tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62432284408409138532024-03-13T09:36:47.583-05:00Check in on the family...This blog will consist of random ramblings. I'll gab about what is going on with the kids, the parents, the diets, the garden, and whatever else I feel like sharing.Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.comBlogger565125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-45336664176219592542014-09-04T14:37:00.001-05:002014-09-04T14:37:49.474-05:00KC with the Boys: Budding Piccassos! Remember that vacation I was telling you about? ....<br />
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We got back to our boys on a Tuesday evening. We spent some nice cuddle time with them on my brother's couch, getting caught up. We told the boys what we did but mainly we were interested in all the fun they were having while staying with the family. I got to hear about the county fair they went to - they bought a wrist band and got to ride several rides!<br />
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We went to bed that night with mention of something fun to do the next day but we still hadn't told them our plans. We were being all secretive and sneaky....and it was pretty fun torturing the boys. Ha! <br />
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We woke up bright and early Wednesday morning and headed back to KC - with the boys still wondering what, exactly, we were planning on doing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look, boys! We brought you to a parking garage! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory shot in front of a fountain :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then upstairs .....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now play some games while you wait.... Rock, Paper, Scissors! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait a little bit more.....</td></tr>
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We went to Kaleidoscope for a free art session! You could not order tickets in advance so we wanted to be sure to get there with plenty of time to spare. Biju and I didn't really plot out our days in KC when it was just the two of us but we had to make up an itinerary for the boys. Everything had times attached to them so we had to be sure to get from Point A to Point B so we would have time for Point C. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally! Inside for some fun! Hallmark lets the kids make & take some fun art projects. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most popular bit for our boys was the paint/color your own puzzle! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They decorated a square of cardboard and then cranked it through a puzzle press. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The puzzle press cut out shapes so the boys could come home later and put together their artwork!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys also had fun creating crowns. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say Cheese, your Royal Highnesses! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And after all that artwork fun they decided to ride on the escalators. I think they went up/down at least twice. </td></tr>
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Join us again next time for our next installment of KC with the Boys: Here, fishy, fishy!Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-47976192298119157762014-09-03T06:00:00.000-05:002014-09-03T06:00:07.191-05:00Recipe Wednesday: The Orange Grape SmoothieTime for another yummy smoothie recipe!<br />
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I came up with this one while on the hunt for a smoothie that didn't need almond milk. I had ran out and needed something for breakfast. I had some grapes and orange juice in the fridge so I figured I could use those as my liquid base. I looked around (of course, on Pinterest!) and combined a couple recipes to come up with this tasty drink!<br />
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<u>The Orange Grape Smoothie</u><br />
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<b>1/2 c. grapes</b> (about 75 g.) (I've used green, red and black grapes all at different times and all three of them taste yummy here.) <br />
<b>4 oz. orange juice</b><br />
<b>2 oz. coconut milk</b> (If you don't have any on hand you can just use and additional 2oz. of OJ)<b> </b><br />
<b>1/2 Tbs. chia seed</b> (about 6g)<br />
<b>1/4 c. rolled oats</b> (12g.) (gluten free if needed.)<br />
<b>1/2 c. frozen strawberries</b> (70g)<br />
<b>1/2 frozen banana</b> <br />
<b>1 frozen spinach cube</b><br />
<b>1/2 scoop protein powder</b> (optional) (I've used Vanilla Spiced Chai as well as regular Vanilla, it is your choice for flavors.)<br />
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Place into a high speed blender, in order, and blend. Or, as I usually suggest, use fresh/partially thawed ingredients if you don't have a high speed blender.<br />
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This is a great smoothie to start your day. It has all sorts of good-for-you ingredients and it tastes delish! Let me know what you think! <br />
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<b> </b>Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-57933300703218740832014-08-27T06:00:00.000-05:002014-08-27T06:00:00.673-05:00Recipe Wednesday: PBB&A SmoothieOkay, I'm not so creative with the smoothie names. The name doesn't really matter, does it, so long as the smoothie actually tastes good??<br />
For a long time now I've been trying to find another smoothie to put an apple into. <a href="http://we-like-rice.blogspot.com/2014/05/recipe-wednesday-banapple-smoothie.html" target="_blank">This Banapple Smoothie</a> is still quite tasty but I like to vary my breakfasts. (Don't you?) <br />
I hunted around on Pinterest and combined a couple of smoothie recipes plus added my own little twist. Peanut butter tastes good with apples AND bananas so why not toss it in the blender with everything else?? (I'm guessing Almond Butter or Sunflower Butter would be just as tasty if you can't have peanuts.)<br />
I usually add in some protein powder for a little extra vegan protein boost - your choice! <br />
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<u>PBB&A Smoothie</u> (Peanut Butter, Banana & Apple)<br />
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<b>1 c. almond milk</b><br />
<b>1 apple </b>(with peel, no core) (about 145 g.) (I use Gala) <br />
<b>1 frozen spinach cube </b><br />
<b>1 frozen banana </b>(about 126 g) (When your bananas start getting spotty, peel them, break them in half or quarters and place them into a freezer baggie, freeze. They're now easy to grab for a smoothie. I used to cut the bananas into slices which made them more difficult to measure out and they froze in a huge clump. Half pieces are so much easier, if you ask me.) <br />
<b>1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice </b>(this is what I had on hand, I'm guessing apple pie spice would taste equally yummy!)<br />
<b>splash of vanilla extract</b> (about 1g)<br />
<b>1/2 Tbs chia seed</b> (about 6g)<br />
<b>1 Tbs peanut butter </b>(about 16g)<br />
<b>Half to One scoop of protein powder</b>. This is optional and I will use either half or a whole scoop depending on my protein/calorie needs on a given day.<br />
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Place into high speed blender and give it a whir. Enjoy!<br />
If you don't have a high speed blender, I suggest using fresh/partially thawed, not frozen, ingredients.<br />
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This is sooo yummy! It is my current favorite :) Try it and let me know what you think! Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-75086323272691981692014-08-21T06:00:00.000-05:002014-08-21T06:00:03.891-05:00Sight Seeing While Biju and I were in Kansas City we headed to Union Station. It served as a functioning train station from 1914 through 1985. It was pretty cool to see some of the older style of architecture. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just loved the ceiling work in there! </td></tr>
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We walked around a bit and enjoyed the train room. All kinds of trains in various sizes, colors, makes, models, etc. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See that guy on the bench to the left? We guessed he was there meditating. We weren't really sure what he was doing but he was there, sitting up straight, with his eyes closed the whole time we were there. Also, there was a good handful of people there with their tennie-runners on getting some exercise over their lunch break. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Choo-chooooo!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We thought it was fun to walk over the traffic in the corridor that connected Union Station to the building across the street. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not that there was really all that much traffic at that time....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While in KC Biju figured it was a <i>must </i>to stop and get some authentic BBQ. The slab of ribs on the left was his lunch. The tub-o-potato-salad on the right was mine. It was the closest I could get to a vegetarian dish in a BBQ joint!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then we drove back to my hometown to get our boys! We missed them quite a bit and we could tell by their hugs and snuggles they had missed us, too. (Even now, a month and a half later, Aren will randomly give me a hug and say "I missed you from Aunt Brandi's!") </td></tr>
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I failed to mention previously that the first full day we were apart from the boys, Aren woke up with a fever. :( We were on the phone quite a bit with Brandi and Aren checking in. He felt pretty miserable and you could hear it in his voice. I'm not gonna lie, I teared up a few times while on the phone with him. I knew it wasn't anything serious, though, and that he was in capable hands. Between my mom and Brandi, they knew how to handle a sick kiddo. By the time we got back to him and his brothers they were all in tip-top shape! <br />
At this point in the game the boys thought we were just going to spend the rest of the week with the family. They had no clue about the fun we had lined up for them!! <br />
<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-40844139264223337902014-08-20T06:00:00.000-05:002014-08-20T06:00:02.075-05:00The ToursWhile on vacation, Biju and I decided to hit up a couple of the free tours offered in Kansas City. Since we were two adults on the town without children we chose two very adult sounding tours. Beer and Coffee. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KfDLpHoFZgk/U-fodgxevAI/AAAAAAAAGp8/SVoFi7yr-lE/s1600/P1080447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KfDLpHoFZgk/U-fodgxevAI/AAAAAAAAGp8/SVoFi7yr-lE/s1600/P1080447.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDXJDGP7kJs/U-folKhzVPI/AAAAAAAAGqE/wETSKzODNKU/s1600/P1080453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eDXJDGP7kJs/U-folKhzVPI/AAAAAAAAGqE/wETSKzODNKU/s1600/P1080453.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wish I could tell you how many kegs each of those silver .... thingies .... holds, but the tour was over a month and a half ago now. See what I get for such delayed posts?? I can't even remember what the silver thingies are called, but I do know they are working to build another. Boulevard beer seems to be quite popular! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltp92RJoivc/U-fot0i3yBI/AAAAAAAAGqM/ki2enD7cm8w/s1600/P1080462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ltp92RJoivc/U-fot0i3yBI/AAAAAAAAGqM/ki2enD7cm8w/s1600/P1080462.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After our tour we each got to sample two beer flavors. Since beer is chock-full of gluten I gave my samples to Biju. Neither one of us are big beer fans so, unfortunately, most of what was in those glasses went to waste. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coffee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ug8fLKtZZ1w/U_OTguMebNI/AAAAAAAAGq0/EXv6aFDLK9Q/s1600/P1080466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ug8fLKtZZ1w/U_OTguMebNI/AAAAAAAAGq0/EXv6aFDLK9Q/s1600/P1080466.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tour was a bit more interesting to us but again the free coffee sample had us both looking at each other and making faces. Black coffee. No thank you. Filled with sugar and cream? Yes please! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qE_h5N8SkPI/U_OTi4UDegI/AAAAAAAAGq8/FY6zovD9rAU/s1600/P1080469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qE_h5N8SkPI/U_OTi4UDegI/AAAAAAAAGq8/FY6zovD9rAU/s1600/P1080469.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They passed around a bowl of "raw" beans next to some that had been roasted. Not only could you see a difference but you could feel one, too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnRrPUDNd20/U_OTew2pQdI/AAAAAAAAGqs/ejc52mvePHE/s1600/P1080476.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JnRrPUDNd20/U_OTew2pQdI/AAAAAAAAGqs/ejc52mvePHE/s1600/P1080476.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of hotties with hairnets getting ready to walk around the production floor. (Yes, it smelled <i>wonderful</i> in there!)</td></tr>
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As we left we each purchased a cup of iced coffee and filled it with plenty of sugar and cream. It tasted sooo yummy. It was later that day I realized (rather, remembered) why I don't drink coffee on a regular basis. While being on vacation I had coffee at least once if not twice a day (the coffee tour was the 4th day of vacation.) Four days of coffee and my stomach was very angry with me. I can't drink colas or my favorite Dr. Pepper on a consistently, either. If I do, even water makes me feel sick. Moderation is the key, folks!<br />
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If you're in the KC area, I recommend visiting either (or both!) of these locations. I loved hearing all the information they shared even if I wasn't particularly fond of the samples ;) <br />
<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-91782691369122483302014-08-19T13:07:00.000-05:002014-08-19T13:07:27.133-05:00Vacation! At the end of June, Biju and I celebrated our 10th anniversary. We wanted to do something special so we decided to make a weekend of it. We made plans to take the boys to my sister-in-law/brother's so the boys could enjoy some family time while we enjoyed some childless, focus-on-your-spouse time. <br />
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As we were researching things to do in the Kansas City area we kept coming up with things to do with the boys. (Many of you might understand how hard it is to plan something without thinking "Oh! The kids would love this!" each step of the way!) We decided to make a full vacation out of it. We would spend a few days in KC, just the two of us, then we would drive back to my family's (about an hour + from there) to get the boys and drive back to let the kids experience some of the fun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9wcopim56o/U-fnc72X-GI/AAAAAAAAGo8/cWLeTP2j9Gw/s1600/P1080408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z9wcopim56o/U-fnc72X-GI/AAAAAAAAGo8/cWLeTP2j9Gw/s1600/P1080408.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road to visit family! Don't be fooled, Alex is not sleeping. Ajay did some crocheting along the way. He is still at the chain stage. We've tried moving on to single crochet stitches but he gets too frustrated. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIUz6RJdjt0/U-fnh0lt_PI/AAAAAAAAGpE/wWWzzHWg2HQ/s1600/P1080409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SIUz6RJdjt0/U-fnh0lt_PI/AAAAAAAAGpE/wWWzzHWg2HQ/s1600/P1080409.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to Nana and Papa's and raided the fruit trees. Alex is showing his juice covered hands. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds2lGvKYrU4/U-fs1o8tmjI/AAAAAAAAGqc/CvzGf2xwBlE/s1600/AlexMessRedShirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ds2lGvKYrU4/U-fs1o8tmjI/AAAAAAAAGqc/CvzGf2xwBlE/s1600/AlexMessRedShirt.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....Which reminded me of a younger Alex, same shirt, same pose, same juicy hands (although a tad juicier!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm1nWfOnFBQ/U-fs1onvOzI/AAAAAAAAGqg/g7gnA3Ap6Ew/s1600/AjayWoundedPout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hm1nWfOnFBQ/U-fs1onvOzI/AAAAAAAAGqg/g7gnA3Ap6Ew/s1600/AjayWoundedPout.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And while taking a quick stroll down memory lane, I thought I'd throw in this picture of Ajay from that same visit 4 years ago. He had fallen in the driveway and gotten a bit of a scrape. As you can see he was not happy.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTEhsV32Lbk/U-fnZEc4BMI/AAAAAAAAGo0/RXFm2Lgbb9k/s1600/P1080426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iTEhsV32Lbk/U-fnZEc4BMI/AAAAAAAAGo0/RXFm2Lgbb9k/s1600/P1080426.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After saying our goodbyes to the boys we headed to our first destination. If you look in the mirror you can see the storm clouds behind us. I thought it made for a pretty cool photo.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the many fountains in KC.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For dinner one evening we tried out a vegan restaurant. It was quite tasty! .....And then we hit a non-vegan ice cream place for dessert. Ha! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyXkVrq-qf0/U-foFCU3cZI/AAAAAAAAGpk/ZIKOhupRuec/s1600/P1080435.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YyXkVrq-qf0/U-foFCU3cZI/AAAAAAAAGpk/ZIKOhupRuec/s1600/P1080435.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't have The Cheesecake Factory in our plans but it was fun to take a picture in front of it :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5pW74krFM0/U-foKe3o3fI/AAAAAAAAGps/pWKL-iuca2o/s1600/P1080438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j5pW74krFM0/U-foKe3o3fI/AAAAAAAAGps/pWKL-iuca2o/s1600/P1080438.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Funky clouds to stare at while slurping on our ice cream. </td></tr>
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Get ready for some more vacation shots in upcoming posts! Just imagine you're sitting our couch and we have the slide projector set up, 'kay? Click-click, whoosh. Click-click, whoosh.Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-41955714569464929762014-08-10T16:35:00.000-05:002014-08-10T16:35:49.272-05:00Moving alongMoving right along through June .....<br />
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If you know me very well you know that I get my hair cut short then let it grow for awhile, usually a bit past my shoulders, and then cut it short again (typically right above my shoulders). Most times, Biju says he wants me to keep my hair longer when I'm itching to cut it off. The past year, though, it was the opposite. He would casually ask me when I was planning on cutting my hair. I would say that I wasn't ready yet and I just kept letting it grow. I would trim it, get some shape put into the layers, thin it out, but I never chopped off any real length.<br />
Then, all of the sudden, I woke up and decided that I was tired of my long hair. As in, I wanted to go get it done <i>now</i>. I let Aren take my before photo:<br />
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And drove off to get it cut! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not the best photo since it was freshly cut, still damp and hidden by my sunglasses. There will be better shots of the style in upcoming blog posts. </td></tr>
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Biju spent quite a bit of time in June painting the house..... <br />
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Aren couldn't help but make a funny face for the camera while he was watching Daddy paint....<br />
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I was happy with the house color but <i>loved</i> it once we added the trim color. Purple-y brown house with purple-y gray trim. Fabulous combo, if you ask me! <br />
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Aren and the boy across the street (5 months older) are great buddies! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex ready for a ball game! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXdCnuauIpo/U-Qt-hwT7zI/AAAAAAAAGoU/OY1B9jjNsFQ/s1600/P1080396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HXdCnuauIpo/U-Qt-hwT7zI/AAAAAAAAGoU/OY1B9jjNsFQ/s1600/P1080396.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren and this little girl spent a lot of time together - in the dirt - during games. In this photo, they had a weed and they were trying to plant it. They worked really hard but the dirt was just too dry and the weed was too floppy. It wouldn't stay planted. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#34 on the run! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids (our boys along with some friends) creating their own dance party via Pandora. </td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-59791286079854963302014-08-08T14:37:00.003-05:002014-08-08T14:37:52.524-05:00Ajay's BirthdayI feel sorta bad for skimming over Biju's and Aren's birthday in the May post .... and then turning around and making a whole post for Ajay. However, he had a game the day of his birthday so we ended up making treats to share. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I melted some white chocolate and brushed it over the tops of Oreo's. Then I took some red frosting and made the "threads" of a baseball. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay didn't get a cake for his actual birthday (he got it later when he had a couple of friends over on the weekend) so we got some donuts! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthday boy headed to his position. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VOjA3pI-P9U/U-PHL2dLB1I/AAAAAAAAGmc/Zc16pAwH6nA/s1600/P1080303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VOjA3pI-P9U/U-PHL2dLB1I/AAAAAAAAGmc/Zc16pAwH6nA/s1600/P1080303.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biju played catch with Alex for a bit and Aren enjoyed being chased and tickled by one of the girls at the game.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46m_aAKWvmI/U-PHYSAmurI/AAAAAAAAGmk/XZxQhoqEc_8/s1600/P1080305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46m_aAKWvmI/U-PHYSAmurI/AAAAAAAAGmk/XZxQhoqEc_8/s1600/P1080305.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As Ajay handed out the baseball Oreo's the team sang Happy Birthday to him. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHtaDLFKL38/U-PHeIW9jgI/AAAAAAAAGms/8o8rQoMWp_o/s1600/P1080307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHtaDLFKL38/U-PHeIW9jgI/AAAAAAAAGms/8o8rQoMWp_o/s1600/P1080307.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YUM!! Donuts!! (I want this one, and this one, and this one...) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PpfTq2OPOg/U-QsfccqA8I/AAAAAAAAGm8/YANv_ZvSilI/s1600/P1080315.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8PpfTq2OPOg/U-QsfccqA8I/AAAAAAAAGm8/YANv_ZvSilI/s1600/P1080315.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex was almost as excited as Ajay when he got his present...</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--05_NiJIq6E/U-QssQQ277I/AAAAAAAAGnM/VHjut0Ps4YE/s1600/P1080318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--05_NiJIq6E/U-QssQQ277I/AAAAAAAAGnM/VHjut0Ps4YE/s1600/P1080318.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...a new bike!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8UrcvVm9QE/U-QsjhpxTnI/AAAAAAAAGnE/HtZvXlOnU_o/s1600/P1080323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G8UrcvVm9QE/U-QsjhpxTnI/AAAAAAAAGnE/HtZvXlOnU_o/s1600/P1080323.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay on the phone with family getting birthday wishes. </td></tr>
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<span id="goog_551342851"></span><span id="goog_551342852"></span><br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-25101849570167235852014-08-07T13:27:00.002-05:002014-08-07T13:27:43.915-05:00May Happened!So many fun things happened in the spring that I just never got around to posting. Such a shame. Instead, I'll rush through the month of May in one post in an effort to get caught up (and stay caught up - is that too much to ask??). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGMv08_pTGU/U8Xd2Qlnx5I/AAAAAAAAGfQ/ORxCJDaASew/s1600/P1070963.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sGMv08_pTGU/U8Xd2Qlnx5I/AAAAAAAAGfQ/ORxCJDaASew/s1600/P1070963.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I tried a recipe for coconut brown rice. It was easy to put together - so easy, Aren was able to help - and it was made in the rice cooker. I will be making this again! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OI2L9vHaAdU/U8Xd1ne94mI/AAAAAAAAGfM/kpsK47Ega-U/s1600/P1070968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OI2L9vHaAdU/U8Xd1ne94mI/AAAAAAAAGfM/kpsK47Ega-U/s1600/P1070968.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay played baseball....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfhNdafO7RQ/U8XdurbxliI/AAAAAAAAGfA/ZuDBnUZxImo/s1600/P1070999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HfhNdafO7RQ/U8XdurbxliI/AAAAAAAAGfA/ZuDBnUZxImo/s1600/P1070999.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biju had a birthday....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFRTwPc9VeQ/U8XeYr5ElbI/AAAAAAAAGfo/FzJjL1pxR-M/s1600/P1080026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pFRTwPc9VeQ/U8XeYr5ElbI/AAAAAAAAGfo/FzJjL1pxR-M/s1600/P1080026.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys got a haircut....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9CfaYg8sYs/U8XedInlFpI/AAAAAAAAGfw/tdNy6lhpcC4/s1600/P1080043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G9CfaYg8sYs/U8XedInlFpI/AAAAAAAAGfw/tdNy6lhpcC4/s1600/P1080043.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They played in the sprinklers....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgjJ9PnDNGw/U8Xe5RhNrGI/AAAAAAAAGgI/3XQGxabjYAs/s1600/P1080051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xgjJ9PnDNGw/U8Xe5RhNrGI/AAAAAAAAGgI/3XQGxabjYAs/s1600/P1080051.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a Field Day at school....</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl1LdlTK4v4/U8Xfx6Gu5pI/AAAAAAAAGg4/UAviXETYCio/s1600/P1080101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yl1LdlTK4v4/U8Xfx6Gu5pI/AAAAAAAAGg4/UAviXETYCio/s1600/P1080101.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex played baseball..... (and it was quite chilly!) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGfhfRHw5Mg/U8Xgly8ID1I/AAAAAAAAGho/a99l8rsUNG8/s1600/P1080122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bGfhfRHw5Mg/U8Xgly8ID1I/AAAAAAAAGho/a99l8rsUNG8/s1600/P1080122.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren had a birthday....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8upDPRtE58/U8XhVWSBMgI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/v2u_dIyNvD8/s1600/P1080192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Y8upDPRtE58/U8XhVWSBMgI/AAAAAAAAGiQ/v2u_dIyNvD8/s1600/P1080192.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did a craft! The boys got to paint craft sticks, then we glued chores/other tasks on the front, magnets on the back and created their chore charts. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okxX1sIprQA/U8Xh1YjOkCI/AAAAAAAAGi4/as5EBZVbmRY/s1600/P1080223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-okxX1sIprQA/U8Xh1YjOkCI/AAAAAAAAGi4/as5EBZVbmRY/s1600/P1080223.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biju got started on the big summer project - painting the house! You can see the new color on a few boards next to the front door. We were "trying it on." We liked it so much we kept it. Here, he's using a power washer to clean and prep for painting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJxya-N3dH0/U8Xh8y1viGI/AAAAAAAAGjA/sgY6HJ8r7JI/s1600/P1080227.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hJxya-N3dH0/U8Xh8y1viGI/AAAAAAAAGjA/sgY6HJ8r7JI/s1600/P1080227.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biju and his dad planted this tree last May when his parents came for a visit (I can't believe it has already been over a year!). I took a photo of the three boys next to the tree so we can monitor how much it has grown. If I can remember I'll do this every May! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_m-vhHUqe0Y/U8XiY0aQ8gI/AAAAAAAAGjY/CzVw_a9pGpk/s1600/P1080249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_m-vhHUqe0Y/U8XiY0aQ8gI/AAAAAAAAGjY/CzVw_a9pGpk/s1600/P1080249.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay's ball team got to go to a semi-professional (I think that's what they would be categorized as?) ball game. They got to meet the team before the game, run out onto the field with a player and be introduced and have their photo taken with the mascot. (There was a better photo where the mascot wasn't being silly and blocking the view of the kids but I like this one!) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dBeHSP7Kyg/U8XinGj3hOI/AAAAAAAAGjo/N2TAT0Z7la0/s1600/P1080275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3dBeHSP7Kyg/U8XinGj3hOI/AAAAAAAAGjo/N2TAT0Z7la0/s1600/P1080275.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren got a little tired by the end of the game. He got some good cuddles in with Daddy. </td></tr>
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(I also ran that 5k in May, but since I already posted about that I felt it was okay to skip over it here in this post.) <br />
So there is May in a nutshell. June is up next! Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-58439944300801213692014-07-08T07:00:00.000-05:002014-07-08T07:00:07.087-05:00Easter on the farmApril, part two.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qo3XckG4X3o/U7sEit7m8QI/AAAAAAAAGcM/Pf3mkxpWA04/s1600/P1070776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qo3XckG4X3o/U7sEit7m8QI/AAAAAAAAGcM/Pf3mkxpWA04/s1600/P1070776.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys and I headed up to my parents farm for Easter. Now and then we like to make our visits a bit longer than just the weekend so we left Biju behind (you know, so he could go to work and all) and we drove up a bit early. The boys were thrilled that I treated them to a Happy Meal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G01vfgCDVl4/U7sEuMhotUI/AAAAAAAAGcU/kGzImcEsEG8/s1600/P1070784.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G01vfgCDVl4/U7sEuMhotUI/AAAAAAAAGcU/kGzImcEsEG8/s1600/P1070784.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went for a "run" around on of the pastures. Dad had mowed a path but he just couldn't do anything about the terrain. I was certain I would twist an ankle! Aren took my photo afterward. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6H1h9ABILO4/U7sE7_L12OI/AAAAAAAAGcc/6i4k5VhCtfo/s1600/P1070792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6H1h9ABILO4/U7sE7_L12OI/AAAAAAAAGcc/6i4k5VhCtfo/s1600/P1070792.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren helped Papa moving some wood to a wood pile.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFsryIpuFjI/U7sFCenMT2I/AAAAAAAAGck/5rZZyPiR5-Y/s1600/P1070796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NFsryIpuFjI/U7sFCenMT2I/AAAAAAAAGck/5rZZyPiR5-Y/s1600/P1070796.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jenna and I took the older boys to a neighboring town to watch Nana walk in a parade.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WN3MnnOLO8/U7sFNMt3XKI/AAAAAAAAGcs/xlcoxvNujrg/s1600/P1070801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0WN3MnnOLO8/U7sFNMt3XKI/AAAAAAAAGcs/xlcoxvNujrg/s1600/P1070801.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy from the parade is a must. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4k2BeG2fzU/U7sFWj2BSYI/AAAAAAAAGc0/7H-4z4nD8VI/s1600/P1070806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U4k2BeG2fzU/U7sFWj2BSYI/AAAAAAAAGc0/7H-4z4nD8VI/s1600/P1070806.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom (far right) walking with her co-workers to form an American flag.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78Q2Gg5bRsI/U7sFfOvFvFI/AAAAAAAAGc8/kQJ4hLWEvHU/s1600/P1070866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78Q2Gg5bRsI/U7sFfOvFvFI/AAAAAAAAGc8/kQJ4hLWEvHU/s1600/P1070866.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the parade we stopped at the local flower shop to pick up some black flowers. That evening we celebrated my sister's 40th birthday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCB4_g-Lt5o/U7sFp5EYo4I/AAAAAAAAGdE/i4LT1i3XEHE/s1600/P1070877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MCB4_g-Lt5o/U7sFp5EYo4I/AAAAAAAAGdE/i4LT1i3XEHE/s1600/P1070877.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I happened to have my camera in my purse so after Easter Mass I took a photo of Father with the boys. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHog0QBL6zY/U7sFxXjswcI/AAAAAAAAGdM/tWRMcNgg5gQ/s1600/P1070880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yHog0QBL6zY/U7sFxXjswcI/AAAAAAAAGdM/tWRMcNgg5gQ/s1600/P1070880.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa out fishing with the grand kids. It just isn't a visit to the farm without a little fishing! Photo'd here is Papa with Paige and Ajay.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGUiTSqJSZw/U7sF8JY3YrI/AAAAAAAAGdU/SbwWwMwYv4U/s1600/P1070883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MGUiTSqJSZw/U7sF8JY3YrI/AAAAAAAAGdU/SbwWwMwYv4U/s1600/P1070883.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay taught Brandon how to finger knit!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqbJOFA0YpU/U7sGF_3kkwI/AAAAAAAAGdc/3xhtks5A9II/s1600/P1070885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aqbJOFA0YpU/U7sGF_3kkwI/AAAAAAAAGdc/3xhtks5A9II/s1600/P1070885.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the kids getting ready for their Easter-egg hunt!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZPNDXb4-8Q/U7sGNLGV94I/AAAAAAAAGdk/D0mHF8DnLiE/s1600/P1070911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WZPNDXb4-8Q/U7sGNLGV94I/AAAAAAAAGdk/D0mHF8DnLiE/s1600/P1070911.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the hunt Dad and my brothers planted an apple tree. We thought it would be the perfect time to get a photo of all 6 of us. Dad, Mom, then youngest to oldest, Jeff, Kalinda, Matt, Shelly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qtyW8vnIEQ/U7sGVVW6nmI/AAAAAAAAGds/lFqcNrg0hNs/s1600/P1070931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3qtyW8vnIEQ/U7sGVVW6nmI/AAAAAAAAGds/lFqcNrg0hNs/s1600/P1070931.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how I found the boys sleeping the morning we left the farm. Comfy, right? I'm sure Aren didn't mind Alex's knee on his head. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pjagEcrBjI/U7sGe7H4NFI/AAAAAAAAGd0/cRtNaTZggOU/s1600/P1070950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3pjagEcrBjI/U7sGe7H4NFI/AAAAAAAAGd0/cRtNaTZggOU/s1600/P1070950.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special treat! Pizza and pop, a "living room picnic" and a movie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-tBiFGdLW0/U7sGnfPdvTI/AAAAAAAAGd8/Ip1w-kjWqjU/s1600/P1070959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m-tBiFGdLW0/U7sGnfPdvTI/AAAAAAAAGd8/Ip1w-kjWqjU/s1600/P1070959.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there....but not quite. Years ago I lost a lot of weight and had my ring re-sized. Then I got pregnant with Aren and gained all that weight back. Since gaining the extra weight I have not been able to take my ring off. Now that I'm losing that weight again I thought I would be getting close to being able to remove my ring. Nope. Can you see how swollen my finger is? We tried so hard (one of the diamonds is loose and we'd like to have it fixed) and the guy at the store even tried Windex and that gel hand sanitizer. Oh well. Just a few more pounds. </td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-12101848414573156502014-07-07T16:07:00.003-05:002014-07-07T16:07:36.293-05:00Part of April, at a glanceI apologize if I'm boring some of my readers out there - most of you are family and friends anyway so I'm sure you'll bear with me. For the strangers who come across my blog I guess you'll just have to deal with me posting April pictures in July. 'Kay?<br />
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Here is a quick re-cap of most of April. I'll put up a post about Easter later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zL1l-Cl66MA/U7sC5SSlATI/AAAAAAAAGak/rJuSBxeNpqk/s1600/P1070726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zL1l-Cl66MA/U7sC5SSlATI/AAAAAAAAGak/rJuSBxeNpqk/s1600/P1070726.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While getting ready for school one morning we saw that the light was making an awesome design on our stair case. There was no water nearby but it looked like there was! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iTwG5QCMAKA/U7sDAP0izEI/AAAAAAAAGaw/qpy0HWpkFuo/s1600/P1070732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iTwG5QCMAKA/U7sDAP0izEI/AAAAAAAAGaw/qpy0HWpkFuo/s1600/P1070732.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the ceramics the boys painted at a birthday party in March. (I recently posted a photo of that party, just a day or two ago.) Alex's robot on the left, Aren's lizard that I helped him with (just guiding the brush a bit, but he did most of it and chose the colors) and Ajay's robot on the right.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7Klt7MY04w/U7sC_p_NfaI/AAAAAAAAGa0/TaPcL20BejY/s1600/P1070735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y7Klt7MY04w/U7sC_p_NfaI/AAAAAAAAGa0/TaPcL20BejY/s1600/P1070735.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got creative at snack time one day - Ritz crackers with peanut butter, pretzels, raisins, all made to look like spiders.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhW2yPjU7ys/U7sDM-of0YI/AAAAAAAAGa8/7nKCySqA3m4/s1600/P1070737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhW2yPjU7ys/U7sDM-of0YI/AAAAAAAAGa8/7nKCySqA3m4/s1600/P1070737.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren with some awesome shades and a straw hat. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hv0JuDLHxIQ/U7sDQLFNGlI/AAAAAAAAGbE/CHRr68zyrs0/s1600/P1070738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hv0JuDLHxIQ/U7sDQLFNGlI/AAAAAAAAGbE/CHRr68zyrs0/s1600/P1070738.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Aren went outside and picked some pretty yellow flowers for Mama! (Note: Dandelions don't live long once plucked, even if you put them in water.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAn_WuigmGg/U7sDaYxiZyI/AAAAAAAAGbM/NYjxa4dc-0w/s1600/P1070745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SAn_WuigmGg/U7sDaYxiZyI/AAAAAAAAGbM/NYjxa4dc-0w/s1600/P1070745.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We joined our neighbors for a cook-out. Mr. K was even nice enough to grill my hickory black bean burgers - the grill made them taste even better! (And Biju made sure he used separate tongs so the meat tongs weren't flipping my un-meat burgers.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l2RHoolAKs/U7sDleR9g7I/AAAAAAAAGbU/XpgDLZbTX_0/s1600/P1070746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l2RHoolAKs/U7sDleR9g7I/AAAAAAAAGbU/XpgDLZbTX_0/s1600/P1070746.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While we were grilling up front the kids were playing out back. A swing set, a trampoline and good friends. Ahh, Springtime. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMC0uZhcgvs/U7sDsGHToPI/AAAAAAAAGbc/jkzUCuqnpy4/s1600/P1070755.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MMC0uZhcgvs/U7sDsGHToPI/AAAAAAAAGbc/jkzUCuqnpy4/s1600/P1070755.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then there was snow. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gldvut8-yA4/U7sD2TCB5-I/AAAAAAAAGbk/d8WAK2WDD04/s1600/P1070758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Gldvut8-yA4/U7sD2TCB5-I/AAAAAAAAGbk/d8WAK2WDD04/s1600/P1070758.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren and his train set, again. He always likes me to take pictures of the different ways we're able to set up the track.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0t2b5B8emxU/U7sEECteWbI/AAAAAAAAGbs/JLszhMj_1TU/s1600/P1070760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0t2b5B8emxU/U7sEECteWbI/AAAAAAAAGbs/JLszhMj_1TU/s1600/P1070760.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I taught the boys how to finger knit. It is very quick, easy and portable. Grab a small ball of yarn as you head out the door and the kids can stay entertained (without an electrical device) while waiting at the doctors office (or wherever).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2OzxkFsZkc/U7sEHsEjX6I/AAAAAAAAGb0/diOesHCCNlU/s1600/P1070761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r2OzxkFsZkc/U7sEHsEjX6I/AAAAAAAAGb0/diOesHCCNlU/s1600/P1070761.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For our last Parents as Teachers visit Miss Emily brought a "cooking" activity. The boys got to pour, measure, mix and divide up their own trail mix.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0nR1rXnY5U/U7sEWI4wFqI/AAAAAAAAGb8/w8ILEPpKSWc/s1600/P1070763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B0nR1rXnY5U/U7sEWI4wFqI/AAAAAAAAGb8/w8ILEPpKSWc/s1600/P1070763.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was a co-parent for Alex's kindergarten class. For our Spring party, the last party of the year, we made some little treats. I can't remember what they were really called when I found them on Pinterest but I call them little nests. Alex enjoyed helping make the treats for his classmates.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0Jw54Ote5Y/U7sEaswpAwI/AAAAAAAAGcE/TIEG1n7jfSQ/s1600/P1070771.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H0Jw54Ote5Y/U7sEaswpAwI/AAAAAAAAGcE/TIEG1n7jfSQ/s1600/P1070771.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very Spring-like and the kids all liked them! </td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-1495087144852911802014-07-06T21:01:00.000-05:002014-07-06T21:01:19.251-05:00Fixin' It UpDo you ever see a small problem around the house and figure you want to fix it up but you let it go and let it go and next thing you know it's been over a year and the problem is still there? <br />
A few months ago we (finally) decided to put some pulls on our cabinets and drawers. Pulls were on our "to do" list but it didn't really bother us to not have pulls (handles). However, while we were visiting some neighbors we saw pulls in their kitchen and we realized we wanted to bump that project to the top of the list. <br />
While Biju was working on that project in the kitchen he decided to patch up some of the weird holes that were there when we bought this place. With the patched up holes came a fresh coat of paint on a couple of walls.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JLnCYugWKlk/U3Zy8nZGgoI/AAAAAAAAGOs/hkngHAdC7js/s1600/P1070668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JLnCYugWKlk/U3Zy8nZGgoI/AAAAAAAAGOs/hkngHAdC7js/s1600/P1070668.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Measure, drill, add on the pull .... times 40 (or more, I lost count, actually!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q254VHeYZd4/U3ZzXRbUSxI/AAAAAAAAGPE/REXJKYbhnNw/s1600/P1070675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q254VHeYZd4/U3ZzXRbUSxI/AAAAAAAAGPE/REXJKYbhnNw/s1600/P1070675.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple of after shots taken by a short person. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Np348mhynTk/U3ZzfxVuoeI/AAAAAAAAGPM/4YRxbroHxC8/s1600/P1070676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Np348mhynTk/U3ZzfxVuoeI/AAAAAAAAGPM/4YRxbroHxC8/s1600/P1070676.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pic from the view of a child.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hS7XDg9EBTY/U3ZzqPvvhqI/AAAAAAAAGPU/9IEwr_BFZWU/s1600/P1070679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hS7XDg9EBTY/U3ZzqPvvhqI/AAAAAAAAGPU/9IEwr_BFZWU/s1600/P1070679.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay wanted to help!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzye-3ndqmE/U3Z0My_GqwI/AAAAAAAAGP0/9Me3v8PFdfw/s1600/P1070702.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wzye-3ndqmE/U3Z0My_GqwI/AAAAAAAAGP0/9Me3v8PFdfw/s1600/P1070702.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patching and painting.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3GEb1nStbU/U3Z0fUuHEBI/AAAAAAAAGQE/6tpfHDGlEZs/s1600/P1070710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d3GEb1nStbU/U3Z0fUuHEBI/AAAAAAAAGQE/6tpfHDGlEZs/s1600/P1070710.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new color was a few shades off of the old one but no worries - this new color felt fresher.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jNUyzHeNqw/U3Z0oLro0DI/AAAAAAAAGQM/H6aF-hIR2wE/s1600/P1070711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6jNUyzHeNqw/U3Z0oLro0DI/AAAAAAAAGQM/H6aF-hIR2wE/s1600/P1070711.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex wanted to help! </td></tr>
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<span id="goog_766073893"></span><span id="goog_766073894"></span><br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-87212457476104501332014-07-06T10:59:00.001-05:002014-07-06T10:59:22.334-05:00PhotosI'm gonna throw out a few photos from a few months ago for your viewing pleasure. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSdnqo1VCZ8/U0blcxBfUNI/AAAAAAAAGZM/Tj2ZKMUzBeI/s1600/P1070650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wSdnqo1VCZ8/U0blcxBfUNI/AAAAAAAAGZM/Tj2ZKMUzBeI/s1600/P1070650.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren was practicing his scissor skills - love that he has his tongue out to help with his concentration.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvhHA_cMxCw/U3Zyrm66ClI/AAAAAAAAGOc/nCl9Q7VgVaU/s1600/P1070655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvhHA_cMxCw/U3Zyrm66ClI/AAAAAAAAGOc/nCl9Q7VgVaU/s1600/P1070655.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren loves bell peppers!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NG1SasH16Bw/U3ZyqS0V_kI/AAAAAAAAGOY/x7XYnNp-aGM/s1600/P1070663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NG1SasH16Bw/U3ZyqS0V_kI/AAAAAAAAGOY/x7XYnNp-aGM/s1600/P1070663.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay took this photo. He wanted to show the regular Cheerio (on the right) compared to the Super Cheerio.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIGXxNJHGsY/U3Zyy9I9nQI/AAAAAAAAGOk/KXm-vEcCH0g/s1600/P1070664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lIGXxNJHGsY/U3Zyy9I9nQI/AAAAAAAAGOk/KXm-vEcCH0g/s1600/P1070664.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex helped Aren make the train track into a circle.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZavSzFH8n_w/U3Zzyrnoo8I/AAAAAAAAGPc/G1Ubh-C65lA/s1600/P1070684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZavSzFH8n_w/U3Zzyrnoo8I/AAAAAAAAGPc/G1Ubh-C65lA/s1600/P1070684.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys went to a birthday party in March. It was at a ceramics studio and they got to choose their ceramic piece and the colors. Alex doesn't look thrilled but it was just because I was taking the picture. All three enjoyed their time there! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UtYUfU4BRNs/U3Zz9yqrzJI/AAAAAAAAGPk/tLpeSqJwIVg/s1600/P1070693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UtYUfU4BRNs/U3Zz9yqrzJI/AAAAAAAAGPk/tLpeSqJwIVg/s1600/P1070693.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Construction paper, glue sticks and cut up tissue paper. Messy but fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LW_Y8o1ASHY/U3Z0DqpiNTI/AAAAAAAAGPs/1MBV1Q7jSTg/s1600/P1070699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LW_Y8o1ASHY/U3Z0DqpiNTI/AAAAAAAAGPs/1MBV1Q7jSTg/s1600/P1070699.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay likes a good salad. I wanted to document this. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYk08yjwlds/U3Z06gEOStI/AAAAAAAAGQc/mtjGNaKjp3o/s1600/P1070714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eYk08yjwlds/U3Z06gEOStI/AAAAAAAAGQc/mtjGNaKjp3o/s1600/P1070714.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex learned how to use the timer function on our camera so he used it to take this pic of himself and Aren.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjWc_Oe0POI/U3Z1DNEeKkI/AAAAAAAAGQk/WolXGhR8El8/s1600/P1070722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FjWc_Oe0POI/U3Z1DNEeKkI/AAAAAAAAGQk/WolXGhR8El8/s1600/P1070722.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren and his thumb with Gracie.</td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-5931947312800157562014-06-09T15:44:00.000-05:002014-06-09T15:44:01.602-05:00We (pant) did it (pant, pant) !! Lisa and I can now (proudly) say we ran our first 5k!! (We actually ran it two weeks ago. I told Lisa I would get this post up right away and not wait a month. It hasn't quite been a month, so we're good, right??) <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10D7eL7qbAk/U4EN7a_TcoI/AAAAAAAAGQw/PsKOWLjjEWs/s1600/5K+Before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-10D7eL7qbAk/U4EN7a_TcoI/AAAAAAAAGQw/PsKOWLjjEWs/s1600/5K+Before.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We met at the mall so we could carpool to the park. Would be nice if we lived closer to each other!! </td></tr>
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8 weeks ago, we both happened to see a Groupon for a lower registration fee for the race. I called her up and we said yeah, it's crazy, but we kinda do wanna do this! However, by the time we tried to sign up the Groupon was sold out :( BUT - we were lucky enough to still get in on the Early Bird fee so we went for it!<br />
<br />
8 weeks ago, my best form of exercise was climbing onto the elliptical in our basement and going for 30 minutes. This was good exercise but it did nothing to prepare me for the first day I hit the track and started <i>running</i>. What a difference! <br />
<br />
8 weeks ago I was eating vegan and gluten free (along with using the elliptical) and weight was slowly coming off. But then I decided to try MyFitmessPal (again) to count calories and this time I actually liked it! I think the difference was I was able to use the app on our iPad and didn't have to clomp down 3 flights of stairs to log my food every time I ate. I realized that while the food I was eating was all very healthy my portion sizes had to change. (I'm hoping once I get to my proper weight I can stop counting calories!) <br />
<br />
8 weeks ago I started running AND tracking my vegan and gluten free diet and over those 8 weeks I have lost 20 lbs. And if you add the
weight that I had lost over the previous year, I'm actually down 45!! <br />
<br />
As for run training for the 5k, little by little I added on minutes to my "run." Eventually, I stopped counting minutes and went for a <i>1 mile</i> run. Then <i>2 miles</i>. Then <i>3 miles</i>. I had some disappointing runs but for the most part I aimed to improve something each time I ran. Whether it was to lessen my mile time or add on more distance I wanted to be happy I got out there and did something.<br />
<br />
I'm still the slowest runner at the gym. I love reading shirts (on Pinterest) that delare "I run. I'm slower than a herd of turtles stampeding through peanut butter, but I run!" or "I run slower than Internet Explorer on 90's dial up but I run."<br />
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So enough back story, let's move on to the 5k!!<br />
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The night before the run I decided to get a little crafty! You can read more about that on our crafty blog. (Now I owe you two posts over on that blog - the crafts for the 5k and the blankets I made for the boys for Christmas.....)<br />
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The morning of the run I pin-curled my hair to the top of my head and put on a bandana in the style of "Rosie the Riveter." I slapped some Arnica Rub on my hips and knees and figured I was good to go!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlxzWzl3exY/U4EZuAI1U7I/AAAAAAAAGTQ/KXXU2CWq-bU/s1600/5k+Wrist+Band+White.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zlxzWzl3exY/U4EZuAI1U7I/AAAAAAAAGTQ/KXXU2CWq-bU/s1600/5k+Wrist+Band+White.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lisa and I painted our nails to go with the color theme, and wore our crocheted wrist bands to catch more color.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UDclsqjwH8/U4EZuXWfaKI/AAAAAAAAGTU/48VlGYebpvw/s1600/5k+Before+Group.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5UDclsqjwH8/U4EZuXWfaKI/AAAAAAAAGTU/48VlGYebpvw/s1600/5k+Before+Group.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sea of mostly white at the start line. (Although you can see that some people opened their color packets early!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge0HTE0gQCo/U4ZJKBuJTtI/AAAAAAAAGTo/gxokCKMVcag/s1600/5k+Banner+Before.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ge0HTE0gQCo/U4ZJKBuJTtI/AAAAAAAAGTo/gxokCKMVcag/s1600/5k+Banner+Before.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to RUN!(Yes, I wore tights - I was wanting to catch as much color as I could!) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyyZgjHu-pA/U4EN8X5bSsI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/LPIJzrxk1jg/s1600/5k+Collage.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RyyZgjHu-pA/U4EN8X5bSsI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/LPIJzrxk1jg/s1600/5k+Collage.jpeg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The before and after collage Lisa put together from pics on her phone.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DT5wMamHAs/U4ZJvjOZBdI/AAAAAAAAGT8/X9IA6t-3tP8/s1600/5k+After+Run.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4DT5wMamHAs/U4ZJvjOZBdI/AAAAAAAAGT8/X9IA6t-3tP8/s1600/5k+After+Run.jpeg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the run covered in "gravy" - we called it "gravy" because our sweat mixed with the color powder which was made with cornstarch. (Gross, right?) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3p35jrVl0YY/U4ZJ9G9o-bI/AAAAAAAAGUM/cnPV3BEygdg/s1600/P1080163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3p35jrVl0YY/U4ZJ9G9o-bI/AAAAAAAAGUM/cnPV3BEygdg/s1600/P1080163.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my head to toe shot. (Honestly, I still have a few splotches of color left on my shoes, even two weeks later!) </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the 5k we went to my favorite soup place in town. I got a vegan/gluten free sandwich and some tomato bisque. No, the bisque wasn't vegan but <i>man</i> was it good! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZgjjW3ypqM/U4EPTzJPCgI/AAAAAAAAGR8/R1UqQC6kMJw/s1600/P1080167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uZgjjW3ypqM/U4EPTzJPCgI/AAAAAAAAGR8/R1UqQC6kMJw/s1600/P1080167.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
My bandana that helped keep the color out of my hair.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6g0I7c9AqoU/U4EPmwrWy2I/AAAAAAAAGSM/zpxwgY7fqn4/s1600/P1080177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6g0I7c9AqoU/U4EPmwrWy2I/AAAAAAAAGSM/zpxwgY7fqn4/s1600/P1080177.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
My curly hair after taking down the pin-curls. Too bad all the big curls got washed away with my shower! <br />
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We had so much fun! There was a bit of huffing and puffing on my part and maybe a few whines. ("There should be more water stations!" "Where is the next color station??" "Aren't we done <i>yet</i>??") But I must say I'm planning on doing this again next year. In fact, Lisa has invited me to be on her team from work to run another fun-themed 5k in a couple of months. I'm looking forward to it!Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-39071806938456153602014-05-21T10:59:00.000-05:002014-08-25T12:53:07.583-05:00Recipe Wednesday - Mexi-QuinoaAs many of you know I've been eating a vegan, gluten free diet for a few months now. (Many of you didn't know that since I think this is the first time I've mentioned the "gluten free" part on the blog, but now you're all caught up!) I've also signed up to run a 5k with my girlfriend Lisa. (Yes, it's true. I've gone 'round the bend!)<br />
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Since I've taken meat, eggs and dairy out of my diet AND I'm doing some intense (for me) runs, I need a good source of plant-based protein. <a href="http://www.cookingquinoa.net/quinoa/" target="_blank">Quinoa</a> happens to be a great source! I try to use it as much as I can, in my burgers, in my smoothies (yes!) and here in this dish. <br />
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I came across <a href="http://livelearnloveeat.com/2011/11/06/the-best-dinner-of-your-life/" target="_blank">this recipe</a> awhile back and, as usual, made a few tweaks. I think I made enough changes that I can post it here and say it isn't the same recipe. <br />
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<u>Mexi-Quinoa</u><br />
2-3 Tsp. Coconut Oil<br />
1 Red Onion, finely chopped<br />
1.5 - 2 cups Chopped Red, Yellow and Orange Bell Peppers (we buy the three pack combo when they're on sale, chop them and freeze them. Then when I need them for something like this, I just open up the freezer bag and pour some out.)<br />
3-4 Cloves Garlic, finely chopped <br />
1 Tbs. Chili Powder (next time, I might try using homemade taco seasoning)<br />
1 c. Uncooked Quinoa (rinsed, drained)<br />
1.5 - 2 c. Vegetable Broth <br />
1 Tbs. Lime Juice<br />
2/3 c. <a href="http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2011/10/what-the-heck-is-nutritional-yeast.html" target="_blank">Nutritional Yeast</a> (make sure this is nutritional yeast, not any other kind)<br />
1 jar of your favorite salsa (about 680mL)<br />
1 can Black Beans, rinsed, drained<br />
Corn Chips<br />
<br />
In a dutch-oven, heat the oil over medium then add the onions and peppers. Cook until tender then add in the garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cook about one minute. Put in the quinoa, veggie broth and lime juice and give a quick stir to get everything mixed together. Bring to a boil then place a lid on the pan, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes.<br />
Once all the liquid is absorbed stir in the nutritional yeast, salsa and black beans. (The nutritional yeast gives this dish a sense of cheesiness!) <br />
Serve with chips.<br />
<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-4136752258746988782014-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:002014-08-25T12:55:37.113-05:00Recipe Wednesday - Banapple Smoothie<br />
Last fall, when Biju and I invested in our VitaMix, I found a smoothie recipe in the cookbook that came with it. It called for regular milk and yogurt and since I was eating a vegan diet (still am, for the most part) I needed to change a few things. Well, I ended up changing more than just a couple things and the smoothie sort of morphed into something I have for breakfast multiple times a week. Biju likes this on weekend mornings with cashews blended into it (the cashews go in last, after I've already blended everything else up, and only for a small amount of time on a low blend speed. Just enough to break the cashews up. He likes their crunch!) Even Alex asks for this smoothie despite the fact that it is green and clearly healthy!<br />
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<u>Banapple Smoothie</u><br />
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<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">1 c. almond milk</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">1 c. water</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">1 banana </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1/4 c. uncooked rolled oats (quick oats would work, also) (use gluten free oats if needed)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1 medium apple (we use either gala or red
delicious)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">1/3 c. dried cranberries</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1/8 tsp. pumpkin pie spice</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1 Tbs. ground flax seed </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1 “mini muffin” cube of spinach </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">1 “mini muffin” cube of kale </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">(or two spinach or two kale, which ever combo you want to use) </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Put everything into the blender, in order, blend until
smooth. It might take a bit longer to break down the green cubes. Frozen, cut
up bananas work well with this. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;">This usually makes just under 4 cups which is the perfect
amount for two adults or one adult and three kids. Sometimes, I pour half into a
tall drinking glass and the rest into a mason jar for the next day. </span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: medium;">To get the
kale and spinach cubes, pour about 1 c. of water into the blender then add in
handfuls of the leafy greens bit by bit until the whole bunch is blended up.
Pour into muffin tins and freeze. Remove from tins and place into freezer
bags.</span></span></span></div>
<u> </u> <br />
<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-63026009872667190092014-05-08T09:36:00.000-05:002014-05-08T09:36:13.277-05:00Pine Car Derby Alright, ya'll might be wondering why I'm bothering to go back and post what happened months ago. I might be a little slow in getting these things up but since I started this blog so family in India (and even friends and family here in the states) can see what our family does on a regular basis I figure I might as well try to catch up. (That seems to be a running theme, catching up.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay's Cub Scout Pack had their annual Pinewood Derby. Biju and Ajay got the shape taken care of during one of the weekly meetings and then spent some time at home finishing it up. Alex got someone's bit of block they had sawed off and had fun painting it up. Aren got to play with watercolors while the other two painted their cars.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Ajay's finished car!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing at the check in table, getting the final weight, registering, etc. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's the track they use for racing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After weighing the car Ajay and Biju decided it needed a bit more weight, so they added that little one at the front. They also used some graphite powder to help "slick" the wheels.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the boys' cars lined up, ready for racing! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to start??</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSYJRGNDtwY/U0blWGKDSjI/AAAAAAAAGN8/XGiUY_vsgSE/s1600/P1070646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSYJRGNDtwY/U0blWGKDSjI/AAAAAAAAGN8/XGiUY_vsgSE/s1600/P1070646.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the Cubs were racing, Biju let Aren play on his phone. It kept him a little more calm than he would've been had he been let loose in the gym. </td></tr>
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Ajay did a fine job on his car and since he didn't take first place this year he has a goal to work towards next year! Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-6213915761668456452014-05-07T15:53:00.001-05:002014-08-25T12:56:49.154-05:00Recipe Wednesday - Red Berry SmoothieHi, it's me again! I realized the other day that I hadn't even uploaded pictures from the camera to the computer since the middle of March!! So I got all caught up with that (check mark!) and now I can move on with getting a few more blog posts up here.<br />
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First order of business, though, is to share this delicious smoothie recipe with you!<br />
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Since September I've been having mainly smoothies for my breakfasts. Occasionally I'll throw in a bowl of (gluten free) oatmeal, but honestly, smoothies are just what I'm wanting right now! (Winter weather didn't even dissuade me from having these delicious, healthy drinks.)<br />
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This morning I got out my trusty kitchen scales and measured everything as it went into the VitaMix (instead of just eyeballing it). This mornings smoothie had just the right amount of tartness for me, you can adjust however you feel fit. Also, if you don't have a VitaMix or high powered blender, you may want to sub some of the frozen items for non-frozen. I usually have to use the tamper to get everything down to the blades. <br />
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<u>Red Berry Smoothie</u><br />
1 cup Almond Milk (use whatever milk you prefer, but I love using my homemade almond milk) (8oz/228grams)<br />
1/3 c. Dried Cranberries (56g.) (I used a quarter cup the other day and it just didn't have the right level of sweet-tartness for me)<br />
1 c. frozen strawberries (140g.)<br />
1/2 c. frozen raspberries (56 g.)<br />
2 frozen spinach cubes (42 g.)*<br />
1 Tbs ground flax seed (6g.)<br />
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Put into blender, in order listed, blend until smooth! This made up a little over 2.5 cups of smoothie this morning. I drank a tall (2 cup) glass and Aren drank the rest.<br />
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Nutrition info (for the whole smoothie) as given by MyFitnessPal: <br />
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Calories 358<br />
Carbs 75<br />
Fat 5<br />
Protein 5<br />
Sodium 181**<br />
Sugar 57<br />
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*To make my frozen spinach cubes I pour about a cup of water into the blender, throw in a handful or two of baby spinach and blend on medium speed. Through the opening in the top, while the blender is still running, I (carefully) put more handfuls until the spinach container is empty and the blender is full of liquid nutrition. Then I pour the mixture into a silicone mini muffin tin and freeze. Each cube is about 3 calories.<br />
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**I'm not sure what the sodium count really is for my smoothie. I use homemade almond milk but on MyFitnessPal I only have the option of choosing a store bought almond milk. I can't imagine my homemade milk has much sodium, if any at all.<br />
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If you try this (and please do!) let me know what you think! I have another smoothie recipe coming up soon and a few Indian dishes planned, also! <br />
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Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-16598780652651329412014-04-11T08:43:00.002-05:002014-04-11T08:43:53.342-05:00Electronics and Playthings<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzzc-6LprcE/U0bjZ5ZtAlI/AAAAAAAAGMI/3v2f3WoW7TE/s1600/P1070562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tzzc-6LprcE/U0bjZ5ZtAlI/AAAAAAAAGMI/3v2f3WoW7TE/s1600/P1070562.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eli, one of our neighbors, was over playing one day. He brought his Kindle along with, so Alex played with the Kindle and Eli played with our iPad. (Alex is scratching the top of his nose, not the inside, ha!) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXLpM6MxnUY/U0bjUhaga1I/AAAAAAAAGMA/JC92PZaa7rw/s1600/P1070589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fXLpM6MxnUY/U0bjUhaga1I/AAAAAAAAGMA/JC92PZaa7rw/s1600/P1070589.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay had the iPad, Alex had Daddy's old phone that we kept around for entertainment, Aren was left without an electronic device so he played with Play-Doh.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3U03zORvcGA/U0bjoRZ7JAI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/WOrzOvWd8XM/s1600/P1070594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3U03zORvcGA/U0bjoRZ7JAI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/WOrzOvWd8XM/s1600/P1070594.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All three boys gathered around Daddy's old phone wrapped up in a game of some sort. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhLoc8apWXk/U0bjtQAieyI/AAAAAAAAGMY/SgbSrJqS0mo/s1600/P1070595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OhLoc8apWXk/U0bjtQAieyI/AAAAAAAAGMY/SgbSrJqS0mo/s1600/P1070595.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We gathered 'round the table one evening, Aren had his puzzle, Biju was dealing with some paperwork that followed him home from the office, and Ajay and Alex and I played an abbreviated game of Yahtzee!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren playing peek-a-boo!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igDQJxDkSq8/U0bj-HfXThI/AAAAAAAAGMo/sVTAZclUHdU/s1600/P1070601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-igDQJxDkSq8/U0bj-HfXThI/AAAAAAAAGMo/sVTAZclUHdU/s1600/P1070601.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren wearing a pair of overalls that my older brother (and probably younger brother, too) used to wear! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They look so peaceful when they're sleeping, don't they?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay started painting on his Cub Scouts Derby Car and Alex had a spare piece of wood that he painted on. Aren wanted to get in on the painting action so we gave him some watercolors and paper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSdnqo1VCZ8/U0blcxBfUNI/AAAAAAAAGOA/VyJPpKahn3c/s1600/P1070650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSdnqo1VCZ8/U0blcxBfUNI/AAAAAAAAGOA/VyJPpKahn3c/s1600/P1070650.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren practicing his cutting skills - love that tongue sticking out in concentration! </td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-43132436582860975512014-04-10T13:26:00.001-05:002014-04-10T13:26:51.254-05:00The rest of FebruaryAwhile back I uploaded a few pictures of February happenings and since it is now <strike>the end of March</strike> almost the middle of April I guess its time to share them with you. Just some random stuff. You know, in case you were wondering just what exactly our family did <strike>last month</strike> oh so long ago. I'm sure you're so curious to know!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqKV6rqeTNM/Ux949Ssyx2I/AAAAAAAAGKA/vaiAZIKLj9k/s1600/P1070526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LqKV6rqeTNM/Ux949Ssyx2I/AAAAAAAAGKA/vaiAZIKLj9k/s1600/P1070526.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what our counter top looks like when we've stocked up on fruits. We go through them pretty quickly but in the meantime we lose counter space. Anyone have good ideas how we could store them? We want to be able to see them (out of sight out of mind, right?) and we don't want to stack them in a bowl and have the top fruits bruise the bottom fruits. Oh, the dilemma. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRU8l8xn-lQ/Ux95HAsKkTI/AAAAAAAAGKI/LITzHRSgKm4/s1600/P1070532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRU8l8xn-lQ/Ux95HAsKkTI/AAAAAAAAGKI/LITzHRSgKm4/s1600/P1070532.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Aren playing "night night" On a related note, there are times when Aren gets hurt or mad and is crying and along comes "Bubby" to help calm him down. He usually does this by going through our bedtime routine (no matter the time of day). After Aren is put to bed and Alex comes out, Aren is all calm and ready to move on. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02xvxqnaIWk/Ux95RBNmy2I/AAAAAAAAGKQ/7kDtpcUkYrA/s1600/P1070537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-02xvxqnaIWk/Ux95RBNmy2I/AAAAAAAAGKQ/7kDtpcUkYrA/s1600/P1070537.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren was thrilled to find Gracie napping in his bed. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOmVSM2nc2U/Ux95ZRRx9-I/AAAAAAAAGKY/_Csh4S7yMjM/s1600/P1070540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oOmVSM2nc2U/Ux95ZRRx9-I/AAAAAAAAGKY/_Csh4S7yMjM/s1600/P1070540.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex showing off a Play-Doh art piece. This photo was taken too long ago for me to remember what it was. Oops.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time for a music session! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCecv2zCEAA/Ux95wvNALMI/AAAAAAAAGKo/v_7JYW_BYr8/s1600/P1070557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eCecv2zCEAA/Ux95wvNALMI/AAAAAAAAGKo/v_7JYW_BYr8/s1600/P1070557.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biju took Alex somewhere one night and after we got Aren put to bed Ajay and I had some quality one-on-one time.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcTadMx8S20/Ux953MT5eHI/AAAAAAAAGKw/Bk9DCCuaLUc/s1600/P1070561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tcTadMx8S20/Ux953MT5eHI/AAAAAAAAGKw/Bk9DCCuaLUc/s1600/P1070561.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is some artwork Ajay worked on. We gave him some pastels and a pastel drawing book for his birthday last year so every once in awhile he gets it out. He's still trying to get a feel for the properties of the paper and pastels. They're a bit different than your average paper and crayons! </td></tr>
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Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-83980301122917044172014-03-18T15:49:00.001-05:002014-03-18T15:49:55.526-05:00Lend me your ears.....I few weeks back I got together with The Girls. Aren came along for the fun and Biju took the other two boys out for ice cream. They were supposed to go to a movie but I think there were some shenanigans involved and they lost that privilege.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7E8DrOsU2I/Ux94M5y545I/AAAAAAAAGJg/IXyZkoUaosw/s1600/P1070518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h7E8DrOsU2I/Ux94M5y545I/AAAAAAAAGJg/IXyZkoUaosw/s1600/P1070518.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren wants to show you his "punny pace" (funny face)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr7p9piKpYw/Ux94aGnoh1I/AAAAAAAAGJo/p04XkQ3s0IA/s1600/P1070521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nr7p9piKpYw/Ux94aGnoh1I/AAAAAAAAGJo/p04XkQ3s0IA/s1600/P1070521.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waitress at PF Changs was willing to take a photo of the ladies all together. Aren couldn't help but make another punny pace. We missed Tonya and Elissa - someday all eight of us will be together again!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dC85OHDnxL4/Ux94knnRsXI/AAAAAAAAGJw/1kzCws8OQFA/s1600/P1070522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dC85OHDnxL4/Ux94knnRsXI/AAAAAAAAGJw/1kzCws8OQFA/s1600/P1070522.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This time he got Natalie involved and they made punny paces together! </td></tr>
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After lunch we went to get some frozen yogurt. Yum! Too bad Aren left his crocheted minion hat behind and I had to go back to pick it up. I was in a rush to get back home so Biju and I could go on a date. We grabbed dinner (my first - and last - time at Red Lobster. I'm just not a fan of seafood.) and then we fit in two movies while my sister stayed back with the boys. It was a busy and fun-filled Saturday!<br />
<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-30909645980807959122014-03-13T17:44:00.000-05:002014-03-13T17:44:39.774-05:00Going....going.....gone!Most of you have noticed that Biju was growing his hair out. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXse7_KUn4Q/Ux93kjVsT7I/AAAAAAAAGJA/M69g2k9_Xyo/s1600/P1070502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YXse7_KUn4Q/Ux93kjVsT7I/AAAAAAAAGJA/M69g2k9_Xyo/s1600/P1070502.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
He kept it mostly tied back for work.<br />
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Side view, tied back, no glasses..... </div>
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On the day he decided to cut it (10 months after his last hair cut), he decided to get rid of the beard, too. First, though, he had a little fun. <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-A0v6LxDSc/Ux936OfQldI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/pejQMwUu_Yk/s1600/P1070512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-A0v6LxDSc/Ux936OfQldI/AAAAAAAAGJQ/pejQMwUu_Yk/s1600/P1070512.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
Then he got rid of the mustache, too. <br />
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I failed to get a photo like the rest after the haircut, but here is a shot of the two of us shortly afterwards at the movies on a date night. <br />
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-80913832488462396522014-03-11T15:29:00.001-05:002014-03-11T15:29:11.667-05:00Snow Days! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Do you all remember the crazy snow we had a few weeks back? The snow that caused the schools to cancel so much that when they finally did have classes the schools had to call parents to say YES there would in fact be school the next day? </div>
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The boys loved their snow days!! We had a few neighbor kids over to play - inside and out. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids all gathered to watch The Tale of Despereaux - I had made everyone a cup of hot chocolate and then they cuddled up together for the movie.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePU5kw9lp-0/UvUDdGjMY1I/AAAAAAAAGFM/vY8JKbPPWkY/s1600/P1070443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePU5kw9lp-0/UvUDdGjMY1I/AAAAAAAAGFM/vY8JKbPPWkY/s1600/P1070443.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the movie was over another set of neighbor kids came by asking to play. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q0fCJJIM_g/UvUDiXFDcmI/AAAAAAAAGFU/EDQpMLv6UbQ/s1600/P1070444.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6q0fCJJIM_g/UvUDiXFDcmI/AAAAAAAAGFU/EDQpMLv6UbQ/s1600/P1070444.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was really bad about taking Aren out to play. As a kid I loved to play out in the snow but I'm just not that into it these days. But with all the neighbor kids and brothers outside, how could I tell him he had to stay in?? </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex and Eli warming up inside with a game of Checkers.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kxCOTGWbJo/UvUE2Li69fI/AAAAAAAAGFo/UXacJK0s_7w/s1600/P1070445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4kxCOTGWbJo/UvUE2Li69fI/AAAAAAAAGFo/UXacJK0s_7w/s1600/P1070445.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ah, yes, now I remember ..... I let Aren go outside because there were plenty of "big sisters" to keep an eye on him and I got to stay IN! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huWLspWxgGg/UvUFWchqd8I/AAAAAAAAGGA/sXkFwawLMq8/s1600/P1070447.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huWLspWxgGg/UvUFWchqd8I/AAAAAAAAGGA/sXkFwawLMq8/s1600/P1070447.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunchtime!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGxHot3C7p8/UvUFSjjrNXI/AAAAAAAAGF0/DuZWAJNkRkI/s1600/P1070461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XGxHot3C7p8/UvUFSjjrNXI/AAAAAAAAGF0/DuZWAJNkRkI/s1600/P1070461.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't mind admiring the view from inside :) </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w3oltylrlU0/UvUFxR80FpI/AAAAAAAAGGo/_rMsSm5IFkQ/s1600/P1070468.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w3oltylrlU0/UvUFxR80FpI/AAAAAAAAGGo/_rMsSm5IFkQ/s1600/P1070468.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aren plunked himself down on the floor to watch as Daddy scooped the snow off the deck.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHPW8bIfp0c/UvUF2bR61rI/AAAAAAAAGGw/5rEAHpADBOs/s1600/P1070472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHPW8bIfp0c/UvUF2bR61rI/AAAAAAAAGGw/5rEAHpADBOs/s1600/P1070472.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another snow day, more inside fun. Play dough and iPads! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmVik4IKP28/UvUF7UDiGfI/AAAAAAAAGG4/i9Ew-EZlz0Q/s1600/P1070479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dmVik4IKP28/UvUF7UDiGfI/AAAAAAAAGG4/i9Ew-EZlz0Q/s1600/P1070479.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay snapped this picture of his creation - I think the far left is a soda and straw, then a burger, fries, and a hot dog on a bun w/ ketchup squirted on.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKoZNoPjwi0/UvUGA0cBCfI/AAAAAAAAGHA/NsPLjgtLl68/s1600/P1070486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zKoZNoPjwi0/UvUGA0cBCfI/AAAAAAAAGHA/NsPLjgtLl68/s1600/P1070486.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to play with cousins! And who can resist dumping every Lego on the floor? It makes for better construction, I'm sure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqNeG-eGEpI/UvUGFjJ-pvI/AAAAAAAAGHI/7VZ7Y6DSMaA/s1600/P1070488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MqNeG-eGEpI/UvUGFjJ-pvI/AAAAAAAAGHI/7VZ7Y6DSMaA/s1600/P1070488.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving Gracie Mae some luvin's </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXtaZKpwGLM/UvUGK0tmquI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/S3vmdL4unmk/s1600/P1070490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RXtaZKpwGLM/UvUGK0tmquI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/S3vmdL4unmk/s1600/P1070490.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something doesn't seem right now.... Paige has her winter coat on, Ajay has his shirt off. How odd.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09tWVCej30g/UvUJtGHM1dI/AAAAAAAAGHc/fF0sRtz76N8/s1600/P1070475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09tWVCej30g/UvUJtGHM1dI/AAAAAAAAGHc/fF0sRtz76N8/s1600/P1070475.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lexi reading some VeggieTales to Aren. I've mentioned this before.....if you want to win Aren over, just read him a book! </td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-54116847957345060172014-03-01T06:00:00.000-06:002014-03-01T06:00:03.364-06:00Super Bowl SundayWhen Biju and I were dating I told him that we were a good match because neither of us watched or cared about football.<br />
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Over the years, the more he talked with his co-workers the more he gained an interest in the sport. Oh, joy. He started coming home talking about teams and every now and then our TV would get tuned to a game on Sunday.<br />
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He eventually started picking teams he liked/didn't like, quarterbacks he didn't care for for one reason or another and our Sunday afternoons became Football Time - like so many other households in America.<br />
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Well, great.<br />
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Since my Indian-born husband could learn the details of the sport I guessed I might as well figure out how it all worked, too. I did cheer for football during my cheerleading days in high school but I never understood it. I just followed along when the other girls started yelling. First and Ten! Whoo! (whatever that meant!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6glfRzTvuCk/UxC4bn54ORI/AAAAAAAAGHo/xojT2LPPF_g/s1600/KalCheer1992.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6glfRzTvuCk/UxC4bn54ORI/AAAAAAAAGHo/xojT2LPPF_g/s1600/KalCheer1992.jpeg" height="278" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a 13/14 year old Kalinda at Cheer Camp in 1992</td></tr>
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While watching games with Biju I asked him questions, he explained what he knew and suddenly football actually <i>meant</i> something....something other than a bunch of grown men wear spandex and running around after a ball I could never see. (Modern TV technology is immensely helpful these days, if it weren't for those yellow lines and other graphics I would have a hard time keeping up with everything.)<br />
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Football still means nothing to me unless I choose a team to root for. Obviously, the Chiefs are high on my list. Annnnd that's actually about the extent of my list.<br />
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A few years ago, our good friends, the Rouses, invited us to a couple of Super Bowl Parties. Now that they've <strike>abandoned us</strike> moved to Texas, we stay at home for "the big game."<br />
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The day my parents drove back home, after celebrating Alex's birthday, was Super Bowl Sunday. We turned on the game.....and were severely disappointed. We were hoping for a good game and all we saw was a cremation. The game couldn't even hold my attention so I went up to the kitchen to fiddle around in there, only occasionally taking a peek at what was happening.<br />
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Biju stayed tuned in for the whole thing, though, and even had a bit of company to <strike>distract him</strike> watch with him.<br />
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Congrats to the Seahawks, though. Too bad it wasn't a more well-rounded game. Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6243228440840913853.post-73535265731167753842014-02-28T06:00:00.000-06:002014-02-28T06:00:12.540-06:00The 6th Birthday Celebration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My parents made the three hour drive to visit us for Alex's celebration. We were worried the weather would keep them from coming but luckily the roads didn't get too bad. </div>
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My sister and her family also came (across town) to join us. My mom and sister always end up helping me out with the cake. I think it has become tradition :) </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8t4aXUm4vxE/UvUCdPi_t6I/AAAAAAAAGD8/f4D_ANEzfao/s1600/P1070414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8t4aXUm4vxE/UvUCdPi_t6I/AAAAAAAAGD8/f4D_ANEzfao/s1600/P1070414.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex was completely enthralled by my sister icing his cake. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m8DoG3sQtM/UvUCU1fGFnI/AAAAAAAAGDs/-wvHvKL6OyE/s1600/P1070416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7m8DoG3sQtM/UvUCU1fGFnI/AAAAAAAAGDs/-wvHvKL6OyE/s1600/P1070416.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry (boxed) cake and cherry (canned) frosting - I was lazy mom and didn't make from scratch. Since everything was pink, we added some orange food coloring to try to "boy it up" a little. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hv9l3GXxtuA/UvUCjB3aPiI/AAAAAAAAGEE/E6QzlbRumH0/s1600/P1070417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hv9l3GXxtuA/UvUCjB3aPiI/AAAAAAAAGEE/E6QzlbRumH0/s1600/P1070417.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex with his brothers and cousins.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSQlH8ZoWYU/UvUCn_lWa2I/AAAAAAAAGEM/Qj0IhUBKqSE/s1600/P1070419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mSQlH8ZoWYU/UvUCn_lWa2I/AAAAAAAAGEM/Qj0IhUBKqSE/s1600/P1070419.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you know Alex at all you know he just can't resist making a face for the camera.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze0Q8Fnr4uE/UvUC-d1tNhI/AAAAAAAAGEU/DTu_93eKqCY/s1600/P1070421.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ze0Q8Fnr4uE/UvUC-d1tNhI/AAAAAAAAGEU/DTu_93eKqCY/s1600/P1070421.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biju, Dad and BIL Carrick watched some basketball while Mom, Shelly and I chit chatted and the cousins played.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpAIx38rcZo/UvUDB9LnUII/AAAAAAAAGEc/Uh9HejtjnIw/s1600/P1070431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gpAIx38rcZo/UvUDB9LnUII/AAAAAAAAGEc/Uh9HejtjnIw/s1600/P1070431.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Sunday, after church but before my parents drove back home, Alex roped Nana into playing a game of Skip-Bo. I guess it was similar enough to UNO for him to understand the rules. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPB9NNIBVD8/UvUDCnU_C-I/AAAAAAAAGEk/FjChacCinCk/s1600/P1070432.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fPB9NNIBVD8/UvUDCnU_C-I/AAAAAAAAGEk/FjChacCinCk/s1600/P1070432.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ajay and Papa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDVMqHkxiLQ/UvUDNj7tlTI/AAAAAAAAGE0/Dsj26HrV59I/s1600/P1070437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tDVMqHkxiLQ/UvUDNj7tlTI/AAAAAAAAGE0/Dsj26HrV59I/s1600/P1070437.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alex with Nana and Papa and the fishing tackle box they gave him for his birthday. </td></tr>
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<br />Kalindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03179677089509025272noreply@blogger.com0