tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18369975520463104372024-03-13T04:54:33.981-07:00Hello, We are The Chinchen'sWe are a family of 5 that decided to leave the comforts and familiarity of home and hit the road. We are taking time to travel and learn about ourselves and the country we live in.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-82407783749001640002010-08-26T15:54:00.000-07:002010-08-26T16:18:34.817-07:00Happy Birthday Kaleb 12!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb1ltX6ecI/AAAAAAAABQ4/vcI3DBHj-WE/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+059.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb1ldgWUZI/AAAAAAAABQw/WHvKI9fxEoQ/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb1ldgWUZI/AAAAAAAABQw/WHvKI9fxEoQ/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509861218058654098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0sHKfu-I/AAAAAAAABQo/x0SXExQQd4k/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+056.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxfbHAj-I/AAAAAAAABPI/5ED2CSkxoeg/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+005.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0rlOnGFI/AAAAAAAABQg/LDsOcXWCNm0/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+046.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgmgAYrI/AAAAAAAABPg/RSoe8dZ1AUY/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+032.jpg">August 23, 2010</a><br /><br />Kaleb Joshua <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chinchen</span> turns 12!<br /><br />Has to go to school for the first time ever on his birthday.<br /><br />Mom and Dad feel old.<br /><br />Kids choice.....Brat BBQ at Mill Pond. Rope swing. Swimming.<br /><br />Wish list....Anything that has to do with baseball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0p3goS4I/AAAAAAAABQI/eCEJvdy-4hA/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+003.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0p3goS4I/AAAAAAAABQI/eCEJvdy-4hA/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509860194247003010" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgRAb_8I/AAAAAAAABPY/ipmBNivmQPY/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+028.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxf_MhKGI/AAAAAAAABPQ/1dNFQK1wYKk/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+019.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxf_MhKGI/AAAAAAAABPQ/1dNFQK1wYKk/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509856725976557666" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxfbHAj-I/AAAAAAAABPI/5ED2CSkxoeg/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+005.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgmgAYrI/AAAAAAAABPg/RSoe8dZ1AUY/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+032.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgRAb_8I/AAAAAAAABPY/ipmBNivmQPY/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+028.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgRAb_8I/AAAAAAAABPY/ipmBNivmQPY/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+028.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509856730757726146" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgmgAYrI/AAAAAAAABPg/RSoe8dZ1AUY/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+032.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbxgmgAYrI/AAAAAAAABPg/RSoe8dZ1AUY/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509856736527278770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0sHKfu-I/AAAAAAAABQo/x0SXExQQd4k/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+056.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0sHKfu-I/AAAAAAAABQo/x0SXExQQd4k/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+056.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509860232808872930" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0qxznOxI/AAAAAAAABQY/T-haYKiqMZY/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0qxznOxI/AAAAAAAABQY/T-haYKiqMZY/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509860209895881490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0rlOnGFI/AAAAAAAABQg/LDsOcXWCNm0/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+046.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb0rlOnGFI/AAAAAAAABQg/LDsOcXWCNm0/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509860223699327058" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb1ltX6ecI/AAAAAAAABQ4/vcI3DBHj-WE/s1600/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+059.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THb1ltX6ecI/AAAAAAAABQ4/vcI3DBHj-WE/s400/kks+bday+and+karas+hike+059.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509861222318242242" border="0" /></a><br />Received:<br /> -<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Frisbee</span><br /> -2 all leather baseballs<br /> -The Sandlot (movie about baseball)<br />-bag to carry all baseball gear in<br />-pitching <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">practice</span> net (from grandma and grandpa)<br />-all leather baseball glove (from nans and grumpy)<br />-all wood baseball bat (from uncle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">brian</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lauren</span>)<br /> <br />I'd say....SUCCESS!<br />Happy Birthday Kaleb! We Love You!5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-66458886644811878892010-08-26T15:05:00.000-07:002010-08-26T15:51:57.090-07:00Grass Lake<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnqlXq7jI/AAAAAAAABOo/xWZW0VNeAy4/s1600/august+287.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnqlXq7jI/AAAAAAAABOo/xWZW0VNeAy4/s400/august+287.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509845912906296882" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnqPy_BhI/AAAAAAAABOg/rxcWlVq_zEI/s1600/august+281.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnqPy_BhI/AAAAAAAABOg/rxcWlVq_zEI/s400/august+281.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509845907115279890" border="0" /></a><br />It's Saturday. That means No work and No School. What will the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chinchen</span> family do?<br />Sit at home and relax? For a bit. Get outside and play? Definitely!<br />It's hot here in Bishop. We knew it would be. But seriously, 103? That's hot. It's been right around 100 since they day we moved here. We've gotten use to it for the most part. I now think a 92 degree day is pleasant. We learned that 6 pm is ideal for rock climbing. We also know that if you want to play in the middle of the day, you have to get above 7000 feet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmdjHiBgI/AAAAAAAABN4/oWGyaO4nciQ/s1600/august+222.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmdjHiBgI/AAAAAAAABN4/oWGyaO4nciQ/s400/august+222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509844589451806210" border="0" /></a>We decided to go on a hike that we fulfill every one's desires. Geo-cache, climb, hike and swim in a mountain lake.<br />I'm not positive how many total miles the hike was. Somewhere around the 4 mile mark. With a bit of elevation gain. And I'm stoked on my kids. No whining. No complaining. Just fun! The older two are great hikers. Avery, it depends on her mood that day. It's amazing to watch her love for the outdoors grow. She admires the mountains daily and tells me how beautiful they are. She's so innocent and so pure. You know the words coming out of her mouth are true. And to see such amazement at nature makes my heart melt.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmeIbfg0I/AAAAAAAABOA/yN3qKaVl8m4/s1600/august+245.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmeIbfg0I/AAAAAAAABOA/yN3qKaVl8m4/s400/august+245.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509844599467639618" border="0" /></a>We followed a creek up a mountain side. It then levels off. Jason did a bit of climbing while the kids played hide and seek among the boulders. We then continued on to the lake. A small river crossing and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">BAM</span>, there you are. Lake, mountains, wildflowers. I swear I live in a Bob Ross painting. It seems like you can just reach out and touch the mountains. We were in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I am in love!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmcYh5shI/AAAAAAAABNo/piZkqTVJG1c/s1600/august+265.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmcYh5shI/AAAAAAAABNo/piZkqTVJG1c/s400/august+265.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509844569429750290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbtSsC10dI/AAAAAAAABO4/SIP_DgkyQhw/s1600/august+268.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbtSsC10dI/AAAAAAAABO4/SIP_DgkyQhw/s400/august+268.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509852099450884562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnpEZkmNI/AAAAAAAABOQ/qoYZcaFAzkA/s1600/august+275.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnpEZkmNI/AAAAAAAABOQ/qoYZcaFAzkA/s400/august+275.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509845886876031186" border="0" /></a><br />As I starred in awe, I heard talking. There was "a man and his dog" out in the back country camping. He had a map (what a smart man!). We took a peek and found a trail that looped back down to where we had parked. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">YAY</span>, a circle. I like loops. I don't mind the whole turn around hike, but loops are way more fun. We hopped, skipped and jumped through the mucky lake grass and found the trail. Down the switchbacks. Through rock fields. It was a blast! I didn't want to find the car. I was wishing we all had packs strapped to our backs and were out to explore for days. Until the blisters started forming. Ouch!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmdGnVDiI/AAAAAAAABNw/vM2G9oKjGZM/s1600/august+218.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnprFIIAI/AAAAAAAABOY/kh-TatCK5Cs/s1600/august+277.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnprFIIAI/AAAAAAAABOY/kh-TatCK5Cs/s400/august+277.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509845897259261954" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnq4UvwjI/AAAAAAAABOw/SGUnJnnLZSI/s1600/august+291.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnq4UvwjI/AAAAAAAABOw/SGUnJnnLZSI/s400/august+291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509845917994304050" border="0" /></a>We never got our swim on. The clouds were rolling in and looked black. We avoided the rain, but the temperature dropped quite a bit. <br />Everyone was fulfilled. Even the dog. I made it out without being attacked by a bear or cougar. (which i swear that's how's it's going down for me). The kids were dirty and happy. Jay tackled and won on a few boulders. It was time to head back home .<br />Look for us in the next Bob Ross painting you see!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbme6dC5BI/AAAAAAAABOI/bWbjOg4DYoY/s1600/august+256.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbme6dC5BI/AAAAAAAABOI/bWbjOg4DYoY/s400/august+256.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509844612895925266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbnpEZkmNI/AAAAAAAABOQ/qoYZcaFAzkA/s1600/august+275.jpg"><br /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmdGnVDiI/AAAAAAAABNw/vM2G9oKjGZM/s1600/august+218.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbmdGnVDiI/AAAAAAAABNw/vM2G9oKjGZM/s400/august+218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509844581800545826" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-60415423977342926342010-08-26T14:12:00.000-07:002010-08-26T14:58:15.195-07:00ditchin mom for school<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbiNvjlWQI/AAAAAAAABNg/ySlc204oLIg/s1600/august+215.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ0u6LYGI/AAAAAAAABMw/-Y_S9WZ7z_w/s1600/august+204.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ0u6LYGI/AAAAAAAABMw/-Y_S9WZ7z_w/s400/august+204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509830694102851682" border="0" /></a>Yep, you looked at that picture correctly. That's ALL 3 of my kiddos wearing backpacks!<br />All of them left me. Ditched the nest. Grew their own wings. For a few hours a day at least. They all come running back in the afternoon to tell me how much they love me. Or ask for food.<br />They've been home schooled or "road-schooled" for the past few years. Kaleb went back for part of the year last year up in WA, but my girls stayed home with me and hit the books.<br />This year, with the move to a small town, they all felt they wanted to go back to "real school" mainly to meet new friends. It was hard for me, but I get it. They left all their friends 2 years ago and miss those friendship bonds. They've met great friends on the road, but it's just not the same as having them right down the road.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ12jRHqI/AAAAAAAABNA/BK4AZiGoImg/s1600/august+196.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ12jRHqI/AAAAAAAABNA/BK4AZiGoImg/s400/august+196.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509830713334111906" border="0" /></a>I'll be honest, I had anxiety. Seriously sleep issues as the first day of school approached. But I was the only one. The kids all slept with ease. Not an ounce of fear about being the new kid. Not one speck of hesitation. In fact, Kaleb refused to let us walk him to school. I did follow him with the girls. We have to walk pass his school to get to theirs (really, I swear I wasn't stalking). I had my camera ready as I yelled out his name to snap a picture. It's the only way at his age. :) He is, after all, a big middle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">schooler</span>. (7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> grade) How embarrassing to have your mommy help you find your way. He reassured me he'd be fine. And guess what....he was!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbb13klWUI/AAAAAAAABNY/3D06kqcLsZI/s1600/august+210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbb13klWUI/AAAAAAAABNY/3D06kqcLsZI/s400/august+210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509832912631322946" border="0" /></a>Now came the hard part. Letting go of my baby girls!! I made Daddy go to work late so he could come along, mainly to be MY support system.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ani</span> is entering 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> grade. She was smiling ear to ear! She reminded me that she hasn't been in "real" school since the 1st grade. There's a big difference between 1st and 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span>. She's so big now and so independent. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Where'd</span> my baby go? She's the girl in class that makes every teacher smile. She's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">everyone's</span> friend! She was a little concerned at first cause *gasp* she has a MALE teacher. No problem though, he's already wrapped himself around her finger. She thinks he's hilarious! She's a book of information already because of him. I'm pretty confident that she's going to have a great year!<br />Little Miss Avery.......My treasure. Who makes me go crazy every day! And then makes me laugh til I pee. What will I ever do without her. She's my buddy. She goes everywhere with me. She calls me out when I'm being "bad" and compliments me when I need to smile. She can read me like an open book. And she's been waiting for this 1st day of school for a few years now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ2bPmIxI/AAAAAAAABNI/E0Xf57X4BKw/s1600/august+208.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ2bPmIxI/AAAAAAAABNI/E0Xf57X4BKw/s400/august+208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509830723183715090" border="0" /></a>I was that mom that cried on orientation night. How was I ever going to get through the drop-off? She had her "pack-back" packed and ready 2 days ahead of schedule. She leaped out of bed before the alarm clock went off. She was ready and the bell couldn't ring soon enough. I, on the other hand, seriously contemplated grabbing her and running away to Never Never Land.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ1E-KvhI/AAAAAAAABM4/q0osxkhphpA/s1600/august+211.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ1E-KvhI/AAAAAAAABM4/q0osxkhphpA/s400/august+211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509830700025167378" border="0" /></a>She shed no tears. Didn't even hesitate at the door. This was her moment! She hugged and kissed mommy and daddy goodbye. Then she kissed her momma again. And again. And again. But only because I made her. It was time for me to let her go. How dramatic right!!! :)<br />I was fine. Really I was. Until I walked outside and my hubby said "Alright Babe, I've got to go to work".<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ2qcqGyI/AAAAAAAABNQ/zG-QkXAR3kY/s1600/august+213.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbZ2qcqGyI/AAAAAAAABNQ/zG-QkXAR3kY/s400/august+213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509830727265032994" border="0" /></a>WAIT A MINUTE!! STOP RIGHT THERE!!!! HE WAS LEAVING ME TOO!! DAMN!<br />I was really going to be alone. Seriously ALONE! Now the tears starting falling. Alligator tears. Runny nose. Yep, it happened. I was that mom. Who stood on the sidewalk outside of the school balling! Now what? For the first time in 12 years I was going to be alone. Jason looked at me and told me that now it was time to take care of me. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hmmmm</span>, that sounds great. But I'm clueless how to do that. I walked home. Poured a cup of coffee and stared at the walls. I watched the clock. Could I go pick them up yet???? I paced. I cleaned. I paced some more.<br />Finally it was time to go get Avery. I was so excited to see her, take her out for ice cream and hear about her day. She greeted me with a huge hug. As we walked home I asked her if she missed me as much as I missed her. Her response..."I forgot all about you Mom"<br />HUMPH.......A note to all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kindy</span> teachers. First lesson...How to lie to your mom and make her feel good!!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbiNvjlWQI/AAAAAAAABNg/ySlc204oLIg/s1600/august+215.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/THbiNvjlWQI/AAAAAAAABNg/ySlc204oLIg/s400/august+215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509839919866272002" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-12259232234090826712010-08-17T19:03:00.000-07:002010-08-17T19:12:01.620-07:00Willy Wonka? No, the pencil gnome!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGtANXpFiYI/AAAAAAAABMo/FCzpRB3DVaU/s1600/105_3171.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGs_oudy1SI/AAAAAAAABMY/4YFgME2AHgw/s1600/105_3176.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGs_oudy1SI/AAAAAAAABMY/4YFgME2AHgw/s400/105_3176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506564938290877730" border="0" /></a><br />What happens when your daddy works at a toy/pencil factory?<br />ENDLESS amounts of pens, pencils, sharpeners, erasers. Daddy brought home the kiddos a years supply of writing utensils today. Good thing....school starts <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Thursday</span>. Let the sharpening begin!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGtANXpFiYI/AAAAAAAABMo/FCzpRB3DVaU/s1600/105_3171.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGtANXpFiYI/AAAAAAAABMo/FCzpRB3DVaU/s400/105_3171.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506565567819385218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGtAM-NU61I/AAAAAAAABMg/TAl_Xzhf0PM/s1600/105_3170.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGtAM-NU61I/AAAAAAAABMg/TAl_Xzhf0PM/s400/105_3170.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506565560992066386" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-45120413191197682632010-08-11T12:59:00.000-07:002010-08-12T15:46:41.642-07:00A place to call HOME<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KHhye8I/AAAAAAAABLg/ncoyyoBESG0/s1600/100_2626.JPG"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4LdLhMMI/AAAAAAAABL4/nrsn7aTIa2Q/s1600/105_3041.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4LdLhMMI/AAAAAAAABL4/nrsn7aTIa2Q/s400/105_3041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504656782760423618" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGMB5DNrChI/AAAAAAAABLI/BgkiAc0-56Q/s1600/269.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGMB5DNrChI/AAAAAAAABLI/BgkiAc0-56Q/s400/269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504245249203702290" border="0" /></a><br />WELCOME HOME!<br />HOME SWEET HOME!<br />The search is over. 2 years ago today we left Bend, Oregon. We left in search of our new home. Of what Bend use to be 12 years ago. We made some U-Turns along the way. And went down a few wrong paths. All for a reason. To eventually lead us to Bishop, CA, a small town nestled up to the Eastern Sierra Mountains. A town we had never heard of before.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4Kx-vbqI/AAAAAAAABLw/a5Yo-eOH-Dw/s1600/100_2893.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 106px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4Kx-vbqI/AAAAAAAABLw/a5Yo-eOH-Dw/s400/100_2893.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504656771164106402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KHhye8I/AAAAAAAABLg/ncoyyoBESG0/s1600/100_2626.JPG"><br /></a><br />We found Bishop by mistake while traveling down the open road. We spent about 3 weeks here, 1 1/2 of those because we were fortunate enough to have our transmission blow in the beautiful area. Made good out of the bad. We instantly fell in love and the town made it to the top of our list as a place we would like to settle. That dream came true last month when Jason got accepted for a job here in town.<br />We've been here now 1 month and keep waiting to wake from the dream. I pinch myself numerous times during the day. Especially when I look out any of our windows to a view of 14,000 foot peaks.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR3Fx6z1JI/AAAAAAAABLY/QZ0VAf8IjO8/s1600/105_3031.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR3Fx6z1JI/AAAAAAAABLY/QZ0VAf8IjO8/s400/105_3031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504655585736643730" border="0" /></a><br />We have world famous climbing out our backyard, endless trails into the wilderness, rivers, desert, lowest and highest points of the US, the local organic U-Pick garden, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">petroglyphs</span>, snowboarding, SUN, new friends and big huge smiles!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KHhye8I/AAAAAAAABLg/ncoyyoBESG0/s1600/100_2626.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KHhye8I/AAAAAAAABLg/ncoyyoBESG0/s400/100_2626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504656759768382402" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KrMeFWI/AAAAAAAABLo/EVi_8eGRmQw/s1600/100_2768.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KrMeFWI/AAAAAAAABLo/EVi_8eGRmQw/s400/100_2768.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504656769342641506" border="0" /></a><br />Life is finally settling down a bit after the move. Family and friends have visited, Jason is happy at his job, the kids are all involved in the community, school starts next week and I'm venturing down the path of childbirth educator. This move is good for all of us. We're excited to share it with you all.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR5Libo_0I/AAAAAAAABMQ/h_2cgm7WyWU/s1600/100_2965.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR5Libo_0I/AAAAAAAABMQ/h_2cgm7WyWU/s400/100_2965.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504657883681849154" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/TGR4KHhye8I/AAAAAAAABLg/ncoyyoBESG0/s1600/100_2626.JPG"><br /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-73542489860919602732010-04-13T21:24:00.000-07:002010-04-13T21:46:25.944-07:00Hello out thereNovember??<br />That was the last time I wrote on our blog? Dang....! I'm embarrassed. I have every intention of keeping this current. I wish that I had a good excuse. Does moving back into a stick built house count? How about homeschooling? Starting our own business? Having 3 kids and a dog? Really? Come on. Like I can't find a few minutes every week to sit down and update. You know there's always something exciting to share.<br />I admire those of you that write everyday. Even if it's a few short sentences and a pic. They usually put a smile on my face. I should try. Put this on my to-do list. A "have you visited your blog yet today?" reminder on my phone.<br />As the kids rush up to bed, I'll take a few quick moments to give you the run down before I go tuck them all tightly in.<br />We're still up in Anacortes, WA. We decided to stay after starting our own yacht care business that just "kinda happened" after a few projects we did. It's going well.<br />We moved into a rental house. When the gray wet winter skies appeared, we decided that the RV was feeling small now that we were stuck inside and it was time to spread out. We've been in our house 6 months now and have loved the comfort. Hot running water!! A dishwasher! Longer than necessary showers! (need to control that!) A fireplace! Laundry at home!<br />Ahhhhh......<br />Ani is still being homeschooled. Kaleb started at home and then decided he'd like to go back to school. He's in 6th grade and doing well. He's acing Social Studies. After all the cliff dwellings and history sites he visited the last year, we're not surprised one bit. Avery is...still Avery! Causing trouble all day long and making us laugh every minute! <br />Life is different after living the free life that we did. We're trying hard to adjust. Funny how I thought it would be tough to go from a house to a RV, but honestly the transition back into a home and "real life" is way harder!!!! We've got the itch! Gypsy's at heart. Colorado has been calling lately.......we'll keep you up to date!5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-52970524220804414092009-11-21T10:32:00.000-08:002009-11-21T11:57:21.153-08:00Recycle this!Dear Starbucks,<br />Thank you for reminding me why I chose to boycott you over the last few years. I truly try to practice the "Support your local coffee shop" idea. It was hard not to notice you in every little town and grocery store I visited during the last 15 months on the road. I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">could've</span> taken the quick route and jumped out at any corner for my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chai</span> and coffee fix. Instead, I ventured on down the lonely road to find the local coffee hut. When buying my coffee for home, I chose to pay just a bit extra for the local grind. And I always look for and if found, purchase fair trade coffee.<br />Now that I'm back to paying rent and bills I opted to purchase a bag of Organic Starbucks coffee because, well, it was on sale that day. My guilt lifted a bit when I got home and noticed the little writing inside the bag that said to return my empty coffee bag to any local Starbucks for recycling and a free cup of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">joe</span>. I thought way to step it up Starbucks. I've heard stories about the support you give to the communities. How you support our troops and so on. I even went as far as to google you and read about your "green efforts" and how much you recycle.<br />Well then, one question. Tell me why then, after I gave the girl behind the counter my "recycled bag" she turned around and tossed it into the garbage?<br />Lesson Learned!<br />Thanks for the reminder.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-11723277167103560352009-11-05T18:54:00.000-08:002009-11-05T19:08:51.766-08:00BOO!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOQULDmBNI/AAAAAAAABKQ/cWpPQQo3PZ0/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOQULDmBNI/AAAAAAAABKQ/cWpPQQo3PZ0/s320/010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400819054387004626" border="0" /></a>Halloween has come and gone again?<br />WOW! Oh, the places we roam. Last year we trick or treated in Flagstaff, AZ.<br />This year, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Anacortes</span>.<br />We had a fun weekend. It started on Friday night with a small party consisting of lots of candy, donut eating contests, pumpkin bowling, mummy rolling and pinatas.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOREINkf7I/AAAAAAAABKY/D2FP-TLTbGM/s1600-h/037.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOREINkf7I/AAAAAAAABKY/D2FP-TLTbGM/s320/037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400819878257262514" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOREjIrJpI/AAAAAAAABKg/p1h3D6T3QSM/s1600-h/053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOREjIrJpI/AAAAAAAABKg/p1h3D6T3QSM/s320/053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400819885484484242" border="0" /></a><br />We had a Coraline Jones, Army man and of course, a Beautiful Princess.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvORZziM4cI/AAAAAAAABKw/_KC5vrAghr4/s1600-h/090.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvORZziM4cI/AAAAAAAABKw/_KC5vrAghr4/s320/090.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400820250663772610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvORFJ_-gFI/AAAAAAAABKo/oX9v8Fz6iqI/s1600-h/028.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvORFJ_-gFI/AAAAAAAABKo/oX9v8Fz6iqI/s320/028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400819895916986450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOSlX9geHI/AAAAAAAABLA/4TXKnAPLx94/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SvOSlX9geHI/AAAAAAAABLA/4TXKnAPLx94/s320/027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400821548932167794" border="0" /></a>All 3 children have a bag FULL of sweets. Too no surprise, Avery's is 1/2 gone. The other two are "saving". And doing a good job of it. I suggest they hide them from mom and dad.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-20847521395631573592009-10-12T21:18:00.000-07:002009-10-12T22:11:30.589-07:00Head wounds and fairy magic<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/StP_uVGeqjI/AAAAAAAABJY/eyXkx9p4Fjc/s1600-h/avery+stitches.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/StP_uVGeqjI/AAAAAAAABJY/eyXkx9p4Fjc/s320/avery+stitches.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391934350296001074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(this is Avery after the stitches. she sure thought she was cool!)</span><br /><br /></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">So my kids have this secret. I'm positive of it. There's a notebook hidden somewhere in this RV with tally marks. I just haven't found it yet!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Who can give mommy more gray hair?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Who can get more stitches?</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Avery and Kaleb are now tied on trips to the hospital for some repair. Now we're going to start counting actual stitches. Ani informed me that she's not playing. I'm fine with that!</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/StQCi9t6BHI/AAAAAAAABJw/bDc0wrIR1A8/s1600-h/avery+bandage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/StQCi9t6BHI/AAAAAAAABJw/bDc0wrIR1A8/s320/avery+bandage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391937453575242866" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(this is avery after getting her numbing gel. we told her it was magic fairy potion. even went as far as to do the magic blow on it. the clear bandage holding it in place became the magic fairy window. she loved and believed every word. made for a somewhat cheery hospital visit)</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> When Jay called and said, avers fell and we need to take her to the hospital, i wasn't surprised one bit. have you met this little dare devil? if so, then you know. we don't walk...we hop, skip and JUMP everywhere. it's just who she is. her personality is huge. we love that about her. she puts a smile on everyones face that she meets. she'll talk your head off all day and all night.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">the hospital staff got a kick out of her. she had lots to say. lots to ask and as soon as the last stitch was tied, there she was, jumping on the hospital bed. we were sure we'd have more before we left.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I have one more picture. It's "the wound". It wasn't long, but DEEP! I'm talking so deep we could see her skull. Even Avery wanted to see. I mean really, how cool to look in through your own head. She sure thought so.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I've decided to spare you. I won't post the picture. But if you call, Avery will tell you all about it. Just make sure you have enough minutes on your phone plan!</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-59679908300955632762009-09-29T21:02:00.000-07:002009-09-29T22:06:05.690-07:00Overschedule<p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Have you hugged your kids today?</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Looked them in the eye and gave them your undivided attention as they told you a story?</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Got down and dirty and explored the earth? Grew a bean sprout? Smelled the flowers.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">We sometimes forget the simple things in life. Letting our kids be kids. Letting them explore on their own. Figuring out who they are, not who we or society wants them to be.</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I've spent the last year of my life on the road. Living in a motorhome with my family. To the surprise of many, with NO TV. Haven't had one in 1 1/2 years. And we're perfectly happy without. I cherish every moment I've had with my children. Watching their eyes smile every morning as they peeked out the window to see what their backyard was that day. Allowing them to make their own schedules, to take time to breath, to learn about others and the world around them. Letting them be in charge of themselves. (somewhat. i do still remind them to brush their teeth. :) ) And guess what? My kids pulled out books and read on their own. Colored, crafted, built forts, laughed and learned.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">School has started again. I see the stress in the neighboorhood as parents stress to find the time to go to work, make dinner, do homework, go to football pracitce and finish the laundry. All in a day's time. I wonder if they've even asked their kids what they learned today. I wonder if the kids even care.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A friend passed this on to me and it's a simple reminder to slow down. Say no. Stay in. Let kids be kids.<br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Doing Nothing Is Something – The Overscheduled Children Of 21St-Century<br />America, Deprived Of The Gift Of Boredom<br />By Anna Quindlen </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Summer is coming soon. I can feel it in the softening of the air, but I can<br />see it, too, in the textbooks on my children’s desks. The number of uncut<br />pages at the back grows smaller and smaller. The loose-leaf is ragged at the<br />edges, the binder plastic ripped at the corners. An old remembered glee<br />rises inside me. Summer is coming. Uniform skirts in mothballs. Pencils with<br />their points left broken. Open windows. Day trips to the beach. Pickup<br />games. Hanging out.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">How boring it was.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Of course, it was the making of me, as a human being and a writer. Downtime<br />is where we become ourselves, looking into the middle distance, kicking at<br />the curb, lying on the grass or sitting on the stoop and staring at the<br />tedious blue of the summer sky. I don’t believe you can write poetry, or<br />compose music, or become an actor without downtime, and plenty of it, a<br />hiatus that passes for boredom but is really the quiet moving of the wheels<br />inside that fuel creativity.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">And that, to me, is one of the saddest things about the lives of American<br />children today. Soccer leagues, acting classes, tutors–the calendar of the<br />average middle-class kid is so over the top that soon Palm handhelds will be<br />sold in Toys “R” Us. Our children are as overscheduled as we are, and that<br />is saying something.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">This has become so bad that parents have arranged to schedule times for<br />unscheduled time. Earlier this year the privileged suburb of Ridgewood,<br />N.J., announced a Family Night, when there would be no homework, no athletic<br />practices and no after-school events. This was terribly exciting until I<br />realized that this was not one night a week, but one single night. There is<br />even a free-time movement, and Web site: familylife1st.org. Among the<br />frequently asked questions provided online: “What would families do with<br />family time if they took it back?”</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Let me make a suggestion for the kids involved: how about nothing? It is not<br />simply that it is pathetic to consider the lives of children who don’t have<br />a moment between piano and dance and homework to talk about their day or<br />just search for split ends, an enormously satisfying leisure-time activity<br />of my youth. There is also ample psychological research suggesting that what<br />we might call “doing nothing” is when human beings actually do their best<br />thinking, and when creativity comes to call. Perhaps we are creating an<br />entire generation of people whose ability to think outside the box, as the<br />current parlance of business has it, is being systematically stunted by<br />scheduling.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">A study by the University of Michigan quantified the downtime deficit; in<br />the last 20 years American kids have lost about four unstructured hours a<br />week. There has even arisen a global Right to Play movement: in the<br />developing world it is often about child labor, but in the United States it<br />is about the sheer labor of being a perpetually busy child. In Omaha, Neb.,<br />a group of parents recently lobbied for additional recess. Hooray, and<br />yikes.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">How did this happen? Adults did it. There is a culture of adult distrust<br />that suggests that a kid who is not playing softball or attending<br />science-enrichment programs–or both–is huffing or boosting cars: if kids<br />are left alone, they will not stare into the middle distance and consider<br />the meaning of life and how come your nose in pictures never looks the way<br />you think it should, but instead will get into trouble. There is also the<br />culture of cutthroat and unquestioning competition that leads even the<br />parents of preschoolers to gab about prestigious colleges without a trace of<br />irony: this suggests that any class in which you do not enroll your first<br />grader will put him at a disadvantage in, say, law school.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Finally, there is a culture of workplace presence (as opposed to<br />productivity). Try as we might to suggest that all these enrichment<br />activities are for the good of the kid, there is ample evidence that they<br />are really for the convenience of parents with way too little leisure time<br />of their own. Stories about the resignation of presidential aide Karen<br />Hughes unfailingly reported her dedication to family time by noting that she<br />arranged to get home at 5:30 one night a week to have dinner with her son.<br />If one weekday dinner out of five is considered laudable, what does that say<br />about what’s become commonplace?</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Summer is coming. It used to be a time apart for kids, a respite from the<br />clock and the copybook, the organized day. Every once in a while, either<br />guilty or overwhelmed or tired of listening to me keen about my monumental<br />boredom, my mother would send me to some rinky-dink park program that<br />consisted almost entirely of three-legged races and making things out of<br />Popsicle sticks. Now, instead, there are music camps, sports camps, fat<br />camps, probably thin camps. I mourn hanging out in the backyard. I mourn<br />playing Wiffle ball in the street without a sponsor and matching shirts. I<br />mourn drawing in the dirt with a stick.</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Maybe that kind of summer is gone for good. Maybe this is the leading edge<br />of a new way of living that not only has no room for contemplation but is<br />contemptuous of it. But if downtime cannot be squeezed during the school<br />year into the life of frantic and often joyless activity with which our<br />children are saddled while their parents pursue frantic and often joyless<br />activity of their own, what about summer? Do most adults really want to<br />stand in line for Space Mountain or sit in traffic to get to a shore house<br />that doesn’t have enough saucepans? Might it be even more enriching for<br />their children to stay at home and do nothing? For those who say they will<br />only watch TV or play on the computer, a piece of technical advice: the<br />cable box can be unhooked, the modem removed. Perhaps it is not too late for<br />American kids to be given the gift of enforced boredom for at least a week<br />or two, staring into space, bored out of their gourds, exploring the inside<br />of their own heads. “To contemplate is to toil, to think is to do,” said<br />Victor Hugo. “Go outside and play,” said Prudence Quindlen. Both of them<br />were right.</p>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-6199957816514878012009-09-23T20:41:00.000-07:002009-09-23T21:26:10.534-07:00Suubi necklace. Help support the women of Uganda.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrutQBflJI/AAAAAAAABIQ/7F7Quw_ajo4/s1600-h/light+gives+heat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 157px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrutQBflJI/AAAAAAAABIQ/7F7Quw_ajo4/s320/light+gives+heat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384878765637604498" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">How it began...</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">The Suubi (hope) project was launched in 2007 while the Hansow family was living in Jinja, Uganda for the adoption of their daughter. At the orphanage, they met Anaso Grace and Adong Santa selling paper-beaded necklaces. And after they visited the original 60+ women who met each Sunday to bead together under a jackfruit tree in the village of Walukuba, Suubi was birthed - merely a response to a talent and a need.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">Who is Suubi...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">Suubi (the Lugandan word for HOPE) is a project run by the non-profit organization Light Gives Heat. Suubi is the name of the self-governing community-based organization of beautiful women that make the jewelry, as well as the product name here in the West.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">HOPE is the essence of the Suubi (hope) project and our vision is two-fold:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">1) The Suubi (hope) project is about creating consistent weekly incomes in otherwise unemployable areas in Uganda through the purchasing and reselling of these hand-made necklaces. Thus, allowing for women to provide food and pay school fees for their children.</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">2) In Uganda, we have been shown a HOPE that doesn't make sense and has changed everything. Therefore, we simply want to spread HOPE - sharing the stories of these amazing women and getting people across the world to look outside of themselves and respond creatively.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrviOKn_2I/AAAAAAAABI4/2htMgDIgL60/s1600-h/suubi+womyn+dancing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrviOKn_2I/AAAAAAAABI4/2htMgDIgL60/s320/suubi+womyn+dancing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384879675672100706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">What we do...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">In addition to buying each week (and tripling their usual profit), the Light Gives Heat volunteers also run weekly Literacy and English classes for the women of Suubi and simply spend time with the women. The majority of the 120+ women are Acholi widows who have been displaced from Northern Uganda because of an over 20-year-long war that has directly affected their tribe and homeland.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/images/suubi%20%20necklace" target="_blank"><img src="http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s147/lightgivesheat/DSCN0136-1.jpg" border="0" alt="suubi necklace Pictures, Images and Photos" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Inspiration...</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;">Despite the tragedies they have seen, the hardships they face, and the unpredictability of life in Africa, these beautiful women of Suubi have joy on their faces and hope in their hearts.</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrwclzGUaI/AAAAAAAABJI/Irr2zsMLfWY/s1600-h/multi+long.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrwclzGUaI/AAAAAAAABJI/Irr2zsMLfWY/s320/multi+long.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384880678448288162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Srrw6lUbTMI/AAAAAAAABJQ/cqVCXrd_QIY/s1600-h/multi+color+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Srrw6lUbTMI/AAAAAAAABJQ/cqVCXrd_QIY/s320/multi+color+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384881193715715266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrwA4U2KUI/AAAAAAAABJA/D8Q1S0L3bM0/s1600-h/newsy+1.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SrrwA4U2KUI/AAAAAAAABJA/D8Q1S0L3bM0/s320/newsy+1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384880202385336642" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">My story.....</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">I discovered this organization while touring through Colorado earlier this spring. I bought a multi colored long necklace at a rock climbing gym we were visiting and it soon became my favorite accessory. Not only for the spunk it brought to any outfit but also for what it stood for. By simply buying one of these necklaces you are helping women support themselves and their families work, eat and educate. </span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(204, 102, 0);"><br />Prices.....<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Long multi-colored strands $20.00<br />Long newsy strands (simple black/white) $20.00<br />Short multi-colored chokers $15.00<br /><br />Of course, you are supporting a non-profit organization by purchasing one of these so if you want to throw in a few extra bucks, that'd be cool.<br />Shipping and handling will cost ya $4.00. <br /><br />I promise you these will make you smile every time you put it on. Be prepared to be harassed wherever you go about how rad your necklace is and wonder as to where they can get one. (ME) :)<br /><br />Spoil yourself!!<br />These also make rad birthday/christmas/get well/i love you or whatever gifts. <br /><br />Contact me by email if you'd like to know more or would like to purchase one.<br />kjchinchen@yahoo.com<br /><br />I'll toss them in the mail the next day and before you know it, you'll be wearing one to.<br /><br />Hurry!!!<br /></span></span></span></span></span>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-64634316619511858372009-08-31T18:37:00.000-07:002009-08-31T18:43:08.069-07:00ATTENTION: Parents of 11 year old boysMy son is somewhat MIA.<br />I haven't seen him in 2 days.<br />His face that is.<br />His nose has been buried in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series by Rick Riordan.<br /><br />He did rise enough to run out to the library today to get book 3. He read book 2, The Sea of Monsters all the way there. Finished it shortly after we got home and is already 1/2 way through the 3rd. I'm afraid I have to reserve book4. Hope it's turned in tomorrow or....who knows what we're in store for.<br />He only hit the baseball for 2 minutes today.???? Only to throw the bat down and run back to his book.<br />I'm proud of him!! But seriously, are his eyes crossed yet? <br /><br />10 thumbs up from this boy. Highly recommended. I might have to read them myself.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-86841788070479880382009-08-30T09:05:00.001-07:002009-08-30T09:19:31.609-07:00Ani's in lovewith her new mini sewing machine that is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Spqj8TwjwpI/AAAAAAAABHo/QaG3QRifpA4/s1600-h/August+2009+107.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Spqj8TwjwpI/AAAAAAAABHo/QaG3QRifpA4/s320/August+2009+107.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375789361711530642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Spqj7YOYdXI/AAAAAAAABHY/BM0AQP8FOLo/s1600-h/August+2009+102.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Spqj7YOYdXI/AAAAAAAABHY/BM0AQP8FOLo/s320/August+2009+102.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375789345730491762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Spqj606gFTI/AAAAAAAABHQ/zvEvcPDYvBY/s1600-h/August+2009+103.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Spqj606gFTI/AAAAAAAABHQ/zvEvcPDYvBY/s320/August+2009+103.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375789336251864370" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SpqkRpJCO_I/AAAAAAAABH4/X2phqp-9c4o/s1600-h/August+2009+108.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SpqkRpJCO_I/AAAAAAAABH4/X2phqp-9c4o/s320/August+2009+108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375789728228588530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SpqmZBZgOGI/AAAAAAAABIA/pJb8ZbfH8fs/s1600-h/August+2009+105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SpqmZBZgOGI/AAAAAAAABIA/pJb8ZbfH8fs/s320/August+2009+105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375792054022453346" border="0" /></a><br />Project Runway, here she comes.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-69022032041608921042009-08-28T13:40:00.000-07:002009-08-28T14:04:56.030-07:00Fresh goodness a plenty<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphBLVvK0CI/AAAAAAAABGQ/qhc3I8ApZLQ/s1600-h/july+2009+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphBLVvK0CI/AAAAAAAABGQ/qhc3I8ApZLQ/s320/july+2009+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375117818336038946" border="0" /></a>I love the desert.<br />But I've fallen in LOVE WITH THE NORTHWEST all over again and all the FRESH LOCAL FRUIT that i can find on any walk, bike ride or drive around town. The backyard that we're "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">squatting</span>" in at the moment has a purple plum, yellow plum, pear and apple tree!! More blackberries than you can imagine are taking over town. It's not uncommon to see folks walking around town with a bowl of fresh pick berries. Or kids with purple stained fingers and smiles. I love it! I'm missing my big freezer right now. Not to worry, we are getting our fair share. I thought you could tire of it, I'm mistaken. I still stop to pick a berry or two whenever I go.<br /><br />We went raspberry picking a few weeks ago. Brought home 17 pounds of the bright red <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">yums</span>. We froze a lot and there's nothing better than throwing them in fresh whole wheat pancakes in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">mornin</span>'.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphDkCilz0I/AAAAAAAABGY/78beyUClkBc/s1600-h/july+2009+040.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphDkCilz0I/AAAAAAAABGY/78beyUClkBc/s320/july+2009+040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375120441702993730" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphDk6kYSII/AAAAAAAABGg/VZBgBF_W5FA/s1600-h/july+2009+036.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphDk6kYSII/AAAAAAAABGg/VZBgBF_W5FA/s320/july+2009+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375120456742881410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphDlVOeTLI/AAAAAAAABGo/CZq4WFJhq2E/s1600-h/july+2009+042.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphDlVOeTLI/AAAAAAAABGo/CZq4WFJhq2E/s320/july+2009+042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375120463898758322" border="0" /></a>Jason made a bomb blackberry biscuit cobbler the other night.<br />We would love to hear your favorite recipes for all these plums, apples, pears and blackberries.<br />Wish you were all near to share in the goodness!<br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Jerry/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-3.jpg" alt="" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphF4apgy5I/AAAAAAAABHI/eNOoJ8jyQic/s1600-h/yellow+plum.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphF4apgy5I/AAAAAAAABHI/eNOoJ8jyQic/s320/yellow+plum.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375122990795115410" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphFA0N1jxI/AAAAAAAABHA/SEdMj2iB4u4/s1600-h/IMG_7613-apple-tree.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SphFA0N1jxI/AAAAAAAABHA/SEdMj2iB4u4/s320/IMG_7613-apple-tree.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375122035585683218" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-26388661391458976452009-08-15T17:10:00.000-07:002009-08-15T20:05:44.394-07:00Current Events...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SodPpf-hIqI/AAAAAAAABD8/n7TY7SBqfWg/s1600-h/june+2009+120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SodPpf-hIqI/AAAAAAAABD8/n7TY7SBqfWg/s320/june+2009+120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370348655039554210" border="0" /></a><br />Enough is Enough!!<br />I'm embarrassed that I'm still 2 months behind on blogs. Exciting events happen daily in our lives and I want to share them quickly with you all but I refuse to write about today's happenings when you don't even know where we are or how we got here.<br />So....I'm giving you the fast version. Jason will not be happy with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cheatin</span>' ways but I'll deal with him later. :)<br />My last blog left off in Colorado. After the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Teva</span> Games it was time to head back to one of our favorite towns, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Durango</span>, where we "thought" we could "find" jobs. HA! Nada!<br />We tried to enjoy our time there. We met some great folks who took us out to bouldering spots RIGHT IN TOWN!! We played <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">frisbee</span> in the park. We spent lots of time at the library.<br />I also STRESSED!!! I'll be honest. Life isn't always peaches and cream. We all know that. We have our moments and we struggle through them. Hopefully we learn and become better people. Hopefully next time we are able to handle the situation with a more positive attitude. I try hard to see the light. To remember that this is only a moment and soon it will pass. Remind myself that everything happens for a reason, even if at the time you dig deep and can't find what that reason may be. Yet, I'm human and sometimes fail. I can easily get swallowed up by my funk. Tends to be one of my downfalls. I need to remember how to breathe and relax in times of stress. I often wonder how I can meditate and relax during the craziest contraction of childbirth yet during one of life's' roller coasters forget everything I know, get caught up in the not so happy moment and hold on tight before I might fall. Luckily, I am surrounded by a loving family and I am able to pull myself out. We all have those moments in life. Having them while on the road just makes them that much funkier. Not too mention affects your family and everyone around you. Here is where you learn how close of quarters your really living in and that indeed, you have no where to hide. This is when you say:Here I am, Love me or Leave me. No wait....please don't leave me. ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SodXqxPRo7I/AAAAAAAABEM/O-Jt4tih5A8/s1600-h/August+2009+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SodXqxPRo7I/AAAAAAAABEM/O-Jt4tih5A8/s320/August+2009+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370357472946135986" border="0" /></a>So plan B.....Flagstaff, AZ. It's a bigger town. Close to a even bigger city. Surely there's work there right???? Nope. Strike out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Numero</span> Duo. Humph.....<br />My spirits rose while here. I love Flagstaff. It felt more like home. The high desert. The juniper trees. Farmers Markets and Folk Festivals. Great people and music. A lively downtown that never gets old. But when it came to jobs, same ole' same <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">ol</span>. No one called us back and nothing manifested. It was okay though. This time I knew there was something else out there. At the time I didn't know what, but I knew it would all be okay.<br />Plan C....There wasn't one. What do you do? Make one!<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Anacortes</span>, WA. Far, far away on an island in northern WA lies a small town where family is close and apparently work rains down. At first we didn't want to go. We loved being near the red sandstone and deep canyons of the Southwest. Sometimes, you just don't have a choice and you need to trust and step on the gas. Prepare yourselves for a long, long journey back to where it all began. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Deja</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Vu</span>!!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SodoZ-mrbDI/AAAAAAAABEc/4Ynsv6dLxtQ/s1600-h/August+2009+003.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SodoZ-mrbDI/AAAAAAAABEc/4Ynsv6dLxtQ/s320/August+2009+003.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370375876173851698" border="0" /></a>When we left Bend ONE YEAR AGO our first stop was....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Anacortes</span>, WA. Nans and Grumps live here and they had a grand old boat that needed painting. Jay being the handyman he is....tackled and conquered the job. This then gave him the experience to return back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Anacortes</span> to paint yet another boat and another boat and flood us, literally, with more work than we know what to do with at the current time. Don't' get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Okay, since this has turned into a "spill all" blog, I *may* be whining from time to time about how tired i am or how i won't see my husband for the next 7 weeks. But the end result is all worth it.<br />On our way here we were able to spend a few days with good friends in Boise, ID who we've been promising for years we'd visit. We also to spent a few nights back in Bend with our dear friends catching up. Many welcomed new additions to their families and we finally got a chance to meet those little squishy ones. I tried to sneak out a few times with them tucked under my arms. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Momma's</span> beware!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sod1-YYq9eI/AAAAAAAABE0/dwavf3mqFIk/s1600-h/August+2009+047.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sod1-YYq9eI/AAAAAAAABE0/dwavf3mqFIk/s320/August+2009+047.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370390795220874722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sod19zsK-2I/AAAAAAAABEs/DNrYh-kWLdg/s1600-h/August+2009+046.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sod19zsK-2I/AAAAAAAABEs/DNrYh-kWLdg/s320/August+2009+046.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370390785370553186" border="0" /></a>So here we are. It's almost like we never left. I'm wondering if this past year as been a dream. I pinch myself periodically and know how <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">fortunate</span> we are to have had this opportunity. We're working hard now, enjoying time with Nan-Nan and Grumpy and wondering after this, where our next path will lead.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-50185121129040561622009-08-01T10:27:00.000-07:002009-08-01T11:03:09.095-07:00Colorado Part 2<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR7jmy0WJI/AAAAAAAABBw/XS7M4VOz170/s1600-h/may+256.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR7jmy0WJI/AAAAAAAABBw/XS7M4VOz170/s320/may+256.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365048907744434322" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">zig</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">zag</span> continues.<br />From Basalt we took a day trip to Aspen. I've never seen Aspen in the winter, but I can only imagine how fun it would be. Kaleb had that brand new snowboard in the RV and was wishing the ski resorts were still open. What a great area. We played at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">skatepark</span>, made a tribute to John Denver, climbed at the gym with pro climber Emily Harrington and ate some of the best pizza ever. Unfortunately Independence Pass didn't open for 2 more days. BOO!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR8mfMMlxI/AAAAAAAABB4/uUxdqqEiiCc/s1600-h/may+105.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR8mfMMlxI/AAAAAAAABB4/uUxdqqEiiCc/s320/may+105.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365050056754632466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR8msN20yI/AAAAAAAABCA/BPpWpMaChM8/s1600-h/may+119.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR8msN20yI/AAAAAAAABCA/BPpWpMaChM8/s320/may+119.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365050060251255586" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR89tFOZlI/AAAAAAAABCI/pLrs1w7DPpo/s1600-h/may+149.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR89tFOZlI/AAAAAAAABCI/pLrs1w7DPpo/s320/may+149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365050455620478546" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We still had a good 2 weeks before we needed to be back in Vail for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ani's</span> competition. We thought it would be fun to sneak up on Uncle Brian in Colorado Springs. On the way we spent the night in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Leadville</span> at 10,000 feet. Of course, it rained the whole time. Lucky for us, we found a little RV park, plugged in and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">geeked</span> out on almost a whole season of Survivor.<br />The next day gave us more rain and as we drove over passes we even hit some snow. Ugh!! This was our 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">nd</span> time this year in Colorado and even though it was May, we still got snowed on. We stopped at the visitor center to hit them up on free hot coffee and fresh baked cookies. Yummy goodness on a gray day!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR--gxNy0I/AAAAAAAABCQ/klBmV1TebfA/s1600-h/may+153.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR--gxNy0I/AAAAAAAABCQ/klBmV1TebfA/s320/may+153.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052668518452034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR--zQINXI/AAAAAAAABCY/4vd_wHI_O_8/s1600-h/may+157.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR--zQINXI/AAAAAAAABCY/4vd_wHI_O_8/s320/may+157.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052673479947634" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR-_fXxKII/AAAAAAAABCg/sechqvNZhDw/s1600-h/may+161.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR-_fXxKII/AAAAAAAABCg/sechqvNZhDw/s320/may+161.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052685323151490" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR-_uDav3I/AAAAAAAABCo/-gEwYen6hPk/s1600-h/may+165.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR-_uDav3I/AAAAAAAABCo/-gEwYen6hPk/s320/may+165.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052689264328562" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR_AFhHdXI/AAAAAAAABCw/tOEl819-FAk/s1600-h/may+181.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR_AFhHdXI/AAAAAAAABCw/tOEl819-FAk/s320/may+181.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365052695562909042" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR_irJFc6I/AAAAAAAABC4/kDG2MFv6nh0/s1600-h/may+201.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnR_irJFc6I/AAAAAAAABC4/kDG2MFv6nh0/s320/may+201.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365053289778213794" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We had fun surprising Uncle Brian with our visit. We spent a week with him in "the Springs". And yes, it rained every single day! (our Colorado theme) We still found moments of open sky to enjoy a weekend festival, climb, play in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Manitou</span> Springs, find a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">BMX</span> track to ride around in, and waste dimes and nickles in the penny arcade.<br />It was almost time to start heading back to Vail. We took a few days getting there to climb some more and get <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Ani</span> back on the rock and in shape. She was getting excited. We got to Vail early to ensure a good camp spot close to town. We heard there were bear sightings in camp but never got the opportunity to see one of these huge creatures out in the wild. We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">familiarized</span> ourselves with town, took lots of walks, slack lined in camp and awaited grandma and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">granpa's</span> arrival.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBwGeKXsI/AAAAAAAABDY/FAJgj3zgl0c/s1600-h/may+215.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBwGeKXsI/AAAAAAAABDY/FAJgj3zgl0c/s320/may+215.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055719475928770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBwvRqsfI/AAAAAAAABDg/WioBrgcOtA0/s1600-h/may+224.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBwvRqsfI/AAAAAAAABDg/WioBrgcOtA0/s320/may+224.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055730429374962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBv9g4U2I/AAAAAAAABDQ/qvCza5BaMMo/s1600-h/may+207.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBv9g4U2I/AAAAAAAABDQ/qvCza5BaMMo/s320/may+207.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055717071410018" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBxOOCUjI/AAAAAAAABDw/xlsWIadlOJM/s1600-h/may+254.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBxOOCUjI/AAAAAAAABDw/xlsWIadlOJM/s320/may+254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055738735645234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBw79vTrI/AAAAAAAABDo/tRt5qC6jIKs/s1600-h/may+270.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SnSBw79vTrI/AAAAAAAABDo/tRt5qC6jIKs/s320/may+270.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365055733835452082" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-91746575900462915582009-07-27T19:04:00.000-07:002009-07-27T22:20:51.227-07:00Colorado Zig-Zag Part 1<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5dGtHvWeI/AAAAAAAABAw/4YW6813iDn8/s1600-h/may+147.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5dGtHvWeI/AAAAAAAABAw/4YW6813iDn8/s320/may+147.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363326576017496546" border="0" /></a><br />We spent just over one month in Colorado this spring. The picture above shows what we were almost always driving towards and never away from. We could not hide from the rain. No matter what direction we went or how many miles we drove. It rained. It poured. It thundered. It got us wet. But it didn't get us down!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5ej6taOYI/AAAAAAAABA4/hK3ThAlrT-I/s1600-h/may+037.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5ej6taOYI/AAAAAAAABA4/hK3ThAlrT-I/s320/may+037.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363328177392990594" border="0" /></a><br />Our first stop was Colorado National Monument just outside of Grand Junction, close to the Utah border.<br />After a quiet night at the campground, we woke up and the kids completed there Junior Ranger Program. We took a few short hikes and drove the 25 miles scenic drive. It was a beautiful place. I'm not sure it impressed us as much as it might others. We had just spent 2 months exploring the canyons of Southern Utah, which blew our minds. But the Monument is still a good place to explore for a day.<br />We planned on spending a few days exploring the lands around this area. We drove a bit out of town and found another camp spot. It was May and already hitting the 90 degree mark. After sitting outside in the heat for a bit and staring at the red canyon landscape, I decided I had enough. I was now in Colorado and ready for the cool breeze and the Rocky Mountains. We quickly packed up and drove over to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Paonia</span></span>.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5hY3xgNpI/AAAAAAAABBA/j_gZ_PAvIwg/s1600-h/paonia,+colorado.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5hY3xgNpI/AAAAAAAABBA/j_gZ_PAvIwg/s320/paonia,+colorado.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363331286161176210" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;">We met a couple in Joshua Tree who told us about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Paonia</span></span>. They told us that we looked like the "type" of people that live there. I took this as a compliment, especially after spending a few days there. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Paonia</span></span></span><b>,</b> which is a Spanish for "peony" the flower, was founded in 1882. It is known for producing wonderful peaches, apples, and other fruits. I absolutely fell in love with the little slice of heaven. The people couldn't be any friendlier or welcoming and the scenery and energy of the town will have you skipping down the road. If ever given the opportunity to live and work here, I'd move tomorrow. Work is the key word.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5pg5cXgzI/AAAAAAAABBQ/qPCqL6krWno/s1600-h/may+064.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5pg5cXgzI/AAAAAAAABBQ/qPCqL6krWno/s320/may+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363340220141372210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5phTne7OI/AAAAAAAABBY/dDNSmOTSlKU/s1600-h/may+072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5phTne7OI/AAAAAAAABBY/dDNSmOTSlKU/s320/may+072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363340227167317218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5oKGo4mtI/AAAAAAAABBI/HRn8ScWZ8ug/s1600-h/may+077.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5oKGo4mtI/AAAAAAAABBI/HRn8ScWZ8ug/s320/may+077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363338729034914514" border="0" /></a>After <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Paonia</span> we headed to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Carbondale</span> where we spent an entire day at the Rec Center swimming and rock climbing. For those of you thinking about hitting the road for any <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lenght</span> of time, rec centers are a great place to shower up and usually get free <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">wi</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">fi</span>. Then it was on to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Glenwood</span> Springs and Basalt to hang with the Ward family. We met this rad family while in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bisbee</span>, AZ last Nov. They had rented a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">motorhome</span> and took a month traveling around the Southwest. We promised them we would come visit in the spring and we stuck to that. They welcomed us into their home like family. Co-dinners we made, wine was drunk, lemonade stands made money, walks took us through the great community and friendships were strengthened. We couldn't have asked for better hospitality. Thank you guys! We look forward to spending more time with you one day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5phg1kcvI/AAAAAAAABBg/EZ3SQKohPLk/s1600-h/may+086.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sm5phg1kcvI/AAAAAAAABBg/EZ3SQKohPLk/s320/may+086.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363340230716060402" border="0" /></a><br />And the story pauses here friends.......I'm tired. I'm trying real hard to catch up onour blogs. I'm now only 2 months behind. Part 2 will come tomorrow. Right now, my head needs to find my pillow.<br />Goodnight Y'all!5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-66793772416776226202009-07-26T10:38:00.000-07:002009-07-26T15:01:25.085-07:00Teva Mountain Games<div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">GO ANI GO!!!!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Smy1mQmST1I/AAAAAAAAA-c/aGydPKa32KU/s1600-h/june+2009+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Smy1mQmST1I/AAAAAAAAA-c/aGydPKa32KU/s400/june+2009+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362860925186625362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzIwmo7R4I/AAAAAAAABAE/UoEFQ6DxCqU/s1600-h/ani.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzIwmo7R4I/AAAAAAAABAE/UoEFQ6DxCqU/s320/ani.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362881993622898562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tevamountaingames.com/">Teva Mountain Games</a>....<br /><br />A weekend filled with climbing competitions, white water rafting, mountain biking, dog jumps, music, sun, snow, lots of lots of free swag and family!<br />When we signed Ani up to compete in the climbing competitions during the games it took grandma and grandpa a full 2 days to call with flight reservations. We were excited! It had been way too long and a full dose of grandparent spoiling is what the kids needed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzFl46bxEI/AAAAAAAAA-0/E7eNNAJFFX4/s1600-h/Teva+Games+002.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzFl46bxEI/AAAAAAAAA-0/E7eNNAJFFX4/s400/Teva+Games+002.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362878511014724674" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzFmCMcipI/AAAAAAAAA-8/HnhAS9_vTBM/s1600-h/Teva+Games+005.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzFmCMcipI/AAAAAAAAA-8/HnhAS9_vTBM/s400/Teva+Games+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362878513506192018" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzGae2y8VI/AAAAAAAAA_U/TUoYwe6Ul2g/s1600-h/Teva+Games+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzGae2y8VI/AAAAAAAAA_U/TUoYwe6Ul2g/s400/Teva+Games+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362879414553211218" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmyuzyNEaMI/AAAAAAAAA-M/6wsiDWD59ro/s1600-h/june+2009+011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmyuzyNEaMI/AAAAAAAAA-M/6wsiDWD59ro/s400/june+2009+011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362853460964567234" border="0" /></a><br />We spent the first day of the games up in the mountains by the river watching the kayaks.<br />The rest of the events took place down in Vail Village. 2 days were spent in the front row watching the World Cup Bouldering Championships. Pros like Daniel Woods, Alex Joshnson and Ani's favorite Alex Puccio climbed their ways to the top. Anika was in awe watching these ladies take 1st and 2nd place. She saw what the future could hold. She was even able to talk with Alex Puccio one on one and learned what a lot of training, hard work, dedication and fun could bring.<br />Avery's favorite was watching DockDogs. Owners would throw their dogs favorite toy out into a pool and the dogs would fly through the air to retreive. Avery also spent a lot of special one on one time with grandma and grandpa. In fact, she slept over at their rented condo on Wed. night and didn't come back home to us until Sunday night when they flew back to WI. To this day she is still comparing the way we do things to the way grandma and grandpa did. I don't think she missed us one bit!<br />Kaleb couldn't get enough of the free items being handed out at the Teva Games. He loaded us down with lots of granola, dog food samples, videos, visors, stickers, energy bars and magazines. He also enjoyed the excitement of the climbing competitions. We told him if he wanted to compete he could, but the awesome big brother that he is, said that this was Ani's day. He wanted to cheer her on. He has his skateboarding.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Smy1-UllIqI/AAAAAAAAA-k/Th1j9XF3POw/s1600-h/june+2009+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Smy1-UllIqI/AAAAAAAAA-k/Th1j9XF3POw/s400/june+2009+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861338574267042" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Smy2LZSQWOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/t4106ALbyOg/s1600-h/june+2009+024.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Smy2LZSQWOI/AAAAAAAAA-s/t4106ALbyOg/s400/june+2009+024.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362861563173689570" border="0" /></a>How does this bouldering thing work? Well Ani has spent her whole "career" bouldering outside on natural rock. We did hit up a few climbing gyms while traveling towards Colorado to help her familarize herself with a man made wall. This was her first competiton.<br />See all the different colored tape? Those are routes. There will be a square of tape on the bottom of the wall. This is where you start. You are required to have both hands on the hold and feet on holds below of the same color. Then you slowly make your way up, following your chosen color. In order to score points, you must hold on to the taped square hold at the very top with both hands and be in control. Each route is worth a different amount of points. It's up to you to chose and complete as many as possible in the allowed time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzIwOeox6I/AAAAAAAAA_s/B6UV4DOX6kc/s1600-h/ani+getting+points.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzIwOeox6I/AAAAAAAAA_s/B6UV4DOX6kc/s320/ani+getting+points.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362881987137292194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzJCUexnTI/AAAAAAAABAM/HbHVNS95yxg/s1600-h/kids+rock+wall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzJCUexnTI/AAAAAAAABAM/HbHVNS95yxg/s320/kids+rock+wall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362882297986129202" border="0" /></a><br />We had a lot of fun at the Teva Mountain Games. We would love to have the opportunity to make it out there every year. If near Colorado in early June, check it out. All events are free and fun.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzO8wO43WI/AAAAAAAABAU/Dz1SYCeVq74/s1600-h/ani+kayak.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzO8wO43WI/AAAAAAAABAU/Dz1SYCeVq74/s320/ani+kayak.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362888799426239842" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Thank you grandma and grandpa and uncle Brian for coming and being such a support to Ani. We all had so much fun with you and lots of great memories.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzPlwBG4SI/AAAAAAAABAk/I1vnspBi0i4/s1600-h/avery+and+grandpa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzPlwBG4SI/AAAAAAAABAk/I1vnspBi0i4/s320/avery+and+grandpa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362889503743074594" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzPljoJieI/AAAAAAAABAc/VfHvKjCjhuY/s1600-h/family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SmzPljoJieI/AAAAAAAABAc/VfHvKjCjhuY/s320/family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362889500417165794" border="0" /></a><br />"Fun in Good"<br />-Dr. Suess<br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyvMewQsOqi-REsN88DZwzZ0GWhL3ke3sjH1y-0nXnvoqUJGCs-QchEPKTFYgONi0p0xbVZhTQum-ilbHVPlw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-72939931222285990682009-05-20T12:45:00.001-07:002009-05-20T13:07:46.937-07:00We Heart Colorado<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvrsb-yI/AAAAAAAAA8w/IiakU0f-oM4/s1600-h/may+118.jpg"></a><script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-2304218145056079"; /* 468x60, created 12/2/08 */ google_ad_slot = "2308510244"; google_ad_width = 468; google_ad_height = 60; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><script>window.google_render_ad()</script><ins style="border: medium none ; margin: 0pt; padding: 0pt; display: inline-table; height: 60px; position: relative; visibility: visible; width: 468px;"></ins><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvWh6IGI/AAAAAAAAA8g/uAGRnehodBk/s1600-h/may+057.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvWh6IGI/AAAAAAAAA8g/uAGRnehodBk/s400/may+057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337996725447172194" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvJJtW2I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/nERm2CLyRUQ/s1600-h/may+054.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvJJtW2I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/nERm2CLyRUQ/s400/may+054.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337996721856011106" border="0" /></a>Rocky Mountain High<br />John Denver<br />Words by John Denver; Music by John Denver and Mike Taylor<br /><br />He was born in the summer of his 27th year<br />Comin' home to a place he'd never been before<br />He left yesterday behind him, you might say he was born again<br />You might say he found a key for every door<br /><br />When he first came to the mountains his life was far away<br />On the road and hangin' by a song<br />But the string's already broken and he doesn't really care<br />It keeps changin' fast and it don't last for long<br /><br />But the Colorado rocky mountain high<br />I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky<br />The shadow from the starlight is softer than a lullabye<br />Rocky mountain high<br /><br />He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below<br />He saw everything as far as you can see<br />And they say that he got crazy once and he tried to touch the sun<br />And he lost a friend but kept his memory<br /><br />Now he walks in quiet solitude the forest and the streams<br />Seeking grace in every step he takes<br />His sight has turned inside himself to try and understand<br />The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake<br /><br />And the Colorado rocky mountain high<br />I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky<br />You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply<br />Rocky mountain high<br /><br />Now his life is full of wonder but his heart still knows some fear<br />Of a simple thing he cannot comprehend<br />Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring in a couple more<br />More people, more scars upon the land<br /><br />And the Colorado rocky mountain high<br />I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky<br />I know he'd be a poorer man if he never saw an eagle fly<br />Rocky mountain high<br /><br />It's Colorado rocky mountain high<br />I've seen it rainin' fire in the sky<br />Friends around the campfire and everybody's high<br />Rocky mountain high<br /></div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvafSozI/AAAAAAAAA8o/Gx8b8PncgZE/s1600-h/may+114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfvafSozI/AAAAAAAAA8o/Gx8b8PncgZE/s400/may+114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337996726509937458" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfv7PZ1tI/AAAAAAAAA84/p73t2E8SqnQ/s1600-h/may+122.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRfv7PZ1tI/AAAAAAAAA84/p73t2E8SqnQ/s400/may+122.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337996735301670610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRhq7WKI4I/AAAAAAAAA9A/t56GYnkgY8k/s1600-h/may+120.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShRhq7WKI4I/AAAAAAAAA9A/t56GYnkgY8k/s400/may+120.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337998848453911426" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-55292946264767195862009-05-18T19:47:00.000-07:002009-05-18T20:18:51.808-07:00Record Deal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-YQoMXI/AAAAAAAAA7w/6r7Vr0LE_nA/s1600-h/may+096.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-YQoMXI/AAAAAAAAA7w/6r7Vr0LE_nA/s400/may+096.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337364764423631218" border="0" /></a>Beatles Revolver<br />Crosby, Stills and Nash<br />Paul Simon<br />Bob Dylan<br />Van Morrison<br />John Denver<br />The Band<br />Eagles<br />Cat Stevens<br /><br />and more. over 100 more!!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-Sl4AfI/AAAAAAAAA74/wyHeP-RX_Zg/s1600-h/may+097.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-Sl4AfI/AAAAAAAAA74/wyHeP-RX_Zg/s400/may+097.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337364762902135282" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg_JVLjPI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/2YXN04vh6lE/s1600-h/may+101.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg_JVLjPI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/2YXN04vh6lE/s400/may+101.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337364777596062962" border="0" /></a><br />Go take a walk. You might find some yourself. Tis the day of scoring other peoples "junk". Earlier today Jay found an old 10 speed bike sitting next to someones garbage can, one week after I told him I think I might like to have a road bike.<br />This afternoon he came home and said he found 2 file boxes full of old records. It only took 2 seconds for Bob and Elizabeth, (part of the raddest family EVER) to jump away from the dinner table to go for a walk to fetch these boxes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-6F9mmI/AAAAAAAAA8A/HbLZIAjs7Fk/s1600-h/may+098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-6F9mmI/AAAAAAAAA8A/HbLZIAjs7Fk/s400/may+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337364773505702498" border="0" /></a><br />We've been drooling and listening to music ever since. Flashbacks and new memories being made. Life is good!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-7sFt3I/AAAAAAAAA8I/7r62ycj1-uU/s1600-h/may+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/ShIg-7sFt3I/AAAAAAAAA8I/7r62ycj1-uU/s400/may+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337364773934053234" border="0" /></a>(She doesn't believe that music is in vinyl form!)5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-23019384484050245042009-05-15T19:13:00.001-07:002009-05-15T19:45:56.877-07:00Veggi Oil 101<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jiXqWG6I/AAAAAAAAA7k/xOMzUS9_xwE/s1600-h/may+triassic+100.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jiXqWG6I/AAAAAAAAA7k/xOMzUS9_xwE/s400/may+triassic+100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336241681854765986" border="0" /></a><br />Our friend Sean drives a bus that he converted. It runs on used veggi oil! Vegetable oil can be used as an alternative fuel in diesel engines.<br />Other than a bit of diesel to start the bus, he doesn't have to pay anything to drive.<br />He gets his oil from restaurants, filters it and pumps it into the tank.<br />He took some time and gave the kids a lesson.<br />STEP 1....learn to drive a veggi bus<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iKtEgZVI/AAAAAAAAA6U/lOGr9xaOGZs/s1600-h/may+triassic+077.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iKtEgZVI/AAAAAAAAA6U/lOGr9xaOGZs/s400/may+triassic+077.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336240175773148498" border="0" /></a>STEP 2 find the used oil and pour into buckets to strain the gunk<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iLSkbCsI/AAAAAAAAA6s/tCmJluocb_k/s1600-h/may+triassic+083.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iLSkbCsI/AAAAAAAAA6s/tCmJluocb_k/s400/may+triassic+083.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336240185839127234" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jRxu0aKI/AAAAAAAAA68/OHQMPqt0soo/s1600-h/may+triassic+087.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jRxu0aKI/AAAAAAAAA68/OHQMPqt0soo/s400/may+triassic+087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336241396795074722" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iLNVaoKI/AAAAAAAAA6k/SBfMw6ckOIQ/s1600-h/may+triassic+082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iLNVaoKI/AAAAAAAAA6k/SBfMw6ckOIQ/s400/may+triassic+082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336240184434008226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iK9bPscI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ZkO-IyLotOQ/s1600-h/may+triassic+078.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4iK9bPscI/AAAAAAAAA6c/ZkO-IyLotOQ/s400/may+triassic+078.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336240180163490242" border="0" /></a>STEP 3...I really have no idea. :) I did notice it's a bit MESSY . Pretty darn cool though.<br />The oil gets filtered a total of 3 times before hitting the tanks. His tank can hold up to 40 gallons of filtered oil and then he has 3 buckets of oil being filtered at all times. He said he has never had a problem finding the oil, most establishments are happy to get rid of it.<br /><br /><p><a name="Waste_vegetable_oil" id="Waste_vegetable_oil"></a></p> <h3><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSbGeW4I/AAAAAAAAA7M/X_k5Lsf-XcE/s1600-h/may+triassic+093.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSbGeW4I/AAAAAAAAA7M/X_k5Lsf-XcE/s400/may+triassic+093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336241407900146562" border="0" /></a></h3><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSRIQ6jI/AAAAAAAAA7E/BACfLIcKkuY/s1600-h/may+triassic+089.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSRIQ6jI/AAAAAAAAA7E/BACfLIcKkuY/s400/may+triassic+089.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336241405223299634" border="0" /></a><h3><span style="font-weight: normal;">Step 4..Pump into yet another filter, then directly into the tank</span><br /></h3><h3><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSmuqwtI/AAAAAAAAA7U/kGke-ZyNWXU/s1600-h/may+triassic+098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSmuqwtI/AAAAAAAAA7U/kGke-ZyNWXU/s400/may+triassic+098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336241411021521618" border="0" /></a></h3><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jSmuqwtI/AAAAAAAAA7U/kGke-ZyNWXU/s1600-h/may+triassic+098.jpg"></a><h3><span><span class="mw-headline">Waste vegetable oil</span></span></h3><h3>As of 2000<sup class="plainlinks noprint asof-tag update" style="display: none;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vegetable_oil_used_as_fuel&action=edit" class="external text" title="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vegetable_oil_used_as_fuel&action=edit" rel="nofollow">[update]</a></sup>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a> was producing in excess of 11 billion liters (2.9 billion U.S. gallons) of waste vegetable oil annually, mainly from industrial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_fryer" title="Deep fryer">deep fryers</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potato" title="Potato">potato</a> processing plants, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snack_food" title="Snack food">snack food</a> factories and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_food_restaurant" title="Fast food restaurant">fast food restaurants</a>. If all those 11 billion liters could be collected and used to replace the energetically equivalent amount of petroleum (an ideal case), almost 1% of US oil consumption could be offset.</h3><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jS2BLj4I/AAAAAAAAA7c/CDZ3RAR8dQY/s1600-h/may+triassic+099.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4jS2BLj4I/AAAAAAAAA7c/CDZ3RAR8dQY/s400/may+triassic+099.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336241415125700482" border="0" /></a><p>Sean's music</p><p><embed src="http://www.isound.com/mp3player/Mp3App.swf?id=playerxml/711000/711353.pla&noPop=y" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="415" height="220"></embed><br />Powered by <a href="http://www.isound.com/sean_zigmund">iSOUND.COM</a><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegetable_oil#Waste_oil" title="Vegetable oil" class="mw-redirect"><br /></a></p>(from wikipedia)5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-75382500882621636262009-05-15T17:59:00.000-07:002009-05-15T19:12:43.531-07:00Swell of a time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4RgU4WWiI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jlZ3XTAS8gc/s1600-h/may+triassic+009.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4RgU4WWiI/AAAAAAAAA2s/jlZ3XTAS8gc/s400/may+triassic+009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336221855539157538" border="0" /></a>The Swell! We found it last fall and it's still a treasure in our memories. Last time we went through the canyons. This time we stayed on top in the desert and bouldered like mad men.<br />We took Sean and Emily (friends we met in Zion) with us this time. We found the perfect spot to camp for 10 days and called it home.<br />Last time we were here the dinosaur quarry was closed. We were lucky this time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TBWnssYI/AAAAAAAAA28/mGVUuAOJ7PU/s1600-h/may+triassic+065.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TBWnssYI/AAAAAAAAA28/mGVUuAOJ7PU/s400/may+triassic+065.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336223522453500290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TBqbE_fI/AAAAAAAAA3E/8IeT4dNwvsg/s1600-h/may+triassic+066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TBqbE_fI/AAAAAAAAA3E/8IeT4dNwvsg/s400/may+triassic+066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336223527769275890" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TB3WwvpI/AAAAAAAAA3M/iaTcl9nWIPU/s1600-h/may+triassic+070.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TB3WwvpI/AAAAAAAAA3M/iaTcl9nWIPU/s400/may+triassic+070.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336223531240832658" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TlNyRp7I/AAAAAAAAA3c/k3V_Pi0VoBg/s1600-h/may+triassic+072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TlNyRp7I/AAAAAAAAA3c/k3V_Pi0VoBg/s400/may+triassic+072.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336224138557237170" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4UEjoXGeI/AAAAAAAAA3k/thd0atceA58/s1600-h/may+triassic+073.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4UEjoXGeI/AAAAAAAAA3k/thd0atceA58/s400/may+triassic+073.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336224676997175778" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone spent lots of time on the rock. Emily and Sean had never heard of the sport. 2 days into it and they were on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span> looking for climbing shoes to buy! Which is better than what Sean was using before.....his bare feet!!! OUCH!We had a lot of fun and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ani</span> had lots of "training" time.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V4fs-XbI/AAAAAAAAA4M/U9UOPF3DmnQ/s1600-h/April+2009+650.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V4fs-XbI/AAAAAAAAA4M/U9UOPF3DmnQ/s400/April+2009+650.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336226668807609778" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V4NcW_uI/AAAAAAAAA4E/wmNPFbJ0Jxc/s1600-h/April+2009+713.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V4NcW_uI/AAAAAAAAA4E/wmNPFbJ0Jxc/s400/April+2009+713.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336226663906082530" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V3YLjVeI/AAAAAAAAA3s/-SwkZQiJ1cs/s1600-h/may+triassic+018.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V3YLjVeI/AAAAAAAAA3s/-SwkZQiJ1cs/s400/may+triassic+018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336226649608508898" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V31fK9DI/AAAAAAAAA38/0wnWvf7KonQ/s1600-h/April+2009+666.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V31fK9DI/AAAAAAAAA38/0wnWvf7KonQ/s400/April+2009+666.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336226657475425330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V3pxJr8I/AAAAAAAAA30/cKO4HMYrGKU/s1600-h/April+2009+657.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4V3pxJr8I/AAAAAAAAA30/cKO4HMYrGKU/s400/April+2009+657.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336226654329614274" border="0" />(<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">avery</span> and her friend <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cora</span>)</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YGzry6XI/AAAAAAAAA4k/r-7UnUwDuTk/s1600-h/may+triassic+114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YGzry6XI/AAAAAAAAA4k/r-7UnUwDuTk/s400/may+triassic+114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336229113712798066" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YGXEw9BI/AAAAAAAAA4U/wfFyfAK94t4/s1600-h/may+triassic+116.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YGXEw9BI/AAAAAAAAA4U/wfFyfAK94t4/s400/may+triassic+116.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336229106032899090" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YHKB5vtI/AAAAAAAAA4s/E4Fiinnf0FQ/s1600-h/may+triassic+121.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YHKB5vtI/AAAAAAAAA4s/E4Fiinnf0FQ/s400/may+triassic+121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336229119711100626" border="0" /></a>(reading break)<br />We did lots of other things out in the desert those weeks. We read, did yoga, drank <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">plenty</span> of margaritas, ate lots of meat, painted murals, learned how to play cats cradle, built cabinets for Sean's bus and enjoyed each others company, a lot! We left Sean and Emily here. We headed east towards Colorado while they ventured north to Alaska for the summer. It <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">truly</span> is lonely without them. Sean has even offered us a job as their traveling cooks. :0 Sounds great doesn't it! We'll just trust that we will see them again here in the lower 48.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4f73exchI/AAAAAAAAA50/itJEmjSNqEU/s1600-h/may+triassic+131.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4f73exchI/AAAAAAAAA50/itJEmjSNqEU/s400/may+triassic+131.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336237721846379026" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4fNHs6vSI/AAAAAAAAA5k/bJ8RN6hheGE/s1600-h/may+triassic+135.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4fNHs6vSI/AAAAAAAAA5k/bJ8RN6hheGE/s400/may+triassic+135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336236918746823970" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YGkgZ0FI/AAAAAAAAA4c/7yYUm6NAUgE/s1600-h/may+triassic+108.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YGkgZ0FI/AAAAAAAAA4c/7yYUm6NAUgE/s400/may+triassic+108.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336229109638484050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4df4wSZ8I/AAAAAAAAA5U/9I4LuTk1u04/s1600-h/may+triassic+139.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4df4wSZ8I/AAAAAAAAA5U/9I4LuTk1u04/s400/may+triassic+139.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336235042128684994" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4euGXIGLI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Nr0KoQ8W7cw/s1600-h/may+triassic+141.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4euGXIGLI/AAAAAAAAA5c/Nr0KoQ8W7cw/s400/may+triassic+141.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336236385811044530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4dfeSk7aI/AAAAAAAAA5E/jkFKTyHn8nc/s1600-h/may+triassic+134.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4dfeSk7aI/AAAAAAAAA5E/jkFKTyHn8nc/s400/may+triassic+134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336235035024747938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YHVBTZMI/AAAAAAAAA40/Tnl-m6EdREo/s1600-h/may+triassic+142.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4YHVBTZMI/AAAAAAAAA40/Tnl-m6EdREo/s400/may+triassic+142.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336229122661377218" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4RfYhNg1I/AAAAAAAAA2M/IjWVhF5VnKo/s1600-h/may+013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4RfYhNg1I/AAAAAAAAA2M/IjWVhF5VnKo/s400/may+013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336221839335981906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TBV3QnLI/AAAAAAAAA20/MGvoTIl0dhM/s1600-h/may+triassic+044.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4TBV3QnLI/AAAAAAAAA20/MGvoTIl0dhM/s400/may+triassic+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336223522250333362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4f7pGz7fI/AAAAAAAAA5s/RIhQ6XOgUqs/s1600-h/may+006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4f7pGz7fI/AAAAAAAAA5s/RIhQ6XOgUqs/s400/may+006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336237717987782130" border="0" /></a><br />We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">traveled</span> SE a bit and stopped at some amazing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">petroglyphs</span>. The Rochester Panel.<br />I was bummed when we missed it last fall. It was a must the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">nd</span> time around.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4RfkH8ZZI/AAAAAAAAA2U/FQUBnAX1vK4/s1600-h/may+020.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4RfkH8ZZI/AAAAAAAAA2U/FQUBnAX1vK4/s400/may+020.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336221842451228050" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4gpzeiQhI/AAAAAAAAA58/2DumPYy_xOg/s1600-h/may+019.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4gpzeiQhI/AAAAAAAAA58/2DumPYy_xOg/s400/may+019.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336238511045624338" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4gqZiNSsI/AAAAAAAAA6M/0PaOFx35gr4/s1600-h/may+031.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4gqZiNSsI/AAAAAAAAA6M/0PaOFx35gr4/s400/may+031.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336238521261574850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4gqCENUeI/AAAAAAAAA6E/q757yU3iaRI/s1600-h/may+022.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg4gqCENUeI/AAAAAAAAA6E/q757yU3iaRI/s400/may+022.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336238514961732066" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-22749817114526160832009-05-15T12:47:00.000-07:002009-05-15T15:27:36.887-07:00Ani get your guns<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LHv6Po9I/AAAAAAAAA2E/imE0yrDEt9Y/s1600-h/March+2009+552.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LHv6Po9I/AAAAAAAAA2E/imE0yrDEt9Y/s400/March+2009+552.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336144467484189650" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LHSRgewI/AAAAAAAAA18/CiQVkT4VZ9w/s1600-h/March+2009+508.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LHSRgewI/AAAAAAAAA18/CiQVkT4VZ9w/s400/March+2009+508.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336144459528698626" border="0" /></a><br />She's a natural!<br />She sticks with it.<br />She's a strong girl and never gives up.<br />She's found a passion.<br />Her strength and determination will shock you.<br />She's 8 and has bouldered on some of the most famous rocks in the US.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3Iil6muwI/AAAAAAAAA1c/dzEk7L4aN6Q/s1600-h/April+2009+664.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3Iil6muwI/AAAAAAAAA1c/dzEk7L4aN6Q/s400/April+2009+664.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336141630122932994" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3IiJ_cfCI/AAAAAAAAA1M/5sIxKHxANmk/s1600-h/Ani.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3IiJ_cfCI/AAAAAAAAA1M/5sIxKHxANmk/s400/Ani.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336141622627040290" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3IidIllII/AAAAAAAAA1U/Iqa9R-hCwek/s1600-h/April+2009+637.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3IidIllII/AAAAAAAAA1U/Iqa9R-hCwek/s400/April+2009+637.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336141627765658754" border="0" /></a>We've played on rocks our whole lives. Since our trip to Joshua Tree in Jan. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ani</span> has found a new love. She has been climbing almost everyday since. She will be in her first bouldering competition next month. She's excited and counting down the days.<br />We'd love for you all to come out and visit and support her.<br />It's going to be a fun weekend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3Iit4RRyI/AAAAAAAAA1k/Tm-1GMIHrSU/s1600-h/March+2009+260.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3Iit4RRyI/AAAAAAAAA1k/Tm-1GMIHrSU/s400/March+2009+260.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336141632260622114" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LHBJys5I/AAAAAAAAA10/9ybbbBffC8A/s1600-h/March+2009+280.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LHBJys5I/AAAAAAAAA10/9ybbbBffC8A/s400/March+2009+280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336144454932935570" border="0" /></a><br />The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Teva</span> Games 2009 will be held in Vail, Colorado June 4-7. It is the country's largest celebration of mountain sports. Along with climbing competitions there will be biking (road and trail), running, kayaking, rafting, mountain photographing, film festivals and live music. All spectating is FREE. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ani</span> will compete Sunday morning. You can find out more here.....<br /><a href="http://www.tevamountaingames.com/">http://www.tevamountaingames.com/</a><br />See you there!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LG-1UfdI/AAAAAAAAA1s/MBWLflJJttE/s1600-h/March+2009+390.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3LG-1UfdI/AAAAAAAAA1s/MBWLflJJttE/s400/March+2009+390.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336144454310198738" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-19095480117382607152009-05-15T11:52:00.000-07:002009-05-15T12:46:50.572-07:00Watch out Waldo, we're looking for you<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_h7bx2aI/AAAAAAAAA0U/J16IPJYcbx0/s1600-h/April+2009+605.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_h7bx2aI/AAAAAAAAA0U/J16IPJYcbx0/s400/April+2009+605.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336131723114699170" border="0" /></a>I'm beginning to feel like I'm living in a Where's Waldo book. Open it up, see a map and try and find the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chinchens</span>. Or perhaps I'm living in a PBS cartoon and every morning I wait for some silly, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">cheesy</span> character to jump in the middle of the screen and announce my location. All I know is that where ever we are, we are happy.<br />We've seen so much. Driven over 9000 miles <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">zig</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">zaging</span> through 9 states. I'm now forgetting where I am when I wake in the morning. It's hard to keep track. I was reminded this morning that I am in Colorado. The Rockies greeted me at first light.<br />Before we got here, we spent a few more weeks in Southern Utah, which if you haven't explored yet, start packing.<br />We hit Arches National Park last Oct. and this spring visited Zion, Bryce, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Escalante</span> and Capital Reef.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_hqTylZI/AAAAAAAAA0M/t5U7DHlDN_E/s1600-h/April+2009+625.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_hqTylZI/AAAAAAAAA0M/t5U7DHlDN_E/s400/April+2009+625.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336131718517790098" border="0" /></a>Capital Reef is the least visited of Utah National Parks. I think folks are missing out. Mormons settled here in the late 1800's and established small farming communities. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Friuta</span> Campground is smack in the middle of it all surrounded by orchards. We were there as the trees were all starting to blossom (apple, cherry, peach, pear, nectarine). If you go in Aug/Sept/Oct you will be lucky enough to pick as much as you want. We met one of the nicest guys ever here. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">JoJo</span>. Soon after pulling in he came over to say hi and soon after that presented Kaleb with a brand new snowboard, bindings, case and pants. WHOA!!!! We shared meals, hiked, biked, went to music jams and played <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">frisbee</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">bochie</span> ball with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">JoJo</span> the rest of our stay.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_iIxW7nI/AAAAAAAAA0c/6yblHhMAMo0/s1600-h/April+2009+591.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_iIxW7nI/AAAAAAAAA0c/6yblHhMAMo0/s400/April+2009+591.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336131726694870642" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_iWjG08I/AAAAAAAAA0s/LjMr8m-luEo/s1600-h/April+2009+611.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_iWjG08I/AAAAAAAAA0s/LjMr8m-luEo/s400/April+2009+611.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336131730393191362" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_ibEZsfI/AAAAAAAAA0k/UjHYfZErSeY/s1600-h/April+2009+595.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg2_ibEZsfI/AAAAAAAAA0k/UjHYfZErSeY/s400/April+2009+595.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336131731606581746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3EI-nNYYI/AAAAAAAAA08/lpl6QgVIxjo/s1600-h/April+2009+615.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3EI-nNYYI/AAAAAAAAA08/lpl6QgVIxjo/s400/April+2009+615.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336136792029356418" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3EJKC4tZI/AAAAAAAAA1E/DDomLYH5OLk/s1600-h/April+2009+620.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3EJKC4tZI/AAAAAAAAA1E/DDomLYH5OLk/s400/April+2009+620.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336136795098232210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3EIwSZpdI/AAAAAAAAA00/wne3M-4y25k/s1600-h/April+2009+601.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/Sg3EIwSZpdI/AAAAAAAAA00/wne3M-4y25k/s400/April+2009+601.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336136788183983570" border="0" /></a><br />I knew we would see amazing places on this journey but I had no idea we'd meet such awesome people on the road. The people we've met hold a special place in our hearts. We've shared lots of laughs around campfires and truly experienced in the wilderness with them.<br />We sometimes say it's a small world. This trip has proven that it really is. I've met people in playgrounds in the middle of nowhere who are friends of friends of mine back in Bend. We've run into people that we hung out with in Bend on the streets of tiny towns. We've met people in one state, only to run into them unexpectedly in 2 other states.<br />Familiar faces are always welcome. We love our family and friends who we knew before this year and are thankful for those that have joined our circle.5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1836997552046310437.post-45735110271373097252009-05-07T13:48:00.000-07:002009-05-07T14:51:10.723-07:00Friends and Canyons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJUcasJI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/f2SiS1y6yYk/s1600-h/April+2009+507.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJUcasJI/AAAAAAAAAxQ/f2SiS1y6yYk/s400/April+2009+507.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333189007215603858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJNWj4qI/AAAAAAAAAxI/EVTUK5pevr0/s1600-h/April+2009+548.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJNWj4qI/AAAAAAAAAxI/EVTUK5pevr0/s400/April+2009+548.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333189005311992482" border="0" /></a><br />Way back then. A long time ago when a little family known as the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chinchens</span> lost their jobs and decided to sell all their belongings and move into a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">motorhome</span> and wander about the Southwest....we found a website called <a href="http://www.familiesontheroad.com/">Families on the Road</a>. I've mentioned it before and I have a link on the sidebar to the website. Through this website we have gotten hints on how to make life on the road easier and made friends to last a lifetime.<br />I've been creating a friendship with Bryce from the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">FOTR</span> site since we left Bend last Aug. I've followed her <a href="http://organictribe.blogspot.com/">blog</a> and emailed her during our travels. We met face to face in Feb. at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">FOTR</span> rally and our families have laughed many times since. We found out while in Zion that they would be in Bryce for the summer working. We weren't far away and had hoped our paths would cross again so it was off to the canyons we went. The drive took us through tiny mountian towns that had Jason stopping at every curve to admire the hundreds of old classic cars sitting on the lands.<br />At first it looked like we might be able to score jobs near the park as well. That fell through but we still enjoyed our time with friends.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJsylCKI/AAAAAAAAAxY/OYQitaL7vQs/s1600-h/April+2009+512.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJsylCKI/AAAAAAAAAxY/OYQitaL7vQs/s400/April+2009+512.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333189013751007394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSnGMt7_I/AAAAAAAAAyU/qThRwN_OAGw/s1600-h/April+2009+534.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSnGMt7_I/AAAAAAAAAyU/qThRwN_OAGw/s400/April+2009+534.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333197215369129970" border="0" /></a><br />We went into Bryce Canyon National Park and did some of the Peek-A-Boo hike. Unlike Zion where you are in the canyon and all hikes lead up, Bryce is the opposite and down you go into the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">hoo</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">doos</span> Bryce is famous for. Hoodoos are pillars of rock left by erosion. They look like they came out of a Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Seuss</span> book. Snow was still left on the side of the trails which led to some fun snowball fights between the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">switchbacks</span> of the trail.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNP5T2ddCI/AAAAAAAAAx0/c3Ut77Tfj7I/s1600-h/April+2009+530.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNP5T2ddCI/AAAAAAAAAx0/c3Ut77Tfj7I/s400/April+2009+530.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333194229736633378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJyuavqI/AAAAAAAAAxg/zuIetP6KwkU/s1600-h/April+2009+514.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLJyuavqI/AAAAAAAAAxg/zuIetP6KwkU/s400/April+2009+514.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333189015344168610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLKJPPyCI/AAAAAAAAAxo/yPIKDcn6-Hc/s1600-h/April+2009+520.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNLKJPPyCI/AAAAAAAAAxo/yPIKDcn6-Hc/s400/April+2009+520.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333189021387442210" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSm84VKzI/AAAAAAAAAyM/lENArej21-w/s1600-h/April+2009+525.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSm84VKzI/AAAAAAAAAyM/lENArej21-w/s400/April+2009+525.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333197212867701554" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNXN15SA3I/AAAAAAAAA0E/5TKlyl2T4pE/s1600-h/April+2009+526.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNXN15SA3I/AAAAAAAAA0E/5TKlyl2T4pE/s400/April+2009+526.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333202279054050162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSnGxYyhI/AAAAAAAAAyc/lPuE-cf1W0U/s1600-h/April+2009+536.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSnGxYyhI/AAAAAAAAAyc/lPuE-cf1W0U/s400/April+2009+536.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333197215522933266" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSmS7VYLI/AAAAAAAAAx8/pA2X8Cnyp5I/s1600-h/April+2009+522.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNSmS7VYLI/AAAAAAAAAx8/pA2X8Cnyp5I/s400/April+2009+522.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333197201606009010" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUUVJpv7I/AAAAAAAAAys/OtUZhfxe1TM/s1600-h/April+2009+546.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUUVJpv7I/AAAAAAAAAys/OtUZhfxe1TM/s400/April+2009+546.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333199091988545458" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUUp4yY5I/AAAAAAAAAy0/dYonroaQtp8/s1600-h/April+2009+550.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUUp4yY5I/AAAAAAAAAy0/dYonroaQtp8/s400/April+2009+550.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333199097554953106" border="0" /></a><br />The Sloan family is working at Ruby's Inn, just outside the entrance of the park. This meant that we had access to the laundromat, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">restaurants</span> and most importantly... THE POOL!<br />After enjoying 90 degree weather just days before we were now at 7000 ft and bundled up in warm jackets and hats and watching the snow fly. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Brrrr</span>......<br />We explored more at Bryce the next day, completed our 11<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> Junior Ranger Program and headed out to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Escalate</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Grande</span> Staircase area where we would meet up again with Sean and Emily.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUU4S5q7I/AAAAAAAAAy8/VMsoC65Ot-c/s1600-h/April+2009+556.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUU4S5q7I/AAAAAAAAAy8/VMsoC65Ot-c/s400/April+2009+556.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333199101422578610" border="0" /></a>Hiking the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Escalate</span> River<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVyH6OY0I/AAAAAAAAAzM/c7SUCvcl66A/s1600-h/April+2009+576.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVyH6OY0I/AAAAAAAAAzM/c7SUCvcl66A/s400/April+2009+576.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333200703341880130" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVyYBS7xI/AAAAAAAAAzU/ITD8ZnsPb1A/s1600-h/April+2009+575.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVyYBS7xI/AAAAAAAAAzU/ITD8ZnsPb1A/s400/April+2009+575.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333200707666505490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVymaldcI/AAAAAAAAAzc/qmcvHIPlaZQ/s1600-h/April+2009+579.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVymaldcI/AAAAAAAAAzc/qmcvHIPlaZQ/s400/April+2009+579.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333200711530673602" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNWs5na9hI/AAAAAAAAAz8/HnKMx2puOwY/s1600-h/April+2009+577.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNWs5na9hI/AAAAAAAAAz8/HnKMx2puOwY/s400/April+2009+577.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333201713117197842" border="0" /></a><br />Who know there were so many high mountain passes in Utah!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNWsjyE3nI/AAAAAAAAAz0/ZYMLI8Z2fvY/s1600-h/April+2009+585.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNWsjyE3nI/AAAAAAAAAz0/ZYMLI8Z2fvY/s400/April+2009+585.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333201707256307314" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVzaiVO1I/AAAAAAAAAzs/DhlLBmRDK3o/s1600-h/April+2009+583.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNVzaiVO1I/AAAAAAAAAzs/DhlLBmRDK3o/s400/April+2009+583.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333200725521808210" border="0" /></a><br />A bit of alone time in the desert with my coffee<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUVMS2kpI/AAAAAAAAAzE/6hEzcjwzog4/s1600-h/April+2009+561.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nBntuXZQzgI/SgNUVMS2kpI/AAAAAAAAAzE/6hEzcjwzog4/s400/April+2009+561.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5333199106791084690" border="0" /></a>5 Chinchen'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08871559479945027891noreply@blogger.com6