tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49367411618635390092024-03-12T16:08:43.600-07:00Maeva, Bienvenue & Welcome to our oasis in the desert...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.comBlogger159125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-21214241764374946592010-10-09T00:21:00.002-07:002010-10-10T16:36:28.353-07:00"My Song in the Night"It's been a long, long, long time since I've posted. I will get back to <strong>"y'all"</strong> (<span style="font-size: xx-small;">that one was for you Sister Mahana M.</span>) soon. In the meanwhile I wanted to share a message that I heard and love.<br />
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October 3, 2010 Broadcast #4229<br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">I</span></strong>n these troubled times, it's reassuring to know that God is in His heaven, watching over His children. This promise is perhaps best expressed in the Psalms: "He that keepeth thee . . . shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper."1<br />
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The Good Shepherd is vigilant by day and by night. When the shadows get darker and the threats seem more real, He stands ready to help. When disquieting sounds and hidden dangers intensify our fears and shake our peace, He offers comfort as He did to the Psalmist, who testified, "In the night his song shall be with me."2 That song is a song of peace amid the storms of life, of comfort despite heartache and pain, and above all, it is a song of love and tender watch care. <br />
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Recently, an elderly widow was asked if she ever felt afraid, living alone as she does. She replied with the kind of faith and conviction that had seen her through many years and many difficult circumstances. She explained that she does not feel afraid because, with all her heart, she knows that God loves her and is watching over her. <br />
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No matter how dark the night, we can feel heaven's light. That doesn't mean bad things won't happen. Good people will suffer, hearts will be broken, and anguish in one form or another comes to us all. But we can trust in the Lord's promises. As Victor Hugo once said to strengthen a friend: "Courage, then, and patience! Courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the small ones. And then when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake."3 <br />
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In our quiet moments, we listen to Him whose song in the night whispers peace, comfort, and joy to the soul.<br />
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1 Psalms 121:3-5<br />
2 Psalms 42:8<br />
3 Letter to Savinien Lapointe, Mar. 1841, The Letters of Victor Hugo, ed. Paul Meurice (1898), 23.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-76911652082783629242010-06-02T14:57:00.001-07:002010-06-02T15:00:03.446-07:00Happy Memorial Day.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AjTORcst8gkrjgsvFRcqzUt8A7BG_fXoa635FXNNCIzHjP7vSIa_ls08DD5_qdoSMDvJcxg4i9GgjfW6z7ILtKbR1LXbReGqhVoawhtt417CmmaZOahry3vRZmvKqGwjvNiAfkR4e8O5/s1600/IMG_5120.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3AjTORcst8gkrjgsvFRcqzUt8A7BG_fXoa635FXNNCIzHjP7vSIa_ls08DD5_qdoSMDvJcxg4i9GgjfW6z7ILtKbR1LXbReGqhVoawhtt417CmmaZOahry3vRZmvKqGwjvNiAfkR4e8O5/s400/IMG_5120.JPG" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">A </span></strong>few years ago, I moved to the US to pursue an education. I lived in Utah in a friendly neighborhood where the American flag was displayed with pride every holiday. As I saw these flags flying freely I felt unity, love and pride for country. It was a lovely sight. I remember one home in particular that had a real flag pole (instead of brackets) in their front yard and coming from the islands I thought that was really cool! <br />
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When we bought our home we worked on the landscaping and for the final touch we added a flag pole and flag. We love it! It has become a landmark for us when we need to give directions on how to get to our home – “Look for the flag”. I love my life here and just wanted to say it’s been a privilege to live here. The other day I came upon this quote that deserves a spot on my blog. President Abraham Lincoln gave his historic Gettysburg Address and eloquently laid out the simple yet profound idea that lies at the heart of this day:<br />
<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us - that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."</span></em></strong> <br />
On this Memorial Day and all the days before and after it, we must remember those in our military who bravely served and never made it home…And that’s one of the many reasons why we fly the flag.<br />
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</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-89808957587012588822010-04-27T22:04:00.000-07:002010-04-27T22:04:23.300-07:00My Heavenly Father Loves Me<p><object style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://i3.ytimg.com/vi/V8FdW0diox4/hqdefault.jpg)" height="295" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V8FdW0diox4&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V8FdW0diox4&hl=en_US&fs=1" width="480" height="295" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></p><p>He lives.</p>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-80254656512035079462010-03-30T11:40:00.001-07:002010-03-30T22:01:12.591-07:00Only in Arizona...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvlWCUkEALhT5UfZyU0rRSogmij3phUJaGk3I-f9iakIvqOEzlt2-g14WuWRRAfrEnwpAgubGHeINC-ZjEbjSLb3faoNLW-hgsrOfZ6b0ipqVthQdPJqqZ3M_zv8pMYOluaFEb6IIAxdY/s1600/IMG_7047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvlWCUkEALhT5UfZyU0rRSogmij3phUJaGk3I-f9iakIvqOEzlt2-g14WuWRRAfrEnwpAgubGHeINC-ZjEbjSLb3faoNLW-hgsrOfZ6b0ipqVthQdPJqqZ3M_zv8pMYOluaFEb6IIAxdY/s400/IMG_7047.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We always get a kick when we see these beauties on the road. It just so happens that we had our camera to document this oh so classic bordering state moment. No offense to our fellow Hispanic neighbors but I’m amazed that one does not get pulled over for this. It’s a road hazard! Now, I will give them credit for their packing skills not an inch is wasted. But still...proceed with caution. </div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-19605146116176905902010-03-29T22:45:00.004-07:002010-03-30T11:45:18.889-07:00Matchplay 2010<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDaYgFvPHWKkyqtxkOyRs49tyltvS-OmKHnRSLGQbvYvWgIKLb9WeX-BL9JVAt3sCAK6pNnTakvoUMkrnc1JW_HxvwbfBMaU5zKsPipSlY7QYkPKmpxZV2uBntVS8UlKVZZ6NJcv6c5Uj/s1600-h/Jan+20091.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDaYgFvPHWKkyqtxkOyRs49tyltvS-OmKHnRSLGQbvYvWgIKLb9WeX-BL9JVAt3sCAK6pNnTakvoUMkrnc1JW_HxvwbfBMaU5zKsPipSlY7QYkPKmpxZV2uBntVS8UlKVZZ6NJcv6c5Uj/s400/Jan+20091.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Fun times with family, friends and celebrities.<br />
<div style="clear: both;"></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-55424712049040579092010-03-29T22:45:00.000-07:002010-03-29T22:45:07.792-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO858YbjvM8CrRLquEAGpBwI5lKPoghkDYS1CmFfjo18Eo80IoGg62uyjc8J63vs-dCv1dLgerL65TxfFO9h-uNr2g9wbi_YQBQmFBXwo6sADP1Z9u4QN7e7gJzG69D87KSkQqpglEoTEB/s1600-h/IMG_7749.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO858YbjvM8CrRLquEAGpBwI5lKPoghkDYS1CmFfjo18Eo80IoGg62uyjc8J63vs-dCv1dLgerL65TxfFO9h-uNr2g9wbi_YQBQmFBXwo6sADP1Z9u4QN7e7gJzG69D87KSkQqpglEoTEB/s400/IMG_7749.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: both;">Hello to our families in Utah, Tahiti and New Zealand!<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">We LOVE you!</span></strong></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-78748694636311685192010-03-29T22:44:00.000-07:002010-03-29T22:44:31.878-07:00My handsome boys.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvottNjH7wsJHD3nhO6dTKaEkLlYt4l2fgbx1RJ6WsgTOEd5gzvrCP6hsZzlf7lnWgGv3gKP4MxQg7aIa7BqPJ9sJRJgm-_oYwfeFzhCB8kIMDiZelKlHHY0zTKI2h_DzuhmLkwUkGzYN/s1600-h/IMG_7061.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinvottNjH7wsJHD3nhO6dTKaEkLlYt4l2fgbx1RJ6WsgTOEd5gzvrCP6hsZzlf7lnWgGv3gKP4MxQg7aIa7BqPJ9sJRJgm-_oYwfeFzhCB8kIMDiZelKlHHY0zTKI2h_DzuhmLkwUkGzYN/s400/IMG_7061.JPG" /></a><br />
Aren’t they cute?<br />
<div style="clear: both;">Off they go to a friends house while I get my wisdom teeth removed.<br />
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</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-9912044085301852662010-03-29T22:35:00.001-07:002010-03-29T22:36:23.566-07:0011/11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-YY40EqUw83CHI_e6eayw3EpF23rNg3XMAwPbNzgfYvbu3CQ1IyoQ175ko3rNI0uLDomRPLIJbEOQZ3GcVeQoh2hrvkk7F1qi0RHikmtzqF9eJBlBORd-a9vLhfdHMGDJXWSWxl71dGY/s1600-h/Jan+2009.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-YY40EqUw83CHI_e6eayw3EpF23rNg3XMAwPbNzgfYvbu3CQ1IyoQ175ko3rNI0uLDomRPLIJbEOQZ3GcVeQoh2hrvkk7F1qi0RHikmtzqF9eJBlBORd-a9vLhfdHMGDJXWSWxl71dGY/s400/Jan+2009.jpg" /></a><br />
We have an 11 year old in the house! Only one more year and she'll be in YW's!!! Thank you to our families near and far for making her day so special!<br />
Happy Birthday Princess! We love you tons!<br />
<div style="clear: both;"></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-22241910597193052612010-03-29T16:04:00.007-07:002010-03-30T11:48:18.955-07:00Time...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1Mvtg9FrW9G3pgQW8fSRWjqEp0fgEwn9jYpOqmVkv1_xEzZd7xjAf6Gl3TNOjDejEyhryy-h4uHmj604PFQHe4iPxrWVODd21Hf1OFe0h7HLCBERz64gkNF5q1S4L5mbV0vi91zhYorJ/s1600-h/IMG_7046.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1Mvtg9FrW9G3pgQW8fSRWjqEp0fgEwn9jYpOqmVkv1_xEzZd7xjAf6Gl3TNOjDejEyhryy-h4uHmj604PFQHe4iPxrWVODd21Hf1OFe0h7HLCBERz64gkNF5q1S4L5mbV0vi91zhYorJ/s400/IMG_7046.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
I’ve been horrible at updating my blog. Sorry family. I guess my blog is not at the top of my priority list. A lot has happened and if I had to document it all (day by day) you’ll probably fall asleep reading this post. So I’ll just highlight a few things and refer you to <a href="http://www.hampton5.blogspot.com/"><span id="goog_724468475"></span>Ty’s blog<span id="goog_724468476"></span></a> since he’s done a way better job than yours truly.<br />
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- My little sister Mahana received her mission call back in Oct. to serve in the Columbia, South Carolina mission (for the LDS church), English speaking. She entered the Provo Utah MTC March 9, 2010. This was her first time in the US of A and her first time seeing snow and experiencing really, really COLD weather (a real shocker coming from the tropics). Since her English is pretty good instead of the 2 months training at the MTC she only spent a few weeks and leaves today for South Carolina. We are proud of her.<br />
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- As a family (with friends too) we have been hiking around our beautiful desert before it’s too hot to do so.<br />
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- January 2010 a New Year with the resolution to increase our Temple attendance.<br />
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- End of January: we got a new Bishopric therefore Ty was released. Our previous Bishop has faithfully served our ward family for many years so it was time. Bishop Smith was and is a good man , I appreciate his time and sacrifice on our behalf. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity our family got to grow spiritually also. We will always cherish the Smith’s, the Wright’s and the Shiflet’s friendship...good people. We wish our new Bishopric and their families well. The work must go on.<br />
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- February: Dreams come true...on a budget we were able to score tickets to the Happiest Place on Earth...all is possible when there is <strong><em><span style="font-size: large;">“faith, trust and Pixie dust!”</span></em></strong> Thank you Craigslist! It’s a tradition of ours to take the soon to be Kindergartener to Disneyland. So Happy Birthday in advance Jonathan!<br />
<div style="clear: both;"></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-4406116854599009002010-03-25T14:28:00.002-07:002010-03-25T17:58:27.475-07:00FunniesJust writing this down before I forget...<br />
Jonathan: Mom, could you put some <span style="font-size: large;"><em>“Sunscream”</em></span> on me please?<br />
Jonathan: Mom, I brushed my teeth and I <span style="font-size: large;"><em>“broomed”</em></span> my hair...<br />
Jonathan: Mom, can I help you <em><span style="font-size: large;">“rip”</span></em> (grate) cheese for the tacos?Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-39975466364529540552009-12-09T13:41:00.000-07:002009-12-09T13:41:56.534-07:00It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH8dmV17oxU30cdlLBM0VZWD1yE6NTMmcOL6FsAyKuEkvSU55TgMTVoX8GVWV5Sdn9pRNP7MfcZGcu78zveoRG0Dyj0h7d9Mwb8v3RpK5c1KAt3Puais_kWf6lIA1qEyiRAx8GPajurwz/s1600-h/197CANON14.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUH8dmV17oxU30cdlLBM0VZWD1yE6NTMmcOL6FsAyKuEkvSU55TgMTVoX8GVWV5Sdn9pRNP7MfcZGcu78zveoRG0Dyj0h7d9Mwb8v3RpK5c1KAt3Puais_kWf6lIA1qEyiRAx8GPajurwz/s400/197CANON14.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Monday Nov.30th was the day I got all our Christmas stuff out of the garage and got the house ready. I saved the tree for us all to do as a family for FHE that night.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Christmas is upon us and a New Year "2010" is approaching quickly... WOW, where has the time gone?</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-18969042580693350012009-12-09T13:39:00.003-07:002010-03-29T22:53:32.478-07:00<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For FHE we decorated the tree. It was a fun silly time where Christmas tunes were playing all while some goofed off here and there... Everyone was present except for little Joshua (who was under the weather and had gone to bed early after a rough day). When he awoke the next day I told him we had a surprise to show him - a decorated Christmas tree! At first he had that look of WHY is there a tree in our house?! But that soon changed once he saw all the colorful and fun things on it... I’ll let the pictures tell the rest of the story. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Just for the record it took a full day of explaining and teaching before he left the tree alone...for today.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5wCmJkbqFbVZQU4PlzoDoBL0mYJ0jNqKa1a1uC93Vf2NgEP75ngxiu4id5626_AZcq_ml9U8lyP7ZBi56SPXH7VXMdhKmJcJ7wJcl99j53rqlPhhSEv63S0V_zy49jI2KyYVOenO2pLk/s1600-h/IMG_6270.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5wCmJkbqFbVZQU4PlzoDoBL0mYJ0jNqKa1a1uC93Vf2NgEP75ngxiu4id5626_AZcq_ml9U8lyP7ZBi56SPXH7VXMdhKmJcJ7wJcl99j53rqlPhhSEv63S0V_zy49jI2KyYVOenO2pLk/s400/IMG_6270.JPG" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24BEd7uh2CDYEXHLPh_1CHYtZd756qJcyMcwKIqCWpsk9Mc9ui7S4YL385QTRMftlP_OtGbHqWTxu2g77FihPKnklhzs9zrzugy8inx-QeslHqhay-pfFOeqRjRxeBh9D_EF8RoaRsY4I/s1600-h/IMG_6282.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj24BEd7uh2CDYEXHLPh_1CHYtZd756qJcyMcwKIqCWpsk9Mc9ui7S4YL385QTRMftlP_OtGbHqWTxu2g77FihPKnklhzs9zrzugy8inx-QeslHqhay-pfFOeqRjRxeBh9D_EF8RoaRsY4I/s400/IMG_6282.JPG" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4apHuQmCDQLryIjAen6VgUP73_n9Zv6hj-ykYdYmqlB2alPpfkXM403KcD0-OmdphoVFeZ3XSHcuHsJ-5PSlUr26be9M154_D1J54menm7nLqNP_swmuWSOdCNYVyRdpcD0IKYXIJ0k4/s1600-h/IMG_6293.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4apHuQmCDQLryIjAen6VgUP73_n9Zv6hj-ykYdYmqlB2alPpfkXM403KcD0-OmdphoVFeZ3XSHcuHsJ-5PSlUr26be9M154_D1J54menm7nLqNP_swmuWSOdCNYVyRdpcD0IKYXIJ0k4/s400/IMG_6293.JPG" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchs0nBawDwbtjHyu_IFLmIAPps5pXOjE5V1UtC8l_LhklQ3GF8ACzBy8ZSE4FkXfLWFYyUcdiOOfUZtaVhKNI8rmFkir9ZgUcpJLSDSpBWHJWnn9nbUz4qFU257RpQEgYoJC5YcaX5phA/s1600-h/IMG_6295.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchs0nBawDwbtjHyu_IFLmIAPps5pXOjE5V1UtC8l_LhklQ3GF8ACzBy8ZSE4FkXfLWFYyUcdiOOfUZtaVhKNI8rmFkir9ZgUcpJLSDSpBWHJWnn9nbUz4qFU257RpQEgYoJC5YcaX5phA/s400/IMG_6295.JPG" /></a>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-91994762359651528932009-12-09T13:39:00.000-07:002009-12-09T13:39:02.670-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIz1-svlHGVglx4xkE6oxrrNhoqkywrvjCimJm8Zgmu4lcZqm0xt6zpGCeEMj2ZoLRXlbw6xDZRFRXrfGKrEcYx7rJf84-s8FCNmPYuIIGwQ_3bPAU5OXpz13fTDt_Ls2LrghX9jGmv3h/s1600-h/IMG_6231.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIz1-svlHGVglx4xkE6oxrrNhoqkywrvjCimJm8Zgmu4lcZqm0xt6zpGCeEMj2ZoLRXlbw6xDZRFRXrfGKrEcYx7rJf84-s8FCNmPYuIIGwQ_3bPAU5OXpz13fTDt_Ls2LrghX9jGmv3h/s400/IMG_6231.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Ty adding a little decorating humor by turning Jt's Storm Trooper into an ornament!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxou5YuxI-SliOiSRqMpMghkwmMltmbBsgs5ao97zc5ya5doJ8k9GOigv10n-dLdkTyUrtrD8lKDu4XRXMyQtrM5cifSSuL-jIEac1IuSIXj0jkb0jPfteNsT0BTauHIgMAqQwkGOVhPg/s1600-h/IMG_6232.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxou5YuxI-SliOiSRqMpMghkwmMltmbBsgs5ao97zc5ya5doJ8k9GOigv10n-dLdkTyUrtrD8lKDu4XRXMyQtrM5cifSSuL-jIEac1IuSIXj0jkb0jPfteNsT0BTauHIgMAqQwkGOVhPg/s400/IMG_6232.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It took a while before the Star Wars fanatic noticed that “HEY that’s MY Storm Trooper guy - DAD!!!”</span><br />
</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-39157909115468962412009-12-09T13:37:00.001-07:002009-12-09T13:37:54.834-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEq_CPNZB2DYVR73vNqCZ5cIvze1u6VYuxQc3Yf4vCXTPGIrFKpg7dI9aXqeSbqpupBboKUafO3bOYVhApz13Razne6nLsrpjz7ahJbQ46b1pP8BTHUviizqKCx5ibGA4Rklmv3tyt8wa/s1600-h/IMG_6179.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEq_CPNZB2DYVR73vNqCZ5cIvze1u6VYuxQc3Yf4vCXTPGIrFKpg7dI9aXqeSbqpupBboKUafO3bOYVhApz13Razne6nLsrpjz7ahJbQ46b1pP8BTHUviizqKCx5ibGA4Rklmv3tyt8wa/s400/IMG_6179.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let's decorate!</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8zX8P5MB2V58coC4EHbSC5G5SpsSQZDX43L7fVyacEnomLG_i6Xnh94YDoXKsCUALfjnHb_XYQkRjpyl3KyEPSoMTNvC8ArLEbnc-NB5e5eQZnDEQbuMZelnge7VcoXPZlBFf6_Bli8w/s1600-h/IMG_6193.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8zX8P5MB2V58coC4EHbSC5G5SpsSQZDX43L7fVyacEnomLG_i6Xnh94YDoXKsCUALfjnHb_XYQkRjpyl3KyEPSoMTNvC8ArLEbnc-NB5e5eQZnDEQbuMZelnge7VcoXPZlBFf6_Bli8w/s400/IMG_6193.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The kids busy decorating the tree...</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRaFaU9LB-80O6n6xKMiZ9gLWzWJPOS_8t1Rw0mTsg6byPQfe_B9tC99fy3ZrT6ROzU_pYwxZF0Sq5dZ-plZ0NUGJToNo51UYvGajMXVZC_Osm6xIFu4eenj919k4iNiLsUhZj_S4Io_4/s1600-h/IMG_6223.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRaFaU9LB-80O6n6xKMiZ9gLWzWJPOS_8t1Rw0mTsg6byPQfe_B9tC99fy3ZrT6ROzU_pYwxZF0Sq5dZ-plZ0NUGJToNo51UYvGajMXVZC_Osm6xIFu4eenj919k4iNiLsUhZj_S4Io_4/s400/IMG_6223.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jonathan playing with the Tahiti scuba Santa ornament Mom & Dad gave us a few years back. I have to add a little island touch, can't take the "island" out of the island girl.</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-63521599797520689792009-12-04T11:22:00.002-07:002009-12-04T11:23:14.720-07:00Turkeys!!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEnyPemeUVvjlS6SZtphcMWoAGb8WcbsrrZ51GJz6yBZ-VfvY8pE3FGhlLFlriNXmCJjzpEYWK5Zs0VsV9aWjv5QCRX3-uu820dQ9WXt2K4JzTiZL6Eo0H5T70i9qs6-Fdjj4N5Agcxb9/s1600-h/IMG_6175.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsEnyPemeUVvjlS6SZtphcMWoAGb8WcbsrrZ51GJz6yBZ-VfvY8pE3FGhlLFlriNXmCJjzpEYWK5Zs0VsV9aWjv5QCRX3-uu820dQ9WXt2K4JzTiZL6Eo0H5T70i9qs6-Fdjj4N5Agcxb9/s400/IMG_6175.JPG" /></a><br />
<div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our Thanksgiving was spent locally this year and it was good. Things didn’t work out to go to UT and now with my sister living in NZ our “every other Thanksgiving hosting” didn’t happen for obvious reasons. However it’s wonderful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints - a ward family. A sweet family in our ward happily invited us to feast with them. A new Thanksgiving idea (Thanksgiving “kernels”), good company, good food and football makes a good day - a Happy Thanksgiving day! </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s a Hampton (extended) family tradition to see a movie after Thanksgiving. I’ve never asked why but I’m assuming it’s the guys (there are just way too many boys in the Hampton home) way of making it up to the ladies for watching FOOTBALL most of the day...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here is a lovely picture of us after Saturday’s viewing of Disney’s “Christmas Carol” in 3D (thus the “nerdy” glasses.) BTW great movie - a classic. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Joshua doesn’t want to be a part of this not so cool moment, I don’t blame him but hey it’s funny looking! Good thing everyone wears these beauties in the <strong>DARK!!!</strong></span><br />
</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-2987012609704650592009-11-25T14:35:00.001-07:002009-11-25T14:39:36.905-07:00In the Spirit of Thanksgiving<a href="http://www.youtube.com/mormonmessages#play/all/1/Tuwid8_O8dk">In the Spirit of Thanksgiving</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">One simple question:<strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>“What are you thankful for?”</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">(click above to view this short message).</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-18105708799240675142009-11-25T14:29:00.001-07:002009-11-25T14:30:10.094-07:00Scattering Sunshine.<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."</em></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Georgia;"> Mosiah 2:17</span></strong> <span style="font-size: x-small;">(The Book of Mormon.)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yQ4QSCEkFcAbAx7DXcy9oAFZtbV5zV6_czBVO50GPNehBlSqwpL4kkL8yzsOwq3ETPLvseeqoM2qs0KYhQ5iEGzDPWCV2Mlcd4NwB1dZTtWc_ePN_2_WUhyYGO0h5J_96YWjAi1TsM3L/s1600/197CANON13.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yQ4QSCEkFcAbAx7DXcy9oAFZtbV5zV6_czBVO50GPNehBlSqwpL4kkL8yzsOwq3ETPLvseeqoM2qs0KYhQ5iEGzDPWCV2Mlcd4NwB1dZTtWc_ePN_2_WUhyYGO0h5J_96YWjAi1TsM3L/s400/197CANON13.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are trying to teach our children to serve others weather it be a helping hand, encouraging words or just listening. For FHE we made a list of things we can do as a family to bless the lives of others. From the list we chose to brighten the day of children patients and their families. Ty went to work on contacting a hosiptal then we all worked on making cards. As parents we enjoyed watching them get creative and have fun doing this for complete strangers. Here Tia is losing herself in cardmaking. </span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-37778792610986362022009-11-25T14:28:00.001-07:002009-11-25T14:28:34.118-07:00 <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKptacAyxfrFUEpHmqxU812PhPUJg0_bigsECjTtJm00YT2qW_6uLwbpxaNW0oc91KGPT15HV3I9GBUc3FklYouinooTGABvOm1ny8RmxZ1HLV4TTX28ec27DXzIqdwhZmQpzD_S_JPtO/s1600/IMG_6083.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKptacAyxfrFUEpHmqxU812PhPUJg0_bigsECjTtJm00YT2qW_6uLwbpxaNW0oc91KGPT15HV3I9GBUc3FklYouinooTGABvOm1ny8RmxZ1HLV4TTX28ec27DXzIqdwhZmQpzD_S_JPtO/s400/IMG_6083.JPG" /></a> <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thank you Miss Morgan H. for being so kind to our family and helping us teach our children to serve others in small ways. We enjoyed seeing and giving the patients and their families our homemade cards. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCqVykJCVN1zEtxq6foE9_s5SIwenRUEl9HZ5CBfCe6_FPl008BiIpT6e0v6IIQH1Vhdylooa6lGF6kCUmMJFzyt2W-8B2AICnLmcZKgP2nEA3JlZ0zwXOKxkhfgA2PoOiTAKRBMtENPF/s1600/IMG_6085.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCqVykJCVN1zEtxq6foE9_s5SIwenRUEl9HZ5CBfCe6_FPl008BiIpT6e0v6IIQH1Vhdylooa6lGF6kCUmMJFzyt2W-8B2AICnLmcZKgP2nEA3JlZ0zwXOKxkhfgA2PoOiTAKRBMtENPF/s400/IMG_6085.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here we are leaving the beautiful and colorful murals accompanied with uplifting quotes that adorn the halls of the UMC children’s hospital. </span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc57sDuBqBmewnrvMFneMzOUpctPt2sgk5bb5HAFsjej2c0pGlzrLmO5MS2ZrycnsY4Xpj08HGlqlZsy_gMrQo9abz3s5I6QMgFHkc0qyAThzjE394YKhdpV7Blv0TDCsk3vWFFtwSgIu/s1600/IMG_6090.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc57sDuBqBmewnrvMFneMzOUpctPt2sgk5bb5HAFsjej2c0pGlzrLmO5MS2ZrycnsY4Xpj08HGlqlZsy_gMrQo9abz3s5I6QMgFHkc0qyAThzjE394YKhdpV7Blv0TDCsk3vWFFtwSgIu/s400/IMG_6090.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Serving others puts a SMILE on faces and warms hearts...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia;">it just makes you feel good!</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-51182923376360498252009-11-25T14:27:00.000-07:002009-11-25T14:27:25.907-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3O9uwfBswaRqaXiBPBg6XI7xXADMTlpMLHIPclSlgQaawUTFF6kJHzRi_VnqtQJGhX_6Pp6ykJ6OvOE2ejrklxJZNfPYiuPEavU3Y7afSEcJo_lcNUf-lws4laSzLMm_rfbECAD2Zii-/s1600/IMG_6107.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq3O9uwfBswaRqaXiBPBg6XI7xXADMTlpMLHIPclSlgQaawUTFF6kJHzRi_VnqtQJGhX_6Pp6ykJ6OvOE2ejrklxJZNfPYiuPEavU3Y7afSEcJo_lcNUf-lws4laSzLMm_rfbECAD2Zii-/s400/IMG_6107.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We learnt that such a simple thing like a homemade card truly gives these kids a boost especially to the ones that are terminal. Just the fact that someone out there is thinking of you is nice. This simple activity also put things into perspective for our children. We should be grateful for our good health, our healthy bodies and for the simple things in life that sometimes we take for granted.</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-67153018815825101242009-11-24T21:53:00.001-07:002009-11-24T21:53:58.820-07:00The Tri<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViuMTIDrF95yXJBZQWs7YaUWmEtKFG3k7sFynAft0IVjGjU-3OlejyS-YPgtuWi4J3PERA9Hmap2z-z44Smai5kzy96FVX7kVwOt749gVoqKz0ZmARI0yTJT4tDAbBtmSheDsupu4Nkv8/s1600/197CANON12.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhViuMTIDrF95yXJBZQWs7YaUWmEtKFG3k7sFynAft0IVjGjU-3OlejyS-YPgtuWi4J3PERA9Hmap2z-z44Smai5kzy96FVX7kVwOt749gVoqKz0ZmARI0yTJT4tDAbBtmSheDsupu4Nkv8/s400/197CANON12.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I’ll let Ty fill you in on his first Triathlon experience (see his blog soon). </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Saturday November 6, 2009 was the date. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Casa Grande, AZ was the place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We (the kids and I) were not present because of soccer games. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">But we were and are proud of him. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">GO Dad you did it!</span></strong></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-55929681452158186022009-11-24T21:37:00.000-07:002009-11-24T21:37:21.401-07:00Pumpkins, Hot cocoa and fun!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yes, I’m on a roll here with my blog posts! I have all these October drafts that need to be posted because what are we? Like the end of November!!! So sorry to my far far away family members - these posts will show you that we are well ALIVE...</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ-pENbXqBIkk_Np-ozIR1eW11RQObSM9tp3U37KJP3JKdnRwxS2uCI4etN72F_7tFFRhMZR984kziz5Y7NQX01BdpC5M3UIKbqXwRRYXb6KTQiB0Z7RW0DCxBGexqM3QCRw1VS62GR3a/s1600/197CANON11.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRZ-pENbXqBIkk_Np-ozIR1eW11RQObSM9tp3U37KJP3JKdnRwxS2uCI4etN72F_7tFFRhMZR984kziz5Y7NQX01BdpC5M3UIKbqXwRRYXb6KTQiB0Z7RW0DCxBGexqM3QCRw1VS62GR3a/s400/197CANON11.jpg" /></a><br />
Grandma's if you can't see just Click on the collage to enlarge.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-71756586228742974222009-11-24T21:17:00.003-07:002009-11-24T21:22:49.065-07:00Halloween in da' hood...<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Trick or Treat?</span></strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Well we didn’t have a choice, we got smitten by the FLU (thank goodness it wasn’t the swine flu.) The YMCA Halloween party was a week early and everyone was fine so I’m glad the kids were able to have some fun. Little did we know that the following week was going to be “sicko week“. Tia was the first and the worst - she missed 4 days of school. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We missed our ward trunk or treat for obvious reasons but we were able to get the kids out for the real deal a couple of days later.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuKWRa3c8DDeOQToZp7RN1E1WrHA2E_cuCwc6dQQO0sKZ7n4lat8t-GOB-a7bohahxdkGtpya6-jw6rRM_stdH7kLlOp0hxUIkCKuCWubQHcyjL3k_J_wGTw1MEWuMg57Ic34GbUIXTmK/s1600/IMG_5700.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQuKWRa3c8DDeOQToZp7RN1E1WrHA2E_cuCwc6dQQO0sKZ7n4lat8t-GOB-a7bohahxdkGtpya6-jw6rRM_stdH7kLlOp0hxUIkCKuCWubQHcyjL3k_J_wGTw1MEWuMg57Ic34GbUIXTmK/s400/IMG_5700.JPG" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Featuring: </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Indiana Jones, Charlie Brown and the Tucson Cowgirl.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZr-mqfTRtkal2HHFgAudRGoAeSwwuEcTwI_5hg8F7KtupCXZItq3riQVmedLN1qhDmjm__OrzZjNxi67C1M6ggBiMr3JAvCsF38f2TggMUKl20cWVUly-JYrIyNKhLdNtw66Bh1gTesG/s1600/IMG_5705.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZr-mqfTRtkal2HHFgAudRGoAeSwwuEcTwI_5hg8F7KtupCXZItq3riQVmedLN1qhDmjm__OrzZjNxi67C1M6ggBiMr3JAvCsF38f2TggMUKl20cWVUly-JYrIyNKhLdNtw66Bh1gTesG/s400/IMG_5705.JPG" /></a> <br />
...cute little Charlie B.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALxbQxc35F6TN97QGUNwD3hcJBPeFCWFKEAvs3edvjLwO-cW73a-amcj208KpBu2hR7qPFvdPrmlqAlHQctqwXQBEtW3Hd7JqYNQnbUHjZNyuo270dg5Olbz4AHkQYdNof3V-fjUzEBB6/s1600/IMG_5707.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALxbQxc35F6TN97QGUNwD3hcJBPeFCWFKEAvs3edvjLwO-cW73a-amcj208KpBu2hR7qPFvdPrmlqAlHQctqwXQBEtW3Hd7JqYNQnbUHjZNyuo270dg5Olbz4AHkQYdNof3V-fjUzEBB6/s400/IMG_5707.JPG" /></a><br />
Hand over the candy and nobody will get hurt! Don't mess with her she has 2 revolvers!!<br />
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Go Indy! Hold on to that hat.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Credits:</strong> Mom’s frugal thinking.</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Charlie Brown’s costume $2.50 (yellow tee from Michaels).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Indiana Jones outfit $3.00 (hat .99c, kitchen towel transformed into a shoulder bag .99c. Construction belt transformed to hold Indy’s stuff .99c.)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Cowgirl outfit $8.00 (like new cowgirl boots from Goodwill $5, top $3 from Twice as Nice).</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>TOTAL $13.50 to dress 3 kids for Halloween. </strong></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Now that’s a TREAT!</strong></span></span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-877563949115926572009-11-24T20:07:00.000-07:002009-11-24T20:07:44.638-07:00Halloween @ the YMCA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDdah9EDaBrisXLYPleGoup2JlcR5u82flGBQuWiMabAflPw-FXI4H1bDpgwb0T-vZaA0Uzw1Y8Fw9V0F1s-1WPswDhjFQkspj5RTTD3WR6La0Ah4y0R_gge9rF1TkRZah-sg8YEnzdho/s1600/IMG_5675.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDdah9EDaBrisXLYPleGoup2JlcR5u82flGBQuWiMabAflPw-FXI4H1bDpgwb0T-vZaA0Uzw1Y8Fw9V0F1s-1WPswDhjFQkspj5RTTD3WR6La0Ah4y0R_gge9rF1TkRZah-sg8YEnzdho/s400/IMG_5675.JPG" /></a><br />
Superman, the army man and the soccer girl.<br />
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Joshua - ooh C A N D Y...hmmmm I think I would like the Kit Kat no wait may be a Snicker...<br />
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Tia helping Superman with the bean bag toss.<br />
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Army man Jonathan checking out the fire truck.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-68110283976018746802009-11-24T12:31:00.003-07:002009-11-24T12:38:30.511-07:00Meet "Rocky Tank".<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This is our latest addition a desert tortoise. We heard from some friends that you can adopt a desert tortoise from the museum - the <a href="http://www.desertmuseum.org/">Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum</a> to be precise. When the kids heard all about it they were very interested in the idea of having a new pet and we (parents) loved the idea that it was going to be a free pet and a low maintenance one too. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Let’s be real here, you know what I’m talking about, when kids have a pet or pets who does most of the pet chores? Us).</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anyway the process of adopting a desert tortoise is fairly simple. You call the museum, they will send you some info, they come inspect your yard (the tortoise’s future home), if you pass their requirements then they will contact you to set up a date/time for you to come pick up your “new pet.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now in regards to our tortoise’s interesting name, that’s simple. Tia wanted “Rocky” and Jonathan wanted “Tank” so in order to maintain peace and harmony in the home the tortoise was named “Rocky Tank”.</span> <br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Rocky Tank was adopted Oct. 23, 2009.</strong></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zqKaplFK8SlNVf7C877nmutdCcKYqgTEpr8IMXZg24tT9OUYCq6E-XytCZHHEezojjGKpAhHF9i8XZKOrEgp7LtTumRZYMHr6MPHP6gCqhatAdlvPbnCP-8a_3RdOqPKT4ce8NR2gmNV/s1600/197CANON10.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0zqKaplFK8SlNVf7C877nmutdCcKYqgTEpr8IMXZg24tT9OUYCq6E-XytCZHHEezojjGKpAhHF9i8XZKOrEgp7LtTumRZYMHr6MPHP6gCqhatAdlvPbnCP-8a_3RdOqPKT4ce8NR2gmNV/s400/197CANON10.jpg" /></a><br />
Leaving the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AMo5o3aqfhxIxwcAPMPuIJtYStxslHLTQuCCZA5Xf-Ctv90juLJLXoUPM26r0bz_fM-EiC1vQ6MuebXyyUFBWUKZDBlBRo3See4N20dwV9LQNRMpqze2E9MaDURkobWN8h359uUl-552/s1600/IMG_5599.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AMo5o3aqfhxIxwcAPMPuIJtYStxslHLTQuCCZA5Xf-Ctv90juLJLXoUPM26r0bz_fM-EiC1vQ6MuebXyyUFBWUKZDBlBRo3See4N20dwV9LQNRMpqze2E9MaDURkobWN8h359uUl-552/s400/IMG_5599.JPG" /></a><br />
Joshua welcoming and petting Rocky Tank in our back yard - his new home.<br />
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Eating as much as he can...because guess what? He has to go into hibernation.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMjpS8IKZoq5ITLFNZxz6itgWWqGGHALBsKc22OEb-F4hV6Yu_vGUYw_2e8txU91ZsWEd05aFNA-XoD1tNUjSo_VqeGdYx5UoFLksnxOZMUe4uiLeGmaD6vtW4hUOfwieIBmEpCpqvPCP/s1600/IMG_5648.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMjpS8IKZoq5ITLFNZxz6itgWWqGGHALBsKc22OEb-F4hV6Yu_vGUYw_2e8txU91ZsWEd05aFNA-XoD1tNUjSo_VqeGdYx5UoFLksnxOZMUe4uiLeGmaD6vtW4hUOfwieIBmEpCpqvPCP/s400/IMG_5648.JPG" /></a>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4936741161863539009.post-88002551031889127162009-11-24T11:41:00.006-07:002009-11-24T13:12:40.281-07:00A day at the museum...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvG1s9c4UfTz5CctZHdZCChq_tgEB8Rl9_QsTwfwpYP49a1FLsFQnXKY4ZRDGFhyphenhyphen3rR9sJTlPVSm9S9vNNrOsK3sQzvbW6AMp8db01YgyApSbkestZEc5moOH-s0cRDs8cA9R5YMvYL4y/s1600/IMG_5498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvG1s9c4UfTz5CctZHdZCChq_tgEB8Rl9_QsTwfwpYP49a1FLsFQnXKY4ZRDGFhyphenhyphen3rR9sJTlPVSm9S9vNNrOsK3sQzvbW6AMp8db01YgyApSbkestZEc5moOH-s0cRDs8cA9R5YMvYL4y/s400/IMG_5498.JPG" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>...Here we are opening the door to further knowledge and appreciation of the diverse wildlife of the world (btw what a beautiful door design, very inviting). For a local museum it was pretty good. This was our first time visiting this particular museum - thanks Tia and Jonathan for the library coupons and thanks Dad for spending your day off with us. The kids enjoyed learning a little, touching and seeing a few animals up close with out the fear of getting chased and eaten! It was amazing to see a large variety of God’s creatures all in one building. If you are ever in our neck of the woods come check out the <a href="http://www.thewildlifemuseum.org/">International Wildlife Museum,</a> it’s a great place to be especially when it’s HOT outside.<br />
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Sshhhh...what to do when children misbehave? Feed them to a crocodile.<br />
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Our 3 stinky ferrets!<br />
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I love how Joshua is not sure about that elk...Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11949929045787937212noreply@blogger.com1