tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52299308357838406562024-03-21T00:44:19.383-07:00Our LifeJeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-9768913038666033512011-09-21T10:30:00.000-07:002011-09-21T10:30:36.414-07:008 Months and Growing Fast!As a first time Mom I am constantly in awe of other Mothers who seem to get so much accomplished. Some of my friends have a passel full of children, blog, home school, do lots of crafts, are on Facebook, work out, have social lives and make nummy dinners! Wow!! I am curious how it is all done when I am happy to get showered, do a load of laundry, play with baby, get a nap, run a few errands and make an occasional dinner. If you have any suggestions I would love to hear them!<br />
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Shahayla is growing so fast. She's 8 months and already wearing a lot of 12 month clothes! Jeff is wondering why I am shopping until he goes to put something on her and sees it is to small. :) He doesn't mind all the stuff I find at bargain rates. I should post some photos - I found some stuff - pants/shirts/hoodies recently at Children's Place for a whopping $2.49 each!!! I love having an outlet mall 10 minutes away! <br />
Shahayla's recent accomplishments: Kissy noises and clapping. She is sooo close to crawling! She has two teeth and I think is working on #3.<br />
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Ut Oh...I got caught! ;)</div>
Jeff has been super busy at work. We were fortunate enough to travel with him to San Diego/LA for some training and to see his family. We saw his parents, sister and her family (including newest nephew who was 4 weeks at the time), an uncle, Jamaican Gramma Verna, Meeting Friends and a Good Friend from college and his family. Since then Jeff has been to Alaska, Virginia and Illinois. He leaves again for Alaska soon. I miss him so much when he is gone. The days drag by :(. His office recently moved from a floor with a territorial view to a pond/fountain view. So this week he has been living out of a box at work. We saw his desk yesterday and it is the first time I have seen it messy :P<br />
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We have been working on a yard project. Maybe I'll get some before and during photos posted. ;) <br />
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Well - we haven't had any out of town company...or any company at all...So if you wanna come visit - give us a shout! I can't guarantee the house will be tidy but I'll make sure you have clean utensils and a clean bed! LOL!Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-49299211983468849762011-05-23T20:07:00.000-07:002011-05-23T20:16:50.227-07:004 Months and Growing!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_FpMfrpnOdd813Lk1usGjXmdgMTD3FuLmQVOBqyKr2dPnYlxZrsGkdHsOMa5Ed_BPYDiqKXz0VlYxD2XARlCLYNz1XMzFwYu96rWUPQ5AnCGx7DDn8e5IU5nRlBN0MRPJvcKwAm54Vg/s1600/IMG_0756.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610114572847692162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_FpMfrpnOdd813Lk1usGjXmdgMTD3FuLmQVOBqyKr2dPnYlxZrsGkdHsOMa5Ed_BPYDiqKXz0VlYxD2XARlCLYNz1XMzFwYu96rWUPQ5AnCGx7DDn8e5IU5nRlBN0MRPJvcKwAm54Vg/s400/IMG_0756.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>For those of you who actually read this and are concerned (Esther ;P ).<br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Shahayla</span> was born January 21, 2011 and is doing great! She is 4 months old already and growing fast. I will try to post here on her progress every once in a while :).</div><br /><div>Life has been so busy....I am trying to sleep when she does so everything else is on hold for now. She is eating every 2 hours so you know what life consists of...eat, dirty diapers, sleep. All in survival mode :) Thank goodness I have a wonderful husband who picks up the slack!</div><br /><div><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Until</span> Later!</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-9161860469845477052011-01-09T18:53:00.000-08:002011-01-09T19:21:14.783-08:00"Time is fun when you are having flies"December has come and gone and I didn't even post once. I am trying to figure out how my friends are so diligent and creative with their blogs. If you have any suggestions let me know because it is only going to be more difficult once little Baby Spice has made her grand entrance! <div><div><div><div>During the month Jeff and I focused on "To Do Before Baby Arrives" projects. The list was daunting and still is. We found that every week we had to re-prioritize what was important and what wasn't as important. It seems that new projects are continually added and some of these get pushed to the front. Especially being first time parents we are realizing new things that should be done ahead of time! It has also helped us to remember our spiritual clocks as well!</div><div>We did take time to take a romantic venture to San Antonio River Walk. It was a wonderful relaxing weekend. We rode the boats through the canals, found ourselves at Starbucks several times and did a lot of reading. The walking was very good for me and it was such a cheerful place to do it.</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390653217884338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieqVE8sOip1HoQiJGU58b-nWVln3qpBq-wLhUDmFlntelcVBC_YIP3JGiB7KPPaxG3ZN3mWZAlfpCfHjLHjlO_kPr6Ush89AcDblNB4-ALMN0-dpEfx0hcbgn-ARtox4KWJMszw3EOPmU/s400/IMG_4383.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390670198521794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7O-zys_Qyt21b7GAEV1p5IgwVY0CXWWy3znnovxE4UHAkzis-ovN7aDT5_NTSSr04Vwy1JHkQAEABeExGHLfO6pviId4ksSlXQpwITY3x3emMS_K4fmO2QOqMEOu2iP2F123YA2UW-k/s400/IMG_4302.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560390665074600786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0umCWxByZvF7RH-xxGqXS9mI8FFDkA1ZOGC9ho2ZHDAWkpr6IQqULGpM-G81aCh35P6jiPUhdlpE-hhZ6qq8wt_4Tw07crnBVGXAQ1_hAB2GKvkTDxV7wDvYsPGKxzr0ddyhQ6VJjr0M/s400/IMG_4374.JPG" /> <div>We spent Christmas with our gooood friends Lambros and Dewi. Dewi's family was here from Holland and Lambros' Mom was here from Greece. It was such an enjoyable evening! The house was very festive and beautiful beyond words. The food was incredible and the company was fantastic! </div><br /><div>New Years Eve we tried to decide if we should party like a couple w/out impending responsibilities or party like parents...LOL...We ended up hanging out at the house doing projects and then going to our good neighbors Chris and Allison's. We ate cheese and crackers and had a very nice evening chatting. I got a hug from Jeff at midnight as I was heading to bed! This ol' pregnant lady was pooped. :)</div><br /><div>It is amazing to us that it is already the 10th of January and Baby Spice may be arriving at anytime! She isn't due until the 19th and the midwife thinks she could be several days late. I have my 39 week appointment tomorrow so we will see how things have progressed from last week. As of last week I was dilated to a 1 and 50% effaced...not that this means much; she will arrive when she is ready. :)</div><br /><div>We have continued to enjoy all the holiday greetings, cards, photos and letters we received. Thank you!</div><br /><div>I hope this post finds you safely through the Holidays and into a Happy New Year! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-5553380335294332302010-11-12T14:04:00.000-08:002010-11-12T19:39:33.923-08:00November NewsWow - It is almost two months since I last posted! So much has been happening in the last two months. My belly has grown immensely, I am caught up on my reading "What to Expect When You Are Expecting" and I have finally finished reading "Birthing From Within". I think I still have 4 or 5 books to read on my night stand including my bible! We've slowly been working on Baby Spice's room. I am hoping to say it is "finished" by the time we fly out next Friday. Of course that is a lot to hope for when we just got home from a week in Florida and this weekend is birthing class.<br />We traveled to Florida because J had an oil response training course to attend. While there we drove to see a friend of his that will be 104 in December! She is an inspiring woman. She appears to be only 80 and her memory and hearing are impeccable! We also had the priviledge of spending time with her daughter. The weekend after J's training we headed to the Key's. J has always wanted to take me there and it appeared to be the chance of a life time. I was in awe of the homes but struck by how few beaches they have. If you are going there for beaches - well...just skip it because we have more/better ones here in TX! We then traveled back to Ft. Lauderdale for a wonderful Sunday morning/afternoon with a family Jeff met 6 years ago when he was there for training. They invited us to stay for lunch as well as another couple and their visiting parents. The parents are from Washington!!!<br />Next Friday we head to celebrate Turkey Day with my family. All the cousins are planning on being there except one living in Sweden. That means about 40 of us. They usually cook 2 birds, a large ham and 20 lbs of potatoes! So you can guess w/all those coming the additional items that will be there to tempt me and Baby Spice!<br />Today we had a 3D/4D session to see Baby Spice. She is quite adorable and we can't wait to hold her! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538797114117156626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKo0ihORiIyXrtNPpOkeI3nv2fp9tT4sNdghvuq8SsasWqjaqLulR1T3Ky2Nb0FlohDUJiNbF78yV0kzxbix8M5ZGnroxjozDfWBMZrW0yM3AnNwdm7E94wsmwzX-_RAN1kCPkMfdTQO0/s400/30+Weeks+Publish.JPG" />Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-73552529248424187272010-09-18T16:23:00.000-07:002010-09-19T19:21:07.188-07:00Wow Time Flies!I can't believe my last post was in July! So much has been going on since then. <br />I have been working full time for a company since May and several weeks ago I started working from home; the commute had been awful. Not as bad as some I have heard, but it felt like every time I went to work or headed home, I was in "near" accidents. I love Texas and it gives me hope that our Country won't go down the drain, but drivers here in Houston can be clueless and reckless. They don't give drivers from other states/countries tests; they just take away their out-of-state license and issue them a TX license. As a result, we have people who are using all different "rules" from wherever they came from! Rarely do people know how to transverse a 4-way intersection, let alone merge when exiting or entering a freeway. Every man for himself- watch out when you come to visit! Needless to say, I sure have enjoyed working from home. It has allowed me more time with Lola and to work on other projects. <br />Jeff is still working crazy days. His latest schedule is 8 days on 4 days off. This means he is exhausted by day 8 and isn't too crazy to do projects on his 4 recoup days...I must say he does a lot more on those days than I would! He is trying hard to get work done on the Mustang because he realizes come January he won't have much extra time on his hands.<br />Baby Spice is growing and we are getting more and more excited to meet her. We had a second ultrasound to confirm that we do have a girl on the way. We like to be prepared and knowing if we have a boy or girl on the way helps. I of course have been buying stuff to get ready :) and having fun expanding a baby registry. Oh the things one can find for baby! :) I did quite a bit of bargain shopping - looking for coupons and finding some used stuff. I will try and post a few photos. Baby Spice is still slated for arrival January 19th but she will come when she is ready!<br />With getting ready for baby and Jeffrey's schedule, we still have a lot to squeeze in before the end of November (when I shouldn't travel far). We have convention, a training trip for Jeffrey to Ft. Lauderdale, a possible trip to CA and WA, Birthing from Within class, sorting and eliminating house stuff, neighborhood garage sale (to make room for baby :P ), and of course other odds and end projects. Feel free to come and visit- we just might put you to work…just kidding :)Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-84216562564023775602010-07-19T16:50:00.000-07:002010-07-30T19:56:28.186-07:00We are so excited for this little one! We've already done so much researching and decision making. And to think it is only the begining! One of my good friends teases by saying, "You'd better make a decision right now on the crib. You only have 7 months before you'll need it". LOL<br /><br />Besides cribs, high chairs, bouncers, pak-n-plays, names and colleges we've had some bigger decisions to make. I have a fabulous OBGYN but after chatting with her and a couple friends that have given birth we were concerned. We weren't concerned about receiving adequate care but feeling we wouldn't receive the one on one care we would like during the labor proceess. After much prayer, research, thought and discussion Jeff and I have decided to go with a birthing center. <a href="http://www.nativiti.com/">Nativiti Women's Health and Birth Center</a><br /><br />Today I had my first appointment. It was a 2 hour appointment where as the first appointment with my OBGYN took 5 maybe 10 minutes. Most of my questions were answered with out me having to ask them. The Birth Center has 3 nurse midwives. I will meet with each of them over the next 7 months. The one I chatted with today is a new mother herself and she gave birth at the Center just 2 months ago. Among all the information, answers, literature, suggestions there was excitement worth sharing.....I got to hear Baby Spice's heart beat again!!!!! Jeff and I have a feeling we are having a ___________. Oops - I forgot - we are keeping that a secret till next month! :)<br /><br />My next appointment is August 16th and we may get to see if Baby Spice is a boy or girl if he/she cooperates. Until my next appointment we are assuming the original due date. January 22, 2011Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-49442005257960936292010-06-15T10:05:00.000-07:002010-06-15T10:18:12.456-07:00We are Expecting!<div align="center">We are very excited to announce that we are expecting our first baby!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl0FYu3E9SA3QKf-_ndp-t8v__jQ2TH3Ehx3wmrhlYF8BtPRnzMTWTt2hhzjgcI3EEwKAu56ayn2AUfiDgX0NMCyE5w2uZN_jmT-nKpK4JYDO6zSTcmx6pPTFAbnrA5DI6g05KJcxY2w/s1600/Baby's+first+photo.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483047948878751298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl0FYu3E9SA3QKf-_ndp-t8v__jQ2TH3Ehx3wmrhlYF8BtPRnzMTWTt2hhzjgcI3EEwKAu56ayn2AUfiDgX0NMCyE5w2uZN_jmT-nKpK4JYDO6zSTcmx6pPTFAbnrA5DI6g05KJcxY2w/s400/Baby's+first+photo.jpg" /></a> Baby Spice is the "teddy bear" shape at the bottom of the dark heart. </div><div align="center">I have been referring to our baby as Baby Spice because of "McCormick" brand spices.</div><div align="center">Baby Spice is due to arrive around January 22<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">nd</span>; this means I am 9 weeks pregnant. According to different books, Baby spice is approximately the size of a large green olive. A fact which has intrigued my niece and nephew as well as me! :)</div><div align="center"></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-65553447386078904872010-06-11T14:19:00.000-07:002010-06-11T19:41:20.795-07:00Mexico<div align="center">Jeff and I took a much-needed vacation to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, April 29th to May 8th. It was a 9-day beautiful, awe-filled, relaxing affair. We did what we wanted and when we wanted. We ate incredible food, saw some mind-boggling Mayan ruins, sat next to and swam in beautiful waters, read a ton, chatted and just enjoyed each other's company. It was the first real vacation we've been on alone since our honeymoon.<br />If you have ever wanted to go somewhere safe, quiet, and relaxing we HIGHLY recommend Isla Mujeres. It is easy to get to, safe and very inexpensive!</div><div align="center">As a side note: When we arrived in Cancun and before leaving the airport we were offered a great deal. If we would go listen to a resorts sales pitch (and No, we didn't buy in. LOL) and pay a small amount they would offer us 6 all inclusive excursions. It did cost us the small amount but due to prior research we knew it would be a great deal and it was! We had 2 days at all inclusive 5-star resorts, a trip to Tulum with a guide on a bus w/AC, an eco park, a trip to Chichen Itza with a tour guide on a bus with AC. We were offered additional trips but declined because we hated leaving Isla! We are only posting a few photos below. You can see all our photos in the posted album (Top Right).</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTW_Iie8v17Wx4fGYUyDf5YBxp33xDLFQjZ9hnF8D62GjGUELdQVbC7utvnT2dX2ue2S9kI6yOCImeG4si9eBTcIvD0wF6aLTM3pIdHie382Y3EKnXUdINS_xpmG21VtR8sFndd3B_M8/s1600/IMG_3251.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481630750856556530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTW_Iie8v17Wx4fGYUyDf5YBxp33xDLFQjZ9hnF8D62GjGUELdQVbC7utvnT2dX2ue2S9kI6yOCImeG4si9eBTcIvD0wF6aLTM3pIdHie382Y3EKnXUdINS_xpmG21VtR8sFndd3B_M8/s400/IMG_3251.JPG" /></a> Ferry Terminal on Isla Mujeres<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipysmReuR9a0KpNpXxhYOefTc1pwh4THfYuzUhyY36FfmlCVUypThFeSJep16gE6ZOiqbPnnnYcFrvewmjUrw1ZVlifMljoMLPLDLmGMFlnzT6tIJ9v4oSXS6qnENC2kb0RRgMcPzJ24A/s1600/IMG_3262.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481630741835957746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipysmReuR9a0KpNpXxhYOefTc1pwh4THfYuzUhyY36FfmlCVUypThFeSJep16gE6ZOiqbPnnnYcFrvewmjUrw1ZVlifMljoMLPLDLmGMFlnzT6tIJ9v4oSXS6qnENC2kb0RRgMcPzJ24A/s400/IMG_3262.JPG" /></a> Looking from our Hotel towards Cancun.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYXYQQxOqHUDc7sSOww1GngnoqsI85hXLy-rORX35FAdF2067Sv24YV4Qne-kkl7oRzVPN4Sbg4p0INjLF19tsCIi-ElNsuuE1teRNktLp2mKYlCQAM6Br0vRLo7xDOzNfs296fvHfus/s1600/IMG_3266.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481630733993548818" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYXYQQxOqHUDc7sSOww1GngnoqsI85hXLy-rORX35FAdF2067Sv24YV4Qne-kkl7oRzVPN4Sbg4p0INjLF19tsCIi-ElNsuuE1teRNktLp2mKYlCQAM6Br0vRLo7xDOzNfs296fvHfus/s400/IMG_3266.JPG" /></a> Chichen Itza in central Yucatan<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ0s4jHM2ZijL7rEJbtE9JReOnjMFEHo5KQhWmUScGVYlPXKcKImGIcYTCwLulivQOuzGT-TvWzqsecD60Kv9lcMLzTwRIzNqhQ1RezyeTX6sdvWKNcJTfFDjb1TnYxMaVZdXARv9j1o/s1600/IMG_3278.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481630731268923506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQ0s4jHM2ZijL7rEJbtE9JReOnjMFEHo5KQhWmUScGVYlPXKcKImGIcYTCwLulivQOuzGT-TvWzqsecD60Kv9lcMLzTwRIzNqhQ1RezyeTX6sdvWKNcJTfFDjb1TnYxMaVZdXARv9j1o/s400/IMG_3278.JPG" /></a> Chichen Itza<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstyiiyVgHX8wPeFdB1iNBd4pVf7_Lats-KsaCHsnuE7t0Q27lW25LMDrjK7So2j0TY65rnP9vGjwXMarL-j6mK9yAeSabo4YDbKPFo0amtNwDTEl1kAgCF-IVzcqhExQwHQ6loj__S9Y/s1600/IMG_3326.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481630723534693970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstyiiyVgHX8wPeFdB1iNBd4pVf7_Lats-KsaCHsnuE7t0Q27lW25LMDrjK7So2j0TY65rnP9vGjwXMarL-j6mK9yAeSabo4YDbKPFo0amtNwDTEl1kAgCF-IVzcqhExQwHQ6loj__S9Y/s400/IMG_3326.JPG" /></a>Tulum, south of Cancun<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsvVS_QK7tR3cU2UFE70bTMbUhkdvdXz9r6217icXmtzC6DZr8B9W9dnKnhLK0pv4k7dSQBqs0tVkwuR4lcnvk5Zq4-ZzZ_8hKrCz8SEQ6s6G3yq_6t638ARzIpWpDSbwip5kXrQPaeQ/s1600/IMG_3344.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633172381492194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpsvVS_QK7tR3cU2UFE70bTMbUhkdvdXz9r6217icXmtzC6DZr8B9W9dnKnhLK0pv4k7dSQBqs0tVkwuR4lcnvk5Zq4-ZzZ_8hKrCz8SEQ6s6G3yq_6t638ARzIpWpDSbwip5kXrQPaeQ/s400/IMG_3344.JPG" /></a> Tulum<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHZfnkF7OehttoTaF7iuEVXei8f-5hCHPjkbicEpChHU-T8i5MXV9Y4QgBT8MCcskfNqDgLcUXG5NRSIYQcFJmhi_dlaNTGjEIF3VlUZLuLu1_K4JgpUPLpI_2XSDEOqueGKDNdh_TaM/s1600/IMG_3365.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633162945243090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYHZfnkF7OehttoTaF7iuEVXei8f-5hCHPjkbicEpChHU-T8i5MXV9Y4QgBT8MCcskfNqDgLcUXG5NRSIYQcFJmhi_dlaNTGjEIF3VlUZLuLu1_K4JgpUPLpI_2XSDEOqueGKDNdh_TaM/s400/IMG_3365.JPG" /></a> Us :) At Tulum<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUblxR9O4akyO6I7WTN17t7zG8qZJAxdypiwYm0JydGBoIrwB4rg5WIraRfBCm0Fn_b-5wrr9oL5FPxbhmJzCvRXAhINJEJNd1up1HCm5aAfG5FcpI7QaSI-a2YuWNSOeyKqUmlrMB_0/s1600/IMG_3369.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633159459136082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUblxR9O4akyO6I7WTN17t7zG8qZJAxdypiwYm0JydGBoIrwB4rg5WIraRfBCm0Fn_b-5wrr9oL5FPxbhmJzCvRXAhINJEJNd1up1HCm5aAfG5FcpI7QaSI-a2YuWNSOeyKqUmlrMB_0/s400/IMG_3369.JPG" /></a> Us at Tulum w/a new friend.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6GDyAJOp4Ld8dEejb8LHz0sqHR7FFNtHjajE0taa-vW-eVv99-r6UwXz7vaxrUvU8te5NXikYP23a2TXEAiec7UYFNIgJtTb8hi8LofRtZG_u9_znzrK855ChzV4MKR_QSeicYseS10/s1600/IMG_3396.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633154324679778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6GDyAJOp4Ld8dEejb8LHz0sqHR7FFNtHjajE0taa-vW-eVv99-r6UwXz7vaxrUvU8te5NXikYP23a2TXEAiec7UYFNIgJtTb8hi8LofRtZG_u9_znzrK855ChzV4MKR_QSeicYseS10/s400/IMG_3396.JPG" /></a> At the Turtle Farm on Isla Mujeres - They had this little albino turtle.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8WZ924dG1e9-o_ydG-m2wCpX8tOs5a8r9Muk2-SkGRW1f8S-WF0xi1FvAruspI5KM9uGPyK44gBbp2zg_v-d7leBCXyKuqH5_mRvHo4USCvfG1nPSAia_E-JrjKL_pa-FdJgWJYxucQ/s1600/IMG_3450.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481633146361320626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8WZ924dG1e9-o_ydG-m2wCpX8tOs5a8r9Muk2-SkGRW1f8S-WF0xi1FvAruspI5KM9uGPyK44gBbp2zg_v-d7leBCXyKuqH5_mRvHo4USCvfG1nPSAia_E-JrjKL_pa-FdJgWJYxucQ/s400/IMG_3450.JPG" /></a> Swimming with a Nurse shark...well..just getting our photo taken. We did swim to the shark tho. :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7aVDM_GzAP2PWRd2imCIZ1nv0dFBbuDfHCDYiIaeGG9CMUkLA2V25gtdMgFJeJzup5b-yQxG3c8NdoLwL2zB77626TobnQ7dIMgIfKiTjq2gGifRdw2LK7WO2YC7ZceVVBh083HW_tg/s1600/IMG_3465.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481635111742978274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7aVDM_GzAP2PWRd2imCIZ1nv0dFBbuDfHCDYiIaeGG9CMUkLA2V25gtdMgFJeJzup5b-yQxG3c8NdoLwL2zB77626TobnQ7dIMgIfKiTjq2gGifRdw2LK7WO2YC7ZceVVBh083HW_tg/s400/IMG_3465.JPG" /></a> My favorite beach- North Beach! It was nearly wiped out by hurricanes. They now have some ugly pilings to keep the sand from washing away, but they didn't completely ruin the view! Since we went at slow season there was hardly anyone on the beach with us!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3gXiUumWj16inzb-ln4Tz8cAkJU7xGNf5oTxGIi2Y4EXMCxnD97Ow8yGnVf82kcI_aGbTSqtD4EPYQM8lFQE3tFnzFdrwhLLTz10pLFYf5phspx9VJ0JiRDYJyVwY8E_rTTmGWqnZ28/s1600/IMG_3471.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481635100877198274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3gXiUumWj16inzb-ln4Tz8cAkJU7xGNf5oTxGIi2Y4EXMCxnD97Ow8yGnVf82kcI_aGbTSqtD4EPYQM8lFQE3tFnzFdrwhLLTz10pLFYf5phspx9VJ0JiRDYJyVwY8E_rTTmGWqnZ28/s400/IMG_3471.JPG" /></a> Who's that dude?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXl9HIGD-qZBqYu5Mm2DKjLn63QGWc6v5VGoG6duNh3ls3-aAmTPVhKaH1Dqz5SmNnx6NtS39Lbm5gyWGmkiZH_cOksj6J2IhbyQIQfpz8eh6RJKDtMIVe9epG3MVaIHRHxwSWWogwL_k/s1600/IMG_3478.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481635093271968146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXl9HIGD-qZBqYu5Mm2DKjLn63QGWc6v5VGoG6duNh3ls3-aAmTPVhKaH1Dqz5SmNnx6NtS39Lbm5gyWGmkiZH_cOksj6J2IhbyQIQfpz8eh6RJKDtMIVe9epG3MVaIHRHxwSWWogwL_k/s400/IMG_3478.JPG" /></a> Oh! Hi :)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc33WvAoOaLVvnhSiEPLTZEKlyZqgbvnv0glRTLJzdFng2MqHDVRwrhISl6y1btn2_I_PRN8j1_ll-oVqz_Xhaf_Dd8_nHqPo-z6uuyXF3b_DA842KJoYF1PxlXylIhc6u7gVmAM5e1y4/s1600/IMG_3475.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481635086276033074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc33WvAoOaLVvnhSiEPLTZEKlyZqgbvnv0glRTLJzdFng2MqHDVRwrhISl6y1btn2_I_PRN8j1_ll-oVqz_Xhaf_Dd8_nHqPo-z6uuyXF3b_DA842KJoYF1PxlXylIhc6u7gVmAM5e1y4/s400/IMG_3475.JPG" /></a> Our spot of relaxation.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutwJd4i18ycqqZxNvR8rOCrgoG2t895H0mPNiaLAmqsi-XdvGVXKpsKYz2qf23k2AOq3435wBFDRkvv26dxHxcFYCZxTcSSz3b23WKI-FM3eF7uw84fAPIh-9D3tGG5hiPlQQDElzZ18/s1600/IMG_3458.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481635081320291090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiutwJd4i18ycqqZxNvR8rOCrgoG2t895H0mPNiaLAmqsi-XdvGVXKpsKYz2qf23k2AOq3435wBFDRkvv26dxHxcFYCZxTcSSz3b23WKI-FM3eF7uw84fAPIh-9D3tGG5hiPlQQDElzZ18/s400/IMG_3458.JPG" /></a>On IslaJeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-85260074128722779482010-04-24T13:49:00.000-07:002010-06-11T19:38:10.506-07:00BPMS150April 17th was the Annual BPMS150. It is a huge fundraiser for MS sponsored by BP. Thousands of volunteers either ride their bikes between Houston and Austin (150 miles) in two days or help support those riders. Since neither Jeff or I ride (obviously! :O) we like to help out at one of the "Rest Stops" along the route. It usually means rising early and being to the "Rest Stop" by 7:30AM Saturday morning. This year we were off to Industry. It is about a 1.5 hour drive from our house. The drive was absolutely beautiful.<br />When we arrived we helped set up the "Rest Stop" and then helped out where ever we were needed. Both years we have volunteered we have ended up behind the drink counter. Jeff counted 18 drink coolers (the big orange ones!), 3 pallets of boxed gallon water jugs, and a pallet of ice. We went non-stop filling those coolers with ice and either a gatorade mix or water. We went through almost all 3 pallets of water! This year I focused on keeping the mixers supplied with gallon jugs of water and removing the empty ones. It doesn't sound like much but all of us were sweating and we went non-stop from 9AM till 3! Other volunteers manned the first aid table, directing traffic, prepping food, serving fruit or snacks, emptying garbage etc. It was quite a well organized production! 39 Bathrooms, Only one sink :(, 18 drink coolers, an American Red Cross Disaster Relief Team (in charge of communications), Several MS non profit volunteers, moral boosters for bikers (energetic gal with mega-phone and dance moves!),and approximately 40 (BP employees) volunteers!<br />If you get a chance - Join us next year! and don't forget to check out the photo album (top right)Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-56200521464894026132010-04-15T20:30:00.000-07:002010-04-15T21:14:18.486-07:00In search of the Blue BonnetLast weekend Jeff and I decided to go on a little excursion. We hit the road to Br</span><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">enham</span>.
<br />Lola heard us talking and packed her bags. Her she is ready to hit the road.
<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460573972378039714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrsaPmfSvrv3I2Xgc95x4Oo2e9-zUGQVfmoeFOc7NCrf9rC_Tclc8Sm4f9Fpan_8Ik0VyW98jdlNFs-qr6Ku3oq_QOFf9wDxjHv3XQm-9DSFDtiX1Be5_wzi8G9oRmqy8aabFYuY6X2SZ9/s400/IMG_2806.JPG" />All settled in. This is what you call "traveling in style"!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460573979416118530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPENFaRcGiBLEG-A9vp5jxQt7upANy_2GXbAbzrN8vmo2obAtBqwETsZeD5XB1j_qCs0OmuEqk_gcY-3UKOTgDzb3NtmocpFL5HxVK4HdFRRXSTejMEnRlayfYrtmPcVtHXS2Or8QzB84/s400/IMG_2809.JPG" />See - We do have rolling hills in TX and not just tumbleweeds.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460573996609342290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtz86KM_VSsclXgLAKhtCVAT9L5x0fDdY6X87vfeJ35IxvAxTb8RpFpSDFDOKmKAk8v0DKACEULOAIzlb9dsUEAZVZHTqbN3EiopVOag6tWBBZsRMgrREKF3INzjVWqEUjw5Dr-YrynX0/s400/IMG_2824.JPG" />Jeff and I stopped at a highly recommended Deli in a little town outside of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Brenham</span>. Only in little towns can you park out back and see this.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460573989130600754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjXm2qTwHgip8B3FfnoFWGW7rCeDEi_5PcpXhG4BL6CfwTPJnUNixFUh7KQoixHj0xp5c7H8zLoQKyrIseYMdcFmkU_HCVPuM6hX8CN_DiZPGlpDkrC3NkyLUz2X836HGP8tbbp4c2x6g/s400/IMG_2811.JPG" />We stopped at Blue Bell for a scoop of ice cream. They had some beautiful flowers <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">out front</span>.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460574003352076690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2aPAiBqZOxdm61yD2C6TnJM9j-PdNHnG6hI9DwBcer2Q8YBZJFEcJtodfRzSNwMhi6M0FjayKh4IOvHPJ0oO7BptHyt3SN3SRdeKqz1hY_L4mdeng7xkP-JxAp3If7nlw3nd-zK7VxQE/s400/IMG_2833.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460576796570189762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin734OdOccJtvrqbMTnZLuK-a8URPXu0dtl4KtBr9WjAjzJO8sZba9MRE3uMS8PnFKWnHIFzow-MBo0gPfYFRxI3cffIBN9fTfYfTG2cZJT7YDRsWch7NizqTvJk-l-jq6Gf899gS_o4c/s400/IMG_2835.JPG" />A field of beauty. The boy that lived on this property saw me taking photos. He hopped on his bike and rode out to say hi and right through the middle of the flowers down to the lake. Those who arrived right behind us had a little boy in their photos :)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460574954464077666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguObGxtyjhcaHu4kjgmYJMc0FX99fK8uIW-kvHP4r3ANTH5_ngLNfeN0cLXNs5T8z3DYjV90vegiGKvrdX0XCudabTlvxfz9_qY6p2_wC1lfNL9my4m4asiVsgE8e2Bmy7qHCzoLIho_k/s400/IMG_2861.JPG" /> Our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">lil</span>' Girl :) Ain't she beautiful?! :)
<br /><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460574977432142338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPCJSmjz_rdBSWwewA7eCkB-RCYd1CdbRdHtYzJUbDi8yxHTCZUFu_rvFnVrpMmA08xxkB2_EZoFofG8N3nytufpl9p4QcgDspNkvhqrGqs0VXQ986y17mpjgi5Pczg-33wzR538cprIs/s400/IMG_2940.JPG" />For some reason this picture wouldn't load correctly. I couldn't post about Blue Bonnets and not post this photo.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460574967953227890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUm5Q2MkUFrh3I99Mr6ITgpVyU53S4Dc2eqHZzA8_84YiP1NE7XYwqLTK_OkwrmbnCNjEZMNxu6z4iLiEd7nC7hp1gQXA_lqKUxV9gANg_3lYahxp6GyyeZQ15TCyDZO-wK4foaisznH0/s400/IMG_2884.JPG" />On our way back we stopped at a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">Lavender</span> Farm. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORFUJjGBjwJv7ADBoBAh1jwpP1ZOQen7RTfiq6OYNE8iaDFkvSV79gpTgGO1taxLJNve2X_f3zyabWxBVyweEFoxWODjkRb8IhLc4sOd5iLdrX_JhTQUDSLbEaMyP3U5PnTM-KiNGi5s/s1600/IMG_2967.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460574980318229810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhORFUJjGBjwJv7ADBoBAh1jwpP1ZOQen7RTfiq6OYNE8iaDFkvSV79gpTgGO1taxLJNve2X_f3zyabWxBVyweEFoxWODjkRb8IhLc4sOd5iLdrX_JhTQUDSLbEaMyP3U5PnTM-KiNGi5s/s400/IMG_2967.JPG" /></a> We had a wonderful day trip. The countryside was green, the flowers were beautiful and it was nice to get out of the house! Come visit and you can see for yourselves that we have more than tumbleweeds, hurricanes and cowboys!</div></div>
<br />Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-79441395050187753152010-01-19T20:06:00.000-08:002010-01-19T20:16:34.767-08:00Welcome to 2010 a little late :)<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ok</span>...So I haven't been good about posting and all the photos disappeared. I thought I'd get into a cleaning mode and delete old photo albums. I didn't think about the fact they would disappear all together in the blog as well! Oh well. If there is something you'd like to see photos of let me know and I will re-add them!<br />We don't have a lot planned for this year but you know how that goes. All of a sudden things are happening, life is busy and there you are at the end of another year! There are a list of things we would "like" to do. Chief among those is seeing friends and family! We'd also love for you to come visit us! We have plenty of space and love company.<br />I can't promise I will be better about blogging but please do check back and leave comments :)Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-73575032349282127192009-11-17T18:10:00.000-08:002009-11-17T18:27:25.580-08:00ThanksgivingWell, I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving. It truly snuck up on me this year. I was chatting with my chiropractor yesterday and she mentioned Thanksgiving next week and I almost had a heart attack!<br />We are having Thanksgiving at our house. It will be the first one! Jenny (Jeff's sister) has been kind enough to offer to take on the bird, stuffing and gravy! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Yahooo</span> - I have the easy part :) the potatoes, green been <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">casserole</span> and the "little" things.<br />We are additionally excited because we have friends joining us. There will be a total of 10-12 adults and 3 little ones. Not as large of a Thanksgiving as I am use to (50?relatives and 20lbs of potatoes) but it will be a good one. I am looking forward to it!<br />I know I haven't posted much since July - we have been busy with life. Jeff has been working long hours and when he is free he is doing little things for me :) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">paint-balling</span> or cleaning his garage! I have been working on little unseen projects around the house. Right now we are in Galveston. It is 8:30 at night and J is still working. I am in the room working on the computer. :)<br />Well - I will try not to take to long till I post again!<br />Drop us a line!! And Happy Thanksgiving!!!Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-40091984100789138712009-07-24T22:37:00.001-07:002009-07-24T22:42:08.295-07:00Coming Soon.....Photos from our trip to Victoria BC.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362268399055731170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqasswE-eI/AAAAAAAAFdE/awNFsnX3E9k/s400/IMG_1099.JPG" border="0" /> We had a fabulous trip and saw so many beautiful sights and spent time with a wonderful friend of mine!! We then rushed South to see my family. I had forgotten how beautiful Washington was in the Summer. I can't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">wait</span> for our next trip there - 2 weeks and counting!Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-78191160728350486622009-07-24T20:37:00.000-07:002009-11-17T18:09:43.959-08:00Butchart GardensWhile we were in Victoria BC Jeff took me to The Butchart Gardens. Here is a little Bio from their website:<br /><br />The Gardens<br />The Butchart Gardens is one of the world's premier floral show gardens. Jennie Butchart began to shape this magnificent landscape in 1904. She established, in the style of the grand estates of the period, several distinct gardens to evoke a range of aesthetic experiences. An abandoned limestone quarry was transformed into the dramatic Sunken Garden, a reflection of the early 20th-century beautification movement and an exceptional achievement in Canadian gardening history. Through successive generations of the Butchart family, The Gardens has retained much of its original design, and continues the Victorian tradition of seasonally changing the outstanding floral displays.<br />The public area of The Butchart Gardens covers 22ha (55 acres) with much more, for the most part, "off stage." Twenty-six greenhouses covering almost 2 acres, along with trial growing areas, a plant and a tree and shrub nursery help to keep The Gardens in prime viewing condition.<br />As with the rest of the world, we too have seasons. We have the peak growing season of summer, the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, and the low growing season of winter.<br />Please take a look at the sections, to the right, to learn about The Gardens. You'll find there is always something to see.<br /><br />Here are a few of our photos:<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244594598129826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqFDGPHsKI/AAAAAAAAFYU/bBO654RbhzQ/s400/IMG_1164.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244604332052882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqFDqf3kZI/AAAAAAAAFYc/GI92nF3cygo/s400/IMG_1166.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244612459968450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqFEIxtt8I/AAAAAAAAFYk/_b1sDb7cWOc/s400/IMG_1167.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244616179289842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqFEWoeDvI/AAAAAAAAFYs/O2_mwnhmO1k/s400/IMG_1169.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqPfMvgqPI/AAAAAAAAFbM/FKwQ59Wjvyc/s1600-h/IMG_1230.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362256072497211634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqPfMvgqPI/AAAAAAAAFbM/FKwQ59Wjvyc/s400/IMG_1230.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqOOnUfv5I/AAAAAAAAFas/n-m5jc31Wk4/s1600-h/IMG_1235.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362254688062259090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqOOnUfv5I/AAAAAAAAFas/n-m5jc31Wk4/s400/IMG_1235.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362260493841059202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqTgjiBzYI/AAAAAAAAFb0/tGAEpymllX0/s400/IMG_1234.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362254670159159602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqONkoEITI/AAAAAAAAFaU/NH6Z0wyftXA/s400/IMG_1250.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362262151590926850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqVBDIZWgI/AAAAAAAAFcM/XxytGe7VCds/s400/IMG_1239.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362260489224890834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqTgSVcqdI/AAAAAAAAFbs/QQvm9_bchW0/s400/IMG_1259.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362244621236302482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqFEpeJ8pI/AAAAAAAAFY0/W8TOvFQU3oY/s400/IMG_1171.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362265199955753570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqXyfLNOmI/AAAAAAAAFck/EGbER1_z-5o/s400/IMG_1186.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362265211655350322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqXzKwm6DI/AAAAAAAAFcs/SoAEYqHtyyU/s400/IMG_1189.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362265192968429074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqXyFJTHhI/AAAAAAAAFcc/JMLxhOKKuUA/s400/IMG_1180.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqNWUcn8_I/AAAAAAAAFaE/cdcs3-u5mLQ/s1600-h/IMG_1211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362253720923403250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqNWUcn8_I/AAAAAAAAFaE/cdcs3-u5mLQ/s400/IMG_1211.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362265190408335906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqXx7m7MiI/AAAAAAAAFcU/dovHrTIEa8A/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362260482436817698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqTf5DC4yI/AAAAAAAAFbc/J-pFdiz8ORE/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362260488094419666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqTgOH7CtI/AAAAAAAAFbk/VmLYXf5a0l0/s400/IMG_1222.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362262146137620386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqVAu0Of6I/AAAAAAAAFcE/IFRFEAmWJdU/s400/IMG_1225.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqNV1lYsZI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/TSOtk-HZ2nk/s1600-h/IMG_1229.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362253712638652818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqNV1lYsZI/AAAAAAAAFZ0/TSOtk-HZ2nk/s400/IMG_1229.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqNVOWdV3I/AAAAAAAAFZk/ztvE6CkEjw0/s1600-h/IMG_1219.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362253702107060082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqNVOWdV3I/AAAAAAAAFZk/ztvE6CkEjw0/s400/IMG_1219.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF_vqAQSI/AAAAAAAAFZc/11aEkMmbz8k/s1600-h/IMG_1173.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362245636508893474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF_vqAQSI/AAAAAAAAFZc/11aEkMmbz8k/s400/IMG_1173.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF_Hs8EiI/AAAAAAAAFZU/lH75RaJa514/s1600-h/IMG_1174.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362245625783783970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF_Hs8EiI/AAAAAAAAFZU/lH75RaJa514/s400/IMG_1174.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF-wOIfWI/AAAAAAAAFZM/2v2XewQ42R0/s1600-h/IMG_1179.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362245619480558946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF-wOIfWI/AAAAAAAAFZM/2v2XewQ42R0/s400/IMG_1179.JPG" border="0" /></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362245618971284914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF-uUtlbI/AAAAAAAAFZE/neeGyXjOhLI/s400/IMG_1187.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362245614737509762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqF-ejTTYI/AAAAAAAAFY8/GyLsnO2bLwI/s400/IMG_1206.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362256052098829346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqPeAwKDCI/AAAAAAAAFa0/hdjSmf2quDg/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362256056264886242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqPeQRbB-I/AAAAAAAAFa8/QNTq0UA_FUk/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362254667303088834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqONZ_H8sI/AAAAAAAAFaM/93RjMLR-T8U/s400/IMG_1263.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362256061074503186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqPeiMH9hI/AAAAAAAAFbE/X8l-YavJtg4/s400/IMG_1270.JPG" border="0" /> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362237687264985698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Smp-xCakQmI/AAAAAAAAFX0/CDxPFG8IOdM/s400/IMG_1286.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362260477029625298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SmqTfk53rdI/AAAAAAAAFbU/Byiog7QfyeQ/s400/IMG_1313.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362237737738957618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Smp-z-cf8zI/AAAAAAAAFYE/CUB67fnwUkI/s400/IMG_1317.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362237715973381426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Smp-ytXLnTI/AAAAAAAAFX8/COeOuzjbucw/s400/IMG_1321.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362237754709828914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Smp-09qq5TI/AAAAAAAAFYM/nyuIEV9uxrE/s400/IMG_1322.JPG" border="0" /> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-43173978476626150392009-06-25T16:47:00.000-07:002009-06-25T16:48:19.836-07:00Check this out!<br />I guess Lola and I have work to do!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYPgrgmOmNM">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYPgrgmOmNM</a>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-32736870577469068522009-06-13T20:14:00.001-07:002009-06-13T20:14:57.862-07:0045 Lessons - Not in Order!Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland ,<br />"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written."<br />My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:<br />1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.<br />2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.<br />3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.<br />4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.<br />5.. Pay off your credit cards every month.<br />6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.<br />7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.<br />8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.<br />9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.<br />10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.<br />11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.<br />12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.<br />13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.<br />14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.<br />15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.<br />16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.<br />17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.<br />18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.<br />19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.<br />20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.<br />21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.<br />22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.<br />23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.<br />24. The most important sex organ is the brain.<br />25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.<br />26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'<br />27. Always choose life.<br />28. Forgive everyone everything.<br />29. What other people think of you is none of your business.<br />30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.<br />31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.<br />32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.<br />33. Believe in miracles.<br />34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.<br />35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.<br />36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.<br />37. Your children get only one childhood.<br />38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.<br />39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.<br />40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.<br />41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.<br />42. The best is yet to come.<br />43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.<br />44. Yield.<br />45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-879822311832451662009-06-07T20:20:00.000-07:002009-06-07T20:24:14.583-07:00Some HAPPY News!<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SiyEB8M3WeI/AAAAAAAAEB0/uHB0JMZNADA/s1600-h/Cliff_%26_Gina.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344792026656758242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SiyEB8M3WeI/AAAAAAAAEB0/uHB0JMZNADA/s400/Cliff_%26_Gina.jpg" border="0" /></a>I didn't have a photo to post so I wasn't going to spread the news....but then I went blogging and ran across Traci's sight...Low and Behold she posted a photo....so I stole her photo and here's the news:<br />Gina and Cliff were married Friday June 5th!<br />YEAAAAYYYY We are so excited for the two of you!<br />Congratulations Cliff and Gina!!!!!!!<br /></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-60829462158766884472009-05-23T20:02:00.000-07:002009-05-23T20:26:02.101-07:00More News :)<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Shi5AEKQNgI/AAAAAAAAD8k/v3crlLCXqFk/s1600-h/IMG_0635.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339220769015608834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Shi5AEKQNgI/AAAAAAAAD8k/v3crlLCXqFk/s400/IMG_0635.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>If you haven't already heard, I have started working again. I had an interview Monday and started working 20 minutes after the interview started! I am amazed at locating "the perfect job" and it seems to good to be true. I am working for an appraisal management firm. It is sort of difficult to put into words what I do. The simplest explanation is that I am doing quality control. I look at appraisals and make sure they are complete. I look for warning flags. If there are issues I suggest a full review of the appraisal. Eventually I will also do full appraisals. I am currently working from home and intend to visit the office once a week. My commute will be 25 minutes down a $6 toll road. If I am off early enough I can come back the longer route that doesn't cost anything! The bad part is the office is located next to some FANTASTIC shopping!!!!<br />Hope all is well with you! Drop us a line!</p>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-54179493015991974482009-05-20T19:45:00.000-07:002009-05-20T20:13:42.142-07:00A Wild ArrayOne of the many things I love about Houston is what can be grown! Here is a sampling from our yard.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEb1vcqMI/AAAAAAAAD8c/D_-etXs3OaM/s1600-h/IMG_0620.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338107440902482114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEb1vcqMI/AAAAAAAAD8c/D_-etXs3OaM/s400/IMG_0620.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEbNItZqI/AAAAAAAAD8M/s3uAZrSmMDY/s1600-h/IMG_0608.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338107430002583202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEbNItZqI/AAAAAAAAD8M/s3uAZrSmMDY/s400/IMG_0608.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEaxFaHUI/AAAAAAAAD8E/67V-vkjZTTo/s1600-h/IMG_0607.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106584944314194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqBDHh1I/AAAAAAAAD7k/BjyiFxOjN_4/s400/IMG_0605.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106583547397202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDp72ERFI/AAAAAAAAD7c/G_Y7r7ZZ6T4/s400/IMG_0606.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338107422472543554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEaxFaHUI/AAAAAAAAD8E/67V-vkjZTTo/s400/IMG_0607.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqmnuykI/AAAAAAAAD78/USsmWKzYC5A/s1600-h/IMG_0596.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106595029994050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqmnuykI/AAAAAAAAD78/USsmWKzYC5A/s400/IMG_0596.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqbnKHuI/AAAAAAAAD70/_UFYs0vnNAc/s1600-h/IMG_0602.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106592074800866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqbnKHuI/AAAAAAAAD70/_UFYs0vnNAc/s400/IMG_0602.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106012893529874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDIt_lRxI/AAAAAAAAD7U/H0I0fmdIMbU/s400/IMG_0594.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqe6_qfI/AAAAAAAAD7s/qwVhMX8ww3k/s1600-h/IMG_0603.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106592963308018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDqe6_qfI/AAAAAAAAD7s/qwVhMX8ww3k/s400/IMG_0603.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDIbz-eeI/AAAAAAAAD7M/8GMMCqm6pyw/s1600-h/IMG_0586.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106008013011426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDIbz-eeI/AAAAAAAAD7M/8GMMCqm6pyw/s400/IMG_0586.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338105998748457826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDH5TIm2I/AAAAAAAAD68/wnB1gzYeKk4/s400/IMG_0584.JPG" border="0" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDIKM_MpI/AAAAAAAAD7E/Q7IIgT0YB6A/s1600-h/IMG_0585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338106003286078098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDIKM_MpI/AAAAAAAAD7E/Q7IIgT0YB6A/s400/IMG_0585.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I can't possibly post and not insert a photo of my Lola. :)<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338107431460355490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTEbSkRPaI/AAAAAAAAD8U/rViIEtIdFI4/s400/IMG_0616.JPG" border="0" /> Last but not least...here are a few flowers I made for my final cake decorating class.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDHxFWCsI/AAAAAAAAD60/Hjjnjxk8-3s/s1600-h/IMG_0529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338105996543134402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShTDHxFWCsI/AAAAAAAAD60/Hjjnjxk8-3s/s400/IMG_0529.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-81174751531125829812009-05-18T20:36:00.001-07:002009-05-18T20:44:18.900-07:00Lola Graduated!<div align="center">Lola officially graduated "Intermediate Dog Training"!!! Yea Lola!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp5DD2ZBI/AAAAAAAAD6s/1LGyngeTUDo/s1600-h/IMG_0550.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374568438195218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp5DD2ZBI/AAAAAAAAD6s/1LGyngeTUDo/s400/IMG_0550.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jeff working with Lola before her test.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp4-Pd26I/AAAAAAAAD6k/SRAelU_IGvg/s1600-h/IMG_0556.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374567144741794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp4-Pd26I/AAAAAAAAD6k/SRAelU_IGvg/s400/IMG_0556.JPG" border="0" /></a> Wow - She is sitting with other dogs in the same vicinity!<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp4pODQZI/AAAAAAAAD6c/D1YxA-1md3Q/s1600-h/IMG_0564.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374561501659538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp4pODQZI/AAAAAAAAD6c/D1YxA-1md3Q/s400/IMG_0564.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hmmmm.....<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp4ShJLxI/AAAAAAAAD6U/1hOG8Sx9LNA/s1600-h/IMG_0565.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337374555407724306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/ShIp4ShJLxI/AAAAAAAAD6U/1hOG8Sx9LNA/s400/IMG_0565.JPG" border="0" /></a> "Can you PLEAZZZZZZZE take this off me now?"<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-76075255849147087762009-05-13T14:20:00.000-07:002009-05-13T14:43:59.618-07:00Relatives Moving to Houston!!!!First Things First :)<br />Congratulations Jesse on Graduating with your MASTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<br /><br />Jeff's sister and her family came to visit two weeks ago today! They came for only three days and the focus of the visit was to scope out Houston and look for jobs. Well, Jenni has a job and it looks like they will be down here by the 15<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> of next month!<br />Can you believe I didn't even get a photo of them all while they were here? We were going all day and by the evening we were all exhausted. All their hard work and planning paid off! It will be a busy month for Jesse and Jenni.....packing and moving two little kids and two dogs across 1,500 miles! They will be here just in time for hottest and most humid of our weather.<br />Welcome to Texas!Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-58922552594890210402009-05-03T17:58:00.000-07:002009-05-03T19:21:59.118-07:00Wow - Time Flies!We have had a very busy two weeks. Last week we prepared for a garage sale. The house was torn apart and garage sale items sat all over. The sale was very successful and only one item stolen that we know of. At the end of the day, exhausted, I walked into the house and found several items I had intended to sell. Even being exhausted, having had something stolen (small and not worth much) and forgetting to sell a few items, I was elated to see my home would be easier to clean! Now I just need to get with it!<br />This last Wednesday Jeff's sister Jenni and her family came for a quick visit. We are trying to convince them to move closer. They both (Jenni and Jesse) looked for jobs all day Thursday and Friday. I will keep you posted on the outcome. It was nice to have them here. The kids are growing so fast and they are adorable! It had been almost a year since we saw them last. I didn't even get one photo!!! We were so busy running here and there and playing...grrr why didn't I take my camera out????<br />Well - the next few weeks will be busy too. I am trying to get a few projects completed and put the house back together. Hope all is well with you....drop a line. We would love to hear from you!Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-76631279972825269502009-04-18T13:17:00.000-07:002009-04-18T14:58:27.042-07:00I Got the Baking Bug!<div align="center">I finally understand the "Craft" room concept! I use to see rooms completely dedicated to one craft. Now I'd like a CRAFT room. In it would be a kitchen with all the baking gadgets, a section for sewing, a place for arranging flowers, and a place to paint. I am sure there will be a few other crafty things to add to that room. Just don't tell my husband - he may hide the check book before I do some serious damage :)<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SepDN4NVtUI/AAAAAAAAD4M/dtqybalpZ-A/s1600-h/IMG_0499.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143415024727362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SepDN4NVtUI/AAAAAAAAD4M/dtqybalpZ-A/s400/IMG_0499.JPG" border="0" /></a>Before I started on my second cake I splurged with a 40% off coupon and purchased a tilting/turn table.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326128884134716530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo2AEbMJHI/AAAAAAAAD38/BobWRT7cra4/s400/IMG_0498.JPG" border="0" />It was very helpful when frosting the cake.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo2AF7Zt4I/AAAAAAAAD4E/ItVol88wniA/s1600-h/IMG_0497.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326128884538259330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo2AF7Zt4I/AAAAAAAAD4E/ItVol88wniA/s400/IMG_0497.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here it is! My second cake before I started to decorate it. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo1_4U4rdI/AAAAAAAAD30/eH0d9Y_STug/s1600-h/IMG_0500.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326128880887049682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo1_4U4rdI/AAAAAAAAD30/eH0d9Y_STug/s400/IMG_0500.JPG" border="0" /></a> To transport the cake a very high tech gadget was needed! A $4 container with a handle. WALMART :) for all your cooking needs!<br /><div><div><div><div align="center"><div><div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo1_tFY8KI/AAAAAAAAD3s/LHTyyhUXTTc/s1600-h/IMG_0501.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326128877869265058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo1_tFY8KI/AAAAAAAAD3s/LHTyyhUXTTc/s400/IMG_0501.JPG" border="0" /></a> For our second class we learned how to make roses and do gel transfers. This is Jill and her first rose.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo1_aMcBwI/AAAAAAAAD3k/IEMRhtd4RZw/s1600-h/IMG_0504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326128872798553858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/Seo1_aMcBwI/AAAAAAAAD3k/IEMRhtd4RZw/s400/IMG_0504.JPG" border="0" /></a> Me and my first rose.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143418126212818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SepDODwyntI/AAAAAAAAD4c/WxNExUCouGo/s400/IMG_0505.JPG" border="0" /> The First Rose<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326143416824157426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SepDN-6W1PI/AAAAAAAAD4U/WFR8JD0JJGE/s400/IMG_0506.JPG" border="0" /> I must say so myself, "not too bad for a first attempt."<br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326144062899383682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SepDzlusbYI/AAAAAAAAD4s/hHPze3Z5spg/s400/IMG_0514.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><p align="center">The finished cake. It definitely tasted better than it looked. I will have to work on "tinting". The water was the last color I attempted and definitely the best. When I put the tinted frosting into the parchment paper bag, it had white frosting left over on the inside as well as the turquoise color. This is what created the multi-colored water!</p>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-13237729679488990992009-04-11T19:48:00.000-07:002009-04-11T20:10:18.518-07:00Cake Decorating<div align="center">I started taking a cake decorating class on Friday. By next Friday I have to know how to bake a good cake and then layer, fill, frost and put a border on it. The teacher made frosting and smoothing the cake look <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">soooo</span> easy!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFXKZoXEeI/AAAAAAAAD2o/xgKtXKDJnOI/s1600-h/IMG_0469.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323632070719115746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFXKZoXEeI/AAAAAAAAD2o/xgKtXKDJnOI/s400/IMG_0469.JPG" border="0" /></a> My first attempt at a layered cake!<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFXKPP3Z0I/AAAAAAAAD2g/nDUj7ikAYyo/s1600-h/IMG_0476.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323632067932022594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFXKPP3Z0I/AAAAAAAAD2g/nDUj7ikAYyo/s400/IMG_0476.JPG" border="0" /></a> Finished Project and yes those are crumbs in the frosting - oops!<br /></div>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5229930835783840656.post-75191337900597572412009-04-11T19:27:00.001-07:002009-04-11T20:11:11.649-07:00Nikki Comes to Visit!<div align="center">My very good friend Nikki from Washington came to visit for a couple days. We had a great action packed 3 days. <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFTFr5QysI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/XtWrRr5KJ9I/s1600-h/100_3853.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627591675988674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFTFr5QysI/AAAAAAAAD2Y/XtWrRr5KJ9I/s400/100_3853.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nikki and me in the kitchen. We had some ladies over for a semi-healthy potluck lunch. It was so much fun to be able to introduce Nikki to all my new friends here.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFTFVaRx5I/AAAAAAAAD2Q/s94pXsk04ko/s1600-h/100_3852.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627585640449938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFTFVaRx5I/AAAAAAAAD2Q/s94pXsk04ko/s400/100_3852.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jill and Karla<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627280833857570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzl6uSCI/AAAAAAAAD2A/_nksy46D648/s400/IMG_0428.JPG" border="0" />Bronson<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzeTPv8I/AAAAAAAAD14/EeugQoMcanY/s1600-h/IMG_0427.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627278789230530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzeTPv8I/AAAAAAAAD14/EeugQoMcanY/s400/IMG_0427.JPG" border="0" /></a> Elly<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzXv3yJI/AAAAAAAAD1w/yeY1EzjNAQU/s1600-h/IMG_0425.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627277030246546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzXv3yJI/AAAAAAAAD1w/yeY1EzjNAQU/s400/IMG_0425.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jill and Zoey<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzI4JLZI/AAAAAAAAD1o/090txcjT6Pc/s1600-h/IMG_0424.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627273038409106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSzI4JLZI/AAAAAAAAD1o/090txcjT6Pc/s400/IMG_0424.JPG" border="0" /></a> Shar and Theresa<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSyyOdBII/AAAAAAAAD1g/hGZS4tZRSn4/s1600-h/IMG_0423.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627266957968514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSyyOdBII/AAAAAAAAD1g/hGZS4tZRSn4/s400/IMG_0423.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jenny and Patty</div><br /><div>On Saturday Jeff, myself and Nikki headed to NASA.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323627586925701490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFTFaMtKXI/AAAAAAAAD2I/x4FkFJmAx4w/s400/IMG_0432.JPG" border="0" />We took a tram tour that took an hour.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSUfbk3jI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/tmaGJTzTspA/s1600-h/IMG_0460.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323626746516659762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSUfbk3jI/AAAAAAAAD1Y/tmaGJTzTspA/s400/IMG_0460.JPG" border="0" /></a>We were able to see where the astronauts train! This little car looks like a ton of fun!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSUPDab5I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/kAyQeFIPUuw/s1600-h/IMG_0449.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323626742120345490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSUPDab5I/AAAAAAAAD1Q/kAyQeFIPUuw/s400/IMG_0449.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jeff and a full scale model of the shuttle.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSTvYUUAI/AAAAAAAAD1I/XoagizirXLs/s1600-h/IMG_0442.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323626733618089986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSTvYUUAI/AAAAAAAAD1I/XoagizirXLs/s400/IMG_0442.JPG" border="0" /></a> Nikki and full scale model of the space station.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSTfGWWdI/AAAAAAAAD1A/MjBRbk0-pPY/s1600-h/IMG_0440.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323626729247758802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSTfGWWdI/AAAAAAAAD1A/MjBRbk0-pPY/s400/IMG_0440.JPG" border="0" /></a>Space Suit<br /><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSTBri_dI/AAAAAAAAD04/oPbJwzUAb9E/s1600-h/IMG_0430.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323626721350712786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8JAHEPd0vc4/SeFSTBri_dI/AAAAAAAAD04/oPbJwzUAb9E/s400/IMG_0430.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div><br /><p align="center">Nikki and me on the tram. We had about 4 hours at NASA and it just wasn't enough. We'll finish the tour next time Nikki :)<br />Sunday we had a great day. Went to meeting at Nikki's cousin' (Traci) and stayed all day!!!! On Monday I had to take Nik to the airport super early...I was so sad she couldn't stay longer. I keep telling her all she missed so she feels like she must come again!</p>Jeff and Marissahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09400121734919191156noreply@blogger.com0