSo744xU6LKwaOcQWRWHnmiaXu80u7nkQ9V0BUn-y8MOWR3UhwwEyDetwz_CVNChi/s320/IMG_4065.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little girls walking the dogs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic39m4WRT8mybzYJcIrla2MK3C8A3yJifuoYzp0XPUIUbj8UMbwDuufH7mZfYfyLX8pUz1h92Tgj_wZPwQs6x2_zz28-O-fJxe0w6kY9qWxTDXX8SYIAF5lggPtD2E_E-6-_TQ/s1600/IMG_4066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic39m4WRT8mybzYJcIrla2MK3C8A3yJifuoYzp0XPUIUbj8UMbwDuufH7mZfYfyLX8pUz1h92Tgj_wZPwQs6x2_zz28-O-fJxe0w6kY9qWxTDXX8SYIAF5lggPtD2E_E-6-_TQ/s320/IMG_4066.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's so funny, you two?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPSbN4j5UCQOqShq5vcD8j6mytkA8jMu9CSg84kd1iBFJvJ-yoZ8jK3h7y5xp6Ap3_CfpuECrjhNOBJrBrNC3MnFNacC0GuF9qds9PAO9GNdtP66kB7qCmdLYWEVbTMgZQBzT/s1600/IMG_4069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPSbN4j5UCQOqShq5vcD8j6mytkA8jMu9CSg84kd1iBFJvJ-yoZ8jK3h7y5xp6Ap3_CfpuECrjhNOBJrBrNC3MnFNacC0GuF9qds9PAO9GNdtP66kB7qCmdLYWEVbTMgZQBzT/s320/IMG_4069.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a might big snowball!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYQDYFwAZxybECDlkTsMddo14IU3OAu8uFgY3rx2q4e0hsdukkDYzE9wJA_4Rsrg0YjAk-OSbu_qDjSSMQAa2vMSCM72Vd1hRGfm63q9F9uIAeyOxefTKm06EwGK20_8W9-X3/s1600/IMG_4072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYQDYFwAZxybECDlkTsMddo14IU3OAu8uFgY3rx2q4e0hsdukkDYzE9wJA_4Rsrg0YjAk-OSbu_qDjSSMQAa2vMSCM72Vd1hRGfm63q9F9uIAeyOxefTKm06EwGK20_8W9-X3/s320/IMG_4072.jpg" width="219" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Such good little dog walkers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP5Cmi5D_nH01E1ih0jlVZEjBpksm7k2Twj6HUmDvfiXkU-azM7RigxAPybadqSZcnWrlFoQ36SxT17caCuRGfAPpu0uda6FRz8cs7i2HHQ8CBdGgZsgHhyphenhyphenBDisCpdZrsjt6X/s1600/IMG_4073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipP5Cmi5D_nH01E1ih0jlVZEjBpksm7k2Twj6HUmDvfiXkU-azM7RigxAPybadqSZcnWrlFoQ36SxT17caCuRGfAPpu0uda6FRz8cs7i2HHQ8CBdGgZsgHhyphenhyphenBDisCpdZrsjt6X/s320/IMG_4073.jpg" width="184" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR-RofLHm-EVU09c27v34kAcAxdx__LptY3ICPMb0aReper7Vvu5jmVtKMluffd-4zXV_2RluJ2jVbH9Xvp2PpH8MRZAWkjii62kmdB9-qzCyYgzUvaZad-X_aqIbfFkJ05Ik/s1600/IMG_4075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyR-RofLHm-EVU09c27v34kAcAxdx__LptY3ICPMb0aReper7Vvu5jmVtKMluffd-4zXV_2RluJ2jVbH9Xvp2PpH8MRZAWkjii62kmdB9-qzCyYgzUvaZad-X_aqIbfFkJ05Ik/s320/IMG_4075.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdbbcw2wWluRg_Vtea1SfhJ8goBcoe466wpw0xSumjCiaE0wSDEyXuKTYUT2XiSlZH3R5MAtkqdwZCxLxlLq9LAtQ4KerHKgp0QVMRcMEq5W5i_QamJdWIqSYNV5QxGsN-WOm/s1600/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtdbbcw2wWluRg_Vtea1SfhJ8goBcoe466wpw0xSumjCiaE0wSDEyXuKTYUT2XiSlZH3R5MAtkqdwZCxLxlLq9LAtQ4KerHKgp0QVMRcMEq5W5i_QamJdWIqSYNV5QxGsN-WOm/s320/IMG_4068.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so bloody cold outside that our walk really only lasted about 15 minutes or so. We just walked to the park <span style="font-size: x-small;">(a very short distance)</span> and back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Back in the warm house, there was some lounging around.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-lhAAroCzsz6Gizxul6QmyOgUOiAegu8Vo8eKcJBUiZKLx3196qdwprwPtPfljNHTogxE0-Sp0Hvm8M0R6gt2U2Pq_nLYz0rfrUKbr6RsqUVXiWCEJ1l90YPkyjkkpwU6olG/s1600/IMG_4076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="165" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG-lhAAroCzsz6Gizxul6QmyOgUOiAegu8Vo8eKcJBUiZKLx3196qdwprwPtPfljNHTogxE0-Sp0Hvm8M0R6gt2U2Pq_nLYz0rfrUKbr6RsqUVXiWCEJ1l90YPkyjkkpwU6olG/s320/IMG_4076.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatiana playing with Abby</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS53eyk6yLOOCBapIMa_BuzO_6J_N5MPh8gT2ZDH-_KjEN0c2QLdXL8INgE7fwe68Osl0QWgdKbMOJVzrFFD86hN2z0SeNbQXQcyl9EIEByA5UzJXU98Z1AGkGLW1MbU-spgAb/s1600/IMG_4079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="174" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS53eyk6yLOOCBapIMa_BuzO_6J_N5MPh8gT2ZDH-_KjEN0c2QLdXL8INgE7fwe68Osl0QWgdKbMOJVzrFFD86hN2z0SeNbQXQcyl9EIEByA5UzJXU98Z1AGkGLW1MbU-spgAb/s320/IMG_4079.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sallie lounging on the back of the sofa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Most of the entire family gathered to play a game. It's usual to have so many of us join in. We were playing BuzzWord.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVbVC-dueywfP4xvre6vjD2e2fX2R6yWFfnzZzRsYcTGXZTjmE7kBKlkwzj8RZFDhW8LVWEkaZ4Je7W77VzljkqQ0Zph3Oqj7GQSpx0Vy4kIQgYxyb5QoZuhw3NzUgUzlAmBi/s1600/51PUl586N9L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVbVC-dueywfP4xvre6vjD2e2fX2R6yWFfnzZzRsYcTGXZTjmE7kBKlkwzj8RZFDhW8LVWEkaZ4Je7W77VzljkqQ0Zph3Oqj7GQSpx0Vy4kIQgYxyb5QoZuhw3NzUgUzlAmBi/s200/51PUl586N9L.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">And having a blast. Enjoying the game and the general frivolity. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, too!</span></div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-65825023162828131302010-11-13T11:56:00.009-06:002010-11-19T08:06:19.656-06:001st Snow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We awoke this morning to a most beautiful blanket of freshly fallen white snow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I absolutely LOVE the first snowfall of the season. I find it to be so peaceful and calm. It's like being enveloped in a warm snuggly blanket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's a couple pictures of the snow from our apartment window.</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/AVvXsEgp-O7hNAMOAjdJ6_xlEi5u6RdNRgQGWe-z9v2nHXISEgqyis2Llc-YcrUbFB7AqLiAy64vGHvC37LV5AM6nNUOg4DuSkmy_9ID_cv2jfTKwlGArRl3KF0CE7FWnDkn5XZObJZd/s1600/snow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-O7hNAMOAjdJ6_xlEi5u6RdNRgQGWe-z9v2nHXISEgqyis2Llc-YcrUbFB7AqLiAy64vGHvC37LV5AM6nNUOg4DuSkmy_9ID_cv2jfTKwlGArRl3KF0CE7FWnDkn5XZObJZd/s320/snow1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPJyEHC3qEYHDSbRa2AcQwFERbWxXfyRjXWPtseNlyI3RBMkGyIckH-0Xztyp6VKt8Lk5qHSB3FVlBr_cfRRvNMR0bab7fPpTEMIXyiPQacakHqoZRDlKPZV6sZ-aei5Jr4aA/s1600/snow2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPJyEHC3qEYHDSbRa2AcQwFERbWxXfyRjXWPtseNlyI3RBMkGyIckH-0Xztyp6VKt8Lk5qHSB3FVlBr_cfRRvNMR0bab7fPpTEMIXyiPQacakHqoZRDlKPZV6sZ-aei5Jr4aA/s320/snow2.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, if the snow didn't have to come with the price of COLD, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we'd be so much happier. :)</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-19560695096888483662010-11-08T06:09:00.000-06:002010-11-08T06:09:48.141-06:00Playmate?The other day, Jeff gave Sallie this toy to play with. It wasn't a new toy, but one we hadn't given her in quite sometime.<br />
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She played so well with the toy! It was like it was her best friend.<br />
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Sometimes, she would take a little break and snuggle with it. So cute!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTqrPkAfnn5dpetM1w11X6vshY7SLij6AHEn4d3a5FhtXzpSdapVA9WQ22M95COwMQCClwXB4wHu68FWU1LwOtr9NtXZbaHsxzfRrvgQvklg9_kicC99DM6vBGUshe9GY5-6R/s1600/IMG_3911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTqrPkAfnn5dpetM1w11X6vshY7SLij6AHEn4d3a5FhtXzpSdapVA9WQ22M95COwMQCClwXB4wHu68FWU1LwOtr9NtXZbaHsxzfRrvgQvklg9_kicC99DM6vBGUshe9GY5-6R/s320/IMG_3911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhdDMI_ee_8J08xh3R_evbpPqIhdjdR5QiUkyKqwwE2nw7Hl-BfbgrqzuNL-hHn2Qq951QLhmdOj82Sh87OPLDkhVO580kvb7NAe1yRqQHrMRrXF6nUmGJUC4YSrkaIOtFDN5/s1600/IMG_3912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhdDMI_ee_8J08xh3R_evbpPqIhdjdR5QiUkyKqwwE2nw7Hl-BfbgrqzuNL-hHn2Qq951QLhmdOj82Sh87OPLDkhVO580kvb7NAe1yRqQHrMRrXF6nUmGJUC4YSrkaIOtFDN5/s320/IMG_3912.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We're considering getting her a real life playmate. Someone she can play with all day - without chewing its ear off.Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-37225472159542050102010-10-29T06:04:00.002-05:002010-10-30T11:05:17.624-05:00Ramos-Ferber Wedding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Last weekend, Jeff and I went out to Oregon for the wedding of an old friend of Jeff's. It was so much fun...and oh, so beautiful! The wedding was held at a secluded ranch on the Umpqua River in southern Oregon.</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao-10lTLEjPHQV_DxrZ6rF2dcQCF4YSbBpb9Q4BOgKZvjSE3evq74_-rLp8W8MGizJU5mM89kpH_pn9p-zSBXtmSI6sdNtanuCRH9Y0afRf78qRLaTbyg0_TVlqD4s0I7b2yu/s1600/big-k+lodge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhao-10lTLEjPHQV_DxrZ6rF2dcQCF4YSbBpb9Q4BOgKZvjSE3evq74_-rLp8W8MGizJU5mM89kpH_pn9p-zSBXtmSI6sdNtanuCRH9Y0afRf78qRLaTbyg0_TVlqD4s0I7b2yu/s320/big-k+lodge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big K Ranch Lodge</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">In addition to the Lodge and Guest Cabins, it was a working ranch with cattle and everything.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqJ1VUBEmmc0ziSkXTEsif8COMjzoyY8W6glc7Uk86I8ry6tQZil7bVbBbxN7Hem_TNH22DBtHk6t7sUGfDE1YNHjk2aXNbfOH1B88tOEHy7-U5sGwyC3Wf3YC58b7x-LUsgk/s1600/cattle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYqJ1VUBEmmc0ziSkXTEsif8COMjzoyY8W6glc7Uk86I8ry6tQZil7bVbBbxN7Hem_TNH22DBtHk6t7sUGfDE1YNHjk2aXNbfOH1B88tOEHy7-U5sGwyC3Wf3YC58b7x-LUsgk/s320/cattle.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazing Cattle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">In addition to the cattle, they had a bird preserve. Hunters can come and hunt for pheasants and other game birds. We walked around the grounds a bit Friday evening and saw a few pheasants.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD_SmqoO0yyNA6euQTkQXfrJCwalxIe9WptqOSI0SqtQQikGRbUauu47d6RYWCsYyRfl7uo-AybyLuTD0oZSnYNfwMR-0M_G7Y1TOk08gt5O6mZ9In8acu-lUsF_WDLO3LZUY/s1600/PA220021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD_SmqoO0yyNA6euQTkQXfrJCwalxIe9WptqOSI0SqtQQikGRbUauu47d6RYWCsYyRfl7uo-AybyLuTD0oZSnYNfwMR-0M_G7Y1TOk08gt5O6mZ9In8acu-lUsF_WDLO3LZUY/s320/PA220021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is a glimpse of a pheasant in the center of this photo. <br />
<em>Sorry for the poor quality; our camera was not cooperating very well most of the weekend.</em></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzHPQ8C0rtoKMn7F_YArS54paTbhZ41BQeY_J3V0RqX8LWovK0NAILvTb6QSqrr2orcWTI13uA9tcRobn0D6Tjom3U7U0gvHs_Utgf7Pv68g0L1jan-WJjUCbozf3CovFn3_Q/s1600/PA220025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzHPQ8C0rtoKMn7F_YArS54paTbhZ41BQeY_J3V0RqX8LWovK0NAILvTb6QSqrr2orcWTI13uA9tcRobn0D6Tjom3U7U0gvHs_Utgf7Pv68g0L1jan-WJjUCbozf3CovFn3_Q/s320/PA220025.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff must have just missed the pheasant in this photo, but it's such a nice crisp photo that I had to include it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"> The lodge was located in a beautiful valley. Any direction you looked there were mountains directly in your view.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKmFSIWmS7fdJwg5wGxKcpYaYysTQJkeNn-PXzzgmSEzRIkpumR9a8G42RFXK7DkVPFNpVGhLTAGLNu-uEkErSA8zXX_zNbsNv9Q334RvkPInPyI-aCxgT5EMHkhz2nlZTfaR/s1600/mountains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKmFSIWmS7fdJwg5wGxKcpYaYysTQJkeNn-PXzzgmSEzRIkpumR9a8G42RFXK7DkVPFNpVGhLTAGLNu-uEkErSA8zXX_zNbsNv9Q334RvkPInPyI-aCxgT5EMHkhz2nlZTfaR/s320/mountains.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous mountains surrounding the lodge!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Miles of the Umpqua River made the border of the ranch from the neighboring ranch. There was a very cool alluvial fan of rocks where the trail from the lodge met up with the river.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJh4wVggWG7SGSgunmMRkhRTM4vmZvTKpe2vXaZP2_ChUSn2KD2MYUZ9nSePpwiGjKsSKp1yWjqU9Sv5fg4fIjHpf5nAy7E5ND4AZYmFGU6EUX4hRUVCKHab8I3PDfZ0nqNZ9/s1600/umpqua+river.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJh4wVggWG7SGSgunmMRkhRTM4vmZvTKpe2vXaZP2_ChUSn2KD2MYUZ9nSePpwiGjKsSKp1yWjqU9Sv5fg4fIjHpf5nAy7E5ND4AZYmFGU6EUX4hRUVCKHab8I3PDfZ0nqNZ9/s320/umpqua+river.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me standing on the alluvial fan, looking out at the river</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">Saturday was the wedding. The bride was stunning!</div><div style="text-align: center;">The ceremony was lovely! The view was breathtaking! </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gKgniVGPcmpP_IcbhvCjyjSXi0BRfx-bI8Cs1GXlX-gKx4PWLAEtOx8MIbJCyhyPYp8okz7lu4mpT3zFdFbeRWVPrbGYQe1O_lOI0m8sMQlDpHVEUAwx0yImVS7Nh3AmmvwQ/s1600/PA230124.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gKgniVGPcmpP_IcbhvCjyjSXi0BRfx-bI8Cs1GXlX-gKx4PWLAEtOx8MIbJCyhyPYp8okz7lu4mpT3zFdFbeRWVPrbGYQe1O_lOI0m8sMQlDpHVEUAwx0yImVS7Nh3AmmvwQ/s320/PA230124.JPG" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Introducing Mr. & Mrs. Ferber</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">The best man was the bride's 11 year-old son. Awww!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDG5xZqFVyZ4T1QFK5X-17hH0_G1fgJxsJ9cAfc-W38HNACm2VC-btylGfDgMed59iUeF_AcNSSusAo3_EzY-V6G7Hy9ruQwv497isyULE5jPsgGlSRmgoCkSpKxN84ubhwAZ/s1600/PA230141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDG5xZqFVyZ4T1QFK5X-17hH0_G1fgJxsJ9cAfc-W38HNACm2VC-btylGfDgMed59iUeF_AcNSSusAo3_EzY-V6G7Hy9ruQwv497isyULE5jPsgGlSRmgoCkSpKxN84ubhwAZ/s320/PA230141.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best man's toast</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;">Apparently they practiced a lot for their first dance and wouldn't let anyone know what they were dancing to or see them dance before the reception. It was fun to hear all the anticipation that created; the mother of the bride was particularly excited to see what they'd been practicing.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PDr9SeVLZQoU5EeszFDJ3CCkfyy7wAlVx5PnKwAeHM2rbedLPtT-Y0oufdisYztL4SZO4XVE8NFaJBb261ZwhyJEuVqocW2k0pWFGZIkX3cFTEYoLGTzfhj0_R8A-JKL4FOE/s1600/PA230156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0PDr9SeVLZQoU5EeszFDJ3CCkfyy7wAlVx5PnKwAeHM2rbedLPtT-Y0oufdisYztL4SZO4XVE8NFaJBb261ZwhyJEuVqocW2k0pWFGZIkX3cFTEYoLGTzfhj0_R8A-JKL4FOE/s320/PA230156.JPG" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Dance</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">During the reception, Jeff and I popped outside for a bit.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We found this jacked up van to be pretty hilarious and thought of it as a marker of being at a wedding in the Pacific NW.</div><div style="text-align: center;">There were many other vehicles jacked up as well - mostly big, huge trucks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLiyWCdegcdl9ylbrfR6PMdiVYYW497HrRBlUtcz3qAn-Jb_uCMgXIQfv4soZ5W228Hxk6SKMzTbyjWqYcE9hO-Jyn9_jxf-yv7srHkMliMWDZpGPXpT0uOkKVI7bzqfPSPw6/s1600/PA230132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLiyWCdegcdl9ylbrfR6PMdiVYYW497HrRBlUtcz3qAn-Jb_uCMgXIQfv4soZ5W228Hxk6SKMzTbyjWqYcE9hO-Jyn9_jxf-yv7srHkMliMWDZpGPXpT0uOkKVI7bzqfPSPw6/s320/PA230132.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Of course to even it out, there was one Porsche Spyder in the lot as well.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3fM7M4evncJPsb2NyjT7ps6yw8UJ8_Ghsjfs-jYNf-qIZo8PfOrU-bJQow0K6PXgM2fg26zTASb5OejKoXlqB1t_rnpSYSrFLTJ7GH-VbDS5NQ7KYnBuPYd0525i8MD5WpDB/s1600/PA230137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr3fM7M4evncJPsb2NyjT7ps6yw8UJ8_Ghsjfs-jYNf-qIZo8PfOrU-bJQow0K6PXgM2fg26zTASb5OejKoXlqB1t_rnpSYSrFLTJ7GH-VbDS5NQ7KYnBuPYd0525i8MD5WpDB/s320/PA230137.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 a little concerned about the weather when we were leaving MN. The forecast was for rain the entire weekend. Luckily, the rain didn't really start until everyone was comfortably in the lodge enjoying the wedding and reception.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The evening and nighttime showers gave us a beautiful treat the next morning. I love it when it rains in Oregon. Everything is so green!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdY7Cnq4L29RCg10P1dezO75k20mJxnybfPq-D6mRisgj-_mJw4J1Fb79QMiw3964-q5wws39gephEWuVGoytmxfjDN9xGUuH1VIrlTN8LzgDNZYdniGzNHgjRkQJ4u29Is3q/s1600/big-k+lodge+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZdY7Cnq4L29RCg10P1dezO75k20mJxnybfPq-D6mRisgj-_mJw4J1Fb79QMiw3964-q5wws39gephEWuVGoytmxfjDN9xGUuH1VIrlTN8LzgDNZYdniGzNHgjRkQJ4u29Is3q/s320/big-k+lodge+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The fog coming over the mountains was spectacular!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB40q_dk3v9XoXa8YWk6XaZ3t4hieAKRWYnnp1o5amrC23P0_O05gCWgvy95QBJIXq2-uow2HSD1Os_K9G-pRvCRcNrfCNG7m7UqC1eDGAPXEClB9qu-8JLBSBmLw-lt0uaGCd/s1600/fog+mountains.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB40q_dk3v9XoXa8YWk6XaZ3t4hieAKRWYnnp1o5amrC23P0_O05gCWgvy95QBJIXq2-uow2HSD1Os_K9G-pRvCRcNrfCNG7m7UqC1eDGAPXEClB9qu-8JLBSBmLw-lt0uaGCd/s320/fog+mountains.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 such a wonderful, beautiful, relaxing weekend! We're so grateful we had the opportunity to attend this wedding.</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-74508874213839705152010-10-25T11:51:00.001-05:002010-10-25T11:53:36.529-05:00Fun Airline StoriesJeff and I recently flew to Eugene, OR, and I thought I'd share a couple funny stories from the flights. <br/> <br/> J: Do you hear that buzzing sound? <br/> C: No, I don't hear anything. <br/> J: It sounds like someone's alarm is going off. It sounds just like the alarm on my phone, but it can't possibly be mine because I turned off my phone before getting on the plane. (reaches down to his phone just to double check) <br/> C: Oh yeah. Now I hear it. It IS your alarm. <br/> J: What the...? I know I shut off my phone. (takes phone out to shut off alarm) <br/> <br/> <i>Oddly, his phone continually would turn itself back on throughout the trip. </i> <br/> <br/> Here's another one. <br/> <br/> C: quizzical look on her face <br/> J: <i>(cuz we're always on the same wavelength)</i> The fly? Yeah, I saw it come on when we were boarding. <br/> C: Well, let's hope so!<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.3</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-89710500956222571902010-09-17T21:52:00.000-05:002010-10-25T11:57:36.686-05:00WICKED!A few months ago, a friend of mine, <a href="http://teampuga.blogspot.com/">Lisa</a>, sent out an email asking if anyone was interested in going to see <a href="http://wickedthemusical.com/">Wicked</a>--suggesting we make it a girls' night out.<br />
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I was super excited!<br />
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Jeff was super excited, too. Yeah, he totally wanted to crash the girls' night! I also invited my sister, gave a ticket to my niece for her birthday, and invited an old friend.<br />
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Last night was THE night!!<br />
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I was so excited! This is the first <em>Broadway</em> play I'd ever seen. We've been to a couple other plays but nothing with this much acclaim.<br />
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I was also excited because the old friend I invited was my roommate in the summer of 1997...and that was the last time I'd seen her. Reconnecting with old friends is always such great fun!!<br />
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Jeff and I grabbed some dinner at <a href="http://mackenziepub.com/">Mackenzie's</a> before the show. It was conveniently located right next door to the theater. My friend, Heather, joined us, and then my sister and niece joined us, too.<br />
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Wicked was showing at the <a href="http://www.hennepintheatretrust.org/">Orpheum</a> theater in Minneapolis. What a gorgeous theater! We'd never been inside this theater before. I had no idea how big and old it was. Today, I had to look up the history of the theater. Fascinating! It originally opened in 1921. Jeff figured it was so old by noticing that it the lighting had been converted from gas lamps to electrical fixtures. The Hennepin Theater Trust actually gives tours of their theaters (including the Orpheum). I'd definitely LOVE to take one of those tours.<br />
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The play was fantastic! We were in the center of the very back row, so definitely not the best seats in the house. I still enjoyed the play immensely. I especially loved the storyline. It was incredible! I loved the little twists and turns and the tie-ins to the Wizard of Oz. I loved the music and the acting! I loved the fun company of the people I went with.<br />
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There were 20 or so of us that went together as a group. I didn't get a chance to socialize with them all, but it was definitely worth the group rate! <br />
:))<br />
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Overall, it was a fabulous evening out! Thanks, Lisa, for organizing it all!Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-35645022177744027262010-09-15T19:50:00.000-05:002010-09-15T19:50:38.355-05:00Back to Blogging: A Title I Am Particularly Proud Of - "Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - "Tragic Ending to our House Hunting Saga"<em>NOTE: As part of SITS Back to Blogging event, here's one of my best titles (certainly not a blogging strongpoint of mine). This was originally posted on <a href="http://dodsonjournal.blogspot.com/2008/11/tragic-ending-to-our-house-hunting-saga.html">November 4, 2008</a>. We have since moved away from the apartment. :-)</em><br />
<br />
After much back and forth with the City of St Paul, we decided to forego buying a house and continue renting.<br />
<br />
<br />
Luckily, it only took less than a week of searching on Craigslist to find a fantastic place.<br />
<br />
Our new address is:<br />
2254 Benson Ave<br />
Unit E<br />
St Paul MN 55116<br />
<br />
We have conveniently relocated to the W 7th area. We're about 10 min from school, 10 min from my parent's house, and 15 min from church. Perfectly located!<br />
<br />
We rented a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom condo from a nice young couple. It's an upstairs condo, and we're nearly completely moved in. Everything's here but not quite unpacked just yet.<br />
<br />
Of course, Sallie moved with us. There was no way we were going to give her up. She's way too cute and adorable, so that was one of our criteria in our apartment search. She's adjusted very well to our new place. While we are nestled in between two very busy streets, our condo is located in a wooded area right next to the railroad tracks and lots of other housing complexes. It's very residential, and Sallie loves going for walks.Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-74871617852802103452010-09-14T18:46:00.002-05:002010-09-15T19:31:19.879-05:00Back to Blogging: A Post I Wish More People Had Read - "Talking with Sallie"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><em>NOTE: This was originally posted on December 24, 2008. As part of SITS Return to Blogging event, I'm posting this post. I wish more people had viewed it, because it's so funny to see Jeff and Sallie singing together. We often bring this video up whenever we want to show off how awesome our little girl is.</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxM9OiTX7SV3GnbUK8P0S7x2p436y8uLi4wkp2tL2vP6VV3_4YFYpEm6ThsfZ-8Oyd0FO_ZH2-YuEw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="left"></div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-11972276787082009712010-09-13T09:40:00.004-05:002010-09-15T19:30:22.614-05:00Back to Blogging: The First Post I Ever Wrote - "Welcome!"<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>As part of SITS Back to Blogging event, I am re-posting my very first blog entry for the Dodson Journal! This was originally posted on February 27, 2006.</em></span><br />
<br />
Clarinda decided she should do some updates to our website this morning. She was shocked and appalled to discover that we hadn't made any updates since November! That is such a shame...<br />
<br />
In light of this, we've decided that our website is too cumbersome and difficult to update frequently. We checked out a friend's blog and thought that might be the way for us to go, too. We hope to keep this updated much more frequently. We'll shoot for once a week, but hopefully at least a few times each month.<br />
<br />
We haven't decided yet if we will try to update this retroactively or just going forward--probably a little of both. <br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-small;">While I have much enjoyed this blogging experience, I doubt that I've kept up with it nearly as well as my intentions were in Feb 2006! There have been several stints where this blog has been severely neglected. Perhaps Back to Blogging will inspire me to keep up with it.</span></em>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-33624208961906927832010-09-12T10:06:00.035-05:002010-11-06T11:04:26.328-05:00Camping - Afton State Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We went camping this past weekend with some friends of ours. It was so much fun. We've really discovered that we enjoy camping. This was our second trip with summer! :-)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This particular campsite was a hike-in. It was rough, as there was quite the hill to traverse before getting to our site. With all our gear (yes, we did <em>try</em> to pack light), it was quite strenuous, and we were pretty pooped by the end.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, what do you do after hard work like that? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reward ourselves with a fire!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcxHlSbUspeLsFA0uHsMtOT3Um8sygJ0j0VUqUdtsshJ5qhD3gS1YHClm1IefOy31ecU1a96apRsjKZQ_Ch1ztYE_23Ng4KBgBQqngGeg4rK5WtpS3RREY9ySioTTRGzzBWQ2/s1600/campfire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvcxHlSbUspeLsFA0uHsMtOT3Um8sygJ0j0VUqUdtsshJ5qhD3gS1YHClm1IefOy31ecU1a96apRsjKZQ_Ch1ztYE_23Ng4KBgBQqngGeg4rK5WtpS3RREY9ySioTTRGzzBWQ2/s320/campfire.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe3OEN8_7sEr4k5W3wPQ8ZbjNeKE6D7HENjBUTMgFGBua6276rb72cO7gDLoFA6zMu62a8z8akBcK16KCWxHWJB4nAzDwe5UYoQZAHMMFX06SviezhR8_RBlzbzwY3EEvC7xt/s1600/P9110120a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="253" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe3OEN8_7sEr4k5W3wPQ8ZbjNeKE6D7HENjBUTMgFGBua6276rb72cO7gDLoFA6zMu62a8z8akBcK16KCWxHWJB4nAzDwe5UYoQZAHMMFX06SviezhR8_RBlzbzwY3EEvC7xt/s320/P9110120a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What's done there, Sallie?</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning, we all went for a walk around the park. Afton State Park certainly is beautiful. The clear, blue skies and perfect temps probably helped a lot, too.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSBj4nnoIqMqhDuQuz8KtI12DVGLbv1DsfXPJb7xwywy7da4ftL5bDcXD0mkqjhyRdYDVEat3cgIWjdGYeQf5YFnoNg-T1V8h_nKTiCffs0ffZ2778N3cxpRnsX05FMgs-wG9/s1600/P9110126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSBj4nnoIqMqhDuQuz8KtI12DVGLbv1DsfXPJb7xwywy7da4ftL5bDcXD0mkqjhyRdYDVEat3cgIWjdGYeQf5YFnoNg-T1V8h_nKTiCffs0ffZ2778N3cxpRnsX05FMgs-wG9/s320/P9110126.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sallie leading the way!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">We came across this little log shelter. Not sure what it's purpose is exactly, but we thought it would was a great photo opp.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialdJ5c0C_m8NFb4x9FvMpK3h_Sciwo0LC4UmqkkwiL42IzQ-B1jACVNr28RUFm6-t7AJi0chszlw9dQQ4HqdNi7qOK-32wJ9NwDiSeJ7ZwiCAYnxHpJNh2Jm6z1yK_ms3D7ft/s1600/P9110130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialdJ5c0C_m8NFb4x9FvMpK3h_Sciwo0LC4UmqkkwiL42IzQ-B1jACVNr28RUFm6-t7AJi0chszlw9dQQ4HqdNi7qOK-32wJ9NwDiSeJ7ZwiCAYnxHpJNh2Jm6z1yK_ms3D7ft/s320/P9110130.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Next to that little shelter, there was this cool brick wall. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Another photo opp?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, indeed!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYdmNYcTQNeU-LCKQa4xqEkxSUXy-UILBMvUCG4EaicGl-9kRzvyDEW0EHFgKwk1D11r3QMafeUVa-ec_8lQWYgbOCJ7Yyt5EiLmsneuZTacQOYyA78T01fAHdKiBEvwlCXJd/s1600/P9110132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYdmNYcTQNeU-LCKQa4xqEkxSUXy-UILBMvUCG4EaicGl-9kRzvyDEW0EHFgKwk1D11r3QMafeUVa-ec_8lQWYgbOCJ7Yyt5EiLmsneuZTacQOYyA78T01fAHdKiBEvwlCXJd/s320/P9110132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Dodsons...and Sallie (of course)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">At the end of our little morning hike, there was a beautiful look-out.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBBZIJOlzKSL24jQlSup9RuxeIfKJHEBb37WstBcYNUCXQy23SlXC1HNkJYfjDDwFE5Yqzvp9KCXxLfFkmX1mlMRbZe5qCg__-3kXubP4HeCivGvsGWzYA6XuzDHFqT6ceRri/s1600/P9110135.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBBZIJOlzKSL24jQlSup9RuxeIfKJHEBb37WstBcYNUCXQy23SlXC1HNkJYfjDDwFE5Yqzvp9KCXxLfFkmX1mlMRbZe5qCg__-3kXubP4HeCivGvsGWzYA6XuzDHFqT6ceRri/s320/P9110135.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff's turn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNqGIXIEbMYrv226Dqv7UP9QnKYlqrcU4gL_X9Z0aMTIPnjlMRK-hmNVRhzlEelYhZndEQdjdDOFm0fzHxFzCEHZ0Blc_RUAZN5XiOZJ6Q-Idm-iTjxseEePkGmYA7UKQVOri/s1600/P9110136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNqGIXIEbMYrv226Dqv7UP9QnKYlqrcU4gL_X9Z0aMTIPnjlMRK-hmNVRhzlEelYhZndEQdjdDOFm0fzHxFzCEHZ0Blc_RUAZN5XiOZJ6Q-Idm-iTjxseEePkGmYA7UKQVOri/s320/P9110136.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clarinda's turn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LhGS31J37CxczKGCh5ynz80Drn81azuJXGRT6jT6VB6an2aQWzwklJu6kEeZ7OyZCjqm5Nd9eQQVzHCI4tscODdwsOxCFZifceHP263QtK0mweIJZIL3bcAbBw72d0CB8hhU/s1600/afton+state+park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LhGS31J37CxczKGCh5ynz80Drn81azuJXGRT6jT6VB6an2aQWzwklJu6kEeZ7OyZCjqm5Nd9eQQVzHCI4tscODdwsOxCFZifceHP263QtK0mweIJZIL3bcAbBw72d0CB8hhU/s320/afton+state+park.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's what we saw. Gorgeous!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">I love this pic of Sallie! She looks like she's about to chase after something.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEgpEoLWkcpWRbvA7uUOybeDA9YyqtSnU_yataTKeIvjgLNzYQSm693q2-Ru-3KYmocDrxo9NFdUZQBDm8GAdo74ca7PY8lWDe15wMTENDn3kWeZ11sopH7DPHhJRYfJ2vT3s/s1600/sallie+border+terrier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEgpEoLWkcpWRbvA7uUOybeDA9YyqtSnU_yataTKeIvjgLNzYQSm693q2-Ru-3KYmocDrxo9NFdUZQBDm8GAdo74ca7PY8lWDe15wMTENDn3kWeZ11sopH7DPHhJRYfJ2vT3s/s320/sallie+border+terrier.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-49366742918425311292010-08-29T10:57:00.161-05:002010-11-16T06:11:56.233-06:00Family Vacation 2010: Big Lake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We just got back from our 3rd annual family vacation up north. As usual it was so absolutely gorgeous up there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Day 1</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We picked up the rental car in the morning and then drove to pick up Trevor and his girls. I sat in the back seat with them. It was a little squishy but not too bad. We met up with the family near Hinckley (about half-way) for a late lunch.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shortly after that, we realized that Chelsea (my brother's girlfriend) was driving all by herself since she wasn't staying the entire week. I offered to ride with her, so she wouldn't be as bored.<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;">☺ It was very fun to talk and get to know her better.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We arrived late in the afternoon, after driving the 4-5 hour drive. We didn't do much that day. Just settled into our cabins. Relaxed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><strong>Day 2</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Trevor, Dan, Chelsea, Jeff and I decided to tackle the BWCAW via canoe. This is something we'd been saying we'd do every year! There is an access point at the other side of the lake from the lodge. We didn't make it very far into the Boundary Waters, but it was a lot of fun. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqNbnSXaw1qVaZQlEA8TNv_3Zqb-XWOUFy7-n8PgDXDllpl-BNwQt_LAG6yjI2B2v80Lxm7WlJVw9THqHOldKZUoOnk7RWzlGCLbMekL2QHmIwewm3NGxP5OX23HEQ0SdZoeJ/s1600/1+water+lily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqNbnSXaw1qVaZQlEA8TNv_3Zqb-XWOUFy7-n8PgDXDllpl-BNwQt_LAG6yjI2B2v80Lxm7WlJVw9THqHOldKZUoOnk7RWzlGCLbMekL2QHmIwewm3NGxP5OX23HEQ0SdZoeJ/s320/1+water+lily.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were SO many water lilies and lily pads. I really wanted a picture.<br />
Unfortunately, this was the best I was able to get.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-p1lIAb12cwF5U-v-a833syODsNPge6rlA04jdAZGjLLWkAD7P86lOtGu6uFjF78EgWNnmzsw6SDQ9GQrB1ecApdZjVBO3r3SMU37vh5qtlIoiEzII-itsuSBzlW6bxUDTiy/s1600/2+trevor+BWCAW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU-p1lIAb12cwF5U-v-a833syODsNPge6rlA04jdAZGjLLWkAD7P86lOtGu6uFjF78EgWNnmzsw6SDQ9GQrB1ecApdZjVBO3r3SMU37vh5qtlIoiEzII-itsuSBzlW6bxUDTiy/s320/2+trevor+BWCAW.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevor kayaking into the BWCAW</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUKBKHViNB7BckQh_2jN2zcOEWi1ZB0sYgP-r_U8y4IjpTVnZfRS-FrP6UH1UVAvCow9n7MAbQ_Z4DcNLr8quPwKA6tZrsx6sqFDfhsnEGNcsn43tkjgI4d8EIuC2h_O6kXnN/s1600/3+dan+chelsea+BWCAW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKUKBKHViNB7BckQh_2jN2zcOEWi1ZB0sYgP-r_U8y4IjpTVnZfRS-FrP6UH1UVAvCow9n7MAbQ_Z4DcNLr8quPwKA6tZrsx6sqFDfhsnEGNcsn43tkjgI4d8EIuC2h_O6kXnN/s320/3+dan+chelsea+BWCAW.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dan & Chelsea</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>Day 3</strong><br />
We drove to Bass Lake and hiked the trail to Dry Falls. It's not a very long hike, but it is quite rugged! Most everyone went on this outing. Most of those who went jumped into the lake, too. It was COLD, but the water coming off the falls was so very warm. Delightfully warm. It was so fun to go swimming in that big beautiful lake. And lounge in the warmth of the waterfall. <span style="font-size: x-small;">Unfortunately, I forgot my camera on this outing (or just didn't take any pics).</span><br />
<br />
<strong>Day 4</strong><br />
Another day for hiking. We tried a new trail. <span style="font-size: x-small;">I can't remember which one.</span> I think we probably walked in about a mile or so. Rested for awhile, and then returned back to our cars and the lodge.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczES_C3F0VzYRsuhVEf-5Ws30tTsb2VPjLg4v6V8g2cU5s69aaeWODDSbS1jKt66dzGDqlshvM-3nteN1q2IvgqAHEdZ6IGvNAISGCECAX6lM0-sHepP2o9IyQecp8Bkbfb8p/s1600/4+dad+girls+guide.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczES_C3F0VzYRsuhVEf-5Ws30tTsb2VPjLg4v6V8g2cU5s69aaeWODDSbS1jKt66dzGDqlshvM-3nteN1q2IvgqAHEdZ6IGvNAISGCECAX6lM0-sHepP2o9IyQecp8Bkbfb8p/s320/4+dad+girls+guide.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa pointing something out to the girls.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNaOUR78CpxNkcAaO16tDrGTNxYlf1mHXEGfJ06MJR9K12snl7ttqUJMKdBiSeCm0CKxRx28FBn0ng4y5PAGHZs6TjIZ8aXQU2KnfkdQqnA8QpTWyCjXyNCf2dVE5qGD-u95g/s1600/5+dad+water+dogs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNaOUR78CpxNkcAaO16tDrGTNxYlf1mHXEGfJ06MJR9K12snl7ttqUJMKdBiSeCm0CKxRx28FBn0ng4y5PAGHZs6TjIZ8aXQU2KnfkdQqnA8QpTWyCjXyNCf2dVE5qGD-u95g/s320/5+dad+water+dogs.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't bring any water bowls for the dogs, so they got to drink right out of Dad's hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjyYQva1k4hkyOT1LZvbOdcD92plDCVqWiDEOTSn5rHEOe9vw4sb91kRmQQUrFzXiE-ObuI3K4QMPzo3PTgt8EP8LoAuf2WSEqZbJQoq4X3WCj9YWrQKz3ekaUhCA3sVpfv-S/s1600/6+hikers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjyYQva1k4hkyOT1LZvbOdcD92plDCVqWiDEOTSn5rHEOe9vw4sb91kRmQQUrFzXiE-ObuI3K4QMPzo3PTgt8EP8LoAuf2WSEqZbJQoq4X3WCj9YWrQKz3ekaUhCA3sVpfv-S/s320/6+hikers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had to cross a little foot bridge on our hike, so I made everyone stop on our way back to get a picture of all the hikers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU-i8HJpepXulHEL3UX-vgVlJrjtrI8cPfExKaJn1T0chAq6ZCpfImjsdsqOZZiXn75v2vn-plPKjXmDBR8QCeZdmwyOrsoyNyYOA1mzQ2WoP0YyFTMWLq2SH-q4B2lB1IboX/s1600/7+hike+lagging+behind.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzU-i8HJpepXulHEL3UX-vgVlJrjtrI8cPfExKaJn1T0chAq6ZCpfImjsdsqOZZiXn75v2vn-plPKjXmDBR8QCeZdmwyOrsoyNyYOA1mzQ2WoP0YyFTMWLq2SH-q4B2lB1IboX/s320/7+hike+lagging+behind.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you look real close up the trail, you'll see a speck of black. That's my sister. I wasn't really feeling the brisk pace they set, so I lagged behind with Sallie. <br />
Soaking in the beauty of my surroundings.<br />
Also helping to prevent Sallie from getting tangled in everyone's heels.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>Day 5</strong><br />
We mostly hung out on the pontoon this day. We had the pontoon all week, but Jeff and I hadn't spent much time on it prior to this day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBWKdFhytdsCJ-x9N_6-Df0UuMzTFezrDg1lZr8slkonSG29ORI83tajph3OFC3kvyXE8AwYsKq47prHX0Z88nJDkfDiykL5Ec_iyP9z5NZ_jibtuPl1JyZaSynsQEW1iHbCq/s1600/8+big+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBWKdFhytdsCJ-x9N_6-Df0UuMzTFezrDg1lZr8slkonSG29ORI83tajph3OFC3kvyXE8AwYsKq47prHX0Z88nJDkfDiykL5Ec_iyP9z5NZ_jibtuPl1JyZaSynsQEW1iHbCq/s320/8+big+lake.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the look of the sunlight on Big Lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO4ehOi9tQ3aCKQfeuD-od8MWR532qI08E88jIbt-u02YugVkdjbup4fjR7Oa10Nge9DpHXdf0xqgNSHOyzStlY_OO6WUHf0mCMCqBHT9E9vfJHoP7Ir83h7Zbu9FiSFBXAtY/s1600/9+reading+pontoon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEO4ehOi9tQ3aCKQfeuD-od8MWR532qI08E88jIbt-u02YugVkdjbup4fjR7Oa10Nge9DpHXdf0xqgNSHOyzStlY_OO6WUHf0mCMCqBHT9E9vfJHoP7Ir83h7Zbu9FiSFBXAtY/s320/9+reading+pontoon.JPG" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I found <strong><em>The Lovely Bones</em></strong> in the little lending library at the lodge. I was quite glued to it for most of the trip. I wasn't sure I'd like it but was quickly sucked in. I would definitely recommend this book!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzej5KGX2yaB1Gwd95DdXyfbYGMCxNne7VgfnZUuqS8aG2gUafGg4tLu1_PE7QJ1xTIC4KuoYFJq-OVpqh7oYtYHbZT0UeIteznr6o0FKutdHsjZAyl6z_wfPZbkLw6E7jvOe0/s1600/10+sallie+border+terrier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzej5KGX2yaB1Gwd95DdXyfbYGMCxNne7VgfnZUuqS8aG2gUafGg4tLu1_PE7QJ1xTIC4KuoYFJq-OVpqh7oYtYHbZT0UeIteznr6o0FKutdHsjZAyl6z_wfPZbkLw6E7jvOe0/s320/10+sallie+border+terrier.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sallie lounging on the pontoon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>Day 6</strong><br />
Bass Lake was so awesome back on Day 3 that we decided to go back again. It was a very small group this time - just Jeff, me, Trevor, and Tatiana. This time we brought (and used) the camera.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GRRSFOTwd0JTX9ishkji_aZ2O0W1ZBkCAZQ7kF1M47oHabMp9BABW0MdQz1NP5Ncbk34X9FIAAjjLm2_cXJxpmhlCLTxxgORW25cDfUoRJNnNfh8o3oe3VtY0o-egrzv2ixN/s1600/11+bass+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GRRSFOTwd0JTX9ishkji_aZ2O0W1ZBkCAZQ7kF1M47oHabMp9BABW0MdQz1NP5Ncbk34X9FIAAjjLm2_cXJxpmhlCLTxxgORW25cDfUoRJNnNfh8o3oe3VtY0o-egrzv2ixN/s320/11+bass+lake.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Bass Lake from up on the hiking trail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTKnpH4yawIr8r2uEjHVtjVJyGafwxm1o1AQ8lxvQnDuJ7RmVsbXzUYMSB4R4MI90Q-QLrPgN_5dQ8Bmo-CcPbYabkJ959qo3tZ1RN7p_ZUKaqlf5qAT-K0I3iMN3hOLDHLJb/s1600/12+jeff+conquering.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTKnpH4yawIr8r2uEjHVtjVJyGafwxm1o1AQ8lxvQnDuJ7RmVsbXzUYMSB4R4MI90Q-QLrPgN_5dQ8Bmo-CcPbYabkJ959qo3tZ1RN7p_ZUKaqlf5qAT-K0I3iMN3hOLDHLJb/s320/12+jeff+conquering.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff the Conqueror <span style="font-size: small;">☺</span><br />
Bass Lake near Dry Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkso6zd-2whk-s0F4TyFSGTjaw5cYeBZqnoJoJ0vNrbDI2ELDDS99AevB5D8CioPBfYq3yoaDOUvttnabfqWiYcqoe70ASCA0pI7iXatgrnQ21EqtJVHJavQqGcjLQPGrqAfeo/s1600/13+dry+falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkso6zd-2whk-s0F4TyFSGTjaw5cYeBZqnoJoJ0vNrbDI2ELDDS99AevB5D8CioPBfYq3yoaDOUvttnabfqWiYcqoe70ASCA0pI7iXatgrnQ21EqtJVHJavQqGcjLQPGrqAfeo/s320/13+dry+falls.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rushing torrent of Dry Falls (taken while out in Bass Lake. We ♥ our tough camera)<br />
The Falls were COLD and flowing at what seemed a mere trickle compared to just two days before.<br />
It was a little disappointing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt20OWqss7tT-gFNFD7KB4x21cW1N2sZQlN3fxCUhE2nCxDPDb692-2VrLMjIhsGvlLwZsEJZ9iEm0nPxjAAwlZ7sci1dX5fg9WfVoQpxhQ26h_ocmoVWc7TAowjWxaM3SVoQR/s1600/14+tatiana+swimming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt20OWqss7tT-gFNFD7KB4x21cW1N2sZQlN3fxCUhE2nCxDPDb692-2VrLMjIhsGvlLwZsEJZ9iEm0nPxjAAwlZ7sci1dX5fg9WfVoQpxhQ26h_ocmoVWc7TAowjWxaM3SVoQR/s320/14+tatiana+swimming.JPG" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tatiana swimming</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyfoHZ0yeK1cEzCnIUWmWCxIKoY_MR6lS5afV319jG0GmRh_43cc_-cBG_2WpJccMK04TEtLdvVNqVH7XkWe31nniGWzEekwZOPXP8HOI9DsKSlmuRG8A2ClQgpgBZ6jvs1W2/s1600/15+clarinda+swimming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="292" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkyfoHZ0yeK1cEzCnIUWmWCxIKoY_MR6lS5afV319jG0GmRh_43cc_-cBG_2WpJccMK04TEtLdvVNqVH7XkWe31nniGWzEekwZOPXP8HOI9DsKSlmuRG8A2ClQgpgBZ6jvs1W2/s320/15+clarinda+swimming.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clarinda swimming.<br />
I don't know what it was but both times we went, I loved swimming so much that I just didn't want to get out.<br />
(I think I swam more in Bass Lake in those two days than in Big Lake all the other days combined.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcIB3NXBCAxRrpqes-dPS-to6r3flDqo4sdbwQMmoWqBWjR2vdVjtSjWimvo66pDdMWnvl_sohSXh9yNn-vgR5KdMQyIMeZ0lAQ3wGA0s9kOOelO63lpt96q2a4Jr50zhPd9c/s1600/15+crawfish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcIB3NXBCAxRrpqes-dPS-to6r3flDqo4sdbwQMmoWqBWjR2vdVjtSjWimvo66pDdMWnvl_sohSXh9yNn-vgR5KdMQyIMeZ0lAQ3wGA0s9kOOelO63lpt96q2a4Jr50zhPd9c/s320/15+crawfish.JPG" width="191" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Until I saw this guy. Then I was pretty much DONE with swimming (at least that day. in Bass Lake).</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7fb7ceQJfnLtdOYSP0A5ihrJooH9jj-ZM6rKeUIr0TqmysTne-0T3zEG8eTxKMqNIpe8qTQ2h3fd7_ohmCdnGvz_m23WAWo8AqSCQ9By00tk2APvplpmigqls2ZW5YJR1IZM/s1600/16+dry+falls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7fb7ceQJfnLtdOYSP0A5ihrJooH9jj-ZM6rKeUIr0TqmysTne-0T3zEG8eTxKMqNIpe8qTQ2h3fd7_ohmCdnGvz_m23WAWo8AqSCQ9By00tk2APvplpmigqls2ZW5YJR1IZM/s320/16+dry+falls.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were swimming, Trevor was exploring. <br />
He found the reason why the falls had shriveled. <br />
A beaver dam. <span style="font-size: small;">☺</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><strong>Day 7</strong><br />
On our last day, the entire family took the pontoon out to an island for lunch. It was fun to hike around the island. The lodge has a camping site on this particular island, so there was an easy place to dock the pontoon. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The camping site was <em>very</em> nice as well: a mess tent for cooking and a couple sleeping tents with cots.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYdK2CnfXImvYo0bKbJBLcLFzAbpwJZapUm3DIxBAsTGQLony66kmvwbCKywTRcu7jiYyM_OqofcAcrNEdc1aug9F5TxYJifm7RxAr4Jd3233FolqUdf3xXIXyd1m23KYQuZT/s1600/17+sallie+rolling+border+terrier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRYdK2CnfXImvYo0bKbJBLcLFzAbpwJZapUm3DIxBAsTGQLony66kmvwbCKywTRcu7jiYyM_OqofcAcrNEdc1aug9F5TxYJifm7RxAr4Jd3233FolqUdf3xXIXyd1m23KYQuZT/s320/17+sallie+rolling+border+terrier.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sallie rolling around</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXVSJXJ0T3yplFsoF0clG4grAUpBwB7LVjKPFHcMvlp0tc2tdSM_0jPBvGOAVWZ2gdhIx3s-PFcdOGALDtluTo492Cd9HUnNmSrE2p1bkwbXy4XJJU2XXKZhDVc3If05xuIeb/s1600/18+sallie+sniffing+border+terrier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="290" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXVSJXJ0T3yplFsoF0clG4grAUpBwB7LVjKPFHcMvlp0tc2tdSM_0jPBvGOAVWZ2gdhIx3s-PFcdOGALDtluTo492Cd9HUnNmSrE2p1bkwbXy4XJJU2XXKZhDVc3If05xuIeb/s320/18+sallie+sniffing+border+terrier.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmm...there's the scent!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYmTY7FlwDgaNmhOT91reCka0X5xQf_zElW6iT8JDNOD8yG3_gNgJhTqASuSxc9GFii4DFI8BbHxBdvh1qJTexnIqS5DCvzpSWWMts6Q5DWEFHwJ2q4XTlGbGrAABe0h4EofD/s1600/19+sallie+rolling+border+terrier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYmTY7FlwDgaNmhOT91reCka0X5xQf_zElW6iT8JDNOD8yG3_gNgJhTqASuSxc9GFii4DFI8BbHxBdvh1qJTexnIqS5DCvzpSWWMts6Q5DWEFHwJ2q4XTlGbGrAABe0h4EofD/s320/19+sallie+rolling+border+terrier.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess I should roll around on it again. <span style="font-size: small;">☺</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3BvMeq-MDnTaOT5LaXUVoTR5n6Ajp254zsKLrzsIWGvmNh0seNQrHZsMen6lWniKX81WuKbrnhMGG8dGj1onFun1fmpVdF0omKmuSM9Mb-aPxDdJIm2j_UUgCk3yxZgKR48r/s1600/20+treva.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt3BvMeq-MDnTaOT5LaXUVoTR5n6Ajp254zsKLrzsIWGvmNh0seNQrHZsMen6lWniKX81WuKbrnhMGG8dGj1onFun1fmpVdF0omKmuSM9Mb-aPxDdJIm2j_UUgCk3yxZgKR48r/s320/20+treva.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Treva looking out at the lake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5GDNk43t6YSSq0Mxl4PgaJzEhRjTzQZ52xdAi1xOQQDJVKOl_BAgnVoXNIeBHIJea1QJYM7HNiVe4Koto8dpBOgow_QmCwvTZB19uQr6kxLccw4UP5ewb0pUSkebOuoOTlQj/s1600/21+sallie+border+terrier.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi5GDNk43t6YSSq0Mxl4PgaJzEhRjTzQZ52xdAi1xOQQDJVKOl_BAgnVoXNIeBHIJea1QJYM7HNiVe4Koto8dpBOgow_QmCwvTZB19uQr6kxLccw4UP5ewb0pUSkebOuoOTlQj/s320/21+sallie+border+terrier.JPG" width="312" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What perfect form!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Shortly after our lunch on the island, Jeff, Trevor and his girls, and I loaded up the rental car and headed back to the cities. Everyone else returned the next afternoon.<br />
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Until next time...we ♥ you Big Lake Wilderness Lodge!Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-84565835498244536822010-08-04T10:15:00.000-05:002010-08-04T10:15:06.444-05:00Good-bye, Frannie!We're sure gonna miss you!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5COlbfiA1YHJ0BUAuuFcNIKs2nhrBC7uYbKX-gca2Su8H8p2x6676QMzIWbYxjc7pqT0sw_Gi4JUlHlwm3VfUvrIehR_MJEmYkWzdgPnKbS6MJA0YsXaZe0MdRWrVXHylBVJ9/s1600/IMG_3651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5COlbfiA1YHJ0BUAuuFcNIKs2nhrBC7uYbKX-gca2Su8H8p2x6676QMzIWbYxjc7pqT0sw_Gi4JUlHlwm3VfUvrIehR_MJEmYkWzdgPnKbS6MJA0YsXaZe0MdRWrVXHylBVJ9/s320/IMG_3651.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We welcomed the Franster into our lives in May 2008, but on Sunday, we said our final good-byes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5zqIYoynv1XQlP_wa7trgJzZGJ-ldcUbQy6f_0_0Fq24qLXapaDWu7C575G50Vhkneep0_lbrp0K7hhrqhzLSEFMI-RhzRLX6RnU2_q1JYaXBWBmu-ndqUS4e__2_KjFhGc8/s1600/IMG_3640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5zqIYoynv1XQlP_wa7trgJzZGJ-ldcUbQy6f_0_0Fq24qLXapaDWu7C575G50Vhkneep0_lbrp0K7hhrqhzLSEFMI-RhzRLX6RnU2_q1JYaXBWBmu-ndqUS4e__2_KjFhGc8/s320/IMG_3640.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">She was a good car, and we had some really fun times with her.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But now she is gone, and we are sad.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">But also very excited about this new stage in our lives...without a car.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We're looking forward to a much healthier, lower stress life.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We'll be biking around town. Yep, even for groceries.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We're looking forward to exploring our neighborhood more and discovering all the fun local shops within biking distance.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We've decided to live a simpler life here in St Paul where we're not all-consumed with material things.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We're gonna focus more on us and our relationship and the beauty of the world around us.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>Wish us luck in our new endeavor!</strong></em></span></div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-49370377174885273692010-07-23T08:53:00.000-05:002010-07-23T08:53:59.702-05:00PURGINGJeff and I are making the move to a more simplistic, less materialistic lifestyle.<br />
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We're hoping to enter the Peace Corps in two years when we've both finished our programs at school. We're really excited, but we know that it will definitely take some adjusting, so we're beginning the process now.<br />
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Last weekend, we sold<br />
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<strong>Nintendo Wii Console With Wii Sports Game + 7 other & Wii Fit</strong><a href="http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=mcnutt.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmcnutt.files.wordpress.com%2F2006%2F12%2Fnintendo-wii.jpg&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fmcnutt.wordpress.com%2F2006%2F12%2F" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" hw="true" src="http://go2.wordpress.com/?id=725X1342&site=mcnutt.wordpress.com&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmcnutt.files.wordpress.com%2F2006%2F12%2Fnintendo-wii.jpg&sref=http%3A%2F%2Fmcnutt.wordpress.com%2F2006%2F12%2F" width="200" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Play Station 3 (40 gb) In Perfect Condition</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://funversion.universia.es/videojuegos/reportaje/foto/playstation-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="137" hw="true" src="http://funversion.universia.es/videojuegos/reportaje/foto/playstation-3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Black & Decker Power Tool Set</strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Double Doored TV Stand / Cabinet</strong> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">AND</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><strong>Great couch / earthy tones</strong></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We're still hoping to sell many more items like our <a href="http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/cto/1841521337.html"><strong>car</strong></a> and our <a href="http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/ele/1849759550.html"><strong>TV</strong></a>.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">It's hard letting go! But also freeing. :-)</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm loving the look of our much more minimalistic living room. There is so much space without a couch or a TV! It's actually very comforting.</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-74610654848538924292010-07-14T13:25:00.000-05:002010-07-14T13:25:54.408-05:00I've been neglectful...I usually spend most of my time updating my personal blog instead of this family.<br />
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Jeff and I have had so many <span style="font-size: large;">fun,</span> <span style="font-size: x-large;">amazing</span> adventures, and <span style="font-size: large;">you all are missing out!</span> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(<em>I know I have NO ONE to blame but myself for this, but still...)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, not for too much longer.</span><br />
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I vow to begin updating this blog much more regularly.<br />
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Look forward now to some backward momentum. I'll start with June 2010 and work backward through time. I think I'll even post-date these, so I don't look like such a slacker!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Enjoy!</span>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-86107311755279469562010-06-28T06:05:00.000-05:002011-05-30T09:52:04.968-05:00Camping with Friends<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This past weekend, we went camping with some good friends!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was our first camping trip, well, ever. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Other than the KOAs when we moved from Oregon back to Minnesota. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was really fun to relax in the outdoors with another couple.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbKo5GdHag7scBFnEuTtNEAoxWstMGd8m7CMrYXTRxoufWX92oH4IyQjGB7bv21UFnXoixQOfaHyJFal29rZxcI7LgEfrSi41jBFpkc-yJYIqYHCUkUhErwFj8poG80ZklVDt/s1600/P6250018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEbKo5GdHag7scBFnEuTtNEAoxWstMGd8m7CMrYXTRxoufWX92oH4IyQjGB7bv21UFnXoixQOfaHyJFal29rZxcI7LgEfrSi41jBFpkc-yJYIqYHCUkUhErwFj8poG80ZklVDt/s320/P6250018.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">And Sallie, of course!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; 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/AVvXsEgBmwT6Iyq9F3TxtoRXR1CkDEkiXDHPlO8TVq6GDY3Mx46h_DupaNzN1gGUHftYd5jilAqVeC4V80rk-FsgZLshSVpy_wKOuodgyVH4FSa324fXG_P27eZzv0ME4S0G6Kwzh3-P/s1600/P6250016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmwT6Iyq9F3TxtoRXR1CkDEkiXDHPlO8TVq6GDY3Mx46h_DupaNzN1gGUHftYd5jilAqVeC4V80rk-FsgZLshSVpy_wKOuodgyVH4FSa324fXG_P27eZzv0ME4S0G6Kwzh3-P/s320/P6250016.JPG" t8="true" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are a few more pictures from our overnight camp-out.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdi8HLwYGLSLqpwCFIEouGOmrfjSjdB6xoQcTy_VcZsV3AbKr3k5XKwjAQCGb8fB9RMCN-GRM_TKVDBrZKHICr2EGk2qumsCb9H6Zs3zWAWyuW15wd9hCRj1XDMN5uYZG7YBB/s1600/P6250017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUdi8HLwYGLSLqpwCFIEouGOmrfjSjdB6xoQcTy_VcZsV3AbKr3k5XKwjAQCGb8fB9RMCN-GRM_TKVDBrZKHICr2EGk2qumsCb9H6Zs3zWAWyuW15wd9hCRj1XDMN5uYZG7YBB/s320/P6250017.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff deep in thought</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIU-fopo520-vCvDh8nyWBNkgz2UYNEPUGWZSTz_SEqC5bpSm1eib43mPRvxVtvYoCYE8ck4MIb2G2TQPssGzbNJyVM6t-vZv63BMEcUP_rB-l8go2BdPqSpwAD7Suf_AFSM6/s1600/P6260022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIU-fopo520-vCvDh8nyWBNkgz2UYNEPUGWZSTz_SEqC5bpSm1eib43mPRvxVtvYoCYE8ck4MIb2G2TQPssGzbNJyVM6t-vZv63BMEcUP_rB-l8go2BdPqSpwAD7Suf_AFSM6/s320/P6260022.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making lunch the next day</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhXzhI-osHMa_fdej0mIl88dN2Pfm5gUEU1GrQXxBIuPlOQLxztcYKJ5Av3iI9IGVGcTzZfR6DHVQSppMqV161uMF46y4CK5s32ZYr5jGDzgrzNPDNKviSeusKp7cv8fMeQWc/s1600/P6260020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVhXzhI-osHMa_fdej0mIl88dN2Pfm5gUEU1GrQXxBIuPlOQLxztcYKJ5Av3iI9IGVGcTzZfR6DHVQSppMqV161uMF46y4CK5s32ZYr5jGDzgrzNPDNKviSeusKp7cv8fMeQWc/s320/P6260020.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being a good girl while we packed everything up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">We had hoped to go canoeing while we were out camping, but due to some inclement weather, we decided to just head back to the Cities. The weather had been much worse closer to home, but it had pretty much cleared up by the time we'd returned. We took a short canoe trip down Minnehaha before ending our camping trip.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Despite a bit of rain, it was a great weekend!</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23110168.post-57949871276576710822010-06-18T05:03:00.000-05:002010-06-18T05:03:41.543-05:00Graduation Season<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">This was quite the year for graduations in our family!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">My brother graduated from the University of MN.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">May 21, 2010</span></em></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t4Qx8UnFxkqUM1GFgalGRvgq1vOwfCnfU0s2O_qNDVJ9Boy6O3Z_TRmHc3dipE2kd3OvCtQGonVBoep7x0J2bTN3_0BpAaxZDea2Pc0GnIdNRTqc2HrGc5yyL0Q6cCbMUCzI/s1600/P5210017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t4Qx8UnFxkqUM1GFgalGRvgq1vOwfCnfU0s2O_qNDVJ9Boy6O3Z_TRmHc3dipE2kd3OvCtQGonVBoep7x0J2bTN3_0BpAaxZDea2Pc0GnIdNRTqc2HrGc5yyL0Q6cCbMUCzI/s320/P5210017.JPG" /></a></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Here's the whole crew that came out to his commissioning ceremony to an officer in the US Marine Corps.</em></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">(Actually there were about 5 more people that weren't in the pic</span></em></div><div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;"> that came out to celebrate, too)</span></em></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Congratulations, Corey!</em></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Next up...my niece graduated from 8th grade. She wrote a speech that was selected to be given during the ceremony. She did an awesome job!!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>June 4, 2010</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY7f7qu5MKd_jwHx9B9x4iLJGuZDP9d9UvAf1duTcjCousJ_y7Mz6t-xy-24d-hCPHomDG-ujVSC7vxqcwlgsgdHGQ8co565OjVudIVQzaS2wOzYG5f3IfO-1rgS9o-Qe7dGH/s1600/P6040265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIY7f7qu5MKd_jwHx9B9x4iLJGuZDP9d9UvAf1duTcjCousJ_y7Mz6t-xy-24d-hCPHomDG-ujVSC7vxqcwlgsgdHGQ8co565OjVudIVQzaS2wOzYG5f3IfO-1rgS9o-Qe7dGH/s320/P6040265.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Congratulations, Selena!!</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Third on the docket was my sister's graduation from Saint Mary's University. B.S. in Business.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>June 6, 2010</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQ2NSCLvjP-BSPhgo-RW1x3apJRNlmECpFPOcdENLEOD8DjYoKQL_VWWymk5E645IT0j2n97N-guQXTdCNitme2zm3-4JIevGz-P8oGNHKpq0MdJct6bYwiDzvqok-f5dGHc6/s1600/2010-06-06+16.43.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguQ2NSCLvjP-BSPhgo-RW1x3apJRNlmECpFPOcdENLEOD8DjYoKQL_VWWymk5E645IT0j2n97N-guQXTdCNitme2zm3-4JIevGz-P8oGNHKpq0MdJct6bYwiDzvqok-f5dGHc6/s320/2010-06-06+16.43.26.jpg" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Way to go, Treva! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Isn't she gorgeous!)</span></em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Last but certainly not least...my nephew's graduation from high school.</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>June 13, 2010</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6yu7xz4ylRkN0FIpi9B3pasWDMeG-XbTZEsmJrSwROWcZPdwdqzZt-5ncO5-Tzl0kHb7rfMdh5F1kQeMAlhmIvCAlE5q4u4Gud31kvj8hzXIpGw4b9FJUBMJUkv7Co-Zf8xi/s1600/IMG_3377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6yu7xz4ylRkN0FIpi9B3pasWDMeG-XbTZEsmJrSwROWcZPdwdqzZt-5ncO5-Tzl0kHb7rfMdh5F1kQeMAlhmIvCAlE5q4u4Gud31kvj8hzXIpGw4b9FJUBMJUkv7Co-Zf8xi/s320/IMG_3377.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>You're awesome, Emillio! We're so proud of you.</em></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Curious about the leis? My sister-in-law made them for each of the graduates. Aren't they fun?! Emillio received about 5 or so more, filled with candy.</div>Clarindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17649159574541149892noreply@blogger.com0