The Carbo Family in California

Mid-April 2012, whale watching, kinder field trip

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It's not a schooner, it's a sailboat, dummy

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Getting ready to go on a whale watching trip!

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The kids thought the dog on that guy's paddle board was pretty cool.

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View down one of the channels.

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Carbos.

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Preparing to board.

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We were prepared for a chilly day at sea, but it wasn't bad at all!

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Daddy and his girl.

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I think she wanted to get seasick.

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Warm little Eagles fan.

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Here we go!

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Rocks and birds.

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Beautiful, clear day.

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The coast

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Some sea lions out on a buoy

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My house is up there in those cliffs.

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Sort of anticlimactic after you've been to Pier 39 in SF.

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"Mommy, I'm seasick!"

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Watching for whales!

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If one surfaces RIGHT NEXT TO THE BOAT, she will be the first to know!

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Our captain

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Eating an apple "like a adult"

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He thinks he sees something

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Not yet, but aren't those boats pretty

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Changing our course to follow a mama and calf who were spotted behind us

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Checking out the other side of the boat

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I love that man...

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See the foggy area?

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Spout

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There she is!

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All my pictures suck, but in some, you can see the baby on the mother's right.

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Hello handsome.

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Gray whales

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Pretty cool

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On their way north

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The blue whales, humpbacks and orcas come next

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I love this shot!

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Heading back

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Penn's favorite part of the whole trip

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Orville Redenbachers, popped in a microwave below deck. Because popcorn makes everything better.

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Bye ocean!

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Terrifying bird that landed below...he's starting at a group of people to the right

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The pelicans started swarming our boat

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I only freaked a little

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They are BIG!

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Sea lion friend on the way in

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Sticking his head out to say hello

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What a fun trip!

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Bye Dana Point!

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Hello Long Beach Aquarium!

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This was Penn's kindergarten field trip

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I love that boy

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Room 9

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The yellow shirts were a big help when it came time to go inside

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God I love him

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Taking 5 million pictures

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Can we go now?

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Gettin' sassy!

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We had to wait to get in, so the kids ran around and found squares and rectangles and stressed me out

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Haven't lost one yet!

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4/5 of the group of boys I was responsible for

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Looking at some sharks

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There were a lot of other schools and people around, stressful to say the least

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Bull shark, sawtooth shark, blacktip reef sharks

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Sea lions!

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Penn, Johnathan and Declan

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Joined by Tristan...I'm officially missing a kid now

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Touch tank full of baby sharks and rays...right before I put my camera down and yelled at them to get off the railing! Hello, that could've been a disaster!

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They got to watch these giant crabs being fed

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Pretty neat

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We saw a lot of cool things

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Love these next two pics

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Cool!

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Dory/Nemo tank, always a big hit

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More sharks. Boys need to see a lot of sharks.

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Hammerhead

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Sea turtle

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Looking

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Weedy sea dragon

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More fish

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Fish fish fish

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Fun

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Okay, let's move on

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Leafy sea dragons, my favorite!

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Seriously...look at that!

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Watching a presentation by a diver...they were really good!

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An interactive watershed exhibit

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Those are LA roads

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As if it rains that often here

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They just liked getting rained on

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Turning some cranks

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Good times

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Tristan, Yahir, etc.

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This was fun

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Boat and water squirters

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Tristan being a wild man

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Here we go

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Yes, they all got soaked

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By this point, I was just happy to have them contained in one place

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So I let them go crazy

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Johnathan

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Boys being boys

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DSC02543.JPG 2012-04-19

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DSC02545.JPG 2012-04-19

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DSC02546.JPG 2012-04-19

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Sea lions from down below

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It's almost time to go!

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Let's get some lunch...

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Oh, but first, Declan touched a moon jelly!

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Outside at lunch

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I forgot to pack a spoon for his yogurt

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One last class photo...I love how he and Cheyla match

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Mrs. Frazier's class

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DSC02566.JPG 2012-04-19

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Look so well behaved, yeah?

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DSC02569.JPG 2012-04-19

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Playing wild while we wait for the bus

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They were so happy

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Good times

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THE END!

Spring break - Indie's 4th birthday

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Ballet class at church!

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With all her best friends.

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So fun!

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Teacher Jenni does such a good job!

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What a cute bunch of ballerinas.

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Love that face.

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Tondue

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DSC02206.JPG 2012-03-09

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SO EXCITED!

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WE LOVE BALLET!

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The poster board that accompanied Penn's "100 Day Project."

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Outside the Skirball Center

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A misty rainbow

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Fun to have it all to ourselves

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Silly goosers

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Happy to be on spring break!

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The Noah's Ark exhibit

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Awesome kinetic sculptures using found objects

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Piano key hair - and their bodies spun and clicked!

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Very cool elephant

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Cheeseburgers!

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The first "room"

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I liked those owls

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Pretty

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You can build the sides of the ark

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A pencil sharpener spider

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Ark within an ark

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Pretty neat

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Was trying to capture all the different animals

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Fox

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Creepy spider monkey

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All the animal figurines in this were fun

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Enjoying himself

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The 2nd room

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Lion

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Sliding down a rope bridge

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Elephant. When you pull a rope, he trumpets. It got kind of annoying after a while. :)

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Having a tea party with a stranger

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Cleaning

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Arks totally get messy, you know

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Ram

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Snake. Hi, serious boy!

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Birthday party day!

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Drawing herself on the Menchie's chalkboard

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Harper and Addy are here!

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She loves her best friend's brother, too!

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All our friends, sampling the yogurt and toppings.

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Birthday girl!

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What a fun place for a party!

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There she is - cheese!

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DSC02265.JPG 2012-03-31

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The back party room

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Festive

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Isla, an old preschool friend

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Time to blow out your yogurt candles!

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Singing

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Go Indie!

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Yay!

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Time to eat

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Fun with friends

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It was so peaceful and quiet while they ate!

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Looking at her goodie bag goodies

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Matt and Dan, looking like they are giving a school report

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I just love Addison's little doll hands!

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Girls concentrating

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So sweet

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Trying to peel off a sticker!

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Noel shows off a magnet picture frame

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Sweet girls

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Awwww. Hi Addy!

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Playing games on the floor!

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Candyland and Chutes & Ladders

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Fun!

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Best buds

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DSC02292.JPG 2012-03-31

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Look who's here!

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It's MENCHIE!

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I like how you can see Indie in the foreground, making a break for it.

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Hugging her pal Zach

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*gasp!*

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"I love it!" Very fancy purse from Grandma C.

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Opening her present that Penn picked out for her.

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Aww, a birthday smooch! Almost looks like they love each other!

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Makeup!

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Dan gets the kids all riled up

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He's good at that

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After the party, we took the girls to the mall and Indie got her ears pierced!

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So happy and so 4!

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With her Menchie's souvenir. Wow, she looks like Dan here.

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That's right. THE END!

March 2012 - First t-ball game

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Harper gets silly at the first practice.

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Now serious.

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Ready to rock!

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First t-ball practice.

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Just tossing the ball around.

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Addy and Indie play cheerleader.

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Mostly they just climb around and play and whine a little. ;)

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We need to work on our team spirit. :)

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Come on, girls!

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Getting some instruction from Coach Scott.

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Love Harper and Penn here.

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So much fun!

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"Cheering."

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Harper takes a practice swing.

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Penn's turn. Look out, Coach Abe!

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Penn got strep and missed some school. Indie took over. The house was a MESS.

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This was taken before Indie got sick, too. Obvs.

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Wearing her tap shoes. She also made Dan dress up.

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We did the melty crayon project that's so very popular on the internets right now. Just can't decide what to write in the white!

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First t-ball game of the season!

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Couldn't ask for a prettier day and more picturesque field.

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First hit of the day. Look at her go!

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The shortstop (?) is ready.

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I love Abe here.

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Harper played catcher. They get to wear the full gear even though it's not really necessary. Good practice for later years!

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I love this kid. Making absolutely sure he touches home plate!

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The Athletics are up to bat!

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Killer.

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So cute it hurts!

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Indie and Addison kept busy playing Ponies.

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Sweet girls.

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I wanted to name him Casey for quite some time when I was pregnant...this came to mind during his first at-bat.

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Then I started to think about how big he is getting...then I almost cried...

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His first hit was hilarious! It was a nice one, so Penn stood at home plate and just watched it for a while. Dan got it all on video.

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Once he got on base, he was so ready to run.

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And he is fast! Waiting to get to third now...

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Harper's turn!

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Time for a little RBI action, baby.

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Here comes PJ.

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Yay!

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Great job!

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This kid. I love him.

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Seriously? So cute.

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Emily was adorable.

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She got a little nervous up there.

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Lots of family cheering her on.

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Even Indie and Addy were saying, "Go Emily!"

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Climbing the fence.

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Little wild women.

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Game over! We don't keep score and I'm pretty sure our team actually only got two outs the whole game anyway.

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Great first experience.

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And many more to come!

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Go A's!

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Life is good.

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And that's that!

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Indie and Addy gave Harper a congratulatory hug.

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To the victor be the spoils! What a grin. Love it! THE END.

Tide Pools - early February 2012

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Headed down to Abalone Cove beach to check out the tide pools.

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Low tide was at 1:44 pm. We got there with a few hours to spare and explore!

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There were strange planes flying in formation...

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Beautiful.

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Uhh...what? Live here? Right here? Forever? Well, okay.

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Hiking down to the waterfront.

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Nice, PJ.

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If it looks like they could totally fall down a huge rocky cliff right off the edge of the path, it's cause they could. Yikes!

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When I see this picture, I know exactly what the air smelled like. I love that!

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How does one show respect to a rattlesnake?

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Here we go tide pools, here we go!

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Interesting.

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Starfish!

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Clam covered rocks!

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The Farmer's Insurance blimp?

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Okay.

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Exploring.

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Getting messy already.

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Tried to "snap" (ha, get it?) a photo of a very quick crab.

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There he is! You little creep, I'm gonna eat you!

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So...take a look at the rocks we are traveling over...

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This is how far we had to go before we could walk on the sand again. It was treacherous and took forever and still somehow managed to be FUN and funny!

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Earth. Neat.

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We made it!

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Strutting her stuff. I love this picture.

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She didn't even ask me to carry her until the way back!

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Coooooool.

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Purple urchins.

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Say cheese!

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More starfish. Everybody's favorite.

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Talking some sort of sea smack.

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Pointing some creature out.

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Those figures on the point on the right are a big group of pelicans.

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More urchins.

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So pretty.

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I'd pay somebody $50 to walk in there. SO MUCH LIFE you don't even notice until you look up close.

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See the line in the rocks along the right, where the tide normally is? That's a big strong ocean.

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WOW.

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Natural steps.

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Wow again. This doesn't do the colors of that rock justice.

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She chose a few to take home.

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Love you, crooked leg girl!

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I sort of hate that Dora shirt, which she would wear every day, if I let her.

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*sigh*

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mmm-hmm.

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We walked all the way down to that point and back. Over a lot of rocks en route. Good times.

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Taking a break.

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Eating some snacks.

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Blondie.

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You're looking at Catalina Island...Isthmus Cove in the middle there!

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I repeat: *sigh*

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West Coast kids make sand angels.

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I love her here.

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Yes.

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Do you see how happy she is?

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Looks like a big girl here.

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Zoom in and look at her face. She is in HEAVEN.

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Filthy, sandy heaven. I love you, Indie Marie!

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Double duty.

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Toads! I love you!

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Admiring their work.

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She would get up and scream at the top of her lungs, "SAND ANGEL!!!!!"

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I could look at those little crooked legs all day.

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Play this back and forth with the image prior and it's like a little movie. :)

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Love it.

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He finally figured out how to make a sand castle.

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Only took him...5 years....

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Go Penn! THE END.

Philadelphia 2011

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Christmas morning craziness at the Carbo house...

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We got in to Philly at 8 pm on Christmas Eve.

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Tired, but happy to be here!

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And of course, happy to open more presents... ;)

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Silly grandpa!

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Christmas Day evening...party with the whole fam.

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Grandma Carbo got the 4 cousins musical Peanuts characters that play together.

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Adorable cousin Devin! I just love his face!

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Indie and cousin Maya

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We will have to remember to bring these every Christmas that we're together, now!

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Everyone (adults from L: Pat, Jane, Joan, Mandy, Glen)

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Indie's showing Maya how they work

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Penn, opening up a guitar from aunt Jane (cousin Stevie's beau, Ramon, is helping him)

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Rockin' out

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These went well with the Dora music set Grandma got Indie...soooo noisy...... <3

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They LOVED those guitars and microphones, though! Little performers.

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Daddy, doing something...look at little Maya

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Insanity in the living room

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Does this do the chaos justice? Merry Christmas!

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Penn, Mathis and Devin played with trains for a bit

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A rousing game of "Coob" in the Carbo backyard

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Lio and Jillian

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I love this pic!

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This one too

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Dan and Pat

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It's cold!

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Back in the house, I found the girls playing with the Barbie glitter vacuum

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Can you tell how much Indie loves her beautiful cousins?

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Indie, Rachel & Stevie

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More musical craziness

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Happy Penn

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I loooove this pic (Rachel, Indie, Toby on guitar, Grandma Carbo in the background)

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Indie loooooves Rachel!

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Rach and Mathis

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Maya, the cutest little Who in Whoville

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Maya and Indie

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Uncle Dan and his sweet little niece

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Look at what a cuddlebug she is! Loves her Grandpa Carbo.

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Playing piano with Maya

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Sweet girls

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Meanwhile, Penn is lounging in the hallway...tired little boy...

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The next day, the cousins watch some tube together

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Penn, Indie, Mathis and Maya

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Zombies! :)

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We went to the city to meet Uncle Lio for lunch

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Train tracks...stressful...

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He loves it!

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Trying not to lose a kid...we're outnumbered here!

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On the train...Penn loves Maya.

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Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!! So cute! If we have a 3rd and final Carbo baby, this picture will be to blame...

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Handsome Mathis!

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Wild little Maya!

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Dan and Laura, trying to get us all on an elevator in one piece...

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Watching the Comcast lobby screen

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Mesmerized!

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I was too, or else I would have taken more than this ONE picture! Sheesh.

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Hee-hee

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William Penn

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YEAH.

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Totally.

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Watching trains at Reading Terminal Market

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Crowded, but fun

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DSC01529.JPG 2011-12-27

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Maya passed out!

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On the 27th floor of Uncle Lio's building

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Looking out over the city

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Girls

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Lio's boss gave all the kids googly eyeball toys

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City Hall

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Ben Franklin bridge in the background

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Such a cool building

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I have no idea how Lio didn't get fired over this...they must really like him. ;)

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Cool lounge! I would work in here.

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At a dino exhibit thing at the Granite Run mall

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Shooting replicas from Jurassic Park

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Indie got obsessed with doing a puzzle and made us all help her

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Grandpa does his part

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Meanwhile, Penn climbs and explores

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This picture is wacky! Grandpa is giving Indie a high-five, but it looks like she has a giant hand...

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Uncle Joey is here! What a crappy picture!

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Penn was THRILLED.

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We all went to the city the next day.

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Liberty Bell

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It was nice for the few minutes that it was just us

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Quietly contemplating. And then, "I thought it would be bigger!"

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Sweet

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Uncle Joey, Indie and Penn

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Donating a dollar. :)

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Part of Leviticus 25:10. Cool.

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Beautiful old bell

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Waiting to tour Independence Hall

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One of the rooms inside...

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Indie was over it. :)

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Penn and Joey stood patiently as the tour guide showed us the room where the Declaration was signed...and George Washington's chair! (Behind her.)

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LOVE this picture. My boys!

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Ben Franklin's glasses are up there somewhere, yo

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Walking to get a cheesesteak

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Huh!

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Awww yeah.

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At Jim's Steaks. Pepper steak with whiz and onions...cosmic.

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Tomb of the Unknown (Revolutionary War) Soldier

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Thousands are actually buried there!

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Neat to read about how the city was laid out. Orderly! Wm. Penn was a little OCD, just like our Penn!

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Pretty

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The guy was playing Star Wars and Harry Potter stuff on that hammer dulcimer...cool.

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Woo-hoo!

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At Franklin Institute (there's my mommy!)

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Ben Franklin memorial

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We had plenty of time to take pics while we waited in line!

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Beautiful

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Also beautiful. :)

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Going through the giant heart.

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Lots of hands-on stuff...always a good time

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What's in there, Indie?

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Bro and Sis

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Building a circuit

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This was hilarious...jumping to charge up a giant electrical thingie above that makes a crazy loud noise...

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Thirsty from all that jumping!

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We kept losing her, then finding her inside things like this

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Wind tunnel

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Always fun

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Wheeeee!

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Woah!

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Uncle J gives it a shot

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Penn did a decent job flying the Wright brothers first plane

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We got snow!

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Sort of.

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He was still thrilled.

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On our way to Perry Hall, MD (driving over a huge dam!)

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At our friend Emma's house. She lived across the street from us in Petaluma!

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Love her and her family!

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Cute

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Look at her smile!

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Can't believe how big she got.

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Also can't believe I got zero pics of her baby sister or her mom and dad!

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Slacking.

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In my defense, it was COLD.

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Emma and Penn, sitting in a tree...

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New Year's Eve at Nonna's in West Chester, PA

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Cousin Rachel, doing what she does best!

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(Seriously...her version of Adele's "Someone Like You" made Dan cry...) :)

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At Karen & Paul's in Philly

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Neat building!

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Karinna's beautiful tree!

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Photogenic kitchen

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I love their place! I want to live there. With them.

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11 pm. Munchies before we head to the fireworks.

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Walking down to Penn's Landing to see the fireworks

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Paulie Walnuts!

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Here we are.

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And we walk up at 11:58 pm. Perfect timing! (Smiley face fireworks...trying to get a shot for the kids...)

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These were really good.

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Pics never do it justice.

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You know how some finales are really weak?

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This one was awesome! I don't even have pictures because we were too busy screaming and cheering!

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Not even the finale yet...just awesomeness...

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Walking back to the Federicos...Ola, Greg, Dan and Paul.

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I can't believe this is legal, but whatever...

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This was taken right after he led the crowd in a rousing rendition of "God Bless America."

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Was trying to get a shot of how huge the crowd was...

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Unsuccessfully.

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Gratuitous husband butt shot.

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Paul, using the electric wine opener he got for Christmas

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We all wait patiently for the magic to happen

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And then crack up when he comes up empty-corked. It eventually worked!

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At some point, silly Dan gets his jammies and his dance on

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Chest bump!

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He almost killed Paul!

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WOW.

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Just...WOW.

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Champagne + Paul = MAGIC.

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Captain Carbo and Co.!

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After his swearing in at the courthouse.

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I can't believe I took zero pictures at the Open House on 1/2...so many friends and family and so much fun...sigh. Maybe next year! THE END.

Christmas photos 2011

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Thanksgiving 2011

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Best friends, Craig & Indie :)

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Dan spent a lot of time making paper airplanes from a book Penn got for his birthday

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Hard work!

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That boy loves his dog...

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The only shot I got of dinner! The kids' table.

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Sophia, Penn and Indie ate in cousin Matt's empty room.

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At Kenzi's house in Santa Rosa (pretty much anything wood in that room was made by Kat!)

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Love this picture!

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Writing in the steam

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Crazy bunk bed buddies

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Here comes Keves!

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4 peas in a pod.

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Love this one, too. All their hair!

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A drawing Penn did of him and Kevey - "U" and "ME."

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Walking to the neighborhood park

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The guys

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The gals

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Hurrying before the sun sets!

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Boys

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The girls stopped to admire huge leaves

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Wow!

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Sweet girl with the cold toes

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Love this pic

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And this one...

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My Carbo girl!

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Blowing dandelions

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Making wishes!

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Cute

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Looks like her mama!

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Love this - running wild!

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If anyone else is barefoot, Indie has to be, too.

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Rushing to catch up with Kenzi

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Helllloooo!

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Buster thought he found a friend...

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Wait! Ahhhh! You're bigger than me! Help me dad!

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Playing in the sand

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Keves is getting so big!

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And look at this girl!

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Well hello, 1st grader!

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Goober. :)

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My supermodel boy

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Really?! HI DAN.

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I could look at his face for a long time.

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He has a little bit of everyone in him.

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And this guy. Uggh.

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Hey cutie!

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Is Indie's hair ridiculous or what?

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Reeedonkulous.

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I want those highlights.

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Happy dude.

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He knows I'm shooting.

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See?

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Handsome.

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How can I get even filthier...

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Buster guards the kids.

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What a pal.

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Heh?

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You talkin' to me?

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Eh?

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Wha?

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Uh?

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Ahhhhh. Nor Cal.

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The adults who can throw a ball farther than 5 feet (a.k.a. anyone but me) play catch

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The kids played in the leaves

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Lots of fun!

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Also lots of sand in the head!

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Good stuff.

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Uggh, that HAIR?!

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Such pretty light.

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I just sat and shot away.

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Little train.

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Interesting

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Like this one

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Silhouettes!

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Slide time!

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Tootsies

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Here comes wild woman!

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Weeee!

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Funny face!

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Serious Kevey...

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Thinking Kevey....

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"Hey Baby" Kevey!

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Dudes

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Love this one, too

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They got a lot of energy out!

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Sweet girl

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Another love

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Girl!

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Bro and sis

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Nerds!

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Contest: who looks dorkier? Dan?

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...or Bern? ;) Love you guys!

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Time to go home!

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Sun is setting

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It's getting COLD

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Brrr.

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Then I turned around and saw this! FIRE!

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Such a pretty, big, clean sky.

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Looking down the street from the Velascos yard

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Zoom

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One of my favorite fall views from the 101 (but I was a few weeks late)

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Another...coming around the corner and down into Petaluma

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At G&G park. Thinking. I miss this place.

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We had family photos taken for Christmas this year.

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Results will be unveiled shortly!

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Our Giving Tree this year.

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Sweet little Christmas girl.

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This is some sort of triumphant Man Dance.

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Darling!

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Lots of ornaments hung right next to each other. I love it!

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So sweet.

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Big guy!

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It's Indie's turn to put the star on this year!

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Precious.

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Even though her undies are showing.

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Who are these aliens?

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How did these beautiful little people come into my life?

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Love you two beans!

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Sheesh.

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Getting tired of this, mom

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Charlie Brown, Snoopy and our tree.

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We meant to get a small tree since we leave Christmas Eve, but this was only 20 bucks! Smells soooo good. THE END!

Halloween, Penn's Birthday - 2011

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Halloween! Finally! Penn was "Half Captain America, Half Jet Pilot."

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Funny photo of my serious love. ;)

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My dear pal, Lara, as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother, and Tigger Lincoln.

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Indie was Rapunzel at three previous Halloween-related events...then changed to Cinderella the day of, because Addison was Cinderella!

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Speaking of her best pal...

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Love this! They look like little ghosts.

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I love Eric's excited face here!

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BEST photo ever. Little Ewok Ethan, checking out yard decorations.

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The princesses. ;)

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Walk softly and carry a big flashlight...

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This is close to demonstrating the craziness of the trick-or-treating portion of the night.

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Lots of chaos and trying to keep track of all our kids.

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Sweet photo.

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How fun!

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Missed our Nor Cal friends this year, with whom we've shared the 3 previous Halloweens...

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Eating the treasure.

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Being silly...

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I just like Dan's face in the foreground. That blur is Indie.

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So cute.

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Handsome, sugar-high boy!

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Handing out candy was the best part of the night!

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Spiderman Harper!

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Relaxing at the end of the night.

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These girls are too sweet.

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Penn's 5th birthday party was so much fun! Here's Baby Lincoln (Harper & Addy's little bro) pretending to be a (chunky) racecar driver - so cute!

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Harper and neighbor Micah take a turn shooting cars through the cake.

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It was supposed to be royal blue, but my hands got tired of kneading color in...

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Also was a bit structurally unsound, but I don't care...it worked and the kids enjoyed it!

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Hot Wheels party track building and general wallowing in popcorn and filth on the floor. ;)

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So much fun!

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I almost tripped and killed myself on Hot Wheels like 17 times.

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Addy doesn't like pretzels, but she sure likes chocolate....look at those eyes!

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Penn and some of his best buddies...Tristan from school, Aidan and Harper.

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The "Pin the Car on the Race Track" game was a big hit!

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Penn insisted on having this, so we made it together the day before the party.

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Hilarious, and Dan was a gracious and fun game host.

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I have the best husband ever!

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Harper the racecar driver - love this!

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I didn't get pictures of any other kids doing this, but hopefully parents took photos on their phones or something?

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I love how his dad's leg looks like his here! Giant Harper!

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The Birthday Boy!

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Can't believe he's gonna be FIVE!

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More fun with the track and the cake. Jacob and Aidan and Penn.

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Woohoo!

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A little look at how messy the floor was... :)

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Getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday."

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I wish I had video! The Woodhams boys were singing "cha cha cha" in between the lines...

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David gives it a big hoorah at the end! (Declan, one of Penn's kindergarten buddies, is there in the piggly wiggly shirt.) :)

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All done! Look at that crooked cake! Oh well. :)

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Eating the "5"

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Special treat for the BB

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Declan's twin sister, Merritt, is not in Penn's class but is a fan of his, and vice versa. ;) (There in the background is my good friend JJ, and her daughter, Noel, who is Indie's other favorite friend!)

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The best buddies, doing some water painting. Look at how different and precious their little hair is...I love these girls!

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The aftermath! Chocolate cake w/ caramel buttercream and chocolate covered pretzels inside. Yum!

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Nothing better than seeing a cake destroyed. Happy birthday my boy! THE END.

October 2011 - pumpkin patch, soccer, etc.

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We went to Underwood Family Farms pumpkin patch with our friends the Mehls.

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This was a little wooden train that the kids made a beeline for.

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Indie and her best friend, Addison.

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That hat was adorable but made it very difficult to get a shot of sweet Addy's face!

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Cute girls.

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She is rotten!

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Handsome cowboy.

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Genuinely shocked at how high a goat is climbing nearby.

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Sweet girls!

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Okay, are they adorable or what?

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So cute.

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I think Addy's grandpa was trying to get them to smile for me. :)

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Silliness.

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Harper the pirate!

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Because pirates totally go to pumpkin patches, too, duh!

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Trying to decide what to do next.

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99% positive Penn is eating a booger here - UGH.

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Cute boys!

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Penn, Harper (nice face, pal!) and Harper's cousin Jonas.

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Love this! Impromptu shot in the little kids' corn maze.

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He proudly reported at the end, "It was just a swirly shape, mom!"

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Some animatronic chickens, of course!

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She wasn't sure what to think.

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A tunnel slide through a combine! Big hit.

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Here goes Penn...

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Here goes Indie...

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The girls on some giant pumpkins.

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Indie said, "This one looks just like a giant peanut!"

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Now attempting the BIG corn maze.

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We found a map!

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Just when the adults discovered the "key" to solving the maze, the kids didn't want to go any further! Oh well, maybe next year.

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Sweet girls harassing a scarecrow.

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You pretty much can't go wrong with these things.

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It helps to take like 500 photos.

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Look at that devil and that witch!

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And those happy girls and that sweet pumpkin man!

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Love it.

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DSC00951.JPG 2011-10-10

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Now for another series up on a hay wagon.

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Jude and Jonas were lookin' super cute!

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Everybody was getting a little tired though.

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Harper and Penn are up to no good.

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Did the best we could. :)

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Love it though.

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Cute kiddos!

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Ha!

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Okay, almost done guys...

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I think that's enough. :)

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At this point it occurred to me that I didn't take a photo of the actual "patch."

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So there you go! Love this blurry boy.

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He takes the duty of picking out pumpkins very seriously!

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Addison and Indie thought they could handle this.

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I think they moved it a few inches...

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Indie gives up.

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We got to watch the workers unload a truck full of new pumpkins.

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Neat little assembly line going...don't drop those pumpkins on your toes, guys!

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The kids played on these tractors for a while.

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Love this shot!

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Farmer boys.

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These girls were so cute...wish I could've gotten Addy's face!

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Nice.

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One of my favorites!

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Playing around.

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How about Indie's fake Ugg "cowgirl" boots?

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I like this one a lot, too!

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Aaaand this one.

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Adorable!

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Agh, they're so cute!

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I asked her to show me her "driving face" and she fell asleep at the wheel! No bueno!

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Penn shows me his tough driving face.

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Serious boy!

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Our afternoon is winding down.

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Beautiful light, beautiful place.

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It's always good to get out of the city!

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Back in LA on another day, we waited for Penn's soccer lesson to start.

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It was almost 100 degrees out!

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He is ready for a haircut! Sweaty man. P.S. Aside from the color, those are CARBO EYES!

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I didn't do the greatest job on her bangs this time. SHHH!

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She has always been attached to this blanket, but lately it's been quite fervent.

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Rapunzel, Rapunzel...

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Working on his lowercase letters...

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I love seeing him write.

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Even in the filthy dirt...

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Soccer time!

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I got a coupon for these lessons and they have been so good and so worth it!

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This time they were learning about honesty and teamwork.

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Hot, hot day!

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Doing exercises with coach.

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Jumping jacks.

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He gets nervous and bites his fingers a lot, still.

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Drills.

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Dribbling like turtles.

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CHAOS.

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If Penn doesn't cry, I consider it a victory, no matter the final score.

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Highlights from heaven!

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The little girl who doesn't nap anymore, bored out of her gourd...

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Go Penn, go!

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A little pushing and shoving...

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Oh please! Does she kill you or what?

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At the park waiting for daddy's softball game to start.

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Playing in the sand.

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This grosses me out, even as I was taking photos of it...

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Do you know how many infectious diseases they can get from grody playground sand? LOVE YOU, KIDS!

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Dan and the guys & girls from The Shack & Sports Harbour (two Philly sports bars in LA)

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The Shack won 19-8.

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My man had some nice hits and good defensive plays at 1st base. Love watching him compete!

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Running the bases after the game.

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Made me really miss our summers up north when Dan played in the church league.

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Gotta get one started down here!

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My guys.

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Gettin' kinda cold out! THE END!

Cornerstone Family Retreat - Sept. 2011

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Here she is after an afternoon trip to the pool, then post-pool bath.

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Full day of kindergarten + swimming + bath and he's STILL not tired?

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"You should stop taking pictures, mom."

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On our way to Camp Ironwood via dirt road! At least there's power lines...

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Christian family camping ministry with a Western twist. "Lonesome Dove...we're here!" LOVE IT!

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Cute little cabin, quilt included (but I brought my own, too.) :)

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Peep that a/c on the wall. I liked that part, too!

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Schweaty boy!

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Mid-90's makes for some hot potatoes.

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Penn's buddy Harper.

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Just sittin' on a milk can on the world's best porch.

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Indie and her dear friend Addison.

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Are they cute or what?

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They're always up to something.

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Penn's other pal, Daniel.

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Seriously...nice porch, right?

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They were singing, "Happy birthday...."

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"...dear stinky BOOOYYYYS..."

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And then delivering "stinky cake" to the boys.

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My darling, my true. Also a stinky boy. ;)

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At the archery range. Or field. Or whatever it's called.

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Dan was flaunting his Boy Scouts Jamboree '93 skillz.

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Go Harper!

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Penn again. (I realized in looking at these that, were I to shoot a bow 'n arrow, I would shoot left-handed. There you go.)

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Smart adults make kids think that retrieving the arrows is a fun game!

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See? Looks like fun, right? It was like 100 degrees out there.

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These three pictures represent like 10 minutes of fussing over sheets...

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...and pillows...

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...and sleeping bag placement. Silly goosers.

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Cooling off and having a snack.

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"Stop taking pictures!!!"

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Enjoying some time at the lake. Look at my sweet Penn!

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I don't swim in natural bodies of water, or I'd be out there too.

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Are they killing you yet?

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BFF's!

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So funny how Addison has the curliest hair ever, and Indie's is the straightest ever!

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Dan and Scott try the giant slide out.

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I think this is Scott.

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There he goes!

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Dan? Clearly I need a better zoom lens and glasses...

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Go babe, go!

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That's my smile...... :)

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The Carbos and the Mehls (minus Harper)

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Indie and Addison are such peas in a pod...

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The moms and 4 out of 5 of the kids.

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Here's me, being a concerned wife.

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He dislocated his toe coming down the water slide!

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"Sheriff Tom" takes a look.

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I just thought this whole situation was both adorable and hilarious. I knew my strong, stinky boy would be fine. ;)

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See? It went away. He's fine now.

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Penn and I rated this a 6.5. :-/

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This is Becky, the first mom who was cool enough to tackle the slide! (I sure didn't even try!)

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Look at her smiling! Go Becky!

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Reggie and a spectacular wipeout.

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Kids playing nicely in the sand.

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That guy went so fast every time, I could not catch him hitting the bank!

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More sweet kids playing nicely. :)

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Dan again.

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Penn really cheered for this one. "Almost made it all the way across, dad!"

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The dads and their gals.

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See that guy back there? This is seconds before he hit land! Ouch.

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The Mantheis won the Ironwood Challenge - having older kids had to have helped (we didn't even come close!) Look at that sweet trophy!

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Penn and Harper enjoy the skits.

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Seriously, I laughed so hard at these astronaut guys...

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My face was hurting. Good stuff.

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Crazy lightning storms all around! My 2nd best attempt at capturing it (once I realized the lens cap was on!)

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My one and only decent photo of lightning ever. And this doesn't even do justice to what we were seeing in the sky. AMAZING!

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My one and only campfire photo that turned out halfway focused and didn't have a kid with a lightstick running through it. :)

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After our family devo time by the lake.

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My sweet girl.

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I made the kids pose for me before I gave them some peppermints I scored from the kitchen as a "reward."

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This is what I got.

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I said, "Indie, give me your REALLY PRETTY smile."

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She said, "This IS my pretty smile!" So then Penn copied it.

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I said, "Show me your teeth!" Hence.

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Let's roast us a hog on there!

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Scenery.

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Surrounding desert/mountains.

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We did a digital photo "scavenger hunt." I had to get a shot of them playing a game.

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Then we needed a shot in a stagecoach.

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Look at these silly dudes!

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Silly girls' turn.

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I just love this.

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A picture by a train was on the list.

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And this was just pure fun.

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I love the sequence and how Honor is eating a sandwich here...

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Pretty good, guys!

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Nice. (The H boys are so serious!)

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Some cool signs on the ceiling.

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"Rivertown" - neat.

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Bible verses and antlers. YES! When can I move in?

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These made me think of Larry McMurtry and Thomas Kline. :)

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Human foosball! So cool and funny to watch.

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We needed a picture by a "broken I."

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Look at those girls!

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Harper and a horse that Indie said looked "just like Maximus" (from Tangled.)

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Horses have always sort of weirded me out, but I like this picture a lot. :)

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Addison pets Maximus.

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They look a little like siblings or cousins or something with that dark blonde hair.

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Where's Penn?

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Watching the horse eat.

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Okay, now we're going to do this crazy tire swing during the hottest part of the day.

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Go dads, go!

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Happy girls.

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Happy boys!

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Love this, even though it's blurry.

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Sweet girls.

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Not gonna lie, I got nailed by a tire at least once.

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But so worth it. Look at these joyful boys! You cannot look at this picture and NOT smile.

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And girls...

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Okay, now we're getting a little serious and a little tired...

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Maybe we should find something to do in the shade!

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I love that he's always a good sport when I ask him to do silly things like this.

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Cause he knows this will make me laugh and laugh! Love that man.

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Boys want a turn.

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Go Penn!

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Don't smile...

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Harper's turn!

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So serious!

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Now that is a true cowboy face!

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Last little shot of our cabin. Google "creosote," it's rather interesting.

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Goodbye Ironwood! Back to yucky LA. THE END.

Early September 2011 - Kindergarten!

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Heading up a slide at Fiesta La Ballona.

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This is the Culver City/Los Angeles version of a "fair."

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What a big boy!

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There he is, all the way at the top!

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I couldn't believe he did this of his own volition.

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Go Penn!

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Wheeeee!

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That was FUN!

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Speaking of fun...wait. She doesn't look like she's having much fun, does she!

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Serious contemplation now...

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Wishing he could ride some of the bigger boy rides...

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Front seat of the kiddie rollercoaster, though!

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Thinks he is such a big man!

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I couldn't stop laughing.

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Look how serious!

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Sweet boy...

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Hi mom!

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Of course he grinned so big as soon as he got off that thing...

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Indie and her friend Noel

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Umm...wait a minute...wrong county...

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I love the old lights and titles on some of these rides. Old school!

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Another giant slide.

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He totally waited for those two kids to get to the top and then ditched them. Cheater...

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Smiling the whole way.

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Stinker!

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Indie couldn't go on the big slides and some other things, so she got to ride this junky carousel on her own.

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She said the horse's name was "Sparkles."

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Sweet girl.

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DSC00681.JPG 2011-08-27

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She borrowed these ears from her friend Addison...

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...and wore them for like 48 hours straight!

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Pretty cute.

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First day of school!

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He was making that face on purpose because I told him I was going to take a bajillion pictures.

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Turd!

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Daddy tries to fix his shorts.

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And we still get a toady face.

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Oh well.

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On our way! We parked a few blocks away and walked in.

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He said his backpack (with lunch) was so heavy it made him "feel like an old man."

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Meeting some new friends. Declan and Tristan.

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Talking about his Star Wars shirt. :)

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He got number 18! Peyton Manning! Yessss.

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"a whole basket of monster trucks!!!"

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Yet again with the smarmy face! *sigh*

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He said, "Mom, I'm having FUN!" :') THE END.

End of August 2011

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Look how big he looks in his new big boy school clothes....

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Watching a "learning show" with dad.

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Grandma Garberick sent this frilly sweet outfit for Indie.

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So of course we just had to have a photo shoot!

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Wait, this isn't working...

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That's better!

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Itchy fur!

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Oh moley, I love this girl.

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Darling!

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She has a funny smile she saves just for the camera.

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Now on a bench...

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Thinking....

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So many big thoughts... (she really looks Carbo-y here)

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I know, I took a lot.

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I couldn't help it!

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She just kills me.

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Sweet thing.

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Penn, Indie and I went to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

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This was a super fun outdoor installation.

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Long noodley things that hang down from a frame about 15 feet in the air.

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I couldn't get her out of it.

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Tickly!

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Oh my.

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Helping Indie...

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I kinda love this shot. Going their separate ways...

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I wish this had the squealing sound to go with it.

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Just a Mary Cassatt mommy painting I like.

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A strange sculpture we examined for a while. "Dolphins...a bull...an angel..."

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A glass piece Indie liked. "It's a rainbow!"

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I thought this was Penn's favorite painting, but later he told me, "NO MOM, I just thought it was CRAZY."

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There, in case you wondered who painted that crazy painting.

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THIS was his favorite.

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A view of Wilshire Blvd.

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Museum Row, Miracle Mile, whatever you call it.

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Swimmin' pools...movie stars.

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I love these two toads.

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Look, 5 seconds right next to each other, and nobody got punched or screamed!

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There was a special Tim Burton exhibit that I didn't take them to see (bit too scary) but we enjoyed yelling, "WATCH OUT FOR THAT BLUE GUY!" every time we saw that giant inflatable.

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Penn, after searching high and low for some hieroglyphics on that pharoah's tomb.

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Ha. Mummy.

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"Cool! SWORDS!"

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They did some painting in the children's gallery.

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Cuties.

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Penn is working on painting a "colossal squid."

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Indie is TIRED.

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Love my little artists.

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We hit up the Tar Pits afterwards.

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Indie lined up all the stuffed animals in this rest area and I couldn't get her to leave until she kissed them each goodbye.

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Penn wanted to look at this animatronic sabre toothed cat eating a giant sloth for a loooong time. Last time he was too scared!

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Since we were thrifty and took the bus, I said YES-INDEEDIE-DOO to the $5 photo booth.

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I really love a good photo booth.

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And this one had instant replay!

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Sweet. It's like double for your money.

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Oh I love these two.

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They so drive me nuts, but I sure adore them here.

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Sweet.

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Running to the top of the hill.

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He wanted to roll down but I wouldn't let him.

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There's a puddle of tar at the bottom!

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I didn't get the pic of it because I was too busy yelling, "LOOK OUT!" here.

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Last day of swim lessons.

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Go Penn Go!

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Indie's turn.

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She's still got some work to do. ;)

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Super uncoordinated legs. Love it.

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Penn and his buddy Daniel.

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Cute.

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DSC00584.JPG 2011-08-24

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Plastic girl!

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Dive time

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Go Penn!

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Indie's turn again

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Go Indie!

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And one more for Penn...

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Time for big jumps! He swam the length of the pool unassisted! Fast, too. Dan has video...

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Indie's last ballet class (until the fall, probably.)

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She LOVES Aria, the girl next to her.

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Butterflies...

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Row, row your boat

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DSC00602.JPG 2011-08-24

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DSC00603.JPG 2011-08-24

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Stretching

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Saying "bye bye toes!"

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Aria cracks me up in these pics

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What a good pointer!

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He was ROTTEN during this. That's all I will say.

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So cute.

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Twirling...

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Funny girls!

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Aria looks like Rudy from the Cosby Show, right? What a little character.

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They got to wear "costumes" at the end.

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So sweet.

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Framer.

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Examining her princess ring prize.

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Sweet, sweet girl.

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Ahh! They both look a little shifty...

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But I love 'em. She used to be a daddy's girl but now he has to fight to get kisses...

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There's one!

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Our sweet friends the Taylors had flowers for her!

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Here's Benny giving her a congratulatory hug. So sweet!

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DSC00632.JPG 2011-08-24

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Stinker.

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Admiring her flowers.

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Time to go rest!

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She passed out about 2.5 minutes in the car after this. :) THE END!

Mid-August 2011 - Georgia's birthday

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Our friend Georgia had Ariel at her princess/superhero birthday party!

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The girls loved it.

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Took a while for Indie to get warmed up.

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Still not sure about all the commotion.

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Getting ready to go on a scavenger hunt.

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Indie found a buddy to help her.

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Beautiful place for a birthday party (Playa Del Rey, CA.)

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Picture time!

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Indie is busy with her lollipop.

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Cheese!

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A bit chaotic.

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I think Ariel was starting to lose it...

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Hugging Ariel.

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Getting ready for face painting.

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Indie waited patiently for like half an hour!

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Georgia's turn!

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Meanwhile, the boys lay low at the playground.

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Still waiting...

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A groundhog in LA! Huh.

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She is READY.

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Getting princess-ified.

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God she's adorable.

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She can be pretty sweet, too.

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Yay!

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I think she likes it.

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Silly goose.

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:)

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Waiting for a lighter for the candles.

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Yay!

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Happy birthday, Georgia!

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Little cake face.

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I could take pics of her all day.

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Look at those crazy highlights! Cali girl.

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Seriously.

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Uhh. Her eyes kill me.

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Laughing at the boys.

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Pretending she's making hamburgers and then throwing them at daddy.

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So silly.

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Throwing more burgers.

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Love this pic.

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Ear is all healed. :)

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HE IS SO BIG!

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Mr. Soon-to-be Kindergartener!

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His superhero move.

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Look at those wonky legs!

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Throwing kids, one of his favorite activities.

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Lots of other randoms join in. Dan's always a big draw for the 3-8-year old demographic.

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Beautiful day after the marine layer burned off.

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Flying boy.

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Sweet girl. THE END.

Early August - downtown with Taylors

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Always neat to be downtown on closed streets. Nike 3-on-3 tourney at LA Live.

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I wanted to take a cool pic from below, but there was a giant Powerade bottle directly in front of Magic. :(

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Pretty bumpin'.

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The boys shot a few hoops (notice Dan trying to block shots that went up into the truck!)

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Go Penn & Zack!

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Taylor & Carbo duke it out.

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...while poor Benny gets the sunscreen treatment.

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Happy Zack, serious Penn.

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I love Benny's tough guy face there.

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Watching a few games.

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Eating a snack.

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Umm, hello handsome?!

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Sweaty!

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My neighbor mommy friend Steph was dancing with some Zumba peeps.

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Cool venue!

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Will has some sweet shoes.

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Dan uses Benny as his excuse not to go down and dance with the group. It was open invitation! So mad at him. ;)

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The random dude in the wifebeater was pretty good! P.S. It is hard to believe that two babies came out of Steph's body, even though I saw her when she was pregnant and everything! Fit Neighbs!

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Sweet girl, waiting patiently at the restaurant.

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I told her I wouldn't give her the dog toy she wanted until she smiled pretty for me. This is what I got. :)

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Waiting patiently. ;)

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His GREEN STEEL.

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Umm...hi. My name is Mrs. Porous Wrinkly Freckle Face! Nice to meet you too. :)

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Thank God for popsicles included in the kids' meals.

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Kept them occupied for at least a few more minutes.

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I love how her hands are so proper.

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Sweet girl.

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Matilda's tail...

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I feel like this picture gives us a good idea of what they'll look like when they're 18, pretty much. Handsome brown boys!

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Making messes.

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Benny! There you are.

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His teeth amaze me.

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Oh Zacky.

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Boys.

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I just love Benny, all blissed out in the background there! And Zack's sugar-high crazy guy smile!

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Uhh, you have something on your face...right there...

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Okay, that guy in the background has a pretty nice smile, too.

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Hello darlin'! (I love all the movement in this picture.)

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Taylor boys.

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Mr. Matt helps Indie manage the bones.

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Almost done!

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Finally, we're outta here...leaving a HUGE mess behind, because that's how we roll.

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Dancing.

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Where's Indie?

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Mama Steph & Benny.

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Okay, so...I couldn't help it. See the picture being taken with the four girls in the minidresses and platform heels? See all the other people looking?

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See the little girl in the yellow who was posing with them? Uhh...WHAT JUST HAPPENED.

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*sigh* Meanwhile, the boys practice being menaces to high society outside the Ritz. Fancy people are having cocktails like 2 feet to the left of this. :)

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My worst nightmare. The crowds start to arrive for a Katy Perry concert (she's playing LA twice...last night and again in November.) In case you haven't heard, I CAN'T STAND KATY PERRY.

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Goodbye downtown! (Signs, signs, everywhere there's signs...)

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Pirate boy, back at the homestead.

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Love you big boy! THE END.

End of July 2011

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We went to a play in the park. Afterwards, we played!

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Taking turns.

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She still loves this.

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Trying to wear the kids out.

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Wearing himself out, in turn.

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Such a pretty day.

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Riding horse dad.

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They kept falling off.

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Silly goosers.

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Checking the time on her new Tinkerbell watch.

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"It's 4:45." (It's not.)

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"Huh?"

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Who says Penn looks like me? Shave that goatee off Dan and I think you'd change your mind...

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We can't quite get all her hair back in a ponytail.

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Looking at a house that looks like a castle.

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She's getting too big.

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Like, she looks like a giant next to babies and toddlers.

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And don't even get me started on the man back there...

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Running and screaming, two of her favorite things.

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Stinker.

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Something about her looks a little Hermione Granger here, I think!

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He's telling her they should play leap frog.

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"Come on! It'll be fun!"

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Aaaaand...he drops a knee to her head.

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She didn't seem to mind.

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Clumsiest game of leap frog ever.

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Another knee to the head.

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Hey, let's jump over dad!

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Indie can't quite make it.

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This guy has a career ahead of him in track & field.

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Nice form.

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Clears the old man easy.

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Way to go, PJ!

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He's such a stud.

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Indie dives off dad.

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My favorite favorite picture of him. This year. Ever.

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More rolling around.

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Running super fast.

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Talking.

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Thinking.

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More jumping.

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Trying to catch daddy's hat on his head.

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Indie trying to help.

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Fly, Indie, fly!

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Wooooo!

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She's so good at this!

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Yay!

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Funny girl.

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Penn can't do it yet.

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Even with daddy's help.

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Indie seems a little shocked by this.

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Huffing on the spoon so it will stick. THE END!

Mid-July 2011

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Playing around some more with my new camera...

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Sour cherries for sorbet.

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Making jam.

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Chubby me making a mess in my kitchen.

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Jammin'.

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This was SO. GOOD.

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Huh.

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Camera has a hard time with high contrast light. Or maybe I do!

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Handsome boy.

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Princess!

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I told them I'd give them candy if they smiled a lot for me.

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Hence all the smiles. :)

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It's hard to get fast-moving kids in focus!

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Especially when losing daylight.

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Such a lovely little stinker.

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Going down the slide.

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Giving her loyal steed a smooch.

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She calls it Sparkles, Penn calls it Maximus.

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Happy girl.

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Can't buy highlights like that.

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Hello up there!

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Wild woman.

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Sometimes she wants to wear her princess nightgowns all day. Sometimes I let her.

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Playing around with camera settings.

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Monkey bar man!

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So serious.

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A nice little side yard area.

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Love those bougainvillea in the background.

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And these things...Penn calls them the bell flowers.

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THE END!

july 10 2011 - dino hall

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Testing out my birthday present!

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Funny face boy.

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Bustah...

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Why the long face?

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Stinker.

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I need to airbrush the hair under her chin (it's not coming from the mole! it was just stuck to her natural goo.)

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Gotta work on the white balance, too...

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When did he get so BIG?!

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LA County's Natural History Museum

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We got to go on the Members-Only opening day of the new Dino Hall!

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Very, very cool.

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Checking out some info.

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The T. Rex growth series was neat. (Also, as you can see, the place was packed!)

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Those triceratops skulls were amazing.

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Cool.

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Stegosaurus and somethin' else.

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The T. Rexes.

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I like this pic.

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Mesmerized.

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Another view from above.

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Looking back toward the first room - there's a brontosaurus and some aquatic dinosaurs.

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I was going for something artsy...my feet...the dino feet...oh well.

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Looking back in the main hall. Loved the use of natural light. I bet it is lit neatly at night, too!

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This was cool.

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Penn's shorts were dino camo. Thanks Grandma Carbo!

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There are the triceratops skulls I mentioned.

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Looking down on the stegosaurus.

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A giant whale skeleton. This room was neat and creepy!

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YES.

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The dino lab. Some poor paleontologist was actually in there workin' on a Sunday!

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A camerasaur? Oh. Camarasaur.

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The Hall of Birds.

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Dan and I said, "AHHHHHHHHH!" and walked quickly...

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Checking out some binoculars.

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The Coliseum is in the background there.

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I am not sure what was up with all the taxidermy in the Discovery Center??

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You could touch all kinds of cool replica fossil bones.

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Beautiful So Cal day.

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The Butterfly Pavilion.

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These photos seem a little washed out...

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But the place was pretty neat.

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Just people, elbow-to-elbow...

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That's a moth of some sort. Was about the size of the palm of my hand!

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Caterpillars. (Larvae.)

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A hungry monarch.

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Another moth...was prettier in person.

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Back home in Culver City...a crowd and some news vans await the emergence of the Duchess & Duke of Cambridge from Sony Studios!

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Dan's office is down the street and he wouldn't have been allowed in anyway. :)

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The cops at Sony Studios, waiting to escort the motorcade away. THE END!

June to early July 2011

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The kids of 1st Class Prep Pre-K, lining up for the big graduation ceremony!

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There's our girl!

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She got to "graduate," even though she'll go again next year...

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There they are.

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Our dude.

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Doing all the hand motions to the songs.

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His poor little buddy Dylan next to him there FROZE.

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Dylan didn't sing or move or anything. Too much pressure from all his family who came!

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Penn was (very surprisingly!) cool with all the attention.

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Cute.

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He was such a proud big boy.

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Wild woman.

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Almost time to get your diplomas!

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There he is!

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Penn and his teacher, Sugar. Yes, that's her real name.

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Playing with their diplomas.

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Indie and Sugar.

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Sweet.

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Indie and Emma.

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Penn being silly.

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That's all, folks!

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Time to eat!

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Penn's cap that he decorated.

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Indie's.

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It was neat that daddy got to be there.

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He was on vacation!

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Being a stinker.

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Nobody encourages it more than daddy. ;)

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We had a potluck.

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I guess this makes it official...

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Arriving at the Disneyland Hotel for our vacation with Grandma & Grandpa Carbo!

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The headboard was really cool (and twinkled at night! Pixie dust! YES!)

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Neat vintage Disney photos.

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Love it!

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Heading to our first ride, the new Ariel "Under the Sea" attraction.

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It was already hot!

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Cool painting.

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Penn is closing his eyes already! Silly goose.

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He knew the sea witch Ursula was somewhere in there.

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The animatronics in this were REALLY cool.

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Her hair was moving and like, spongey? Very neat.

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The Mickey ferris wheel at California Adventure.

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The kids and I rode in a "non-swinging" gondola.

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Daddy (Cliff Lee) rode in a crazy one with Grandpa!

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Wrangling the kids for a pic.

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Hopefully Dan's version is better!

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Speaking of Dan...he ate an entire chicken at lunch. (Not really, but almost.) And jeez...isn't my husband handsome?!

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Riding the rockets with Grandpa and Dad. They're silly!

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The entrance to Disneyland Hotel from the end of Downtown Disney. It was nice to be able to take the monorail back and rest in the afternoon.

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The Autopia cars...long lines, stinky...

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...and Indie was the crappiest driver ever! She gave herself whiplash.

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Also, the lady in front of us had a bum car that kept stalling out. We had a line of like 20 cars waiting behind us towards the end. Indie and tried to push her back and couldn't. Lame!

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The Mark Twain Riverboat.

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A good little break.

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The other boat, Columbia? I think? (I guess it only sails on the weekends?)

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The Jungle Cruise. Getting tired.

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The next morning, we paid way too much money to watch my kids cry and scream at costumed characters during a buffet breakfast.

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Well, Penn just went for the more mature, "I'll just close my eyes and pretend they don't exist" reaction.

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A terrifying bear.

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Grandpa tries to prove he is a nice bear.

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"See? I survived!"

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Dale was pretty funny.

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Now they're smiling! Just don't come too close... (P.S. She is a MINI ME here. Wow.)

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She is such a lovable little stinker.

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Watching Dale write a message.

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He said, "1st visit?" pointing to Indie, then, "She has 'the look.'" We laughed and laughed!

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Full!

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Dance party w/ Pluto.

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She's overtired and loopy now.

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Driving a car in the lobby.

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What a smirker.

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Bye Donald!

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Fun, fun trip!

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Bowling with Grandma & Grandpa! What poses.

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After a while you just forget that she has a crown on.

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It suits her so well...

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I love my man.

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Grandma explains the marks.

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LOVE this.

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He's got the bowling in his blood.

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Grandpa & Indie.

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Grandpa & Penn.

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Daddy & Indie

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Cute.

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Happy INDIE-PENN-dence day!

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Jumping in the bouncy at Zack's house.

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What a fun bbq!

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I liked the crappy LA graphic in the background!

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Indie and Zack.

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She sorta luuuuuurves him.

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She drew a picture of herself INSIDE OF Zack the next day.

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Fireworks in the street! Yeeeehaw!

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The whole block was closed, which was really nice.

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L to R: Ben, Penn, Duncan, Zack & Indie.

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Indie eventually freaked out. Penn kept saying, "Dude, that was AWESOME."

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Fireworks...

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Playing with the settings on my camera...

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Blah blah blah.

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How do I have so many pics of fireworks and not one of the kids playing cards with their grandparents????

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*sigh*

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Indie learns about "jazz hands" in her first ballet class. !!!

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Adorable.

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Those other girls are cute and all, but I was such a mommy...stricken to tears by my own clumsy girl's beauty. Get her some grace and the world better watch out! THE END.

Early April 2011 - Indie's Birthday, Grandma Howard Visit

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Pretty much the extent of our decorating for Indie's 3rd birthday party.

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Do you know how hard it is to make a yellow-ish buttercream look PURPLE and not gray?

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Penn was reading a Pig & Elephant book (his favorite series) to Georgia.

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I LOVE the look on her face here.

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Our big 3-year old!

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I was trying to recreate the pic from her 2nd birthday party...

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Ahh, yes. There it is. :)

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Zack Attack! I focused on his pretty grin three times and by the time I hit the shutter, he closed his mouth!

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What a goofball. ;)

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The adorable Benny Taylor.

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Miss Georgia, dressed as a winter princess.

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Miss Fiamma! We love your attitude. And you and Penn will have beautiful babies someday.

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Checking for crumbs down her dress.

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Taking her sweet time, literally.

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If this looks insane, it's because it was.

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Opening presents with all her friends.

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The boys really got into it too.

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Fun stuff!

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DSC03678.JPG 2011-04-03

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Baby Siena checks out the loot.

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Grandma Howard came to town on business, but we borrowed her and went to the LA Zoo.

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You have no idea how stinky these flamingoes are!

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It was a beautiful day.

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I love this picture!

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The primates are always my fave. Gorilla exhibit was pretty decent.

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Hey there, dude.

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Some horned mountain goat thingies that my dad would probably like to shoot.

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The giraffes were cool.

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Hello there!

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Babies in the background.

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The chimps...

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I love how they all have such different personalities.

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Just thinkin'...

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These guys were "talking" and using hand gestures. They looked so human!

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One of the alphas, I'm guessing.

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You'd think elephants would be easier to find, but for a while, all we saw were these painted ones!

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The orangutans...

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Look at those hands!

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You can't see it well, but she was smiling up at her baby!

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Ahh, there they are!

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Tina and Jewel, best friends for over 30 years!

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They were amazing.

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Kept sticking their trunks in each others' ears and trumpeting!

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Telling secrets, I guess.

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Tossing dirt on her back. It was hot!

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Some of the zookeepers came to spray them down. The girls were eager for a cool down!

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I wish these pictures could convey how neat this all was.

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The kids were in awe.

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Billy, the bull, lives in a separate enclosure. Penn was greatly confused by this.

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Getting a drink.

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That's better!

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I took the kids into the aviary and nobody was in there.

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BECAUSE IT REEEKED! More stinky flamingoes.

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Guess who likes Dippin' Dots?

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He yelled, "This makes me have to go pee-pee!"

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I made him let me take a picture first. :)

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We also squeezed in a visit later to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro, CA.

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Everyone goes to the aquarium in Long Beach, but this is slightly closer and VERY inexpensive (donation only!)

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The kids were PUMPED!

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Though we knew we missed low tide (and hence the tide pools) we took a walk out to see if there was anything notable.

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At the end was half of a very large, very stinky, very dead, mangled chunk of...something...a seal or fish of some sort. Indie kept screaming that it smelled, so we turned around!

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The cove.

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Look at all those whales they've seen! Neato.

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Leonids? I think. Something like that. They looked like underwater floatie venus fly traps.

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Awesome predatory starfish. He would've never put his hand up there when he was younger...

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There were about a million other school kids there, which made it a little loud and stressful.

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More cool starfish. This reminds me of the one in Finding Nemo.

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See that enormous lobster? Makes me think of that Simpsons episode...

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13 pounder! Cook him up.

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A Moray Eel, with some bright little shrimpy dudes keeping things clean.

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Indie was fascinated.

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Most of the tanks could be viewed from both sides.

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One of my favorites...urchins and such.

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Can you see the fish on the bottom?

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There they are!

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I was clearly fascinated by these guys.

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Turbots!

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Sand dollars...

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Didn't know they did this.

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Looking at the giant lobster from the other side.

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I love this pic.

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Jellyfish!

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Pretty cool. Looks like a tv screen.

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In another exhibit, I looked up and yelled, "AHHHHH!" Lots of taxidermy at this aquarium. It was a little...70's.

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I liked this tank, with the barnacles and mussels on the poles.

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They were both looking at that display behind Penn when he said, "That's the scary fish from Nemo!" He was totally right!

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I wish I had been videotaping when Penn got to this shark tank. He jumped up and down and yelled and pumped his fists and said, "Yessssss. Finally. SHARKS."

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No actual whales, but whale skeletons! Also, a diver's skeleton? I thought that was...a bit much.

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The California Grunions!

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Penn was a grumpy grunion.

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Love those toads.

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Really? They look like a buncha rocks to me.

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The Aquatic Nursery was one of his favorites.

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It makes me sad that they are stressed in there!

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They all hang out with their tales wrapped around plants. Poor little seahorses.

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He loved this.

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Indie was too afraid to go inside.

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The boy next to him is saying, "Hey, there's your sister!"

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Okay, this was nuts...they totally could've stuck their hands in there (though the signs said not to, of course.)

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Just looking at that pink slug thing gives me the heebie jeebies.

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Indie is at the end of saying "Eeeee-yuuwwww" with two syllables.

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Look out kids!

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Ahhh!

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She is such a ham! Gotta love it.

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Jaws!

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Cute. THE END!

February 2011 - Disneyland with Steeles

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We're going to Disneyland! Yeah, yeah!

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Indie is screaming "GOOFY!" here and Penn is saying, "Are we at Disneyland? Is this DISNEYLAND?!" (We are on the tram about 2 seconds after leaving the parking structure.)

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Okay, we are all a squinty mess here, but this is your requisite "photo at the entrance."

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Mars Needs Moms had a few posters there. Dan was going to sign them but we forgot the Sharpie.

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Princess Indie finds her castle.

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Love this shot!

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Watching the fish fountain and listening to Snow White sing to the animals.

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Much smaller than the one at Disney World.

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Though I think this is Sleeping Beauty's, and the Disney World castle belongs to Cinderella?

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We started out tame and rode a carousel first.

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The new Tangled "exhibit" which is actually just a 60-minute wait to meet two random people dressed up as Rapunzel and Flynn Rider! No thank you.

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We'd rather be watching the Dumbo ride!

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So psyched to ride a flying elephant!

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Woo-hoo!

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Another requisite.

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We were going to let the kids ride together and just watch, but I really wanted to ride too!

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Lots of fun!

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The boys.

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It kills Penn to look like he's actually having fun. :)

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The girls.

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Penn sees me taking the pic.

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Dan is sending me telepathic messages telling me not to drop the camera into the water.

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Weeeeee!

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I thought her outfit was adorable to begin with, but she got pinker and pinker as the day went on...

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Watching Ben and Lauren ride.

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There they go!

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Hi guys!

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Man and the Matterhorn. Beautiful sky! So much for those thunderstorms that were forecast...

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Getting ready for "It's a Small World." (Yes, we eventually shed the rainboots.)

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This was Indie's favorite ride.

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I tried to avoid the subliminal messages in the song by taking lots of pictures, but it didn't work. I still shopped in the gift store later like they told me to!

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I think the look on his face is priceless. This ride and the song and the dancing dolls are really a little creepy, if you ask me.

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I tried to take a pic of all the iconic Disney characters they've started adding. Here's Alice and the White Rabbit.

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Up above, a blurry Jasmine and Aladdin.

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Indie is thrilled to see...

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ARIEL! Her favorite. "And dares Flounder!"

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Nemo and Dorie.

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Woodie and Bullseye and Jessie, WOO-HOO!

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True dat!

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The Golden Gate Bridge. Yay!

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The Buzz Lightyear Astro Shooters ride. Once you get inside, be prepared for your senses to be assaulted.

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Ben gives Zurg a high-five for Kevey V.!

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I wish you could see how absolutely terrified Penn was. He was SHAKING. (There's a giant animatronic Buzz to his right that he is studiously avoiding looking at.)

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Dan tries to assure him that we are just going to have some good clean fun, earning points for shootin' at Zurg.

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I LOVE how serious Dan is in the background. All business now.

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Ooooooooohhhhh.

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My score sucked because I was too busy taking pics of everyone else. Or at least, that's what I'm telling people.

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Indie held her gun like that THE ENTIRE TIME. It was totally hilarious.

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This is the very end of the ride, when I'm telling her again, "You're supposed to SHOOT it!" She's saying, "Huh?"

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Yay! There will be a new "Cars Land" area at California Adventure in 2012 that looks like it will be AWESOME!

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For now, you get life-sized Mater and McQueen.

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Penn found them very interesting.

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He mostly rubbed against the Cars and yelled a lot.

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Refusing to pose for me.

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Rubbing his belly like a man.

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There we go! I missed the shot directly after this, where the next kid in line was posing for his photo and Penn was lingering to bend over and look in Mater's mouth.

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Eating a snacky lunch before we tackle California Adventure.

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I don't know that I have words to properly describe this. But she is holding the hallowed Bullseye, which she has coveted ever since she didn't get one for Christmas. She has one now.

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Getting ready for the Aladdin show! She loved it. Penn was terrified, asked a million loud questions, tolerated it and eventually said he enjoyed it.

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Riding Heimlich's "Chew Chew" train in "A Bug's Land."

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A nice quiet break from the chaos.

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They are laughing because Heimlich just burped. :)

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I wish I had gotten a better photo of this.

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She became mesmerized with the shadow of her ears and just wandered off.

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Getting ready for the bumper cars. I love these two.

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Look out! Guess who's driving!

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Wild woman.

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Penn rode with Lauren.

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I think he eventually gave up driving and Lauren had to take the wheel.

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Go Penn go!

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Again, he's having a great time, even if he doesn't look like it!

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That was fun!

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Ben and Penn were sitting down and having a quiet moment, but I missed it!

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The jungle cruise in Frontierland.

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Lions, tigers, bears, etc.

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Piranhas came out of the water later and scared Penn. He would quip afterward, "I sure am glad those piranhas didn't eat up our boat!"

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Daddy and the pink princess.

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I was trying to be artsy with the elephant in the background, but we were losing light.

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Dan and Penn went up in the Tarzan Treehouse while Indie and I relaxed. Lauren and Ben rode The Pirates of the Caribbean, which Penn was too scared to try.

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Dan, Indie and Penn rode the rockets in Tomorrowland.

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I love this! The guy in the rocket in front of him was way bigger. Funny.

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Trying to figure out the buckles...

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A kind cast member gives them a hand.

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I love Indie's little head poking out here.

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Weeeee!

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Kind of a pretty shot.

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Ha!

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Apparently Scott McIntyre from American Idol is RIGHT NEXT TO ME HERE, but I had no idea.

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Here's when Dan is yelling, "LOOK! IT'S THE BLIND GUY FROM AMERICAN IDOL!"

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And here's where we chicken out and just take a photo of his huge hair.

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There...his cane. Proof that it's really him. :)

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And then again, in the background. Yes, we're terrible.

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This was the new Nemo submarine ride, one of my favorites from the day! Flash photography wasn't allowed or I would've tried to take more pics.

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The end of the night, the kids hung in there for the "World of Colors" show.

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A light rain started, lasted about 5 minutes, then ended right before the show started. Perfect!

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She whispered, "This is AMAZING."

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And it really was!

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Better than fireworks.

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I doubt my photos do it justice.

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But it was beautiful.

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I can't imagine the planning and the expense it took to implement this show.

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Just incredible.

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Imagery was projected on walls of water, but we were down close and there was a slight breeze, so we couldn't see them that well.

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But that's Emperor Zurg back there...

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...and here is where Buzz blasts him!

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And that's an overexposed green alien on that orb thingie that came up out of the water. The kids yelled and clapped.

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Here is the 3/4 mile walk to our parking spot that could've been much closer, but my husband is...AWESOME...and parked us as far away as possible... :)

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The ride home.

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Notice the hand clutching Bullseye, who never left her sight the entire day.

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And the next morning...here she is wearing her new Rapunzel costume.

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I couldn't help it. THE END!

January 2011

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Kiddie New Year's Eve!

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The countdown is about to begin!

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Bern is excited. :)

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The kids are thrilled - Mr. Dan bought silly string!

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Grrreeeaaaat.

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Kenzi takes a turn.

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Dan helps Indie and in turn, sprays silly string all over her pj's.

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She got a little upset about that.

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Penn goes for it again.

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Now it's time for a dance party!

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MESSY!

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Confetti + silly string.

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Light sticks + balloons.

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Carbos + Velascos. Now that's a party!

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Always a fun time.

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DSC03465.JPG 2010-12-31

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DSC03466.JPG 2010-12-31

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The Carbo and Velasco kids are experienced light stick dancers.

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Get down!

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I love seeing their little light trails.

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The morning after! Breakfast with the Velascos.

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The evening after our annual all-day New Year's Day open house. Buster is POOPED!

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Keves, Penn, Indie and Kenzi.

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They all have their Toy Story toys to watch TS3.

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Buzz, Rex, Woody and Jessie.

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Our last hang-out with the Kelloggs.

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Indie and Alex are so cute together.

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They're both goofballs!

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Penn and Darius, the serious ones.

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DJ wasn't digging the dinosaur nuggets.

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Our last hang-out at church.

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Kenzi, Indie, Keves, Penn and Maddie go crazy. Lots of running and screaming!

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Tennis Saturdays!

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That's my girl.

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I actually think she has a lot of tennis potential!

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Maybe even more than Penn. We'll see.

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Right now we're just keeping it silly and fun.

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He likes to get out there, run around and hit and chase balls.

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Basically like having two wild animals on the court.

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He loves that his name is on the tennis balls!

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I love this picture. She's checking out her shadow.

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Happy dude!

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Happy girl and daddy.

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Wild woman.

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Even if they never play a game, at least it's exercise.

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He's hitting low compression balls so they bounce slower and lower.

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I just love watching that silly girl run!

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Relaxing after all that exercise!

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Watching a Temple basketball game with dad. They actually got through an entire half!

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Go Owls! THE END.

End of December 2010

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I stopped off the 5 Freeway after the "Grapevine" on the way out of Los Angeles...what an amazing sky!

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It was raining with REALLY low visibility up in the mountains.

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Treacherous drive, and it stressed me out.

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Then I came through those hills and saw this.

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Just amazing.

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It was super windy too.

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But felt like I was in a different country.

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More mountains in the distance.

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The shadows were neat.

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Snow capped peaks back there

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More

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These don't do it justice

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But I tried.

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My wheels.

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And yes, I snapped this while driving...I swear I kept my eyes on the road. Those hills were INCREDIBLE and I didn't want to forget them!

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At the mall in San Rafael, Indie and Penn kill time before seeing Santa.

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What a cute little ice cream truck driver!

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Penn inputs orders back there...or something...

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She first started walking well in this very mall! :'(

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Cheesy face!

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That's better! Are we excited or what?!

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YEAH!

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It's almost time for Santa!

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I like the Applebee's sign in the background. Heh.

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You could turn a crank and make it "snow"!

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Penn reports, "It's just bubbles!" They still loved it.

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Not allowed to take photos w/ your own camera of Santa. Here are the kids afterward, with their "green living" propaganda handed out by the elves.

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Waiting for dad in the parking lot of Best Buy.

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I let her "drive."

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Heaven help us the day she is a legal driver.

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Tired, beautiful girl.

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Cheese!

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Playing air hockey at the Kellogg's.

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They were going "Hee-hee...hee-hee! Hee-hee! Huh-huh! Huh-hee!"

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It was pretty cute.

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Penn surveys the damage.

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These four can sure make a mess.

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Ruta let the kids decorate cookies!

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There was at least one bottle of sprinkles completely dumped out everywhere. FUN!

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Christmas morning! Santa came!

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So fun and exciting.

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REX!

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He says, "But I didn't ask for Rex!"

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He still liked him. Open those eyes, kid!

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Beautiful princess Tinkerbell Indie in her "gown" from Grandma G

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Tearing open presents, one tiny piece at a time

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There's my present back there, with the red bow :)

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Poor Buster.

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This picture cracks me up! He loves him some Condie.

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JESSIE!

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Helping Indie.

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Beauty and the Beast playset! Mommy enjoys this just as much as Indie... :)

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Shake 'N Go racers.

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They have these at church and he loves them.

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These are Toy Story 3 racers.

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Shake...'n go!

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I love watching her watch the car.

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Hands all folded demurely... :)

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Decorating their bins for moving.

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Nice job, Indie!

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Cheese!

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He just kills me. KILLS ME!

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Opening up Grandma & Grandpa Howard's presents

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Super cool pop-up books!

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They LOVE them.

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Lots of activities for little hands

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And trains....

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School bus! Perfect!

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He's telling me all about it.

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Neato!

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Best face ever!

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Stinkers.

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What a fun Christmas! THE END.

Nov. to mid-Dec. 2010

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At the Two Niner Diner w/ friends.

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Penn's "Special Airport Birthday Breakfast!"

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Sometimes it's a little freaky how much they look like they could be siblings!

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Keves and Indie try to behave themselves.

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It's not easy.

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Poor ol' Petunia.

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Literally climbing the walls...

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He loved all the pictures though, and they were especially fond of the "soda can airplane" hanging from the ceiling.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PJ!

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After paying the bill, I came out to cheers of "AMY! AMY!!!" from all the kids.

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Dan and Kat talked some dude into letting us walk around by the little planes.

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Ahh, fresh air.

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Pretty neat!

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Getting a lift.

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They were so cute.

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66!

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Group photo!

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Good workout.

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Beautiful sky. I love Sonoma County!

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We got to sit in one of the planes!

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It was super cool!

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Thinking big thoughts...

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Watching the plane we sat in take off!

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What an awesome birthday!

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My mini-me...

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There it goes!

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Bubby and sissy.

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I love when they just sit nicely. (They are modeling the Disney-discounted gifts from Grandma G!)

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Penn's actual birthday - we had a party at Daddy's office!

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Do you see the adorable "runway" Dan made for him?!

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Couple of little presents to open.

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A $1.00 piece of junk Cars game from Michaels - he was THRILLED about it though, as you can see!

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Somebody needs a haircut...

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What mom?

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COOL! More Trio blocks! The BATCAVE!

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The kids love these. We got addicted to buying them for a while.

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A Buzz Lightyear t-shirt.

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Penn says, "But where's Buzz?" We say, "YOU'RE BUZZ!"

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Jetblade, a Transformer

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Too complicated for 4-31 year olds, way to go Amy!

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Indie got a princess shirt too, just for being cute.

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Whoopie pies, YEAH!

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Playing pool with dad.

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Wearing their new shirts.

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Disturbing the people working right down the hallway...

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Oh well! It's this man's birthday!

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Princess Indie

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...eating a ball.

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Love those dudes.

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Say goodbye to ImageMovers Digital!

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A bourbon chocolate pecan pie I made for Thanksgiving. Delish!

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The kids playing games at Annette's house on Thanksgiving (I took more photos on my phone, apparently.)

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Waiting for Santa to arrive in Petaluma!

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Love you two!

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Smooch!

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Awwwww.

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Having "wunch" with our old neighbor Emma!

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They said the broccoli were like trees!

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Stinkers.

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We had a fun day with her.

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The beginning of Tyler B's birthday cake!

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Dirt bike race track, yeah!

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Little hay bales. I mean, reeeally little. ;)

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All frosted and dirtied up

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Adding some decorations

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See, either really big cones or really small hay bales...oh well.

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Oreo cookie "tires"

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MMM. I liked this design because it didn't need to be perfectly frosted!

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Get away from that cake, you dumpster diving dirtbag!

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The finished product, at the party.

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I thought it looked pretty cool!

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Motorcycle dudes.

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The kids got to make reindeer antlers!

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Indie looooves crafts.

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Oh dear!

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Get out of the picture, Bern!

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Eating dirt cake! Yum!

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At the Round-the-Table Carol Sing that Hessel Church puts on every year.

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We took the big kids, Kenzi and Penn, and left the little ones at home with a sitter. They all did great!

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Words cannot describe how much this photo CRACKS. ME. UP!

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We were testing camera positioning for our annual crappy, rushed Christmas card photo.

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Thanks honey.

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Takin' one for the team!

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And after all this, I think I walked by and accidentally kicked the tripod. Oops!

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Buster the Christmas Dog!

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With his muddy fumanchu.

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Blurry Buster

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"Hmm?"

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The keeeds

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They hate this as much as Dan does, I think. :)

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I think it's funny to see the progression to the actual photo(s) we use.

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Sorta ok

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Choking Buster

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Kissing Buster

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Buster says, "I'm outta here!"

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Okay, so just you two now...

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They're getting tired

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Daddy makes them laugh

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But now they're moving too fast!

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hmm.

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Penn is really over this now.

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He says, "Are we DONE YET?!"

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Crazy family photo!

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Well...

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The best we could do. Buster looks handicapped and Dan looks sneaky.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS anyway!

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Sweet Christmas Carbos.

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Blurry girl

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I like this one.

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Wild child!

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Also a good one.

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And hi, ADORABLE.

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I don't know what to do with those 70's bangs, but it's cool. THE END!

Late October 2010

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Pretty dress from Grandma G. Wish Indie would have let me do her hair!

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Reading after church.

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He's reading a princess book.

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At the Adobe Pumpkin Patch in Petaluma, a family favorite. (This is Simon, a buddy from church.)

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There's Indie the scarecrow.

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Simon, Penn and Indie.

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Penn checks out how funny Indie looks.

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She was so amused.

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Keves and Rachel look on from the comfort of the wagon.

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Kevey looks suspicious.

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Simon and Penn in the pumpkin cutout.

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The stooges again.

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Cute.

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Rachel gets cozy.

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Keves is unsure about this.

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They were a little scared up there.

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I made them pose anyway.

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Worth it.

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"Now get me DOWN!"

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Running through a hay maze.

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Bubby...

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Sissy...

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She said she was stuck.

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Penn says, "Let me show you the way."

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Indie took one look at this and said...

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"Wow! It's Cinderella CASTLE!"

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Then she said, "I be Cinderella!"

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Goober grin.

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Stinker #2.

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Lovely, overcast fall day.

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Driving a tractor.

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They were fighting the whole time.

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Penn needed to investigate this huge pumpkin.

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He calmly reports, "It's not real."

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Watching some dirty ducks.

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She was flapping her arms.

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Indie and Rachel.

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Making sure her friend is having fun too.

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Cute.

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Kevey and his ubiquitous raisins. ;)

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These break my heart...

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Penn's 4th year at this pumpkin patch! He was just learning to walk the first time he approached these very gates....

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*sniffle*

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Looking at some stinky piggies.

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Love this face.

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This cow was crying and I told Penn the flies were bugging her. The next week, he had a complete meltdown when a fly was in the house. HMM.

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We got to see one of the dudes feed the cows and horses some pumpkins.

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Neat!

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Keves seems to be contemplating why it's called "ham"burger...

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Then quickly moves on...

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In the jumpy house.

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Tons more of these on Facebook from my phone.

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They had unlimited time in there.

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For 2 bucks! Good deal. I said, "Jump all day! Jump until you can't jump anymore!" Penn said, "What?"

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Playing with some lacing beads.

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Penn is wearing uncle Joey's old fighter jet pilot costume.

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I can't believe he can fit in it! Makes me feel old.

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Such a big boy!

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My little Maverick. Love him. THE END!

Mid October 2010

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On a Friendly Day.

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Blue Angels over SF during Fleet Week...

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We were on our way to the Eagles game!

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Crappy pictures, traffic was finally starting to move.

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They were so close, just too fast for my camera!

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The bridge in the background.

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We're here!

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Scottie Do

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aka Lotus Flower

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That little guy in the background looked a lot like Paul Federico!

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Dan said, "Nah, Paulie's way more put together than that guy." Can you tell he's excited?!

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So many pics of him talking with his hands...

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Candlestick or whatever it is they call it now.

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Love you honey!

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Love and Light, Molluso!

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Go Phillies! Go Birds!

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For some reason, I always love the feeling riding up the escalator to the stadium...

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View of the South Bay

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Coming out of the tunnel to our seats.

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Akers getting warmed up.

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The field.

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Seeing that #16 reminded me of how my brother was on the same plane as Montana once!

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Here come the Eagles!

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I love this part!

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They headed straight toward a big group of Birds fans below.

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My boys!

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Getting ready.

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Here come the Niners!

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Penn would've loved the fireworks.

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I just loved how Akers kept trying to kick during all the commotion!

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Smoke clears

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Let's go Eagles!

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It was fun when they were down in our end zone.

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Great view of the action

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Getting ready to score.

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YEAH! TD!

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Another possession

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Interesting to me how Kolb is on the outskirts...

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He's the guy on the left looking like he's barely involved in what's being said...found that odd...

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Anyway, we won, so who cares!

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It was love at first sight. AC + DJ!

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Speaking of love....yuck!

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Thought I should sprinkle in some cheerleader butt to make up for the awkward bromancers.

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Inside a bar at the stadium to watch a few innings of the Phils during halftime.

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Cole was on FIYAH! (We could see the football game on big screens behind us, too!)

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Dan is having a heated debate about how much better the Phillies are than the Giants.

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With a dude who outweighs him by like 50 lbs.

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I just kept clicking, waiting for the first punch to be thrown...

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Thought this would be it! But he claims it was a totally civil conversation. HMM.

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Poor guy.

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Pretty sure this guy had mental problems. Dan will talk sports with anyone!

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I just liked this girl's get-up. She had a Phillies cape on! Wish I'd thought of that.

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Now this guy here...

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Yikes!

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Pretty sure he's the reason the bar started to shut down on us.

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Game is in the 4th quarter now.

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49ers fans are leaving now!

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It was still a close game!

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We are good at that.

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Guess who just won?! (Love this picture.)

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Yeah! Phillies are headed to the NLCS...AGAIN!

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SFC cheers!

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Zierler and Stadler are pleased.

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Thinking about the World Series?

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I kept saying how Andy Reid looked like a swollen tick on the sidelines! He is lookin' BIG.

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Poor 49ers.

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Buses waiting to go.

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Thinking it was an ugly victory, but he'll take it.

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Sunday Night Lights.

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So many people to argue with, so little time! Love you SFC!

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Waiting to get out of the parking lot...and waiting...and waiting...

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Someone still has some energy left...

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Little Carbo Superheroes. I LOVE Penn's expression!

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So cute.

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He was super tired and grumpy.

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She kills me!

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My favorite...Princess Superhero.

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Getting ready to light pumpkins.

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We went for super simple designs again this year.

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A kitty kat and a silly guy

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They loved 'em

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Nighttime on Acadia

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Love my little fam

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Can't get them to keep still!

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PJ and the pumpkins

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Chasing Buster in the front yard, a favorite family pasttime

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Hugging his sissy

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Picture with daddy!

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cheeeeeeeeese

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She sucks at Hide-n-Seek

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But she's awesome at peeing on the potty! THE END!

September 2010

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We took a trip to the Oakland Zoo with the Kelloggs.

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Indie and Daddy check out a little black bear.

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She looked so cute that day!

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She looks cute every day. So does daddy. :)

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The bear is up on that tree stump, slumped over and looking sad. The rest of the zoo pics are on my phone!

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The best day we've ever had at the beach.

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Bright, warm sun.

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You can tell what Philly teams are playing and when by the hats and/or t-shirts Dan's wearing at the time...

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Sweet beach girl.

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Love it!

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Dan dug a huge hole. They loved it.

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Just standing in it made her happy.

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Penn dug some more.

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See? Happy kids!

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Whatever keeps them quiet. ;)

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Digging...

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She's getting ready to jump in.

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Digging some more.

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SUCH a gorgeous day!

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Tide was in.

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Nice big waves, lots of surfers and lots of people doing this weird, standing/surfing thing.

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Sandy girl.

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An Anakin tattoo.

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More digging.

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A series of photos from Buster's perspective.

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Wild woman!

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Look at that dirty butt!

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Making sure everybody's safe.

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He keeps an eye on the perimeter. No birds, dogs or other people are allowed to come near!

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Don't mess with the Buster.

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Hot dog!

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Hot man. ;)

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Grumpy man? Love you honey!

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Buster wants a shave!

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There's more of those standy/surfery guys.

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The kids finally played in the water!

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First time ever. They used to be afraid.

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They got addicted to the waves.

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We didn't let them go in too far.

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They both LOVED it.

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A junky foamcore potty "chart" I made for Indie. She gets to add a small sticker when she tries, and a big sticker when she goes! (There are more stickers now!)

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I found her like this.

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I don't know.

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Sometimes they play so nicely together!

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What a wild child!

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Magnetic dress-up dolls. Penn makes sure his outfits always match.

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Another game they play involving plastic food and fire truck rescue/delivery of said food.

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A truck full of hot dogs.

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Princess Indie.

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We went bowling for the first time ever! She was overwhelmed.

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Penn was jazzed!

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So pumped that he got his own special bowling shoes.

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Yeah Carbos!

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Good thing Dad knows how to set these things up.

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It took her a while to get warmed up.

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He was so patient.

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Daddy explains why they can't run out onto the lanes.

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Gives a little instruction on how to roll the ball...

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And we are ready to ROLL!

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Checking out the balls.

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Daddy helps Penn get started.

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Penn is pumped!

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They didn't have bowling shoes small enough for her. :(

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Here goes the master.

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Penn's turn again.

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Gooooo Penn!

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Dan's thinking, "This is the start of a very good thing."

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Someone needs new pants...

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I love it though.

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Trying to get his fingers in the ball.

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Yeah!

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That ball was rolling slooooowly.

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Way to go Penn!

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Love this pic.

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GO Indie!

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Surprised she never wiped out.

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She was so fearless, once she got going.

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The turn-taking was hard.

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But it was a good lesson in patience.

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I loooooove watching him bowl.

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Getting tired. Game's almost over!

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The strength. The grace. The form. The majesty. (Hee-hee.)

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Trying to explain how to not get your fingers smashed.

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Go Penn!

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He was very serious.

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He wanted to bowl the way daddy does.

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Great job, guys! Mom even broke 100 (with the bumpers up.) :)

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Tired family! THE END.

Early September 2010 - beach, apples

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A t-shirt his Aunt Kris got him (he hates it because we laugh so much when he wears it!)

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A cold day at the beach in early September.

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Dan was sick.

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The forecast said it was going to be much warmer!

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Buster had a good time!

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Thankfully I packed jackets for the kids.

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I want them to remember the beach, in case we have to move far from it someday!

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Flying the expandable object!

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Fancy speak for a kite that doesn't like to fly!

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Actually, we got it up there much easier this time.

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My handsome fella.

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My other handsome fella!

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My mom bought him that shirt. "Elkhart: My choice for the future." Hilarious! Wish it was true. ;)

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Buster was cold, too.

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Cuddling on my blanket.

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Beautiful Marin County coast.

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Dillon Beach.

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Burying dad.

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Not sure he knew what he was getting into!

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At least the sand was warm, though!

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Buster checks out the situation.

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Getting messier...

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She was thrilled with this.

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The sand is getting cold...Dan's gonna have hypothermia.

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Good job, kids!

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Buster considers rescuing his dad.

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Then walks right over him.

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A little more here...little more there...

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Stepping right on dad's knee! Oops!

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Almost done!

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Buster takes a break.

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He can barely see! Time for a trim.

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My boys.

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My girl...

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DSC02670.JPG 2010-09-03

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Daddy had an itch.

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DSC02672.JPG 2010-09-03

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DSC02673.JPG 2010-09-03

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All done!

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Time to get up...

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Yay!

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That was fun.

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Playing in the yard one evening.

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Chasing Buster.

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A princess and a boy in his undies. Typical.

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Buster loves when they chase him.

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It's fun to see them interact.

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He fell... :)

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Apple picking!

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We went with a few other moms and buddies.

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Beautiful day.

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Had to explain to the kids not to pick up the ones on the ground.

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Penn was pleased to carry his own basket.

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Love this picture. I didn't plan the colors in his outfit, but they're just perfect for this day!

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Helping Rachel.

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He held her still so I could take a picture!

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Cuties.

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Indie and Rachel (our slowpokes.)

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So cute!

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Christopher couldn't wait.

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Penn said later that he was "sneaky like a fox" when he ate the apple.

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"How 'bout this one, mom?"

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This should be in a magazine somewhere.

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An old school firetruck.

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Group photo time!

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Hannah, Rachel, Christopher, Keves, Penn and Indie.

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Neat!

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The kids adored this mini-mannequin lady.

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Neat old newspaper.

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Old typewriter.

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Keves, munching on a snack.

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Karis! Penn says, "Her eyes are as big as lollipops!" (A quote from the Beatrix Potter story "Benjamin Bunny.")

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Keves is checking out the lady.

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Indie said she was a princess mermaid.

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Playing an old timey piano.

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Penn wants to dance.

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DSC02735.JPG 2010-09-07

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Woah there buddy!

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Kevey moves too fast!

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The kids are still playing.

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Indie and Rachel.

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Love this!

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Christopher wants a turn.

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Another cute one.

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Playing outside on one of the twin hills?

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Twin Hill Ranch apple farm in Sebastopol, CA - THE END!

camping 2010

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A dirty little Christopher and his princess plate.

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Keves was all manly and turned his plate upside down, so Indie copied.

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What an awesome birthday camping trip party!

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Kenzi got to wear a sash and the kids got goodie bags.

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Really peaceful, family-focused campground. Lovin' the "God light."

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Check out our youngest camper, Karis, just chillin' and enjoying the view!

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Christopher was loving on her.

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Aww, big bro and little sis!

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Who wears a tutu camping? Indie Marie, that's who.

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Cupcake goatee! Yeah!

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Trying to blow on a (non) noisemaker.

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So funny.

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Little buds, eating S'mores together.

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Christopher knows how to do it!

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Messy s'mores faces!

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A whole day has transpired, because I lost my camera in the depths of the tent.

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Here's our girl, finally catching some zzz's after a day at the river.

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She and Buster were pooped!

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The other kids watched a movie while Indie slept.

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Dan made them a little nest in the back of the truck!

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Penn was thrilled.

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Berenstein Bears....zombies...

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Keves was sorta done after a bit. He looks like a sad little puppy here.

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Pretty campsite.

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Looking up from the fire.

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Wow!

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Love it.

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Getting ready to take a group photo.

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Here are the "setting up" pictures.

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Great idea and a miraculous feat, but we pulled it off.

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Almost there...

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Okay, get ready kids!

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Cheeeeeese!

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Great job campers!

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Painting "pet rocks" on Saturday before dinner.

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He did that all by himself! I was super impressed.

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Cute.

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Kenzi made a "Buster" rock.

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Keves made a sleeping Elmo rock (I think!)

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Who knows what's going on here.

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But it kept them relatively quiet for 10 minutes or so.

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Sitting in Kenzi's lap by the fire.

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Running back to the camp site from the bathrooms.

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Indie follows.

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Dan did group exercises with the kids.

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Touching toes, jumping jacks, etc.

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And lots and lots of swinging around!

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These are all wild and blurry but I kinda like 'em.

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Crazy kids!

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Pink princess.

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I thought Indie and Kevey were about to brawl over the wagon.

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But they seem to have worked it out. (P.S. I love you cute campin' husband.)

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More trees...

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Mama got bum-rushed.

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Light stick bracelets, woo-hoo!

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I have no idea how that chair is still alive.

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He was AMAZING on this trip. So proud of him.

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She was.....herself. ;)

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Light stick show!

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I think this was Dan.

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My pics didn't turn out so great, but Bern's show was one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

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The fire...our last night.

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The ride home. Taking a break on the side of the road so Penn wouldn't puke again. THE END!

Early August 2010, So Co Fair, etc.

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At the Sonoma County Fair!

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Indie got to ride a kitty cat on the carousel.

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Penn has been waiting to ride that dragon for a YEAR!

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A bug ride.

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We were so jazzed...their first "real" fair ride.

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Hi nerds!

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Their first "real" carnival game!

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LAME!

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But I liked Penn's "flair" when he threw the balls.

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And the carnie lady was really nice and let them both have a prize anyway.

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Cutie pies.

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See the flair?

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Riding a lame hand train...

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I hate to say it, but the 3 carnies we spoke with really all DID have bad teeth...

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She didn't want to ride by herself!

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Ridiculous.

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Ridonkulous!

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Thanks honey.

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Snack time!

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AHHHHHHHHH!

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Payback.

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Taking a break at a fountain.

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I'm fine with this.

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It doesn't cost us any tickets!

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She held that monkey all day until the last ride, when she lost it!

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I love these kiddos...

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Drive me nuts they may, adorable they are.

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Yoda mom...

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"Cold and splashy!"

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Our third annual photo booth excursion! I want to own one of these.

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Inside the free giant-sized Candyland tent! He's checking out all the old games.

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It was pretty cool!

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And did I mention free?

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It's sad when you're looking around all sneaky, like, "Were we supposed to pay to get in here?"

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So she got to dress up like a fairy.

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And once she put those wings on, they were never coming off again...

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Seriously.

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And I took like 400 pictures of it, which only shows I'm probably just as obsessed as she is.

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Pretty princess fairy girl!

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I can't help it, okay?!

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Uggh.

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They also had tables filled with different building toys. Dan had fun, too. :)

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She made a friend with this older princess.

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They were just sittin' around, being princesses.

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This scene looks way calm, but it was...well...frenzied...and awkward...and grossly fascinating. It made my boobs hurt.

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Although this guy was pretty cute. Buster the Pig!

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Dan, watching two goats fight.

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We caught a horse race! Also free!

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Woo-hoo! I picked #1.

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Yeah! A beer! We're SO COOL!

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Nice, nice day.

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There they go! #1 got smoked.

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I'm not sure what's going on here.

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SPLASH DOGS! We love Splash Dogs.

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It always makes me get a little misty-eyed, for some reason.

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Ridiculous, considering how much my own dog drives me nuts.

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And now, I present to you, a BAZILLION photos of Indie riding a pony named Cinnamon.

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SERIOUSLY?!

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She was absolutely fearless.

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I couldn't get over it.

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Penn was never like this. He would've been so cautious and calculating and serious.

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She was having a great time!

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She said, at one point, "Mom, I wide Cinnamon! Go Cinnamon, go!"

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Dan has video of all this.

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Ponytails.

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They tried to make her put on a cowboy hat for a photo but she was too busy telling them "Cinnamon has to go potty."

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Love.

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Okay, so Dan tried to win that grody (totally used and worn by a carnie, you could tell!) Mike Vick jersey!

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Getting overwhelmed now...

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This just cracked me up. And they charged WAY more tickets for it! It was just the octopus!

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The Wacky Worm, hopefully not the same one that chopped off the fingers of that carnie in Pleasanton.

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Penn put the bar down before I could sit next to him, so I had to ride behind.

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But I love any and all roller coasters. Can you tell? I'm having more fun than any of them.

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The last ride...

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A Blues Clues rip off.

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And we are done being ripped off!

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Dan was trying to get her to smile.

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There we go!

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Missing naps...wooooo!

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Winding down in the sand pit...goodbye Fair, see you next year!

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Baby shower cake, repeat design

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I just went through the motions on this one.

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Lemon buttermilk cake with lemon curd buttercream

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I even flavored the fondant lemon, but you couldn't tell.

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Those shoes were rough. I rushed it.

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Oh well. THE END!

Most of July 2010

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She looks like a poker player.

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Doing a puzzle, actually.

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Super serious girl!

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CHEESE!

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Gotta get one of him, too! Smart boy.

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Going to pick up Aunt Kris and Uncle Rodd from the airport!

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He was so cute, holding our dorky sign.

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There's the big plane they flew on, all the way from Sydney!

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Waiting...waiting...waiting...

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They're here! YAY!

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On our way back to the car.

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Eating s'mores on their first night here.

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PJ's first ever!

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Needless to say, he loved it.

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Enjoying a cool evening around the (very smoky) fire pit! The Aussie looks shifty.

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Listening to cousin Craig play some geetar.

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Cool! But he needs to get that node looked at. ;)

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We had a super nice time with Kris, Rodd, Craig & Annette that night. Lagunitas Brewery FTW!

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Guitar + s'mores = awesomeness.

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On a special trip w/ Aunt Kris & Uncle Rodd to Fairyland in Oakland.

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A cool whale you can go down inside.

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Indie was momentarily TERRIFIED.

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Riding a giraffe.

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Wheee! A cool slide.

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What's next?!

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See that adorable little boy in there, riding all by himself?

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PJ's first ferris wheel ride!

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What a big boy.

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Looking at bunnies with Aunt Kris.

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Flower chairs. I love Kris's & Penn's matching smiles.

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The kids are still talking about these chairs, weeks later.

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Pretty flower girl.

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Loved that light.

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"Look at all these dragon seats, mom!"

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He's the little head walking up the ramp on the right there...got scared and came back down though.

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Cool Alice card maze.

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The dragon slide that Penn chickened out on.

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Flying monkey boy!

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An Alice-themed tunnel.

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There she is, playing a little flamingo croquet w/ the queen.

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The card maze from the other side.

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Indie and Aunt Kris

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Penn and Aunt Kris rode the Jolly Trolley (though Penn still calls it the "Golly Trolley") together.

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Yay, that was fun!

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Checking out the old Western town.

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Hi mom!

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"Wook at me!"

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Going down another slide...

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...wheeee!

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Riding these crazy horse things.

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Looking at the Jolly Trolley going under our bridge. (Kris had the exact same hair when she was little, btw...)

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See, there it goes...

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A carousel, sized just right for Penn.

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Super cute!

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I couldn't go on it with him, so he got to ride all by himself, like a big boy!

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Wish I had one of these in my back yard...

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Way to go, Penn!

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A pirate ship...

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They loved exploring.

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King of the world. *snort*

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A little pig. ;)

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Silly Uncle Rodd!

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Another pirate ship, this one in the sand.

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Penn climbed all the way to the top.

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A fairy tunnel!

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This was my favorite. Crazy musical toys, etc.

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And SPARKLES!

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Love this photo.

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She whispered exclamations a lot. It was cute. :)

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Climbing yet another pirate-like structure.

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The gates.

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The entrance. What fun! $7 per kid, rides included, lots to see and do.

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The park where Fairyland lives.

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Our friends gave us this crazy sidewalk painting kit.

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Although I wondered if they were really our "friends" after this... ;)

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Messy, messy fun!

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It was daddy's idea to do this out front. Mmm-hmm, way to go honey.

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She loved it.

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Yuck!

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Washed away pretty easily, so it's all good.

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What are we gonna do about that hair!

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Needs professional help, I think.

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Washing off.

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I think he looks like SUCH a big boy here! Just watchin' the tube.

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Pacman cupcakes! Ripped off the internet, made with a friend for a company picnic. Handcut fondant. She won!

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On our way to Lake Berryessa. Carbo family mini-vacation!

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Near Napa. Anything near Napa is beautiful, in case you didn't know.

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Crappy car shot, but wow, that water is a pretty turquoise.

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Cousin Craig's boat.

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Matt explains to Penn that nobody's ever gotten hurt on his boat. Shut up, Matt! :)

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Markley's Cove, where we set out.

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Thinking...thinking...thinking...

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Awww, cute puppy!

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Daddy and his girl.

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She's a California princess, for sure.

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Up front to check out the view.

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She had the cutest expression on her face.

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Like, "Wow! I love everything."

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And they did love it, that's for sure.

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I just love those dry yellow hills against the blue sky and water.

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The boys.

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Thinking...thinking...thinking some more...

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Stopping off for a little swim.

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Indie almost drowned Dan.

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But look how sweet and proud her expression is? Sheesh.

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Not sure about all this, but he's doing okay.

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Hmm.

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me and the girl.

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What am I thinking about????

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There's a deer on the beach toward the right...

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Requisite mommy/baby toe picture.

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Except my polish is all chipped.

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But I love these anyway. Clubby feet and legs run in my fam. ;)

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Parachuters/Steve the neighbor getting ready to wakeboard.

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Just enjoying the view.

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An eagles nest! (GO BIRDS!)

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Look at the air Matt was getting! He's awesome.

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Cousin Matt, doin' his thang

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Watching cousin Matt (Penn said, "He was the best.")

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Daddy's gonna give it a shot.

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GO DAD!

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Thumbs-up, we know you can do it!

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He was smiling the whole time.

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I love that man.

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They weren't sure about this.

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What is our dad DOING out there?!

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Well, at least we still have mom. ;)

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CRASH!

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If you zoom in, the expression on his face is THE FUNNIEST I'VE EVER SEEN. ever.

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So funny.

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I can't stop laughing. It's out of love though, I swear.

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He did awesome! Got up just fine, though eventually kept hitting crazy wake and crashing.

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Go honey!

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Woo-hoo!

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Two words: white. lightning. ;)

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Now cousin Craig shows off.

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He was pretty good!

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So serious.

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Penn was getting sleeeeeepy.

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Cool dude.

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Such a beautiful lake!

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Starting to doze...sooon...

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Us, being pensive

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Go Craig!

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A pointy mountain. :)

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Sleepy Indie!

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She slept for about 20 minutes. He kissed her when she woke up. :)

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Cuddling with mama.

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Fried DAD

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His belly button is just perfect for holding grapes. ;)

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Hello there...how are you...

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Officer Carbo is telling you...you have the right to remain SCHMEXY. :)

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Oh gorgeousness.

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She was trying to count my teeth.

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Counting "teef"

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Still counting...

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Cheese!

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Getting ready to head in soon. What a long day!

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But first...Penn and dad do a little tubing!

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PJ was so brave!

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He loved it.

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Even had cousin Craig pull them for a few minutes.

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Though that didn't go so well, but...no biggie...

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Indie loved dangling her toes in the water.

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Sweet girl, we're never getting those tangles out.

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So proud of him anyway.

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Penn, daddy and Craig

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Going back and forth

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Lots and lots of sunscreen

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The day is winding down

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Penn leads us back to the boat ramp. THE END!

End of June/4th of July 2010

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We took a trip with a few other moms to Sacramento's Fairy Tale Town.

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Penn wanted to see everything as quickly as possible!

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The infamous shoe slide.

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Indie is not quite sure what to think about all this just yet.

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Penn had seen pictures online, so he was ready to rock!

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Climbing the somewhat steep and dangerous stairs...

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Here she comes!

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Love this pic of the two of them...

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Kenzi

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The two stooges

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Here comes TROUBLE!

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Weeeee!

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Lots of pictures of slides...

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Wild woman!

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Kevey and Penn

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There goes Trouble, down Owl's slide

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The line got backed up cause one kid was scared...

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There goes the Kenz

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Here comes miss thang

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Uggh, she hurts me

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Inside King Arthur's Castle, eating lunch at the "round table"

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Kat and Kevey

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He LOVED this...winding path

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Indie was SUPER cautious and held up a long line of people...she even crawled at one point!

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A beanstalk!

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Cute

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He loves the story of Jack & the Beanstalk, so this was cool

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Climbing the giant's foot

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Cinderella's carriage! Those horses were HOT

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Driving the pumpkin

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I. LOVE. THIS.

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Also this...

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And her smiling at him...

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Climbing around on "the little engine that could"

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He was thrilled!

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Wow, good climbing Penn!

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He sat there for a while.

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So pretty!

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Just hanging out.

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I love this little gal's expression! Like, "Who are you and why are you taking my picture?!"

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Penn is ready to get down

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Keves, thinkin' big thoughts

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Oh these two...

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Always ready for a photo op

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I like their matching feet here. :)

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Is Kenzi making a move or just trying to get down?

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Look at those eyes!

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Down the rabbit hole, a la Alice in Wonderland

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This slide was the scariest. thing. ever.

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He loved it...

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But just look at that thing! Terrifying fiberglass goose...

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Kenzi Gale

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The Tin Girl

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Couldn't get her to look at me...

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Watering plants in Mr. McGregor's Garden (Penn's favorite)

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Super cute!

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I loved how she was filling up her little pail all by herself!

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Again with these two!

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Some perty hydrangeas

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The pirate ship!

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It was SO hot by this point.

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That thing had no shade. Blazing!

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Look how sweaty he is!

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They kept pushing the button, over and over.

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Delirious from the heat.

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One last shot of the castle. Let's get outta here!

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It's safe to say she was worn out afterward. (Squishy sleepy face, my favorite!)

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Just a random day at the park by our house.

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Beautiful blue sky and brave kids, wandering away from me...

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Friday Night Movies at the Park in Petaluma - they sat through all of "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" - woo-hoo!

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Our little friend Alex got into the sunscreen during one playdate

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SURGERY DAY! Look at that Loopy Lou...he's all drugged up, was cracking us up!

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That boy is high as a kite!

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He only looks like he is...we were all so tired and nervous and crazed...

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The day after surgery, we got to welcome grandma & grandpa Carbo!

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Penn wanted to go for a long walk and bike ride, so we indulged him.

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He was so tired afterward.

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And that little stinker took total advantage of grandpa...made him carry her everywhere!

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The next day, we went to Howarth Park.

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Penn was fresh off the previous night's trip to the emergency room.

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He was vaguely smiling every now and then.

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Still not quite back to normal.

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We had our annual 4th of July party on the 3rd this year! (Aren't those girls pretty and patriotic!)

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The Velasco's brought their big pool and Penn was finally smiling! (He and Kenzi totally look like siblings here!)

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Squirt gun time!

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She didn't want to get in, at first...

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But it just looked like so much fun!

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Penn's neck was still pretty stiff, as you can see here...

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Oh these two!

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She is definitely a grandpa's girl.

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Sweet girls!

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Playing Dan A's yard game...it's addictive.

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Our yard kinda sucks.

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My Philly guy and Gavin

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Lacey played in there all by herself, so sweet

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Happy little gal

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The kids watched movies in Penn's room later.

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It got pretty destroyed, but at least they were quiet!

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Reading the Declaration of Independence (Buster tries to kill me with his laser eyes...)

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Our dessert spread...you know how we roll at Casa Carbo...

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Sleepy girl

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Peas in a pod

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Playing on the tire swing at the park by our house

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Finally, some real smiles from my boy!

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He was definitely feeling better. Finally!

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Love those kids

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Kissing daddy

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Grandpa and his best pal Buster

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Riding the goofy dolphin

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Too cool for school

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Seriously?!

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It was such a nice day

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Grandpa Carbo is silly!

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It's safe to say he had a great time at the park, too!

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There he is going down the pole

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Helping Penn climb the slide

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Taking Princess Indie down the slide

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A little sand fun before we took off.

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Buster Brown!

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I love this one...

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Me and my dumpster diver

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I still love him...fine line though...

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These kids CRACK me up! At daddy's softball game

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Who knew that thing was so much fun?

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They look like little American Gladiators

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A cake I did for my friend Adria's brother's graduation from Fresno State University.

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The bulldog was money...(handcut fondant)

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Everything else was...meh. I am not showing pictures of the rest of my horrible fondant job (Duff brand SUCKS!)

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But you can see (some of the more minor - !!!) wrinkles and stuff on the bottom for yourself. Uggh, it made me so sad. That banner went on the front and there were a few other fondant decorations on the sides.

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The "morning after" - I was soooooo tired! Happy birthday to me!

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Breakfast with the gooney birds

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Woah, speaking of gooney birds!

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HA!

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Wendy's kids meal toy...big hit...

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That "saxazoo" he's playing? Not so much. Want to destroy that thing. THE END!

Garbericks' June Visit, Yosemite, etc.

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Headed to Chowchilla, CA, to meet up with the Garbericks!

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Buster's preferred place to sleep is somewhere between my leg and the shifter.

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Finally, they sleep!

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At the hotel in beautiful CHOWCHILLA. (Dan kept saying it w/ a George W. Bush accent. It was ANNOYING.)

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Awwww!

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He prefers Penn, but he'll hold his little niece's hand when she needs it.

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A silly carousel at the one grocery store in CHOWCHILLA.

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Happy boy...

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Happy girl...

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....serious boy?! Yep, there's Penn.

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That's Yosemite, waaaaay off in the distance!

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Not even in the park yet, and I can't resist the urge to take pictures from the car (a pet peeve of mine!)

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But those cliffs ("clifts" as Penn calls them) were amazing!

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Sierra National Forest...beautiful.

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Yosemite, meet Buster.

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Buster, meet Yosemite.

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Dog + open car window = pure joy!

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He LOVES Yosemite.

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Penn says the river was his favorite part! Lots of melting snow, so it was raging, for sure.

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Going through the Arch Rock tunnel entrance.

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Penn's 2nd favorite part of the trip.

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It was insanely beautiful.

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Majestic grandeur...all those words people say and you're like, "nah, really?" REALLY.

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Taking a pee break somewhere in the park.

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Baby girl gets left behind by the boys a lot.

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CLASSIC Penn Carbo!!!!!

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Joey tries to cheer him up.

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Indie latches on...

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Are they cute or what?

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A little stretch...

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Indie girl checks out the mantanas.

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Gorgeous day.

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Some pictures don't do it justice...

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Some almost do...that sky was that blue and those clouds were that fluffy and awesome...

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Buster heads up with the guys to get a close view of Bridalveil Falls.

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Indie and I couldn't go any further.....it was too wet and cold for us princesses!

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They seemed to have enjoyed it.

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Thought that was a lens flare...nope...water!

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Oops.

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The waterfalls were really gushing.

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The boys.

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Bridalveil Falls.

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*sigh*

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Some trees where we stopped to picnic

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I feel appropriately small.

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Cooler chaffeur!

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Everybody's way past naptime now.

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Seriously....seriously?! Seriously!

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Just to prove that the sky was real...there are the boys...

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Can you see the smile on Buster's face? Dan let him loose and was promptly made to regret it. (See video later...)

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The light kept changing b/c of the clouds...each photo is a little different.

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Neato!

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So pretty.

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There were climbers up there

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Yosemite Falls. Incredible.

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In. Cred. I. Ble.

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I mean, for real!

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Somebody got in an accident and we were sitting in traffic, staring at this.

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Not a bad place to be stuck.

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The video of this almost does it justice.

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Powerful imagery.

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I'd like to go hiking up and around and in there.

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Just for the midwesterners.

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Dan took this from the car...it's one of my favorite photos ever!

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Loopy Lou's and Lucy.

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More...

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Dan took this...I said, "Ah-REALLY-Wahnee Hotel...NOW!" Everybody was starting to drive me crazy.

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Putting on a smile, pretending I'm not tired and murderously grumpy.

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Nerd alert!

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Sweet boy.

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Hi Joe! (He was our crazy tour guide for the day.) ;)

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Goodbye Half Dome!

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At IHOP, where kids eat free after 4 pm right now. HALLELUJAH!

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She just picked the chocolate chips off her pancake. STINKER.

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Hollywood!

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She's awake here...barely. (Love this one.)

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He's in a daze.

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Chocolate-chip-pancake-and-pinwheel-induced hallucinations.

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Oh! There she goes. Out.

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Nigh-nigh, Indie!

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Pigeon-toed princess.

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We went to an air museum on the way home.

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Penn loves planes.

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It was HUGE though!

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And like, 85 degrees at 10 am.

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I loved the graphics on the sides of the planes.

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Air traffic control here...

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...I think we should gooo....THAT way!

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Indie noticed the teeth and took off running!

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"Reading" some plaque

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It's getting really hot!

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We think this is the same model of the planes cousin Jim worked on.

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A cute little guy.

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Poor dude's feet were done.

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Poor daddy's carrying 40 lbs. of solid boy there.

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I love the sultry lady on the plane in the background!

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Miss Thang works on her tan.

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Penn's like, "I hope that thing doesn't start up!"

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Castle Air Museum, 6/12/2010

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At the library, waiting for the Garbericks to return from Reno

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I took this series both to remember our favorite library...

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...and also to preserve for eternity how well they were playing together!

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Seriously, I didn't have to move a muscle or say a thing for like, 10 whole minutes.

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They were just in this little symbiotic sibling dance... (I love her here.)

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Here she is jumping, copying him.

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GAH.

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Look out Penn!

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He's on the other side of that thing, you just can't see him.

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She takes off...

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...and for once, HE'S following!

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Pretending they're driving a boat!

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So cute, I had to move in a little closer.

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Follow the leader.

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He jumps, she jumps.

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Sweet kids.

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Today, at least!

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"Cheese mommy! I wide da tuhtle!"

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Now she's all shy in her new bathing suit.

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The boys had a great time in the sprinkler.

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Her profile is unmistakably mine as a little girl.

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But she still has a lot of her daddy, too!

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Checking out grandma's nail polish.

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Still not going in there, she says.

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Penn just lets it nail him!

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Love you baby girl!

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Showing off for Uncle Joey.

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Silly goosers!

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Hanging out at McDonald's before daddy's softball game.

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Oh Indie Marie. ;)

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The boys.

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Thinking about daddy hitting a home run...

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Secrets...

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Running the bases!

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Oh Keves.

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Cute gals in their tutus.

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So precious!

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I can't believe Penn didn't knock them both down.

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Just working on chugging his goldfish/dirt mixture.

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That's my tiny mom, about to go pee in the bushes!

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Getting down and dirty at Bolinas Beach.

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Cheese!

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This is my beach of the moment.

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Mom's all done!

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Mom and Joe look for beach treasures.

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A kids' surf class is going on there to the left.

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Rock on, little bro!

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Sweet girl keeps finding "treasures," but they're mostly broken shells.

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Look how long her ponytail's getting!

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Thinking big thoughts.

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Those pants are hand-me-downs and I think they're EXCELLENT.

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He says they're his surfer dude beach shorts.

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I love the depth of field in this!

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Boys go looking for the sea lion we kept seeing.

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Indie follows.

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Then they all come running back.

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Cute.

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Making a tug boat or a moat or somethin'!

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Grammy and Indie went for a walk.

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Sweet girls.

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Dance party (or something.)

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She was getting LOOPY.

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Aww.

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Proof: Dan is a bad, bad man. (She didn't drink any...) ;)

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Our last day together...quick touristy visit to the Embarcadero and Pier 39.

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Checking out the sea lions.

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Stinky!

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You can't not take a pic, even if you've seen them 80 times.

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Fascinating.

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Riding the carousel! She's finally not afraid again!

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He was thrilled to ride on the upper deck on a blue dolphin.

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Joey, showboatin'.

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Riding a panda bear

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At the Kellogg boys' birthday party

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The most killer pirate birthday party EVER! ARRRR!

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Keith dressed up as a pirate.

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He had a really good pirate voice!

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There was a treasure map and all sorts of fun. (Penn wasn't scared of him, but wouldn't go on the hunt.)

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DJ, one of the birthday boys, there on the right.

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About to go hunt for some treasure

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Cupcake time! How cute are Keith and Ruta's shirts?!

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My makeshift cupcake tower.

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The gold nugget gum sorta looked like poop...

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I also did fondant and gum paste decorations, chocolate coins and rock candy.

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Many ideas from the internet!

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I think these were directly inspired by Blue Cupcake, a co. in LA.

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Nothing but cupcakes for dinner, aww yeah.

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Indie has a sweet tooth even bigger than Penn's, I fear.

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My favorite picture ever! I love seeing the guests and the birthday boy enjoying their special treats.

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Dan gets attacked by a group of rogues.

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I love Penn, just standing there. He did eventually come to the rescue. ;) THE END!

early june 2010

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Penn and his new "favorite" friend, Wes.

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Wes handles the awkwardness of Penn's adoration well.

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Kenzi and little Billy Dee

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The Jalapeno Princess!

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Running the bases...

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Kenzi and Indie

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Always the caboose...

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Somebody's got a bat...cringe...

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Gettin' dusty!

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Okay, time to go kids...

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Meanwhile, Kev is not leaving his position at home plate.

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There's work to be done!

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Umm, hello? Jalapeno mascot here? So. Cute.

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Little buds.

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The other Hessel team. Even though we know most of 'em, I was a little scared.

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Don't they look super tough?

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Trying to get Miss Thang to go.

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Rockin' her new princess bathing suit from Grandma.

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Just a typical weekend around here... (Ha!)

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She is too cool for the pool

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He was freezing.

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Didn't want to get out though.

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Super pumped to rock these at the pool w/ uncle Joey this week!

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Party poopers.

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We call that her Pooh Bear Belly

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Dan said she needs to work on her beach bod. I punched him.

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I think she's perfect!

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If a little bit stinkery.

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*sigh*

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Okay, just a few more!

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I couldn't help it...she's definitely "wonder weekin'"

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Talking more, doing more, thinking more...

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He's just a goober, like always. :)

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Cherry slab pie I made for church. Yum! THE END.

Memorial Day 2010

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Little potty buddies! She actually peed.

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Little cartoon buddies...Buster loves his princess.

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Playtime buddies!

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She loves her bubby.

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Trying to recreate a similar photo of Penn from last year...

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Helen Putnam Regional Park in Petaluma.

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Hikers later told us they were seeing snakes all over.

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We just saw lots of lizards and birds.

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Waiting for dad and the slowpoke.

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Indie was not in the mood for a hike.

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Penn wasn't either! They're a little easier when they're younger.

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Buster came along, too.

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Here they come...finally! (Still a lot of green in those hills. We had a rainy May, much more than usual.)

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Miss Thang, wanting to be carried the whole way.

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It was a little warm.

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Vein Head! Ahhh! (I love how she was holding my hand though.)

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View of Petaluma from near one of the outlooks.

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P-town.

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Daddy hiked quite a while like this.

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I made it about a half mile with that water bottle knocking me in the head; then I made her get down.

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We rested in the shade of these trees.

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Hello down there!

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Love this view.

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Love this county.

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At one of the best bbq's EVER!

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Our kids played happily for like, 6 hours. I barely saw them.

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Umm, Dan had fun, too.

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Seriously?! He looks SO. HAPPY. I *love* this photo forever and ever amen.

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Here goes Bern!

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If you zoom in, he looks about 6 years old here, too! Costco cars make boys happy.

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On the way home...Tooger tries not to pass out.

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No dice. You're done, honey!

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He was just GRUMPAY. THE END!

Mid-May 2010, Michelle's shower, etc.

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Indie said, "I sweeeeeming!"

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Snug bugs.

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All clean!

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Sweet babies.

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Daddy had the camera a lot this weekend!

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He kept sneaking in during the hockey game and snapping pics of me.

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This was for a baby shower for a friend from church. That is apparently powdered sugar on my heed.

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Two tiers, top was strawberry shortcake and bottom was chocolate w/ chocolate "crunch" buttercream. (The "crunch" was a tasty accident!)

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I had made all the fondant and gumpaste decorations ahead, so assembly was a lot simpler.

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It still took me around 8 hours on Friday night to get it all put together and decorated.

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I couldn't get the fondant perfect on the top tier, so I accentuated some ripples! It ended up looking sort of pillowy, which I liked.

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Getting messy!

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Stacked.

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My sous chef Dan made all those beautiful fondant balls! :)

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A little quilt for the top.

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Thanks a lot honey (my fingers look gross!)

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I went a little nuts with this.

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I couldn't stop though.

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The cuteness just kept pouring forth.

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View from the top.

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Some of the little clothes (they were sparkly.)

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The grass is piped royal icing.

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Everything else is fondant.

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I was certain those would all fall off on the drive to church! Stick shift + country roads = EEEK.

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The decorations at the shower...continuation of the clothesline theme.

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All assembled!

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The food table, which I took a photo of cause I'm a dork like that.

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The gift table, with messages on a...you guessed it...clothesline! (I know.)

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The guest of honor, Michelle, and my buddy Kat.

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Such sweet things to say -- Michelle is beloved to many!

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The back...

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360 degrees...

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The shoes, rattle and binky were all gumpaste, which dries hard.

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The guests. I love Hessel showers...we all pass around the gifts and look and touch and ooh and ahh!

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Hannah Lynch was our gift fairy.

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Ashley, Michelle and Kat

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Sweetest ever!

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This was at our cousin Shannon's graduation party...I look this pic for my mother-in-law, but I can't remember why!

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Sickies...

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Mommy is about to join them. THE END!

Early May 2010

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Hanging out with our buddies at the campground outside of Petaluma.

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Penn and Emma

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The kids were all pretty respectful of the fire.

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Looking at birds or the moon or something.

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Our babysitter Katy loves to do Indie's hair.

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Indie seems to enjoy it too.

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Goober dee doo

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I love Buster, just waiting patiently for Emma to spill her snacks.

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The boys

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Wish this would've been in focus!

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NOOOODDDE

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Anyway...

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My girl.

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It was chilly! P.S. Yes, our friends bought a Jayco!

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Hot dogs and goldfish! Yum.

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What fun!

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Indie and Emma can find fun in almost anything.

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Like playing peekaboo between the trunks of these trees.

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They were squealing and giggling like it was the most hilarious thing ever.

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Watching movies inside the camper.

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Actually, Dora....

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Buster snoops for leftovers.

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Waaaay past bedtime!

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Sometimes they're like twins!

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Cake balls for Jillian's bridal shower...

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One morning there were seven birds in our backyard at once.

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SEVEN! AHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

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We took an impromptu trip to Train Town in Sonoma one weekday.

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Indie wasn't so sure about the carousel.

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Penn chose a horse that didn't move.

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Oh well.

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There she goes, aaalllmost having fun.

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I took like 40 pictures of him, trying to get a smile.

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Not yet...

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Still nothin'...

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Hello Penn...

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Anything?

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Yeah! There we go!

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Indie loved this little car.

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Rockin' some hand-me-down overalls from big brother.

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Hillbilly baby girl.

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Yeehaw!

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My little train nerd.

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At a car show we stumbled on in Petaluma.

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Daddy and Indie, or, as we call her, "Hollywood."

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She never takes those glasses off.

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This one was super cool! An old Mercury.

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Cool old Petaluma police car. I think it was in American Graffiti?

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Some of the interiors on these puppies were sick!

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Neat old Studebaker.

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Another rad interior that matched the exterior.

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At the park by Dan's office

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They managed to smile for two seconds, but right after that, he elbowed her in the face.

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80% of their time together is spent in conflict, but the other 20% can almost be pleasant.

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Painting time!

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She is my little artist.

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She could draw and paint for hours, I think.

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He gets bored with it somewhat quickly.

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This was a good day though.

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Just playing around w/ the camera.

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Fun.

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So serious.

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He's allowed to wear that Oakland A's shirt, since the franchise originated in Philly.

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She was telling me to take a bite of the paint.

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Umm, that hair is an exact replica of my sister's, circa 1985.

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I love how she holds her paintbrush!

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Listening to a fire truck.

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Left-handed today...tomorrow...?

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Cutie patootie.

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What a cheeseball!

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Love those eyebrows.

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And that freckle head.

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Buster...

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Ahh, there he is. Wishing someone would play with him! Poor guy.

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At the Discovery Museum, our new favorite place EVER...

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This time with some pals from church.

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There's the Kenz and Indie

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Kenzi was yelling, "Cheeeeeese!"

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Hi girls!

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The cap'n

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I liked him wearing this shirt; easier to spot in a crowd.

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Seriously? I. Love. This. Picture.

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He actually braved this "tree tunnel"

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Yeah buddy!

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Friends inspire bravery, especially certain female friends...

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He and Kenzi scaled those stairs so quickly!

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I could barely catch them!

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Awwwwww.....

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A neat curvy tree at the top of the hill.

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Doodlebug tries to catch up with the big kids. She looks so purposeful here.

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Sitting in a canoe

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Cheese!

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Kevey and Penn, playing in the fish river

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That's Indie back there, hanging out with some random strangers, as she is prone to do.

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Christopher and Keves.

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Rachel and Kevey

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Love that stinker smile! (Indie saw this and said, "Dere's Wachel!")

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Noel. I love that kid!

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Christopher and Indie in one of the kiddie exhibits inside.

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They make a cute little couple.

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Gettin' past naptime here...

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Noel was so fast, all my pics of him were blurred!

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The Saturday before Mother's Day, we took the ferry to the city.

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Let's roll, Carbo's!

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It was a fun trip, but definitely a once-a-year thing!

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We got the idea from our friends the Kelloggs.

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She was wild. (That's her toy "Mousie" inside her jacket there.)

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We went inside...the wind was cold!

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Hollywood...

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Love those crooked little eyes.

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The boys.

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The girls.

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We went to the farmer's market at the Ferry Building for a few hours, then headed back.

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The kids were WILD.

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But it was fun.

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They loved this crazy little girl at the ferry terminal.

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Bye bye city!

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Love SF...

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My handsome guys.

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The Bay Bridge in the background.

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Was trying to get some perspective.

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Stinkerpot.

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Oh seriously.

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I was trying to get all artsy...there's the GG bridge and some sailboats.

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At our friend Emma's house, a few days before she moved. :(

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We miss you, Emma!

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The girls really were/are good buddies.

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They were wrestling or something, here.

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Emma's last day in Petaluma! :(

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We were unprepared, and Indie didn't have any pants on.

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At least we got her to lose that headband.

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*sigh*

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Oh sweet girls.

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Copycats.

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Indie says, "You get drink?"

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Smooches.

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I love their little expressions here.

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Saddest thing ever!

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Saying goodbye...

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One last wave!

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WE MISS YOU, A.C.E.!

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Her little hand... :(

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Sad papa, making a sandwich with a toddler sized Cars hat on.

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The kids tried to perk up with a game of dress-up.

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It got out of control! Finally, Penn enjoys IMAGINING things.

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He is a fisherman cowboy superhero.

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Indie is a kitty cat princess of some sort.

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Uhhhh....

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:)

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Silly guys.

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That smile! Killin' me.

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Pirate princess cheerleader.

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On that note... THE END!

mid-april 2010, discovery museum

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Our first trip to the Bay Area Discovery Museum (finally!)

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Penn and his buddy, Darius (ages 3 and 4, respectively, but they look more like 5 and 7!)

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Indie checks out the GG bridge from where we are in Sausalito.

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It's about time we checked this place out.

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Awesome play area.

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Sunken ships and buried treasure...

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Beautiful Bay view, ocean air, etc.

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She was a little overwhelmed at first, wouldn't let go of that puppy!

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Ruta helps Darius and Indie dig for treasure! (There are pennies in there!)

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Penn, checking out a plastic crab from one of the "rivers"

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Indie got into the digging.

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This boat was cool.

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I was SO proud of him for braving that ladder. It went up fairly high and I could tell he was scared.

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But DJ was up ahead of him, and that definitely helped.

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It's good to have a guy like DJ to look up to! (Har, har...)

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He looks a LOT like my uncle David as a kid. Weird, I know.

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The boys, hanging out and enjoying the view of the bridge.

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Then I think Penn realized how high he was, and back down he came.

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This was so cool! You can make the metal fish skeleton move with that crank to the right.

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These were neat too - frogs you can make "croak" with the wooden cylinders.

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She liked it a lot.

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Very "sensory"

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A few little lovebirds check out this nest...

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I loved how they were so mystified by it. (I was, too!)

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This dude came along and it was like they were all saying, "Where are we?!"

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What it was...I didn't have a chance to read up on how they did it...

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A cool spiderweb trampoline thingie.

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Snack time!

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Inside one of the buildings that houses a rotating exhibit.

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This one was all about nature.

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Very hands-on, friendly to bigger kids and toddlers alike.

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A cave with flashlights.

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Indie and Alex attempt to put together an ant.

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Outside at the "Tot Spot" where getting soaking wet is where it's at.

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Aren't those aprons cute?

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They had a BLAST with those fish.

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And I think the water was somewhat tranquilizing...

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She got splashed a lot but still had fun.

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The "river"

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Penn walked his fish all around

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I love this picture.

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He was always tentative at first, but really warmed quickly to each new activity.

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A room with a big long train table, of course!

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But also another boat, and here's Alex, trying to get his bro to buy some seafood. I love this pic!

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Three stooges

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A tunnel went under everything and Indie went through twice like such a big girl.

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A crank that raised a basket of plastic crabs

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Isn't that cool?

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Extending her snack time a bit

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Another view of the bridge, cause I can never resist.

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Another neat building full of more water activities.

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This was all about currents.

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I loved that he built this "boat" all by himself!

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Then it totally didn't stay upright. You can see the confusion written all over his face.

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She was really into this wind tunnel.

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I like this series too.

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Happy girl. THE END!

Indie's 2nd birthday, Easter 2010

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We had this falcon-like bird who visited the tree out back for a few weeks. I'm scared of birds. I kept my eye on him!

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Wearing his Thomas engineer hat backwards...he looks a little like a chef?!

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Wearing her Happy Meal box as a Viking hat.

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Thanks McDonald's, for the greasy french fry hair that accompanied this particular marketing campaign.

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Aww whatever, she's cute and I didn't care.

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Indie's 2nd birthday party was fairy-themed. We had 5 boys and 3 girls there. OOPS!

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The boys didn't seem to mind.

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Our (not-much-longer) neighbors, Cathrine & Emma. :(

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Mommy and the beautiful Birthday Girl!

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Mommy copped out and made cupcakes this year...no huge cake!

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The number "2" candle got smooshed down in there, but you get the drift.

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Tinkerbell party time!

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She was so serious.

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Blew out the candle and everything.

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Happy 2nd Birthday, Indie!

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What a pretty birthday girl.

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Seriously? Does this hurt your heart like it does ours? Look at her little chubby hands holding that cupcake. GAH.

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Penn and his gal pal, Princess Kenzi.

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Three blonde boys, enjoying their cupcakes.

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There's Christopher and Alex.

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Then Keves...

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...the world's slooooowwwwest eater. He is thinking deep thoughts about that cupcake.

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Alex! His daddy works with Dan. I love this picture of him SO MUCH.

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There's Alex's brother, Darius (DJ).

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She's getting worried about all the frosting.

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Okay mom...

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...are you gonna wipe me off now, or what?!

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Nobody bothers to wipe her off...

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Ahh well.

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Two little cupcakes!

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Buster cleans up after Indie. Get her face, too, Buster!

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The dads are discussing something intelligent, to be sure.

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Kids are working out their sugar buzzes.

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Playing at the train table as the party winds down.

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It was a fun day!

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Indie and Emma check out their goodie bags.

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Indie called it her purse!

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I love fat little Buster in the background...

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Is that color pretty on her or what?

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She is not a baby anymore. :(

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Awww, sweet girl.

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Emma says cheeeeese!

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Getting her Tinkerbell ponytail holder put in by mommy.

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Indie looks curious...

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A goodbye hug!

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Opening up a few family presents now. (Penn got some puzzles.)

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What will it be?

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My Little Pony unicorn?! Awesome!

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Wow! Mommy likes this present a lot, too! A MLP car...sweeeeet (although we're not sure how a horse drives a car?)

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Ummm....someone reeeeally likes to feed Indie's new baby doll...

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It's maybe a little disturbing...

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...but we'll go with it. He's learning to nurture. Or something.

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Meanwhile, Indie's "mousie" (as she calls it) waits in her stroller. It's a creepy, life-like hamster toy she is absolutely in love with.

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Naptime kids!

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Someone's getting sleepy...

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I was trying to get a picture of her Tinkerbell stick-on earrings.

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See?

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Oh beautiful girl.

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It's time for bed!

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We finally took down the snowflakes and put up butterflies!

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Easter Sunday at church - Indie went to the "big girl" room!

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It was rainy and cold and yucky outside.

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Hurry up dad! We wanna go hoooome!

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She wore those bracelets all day!

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SO CUTE.

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She loves wearing dresses.

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She also loves stealing mommy's shoes. This picture cracks me up!

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She also loves wearing her new bathing suit over her clothes. (Thanks Grandma Susie!)

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Doesn't she look huge?!

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At her friend Christopher's birthday party...crying on the train! A first.

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She was too scared to ride the carousel, too. There's cutie Christopher!

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Penn had a great time.

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Blurry pic of the Velascos in the sleigh. Go Kevey!

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There goes Christopher again!

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It was hard to take pics...I was holding a shivering, petrified Indie and sticking my arm through a fence!

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The coolest train cake!

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If he looks like he's shaking, it's cause he is. SUGAR!

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She ate all the candy off, didn't touch the cake.

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What a fun party!

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Kenzi and Kevey

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Carbo kids

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A rainbow after another rainy Sunday and dinner with our best buds. THE END!

Feb-March 2010

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Doesn't look like it outside, but it was another rainy day...

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We had a few weeks' straight of rain, it seemed like.

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Playing with play-doh. Nicely! No fighting!

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Big win.

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Mom: 1, Kids: 42

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She pretty much chose that entire outfit.

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If she finds jewelry or hair accessories laying around, you HAVE to put them on her.

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....or else!

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She's not as cross-eyed as these pics make her look, I swear.

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Yes, yes, yes, I know, he needs a haircut.

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He got one, about a week after this was taken.

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Life's too short not to feed your kids mini-cupcakes every now and then.

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Frosting faces make me happy.

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He's very serious about his mini-cupcakes.

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There we go! Sugar's kickin' in.

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My sweet cupcake, in human form.

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She's letting me put her hair in ponytails now!

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It is the joy of my existence.

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California dog - he LOVES the sun! That dog is crazy.

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Lazy bones...

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Twins.

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She's such a copycat!

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Penn's rocking the Al Bundy, I see.

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This is how I found her one morning.

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I realize that's a lot of junk in her bed, but she just...accumulates things.

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She set up that pillow and was reading Corduroy like it was no big deal.

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I guess the fence means they aren't wild, but who knows!

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Gobble, gobble, gobble...

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Beautiful spring days are finally here!

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We are chalking up every piece of cement within a 50-yard radius of the house.

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Chalky baby girl butt.

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Although she won't be my baby much longer...2 is here soon!

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She is a full-body chalk artist. Check these out...

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I love those feet!

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He was being antisocial. (Yeah, I definitely need to clean that door!)

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She really gets into it.

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Nice use of color, Ind.

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Those feet...gah. Those feet!

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Stinker.

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We really got some mileage out of that shirt.

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Still going...

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Jumping like a frog!

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I asked if she was a girl or frog. She said FROG, MOM!

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Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit...

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He is SUCH a goober sometimes.

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He was in love with his dump truck for a day.

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Seriously, it went everywhere with him.

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He's like, "Oh, I forgot my dump truck."

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Down the slide it goes!

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Indie is too cool for this stuff.

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Meanwhile, Weirdo and his dump truck fly a plane.

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I think there was another imaginary pilot, but I can't be sure...

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Still going...

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I was tired just watching him.

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Finally, he puts it in the sand, where I originally intended it to go.

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Yeah, $1 Target sunglasses!

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She wears hers eeeevvvverywhere.

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I need to buy a few backup pairs.

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Penn stole Adam's Eagles hat!

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I did a double-take when I saw this...a coupon ad with a faux Penn on the front! He saw it and said, "Mom, how did I get in that thing?!" I'm like, "Exactly dude. I dunno." THE END.

Mid-February 2010

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We Skyped with Grandma Carbo after all the big snowstorms were over.

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Look at all that snow! Almost as tall as Grandma!

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Penn and Indie thought these blooms falling from the trees in Petaluma were snow.

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They got all excited.

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I had to break the news and tell him they were just flowers.

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He took it well.

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Not sure what to do about all that hair.

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Let it grow? Cut it short?

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We're in limbo.

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Meanwhile, this one...

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...she's just a wild little flower child.

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Beautiful day!

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Giggling at her silly bubby.

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He wants to make sure she's safe.

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She doesn't take kindly to boys (or anyone, really) trying to tell her what to do.

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But they manage alright.

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Cute.

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A new park we found near our house.

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Lots of new nice sidewalks and picnic tables.

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Pretty trees and nice views.

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Wild woman.

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Telling her what to do still.

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She does her own thing.

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Stinker!

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Gettin' so big...

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There she goes.

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My babies are all growed's up.

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I was in the kitchen one evening and suddenly things got all quiet in the living room.

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I came out and found these two, waiting for daddy to get home.

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They were whispering and plotting as Buster looked on.

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It was pretty stinking cute, so I helped them out and opened the windows.

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Is he here yet?

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He's coming soon!

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Indie can hardly wait!

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She's preparing for her own screams of joy.

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He's HERE!

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This is what happens.

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The next day, Indie let me do her toes.

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Umm, my life is now complete.

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She loves to take off her socks and say "pretty toes!"

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Then she'll put on dress shoes with her pj's. Love that girl. THE END.

Early February 10

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Rain, rain...

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Eating pancakes on the couch?

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It's so green here!

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Looks like spring already.

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How is this possibly the only pic I took when they were here? SO. SAD!

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This keeps them occupied for chunks of time...

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Usually quietly, too, which is always good.

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Look, they don't even notice that I've MOVED.

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Umm, excuse me...

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Someone is a mischievous stinker.

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Then there's this gooney bird.

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Wearing dad's shoes on the wrong feet!

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We went to work one Saturday with Dan.

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I don't know how he got anything done with us monkeying around.

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Indie drew all over some paper, herself and an empty desk for a while.

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Then we went to work on the windows.

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This actually ate up a good chunk of time. (Is she cute or what?!)

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Just dry erase markers, so no biggie.

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DSC00534.JPG 2010-02-06

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Thinking something sneaky...

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Being handsome.

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Giving me his "nice" smile.

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Awww, there it is.

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A mural of the Carbo family.

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Wish you could've seen it, it was funny and included a fat, grumpy Buster.

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Disgruntled Dan.

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Snack time!

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Spacing out...

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Indie is still going.

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Maybe he should take Penn in with him more often...

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Her favorite shoes.

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I think this pretty much describes Indie.

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On a playdate at the fire station!

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Dan actually took the kids while I was at the doctor's.

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Since I wasn't there, it's hard to write captions. (Hi Nodey! Nice to see you.)

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Looks like they had fun!

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Lots of people there.

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DSC00567.JPG 2010-02-09

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DSC00568.JPG 2010-02-09

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I love this one...he likes to be right up front.

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DSC00570.JPG 2010-02-09

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Indie checking out some gear...

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The line to get on the fire truck (I think)

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Cool, they got to spray the hose!

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So much for water conservation...we got enough rain we don't have to worry about it anymore?

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Penn was pumped!

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I can't believe he was brave enough to do it.

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Kinda looks like he's holding a light saber.

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Nice photograph, dad!

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DSC00579.JPG 2010-02-09

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Yay Penn!

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And yay Gold Ridge Fire Station. THE END!

Mid-January 10

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Weirdest dog ever.

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Dress up time!

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Cowboy Penn and Princess Indie.

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His boots were on the wrong feet.

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I'm not supposed to let these see the light of day...

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Dan was wearing my high school Powder Puff Football jersey!

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Football Star Mommy and Cowboy Penn

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Penn and Mackenzie at the library

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Hard to get them both to smile at the same time.

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Kenzi is the, uhh, older woman in Penn's life. :)

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Getting ready to go to a friend's wedding.

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Natalie Cooper

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-20100

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Natalie and Brandon, 1-16-2010

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Weirdest dog ever.

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Cowboy Penn and Princess Indie.

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Dress up time!

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His boots were on the wrong feet.

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I'm not supposed to let these see the light of day...

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Dan was wearing my high school Powder Puff Football jersey!

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Football Star Mommy and Cowboy Penn

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Penn and Mackenzie at the library

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Hard to get them both to smile at the same time.

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Kenzi is the, uhh, older woman in Penn's life. :)

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Getting ready to go to a friend's wedding.

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Natalie Cooper

Early Jan. 2010

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Penn likes to take the lead. Heh heh.

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This kept them occupied for 5 whole minutes.

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And all I had to do was follow and take pictures!

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A winner, in my book.

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Indie, being Indie.

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Best Christmas present ever!

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Playdate with the Velascos at Kids Party Central in Santa Rosa.

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Indie had a B-L-A-S-T.

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Penn did too, but in his own comfortable little bubble of security: the ball pit.

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I shudder to think what sorts of germs are floating around in there with them.

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Indie's first solo climb up a wall! Go Indie!

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In the bouncehouse with Kevey and Kenzi.

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It was Crazy Time! Capital C to tha T!

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Kenzi did a lot more running and squealing than jumping.

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Indie and Kevey did a lot more falling.

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It was HI-larious.

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(Penn did not go in, in case you're wondering.)

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Kevey GOLD! Love it.

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She is such a daredevil.

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Climbing a huge inflatable slide.

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It was FAST! I went down with her the first time (you know me and slides.)

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So this is her 3rd or 4th time now...

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Here comes sideways Kevey!

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Back at the ball pit.... :D

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Swimming with his sissy.

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Her 436th time, it felt like...

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You can't see her, but she's the one slowing all these big boys down!

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Really getting the hang of it now. Wild woman!

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TIRED girl!

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A little cake we whipped up for Dan for his 31st birthday. The dominoes are not edible! :)

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Penn helped with the decorating, although I take full credit for those crappy scrolls. Just messin' around.

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We've been stuck in the fog in Petaluma, but it clears up to the south of us sometimes.

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This is on the way to Novato to watch the Eagles game with the Kelloggs.

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Beautiful sunset. This doesn't do that sky justice.

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Crumby Eagles cheerleader.

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Tired boy.

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The fog coming in behind us...

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Go Birds!

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Aren't they cute?

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Alex is between Indie and Penn in age.

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Cheeeeeese!

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Darius is the oldest. Here the boys are, "fishing."

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Kissing her #1 fan.

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Seriously?!

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They really do play well together.

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I think the staggered ages helps.

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They're all close together in age, but not too close.

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My family will be noticing now how much Darius looks like my uncle David when he was a kid.

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The end of a long night. Bummer the Eagles lost. There's always next year. THE END!

New Year's 09-10

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I am obsessed with putting her in pigtails.

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This was the 3rd time she let me do it.

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She was sad and tired though.

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Baby New Year's!

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As usual, they had no idea what was going on. (You'll see we dropped the ball at 7:10 pm.)

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But there was a shiny ball and bubbles! It was all good.

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They hadn't seen neighbor Emma in several weeks.

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"Catch it! Catch it!"

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New camera...I keep putting my finger over the flash, hence the weird shadows!

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Crazy time!

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More bubbles.

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How pathetic that this is the only photo I managed to take during our New Year's Day party! I love how Caelen K. set these dolls up.

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Oh wait, this was New Year's Day evening...with the Kellogg Family (Dan works with the dad, Keith.)

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Darius, Penn, Indie and Alex all play really well together.

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Brushing her teeth.

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Sometimes I just take lots of random photos of them doing mundane things.

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Sorry!

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But she's a cute little stinker.

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So serious! Think he has daddy's nose? ;) I think it's statuesque.

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Admiring herself.

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Reading books with daddy.

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I just love how clean and kempt they are...

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...and Dan is all wild and rugged. ;)

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I love their expressions here.

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Meanwhile...Buster tries to blend in with the carpet.

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THE END!

Christmas 2009

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First picture with the new camera. An upside-down pear tart, fresh out of the oven.

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The camera has a "gourmet" setting, but I think it made this look a little gross! However, it was SUPER yummy. (Can't beat Harry & David's pears! Thanks, Ma & Pa Carbo!)

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It also has a "smile detection" that we were playing around with, hence Dan's goofy expression.

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...and Penn's.

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The Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.

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The steam made this picture look a little spooky! Fun.

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Some aquatic plants that the kids enjoyed.

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Penn said these were "rainbow plants." (There were stained glass windows above.)

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He was very excited about the train exhibit!

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They built San Francisco landmarks with found objects, like AT&T Park, here.

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Indie was totally overwhelmed.

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Penn had a blast! Here he is checking out the Thomas train.

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Row houses made out of cereal boxes, among other things.

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The Transamerica Pyramid.

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He was PUMPED.

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Lombard Street.

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The Golden Gate Bridge had tiny little cars moving on it. Penn loved that.

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Another view with the Conservatory in the foreground.

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The Ferry Building. I loved the Scrabble letters, corks, dinnerware, etc.

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Closeup of the tower. Those are keyboard keys!

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I thought they maybe spelled something, but it looks like they're random.

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I think this is the opera building or something? On Van Ness?

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They even had fog rolling in!

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It was a bit chilly outside. Indie was tired and cold.

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Beautiful day, though.

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And a beautiful place.

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Love how bright the colors are.

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A creepy tunnel we walked through.

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The bridge on the way home, simply because I think you should take a photo every time you cross it!

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The truffles Buster unwrapped and *almost* got into!

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Kenzi helped me test the "smile detection" feature some more.

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Kevey and his corn dogs. Although he calls them "Costco pizza." I love this pic!

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Princess Kenzi!

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The smile detection loved her!

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One more!

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It had a harder time with Kevey. He moved more.

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Waiting patiently for Dindie and Penn to come over.

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There she is! The wild woman.

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Playing it cool.

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Things got crazy. I was technically babysitting, but my family crashed the gig.

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Kevey is keeping an eye on Buster.

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I love this pic too! It looks like those broken glasses are Indie's basketball safety goggles. She's a BALLAH.

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Getting ready to go for a nighttime tour of our neighborhood.

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There is a crazy display of Christmas lights just a few doors down from our house.

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The kids lurve it.

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Ferris wheel, Mickey Mouse merry-go-round-in-a-snowglobe, train, etc.

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Careful, she's trying to dazzle you...

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...then she will hit you with a.....STINKER SMILE!

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There it is again, the next morning, directed toward her dad now.

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This was his "sweet smile" - supposedly.

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Playing at the park with dad. Yay for staycay!

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She is watching Penn's every move.

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My little cheesesteak.

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She looks so blonde, I know!

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Carefully going down the slide.

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The candlelit carol singing at our church, outside, on Christmas eve.

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It was really nice, although cold, and we couldn't actually hear any of the carols from where we stood on the outskirts.

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This picture makes me laugh!

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We had dinner with the Velascos and let the kids go crazy.

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They were putting the little kids under the "parachute."

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I like how blurry these are...it illustrates just how fast those bozos move!

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Finally - CHRISTMAS MORNING!

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Santa came! Indie, look in your stocking!

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Penn was totally surprised.

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Indie was still tired. Daddy woke her up early!

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The (used) train table "Santa" got for Penn...from Craigslist. Such a savvy shopper, that Santa!

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He was so excited!

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Indie loves trains, too, of course. (She has no choice.)

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No snow....but there is some frost out there. See the windows of the truck?

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They had mostly matching things in their stockings.

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He was quite thrilled with the batteries in his.

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Indie got some jewelry!

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She kills me.

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I love this picture. Dan kept moving so fast, trying to keep the place clean.

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Underwear! Nerds. :)

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And now the craziness begins.

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Sodor Bay Bridge - wow!

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Princess Indie looks on.

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I think her dress is technically pajamas, but who knows.

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Getting Penn's new Hess race car from Grandma & Grandpa Carbo set up. Dan always got these when he was a boy.

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Indie is playing with her new flying Tinkerbell in the foreground. (We now call it "Broccoli-bell" because she got pretty messy at dinner last night.)

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A new bike! Wow! Thanks Grandma Susie! (Indie likes it a LOT too.)

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Pushing Tinkerbell in her new stroller.

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He likes the helmet more than anything.

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Tomboy princess.

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Cutie.

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Indie is all decked out in her Christmas dress now.

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She knows how to rock the sparkles.

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Playing at cousin Marcia & Jim's house in Walnut Creek.

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Everyone loves that little bus.

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These are the photos Annette took.

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Jim and Bret Fisherkeller.

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Indie and Penn love cousin Shannon!

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Matt, Marcia and Shannon Fisherkeller. (For my family, Marcia is Dan's mother Linda's 1st cousin.)

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Shannon and Craig (I think I can drop the Fisherkeller!)

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Baby girl being wild.

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I don't remember this being taken or why I have Indie in a death grip. I swear that was just sparkling cider in the last picture.

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Shannon in front of the stockings.

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I don't have a lot of pictures of me with my kids (taken by other people, of course!) So this one makes me feel old for some reason.

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Annette and Princess Indie. (What a great picture!)

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The Carbos

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Playing with more presents

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The kids, making a mess.

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The infamous block train

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Matt, Jim and Shannon

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Matt and Craig

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Me and Dan. This pic makes me wanna chop my hair off, just fyi! :)

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I love this one!

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Ok, back to my pics now. Cousin Craig is a super hero!

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Princess Indie.

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Dan and Penn played Monopoly with cousins Sophia and Matt.

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It didn't end well.

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At the end of the night, the kids were pooped.

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The next morning, they helped daddy make his banana pancakes.

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I love this one!

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Penn is wearing his "Handy Manning" jersey, as he calls it.

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Indie is being so careful.

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Getting ready to go for his first bike ride.

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And Indie's first official trike ride with her new (hand-me-down) Thomas helmet!

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What a stinker!

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Here come the boys!

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Uggh, he is getting so big.

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I can't believe he even fits on that thing.

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She can *almost* pedal on her own.

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That one leg is just a little shorter than the other!

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Coming up the driveway with dad!

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I love that you can see Penn's reflection.

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Watching football with dad.

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He was happy.

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Touchdown!

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Indie is a natural lounger. She will be a handful in high school! THE END.

Mid-december 09

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Here are mommy and Indie, recovering from vacation.

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Painting time!

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They are so serious about it.

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Princess Indie.

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Someone doesn't like dress-up!

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I thought she looked like a little Christmas elf...

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Dan says she looks like a KKK member!

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Whatever.

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I thought it was cute!

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Especially when she added those cowboy boots.

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Princess Cowgirl Elf?

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Somethin' like that.

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Penn took a photo of our Christmas tree. At least someone remembered!

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Indie had those same hazel eyes early on, but as you can see, hers have darkened somewhat.

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And another...

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Christmas Photo Shoot 2009, Take One. ACTION!

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Hmm.

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We need to discuss modesty with Miss Indie there.

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There, that's better.

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I love his face here!

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These were literally snapped one right after another...

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...just hoping we'd get at least one good one!

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I think we got a few, but adding Buster to the mix never helps matters.

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Getting there...

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Close. Look up, Indie!

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Yeah! That's close!

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Yes!

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Just putting these all up, in case the grandmas want any copies.

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Cause they're each a little cute in their own way.

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This was a winner.

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Buster was so good!

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Dan was doing his best to keep everyone corralled.

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I was all drugged up on narcotics and recovering from surgery, so that didn't help either!

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Watching daddy.

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Their faces. Oh, their sweet cheeks.

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Penn takes his modeling seriously.

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He needs some dress shoes!

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Yucky flash.

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And here come mom and dad. This one won, too, even though Buster took off.

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Where'd mom go?!

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This was okay. Wish Buster would've looked up, and that I looked less high.

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Not sure why Penn went all goonie.

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I think you can tell we've lost the kids, by this point.

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Then there was just this guy...

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My own Abercrombie model.

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Wouldn't this have been a hilarious Christmas card?!

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Timers on cameras are fun.

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We let Penn take a few of us.

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Cause we never have any photos of us!

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Sorry! Shield your eyes. ;)

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Tickling baby girl.

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Then striking a pose while she cries for him!

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He's a heartbreaker, that one.

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I just love how funny his toes look in all these!!!!! THE END.

Back at Home - early Dec. 09

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Two days later, Dan helped me make an awesome birthday cake for our good friends' little girl Caelen. (He's a little tired here.)

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Work in progress...

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My sculptures always turn out so chunky! Sorry Caelen.

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They never start out that way. It's all the other stuff I add to it that pushes it further down and makes it fatter. :(

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The number 3...my sis will say it's wormy.

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Bday plaque below my crappy "quilting" job.

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The almost finished product at the party at Jack & Jill's in Petaluma. Pretty good for 2 days' work!

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Indie loves that place!

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And she also loves babies.

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Caught in the act! Get away from them, you germy little princess.

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Penn loves dress up time, and he loves that green sparkly hat.

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Some fun video with this, too.

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They were playing "freeze dance" - cute!

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She loves to dress up, too, of course.

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Kenzi, Caelen (the bday girl), Abby, Riley and Penn.

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The finished cake.

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Whew! Vanilla butter cake filled with strawberry buttercream, frosted with white chocolate buttercream, top tier covered in fondant.

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Look how patiently Penn is waiting (he's about to burst into tears.)

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Caelen blows out the candles.

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We got our Christmas tree at Larsen's Tree Farm. Penn got to put on the star.

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It has a spring-like bottom and he said it was a "pogo-stick star."

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Daddy helps straighten it while Penn dangles.

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Trying to get a photo of him.

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He did a little decorating too.

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Hugging his sissy.

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A little smooch. THE END!

Indiana Trip 09 - Part III

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A funny magnet on my mom's fridge.

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Penn and Joey got to build a gingerbread house!

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It got a little, umm, sloppy.

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Because guess who was supervising? ;)

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Hmm.

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Penn ate more than he put on the house.

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But I guess that's what it's all about.

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Or something. Dan's not trying too hard either...

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Sugar shakes.........

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Getting ready for bed. Cutie patooties!

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One morning, Indie did not want to get up off the floor.

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It was hilarious.

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Sorry...she cracks me up!

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Playing outside. It's gettin' cold now!

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No snow, but still needed mittens.

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Swinging with dad.

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They had a lot of fun outside.

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Watching over his sis.

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Sweet baby girl.

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I love her little feet.

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Playing some more b-ball.

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He couldn't get enough.

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Indie was DONE.

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We got to go visit uncle Joey at school!

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Penn loved it. All the kids thought it was so cool that Joey is an uncle.

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Here are the boys, in the lunch line.

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Lunch was crazy and rushed and stressful. I had a balogna sandwich. It rocked.

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My brother tries to set up a photo of us and him and his wife.

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Here's my version! Supposedly his is better. ;)

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The moon on our last night.

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Daddy and Penn looked at it through "'noculars."

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Playing Candyland with cousin Isaiah.

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Sort of.

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Mason looks on.

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I'm not sure if they actually played or not.

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Then we had the craziest dance party.

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As you can see.

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Lots of sweating and jumping and running. Can't wait to see my mom's version of this one.

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Then Indie joins in.

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Then I got them all to look at me!

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Me, Buster and Lucy. He's lucky (and so is she) that I didn't leave him behind.

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Cousins takin' a bath together. Cause that's how we roll in Indiana. Ha!

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None of them would look at me at the same time.

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It was crazy.

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Isaiah is such a whitey! Love it.

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Washing Indie's hair.

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I'm surprised nobody was harmed during this.

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Indie was lookin' tired!

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She looks a lot like me when I was a kid, in this pic. It must be the messy hair. :)

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Come on, Penn, look up!

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There we go! Sort of.

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A little better...

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Ehh, I give up.

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Indie's got some molars she's trying to get at.

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This is my FAVORITE Isaiah expression, and I'm so glad I got a picture of it!

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Dropped his raisins.

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Happy Macy.

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He's going to be such a pretty boy...and probably look way different from his brother.

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Speaking of bros, here's mine and Isaiah.

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And right about now is when I had to start suppressing the water works...

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The trip back, we had fun on the people mover.

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These are funny if you click through them fast.

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Indie kept slowing people down.

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I left the camera hanging off the stroller and we saw a flash...this was the result. END OF PART III.

Indiana Trip 09 - Part II

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And so it begins...our 3 day trip to Indianapolis for the Marlowe Thanksgiving Reunion! This is our mess of a room.

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Joan Troyer starts off the skits with a Thanksgiving rap.

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This one was really funny...I wish I had some closeups of Lio in his swim cap!

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Cute.

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The whole group (this was "Un-synchronized Swimming," I believe.)

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Penn sat with grandma for a while.

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He really enjoyed all the musical skits.

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Indie...well, Indie was tired.

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She hung on as long as she could, though.

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Cousin Rachel, Aunt Jane and Grandma Carbo in a cute skit about Turducken.

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Dan cracks up his sister and mom in a surprising skit...

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He doesn't know it, but...

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...his sister is about to reveal that she's pregnant with her 2nd baby! Hooray! Congratulations, Laura, Lio and Mathis!

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Speaking of Mathis....here he is!

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He's basically as big as Penn.

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And looks a lot like both sides of his family.

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Watching his daddy talk.

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Playing with his cousin Penn.

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Penn is excited for his 4th 3rd birthday cake (actually for all the November birthdays.)

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At the pool in the hotel, Indie went CRAAAAAZY.

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She seriously didn't want Dan to hold her, and did her best to jump in on her own.

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She has no fear, that one.

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Penn, on the other hand, had a death grip on his dad once he finally did decide to get in.

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He still had fun though! And daddy got a great biceps workout. ;)

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Happy and tired baby girl, as taken by Ella English.

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Our friend Ella. Penn took this one!

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Then Ella took one of Penn.

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Then Indie of Ella...

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Then Ella took one of her dad telling her to put the camera down! This cracked me up.

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My BFF Mandy English reading stories to the kids. Can't believe this is the only photo of her that I took!

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The kids running down the hotel hallway.

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Then jumping by the elevator. And again, I can't believe this is all I got of them. :(

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Later that night, Grandpa rocked Mathis in the hotel lobby. I can't believe I didn't take more pics of Thanksgiving, either. It was all a little overwhelming, I guess! END OF PART II.

Indiana Trip 09 - Part I

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Cool girl, the day before our big trip.

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She's such a ham!

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If I take her picture, I have to take his.

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This is how Indie "helps" with laundry.

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They are so cute, but I was wondering how we would ever get packed in time.

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Hard to get them to both smile at the same time...

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Silly goosers.

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Our first day in Indiana and it was warm enough to shoot some hoops!

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The boys had a great time out there.

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Nice, sweetie.

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Penny never fakes the funk on a nasty dunk.

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I was gonna Photoshop this and crop Dan out, but didn't have time.

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Playing piano at cousin Isaiah's house.

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I remember similar photos of us at my cousin Jenny's, playing on a crazy electric organ.

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Sibs.

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You can imagine how this sounded.

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A little chaotic, but definitely cute.

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So I took like 40 pictures, of course.

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Just love their chubby little faces and hands on the keys.

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Indie goes crazy.

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Pudgy aunt Amy holding pudgy baby Mason.

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We are comfortable in our pudginess.

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Sweet sleepy baby. I love their smell...

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At aunt Deb's, playing in a new Cars tent!

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It folds up really small, too! Yay!

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My sister is screaming and covering her mouth right about now. (Her Cabbage Patch doll's horse! A classic.)

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My nephew Isaiah, busy in the kitchen.

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Indie, busy with her new baby doll.

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Penn is super excited about his second 3rd birthday party complete with Mickey Mouse cake!

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Getting to be a pro at blowing out the candles.

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Woo-hoo!

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And licking the icing off, too. Way to go, buddy!

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Uncle Ant watches Penn get the sugar shakes.

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The boy loves his cake.

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My aunt Deb is the best at spoiling little kids!

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They worked hard to destroy the house.

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Cousin Megan has her hands full!

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The three cousins play nicely for 2.3 seconds with a cool alphabet toy.

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I know. Are you kidding me? She kills me too.

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I believe this is Deb feeding the kids Pop Rocks. Or Sweet Tarts. Or something. ;)

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Playing "Ring Around the Rosie" with her brother!

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She "borrowed" Cindy's necklace for a little while.

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Sweeping and watching some tv.

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Checking grandma Cindy's teeth with a flashlight.

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Cowboy Penn.

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Feeding baby Mason his bottle.

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What a good little helper!

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Getting ready to ride a big boy bike.

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With training wheels, of course.

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But still...look at him go! That's a 16"! (p.s. The Colts jacket was a gift, along with a Manning jersey, yeah! Sorry to my PA family.) ;)

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This made me cry a little, I won't lie.

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There was a cold wind. Yeah, that's what it was.

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He's getting SO BIG!

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Stuff like this freaks me out.

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Indie just had to have a try on the little bike now, so grandpa had to adjust the seat.

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She didn't actually pedal.

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But still thought she was the shiz.

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There's a funny video that accompanies this...

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Penn's 3rd 3rd birthday party, on the actual day, this time!

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Elmo cake from the Essenhaus! Yay.

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Champion candle blower outer.

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I think those Amish girls mailed it in on the border there. ;)

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Indie loves cake, too.

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That night, Dan and I went to Chicago for our early anniversary gift to each other!

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We visited a few bakeries, then went to...

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...the Bears/Eagles game! YEAH! (That's Mike Vick on the left.)

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It was rad. New Soldier Field was...interesting.

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Here come the Birds!

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I love all those big fatties down there. Linemen are my fave.

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McNabb, doing some warmups.

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The pregame huddle.

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Giant inflatable bear tunnel.

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He's getting pumped!

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Here come the Eagles!

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And next up...the Bears.

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I have no idea what I was trying to get a picture of.

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Chicago knows how to do it right. Smoke, fireworks, crazy music, the whole 9.

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It was pretty incredible.

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I froze my BADONK off.

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Halfway through the 4th quarter, the Bears faithless were streaming out of there in droves! Shocking and disappointing.

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We hung tight to see the Eagles eek out an ugly win. Happy Anniversary, honey!

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The walk to the car. I don't think this does justice to how INSANE it was.

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The next week, we had dinner at my dad's. This is Cindy's super rad retro oven at the "new" house! I love all those buttons.

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Penn greatly appreciated that they busted out uncle Colfax's old train table!

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The three stooges again. Penn is giving Ant the thumbs-up!

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Funny how they all have different colored hair.

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Mason is thinking some big thoughts.

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Woah buddy! I think he looks like a baby Brian Urlacher or something.

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Reading bedtime stories later with uncle Joey.

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Cutest pic ever!

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We took Penn to the Railroad Museum in Elkhart. I liked this old photo.

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It was really cool! If you're ever in the area, I highly recommend it!

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He loved ringing this huge bell.

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Cool lifesized railroad crossing sign. I'd buy this for Penn if I could.

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Giant train...made out of toothpicks! Seriously. I wish I'd put something in it to show perspective. It was huge!

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Info...

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Penn and Indie got to "work on the railroad."

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Dan in front of some exhibit that I accused him of breaking. ;)

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What a cool place! Very kid friendly, lots of stools for them to stand on.

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We were literally the only ones there. It was awesome and well worth the $8 or whatever it cost.

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He was in heaven.

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I really loved this old photo.

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Another pretty lady.

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Another train table...another day...

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Huh. Sorry. I was being immature, but it honestly means something in train speak, I think. I need to Google it!

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Outside, Penn got to stand on a real engine!

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Cool.

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He was a little intimidated.

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He wanted to ride on these.

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It was hard to explain that they were just there for us to look at.

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"Keeping Indie safe."

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I need to frame this. She's such a little caboose.

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"Riding" in a passenger car with dad!

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Playing with the cousins again.

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Penn eventually warmed up to wearing winter gear...

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Some silly self-portraits Dan took of him and his girl

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I love how their expressions match in every picture.

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See? END OF PART I.

Halloween 09

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Our "art project" of the day (we use that phrase loosely around here) involved pipe cleaners.

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Indie loves wearing glasses.

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Good thing, because she may need them someday. Clumsy girl!

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If you haven't seen her in a while and you're wondering if she's as spunky as ever, I think this photo says it all! (She's actually laughing.)

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Except she was sick this day. Sick Indie is very UNspunky.

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Two little lost Starbucks cards are down there against the cabinet!

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Long story, but he didn't believe me that they might be there...I was right!

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I am always right. Almost. :) (p.s. How crazy does he look here, in his 16-year old t-shirt?)

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Buster, maxing and relaxing...

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...watching J-Roll get ready to steal a base...

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How can he be so cute and so annoying at the same time?

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See earlier comment about glasses. :)

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Indie the Monkey!

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We borrowed this from neighbor Emma. Is it the cutest, or what?

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Penn thought it was pretty funny.

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She wasn't so sure, at first.

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A little scared of this costume here, mom...

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Philly Dan, on the way to a bumpin', totally crazy Halloween party!

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Dan bet me that Penn wouldn't wear his train costume. Wrong again honey! :)

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I believe you owe me 10 bucks, Carbo...

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Miss Monkey again. (We kept getting her confused with Ginger, the dog in the background!)

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The Velascos try to, err, convince Keves to wear a Superman costume.

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Christopher was a cute little fireman.

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More monkey baby...

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Sorry, she was just killin' us in this!

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Monkey working.

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We had a lot of fun! There's Kenzi Elmo in the background.

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Checking out the equipment available at the Hembrees.

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Looks like Super Kevey and Indie were playing together nicely.

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They all did really well!

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Ahh, the sweet silence of kids eating. It only ever lasts about 3 seconds, but it's a nice 3 seconds...

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Getting ready to trick-or-treat!

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A quick pic by the door first...

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Super Kevey is ready to FLY this coop! Aren't our two Elmos cute? Indie is watching the big kids to see what to do next.

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A little chaotic.

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Got a few smiles though, just never all at once.

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Indie finally figured out she should turn around.

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"What should I do next, Kenzi?"

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Lots and lots of fun!

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The first house...

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Philly Dan and Monkey Baby cross the street.

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She was SO determined to do what the other kids were doing. She had no idea why or what it all meant, but she was FOCUSED, baby.

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Dan is still talking about it.

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I couldn't believe she was into it that much, either.

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Happy Velascos. (I was just blindly snapping pics in the dark, if you couldn't already tell.)

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Warm cookies from a known neighbor (or else I was all prepared to confiscate them, believe me.)

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Here comes the caboose!

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"Don't forget about meeeee!"

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The next day, Penn shows his displeasure at all this time change stuff.

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Now he's happy! We let him grab the camera and snap a few shots of his own.

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He did really well! Here's daddy...

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...and there's me, in my usual spot.

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And here's a funny baby, getting ready for her naps.

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Now daddy and Indie.

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And Indie WAS in this photo, but Penn took too long and she ran off. I'm gonna make it the cover of this album, cause we're coming up on 5 years and this will probably be the last photo of us for a while!

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Penn's feet.

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The hole he knocked in the wall once when he slammed the front door open. (It makes me laugh that he took a photo of it

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A messy little girl's room.

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The folding doors in front of the laundry closet. RIVETING, I know.

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And finally, his room. That was "The World According to Penn." You may be excused now.

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We let each kid have a lollipop Sunday afternoon. Indie was a pro.

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Penn is the sucker champ. Are all kids this crazy about sugar, or just mine? He goes all catatonic when he gets some.

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And suckers again, one last time, after they get their H1N1 shots.

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Suckers make everything better! YAY for shots! THE END.

Mid-October 09, whole lotta Indie

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So she lets me put things in her hair now. I take an average of 17 pictures every time I give her a new 'do.

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It's just so stinkin' cute!

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She's playing with all her barrettes and scrunchies, and talking to them.

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I can't remember what she was saying, but I know it was CUTE...

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Kills me.

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Relaxing with her "doh-gee."

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That's baby Korean for "Buster."

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She was actually being sweet and gentle with him for once.

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Couldn't get them both to look at me at the same time.

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He is outta here!

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And there he goes. I love how she doesn't even move.

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TV zombie baby.

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At the park. Another day, another pigtail.

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Wild girl!

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Dancing and jumping and screaming.

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Crazy static baby!

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Penn thought this was hilarious.

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Later in the week, Dan and I drove to the city to see a screening of "A Christmas Carol."

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There was a lady standing on top of that bus! Sit down crazy lady!

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Some ducks in a window.

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Dan and some guy he works with!

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This is the only other pic I have of the after-party, which was held at Medjool's in the Mission District. 3 levels of fun and a whole lotta HUMMUS! The rooftop had a great view of the city.

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Vanilla cupcakes with chocolate meringue buttercream.

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For our little neighbor Emma's 2nd birthday party.

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I wasn't thrilled with the way the fondant letters turned out...would've piped them in royal icing but didn't have time to make it. Not sure why I did a lowercase "e"...

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And those bones...well...I'm not sure the addition of a flower made them any less obscene...

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But the whole two dozen looked cute all together.

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So it's okay! The doggie cupcake was for Emma, and there were dog bone sugar cookies that I didn't have time to ice!

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I literally finished these about 2 minutes before we had to leave for the party.

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Our Eagles cheerleader enjoyed herself.

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She found Emma's Eagles bear and latched on.

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This outfit is actually an Emma hand-me-down. Too cute!

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I can't believe Indie fits in it now, and that Emma is a big 2-year old!

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She was laughing at Dan, who was huffing helium from the balloons.

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Contemplating whether or not she can eat that doggie.

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Cathrine told her the nose was candy...

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She eventually dug in and chowed down on the pup!

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PJ was SHAKING he was so ready for a cupcake. Should this concern me?

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YUM!

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The wreckage. I love it!

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I also love how her little legs were crossed here. Such a princess!

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Indie pushed this horse around for like an hour or something.

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She'd stop and check on it and say "Neigh! Awwww."

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There she goes!

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Sugar rush!

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Indie, Penn and Alicia's little girl Storm all laugh at Dan the Helium Man.

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He was singing "Happy Birthday." THE END!

Mid October 09, pumpkin patch, etc.

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She's chompin' broccoli...

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That's a meatball, holding a meatball.

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Stinker smile!

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Oooh! Super stinkery!

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And the stinkeriest of them all.

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She is ROTTEN.

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Sweet and rotten at the same time.

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Not sure how it's possible, but look at that face.

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Handsome man.

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And another handsome man. Was trying to get the two of them but she's speedy, that one.

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Mommy and Penn making some frosting together.

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Don't show the county these pictures!

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Breakin' the law...breakin' the law...

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He's a great helper though.

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I think pants are sometimes recommended when baking, though.

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Eh. Who needs pants?!

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Emma, Penn and Indie, painting one evening.

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Just with water, not real paint!

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Good job, Emma!

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The ever-serious little artiste.

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She can often be found in her room like this, "reading" by herself. I leave a little lamp on for her just for times like these.

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Pumpkin cake balls!

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The stems came next.

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Dan took these while I was massaging my cramped-up hand. Whew!

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Nothing like daddy's banana pancakes on a Saturday!

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Try and guess how many photos it takes to get a good one of the two of them...

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Almost...

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Not quite...

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Penn, come on now!

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Indie, look up!

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THERE you go! That was pretty good.

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He's suddenly realizing she's up here too...probably considering pushing her down...

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Cute.

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And cuter.

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At the pumpkin patch.

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Thought it was going to be cool. If 85 degrees is cool, then it was.

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We all had long sleeves on!

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Penn and a chicken.

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Penn and a cow!

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Penn, Emma and a cow. :)

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Indie wants to get bitten by a duck.

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Penn shocks me and actually pets a duck! Ducks are feathered and therefore frighten me.

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Emma pets a bunny rabbit.

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Penn tries out a hay maze.

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Go Cubbies!

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Bubble machine by the infamous shark slide.

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Emma riding a pony.

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Yay Emma!

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Hahahaha...get it?! Penn wouldn't join me in this photo though. :(

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Mr. Big Stuff.

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Indie trying to climb into the train.

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Get that outta your mouth baby girl!

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A classic Carbo family photo, featuring a screaming Penn. I'm just glad we didn't have to pay anyone for this one.

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What a mess!

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Woo-hoo!

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Daddy did the ghost, mommy did the Phillies' "P."

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Pretty cool!

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(As an aside, Penn chose that shirt...not me. It says "RE-CYCLEBOT 2.0." ?!?!)

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And I have no idea what Tooger has on. They look insane, don't they?

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Yeah Phillies!

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Indie, in her brother's hand-me-down doggie pajamas.

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She's getting too big for the buttons, so these will be gone soon...but they're warm and oh-so-cute. Can't help it.

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GAH. Seriously? She makes my chest hurt!

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Jumping like a wild woman on the jumper.

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And looking at herself in the mirror.

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Cutie patootie. THE END!

Early Oct 09, bluegrass, etc.

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Eating chocolate cupcakes at our buddy Cooper's birthday party.

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Parker and Penn went to the same daycare when they were MUCH smaller!

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Indie eats everything like this - like she's STARVING.

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The birthday boy sports a cool 'do!

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Wyatt and his brother Coopie have the prettiest blue eyes.

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Cupcake zombie!

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Umm, Indie...you, umm, have a little something on your, umm, face there darlin'...

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"Ooops! Guess I spilled on my dress..."

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"Oh well!"

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In case you're wondering if those thighs are thinning out...

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She had a little tummy bug a few weeks ago. Sick babies are so cute!

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Photo shoot with mommy.

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Thought she was gonna have daddy's eyes...guess not...

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Bluegrass time!

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LOTS of people there.

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Lots of QUESTIONABLE people there, as you can read from Penn's expression.

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Indie didn't care, she's friends with everybody.

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I think she and Penn were getting a little contact high. Hmm.

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"Is it over yet, mom?"

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The walk from the car and back was longer than our entire stay at the festival.

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Crazy binky-loving baby.

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Eatin' some snacks, jammin' a little.

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I think it's time for a wardrobe change, Ind...

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The stage. Some hippies.

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Attendance was over 70,000.

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Beautiful day for some free music.

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Did I mention that was just one stage of FIVE?

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On our walk back, Penn holds onto our pack mule.

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Somebody's getting tired...

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Pick your price and get a poem!

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Mommy wore flip-flops. This hill was FUN.

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"A byoooful waterfall!" Penn exclaimed.

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Some turtles lined up.

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He didn't want her to fall in the water, so he held her hand. And I took 400 pictures.

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I may tinker with one of these, and you grandparents may get a print for Christmas or something.

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Maybe. GAH, it was SO. CUTE.

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I want them to be best friends someday.

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Or at the least, I want him to protect her, and her to let him.

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And not the other way around!

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Cause even though he's bigger, he's not necessarily the brave one.

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He looks SO tall compared to her. He IS so tall!

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Just a few pics of the bridge on our way home.

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It's a pretty one.

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Penn likes bridge pics.

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One of my favorite views of the city on the way in/out.

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What a pretty place. Full of crazy people and corruption, but whatev.

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Penn's favorite...the freakin' rainbow tunnel.

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Back at the homestead, Ree wears her purple dress to church.

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She is so fast now.

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Can't catch her!

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Drawing pictures.

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Thinking about what color she wants next.

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So pretty!

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So careful.

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Brushing our teeth.

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He's such a gooney bird! Love him.

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Uh, these pj's hurt my heart they're so cute.

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Seriously.

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Daddy was playing peekaboo with her. THE END!

End of September 09

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Here's Buster, recovering from the broken toe. (He's fine now!)

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Because photographs of breakfast are so fascinating...?

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Trying to get a pic of her haircut.

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There's the back.

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She's such a little bug!

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Test packaging for my cake truffles

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Eh? Eh.

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Meh. I dunno.

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Trying to get their profiles for a little Christmas present project...

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I love their little faces!

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He was NOT in the mood to be "walked" by Indie.

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She is a stern taskmaster.

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She likes to put her head on him and say "nigh-nigh!" like he's a pillow.

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The kids love this.

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Buster hates us.

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Foggy day at the beach!

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Glad I brought layers.

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He was feeling VERY antisocial this day.

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Didn't want sister to get anywhere near him.

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She was lonely and bored.

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Mommy getting artsy...

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...fartsy...(although I do love this one.)

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He's so weird sometimes!

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Indie is curious...

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He pushes her down!

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She comes back to me for comforting.

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He is so mean to her sometimes!

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Luckily she doesn't really know any better.

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She leaves him be and focuses back on her sand dumpage.

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He didn't want a thing to do with us.

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Sand, drool and snot...PERFECT for your camera lens, I promise.

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The fog cleared every now and then and it would be warm.

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Silly baby.

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He actually wanted to go up close to the waves this time.

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The water was crazy. We talked with a surfer for a while, which Penn thought was TOTALLY GNARLY.

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The guy invited him to stand on his board but Penn chickened out. (I didn't get photos cause I was holding wild woman.)

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Meanwhile, a group of seagulls ransacked our blanket.

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Penn ran up to scare them away!

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What a brave protector.

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Indie, in the slightly-too-small dress that Aunt Kris knitted for her.

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Another shot of her pretty page boy cut. (And the cute star button on the back.)

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I promise she is not as cross-eyed as these pictures make her look!

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She is looking up at me. You just can't tell. (I always looked cross-eyed in my baby photos! So shut up.) :)

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Playing "hide and seek" - Indie style.

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She doesn't really get the part about staying hidden.

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I love that baby.

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Us.

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The three of us.

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Couldn't quite get it right.

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Sweet boy and girl.

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I love 'em.

Labor Day weekend 09

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Indie and her "bockpock." (Also carrying her brother's.)

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He was "whistling" to the horses - it was pretty funny.

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Wasn't too sure about this at first.

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A very unsure "Cheese!"

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Then he got into it. It was super slow, just his...err, speed.

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There's Riley!

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Hi Riley!

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Aww, sweet Maddie Dow - what a cute pic!

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Now we got a smile going!

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Riley is holding on tight.

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He was talking the whole time. Kept saying, "Hi mama! Hi mama! HI MAMA!" when he got to me.

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Indie Ree on the big girl swing.

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I want to eat her. I have to say this at least once per photo album. Sorry.

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Those shoes were very cute, but tore up the back of her heels. I felt terrible.

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Function over fashion, ladies! I should know better.

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She never complained, though. Stinker!

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Penn got an inadvertent Dallas Cowboys star painted on his face!

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Daddy was horrified.

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This hike started out so nicely!

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Bubby made sure his sissy could make it up the hill.

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We forgot our baby hiking backpack. Crucial mistake!

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Tiny lizard! Can you find him?

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Poor little hot potato. And I forgot a hat for her, too.

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Poor baby.

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The hills are lush and green in the WINTER. Nor Cal is weird. (And beautiful.)

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Short hike to the pond.

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Penn in the grass.

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He was talking the entire time. About what? Who knows...

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Boy on a mission.

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Stopping to take in the view.

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Yeah. This is pretty cool, he says.

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Tooger walked on her own for a bit.

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You know me and my shadow pics.

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Time for some stone-skippin'!

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Indie mostly threw sand.

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He reminds me SO much of my brothers, here.

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SO much. (I also got beaned with a rock a few times. Needs to work on his aim!)

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That tiny speck in the middle is an adult, hiking our path from earlier photos.

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Grumpy baby!

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Ahhhhhh. Now time for a picnic! This will cheer them up.

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He asks for pictures, then gets shy.

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Wax statue Penn. So beautiful!

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Her mood brightened once she had some "nocks" in her.

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Bubbles at our friend Emma's house.

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Beautiful baby.

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A boy and his dog. (Yeah, that toe is fine!)

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What's up with the underbite, baby?

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Catching bubbles.

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Frosting face mohawk man!

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Riding Emma's motorcycle.

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I love that he poses for me now!

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Hanging in the hammock with dad.

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The kids were getting grumpy, so daddy put on a light (sticks) show!

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You know how we love light sticks. And Adam has an endless supply!

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I love this...the upper left is Dan, the lower left is Penn and lower right is Emma.

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Dan and Penn.

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You crazy raver man. I love you.

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The best photo EVER. Following in his daddy's footsteps.

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Pushing around light stick babies.

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Emma was doing shapes but I missed it by a second.

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It's hard to focus in the dark!

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So cute! They're all workin' so hard.

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If it looks like total pandimonium, it's cause it WAS.

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Another cute one.

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She was very serious about making circles.

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These were taken on "night portrait" - the flash gets the person, then the aperture opens. The light trail is what happens after the flash.

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So it's like seeing the future. See how she's like, "Wonder if anybody will see me eat this?" and then eats it? (Don't worry, they're non-toxic. We checked!)

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Crazy boy.

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More craziness.

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He was sore the next day. :)

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Boys will be boys.

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That's for sure.

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Making Buster join in.

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Cathrine gets her rave on.

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We call this a "stinker smile" in the fam.

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Then the bubbles come out!

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Now it gets REALLY crazy.

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Our last day...Olompali State Park.

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Always wanted to go there. These were the old ranch barns.

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Reading signs. Penn kept saying, "Let's go, let's go!" Toddler talk for "BORRRRRING."

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We thought it was pretty cool.

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Indie was concerned about mountain lions.

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Actually, I was! The sign said to "keep your children close." YIKES!

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A very cool, very old hairy tree.

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Neat.

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Under a shady tree, you and me...

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Miwok Village. Look at that craggy tree there. Love it.

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I'm also pretty sure this whole place is haunted.

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It was super creepy. I felt like 'The Others' were watching us.

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Indie doesn't seem to mind.

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Dan gets in on some teepee action. I love him.

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Baby Girl wants to sit, too.

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He knows I love goofy photos like this.

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So Penn was on a red kick...red shirt, shorts, complete with red Santa socks. Hmm.

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Love those branches! Like God painted them right there with a huge Japanese calligraphy brush.

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Kids playing on haunted logs.

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Okay, I'm ready to get outta here.

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Two seconds earlier, I was retreating from a grassy area and talking about snakes. Then we saw this!

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If you see any ghosts inside this old adobe, don't tell me! THE END.

End of August 2009

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Pool party with Emma!

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The handsome host.

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Our darling guest.

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And this...the wild woman. (Look at them thighs! As if I have to point them out.)

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At the beach w/ daddy.

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Indie LOVES the water.

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She had so much fun!

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Penn? Not so much. He prefers the safety of the SAND.

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Walkin' with mama now.

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Mommy is about to grab me before I fall (AGAIN.)

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Thirsty baby!

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Yeah Phillies.

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What is that on my head??

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She has the olive of daddy's skin mixed with the yellow of mommy's.

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Little Italian Korean princess.

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SO pretty!

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95 in Petaluma that day, 75 at the beach.

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Indie was about to crash these people's picnic.

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I love the dad, keeping a watchful eye on this crazy child in the backpack.

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Note the MOUTHFUL of sand. Uggh!

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She "killed" all of Penn's trains.

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He was a little upset.

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Back at the homestead, Fire Engine Indie prepares for a day of work.

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What a cute little firefighter!

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(This is what happens when you take the binky out for a photo.)

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The pictures Penn took of all this are pretty funny. I'll have to get 'em off that camera soon and upload.

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Here comes the blue bed!

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He loves taking picktchas!

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The end of the bed folds down again so it can go even longer (when he grows more.)

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For now, he still has about a foot and a half to go before his feet will reach the end. (Yes, we are cheap, and are using queen size sheets on there...but he loves that color blue, too!)

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It's low to the ground, I love that the "headboard" is cushioned (when not folded down) and the guardrails are nice.

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"Welcome to my lair!"

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He calls it his "new room."

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The wall! Who knew our original nursery colors of blue, red and green would match his favorite trains so well?

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The little nook we created. Hopefully being tucked in the corner makes him feel secure, and not trapped!

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And...another view. Sorry.

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View to the door.

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He loves it.

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Indie's first popsicle.

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She decided to paint with it.

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She ate a little, too.

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So much for THAT outfit, huh!

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Look at that cute baby badonkadonk.

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Sorry, I was gettin' all artistic.

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Messy babies are just so cute.

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Hmm, she says, I seem to have dripped something on my skirt.

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Penn joins in on the action.

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What a mess!

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Chocolate goatee.

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Little did I know he was sitting there in pain!

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In hindsight, look at poor Buster's eyes! He's like, "Please don't let this kid hurt me."

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That back foot has a broken nail that's being pulled out as we speak. Poor Buster Brown. THE END!

jaclyn visit 8.20.09

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He was getting a little tired by this point, but I swear he was enjoying himself.

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At the beach!

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Sporting his gift from aunt Jaclyn. The cutest!

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Penn the engineer.

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Driving trains in the sand is our favorite.

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What else do you do at the beach?

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Jaclyn is a little black speck down there somewhere. The kids let me relax for quite a few minutes. AHH.

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Fog would roll in and then back out.

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Wild woman eyes a sandy pretzel. "Hmm, should I eat this?"

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*gulp*

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She is my real life Gummy Bear.

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What a goofy girl!

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I can't wait to see Jaclyn's pictures.

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Trying to wear Bubby's shoes.

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Trying to play like Bubby plays.

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She's a little copycat.

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The next day, daddy thought painting looked like such fun, so they gave it a shot.

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Indie ate paint and decorated her pajamas.

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Such a stinker!

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"Look how cute I am, dad!"

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Buster's nose even got painted.

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I am still cleaning up the mess from this, 3 days later.

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Is that little sand castle the cutest or what? (Thanks Jaclyn!)

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The back. (The mermaid is totally fat, I know! It was the easiest and most structurally sound way to do it.)

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The fish sorta sucked, but I stuck him on there anyway.

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I also would've liked the fondant to be more marbled, but it was too late to go back and make more.

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The octopus was supposed to be sitting on the bottom tier, but I made him too big.

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I know that looks like a baseball mitt, but it's supposed to be a clam. Use your imagination!

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The #7 got put on at the end, at the party, cause I was sure it'd break in transit. My sister says it looks like a sea worm. My sister is a turd.

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Hooray!

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ALL DONE. Time to party!

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Indie is wearing her brother's pajamas.

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Daddy reads "Corduroy."

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I can't believe Indie sat still.

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She usually only likes picture books.

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We make finger chewers in this family.

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Who says they don't look alike?

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Reading on her own now.

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I know I say this all the time, but she really does LOVE books.

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Colonel Armstrong tree.

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Wiping dirt off her hands.

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I like this one.

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They were saying the letters.

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Indie was mostly saying, "Eeee, oooooh, eeeeee, aahhhh, iiiiiiii..."

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She was hiking so carefully.

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Didn't want her to wipe out, so I carried her a while before we stuck her in the backpack.

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Mama's blonde bombshell.

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Giant Indie!

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Look out!

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Redwood baby.

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I think I take a picture of this tree everytime.

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I think of it as the balloon whisk tree. Love it!

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Jaclyn in a tree! This was all overexposed. Oops.

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Penn actually ventured into the entrance, but that's all the further he went.

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Bark.

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Tree. THE END!

mid august 2009

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I'd show him pictures of the kids every night after work and this is what he'd do at the end.

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Painting!

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It started to get a little wild.

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The pool was right there, so I just let them go for it.

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What's more fun than painting on yourself?

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She was very serious about it. I think she was waiting for me to tell her no!

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Calming.

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Nice way to prep for a NAP!

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I really liked the painting he made. Would've been nice if I'd given them better paper than used BAGS!

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Umm, smile little girl?

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Love those chunky legs.

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He got crazy.

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Indie needed to move.

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I love how delicately she always pushes that button.

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Smiley face mommy made.

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Lovely.

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Happy Tooger.

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That's supposed to be Thomas or Henry, I guess.

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Glop!

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Another weird self portrait of Dan after a 15-hour day. Tired man.

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Homemade zucchini cupcakes with cream cheese buttercream and royal icing Elmos.

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For Kenzi V's 4th Birthday!

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Dan helped. Some had googly eyes.

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The party.

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Lots of crazy pool action.

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I like how Penn is such a loner.

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Indie's not sure about the water today.

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Playing with her papa.

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They didn't see each other much that week, so it was fun to have this morning together.

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Daddy's girl.

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Wild baby.

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Pinching and scratching.

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Getting tired...

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It's cupcake time!

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Kenzi blows out her birthday candles.

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Penn didn't want to eat anything but a cupcake. (And remind me to check whether that thing on his back is just a rib poking out or another stinkin' lymph node...!)

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The vultures swoop in. :)

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Pillow time with dad!

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He likes to throw them.

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They like to be thrown. Win-win.

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I love this picture. THE END.

Petaluma Quilt Show August 09

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This one was my favorite...the gradated colors and the hand quilting were exquisite.

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This one CRACKED. ME. UP. Little tumbling Amish people!

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A lot of people looking at this one could not get over how "quaint" it was. HA!

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We took a smoothie break at Fruit-In-Motion in downtown Petaluma.

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Indie became the new official greeter.

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Anybody who came in got a big grin, and then she'd run away to hide behind my leg.

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So cute.

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She was trying to get these on her face the whole way home.

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Figured it out! She was SO proud of herself.

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God I love her.

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Beautiful baby. THE END!

SoCo Fair, August 1, 2009

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So I took about 40 pictures of my kids in a basket.

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You got a problem with that? (This one is good.)

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Checking out bubby's boo-boos.

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Fascinating.

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I told him to show me his mean face.

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But he can't do it without smiling...

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My favorite boy.

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Touchdown! Indie's doing it too, but you can't tell.

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Okay, now it starts getting silly.

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Lovin' on each other.

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So cute!

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She thinks he's the bee's knees.

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He's sorta starting to like her back.

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But she loooooves her bubby.

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He's like, "Yeah, yeah, okay, here you go. I'll hug you."

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Then he starts to put her in a choke hold.

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And really lays it on.

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"Okay mom, somebody's gonna get hurt!"

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Our friend Emma at the Sonoma County Fair!

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Penn's first time (that he'll remember) - there was some confusion going through the turnstyle. :)

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A little chick petting a baby chick.

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Sitting on the foot massager thingie.

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He wanted to see and do everything. ASAP!

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Pretty Emma!

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She got to pet a baby cow!

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I guess you would call that a calf, huh.

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Funniest pic ever. Crazy mom, scary ostrich, the node...if only you could see Emma back there with Adam!

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PJ was *slightly* more relaxed on his 2nd carousel ride ever.

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Dad couldn't catch us for a good photo.

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Note to self: no more photo-taking allowed when in tiny rollercoasters.

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I deleted half these cause I look like a BEAST WOMAN.

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PJ wasn't scared, necessarily...wasn't thrilled, either!

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I had a BLAST, in case you couldn't tell...

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Riding the train with daddy.

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Hi Cathrine and Emma!

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Not sure why he looks so scared, it was sloooooow.

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Definitely a tired boy.

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So much to see, smell, hear and do!

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Quiet time in a shady sandbox.

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This was FREE! Wish we'd have seen it first.

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His last ride....the motorcycles, on his own.

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He definitely wasn't too sure about this.

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I took a video of it and it's just him going round and round, and us laughing everytime we see his face.

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Poor guy! He was kinda sliding off the seat by the end.

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He'll do better next time.

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Someone CRASHED.

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This was mom's idea.

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Slowest ice cream cone eater EVER!

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Maybe not such a good idea, mom!

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Indie the samurai.

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Relaxing with daddy on a Monday evening.

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She is still his girl.

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Reading "Look and Find Elmo."

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Pointing out the characters for dad.

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She is so smart!

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"Dad put bubbles in the tub!"

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THE END.

End of July 2009

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What is this stuff I'm standing on?

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Kids at Doran Beach.

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Dirty girls!

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What a cheesy face!

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The fog finally cleared and we had a little blue sky...

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There's my boy!

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What a mess Little Miss Sunshine is!

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Still cute...

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Although this is an odd expression!

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Pale and smooth, like a little vampire baby.

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We were buying food for Buster at Petco.

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She was pooping by the fish tanks. :)

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I guess the water relaxed her and she let loose!

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PJ, meanwhile, was ready to get the heck outta there!

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He is not a fan of the aquatic turtles, which were one aisle over...

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Going somewhere....

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Baby Girl likes to wear purses.

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Playing in the front yard.

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Buster keeps watch over his family.

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He's a good boy.

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I don't know what they were talking about...

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...but I thought they looked cute.

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Meanwhile, this thing was a busy bee!

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Handsome, stinky Buster.

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Another evening at the Carbo homestead.

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A bbq with some church friends.

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I just love how many pictures it took to get ONE good one of these kids...

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Like, 45. You're lucky I deleted a few!

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They were all moving...

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...and smiling at alternating times...

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Here's a good one of Kevey!

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And a good one of Indie!

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And cute Kenzi Sue...

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Ahhh! There it is. Two smiles at once. A miracle! Way to go, Dan!

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She was WILD.

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As if you couldn't tell by the look in her eyes.

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Man, eating.

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Dan, eating. THE END!

Mid July 2009

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If she were a Care Bear, she'd be Mischievous Bear.

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If she were a Smurf, she'd definitely be Snoopy Smurf.

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And she'd definitely be the cutest, bounciest Gummy Bear.

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Love those chunky legs.

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Examining her work.

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Mommy with her prized Tippee Toes. Best Christmas EVER...

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I just love how her little hand is on his thigh.

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It was really hot that day.

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Buster's trying to cool off. Dead dog!

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Watching some Sesame Street.

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Just about the only thing that will calm them down simultaneously.

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Sesame Street = a beautiful thing.

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She's a squirmy worm.

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Hard to photograph sometimes.

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Getting some profile shots to use for later silhouette Christmas ornaments.

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He was wiggly too.

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Silly goose!

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Love those little lips.

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Touching my dying lens.

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Bald boy...

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Even better! THE END.

Mommy's Birthday Weekend

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For you, Mrs. Federico!

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Happy Birthday to me...yummy Mexican food was found.

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For you, Mr. Federico!

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I love how the sign claims they're 65 million year old DINOSAUR TEETH. Nonsense!

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Mostly took this to remind myself of where we were...

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For Grandma Carbo. :)

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Without kids around, I freak out about what to photograph. So it's mostly signs!

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WORLD'S LARGEST PETRIFIED TREE!

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Which we didn't see! Cause it cost $7 per person! (I was being "petrified" here, but you can't tell.)

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Funny.

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The AMAZING geyser.

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Okay, seriously? I felt like we were in a Brady Bunch episode, with all these silly circa-1970's signs and marketing tactics.

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And then we have THIS little gem of a sign. You have got to be kidding me!

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So here's where the geyser's supposed to be.

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We paid $10 apiece to see this thing. It was HIS idea! I was like, "It better happen quick, we have cupcakes to eat."

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There it is!

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Whooptie doo. This reminds me of that NASA trip of yore, when my brother and I were totally unimpressed.

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But here's a pic anyway, for posterity's sake. Dan Carbo, the Amazing Geyser Head Man.

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Foreshadowing for the little quake that made our house creak just a few days later...

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Eeeew. Geyser gook.

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I thought this was at least a pretty walkway. My $10 should help them maintain it.

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I just love that little passed-out goat there.

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Sure, sure...it's a NATURAL WONDER OF THE WORLD.

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Then what are all these pipes for? There weren't even restrooms in the gift center. PSSSH. Scam.

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But it has a cool sign.

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We picked up the kids from their old daycare and they were zombies.

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Total zombies.

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The next day, we took daddy (and the kids) to Howarth Park for some shenanigans.

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Pretty much nobody liked the carousel. (She started crying right after this, and it wasn't even moving yet!)

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I almost hurled once it got going, because I was standing backward, waiting to catch Penn when he leapt off.

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Indie was not a fan.

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He was PETRIFIED. (Heh.)

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I swear his hands didn't move, and he had that expression on his face the ENTIRE TIME.

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Indie's totally about to puke.

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Whose idea was this, anyway?

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At least *somebody's* having fun. (;))

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Okay, almost over kids...

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At least there was the water park to make up for all that nausea.

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I just love that little dude in the background. Time of his life!

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So we didn't have swim diapers OR towels or extra clothes with us, but whatever.

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They were having a blast.

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That little girl was trying to hug him and he freaked out.

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My bald baby boy.

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Yay! That was fun.

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Later, daddy had a photo shoot on the back patio.

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Cutie patooties.

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Thanks to Grandma C for these very handsome chairs.

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Good for photographing babies in!

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He likes the self-portraits.

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Nice Dan. Nice! THE END.

Carbo Visit, July 2009

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Grandma and grandpa's first day. We're all friends!

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Even Buster remembered them. (How cute is Indie with her grandpa.)

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We visited Dan at work that day.

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Penn, with his newly shaved head.

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He and Indie just liked running around, disturbing all the working people.

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In the lunch/play room.

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Big girl in an orange chair...

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On Friday, we went to Armstrong Redwood Preserve.

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I love that place.

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How can you not? So peaceful, beautiful, etc. (And FREE!)

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I should have gotten a picture of the whole slice of the tree to give this perspective...

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A little shout out for the holiday weekend...

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Crazy. It was huge.

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It's not the destination, but the journey that counts.

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Cancer kid!

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One of my favorite all-time pics.

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There's a long story that goes with this pic. Luther Burbank!

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Also love this one.

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Grandpa was stressing Penn out with his wild antics.

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Penn was so worried about him!

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Just some leaves and stuff.

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More "tall trees" as Penn called them.

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Love it love it love it.

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I could live there, were it not for creepy crawly things.

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A bridge! Give a toddler a bridge and it's the best day of his life.

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This was SO cool.

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I want to paint a whole house in those colors. It was so much deeper than a photo can show.

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Trails from bugs, I guess?

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Some "gnarly" roots. Penn kept saying gnarly. Gnarly!

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Cute Carbo's. Indie Ree was an angel.

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Cheese!

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"Come outta there, grandma!"

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Was trying to catch Penn looking up, too.

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But it didn't work out. (Look at my twin boys.)

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A little seat, just perfect for him and grandma.

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Crazy blue jays were all over the picnic area.

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The best little picnickers in the whole park.

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They just sat right down and ate.

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Like they go on picnics all the time or something.

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She was loving on him.

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He wasn't liking it.

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Then he finally acknowledged her, begrudgingly tickled her...

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...and totally made her day.

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KEEP OUT, baby girl!

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Sweet girl and her grandpa.

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She's not a Carbo, is she?

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Daddy carried them both for a minute. My big lug.

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Grandpa getting adventurous again. Penn wanted to go in, but he just couldn't do it.

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Hi grandpa!

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Some neat tree bark. Or something.

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A big guy.

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I call this series, "Carbo's Walking on a Log."

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It was cute.

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Penn takes up the caboose.

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Poor guy was so tired by the end.

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Twins.

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Don't ask!

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Gaaaaaah, this picture kills me!

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Patriotic cake balls!

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I get a little carried away, I know.

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The "1776" was Dan's idea. Red and blue velvet cake inside, mixed with white chocolate cream cheese buttercream!

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I took 4,000 pictures of her in this outfit.

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No idea where he gets that forehead from.

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I apologize in advance for these.

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But little girls in red, white and blue are just killer!

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He was a little nervous about all the people.

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I love it.

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Lots of bubbles!

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Indie LOVES bubbles.

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Umm, is she just Miss Independence Day or what?

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INDIE-PENN-dent.

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Indie and Emma.

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Emma knows how to say Indie, Penn and Buster. So cute!

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Really, I'm sorry.

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And I deleted some! I just love this one though.

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And this one.

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...aaaand....this one...

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Okay, almost done, I swear.

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YEAH, PHILLY! (That was the theme of our party.)

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After all, it *was* the birthplace of our nation.

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Kids and flags. Daddy needs to print this one out.

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Little girls, playing with dirty toys.

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We all gathered round and read the Declaration of Independence.

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Cause that's how Carbo's roll.

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Indie in the helmet again.

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She wanted to maul whoever had the Declaration. I think she thought it must be book and MUST have pictures.

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I can't believe Penn wore that hat!

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Sitting with cousin (but sometimes we call him uncle!) Craig.

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She loves him.

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Hmm...let me guess...he chooses blue?

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I love Emma's face here!

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She's so happy to be sitting up high like a big girl.

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Darling.

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Twins, watching our neighbors shoot some fireworks off.

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They have the same ears.

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Must have had a fingerprint or two on the old lens!

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Okay, these are funny if you scroll through them fast.

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Like a stop action movie. Watch Buster.

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He gets ready to pounce, the closer they get.

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And off he goes!

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She likes to run away.

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Don't oppress Indie.

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Bubby crashed his bike on his last day with g'ma and g'pa.

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It was pretty traumatic, as you can see.

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Trying to keep it together.

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Monday. Indie wanted to wear her brother's pajama pants. So I let her. (Look at that curly hair!?)

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She thought she was so cool.

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What can you do. THE END.

Early July 2009

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Toilet paper telescope.

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He didn't see me with the camera at first...

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Then he got a little shy...

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Can you blame him? These are SO gonna be blackmail when he's 18.

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Sometimes Indie likes to walk around in a bike helmet.

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Penn generously tolerates this behavior. (It's his helmet.)

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But I think it's going to become hers. It doesn't really fit him anyway.

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And she's so darn HAPPY in it.

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Put her in the helmet, you know you have at least 20 minutes of uninterrupted joy.

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See?

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She gets pretty wild too, though.

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There's a video that goes with this, of her banging her head into the fireplace on purpose. Reminded me of her uncle! THE END.

Christmas Carol train, beach, June 09

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Headed to some middle-of-nowhere shipyard in Oakland...

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...to see Disney's "A Christmas Carol" train!

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He stands where I tell him to for pictures, but rarely looks at the camera.

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Getting excited!

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Off he goes.

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"See da train? See da train, mama?!"

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Dude on stilts.

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Later he took off his jacket and his stilt pants were kinda see-thru, if you ask me. Dude!

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Henry came along for the trip.

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Glad we got there early...before it was 100 degrees...

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Climbing aboard. This is where I started to get misty-eyed.

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Sort of stupid but brilliant promotional tool...I haven't decided yet.

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Neat artwork of a young Jim Carrey/Tiny Tim.

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This sign (and entire car) CRACKED. ME. UP. "Nobody actually wore these costumes but we couldn't think of anything else to put in this car, so just pretend it's cool, okay?!"

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Original pieces of Dickens' work.

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Zitty Jim Carrey.

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Jowly Colin Firth.

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He's sort of like, "Uhhh....whatever?"

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Nifty.

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Driving Henry under the flat screens.

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So these were rad. Maquettes of Marley and Scrooge. I'm allowed to say "maquettes" because I have an art degree.

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Baby Girl wasn't much interested in the train.

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BAH. HUMBUG.

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He reminds me of someone...can't place it.

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I saw them working on this last year in Dan's old office building. Amazing! Why can't I get a job building exquisite miniatures made out of mat board?

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Miniature Mrs. Fezziwig.

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He said, "I wanna play with dat mama."

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"We can't go inside there honey. It's not a toy." (Scrooge is like, "Shut up, kid.")

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Mocap video.

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You had me at "motion capture," Mr. Darcy.

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More mat board masterpieces.

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The cool technology train car.

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Mirrors - fun!

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He's still like, "Umm...when are we gonna ride the train?!"

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"We're ON the train buddy. It's just not moving. And that's a mannequin cut in half."

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I LOVE MY HUSBAND.

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I do have to say the rigging of all these screens and coordinating of the imagery was kinda neat.

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WOAH...CRAZY TRAIN...

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This was near the face morpher.

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This train car actually smelled like cinnamon and Christmas dinner! MMM.

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I hope these people weren't out there all day in those costumes...yikes.

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Oakland STINKS. For real.

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INFLATABLE THEATER. (inflatable theater.)

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I was yelling, "LOOK, IT'S REAL SNOW!" but it was just foam. Come on, Disney! LAME.

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This cracked me up too. All these professional, official signs.

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Again. Words cannot describe the depths to which my love flows. Dan Carbo. You are my man.

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YAY! (And then you weren't allowed to take pictures after that.) :)

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A little man pondering which way the tracks will lead him.

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I wonder what he's really thinking about?

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The thinker.

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Tooger was not a fan of any of this, by the way.

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Bye bye! (I don't know why I took a pic of this sign.)

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He LOVES railroad crossing signs.

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Later, we hung out in the cool pool.

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Hey, those legs gotta get tan SOMEHOW! Leave me alone!

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He doesn't understand that swim trunks are SUPPOSED to get wet.

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She wasn't so sure about this.

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Buzzing my boy.

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I am the meanest mom ever. Hey, he didn't cry the ENTIRE time.

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At the beach Sunday night. Indie Ree, dumping sand.

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I love when Kenzi calls her Indie Marie!

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Indie better not ever prance around a beach like that girl in the background. Cover yourself up, honey, it's only 62 degrees out there. SHEESH.

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Super handsome beach comber dude.

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I just love his belly in that little shirt. (And Indie in the background, getting up in strangers' faces.)

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She kept running away.

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She gets distracted. Like a little puppy dog, basically.

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FINALLY settling down and actually playing in the sand.

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There you go dude.

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People are totally gonna think he had chemo for the Node or something.

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She is a mess.

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Stealing other kids' cups, puking on herself and me, eating sand, etc.

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But she still manages to look so cute I want to eat her, puke and all!

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Love that little cowlick flying up there.

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Stud muffins.

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Buster was in full on dumpster divin' mode.

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Headed home. (Get it?)

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Poor dude. It makes him look so handsome, though, I swear. And it'll grow back.

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Shows off his perty face.

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I LOVE the beaches here.

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Sunset. What a weekend. THE END!

Random June 09

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Indie in her new bikini.

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We were ready for the splash park this time!

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He *sort of* enjoyed himself.

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I say that because you'll notice he kept his arms folded the ENTIRE time.

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It's okay though. (I love Kenzi, rocking the "Slash" look in the background.)

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Little Miss Ree didn't want to get wet.

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The kids played for a while.

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Great place - kids are contained, and there were a few dry spots on the outskirts where moms could keep an eye on them.

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I was pumped those trunks still fit him, seeing as how he only wore them twice last year!

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I'm sure he's just being a toddler, but I feel like Kev gives me this look a lot. Like, "Ehh. It's YOU again."

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Still playing...

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Can you say DAN CARBO?!

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She's just content to watch.

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Miss California, June 2009.

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The bangs are growing in!

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Sort of.

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Belly!

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A few days later, I thought I'd snap a pic of bathtime pandemonium.

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She reminds me of E.T. when she wears this towel.

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Or a little fuzzy Ewok. So cute!

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Father's Day weekend! Grumpy kids.

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They assaulted Dan.

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So he read them a book.

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They looooove books.

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Daddy needs new contacts!

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This is one of the few ways you can get Tooger Marie to sit still.

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She loves babies and animals.

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Looks like her dada.

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Father's Day - a pretty pink princess and a fluffy dog's tail.

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Although I think the dress sort of has a 'clown' look about it.

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She can still work it.

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Talking to Uncle Paul on the phone!

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Note all the beans on her tray...beans for POOPIE PAUL!

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Look at that face! She loves the sound of TP's voice.

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Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

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Just a funny series of Indie with her new bf, a mini Star Trek Dr. Bones doll from Burger King.

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She was totally french-kissin' him.

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See?!

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Penn is like, "Gross, Indie."

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"I'm a DOCTOR, not a physicist!"

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She thinks he's super dreamy.

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Pushing his buttons.

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She did have a headband on with that shirt so she wouldn't look like such a boy! But she ripped it off. THE END.

Sonoma Hot Ait Balloon Classic

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Penn and I left the house at 6:30 am to go to the 20th Annual Sonoma Hot Air Balloon Classic in Windsor, CA, with our fr

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Daddy and Indie stayed home and slept in.

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We arrived just as the "main launch" was in progress.

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PJ thought all the balloons were going to the Island of Sodor.

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Wow!

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We were walking up just as the Energizer (sponsors of the event) Bunny balloon took off.

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Actually, Emma wasn't walking...she ran down that entire road! She was so excited.

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There he goes...

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Kinda looks like he pooped out a little basket, doesn't it?

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Bunny balloon butt!

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So cute.

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Goodbye bunny!

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Penn is saying, "Dat was cooooool, mama!"

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Additional phrases used included "awesome" and "so beyoooful."

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He bites his nails like crazy when he gets nervous or stressed.

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There were a lot of people, a lot of balloons, a lot of sights and sounds and smells.

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But he was really enjoying it despite the sensory overload!

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I love how it looks like Emma is looking at a tiny fish balloon...

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...and then it comes up and gives her a peck on the cheek!

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I love this picture.

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One of the "tethered" balloons was going up right next to us!

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Mommy is definitely about to say goodbye to her 20's....ouch...but for the record, one of those big wrinkles is a SCAR..

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Penn says this was his favorite balloon.

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Cute girl!

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Rides were only $5! It went up about 50 feet in the air, and was designed to give wussies a feel of what it's like to go

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I was seriously considering going up with Penn, but we were both a little too chicken in the end.

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He said it was "too hot" after he saw the flames shooting out that made the hot air.

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The new Molly train did not leave his side the entire day.

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We got to touch the balloon!

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Cool!

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Emma was a happy girl for being so short on sleep.

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They were both running on fumes.

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Check out that Carbo bedhead!

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Lots of dorks were there with big cameras (which I envied.)

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Do you know how high these things go? And you're just up there, in a BASKET, hanging from a balloon full of air?! Yeah.

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Pretty neat though.

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These pilots know their stuff.

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A line of people wait to go up for a ride.

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Still more balloons launching.

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Super cute Corgis with their Energizer Bunny ears!

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We got to go INSIDE a real hot air balloon!

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It was awesome.

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Lots of nail biting though...this is weird!

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He still liked it. (So did The Node, I think.)

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Cathrine and I took 4,783 photos of this moment. They look like little Gap models here or something.

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At first he was all tentative with the hand hold.

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And then he really went for it. He's like, "I gotta keep my girl safe!"

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Now they're both starting to feel awkward.

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Thinking, "Maybe it's time we go our separate ways..."

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So we make them hug (which looks more like a choke-hold, on Penn's part.)

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One last shot of the cuties.

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Crazy hair, biting his nails, being a weirdo...I love my son.

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Goodbye big balloon!

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Mommy's favorite was the "zig zag" chevron one - we totally had an afghan kinda like that when I was a kid.

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Cute girl and nervous boy in the background.

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Awwwww!

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Seriously, she was GREAT despite getting up so early.

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Happy Emma!

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The two muskateers explore a drainage ditch.

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Marching back to mama. Getting tired now.

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Emma and Cathrine take one last spin in the bouncy house!

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Emma is so brave!

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Penn was too chicken to join her.

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The girls have lots of fun.

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So cute~!

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Cathrine is an adventure mama!

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5 minutes is up.

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What a lot of fun!

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Unsteady on her feet. Time to go now, tired girl!

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And back at the homestead. :) THE END.

Memorial Day Weekend '09

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I got a coupla bookworms, yes I do.

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I love watching them "read" !

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PJ got to sit on some Coast Guard boats at a local open house.

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He had an awesome time!

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Emma and Cathrine scope out the scene.

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Here he comes!

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I was worried, but I suppose if there's a place for a kid to fall into the water, it's here...

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...surrounded by like, 30 Coasties...I think *someone* would rescue him.

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Driving a fire truck.

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Oooh, a hat?

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I didn't think he'd put it on.

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But he wanted to wear it everywhere later that afternoon.

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My light. My love. My gooney bird.

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More to see, more to do.

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Not the Liberty Bell.

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Mom being a dork...if this were in focus, it'd be sweet!

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They were just marching around, checkin' things out.

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Miss Indiependent, sporting her Bon Jovi 'do.

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"Uhh...uhhh...uhhh!" Means "Wanna pet that doggie!"

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Daddy shows her how to pet nice.

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She's a hair puller, but she's learning to be better.

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We all decide to go to lunch in Bodega.

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But one last demonstration! This was "damage control" I guess? Penn thought it was pretty cool.

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Staring...

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Frowning...

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Awww! See that baby deer in there?

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They like the beach. So I let them live. (Just kidding.)

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Backwards fire hat man.

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Funny boy!

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We were trying to get the DVD player to work and in the process, she konked out!

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"Can we go yet?"

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Waking up when we arrived in Petaluma. He was sleeping like that and I missed it by 2 seconds!

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Watering mommy's plants.

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So serious!

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Fire Engine Man!

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There's a funny video that accompanies this. She was surfing on my pegboard.

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Climbing the stairs solo at Wyatt's house, 'til daddy caught her!

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The kids mauled Parker's dad Brendan.

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He was "super chicken" or something, I think.

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They were beating the crap out of him.

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Clinging to her papa.

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Tickle time!

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I just like what's happening in the background of these.

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The kids are jumping on "super chicken"...

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And then he comes alive!

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And they all come running.

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"Super chicken!!!!!!!!!"

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Cooper buddy, where are your pants?

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He and Indie trade toys.

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What's in that cup, mister! You quit offering my girl drinks, young man.

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Dan is insane.

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...and strong!

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Wild boys in a wagon (and one girl, about to fall out and break her neck.)

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"Flowwwwwww..."

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We went to the Charles Schulz museum on Monday and there was an awesome exhibit on space.

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I have no idea who this kid is, but I thought he was AWESOME.

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I guess Snoopy was the official mascot for NASA back in the 60's.

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This spaceship was so cool! I am totally gonna build a replica in our garage this summer.

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Wild woman.

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Emma and Cathrine play with some cool "little kid" toys.

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Awww!

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It was making animal noises and she couldn't figure out why.

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I just love those little nametags.

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Doesn't look like her daddy at all, does she...

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Who is this crazy space man! (I love the woman in the background.)

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Oh! Phew. It's just dad.

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I love that man.

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Holograms, but you couldn't see them too well.

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Cool statues.

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We had to find different Woodstocks and get stamps on a scavenger hunt.

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An awesome mural on the wall.

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Guess what it's made of?

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...closer...

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...closer...

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How cool is that?

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A cute Snoopy print I liked.

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Charles Schulz lived in the area for 30 years and did much of his life's work here.

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Cute kids' drawings.

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Petaluma and surrounding towns were mentioned often in his strip. (I totally wasn't allowed to take this picture...shhh!

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He was invited to the White House on a few occasions.

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Penn's first movie...a 30-minute Peanuts cartoon. He was so good! It was awesome.

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There was a Snoopy labryinth outside.

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It finally got warm and the kids went nuts.

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He was chasing another little boy around. (That's not the wind doing that to his hair, it was just wild that day.)

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Cute big girl Emma!

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Following dad.

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Look at that slobbery nametag!

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Running...running...

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...always running somewhere!

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We played at Keves and Kenzi's house Monday afternoon.

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They're pretty cute together, although I think Kev just wants to be left alone with his bubble solution.

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He was really enjoying that stuff!

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Mmmm. Bubbles.

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The kids settle down and watch a little Elmo. Peace and quiet! THE END.

Cal Academy of Sciences - May 2009

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Relaxing in the a/c after a hot day.

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Check out those chunky legs!

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Just thinkin' about his Henry train...

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Oooh, what a mean face!

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Waiting in line to go to California Academy of Sciences.

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Only one more hour to go...

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Indie waits patiently in the wagon.

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It got a little crazy there toward the end.

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I think we were all a little nuts by this point!

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Tyler touches a starfish!

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Penn is nervous and bites his nails.

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Caelen is thinking of giving it a try. (Check out Super Mommy Brooke in the background there!)

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Jellyfish! Cool.

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A really bad photo of a jellyfish.

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So many fish, so little time.

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Caelen really seemed to like to touch the glass.

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Penn was afraid to.

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They were so cute!

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He's so cerebral sometimes.

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More jellyfish.

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This was really cool - like two stories high or something.

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There was ampitheatre seating.

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It was so cool!

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Caelen is pumped!

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It echoed down there and I think they really enjoyed that.

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Indie is hanging out.

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My little nerd.

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How cute!

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She is not sure what to think back there.

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"Look at all da fishies!"

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Riley is thinking, "Better not be any earthquakes while we're down here..."

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This was cool - Children's Eel Garden!

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They reeeeally liked this tunnel.

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Cutie patooties.

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I didn't brave it myself, so who knows what they're looking at.

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Brave boys!

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He melted down at the end.

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This picture doesn't do justice to the 8,000 other people standing in that lobby around him.

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Penguins! Yay!

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Later that evening, daddy came home early to give mama a break.

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Thank GOODNESS...she needed it.

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These two were tired and WILD!

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Giggly though, which is always fun.

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He makes them wrestle for the Henry train.

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Sizing each other up.

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Indie goes for the pin.

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But Penn deflects her and makes his way to safety.

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Chunky monkey demands a raspberry on the tummy.

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Sexy legs! THE END.

SF Zoo - May 2009

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So I love anytime they're playing quietly together.

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And this dollhouse actually affords quite a few of those moments per day.

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Enough rooms and furniture for everyone.

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See? Another day and they're at it again.

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He decides he needs to "help" her a lot though...

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And she isn't always fond of that.

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See? "Here Indie, we need ta teach you..."

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She's like, "Wait.....what?"

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Then they simultaneously decide they're over the dollhouse and ready to come bug me!

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We went to the San Francisco Zoo on the Saturday before Mother's Day.

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I have no idea what this is. Maybe a lemur?

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That giraffe stood there all day. I thought it was the saddest thing!

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Here's why...two little baby giraffes were over locked up in a separate area. :(

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An ostrich. We can see these anytime around Petaluma. Borrrring.

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That same mama giraffe, from behind.

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See the gorilla? Kinda looks like Penn as a newborn sittin' on that rock to the left there?

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Gorilla thinking. He was really sad too.

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Hmmm.

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Look at the camera, kid! (He was saying "Cheese" the whole time, just too much to look at that was more interesting than mom!

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Another sad monkey.

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Seriously! And her baby was with her.

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Some long-tailed somethin' a ruthers.

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Flamingoes.

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There's a chimp with his back to the camera straight above her. She's sort of mirroring his posture. I thought it was funny...

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But she doesn't stay still for long! Wild woman.

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The monkey exhibits were a letdown. Those primates are just too smart for the zoo.

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As soon as anybody made noise, the chimps would run back inside. It was so sad! They were so...self-conscious!

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Indie is over it.

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Trying to get him to look at the camera again. But there was a peacock, dad! And penguins! Look, a walrus!

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There's that peacock...

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It walked RIGHT in front of me and Indie. Peacocks freak me out. In fact, all birds freak me out.

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Daddy chasing down one kid.

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PJ said this was his favorite animal. I thought the penguins were super boring.

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I think he liked how close we were to them.

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But they mostly just sat in their nests.

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And this one dude took a little swim.

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I think we need to get some penguin books from the library now.

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He was a big fan.

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Little Dan!

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Indie tries to run for it.

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Mama Lion.

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"Like Simba, mama, the Lion King!"

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The big cats are always cool to see.

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Both kids were pretty pumped.

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We appreciated the little ledge for them to stand up on.

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One of my favorite brother/sister photos ever.

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"Wake up lazybones!"

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She was THRILLED. Loves anything with fur.

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She just wants to go down there and pet it!

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The infamous tiger exhibit.

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They weren't interested in us. So Dan started taunting them. (Just kidding!)

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Least favorite brother/sister photo ever.

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Sunny day and lots of squinty eyes!

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Some sad rhinoceros...es...?

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GO EAGLES!

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YEAH BIRDS! (I love him.)

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Da' Bears.

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Totally my favorite exhibit. Kinda looks like I'm standing right there!

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They got up close and personal.

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The kids really liked seeing under the water too.

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We were there at the perfect time.

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Penn was mesmerized.

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I guess these two bears were sisters!

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They were eating, swimming, playing, fighting.

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It was awesome!

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Cool.

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There are no words.

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She was staring at that outlet, which 5 other parents had just finished telling their children "NO!" when they neared it

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She's waiting to see if I will tell her the same.

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"Look at dat polah bear! He look like Buhter!"

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Sad polar bears...

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Nearing the end of our journey...it's naptime, kids!

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"Like Timon!"

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Look at the camera, you!

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Getting tired...are we leaving yet?

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I thought this perspective was funny...a giant falcon prepares to eat the head of the woman in the orange shirt.

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Again, FREAKY! Birds of prey within 10 feet of me...not cool...

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Pigeons within 10 feet of me...not cool. Turkey vultures? HECK NO!

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Creepy owl.

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Sleepy owl.

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PJ was so tired at this point, I thought he got a little too friendly with the goats.

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Seriously, I'd have taken more photos, but this whole portion of the visit was really stressful.

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He kept getting right up in the goats' faces and we didn't have any food to give them!

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This was the last straw. Those goats are just waiting for someone to make the wrong move and then we're all toast!

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Let's go home! They're going to get us! RUUUUNNNNN!

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Back at the homestead, the goober and his dog watch some 'toons.

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Buster seems to initially think perhaps I'm taking a loving photo of him...

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...then realizes, quite grumpily, that I'm taking a pic of PJ.

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So he leaves. Look at my little gooneybird though, in his cloth diaper and socks and Crocs and Thomas pajamas? Lordie! THE END.

Early May 2009

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I made two big batches of cake balls for a friend's bridal shower.

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There were cake balls comin' out my ears!

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A few pics of the finished product...

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Flavors were snickerdoodle and devil's food.

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Kassie's wedding colors are purple and orange.

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Long story, but this is my boy playing with a dollhouse!

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He was paying particularly close attention to the two bathrooms and potties that I set up, so that made me happy!

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And then he drove a mini-tricycle through the whole thing, knocking furniture over.

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So I'd say his masculinity is not in question, at this point. (P.S. He's standing JUST like Dan does in this photo.)

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Is that cute or what?

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The, uhh, kitchen...and then the upstairs (which has no stairs to get to it!) includes a bathroom and, uhh, second dining room?

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It's a big house!

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That's the mama and Indie dolls, sleeping in Penn's room. (He said.)

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The kids were being especially SAUCY at dinner...ha...ha...har....har...

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Cheeky girl! Dan says it looks like she just killed and ate a wild elk or something. Gross!

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His "cheese" smile!

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Alright, stinker...

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And another... (Grandma, sometimes we use your Christmas placemats for Penn! He likes them, and they hold up very well to the washing.) :)

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And here's his mean face! So funny. Looks a lot like my littlest bro and Dan.

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Ha! I was trying to get all her teeth, but instead got a big meatball there in the back of her throat...oh Toog...

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It freaks me out how much her eyes look like mine as a child...

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He said he had "super" dirty hands. Almost as dirty as that chair he's sitting in, huh!

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She was totally workin' it.

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One of my favorite pics, even though her eyes are closed...those chunky, slimy hands...little front teeth peeking out...that Carbo chin...

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Have you had enough yet? (My biggest brother would be squirming..."wipe that kid's face off!")

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Okay, I'm done - sorry!

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Penn was on the other side of the camera telling me to "take mama's pickcha...I wanna see mama pickcha..." So here you go. Mama's almost-30-year old eyeball and wrinkly freckle face! THE END!

Mommy's First (Full) Week at Home

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This is how mommy got all the vacuuming done on Monday. Great workout!

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And it also induced silence in an otherwise whiny cranky pants.

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It baffles the mind how she could infuriate me so much, and still be SO cute.

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On Tuesday, mommy built a rickety, crappy "shed" for Penn's trains. And he played with it for an HOUR! (See the "pond"?

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On Wednesday, we had a playdate with friends! Yay!

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That's Caelen, Tyler, Penn and Riley.

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Indie so wants to be a big kid like them!

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They were all laying down at one point and it was sooo cute, but I missed it.

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Ha! Flex your muscles, buddy!

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They were feuding over a ball.

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So then they played "catch" which really involved sort of throwing it at the other guy (not a lot of catching.)

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On Thursday, daddy surprised us and came home early...6:15!

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We love extra playtime with dad!

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Indie kept squinting at the camera focus light. It cracked me up.

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Who looks like their daddy more?

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Stinkers!

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There she goes again...

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Everybody had blackberry on their faces!

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Daddy gets bumrushed.

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Work those lower abs, papa!

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Her head used to barely come up to his knees. My, they grow fast!

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She likes to fall backwards.

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Flying Indie!

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Someone always gets hurt.

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Silly guys! Note Tooger in the background, headed for the dvd's.

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Love my boys.

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She's smiling, but really there's an "ehhhh!" coming out of her mouth.

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So Buster's bunny toy came and got her!

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Paging Dr. Brown...

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Poor Buster. I know. But hopefully you find this as funny as we do!

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And not like a form of animal cruelty or anything...

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We were laughing so hard we were crying.

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He's such a good sport!

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Really, he's just insane for food. He'll do anything for a cookie.

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Breaking free!

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So serious! I just love his grim expression, like he's delivering the news that you have a week left to live.

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Good boy!

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Penn's wave bottle.

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Hope that seal around the lid holds up...

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There she is...whiny crankypants!

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Playing w/ barrel of monkeys with dad.

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Rain, rain, go away...

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That haircut kills me...THE END!

End of April 2009

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Nighttime routine

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I like to spy on them sometimes. :)

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Puhlease!

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Did you just notice mommy spying on you?

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Hi guys!

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Going crazy on the jumper

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Shaggy hair man! Soon you will be no more.

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Indie wants to go crazy too!

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He loves how it counts now.

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Post-butchering of the bangs.

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Love pics of babies and bubbles

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You really can't go wrong.

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She's such a stinker!

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Just waiting to eat some more bubbles.

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Funny boy!

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With a funny haircut. What did mommy do to you?

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Indie thinks it's funny. She thinks everything is funny. Except when she's hungry or tired.

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He can *almost* pull that haircut off. Almost.

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They are so cute when they hang out together.

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It is slowly dawning on me (during this series of pictures) how weird the short bangs look with the long sides and back.

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Cute baby girl talking to bubbles.

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Showing off her sexy legs.

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I know, I want to eat her too sometimes, like a fat little gummy bear!

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I just love the bubble on the butt!

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Playing with his buddy Buster!

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They really are pals lately.

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She is mean to Buster.

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How can something so cute be so mean?

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I don't know, but she's rotten.

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Petting Buster and repeating "gentle" like we do with Indie.

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I love warm days!

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Mom, get that camera outta my face!

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Tickles!

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Those eyebrows are awesome!

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We both look fat here, but that's cool. (No doubt where his eyes and eyebrows come from, huh.)

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I just love Buster the bunny in the background.

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This is on my desktop now. Fave pic ever.

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It is rare for them to be touching each other and screaming in happiness, not agony!

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They feed off the other's laughter during "tickle time"

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What a serious girl. What a face!

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I love this series.

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Dan was not all that impressed, but look at those eyes!

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Indie was over it.

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Another one of my favorites.

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I think it was his blue shirt and my blue pants and the cool light in the shade.

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Goofball!

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Banana cake balls dipped in chocolate. This is what I do when I'm bored.

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PARADE TIME! Petaluma's Butter & Egg Days, baby.

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Brilliant. Construction equipment zone for kids.

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PJ was in heaven.

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He was just running from one machine to the next, jabbering on and on.

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Driving a "rollie"

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So serious!

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There's a smile! (And this is the picture that inspired me to chop those wings - and the rest of his hair - off! Not a fan.)

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Baby girl reads her kitty cat book.

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The boys do some more boy stuff.

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Pretty cute!

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I love those guys.

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Just some street shots.

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You can't tell from this, but there were a ton of people out and about.

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I don't know who these dudes were supposed to be, but they came through like 15 minutes before the actual parade started and I thought they were funny.

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Woo-hoo! It's starting!

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Coast Guard trainees

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One of the first marching bands.

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Daddy and Indie watch the floats go by.

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I just love his handful of grape halves!

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The mayor of Petaluma.

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Mama and Peeji Luigi

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Fire truck!!!!

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Dude on a big old timey bicycle.

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The theme of the parade was "recycle, reuse and remember."

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Airplane!

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The Green String Farm Band - they were awesome!

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The dudes that look like KKK members are supposed to be onions, I think? I hope?

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Mack truck!

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Llamas!

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This was maybe all a bit of sensory overload, but it's all good.

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"That llama just looked right at me!" See?!

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Cutest Little Chick in Town winners. But we know who the real winner woulda been, had I bothered to make her a costume a

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Whatev!

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Cool vets truck.

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The owner of the Phoenix Theatre was doing some funny rap!

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Horses!

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Pooper scoopers!

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Chickens!

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More horses!

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I just liked the 3 horses, 3 flags, 3 cowgirls...kinda cool.

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Another fire truck! (Or "ROJO!" as Penn kept screaming.)

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Tractors!

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Boats!

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Garbage trucks! (Can you tell I am printing all these out for a photo album for Penn? It was like a parade designed just

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More vets. They always make me cry a little!

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PJ cried too! Note the most annoying horn EVER he's holding.

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Clo the Cow! I love her! Clover Dairy's mascot.

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I thought this float was really pretty!

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So did BG.

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Another marching band. This was Casa Grande, I think, one of the two HS's in Petaluma.

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Another tractor!

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A giant cow made of recycled bottles and cans, oh my!

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And a cute little Buster dog! (I love the huge "manure" next to him.)

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More horses!

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Penngrove fire truck!

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Roooojooooooo

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"A cool car, mama!"

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Low-rider VW bus. Cool.

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Poor dude doesn't realize there's a little girl pooping right behind him.

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She was just walking around, grabbing strangers.

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Spinners!

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Another tractor!

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And another one!

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Happy baby

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Enough with the tractors, already!

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Ready to go!

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One last float - Lagunitas, a local brewer - their band was cool, too.

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The "morning after" - mommy butchered him!

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Now he looks just like his daddy.

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Woah!

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Later, the lazy bones watch some Dora after church (or at least one of them does.)

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Playing hide-and-seek.

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Daddy found you!

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Who is this huge child?

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Indie takes advantage and steals the beloved horn while Penn is preoccupied.

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She looks SO chunky compared to Penny.

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He is all skin and bones!

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This just kills me. He looks like he's about to be in 2nd grade or something. THE END!

Easter 2009

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Headed to early church and eating breakfast in the car!

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Daddy and his girl between services.

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Puh-leeze. So sweet it hurts my teeth.

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Crashed out.

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Rice cake EVERYWHERE! She woke up and started eating it again. Didn't miss a beat.

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Pretty Easter dress from Grandma C. and shawl from Kenzi V.!

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Easter basket time! Buster, get outta here!

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A video from Grandma G.

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She's not really interested in the toys...

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...but what is inside these shiny things?!

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He was ALL about the candy.

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Like, a little too much.

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Aww! I love this picture. He's like, "Yeah right! You're not getting my m&m's..."

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Picking out all the Easter grass.

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Buster is waiting for a dropped m&m. Does he want to commit suicide or what?

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Chocoholic!

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Total craziness!

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I just love Buster in all these.

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Sniffing around, scavenging.

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AWWWWW!

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Ahhh! Buster!

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Walking! We call her Baby Frankenstein.

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And sometimes she looks like she's poppin' and lockin' - I'll put up a video soon.

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There's still grass everywhere, 3 days later.

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I love my Easter dress!

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Too bad I dribbled red m&m on it!

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Grandma is going to kill mom!

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Indie sure does love dresses though, for being such a tomboy.

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She was just feeling her skirt absentmindedly.

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Weee!

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Touchdown!

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"Resurrection balls!" Just kidding...

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Butterscotch cake calls. I need some silver dragees for decorating, people. I felt these were lacking that last bit of Easter BLING.

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Mama and the baby girl, later that day.

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Finally, a decent photo of me with her! (Her outfit is from the very sweet Michelle Little. Thanks, Michelle!)

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Easter craziness at Adam & Cathrine's house

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Indie was INSANE.

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PJ had a lot of fun playing with the other kids.

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So did BG.

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Nice one! Daddy took this. Way to go, babe!

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Emma, with a big handful of dirty leaves!

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Climbing the bridge.

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There it is again...I don't know why the Node was looking so prominent this weekend. It doesn't seem as big, today.

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Very cute photo, daddy!

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Big baby badonkadonk!

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Kev, Kenzi, PJ and Indie mosh pit.

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"mah ball, mah ball!" even though it totally wasn't his...

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Indie and Keves looking cute.

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So adorable...

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I'm sure you've noticed those black knees by now. You can't keep this child clean.

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Walking with dad.

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Like my new shoes? I think they help me balance better...

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(Catch yourself looking for nodes in this one? Ha! Me too.)

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hahahahahahahahaha....

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Walking with her handsome papa.

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Both standing goofy - I love it.

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After dinner, we hunted some eggs!

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Emma was totally into it.

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Everyone else needed a little assist here and there. (Here's Kat & Kevey.)

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OH! Now I get it. (After all the eggs are gone!)

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Kenzi, checking out her stash.

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Eating every last crumb in every single egg...

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Indie and Kenzi. I can't believe baby girl will be that big someday. THE END!

Train Town - April 09

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We timed it just right and got there a few minutes before the first train showed up (but he was a little caught off-guar

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Hmmm...are we actually on a train?

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Finally figuring out what's going on here...

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Super happy boy!

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Look at that blonde hair!

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I figured this was the only way to contain her...

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Exploring the Train Town village (baby girl going wild in the background)

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Just acting like Mr. Bigshot!

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She was WILD!

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Okay, I'm bored now, let's get this show on the road again!

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Mommy handed the wild woman over to dad for the return trip.

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How much does she look like her dad here? Sheesh.

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She got a little scared at the train whistle.

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Another shot of that blonde head.

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She loves her daddy!

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I didn't realize Sir Nodeness was featured so prominently in these until I got home!

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There's Node Jr. and Node III.

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I just liked all his curious little expressions.

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And I was waiting for him to freak out when we got back to the train station! But he did okay.

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The twins.

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He wouldn't get on this thing until he saw another kid on it!

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Then the kid left and Penny just sat there like a zombie for a while.

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Who knows where the car is that goes to this remote control, but the kids have both always loved it!

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Coloring Easter eggs! YAY!

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This was a crazy idea and could've gone much worse than it did.

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Indie looks like she laid an egg! She was trying to draw on it too. :)

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Wild woman.

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He was really into it. (Don't ask me what he's wearing...daddy let him pick his clothes!)

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I love this one.

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Does that vinegar taste good, miss thang?

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Dangerous territory...

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Later, PJ helped Skeletor - I mean, MOM - bake a cake!

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Seriously. I look terrifying here. And Penn looks rightly terriFIED. (That's the only reason I included this photo...hop

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CHEESE! Penn and the Node, baking cake. THE END!

Penn & The Fire Truck

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Reading like 19 fire truck storybooks while we waited for the actual thing to arrive.This pic does not do justice to the complete chaos that was going on in that room!

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Clapping excitedly (and confusedly) at whatever we were supposed to clap at.

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Looking for things to get into...

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YES! It's finally here!

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Aaaaand...now they have to go. 10 seconds later, duty called.

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Off they go!

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"What the heck just happened here?"

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We played at the grody library playground for a while. Here's Penn and the Node, flexing their collective muscles!

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The fire truck came back! YES!

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This is Penn and some crazy kid and Parker and a Wyatt lookalike (though the real Wyatt is in there somewhere), up in the cab.

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Parker was blowing up rubber gloves! They were like a coupla teenagers in there.

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Totally lovin' it.

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I love this picture. Wyatt is adorable! (My kid isn't so bad either.)

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I was like, "Good luck getting them outta there, fire fighter man!"

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They were happy as clams. Penn told me later that he got to honk the horn, but I did not see this transpire.

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This was soooo much fun!

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Gotta run, because that fire truck is gonna move soon! THE END.

Indie's First Birthday

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Indie "uses" this potty more than Penn.

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...but mostly just to play on.

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He doesn't care.

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She likes to climb in and out of it.

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See?

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It's kind of the cutest thing ever.

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"Ha! Check me out!"

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"Uh-oh...maybe I have to go after all..."

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Some goodies I made for our first "small group" night. I always have leftover chocolate and just start dipping random th

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She liked this helmet more than Penn.

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Do you see a theme here?

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This was cracking us up.

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Gotta protect that little egghead, Buster!

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Testing it out on the road for the first time.

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Pretty sure it's too small...yeah, right, "ages 3-5" - and of course, we managed to throw away the receipt...

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Funniest frosting-lickin' face EVER, in a Kung-Fu Panda shirt, no less!

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I had to *make* him try this at first. How bad is that?

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I was all, "IT TASTES LIKE CANDY...HERE, EAT THE FROSTING!!!!" Better that he not know these things, right? Oh well.

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She loves to stand there and "read."

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I just loved her in that little outfit.

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She thinks she's such a big girl.

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PJ poses by the flowers we planted outside in the window boxes. He rarely poses for me, so I love this pic.

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Just waiting for daddy to get home.

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There he is!

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She's mommy's girl for real, but still likes daddy cuddles, too.

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How do you do this again?

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Funny thinkin' face

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Hmm....

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Get ready for it...

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HA!

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Just a shot of his haircut...I think I did an alright job for once!

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She is trying to learn to use utensils.

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I took about 20 photos of this, because it was so funny and messy...

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...and also because it will mortify my weirdo, neat-freak (at least when kids are eating) little BROTHER!

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BLAH! Yogurt everywhere!

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See? She's kinda sorta getting the hang of it.

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She did have a more appropriate spoon than that, but it was thrown to the floor at some point.

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"Ahh, screw this spoon, I'm usin' my hands!"

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Okay, I think this is the last one.

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PSYCH! Okay, so this is. Sorry. She's so cute though, even with a yogurt goatee.

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After a strenuous walking practice session with daddy.

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She has a love/hate relationship with walking.

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We'll get there soon, though!

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The first marzipan Buster...

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Eh. I didn't love it. Plus, he was too big.

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2nd attempt, marzipan + a little marshmallow fondant for structure.

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The scale was definitely a little better!

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And that is SO a Buster expression. "I wish it was MY birthday too...hmmph."

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Happy, fat fondant Indie, before I fixed her neck so that the head wouldn't fall back like that.

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The cake, in its final stages.

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All assembled, with a cameo from my kitchen assistant.

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Trying to decide if I should add the brown bow or not... (the "1" is made out of chocolate.)

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I didn't have the time or the patience to add the vertical white stripes on the bottom tier or the tiny purple bows.

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Brown bow added...it barely made it before the guests arrived.

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10+ hours or so from start to finish, spread out over the course of a week. Lots of lessons learned and things I would d

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It's PARTY TIME! Keves and Indie contemplate a snack-for-remote-control trade.

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Indie makes a poor decision and wanders off with the remote control. I woulda gone for the Cheerios.

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Birthday princess!

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She was a little tired and grumpy...I think her allergies were bothering her.

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Outside with dad (he informed me that she was pooping in her tutu, here.) :)

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We had 8 kids and 11 adults in the house.

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The boys really enjoyed playing in the dirt in my raised beds. Glad I didn't have anything planted yet!

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Kids can make the most of any backyard, even the most boring ones.

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Doesn't have her daddy's complexion at all, does she?

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Crawling back out for Round 2.

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Crab crawl

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I will cry when she's too big for that tutu.

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Singing "Happy Birthday" - we forgot a candle for the cake!

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She was sooo not in the mood for cake, and here we go, presenting her with the entire top tier of one.

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But she was a good sport.

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Just not sure about all the craziness.

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Okay, actually, I'm really upset now, mom! You expect me to eat this without a fork?

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Jeez! It's about time. That's better, thanks!

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She had a few bites.

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Seemed to like it.

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But wasn't too hungry or happy at this point.

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She was in her high chair all of 10 minutes.

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Oh well!

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PJ inherited the remains of her cake, after he housed one huge slice of his own.

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Trying to feed cake to his friend Wyatt.

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Daddy and BG in the living room.

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He's a maniac...maniac... (look at cute little Emma in the background!)

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The aftermath.

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Who's going to clean this mess up? THE END!

To Indiana with Indie

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Picking dandelions for mommy

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Then rubbing them on my hand. :)

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That tree kills me!

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Feeding Buster his dinner. (Just kidding.) He whines to get up there, so this is what we do. Take embarrassing photos of him!

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Indie and I arrive in the Hoosier state. Who is this person?

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Ant gets acquainted with his niece.

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The two cousins meet.

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He is wary of this stranger with the camera.

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Can you blame him? I proceed to take 5,000 photos in the first 5 minutes.

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They seem to be getting along okay so far...

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Now is that cute or what?!

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Oh. My. God. As I told my brother later, "Grandma Veva is literally going to keel over dead when she sees this photo." So. Adorable.

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Now he sizes her up after all that lovin...

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And decides to squoosh her face. But she's no worse for the wear...she can take whatever you can dish out, bubba!

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Chaos in my mom's living room.

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Always noisy fun at grandma's.

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Isaiah didn't want to get out of that wagon!

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He'd sit in there all day, I think.

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Yay!

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She's getting tired.

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On the way from Goshen to Butler, IN.

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So pretty!

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Uncle Jimmy says hello to Indie.

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These kids got down and dirty at the Eagles Lodge.

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Indie loves to play with toy cars! Such a tomboy.

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My grandparents, circa 1959

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My grandparents today, with one of their seven great-grandchildren. Wish Penny could have been there.

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Happy 50th Anniversary, Grandma & Grandpa Harter!

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What a nice couple of photos. (This was the only time she let grandma hold her without crying! The stinker.)

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Isaiah stops by for some more lovin'. (Dan asked, "Why does he keep kissing her so much?")

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Can you blame him?

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Plus she wanted to share her binky with him. Not to mention he spreads his lovin' around liberally.

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These two turds fell asleep about .2 miles from mom's house.

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Poor kids!

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Oh, this photo breaks my heart. She was SO tired, this whole trip.

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I took about 90 photos of her with this pan lid.

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She looks so much like Dan here!

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These could have been really cool if I had that Nikon D80...

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Okay, maybe not, but still...

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I was inspired. We tried to do a self-portrait.

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It wasn't working out.

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Just a few more, I swear! (This is one of my favorites.)

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And I just like her pretty legs, in this one.

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Okay! I'm done! No more pan lid pictures!

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The next day, we visited dad's house and hung out with that wild man again.

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I love how his shoes are unbuckled cause his feetskies are so fat.

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And I adore his expressions sometimes. What is he thinking about here? The stock market? Puppy dogs? What to have for lunch?

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I kind of want to eat him.

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Indie hung on strong, even though she was lacking sleep and missing a nap.

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And even though she had these crazy ladies watching her every move! :)

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She's a good sport.

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There he goes again, kissing on her.

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She loves this kitty cat.

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She's like, "What are you doing, you maniac?!"

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"I just want to sleep here on my cat..."

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We went outside for some fresh 60+ degree air.

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This little girl dragged grandma around real good.

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Onyx!

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What a good dog.

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Aunt Deb, Isaiah and Megan

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You can definitely tell he's in missed-nap-territory too...

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Indie LOVES dogs. All dogs. Any dogs. Big dogs. Small dogs. Especially their tails.

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Grandma, Indie, Isaiah & Meg

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Grandma and her great-grandbabies (minus one and a half)

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They're both like, "LET US SLEEP NOW!"

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Again, with his cute little expressions.

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Just thinking about the weather.

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He's got serious things to ponder.

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Ahh, he thought of something funny!

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Indie feels the wind

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They are both getting loopy.

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Hanging on by a thread!

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Grandpa takes the big boy for a walk.

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Indie joins them with Aunt Deb

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Coming back now...this put the nail in her coffin. 2+ hour nap afterwards!

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Isaiah gets ready to say bye-bye.

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Umm? Cutest picture ever?

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It's hard to put color in those pale cheeks of his, so these are a little over-saturated. I like the effect, though.

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Check out those highlights, man! Are you kidding me?

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That night we hung with Uncle Joey back at the Garberick Homestead

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I LOVE this picture. Joey will always be my Ichabod. I was sure he was gonna break those skinny legs.

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She was pumped to be outside again!

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Baby girl loves slides and grass and dirt and bugs.

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Another cool one of the Joester.

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And a few of mommy now!

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This is a good workout for the arms. Up and down, up and down.

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She is exhausting, that one.

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A face-first slide, anyone?

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And back up again. Shoulders. So. Sore!

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Now on her belly, backwards.

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She was totally infatuated with Joey's little friend Betsy.

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It was so cute!

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Just look at that expression...she's like, "A girl! A real live big girl!"

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See?

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What a funny face!

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Going down the slide with her uncle

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Now with Betsy - they were going fast!

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Now all 3...sheesh.

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Poor Joey. He will hate me someday for putting things like this up. I just thought it was cute.

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Our last morning, playing outside on a day that is destined to be 70 degrees out. (Yay nice weather!)

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My barefoot hillbilly brother in the background. :)

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She was having a bad hair day.

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We're....off to see the wizard...

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She was looking very Dorothy-esque with that denim and gingham number.

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A morning snack.

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I think he had a mouthful of food! Nice one, papa.

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Isaiah's daddy teaches him to throw rocks.

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What more do you expect?

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Doesn't seem like that long ago that my brother was the size of that kid.

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He's a good dad. I love you, Ant!

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Indie contemplates the flight ahead of us.

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And the dried worms on the ground.

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Where did your hair bow go, little girl?

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We have to get her to stop sitting like that...I don't care what the pediatrician says!

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Carbo Bedhead...

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I like this picture of them. She was so tired, but still smiling about him. She liked her uncle the best, I think.

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Here you go, mom! A recent pic of Lucy.

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Oh, tired man!

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Goodbye Isaiah! We will miss you so much. See you this fall, maybe...

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Back in California, going on a walk/ride.

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He knows how to turn now, so we take long walks around the neighborhood.

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He needs to learn to watch where he's driving though...

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Sometimes he gets too interested in his surroundings. THE END!

Early March 09

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They both needed to wrap up some last-minute tasks at the "office."

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She was killing me in this little dress.

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So cute! Buster is working hard too, as you can see.

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Stinkers.

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Sick girl and mommy stayed home from church.

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Indie pretended she was Buster!

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She was obsessed with getting into and out of his little dog bed.

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BOOGERS!

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Just happy as can be.

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Maxin' and relaxin'

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She has some more teeth on the way...

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What a busy bee.

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Playing guitar with daddy.

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She is so blonde, huh!

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Strumming a little tune

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Uggh - those two!

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Now she wants to hold it, too

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Oooohh....buttons!

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(I gave him a haircut this weekend - don't worry!)

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Meanwhile...

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This is where you can find this boy, most days.

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Nose behind his Thomas video game on the Leapster. Thanks a lot, Grandma Susie!

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The Node...still there...sorry. I make him do this every 3.5 seconds. Might as well show you why.

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He's still happy though! Ain't no thang.

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See? He says, "Percy is a smaller engine."

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Getting to be such a big boy.

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This head used to fit in mommy's hand!

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Calling Grandma Carbo on the computer.

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Playing in the "ocean"

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He tried to eat the color pellet. Yuck!

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He's like a man now, I know

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Indie was terrified by that blue water!

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She thought it was going to come get her!

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I made more cake truffles for a friend from church.

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I didn't have big enough boxes for my message! Oh well.

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We made do.

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Is there anything you *can't* do with candy coating?

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These were my "oops" balls. :)

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Just inspired by a windchime ornament outside this morning.

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Beautiful!

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You know how I like to take these kinds of photos...

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The trees are blooming and spring is in the air!

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I wish they would all bloom at once, but that purple one's flowers are blowing into the yard like snow already...

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THE END. :)

Aquarium Feb 09

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Daddy's Girl.

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He was trying to copy her hairstyle again.

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How cute is that?

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They really are like Irish twins.

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I just liked how they were both holding onto the bar.

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"WOW."

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She's the coolest baby ever.

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He wanted to be held for a little while.

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They had a moving walkway, so it was definitely a high-stimuli environment!

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I was about to delete this when I realized I was trying to catch the giant sea bass there on the left - over 70 years old and 150 lbs or something like that? And she'll live for probably another 80 years? WOW!

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Scuba divers - I wonder if they like this job or if it's like a glorified Petco gig?

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These funny British tourists asked me if the "leopard thingies" were sharks, too. I said, "Yes." while gesturing toward the huge text below the tank that read "LEOPARD SHARKS."

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I started to get creeped out thinking what would happen if there were an earthquake while we were down there. YIKES!

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The boys had a great time. I was ready to leave, after the aforementioned earthquake thoughts.

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"Tarfish" as Penn would say.

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Note to self: aquarium lighting = NOT flattering to humans. Especially about-to-be-30 ones. AHHHHH!!!!!

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I conveniently LOST that binkie clip after viewing these photos. Don't worry, I'm on it!

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I repeat: coolest baby ever. She is so portable and so easy!

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Dan touched a bat ray!

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No way was I sticking my hand in there.

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But he touched the shark, too!

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Can you tell we were asking him if HE wanted to touch the shark? (He's like, "Who, me?")

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Indie seems to say, "Don't do it, brother!"

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Don't worry about him...he's keeping his hands to himself.

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And he literally did, for like, the next 20 minutes.

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Like we were gonna force him to touch the shark or something. Sheesh.

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(You thought this was going to be a photo of us forcing him to touch a shark, didn't you?) Ha! We let him go. This time.

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Skies were gray...she was making me happy...

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"And the sun shines on the baaaaahay..."

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Jeez, who cut those bangs, dude?! Oh wait. It was me. :)

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Rice cakes = best distraction ever, when the waiter is taking too long.

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We saw a huge rainbow coming into Petaluma!

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I took about 40 other photos of it.

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Be glad I am only subjecting you to 5.

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It was neat though...it almost went right to our house.

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Gotta love that! See how green the mountains are, those of you who visited in the summer? THE END!

Valentine's Day Cake

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Indie was "helping" mommy in the kitchen.

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I guess she and Buster had the munchies.

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She's like, "What are you lookin' at?"

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I always forget to take photos of the whole process...here's one I managed to remember to snap.

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I was going to try to make the chocolate holders edible too...

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But as you can see, it didn't work out. Painting with chocolate takes FOREVER.

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The final result. See? (A lot happened between that last picture and now, huh. I need to work on that.)

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This was past midnight...poor tired man. He played video games while I worked. Some Valentine's Day present! (By the way, that is a classic GOATee, huh?)

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All boxed up and ready to go...nowhere.

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I was going to take it to his office, but got self-conscious. Yet here I am sharing it with everyone online anyway...hmm.

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Those are all homemade. And guess what? Except for the lips, none of that is candy...they're balls of cake! HA! This yummy joke is on you. THE END.

Early Feb 09

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This is the easiest way for me to get their dinner made!

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They're always soooo thirsty when they get home!

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Look at that belly!

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I couldn't resist taking multiple photos of this.

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Trying to see her feet? Or maybe it's that binkie down there...

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She's just kinda standing there on her own!

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Just chillin' at dinnertime.

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Both got their blankies.

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It was Friday...dress like Rainbow Brite Day...

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He goes crazy on those things.

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We were being pensive.

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Daddy's little Eagles fan.

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Slidin' like a crazy man.

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PJ and The Node hang out on one of the springie thingies again.

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Dan says it's a horse...I think it's a blue donkey. My little democrat!

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I think she looks sooo much like Dan here.

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She reportedly goes down the slide with the kids at daycare.

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Love that hair sticking up!

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Went a little sideways and got scared this trip down.

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She had to think about it a little while.

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Just making sure she knows where the ground is.

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Do I want to do that again, or...?

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Hmm.

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Meanwhile, wild man surveys the scene.

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She decides she wants to go back up again!

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She was screamin' and hootin' and hollerin' up there.

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Takes her a while to get warmed up (like it used to with PJ) but then she loves it.

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She couldn't wait to slide again.

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I love anytime they are within 2 feet of each other. Can you tell?

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Daddy rescues Baby Girl from the natives.

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We took a quick trip to the store.

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I know, it's not really fair...he takes the seat up top and leaves her in the basket. Poor baby!

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Those pajamas weren't cool enough...needed to be decorated with lots of race car stickers. THE END!

The Carbo Family in California - carbofamily

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