tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79908841293443950222024-02-19T05:07:28.012-08:00All things bright and beautifulj.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-67275228764459114382010-03-01T09:41:00.000-08:002010-03-01T09:55:03.884-08:00Be still and know that I am GodWhen my dad called me late last night and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Do you think God speaks to us?" I knew it was going to be a good conversation. My dad is an amazing man - he has been through so much the last 6 months and has been successfully clean & sober since October 16th! Anyways, he went to a meditation AA meeting last night after having a rough couple of weeks with neck pain and friends relapsing and a mini hiatus in talking to God. When the lights were turned off and the candles were lit, the room was silent and my dad didn't know where to begin. He felt frustrated and although he didn't say it, I'm sure he's been feeling a little neglected or even abandoned by God. Then in the stillness he heard a voice. "Be still and know that I am God." He looked around thinking, "Am seriously losing my marbles?" And then he heard it again, as clear as if someone was speaking in front of him, "Be still and know that I am God." "Who am I that God could be talking to me?" Dad thinks to himself, or to God. "God, is that really you talking?" The voice replies, "I am within you." "How is this possible?" he asks. God says to him, "Did I not create you? Be still and know that I am God."<br /><br />I looked up where it says "Be still and know that I am God" in the Bible and its from Psalm 46:10. The first verse in Psalm 46 says "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." How powerful and fitting for where Dad is at in life right now. How inspiring and refreshing it is to remember that God cares - he hears our cries for help. He is never far away. Thank you Abba Father for speaking so clearly to my dad and in turn, speaking volumes to my own heart. Amen.j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-13700179738038370102009-04-22T12:30:00.000-07:002009-04-22T12:57:41.437-07:00School Ties<span style="font-size:78%;">Cascade College. There is a heavy sigh that follows those two words for me. When I was in highschool I swore up and down that I would never ever ever go there. God had a different plan in mind. It is emotional and uncomfortable for me to reminisce about my time there. While I am so grateful that I met my amazing husband there and that I made a couple life long friends I am embarassed at how lackadaisical I was after my sophomore year. I made a dumb decision and it felt like so many regarded me as they would a leper. Heaven forbid...well, this is not the tangent I intended to follow. Regardless of how people treated me - for real or perceived from my end - I did not give my college experience the respect that it deserved. For that matter - I didn't give it the respect that I deserved. I should have taken advantage of being in this close-knit community of believers to help my faith have a foundation of its own. I love my life now and I wouldn't change the outcome for anything, but there are times when I wish I had not been so caught up in my budding romance with my fabulous husband that I ditched class too many times to count and lost the respect of some of my professors. I realized a lot about myself during those years - some not so great things. I realized I am a surface learner. I have a difficult time coming up with ideas of my own. Give me material to memorize and I am golden. Give me a movie that perhaps could have spiritual undertones and ask me to relate it to a situation in my walk with Christ and I am lost. During college I tried placing the blame away from me, and even until today I think I have blamed the way people reacted to my early mistakes for why I gave up in a sense. Well today I am taking responsibility. I made mistakes and poor choices and didn't take appropriate advantage of a great opportunity. Thank you Father for opening my eyes and helping me let go. </span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">This is not a self-pitying post. I just needed a venue to get my thoughts out of my head - even if just momentarily. I feel like maybe if I put them out there, I may feel some sort of relief from the guilt. Who knows. Regardless of it all, I have been blessed. I am so fortunate to have a husband who loves and cares for me; a son who has us wrapped around his little finger; and a network of friends and family that help us get through life's ups and downs. </span>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-86211095504565407382009-04-22T11:59:00.000-07:002009-04-22T12:03:35.851-07:00PrayerAs I was looking for encouragement this morning I found these words on a friend of a friend's blog that described last night perfectly.<br /><br />"As I fell asleep that night, I was sad, depressed, and confused, yet at the same time, hopeful. Hopeful because I believe in a God that hears the prayers of His people and is faithful in caring for His flock. Hopeful, because I know that I can't fix it, but HE CAN. Hopeful, because when Satan attacks, GOD remains more powerful!"<br /><br />Thank you Abba for hearing our prayers and holding us close.j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-77171011843017520922009-04-17T16:55:00.000-07:002009-04-17T17:05:44.802-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCkkwA8WvcwjT7ITLlejlkekissm9rjkdM3syX7dtbQAmQG_-xhi_nYBm5BYZVWBu02u2BjkMoTH4hXnBDxvic2Y12alwHUGWaf_AawQl3LSloORGUx9hI7TFX6VrbQYvD3DMdQo6FPI/s1600-h/IMG_4986.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325813576218399922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCkkwA8WvcwjT7ITLlejlkekissm9rjkdM3syX7dtbQAmQG_-xhi_nYBm5BYZVWBu02u2BjkMoTH4hXnBDxvic2Y12alwHUGWaf_AawQl3LSloORGUx9hI7TFX6VrbQYvD3DMdQo6FPI/s320/IMG_4986.jpg" /></a> There is definitely something that changes within your spirit when you become a mother. You are suddenly connected to this little person in ways you never could have imagined. His laughter fills me with joy to my core. His cry gets to my heart the way no other cry can. Here are some of my favorite things about my Benjamin Quinn. The way he sticks out his tongue and scrunches his eyebrows when he is really focused on getting something done. The way he squats and side steps when he thinks he is being sneaky. The way he grabs my face in his chubby little hands and kisses me with a drooly snotty face. The way he desperately wants to do everything his daddy does. The way he tries to sign "I love you" and isn't even close but you know he is trying his hardest. And his dimples...he has 2 regular cheek dimples, a chin dimple, a high cheek dimple and a dimple on each shoulder! I LOVE HIS DIMPLES!<br /><div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-79826211879017332522009-04-13T13:05:00.000-07:002009-04-17T16:04:13.963-07:00Happy Easter!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mTH1iRKWYMV30XVUXOPUng1vO281YqidFai0aN0ZM1gdqR4Qy7equehysa0bdrTpKlRSgtFxuw5TK10Q7ctqfitjz6emL1vS8I6cEDJievZByIMIHFrYn27eB8MohBktq1kA5l4gNYE/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1019.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324299475045918562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mTH1iRKWYMV30XVUXOPUng1vO281YqidFai0aN0ZM1gdqR4Qy7equehysa0bdrTpKlRSgtFxuw5TK10Q7ctqfitjz6emL1vS8I6cEDJievZByIMIHFrYn27eB8MohBktq1kA5l4gNYE/s320/Ben+Pics+1019.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljnNNxX24TmoHtKyknUyUkxGE4GvZM5SAQjmOHSYOzGBO7yVEKhmuvpz8Oe4_ZmE0kZvg2_3gS-KQmZx3QOkr39Hul76sEB_WtkOiYls97SMyX7PK_LUvtUgESYZze9o38VKdAJj5O00/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1077.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324299465638865634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljnNNxX24TmoHtKyknUyUkxGE4GvZM5SAQjmOHSYOzGBO7yVEKhmuvpz8Oe4_ZmE0kZvg2_3gS-KQmZx3QOkr39Hul76sEB_WtkOiYls97SMyX7PK_LUvtUgESYZze9o38VKdAJj5O00/s320/Ben+Pics+1077.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJVmYVtiLY84XuJLuWAXk-8EVDe6qyDrZjQCajQnTJHxQTHfEoSEBGYo0XQ6HYufCksR70ihK4ariX-A77Vsp0iGClEdDcLzKnqRt7gDTvhuPx1LMBj460-cJ_s39aXA-CGtnuIABgBg/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+943.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324297886029116530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJVmYVtiLY84XuJLuWAXk-8EVDe6qyDrZjQCajQnTJHxQTHfEoSEBGYo0XQ6HYufCksR70ihK4ariX-A77Vsp0iGClEdDcLzKnqRt7gDTvhuPx1LMBj460-cJ_s39aXA-CGtnuIABgBg/s320/Ben+Pics+943.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOG03RLZn-2cZJj75eX_mWvzC_VDD5LXPUuOQHwd6HB6IDgJKOcg6ih48sAvj2NtyK8V5tCB8sTZ5EMrCCSpENFXIvJms3bFKJI-DC41R2U3XCgzURdypMH1zdR1t6Pp_Hg3hlhck0cw/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+942.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324297882075963938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOG03RLZn-2cZJj75eX_mWvzC_VDD5LXPUuOQHwd6HB6IDgJKOcg6ih48sAvj2NtyK8V5tCB8sTZ5EMrCCSpENFXIvJms3bFKJI-DC41R2U3XCgzURdypMH1zdR1t6Pp_Hg3hlhck0cw/s320/Ben+Pics+942.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJn2MhDE5v_Tq0CY18_3aSe78-UggQcm48r-wjOn0zgvg22YIBT7uRfG3PjZE1LK5g5ekINxGuxDQyqTVE01kjlcFIFtfsjkBF__EZ7MTfYxgEjMElCQq5zp61sJAQk-u4dGKlbv_6E0/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+897.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324297876534620738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJn2MhDE5v_Tq0CY18_3aSe78-UggQcm48r-wjOn0zgvg22YIBT7uRfG3PjZE1LK5g5ekINxGuxDQyqTVE01kjlcFIFtfsjkBF__EZ7MTfYxgEjMElCQq5zp61sJAQk-u4dGKlbv_6E0/s320/Ben+Pics+897.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCUMPSav0SYg3T1m1vUt1HJWAsDRpCiIebxnrx7LVcW5xcW_8cB0iuXWDGV8pPduvfSfjl7-rdVpbVVU6Fzz_HUQUjGlK5c4__WecDrVc2pi9ilZEDv2LtZR5hdu72JE8SHdzgo9NZL4/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+864.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324297873169900450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCUMPSav0SYg3T1m1vUt1HJWAsDRpCiIebxnrx7LVcW5xcW_8cB0iuXWDGV8pPduvfSfjl7-rdVpbVVU6Fzz_HUQUjGlK5c4__WecDrVc2pi9ilZEDv2LtZR5hdu72JE8SHdzgo9NZL4/s320/Ben+Pics+864.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfCv7ceNYfdWTdnVqDFpBOgtAP_I8sVwY9hiFNmmxq4hK60v0ZmzI4KhsW8Zqjbvev-HKiuWRHMY99GPk3C4yXQKLp0mfcPLTQMxp7ZsnElvs3p6hNM68mWq7BS-cRzwLhxxlMBW57ws/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+860.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324297867038122946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfCv7ceNYfdWTdnVqDFpBOgtAP_I8sVwY9hiFNmmxq4hK60v0ZmzI4KhsW8Zqjbvev-HKiuWRHMY99GPk3C4yXQKLp0mfcPLTQMxp7ZsnElvs3p6hNM68mWq7BS-cRzwLhxxlMBW57ws/s320/Ben+Pics+860.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iLqEMIx4bo-yJTXq7CaQTVUFiquADIRmFqmNaKLT8tDTyW87NzLh3dCptD69BqhwXZUuh8ZprdYqKHUjWNa44Z4Hs3_AwcOhfNByO8U5VR92v6EE6D-mSQzv2QTq0cI05MV5TpreqSY/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+797.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324292650754013922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6iLqEMIx4bo-yJTXq7CaQTVUFiquADIRmFqmNaKLT8tDTyW87NzLh3dCptD69BqhwXZUuh8ZprdYqKHUjWNa44Z4Hs3_AwcOhfNByO8U5VR92v6EE6D-mSQzv2QTq0cI05MV5TpreqSY/s320/Ben+Pics+797.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdkRxGO1KMmKjxRZMQJKsZXXhZqc1ZFYH587k8sA7BM2W1YpacjTHDIRmQsxADtv1hq0xPe-x7ewjkf1v8K8hL8l2OmiicVtNSr4x_JbfPWJ73hMwXxx6Qb374Ew3xYS_L5D4I2CDpjs/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+790.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324292643347331058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOdkRxGO1KMmKjxRZMQJKsZXXhZqc1ZFYH587k8sA7BM2W1YpacjTHDIRmQsxADtv1hq0xPe-x7ewjkf1v8K8hL8l2OmiicVtNSr4x_JbfPWJ73hMwXxx6Qb374Ew3xYS_L5D4I2CDpjs/s320/Ben+Pics+790.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eYo2f1-MNAJ07n6Ed8vQ0x_L7JJM_BV7sAP8dRywCTg3P3lj3xr9GOdGOy4EtcQKI9xYqbX5a7H0hx8nHeJRRbJ5t7QPv7ffMlJrsiLtkV_6Ebtha23j44DakrnOZBsUsvUVt3IimEg/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+773.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324292641876750498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eYo2f1-MNAJ07n6Ed8vQ0x_L7JJM_BV7sAP8dRywCTg3P3lj3xr9GOdGOy4EtcQKI9xYqbX5a7H0hx8nHeJRRbJ5t7QPv7ffMlJrsiLtkV_6Ebtha23j44DakrnOZBsUsvUVt3IimEg/s320/Ben+Pics+773.jpg" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-73754539983941344402009-03-03T14:18:00.001-08:002009-04-17T16:54:57.464-07:00Homeowners at last!Much has happened since my last post. We had a blast in Tahoe and thoroughly enjoyed our little getaway time. The cabin was gorgeous and the view was spectacular...right on the lake surrounded by snow and trees. We ate too much, drank wonderfully, gambled a little, and relaxed a ton. It was perfect timing to leave Ben overnight. We both needed to get away and have grown up time.<br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325801424051187618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjQjxzroeDW-1Vu-m3L9NPPqgNACyw9DlYkt-BYBuwa-_G5Q5kOlivlmGiK3ZTrH9kqP_zofgJE7HLNbj8ZZ5RRdp3vqCqAUdSQwYlTb0KTQtSDIECfB8yTmTDGA9lQgLd5N3bCVLg7s/s320/front+of+the+house.JPG" /><br /><div>We got keys to our new house the last Wednesday of February!!! Talk about a stressful process...Everything went completely smooth until the very end. We signed papers on Friday, February 20th. I saw the house in person for the first time the next day...I know, sounds crazy, but the market is ridiculously competitive down here and I have an amazing husband that I trust with all my heart! We were hoping for keys late Monday, but that didn't happen. Tuesday rolled around and they decided to argue over whether the house was in Sacramento or Rancho Cordova so no keys on Tuesday. Then finally, hallelujah, Wednesday evening rolled around and they submitted our paperwork 7 minutes before that day's deadline! Woohoo! This house is no gem, it needs a ton of cosmetic work and has a few deeper issues but I love it! It has a fantastic layout and we have done a ton of work in the last 6 1/2 weeks. Here are some before and after pics so you can get a feel for what we've been doing! (Keep in mind there is still a ton of work to be done...)</div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><br /><div>living room...</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g96EuBguLBGdITYe36SdmkNxpmkI3oEuB6XTyojJxbVyXG3ozJvpjF0fUrlLHwYatBEQZceAckCpu6gXSkGwf68vG7F_7QZjGnzF5wCLZX2lnZpPSA5oQaWWNbly0zEtgtniYOOuX_k/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1080.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324270431923818914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g96EuBguLBGdITYe36SdmkNxpmkI3oEuB6XTyojJxbVyXG3ozJvpjF0fUrlLHwYatBEQZceAckCpu6gXSkGwf68vG7F_7QZjGnzF5wCLZX2lnZpPSA5oQaWWNbly0zEtgtniYOOuX_k/s320/Ben+Pics+1080.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5LzAXSTEytQc2RFSHB8tEvOtPJoaDw93DeQR1_oEiuymp70xkeOEqRDdZqLD8O9qxl9IPHE_VXZzZ67NLFt6MboOdAGaU0HcmXmeqPDXDxk60gc3eVF6_esqiTsLVA2wWK-cQniSmig/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1117.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324268563114538130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5LzAXSTEytQc2RFSHB8tEvOtPJoaDw93DeQR1_oEiuymp70xkeOEqRDdZqLD8O9qxl9IPHE_VXZzZ67NLFt6MboOdAGaU0HcmXmeqPDXDxk60gc3eVF6_esqiTsLVA2wWK-cQniSmig/s320/Ben+Pics+1117.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>gross nasty high gloss tile...GONE! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwvJpa1QxEvXyRCtCg26SY_MI1ZxoU-7vuewoKPv_I1_MP_woa1GNArRxPA9PGI8T9XV50VVpnXzerdBHXe6ckkhote5Jc9amI0ujVzNDbIjsSHhzajRM7mBYcdysZgB-YfCf-c6-yNs/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1112.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324284662356692306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwvJpa1QxEvXyRCtCg26SY_MI1ZxoU-7vuewoKPv_I1_MP_woa1GNArRxPA9PGI8T9XV50VVpnXzerdBHXe6ckkhote5Jc9amI0ujVzNDbIjsSHhzajRM7mBYcdysZgB-YfCf-c6-yNs/s320/Ben+Pics+1112.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br />the office/spare room</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqRpddeOIdhFhdTwXCvyW8uxfHw9szl7ItKI4wIgLjzHW6umXqB4gCDQEKY2N8tkiMpnh9Fj43qckN1Kaiy0HdJSL1E6cMyj8XjkV7GeC9nZ06zx8alXo0aBfJ5DQOME-TKBsyRhVdBc/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1121.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324271757056631298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBqRpddeOIdhFhdTwXCvyW8uxfHw9szl7ItKI4wIgLjzHW6umXqB4gCDQEKY2N8tkiMpnh9Fj43qckN1Kaiy0HdJSL1E6cMyj8XjkV7GeC9nZ06zx8alXo0aBfJ5DQOME-TKBsyRhVdBc/s320/Ben+Pics+1121.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLqwweRgvyH1BJLSY7xs9P9sJ3s7xfGhYafO6sEc_kXJi_TSm6uK6mrVktNk6kY10KlCCAASmJy5PzgpSciYLmDgvH0_8Z_KIFxv8FILtQ1svzgvXei3wjnYRDPHXABpqNNMEl5YoDl0/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+784.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324272095820693714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSLqwweRgvyH1BJLSY7xs9P9sJ3s7xfGhYafO6sEc_kXJi_TSm6uK6mrVktNk6kY10KlCCAASmJy5PzgpSciYLmDgvH0_8Z_KIFxv8FILtQ1svzgvXei3wjnYRDPHXABpqNNMEl5YoDl0/s320/Ben+Pics+784.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br />this is still our office....we put these wood laminate floors throughout the whole house (except the kitchen and bathrooms)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJMUs97AUGUswfsKsZpILLXEykTiibruuCiurVABKijTkbhxwo1g_VOjDXvDMa90FujU9_yCu4bh9g2JpUksUN2qIKk3yYkVqOlPUmi_jto44rYodhW2JLVll1p013bZ1GVpMRXQYok/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+825.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324275809493641586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIEJMUs97AUGUswfsKsZpILLXEykTiibruuCiurVABKijTkbhxwo1g_VOjDXvDMa90FujU9_yCu4bh9g2JpUksUN2qIKk3yYkVqOlPUmi_jto44rYodhW2JLVll1p013bZ1GVpMRXQYok/s320/Ben+Pics+825.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LN_MJvJr1mJAZYVhmA943iq6dzNfl0zf48AFvUZzU_fbZbPvfdlbgfUyXTBp9ano8I9yqjaz8b6vV_SsCf_8P2m2xrSLkpA_t9Cwvf0Eww9SD8GylR3Sg-MiamZmFkKoOqVrwEphpM8/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1092.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324282774739437426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LN_MJvJr1mJAZYVhmA943iq6dzNfl0zf48AFvUZzU_fbZbPvfdlbgfUyXTBp9ano8I9yqjaz8b6vV_SsCf_8P2m2xrSLkpA_t9Cwvf0Eww9SD8GylR3Sg-MiamZmFkKoOqVrwEphpM8/s320/Ben+Pics+1092.jpg" /></a><br /><br />the front bathroom has black and white tile that looked kind of retro so we ripped out the disgusting vanity and installed this cute one instead....I did the plumbing all by myself!<br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTUFzpKHS14ZhEVbrIFMc-zDc_ZADjXv49h_ofOqHGIOzIhuiYkOP8Uf48ixHqvf28knqv9cuOgRvHNbVTLEVOMLcLkp3Hxa5GnBFro5q_zq8EZtaw2mwvcT23pFYZy1FEatR0esOyJA/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+1086.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324274088717458034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTUFzpKHS14ZhEVbrIFMc-zDc_ZADjXv49h_ofOqHGIOzIhuiYkOP8Uf48ixHqvf28knqv9cuOgRvHNbVTLEVOMLcLkp3Hxa5GnBFro5q_zq8EZtaw2mwvcT23pFYZy1FEatR0esOyJA/s320/Ben+Pics+1086.jpg" /></a> Our yard is filled with Calla lillies so I have been enjoying huge bouquets of them in my kitchen!<br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j51O_VI6cbCWz3u-h0lUkU29hL4bxkF7K-jkK1wpKXVJr9dDJjnmHtjwdaqNJXu5stKu3J-oxjGwHnhSQQwZCTkgvc7FdNJmxKmCAbDEHFtZhTMljZh5QADcGHEUV7E5A8LlRGzQG9I/s1600-h/Ben+Pics+823.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324282769605373666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1j51O_VI6cbCWz3u-h0lUkU29hL4bxkF7K-jkK1wpKXVJr9dDJjnmHtjwdaqNJXu5stKu3J-oxjGwHnhSQQwZCTkgvc7FdNJmxKmCAbDEHFtZhTMljZh5QADcGHEUV7E5A8LlRGzQG9I/s320/Ben+Pics+823.jpg" /></a><br />We are getting new cabinets that I am going to sand and paint white to open up the space a bit more, but here is what our kitchen looks like for now.<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-24790949905208384002009-01-06T15:38:00.000-08:002009-01-13T13:31:41.609-08:00December was filled with family and fun!<div><br />
<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QcF3MHXfuilUE-wVu3J5cYL2JTnni1nWrZFLXVi2NgEwJKsUi6ZLEJQhyphenhyphenL0cswsz9b-Rpxh_y8dCJy43v3mQcRgEFDUvaWKkk2T9zpoOcTYwXvqPagVDH6yiSRByCPtiA_759TxolWI/s1600-h/Bens+Xmas+Tie.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288330270253600402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QcF3MHXfuilUE-wVu3J5cYL2JTnni1nWrZFLXVi2NgEwJKsUi6ZLEJQhyphenhyphenL0cswsz9b-Rpxh_y8dCJy43v3mQcRgEFDUvaWKkk2T9zpoOcTYwXvqPagVDH6yiSRByCPtiA_759TxolWI/s320/Bens+Xmas+Tie.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />
<br /><div>December was a crazy month for our little family. We started it off with Gigi (Grandma Cheryl), Uncle Quinn, and sweet miss Lydia flying in on Ben's 1st birthday. We shopped and toured San Francisco and enjoyed the winter sunshine for a couple days. We had a family party on the 5th and just enjoyed both sides of the family being in our home...and of course Ben enjoyed his first taste of birthday cake! The following weekend Grandpa Russ came to visit and celebrate an early Christmas with us. It was a good bonding time for Ben and Grandpa as they wrestled on the floor and played in the yard. </div><br />
<br /><div></div><br />
<br /><div>Christmas Eve and Christmas day were spent with the McPeak side of the family. Ben had so much fun at Great Grandma Betty's house. He definitely did not want to be contained. Since he started walking right around his first birthday, he is nonstop action man. He probably did laps around her house for a good two hours that day!</div><br />
<br /><div></div><br />
<br /><div>We went to a couple Christmas parties and a tremendously fun New Years party but have yet to leave Ben overnight. That momentous occasion is being saved for later this month while we go to Tahoe with all our friends...I will definitely write more about this after it happens. I believe I have sufficiently prepared myself mentally and emotionally for the last 3 months and will be able to survive 2 nights without being a ridiculous first time parent...we'll see.</div><br />
<br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288334464646622898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 180px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNHDRYz_-aKold9xPYJ75anyrOCHiUlwgj30Z2vw-UbYzr_e0I3phf4OJ9YUXhCRpJRmtMr0ssnLwIRfdVgRpz3lkCAxmSw9NJ3Eao0l8PTm8TqMWrrLpTxN3oc2dqV4by9BC2R42z9kw/s320/Chris+%26+Jess+NYE+08.JPG" border="0" /><br />
<br /><div>This is us ready for our New Year's Eve party. Chris and I were doing weight watchers before the holidays and then...well, lets just say we are getting back on track this week and looking forward to more weight loss! Yay!</div></div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-67661752476366505052008-10-24T15:08:00.000-07:002008-10-24T16:36:43.572-07:00Quinn's 20th Birthday Fiesta and more!<div><div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdjLqr0vtwCsAcntI82lHsnF1QPtwIG5jhV4NHn7KwoS_34DyehD6G40o2QwOzVwY-9FL-j4Njez0HKgi8dp5IoPuntYjS4zCRLvqTG-G23mAeNXsvDp3ZNYAZY3sJasLiwHgtKn3ou4/s1600-h/Ben+at+the+airport+-+10.16.08.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260855089675981906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 181px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixdjLqr0vtwCsAcntI82lHsnF1QPtwIG5jhV4NHn7KwoS_34DyehD6G40o2QwOzVwY-9FL-j4Njez0HKgi8dp5IoPuntYjS4zCRLvqTG-G23mAeNXsvDp3ZNYAZY3sJasLiwHgtKn3ou4/s320/Ben+at+the+airport+-+10.16.08.jpg" border="0" /></a> So we just got back from the beautiful Pacific Northwest and I am already going through withdrawals...we were so lucky to have perfect weather while we were up there! A lot happened during our short trip up there so here is a quick (or not so quick) synopsis...<br /><div><div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzenPGVobfot4T2ftcYS0kwYZg0822WlsxmpFFDg_JyL8nhS1s70209EAnyDIaqnn-AwAFqrbU_UpGkcClmz-UJHXh8F_X65PPW4IYX10ldg-v42aHKELjMyge1VAVEh2jl-QHGm1cgmE/s1600-h/IMG_2945.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260846958850966210" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzenPGVobfot4T2ftcYS0kwYZg0822WlsxmpFFDg_JyL8nhS1s70209EAnyDIaqnn-AwAFqrbU_UpGkcClmz-UJHXh8F_X65PPW4IYX10ldg-v42aHKELjMyge1VAVEh2jl-QHGm1cgmE/s320/IMG_2945.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>Quinn turned 20 on October 17th and we totally surprised him by showing up for his surprise party at Mom's house in Buckley! It was so fun to see his face when he realized we were in the crowd waiting to greet him! Lydia, his girlfriend bought him this fun tequila sunrise glasses, mustache and sombrero for him to wear...it was crazy how much like our dad he looks in these pictures!</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBufwxQrLDryvl7KOuZSKakZVulYEqXndRSszD1ElsssWj3zyR18QqU0S_sEG5TTrQ37N3JNzkp_LN5_m9gEDQPC3t46faW78DdZBvuegEvgpCTk_tehSzapUJlKhHsquoR05h7Ie56e8/s1600-h/IMG_2940.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260847820609139090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBufwxQrLDryvl7KOuZSKakZVulYEqXndRSszD1ElsssWj3zyR18QqU0S_sEG5TTrQ37N3JNzkp_LN5_m9gEDQPC3t46faW78DdZBvuegEvgpCTk_tehSzapUJlKhHsquoR05h7Ie56e8/s320/IMG_2940.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div>This is his friend Isaiah Trivelas and his girlfriend Lydia. I just love all three of them! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oAbt_NuQsguNAOvvpKe20VvHT-_jd_lGpSYVzOY-qJyFkBENfJF_dcq2Mx1bpQk-_2oP0qgb8XrECW4rgO7luu17bMHi4Z0E68cjsLLiaEscS6W3_UZAfG3vbdRmZBhYUcx6lzAdHaY/s1600-h/IMG_2927.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260848641843475714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 309px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4oAbt_NuQsguNAOvvpKe20VvHT-_jd_lGpSYVzOY-qJyFkBENfJF_dcq2Mx1bpQk-_2oP0qgb8XrECW4rgO7luu17bMHi4Z0E68cjsLLiaEscS6W3_UZAfG3vbdRmZBhYUcx6lzAdHaY/s320/IMG_2927.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br />The day after Quinn's party we went to Seattle to meet up with the Ries' family at Pike Place Market. It was a gorgeous sunny day (but cold) and we had so much fun catching up with our friends. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHqP745Lr8Ult1N0Yw2jBlTL8hZdf62F9pqwzVMEINwDPQO4Lgz06EmOjsT8fmgVyrVL19N5ABXkGgP8-pSFkC7X6xb6r1mAJv9CSv1VdcBKutcio7N6zSJcNPW6LGn6_ibiqKK3mFJo/s1600-h/IMG_0712.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260866442101613762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZHqP745Lr8Ult1N0Yw2jBlTL8hZdf62F9pqwzVMEINwDPQO4Lgz06EmOjsT8fmgVyrVL19N5ABXkGgP8-pSFkC7X6xb6r1mAJv9CSv1VdcBKutcio7N6zSJcNPW6LGn6_ibiqKK3mFJo/s320/IMG_0712.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is Ben Ries - our Ben's namesake...<br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKWzYgMovF2NJwayBP5Xh8tXYVCYnrkVCqcEFrLMRToJAHpAKBt0vXxCSYhU6L7uwxEoJM335SCf_IZf5ZZFcko-Y1i9AKc0c7LtdXqQdZ6C8lfhwfY61ZWyaRyEmT7AiVJPB3_JExp0/s1600-h/IMG_0786.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260866431219017730" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMKWzYgMovF2NJwayBP5Xh8tXYVCYnrkVCqcEFrLMRToJAHpAKBt0vXxCSYhU6L7uwxEoJM335SCf_IZf5ZZFcko-Y1i9AKc0c7LtdXqQdZ6C8lfhwfY61ZWyaRyEmT7AiVJPB3_JExp0/s320/IMG_0786.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxTZb6ejcQwf43EkylreYyiO9RYDBYaRPXsRMYpLW1mOGjcM5IIEHKBYze3VIu9TIAPuzg2q_mMbuAVNQtL0HOG09Me4Hw5EDbJDlgAlheGCdmHWclhTkE9lOelnz4mlBcKacIVSdDbM/s1600-h/IMG_0892.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260867600900650834" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxTZb6ejcQwf43EkylreYyiO9RYDBYaRPXsRMYpLW1mOGjcM5IIEHKBYze3VIu9TIAPuzg2q_mMbuAVNQtL0HOG09Me4Hw5EDbJDlgAlheGCdmHWclhTkE9lOelnz4mlBcKacIVSdDbM/s320/IMG_0892.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRgh4fb0mv_QYJi-a7UkYHl8WKS7943vtLIItlDxih88VXE7pp8HWQWSlJ9BLKGdtxZTgFyzOMTECfxpYdLHXRWrBuxgFGkD87ywOZTIQVnr6FJuLmExBZQ7HoY5I_9B7pE0G9TOEVzk/s1600-h/IMG_0722.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260867596228567762" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCRgh4fb0mv_QYJi-a7UkYHl8WKS7943vtLIItlDxih88VXE7pp8HWQWSlJ9BLKGdtxZTgFyzOMTECfxpYdLHXRWrBuxgFGkD87ywOZTIQVnr6FJuLmExBZQ7HoY5I_9B7pE0G9TOEVzk/s320/IMG_0722.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitns1coSezNrgOTIQeqwJvp4qbeenC2ZdgtAp8LhUOee0MRpSCxMD6mRRsBrX709hsXrhN9y3Vke4_Mvtez7G41kMrmUnvGHURKql0NZn_WSreDIphk7aXZIXbnQFaKEPXO_PtVyzUSow/s1600-h/IMG_0726.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260867591395488898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitns1coSezNrgOTIQeqwJvp4qbeenC2ZdgtAp8LhUOee0MRpSCxMD6mRRsBrX709hsXrhN9y3Vke4_Mvtez7G41kMrmUnvGHURKql0NZn_WSreDIphk7aXZIXbnQFaKEPXO_PtVyzUSow/s320/IMG_0726.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZy3PJKIl7hBB4pKVj_4qg1UJPAGTN84APwtRY6YUHBwwfo4oPAjDnM9IXK3wLaBwfrNkiWs6JBb7Vf7Qjlha2NuDOC62vmEt2F_ahFihdNVPFq_GZENNQL95333U-_K_yZqRosnh-So/s1600-h/IMG_0708.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260866444665621138" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZy3PJKIl7hBB4pKVj_4qg1UJPAGTN84APwtRY6YUHBwwfo4oPAjDnM9IXK3wLaBwfrNkiWs6JBb7Vf7Qjlha2NuDOC62vmEt2F_ahFihdNVPFq_GZENNQL95333U-_K_yZqRosnh-So/s320/IMG_0708.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5g23ZcilZt8Sq8awdAwZd6tSBrpazZC86W2NAOCMO3y0LhSa6-zSzCQ-wHyeqPX10TSumD1Npg6AwXqm5c78vLuLvlitpTo3HAkbphVbScqMFx134fvTa0ymbPYj7PbzLArwMF0xkZg/s1600-h/IMG_2961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260851527490261634" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU5g23ZcilZt8Sq8awdAwZd6tSBrpazZC86W2NAOCMO3y0LhSa6-zSzCQ-wHyeqPX10TSumD1Npg6AwXqm5c78vLuLvlitpTo3HAkbphVbScqMFx134fvTa0ymbPYj7PbzLArwMF0xkZg/s320/IMG_2961.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div> </div><div>My brother Adam moved back from Rhode Island Saturday so we got a chance to visit with him before he drove up north to prepare for an interview with a prestigious firm that does sculptures/artwork all over the country. (he got the job-yay!) He is a very talented artist and we are so excited for him! It was really good to catch up.</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcwHiogfs51jZCNrqPd_FBSljUw6SuwTuThVYy06LTNajXqaJWqucF195PEpvwMKQJHuhaZlGBbU_K08R6fmwOGbR3Ybj93_YGDaswzlHFuV1vs99a5jOJ6yCF2zhCb8wzetsLFO4gKE/s1600-h/IMG_2954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260852121746114882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcwHiogfs51jZCNrqPd_FBSljUw6SuwTuThVYy06LTNajXqaJWqucF195PEpvwMKQJHuhaZlGBbU_K08R6fmwOGbR3Ybj93_YGDaswzlHFuV1vs99a5jOJ6yCF2zhCb8wzetsLFO4gKE/s320/IMG_2954.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>That night, despite the odds being completely against her, Mom rolled 6 6's all in one roll while we played goocher. I rolled 5 6's earlier that night which is like 7775 to 1 odds, so her roll was ridiculous...Holy crap! Yes, we took a picture...for proof that we are not all liars. </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>Sunday we went to Scotty Christenson's new church plant - Renovo Church in Puyallup - renovochurch.com - it was really neat and he is such a dynamic preacher. You can really tell he is passionate about what he does.</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FoCxE1Sc7GooLGO6yowwpRURXJi1ozegy96nvTbT7wKBXBjwv0jYO3JhCNo6GWZN58Vi0V-bx_TFuwy8pYItlGCLeTefIN8XnABLUIwXN-oTQ3IgaGa64QFydF78uPL3ZhaVMFTJESI/s1600-h/IMG_2924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260854676938668866" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7FoCxE1Sc7GooLGO6yowwpRURXJi1ozegy96nvTbT7wKBXBjwv0jYO3JhCNo6GWZN58Vi0V-bx_TFuwy8pYItlGCLeTefIN8XnABLUIwXN-oTQ3IgaGa64QFydF78uPL3ZhaVMFTJESI/s320/IMG_2924.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>While we were there, I also got to meet my best friend's baby boy Caden C. Bailey. He is 2 months old and just perfect! It was really great to see Arame' again and fun to see her as a mommy! </div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /> </div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>I also got to catch up with Israel and her sweet family. These are her 2 boys enjoying the fiesta!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGU81Z2I2jBumBx9oa1uQLzXz0oMTVQFBAK5_RHoxKmr9ByQ1e1x45fBPM1_xsyT48_avB020egYdyxTuDJqf_R4te1hcBE4G5OAXCBdH2MXzZofuMO-lm9KXqY0Zbb3FUmsmYgnrgEU/s1600-h/IMG_2936.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260853990453122962" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGU81Z2I2jBumBx9oa1uQLzXz0oMTVQFBAK5_RHoxKmr9ByQ1e1x45fBPM1_xsyT48_avB020egYdyxTuDJqf_R4te1hcBE4G5OAXCBdH2MXzZofuMO-lm9KXqY0Zbb3FUmsmYgnrgEU/s320/IMG_2936.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /> </div><div align="center">Last but not least, here a few more of my favorite pictures from our trip. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260856913367071058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoGfoRO9VmG1s5cowrp54DI4wvMC-4pbcz2t4kIqkNIaGUMedBxHESE6pRVK83V0RjVnp4HcUGyltnCwyI7zPYVVoFblS3Y1ggWfiG2m47qkztfwi1D7f4vBXVcqnzvLQuigyuIB7coA/s320/IMG_2918.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260856909257272850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElkb01kCjQ1EQEykNW9yDfqqv4wBTcg19hwUrf1KPC2c6125enQUYvFzEd32DmLrJLPFxU8f36kVwi3M2AMswg2qOQ_l5__5AK5-tuR6iW4pfGkeD7MHmtJam-kqgY5T36p3M3yiHWUE/s320/IMG_2959.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260857600714387250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZHbvnSU8XYGX805sGhex3G8CEiLNFjx3qalXRn4vcoJNCaVKGkVgU2LTDEPYPX6Nci22BVwerr57N6waojGUTnq8-KJT4ZtGzYWyr831EOC5PNq75LQhITYakA2YLgyZ-GZ73pUYszdg/s320/IMG_2885.JPG" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260857594003760402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iFsabCybdEOBnHGd_7vmYeAtscXK-Zxel5KHIFL9bitfu7FwZXzHpcBjsVjsGerbPxgTk4ZZ9R0rPkx3O_XzMzY7C2GF9fSX6CBTJSzONCQI-0YWp4SjnTr24u_PB1PrnEjvmoeLblA/s320/IMG_2908.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-68969918118272713342008-10-24T14:42:00.000-07:002008-10-24T15:05:56.617-07:00"Punkin" Patch SeasonI never realized until this year, pointed out by my husband, that I say "punkin" instead of pumpkin. I especially say it in the phrase "punkin patch" because it is so much easier than the tongue twister that "pumpkin patch" turns out to be. So I am now practicing the correct to say it so as not to confuse Ben next year...and to avoid the ridicule that ensues when I say it wrong.<br /><br /><div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAzQ1liOvnVFfrrSsSSR4Tzgpt0tWNUvvYpGwIC9kCAyay843zkA72Y090wysFbPxLTBrHYrnjHW7r9C8Q6LSJ8_WNCgLAIPM6Gsww2req96NgrBbHJTRrtKllwOgeyI370GnkqTB97I/s1600-h/photo.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260840501793383010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAzQ1liOvnVFfrrSsSSR4Tzgpt0tWNUvvYpGwIC9kCAyay843zkA72Y090wysFbPxLTBrHYrnjHW7r9C8Q6LSJ8_WNCgLAIPM6Gsww2req96NgrBbHJTRrtKllwOgeyI370GnkqTB97I/s320/photo.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div>We went to Fog Willow with Tim, Sarah, Audrey (3 yrs) & Devin (8 wks) Sherlock earlier this month in Wilton. I love this time of year and would enjoy going to pumpkin patch just as the dorky adult that I am, but going with kids is so much more fun! </div></div><div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmMnQGeP6GGCt_9EA41i1VdVo2Nojza0QnY2Sc5cr2SAExXsdywY7XL9XmnZlmHXdDEfGZ9UoeCqWLIo5UmvLdNUeDABBysWFJAh85kDRk0NA0Hr2Du4I06VzrZtVD2FfbIHsmxpQP2E/s1600-h/IMG_0356.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260841218508864578" style="WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmMnQGeP6GGCt_9EA41i1VdVo2Nojza0QnY2Sc5cr2SAExXsdywY7XL9XmnZlmHXdDEfGZ9UoeCqWLIo5UmvLdNUeDABBysWFJAh85kDRk0NA0Hr2Du4I06VzrZtVD2FfbIHsmxpQP2E/s320/IMG_0356.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div>Audrey was cracking us up...she could not choose a pumpkin. She probably picked up at least 25 before Tim sat her down and said the next one she touched was the one she was getting. </div><div> </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7FonIPRuoqPO95Nx1_Z8V8DKA6wftHwwdTcUiDqzZ7MaovgO5MSbatwBSKBQ5IDpXoyhBFeGxxSrBRt7gPS4SZn-zFlanGrw2wvuAJnjJq6RmIuEqBErYj-lz1uB3MO9QwC_8AXeKpM/s1600-h/Hayride+1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260842501568607746" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7FonIPRuoqPO95Nx1_Z8V8DKA6wftHwwdTcUiDqzZ7MaovgO5MSbatwBSKBQ5IDpXoyhBFeGxxSrBRt7gPS4SZn-zFlanGrw2wvuAJnjJq6RmIuEqBErYj-lz1uB3MO9QwC_8AXeKpM/s320/Hayride+1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sarah & I went with the kids on a hayride around the farm - Ben sat on Audrey's lap the entire time and just loved every second! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACMcrxtJdw3_i4a0cAWiZppuv2cUeI_aIcXfNuCTB6w9WYWHXhQc3aNTmwPxlOpWXHXGm9yguN_WIO2iQB8nSI90NooHVqc3tepsUEVrZRXj_fFnitTnJsaO0HOmEqrnOusy57_W-iNM/s1600-h/IMG_0403.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260844392599830898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACMcrxtJdw3_i4a0cAWiZppuv2cUeI_aIcXfNuCTB6w9WYWHXhQc3aNTmwPxlOpWXHXGm9yguN_WIO2iQB8nSI90NooHVqc3tepsUEVrZRXj_fFnitTnJsaO0HOmEqrnOusy57_W-iNM/s320/IMG_0403.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0ElswBiP-YVDX_6o2uYUzTkk3Kjhfq9ZPFBx9Pg4TH9O0JayxeSsv5FVRE7AKPoVdOAb4EOHPq7FfrqXUcGLIMGB6fNmzWpOiaZxMf5F_I9p_vowcqlM9gIBrkxCfZZUKCRLyYdwXA4/s1600-h/IMG_0392.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260844391534145378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0ElswBiP-YVDX_6o2uYUzTkk3Kjhfq9ZPFBx9Pg4TH9O0JayxeSsv5FVRE7AKPoVdOAb4EOHPq7FfrqXUcGLIMGB6fNmzWpOiaZxMf5F_I9p_vowcqlM9gIBrkxCfZZUKCRLyYdwXA4/s320/IMG_0392.JPG" border="0" /></a>It is just a lot of fun to experience things through the eyes of a child. I can't believe Ben is going to be a year old in just 5 1/2 weeks...</div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-18133869189741240362008-10-03T12:50:00.000-07:002008-10-03T15:46:31.482-07:0010 months old...<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxxGwmfM5K3zxV8ETwbvxDUKRPtRA8cz-lZAo9LeJtknTgyh6O4IQBB3teCpMnvOk69hEaCmqXQP5d6Fa35wH4OF6mMoBgs2odUL5mWq9rbL7ULS8j7HfW6cypoEPCW70JbTSgfIu5XI/s1600-h/standing+up.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253017983266634866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidxxGwmfM5K3zxV8ETwbvxDUKRPtRA8cz-lZAo9LeJtknTgyh6O4IQBB3teCpMnvOk69hEaCmqXQP5d6Fa35wH4OF6mMoBgs2odUL5mWq9rbL7ULS8j7HfW6cypoEPCW70JbTSgfIu5XI/s320/standing+up.jpg" border="0" /></a></p>Ben is 10 months old today! His latest hobbies include pulling up on anything, cruising, laughing, giving high fives, shaking his head no while he touches a "no-no" and at other very random times, standing on his tip toes to play mommy's piano, eating a ton and a half every meal, and just making us fall in love with him more and more every day. He is a very very very happy baby! I am so lucky to have such an easy kid. Of course he has his moments...like the last three days while he is teething...but other than that, he is an angel! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBiwDvoF3eYOPC7J7reuu-KwKPIsxQklCZFDNx07Wmu6s2Jqj96Kubll3uWA3IVd6Uv30n1efmNOq5NikMUCZcd_p59fxuUgFrvzvB2KdBHO7mvMTNOjKGH4dPg8qQuc1sEOUjxe5SpQ/s1600-h/IMG_3694.JPG"></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="right"></div><br /><div align="left">Here are some more pics from our family picture day</div><br /><div align="right"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253019575254152050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ht6LnHVTITsTujNYiQTzC9Eh69L_kXU2wmSbK6AZHo1n50tJodGX-WaZOto-wqDaTFuXnu2WG1fJ24SGxaCNPgP-RZZKP9tn0ptvJbQrWUH9Rl5j1p0COzfx8NXF6zjvhA03y-IzorE/s320/IMG_0069.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1gL5SNERRMiUf46rrNg_9U_Rz01iU6DeALobyr0esvKYIv2kv7D7ltsvzqoRKT4sv9u_ZoYyfheseKgNZS8XY89SkH9TnvIq1N-ucF7QWrncIH0pSAADRwMkmG7rASSHe7CC0Xnjgwk/s1600-h/just+the+3+of+us.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253061762900747218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1gL5SNERRMiUf46rrNg_9U_Rz01iU6DeALobyr0esvKYIv2kv7D7ltsvzqoRKT4sv9u_ZoYyfheseKgNZS8XY89SkH9TnvIq1N-ucF7QWrncIH0pSAADRwMkmG7rASSHe7CC0Xnjgwk/s320/just+the+3+of+us.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1JJH1RXDJzwWQb-zQ6aJ7lSpR6Yyn5fifWVZY3tU7G9d8KiSYNfzRTDmBymmLsohGR5JU3i-b4bnI5HsrCCunyn00I_USxzCpJTgbh_F6DstGIGKaoF_k2Ng9kqc3RI5-UI52N-nWUg/s1600-h/McPeak+Family+Clan.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253061766817330146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1JJH1RXDJzwWQb-zQ6aJ7lSpR6Yyn5fifWVZY3tU7G9d8KiSYNfzRTDmBymmLsohGR5JU3i-b4bnI5HsrCCunyn00I_USxzCpJTgbh_F6DstGIGKaoF_k2Ng9kqc3RI5-UI52N-nWUg/s320/McPeak+Family+Clan.JPG" border="0" /></a>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-22021397767010983302008-10-01T14:02:00.001-07:002008-10-02T19:31:11.755-07:00Ben and his friends<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gL-7tol5mP6eIxllO-hD8QH2VooQzBHSMtJTCm53kFNq6Jjc7Cjbn8U7_WG80U-a7Dhf9MuEYd4bZbnkvEEkqKjUedIfie5UG1PeTHe1I2VVMq3C-wcW8kgU0EyLIqL-8gnjG3RHToQ/s1600-h/me+jonas+and+ben1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252295013780107378" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gL-7tol5mP6eIxllO-hD8QH2VooQzBHSMtJTCm53kFNq6Jjc7Cjbn8U7_WG80U-a7Dhf9MuEYd4bZbnkvEEkqKjUedIfie5UG1PeTHe1I2VVMq3C-wcW8kgU0EyLIqL-8gnjG3RHToQ/s320/me+jonas+and+ben1.jpg" border="0" /></a>Ben was born just 5 days after Jonas Jackson Prevatt, the second son of Dave & Jenni. They are really cute together! Jonas has an older brother Ethan Rusty who likes to teach the little guys fun and noisy things to do! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTSQeE73BOUKq4t_r8TUksKDyD59kmvLpexuyzkVRjhcmeaoM5bK6q4r6pmWYalwH2SAWd0o1GUU_VR4D9pW_p6x47FBL3g8PB2Uj8ggosaxv60Hj2UKnAPHVZteYmbBymzO5sMEqChk/s1600-h/Ethan+Shop+Glasses.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252295866286526482" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 217px" height="237" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTSQeE73BOUKq4t_r8TUksKDyD59kmvLpexuyzkVRjhcmeaoM5bK6q4r6pmWYalwH2SAWd0o1GUU_VR4D9pW_p6x47FBL3g8PB2Uj8ggosaxv60Hj2UKnAPHVZteYmbBymzO5sMEqChk/s320/Ethan+Shop+Glasses.JPG" width="277" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDAJnoQXZg1ZEHaMTg0sCKNRwsV5YfZsUsuxKRFzhMWJ1Ncy0bC2IHvCGcUbd01ilHav9b0qNra8LJOaGlNV9twsdWmoItGsrGY9LH4uATlpvIo50QffVQciE3Ac5ran3JoHJJV9XhwQ/s1600-h/IMG_4744.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252300828272083874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgDAJnoQXZg1ZEHaMTg0sCKNRwsV5YfZsUsuxKRFzhMWJ1Ncy0bC2IHvCGcUbd01ilHav9b0qNra8LJOaGlNV9twsdWmoItGsrGY9LH4uATlpvIo50QffVQciE3Ac5ran3JoHJJV9XhwQ/s320/IMG_4744.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Ben has learned how to crawl, climb stairs, walk using a baby walker thingy, drink from a sippy cup and grow hair on his head from Jonas! =) I watch Ethan and Jonas on Thursdays for Jenni and she watches Ben on Friday's for me. The boys seriously are so cute sitting next to each other in Sunday School.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXhhpkqxyvXf_ojRWuGJ8oXQhO2tZGY4kGvp6F9Dki3lb79JWBF43XnKzLr0EwXIc2TZX15ocBQH_MRlrhX_QABwTzUI32bfKJhv5KSKouMYjJpH7pCxZLYTkS2PtlPC3fEIzkzsrv8g/s1600-h/9.17.08.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252302207986196642" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXhhpkqxyvXf_ojRWuGJ8oXQhO2tZGY4kGvp6F9Dki3lb79JWBF43XnKzLr0EwXIc2TZX15ocBQH_MRlrhX_QABwTzUI32bfKJhv5KSKouMYjJpH7pCxZLYTkS2PtlPC3fEIzkzsrv8g/s320/9.17.08.JPG" border="0" /></a> Caden C. Bailey was born in Graham, Wa on August 14th to Brian & Arame' (my best friend in the whole world). My mom was fantastic and flew Ben & I up to surprise Arame' for her shower at the end of June...it was so fun to see her all preggers and catch up with everyone for a brief moment. We have yet to meet Caden in person but when I showed Ben his picture he laughed and clapped his hands like he knew they were destined to be great buds!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41IZMTEPKmrEY6-Dqxc1u5Ho_DTh_17xRA4aWgDOoEeX9pRCf-De_FCObWPBlgKMhyphenhyphenAWjoLxtydmO0fJaA5baERbbyfnkOWj9gj6FcY1tuLYmNPHElYiVtps7wREHwFyYmDRf0zReQEA/s1600-h/IMG_4641.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252300164341371138" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41IZMTEPKmrEY6-Dqxc1u5Ho_DTh_17xRA4aWgDOoEeX9pRCf-De_FCObWPBlgKMhyphenhyphenAWjoLxtydmO0fJaA5baERbbyfnkOWj9gj6FcY1tuLYmNPHElYiVtps7wREHwFyYmDRf0zReQEA/s320/IMG_4641.JPG" border="0" /></a>On August 15th, Devin Benjamin Sherlock (not named after our Ben - he was name after his Uncle Ben) was born to Tim & Sarah here in Cali! Their 3 year old Audrey is so good with the boys! She loves to play "catch" with Ben and she brags about her baby brother all the time! I can barely remember Ben even being so small...they grow up so fast!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwhzCG08to45BynUsPvmZn97S70dqfuCd25-x6NGe-Ieu9ZjAthVV_5znyIYD5L3ItPWtI6vOy46I8rFLvt4XHdW91swGrDSCbj9RfKKeOuOVycE0kpS0mj5PHKnMIig3YkJ0GM-ieYM/s1600-h/IMG_5054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252301478595210930" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwhzCG08to45BynUsPvmZn97S70dqfuCd25-x6NGe-Ieu9ZjAthVV_5znyIYD5L3ItPWtI6vOy46I8rFLvt4XHdW91swGrDSCbj9RfKKeOuOVycE0kpS0mj5PHKnMIig3YkJ0GM-ieYM/s320/IMG_5054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Last but not least...Samuel Harrison Churchill Redelsperger was born on September 5th to Aaron & Amy. He already has two older sisters, Grace & Noraa. Sammy was the smallest of all Ben's buddies and he is already getting so big! I can't wait for them all to big enough to play with each other and really start interacting!j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7990884129344395022.post-75641841436116361632008-10-01T12:58:00.000-07:002008-10-03T13:11:50.551-07:00Where to begin...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnXVAOQiO3vpyiw1THK8i8St9MeI83xj0PVCbB7BEJUzNaYOq6IeWIu50Lqd8ZMVFwcTkRku9viVwuTPrCTJn_4xahZ6fnbHTJmBS5p-N12XIGrh-lfgGNPHfrmzpWPtJADu0GbmyPEI/s1600-h/IMG_0028.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252278510736783522" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnXVAOQiO3vpyiw1THK8i8St9MeI83xj0PVCbB7BEJUzNaYOq6IeWIu50Lqd8ZMVFwcTkRku9viVwuTPrCTJn_4xahZ6fnbHTJmBS5p-N12XIGrh-lfgGNPHfrmzpWPtJADu0GbmyPEI/s320/IMG_0028.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I have to give credit to my dear friend Sarita Smith for inspiring me to do this. It was such a blessing to be able to catch up on her life through her blogs - <a href="http://www.ourbabysmith.blogspot.com/">ourbabysmith.blogspot.com</a>- that I realized it would be a fun way to update our family and friends on what Ben's latest feats are.<br /><br /><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>We recently had a family picture day at Chris' <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOrK_-TNVrqKWA-MC4grbkhqfwzCScmVb-8OaHXeigeTpQbDoHxaT3i-fMT6vtmaVfNrBj1QmG9U0kRIF0KyFnBBq_1cQdYwVWMRrRfwwqWHV8giLQ8JCBhFwqskaxj6VZCfA8lR7Ph4/s1600-h/IMG_0009.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252328121135277778" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOrK_-TNVrqKWA-MC4grbkhqfwzCScmVb-8OaHXeigeTpQbDoHxaT3i-fMT6vtmaVfNrBj1QmG9U0kRIF0KyFnBBq_1cQdYwVWMRrRfwwqWHV8giLQ8JCBhFwqskaxj6VZCfA8lR7Ph4/s320/IMG_0009.JPG" border="0" /></a>parents house in Lodi. Ben was perfectly dressed and smiley and then not even 3 minutes before the photographer showed up, he smacked his little head (or not so little...its like in the 85th percentile) on a metal chair! He screamed bloody murder for about 5 minutes, and then went back to being little Mr. Personality with fantastic smiles during the whole shoot! In some of the pictures you can almost see the red mark, but luckily it was much smaller than we all anticipated. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHACvMoav8fxd5oZRHsaqeVAhVRHHMNI6zYCw5NOAb5iKIKVIzAJpeEdbSns3l3wj_NuF9Rz2L0UOefZV4vLLm0emwXaBTJeaXoAlGMZm7aEm1U2Cj1ff_PqN4wO3jxviYxskQuAPO_X4/s1600-h/IMG_4555.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252281712894554370" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHACvMoav8fxd5oZRHsaqeVAhVRHHMNI6zYCw5NOAb5iKIKVIzAJpeEdbSns3l3wj_NuF9Rz2L0UOefZV4vLLm0emwXaBTJeaXoAlGMZm7aEm1U2Cj1ff_PqN4wO3jxviYxskQuAPO_X4/s320/IMG_4555.JPG" border="0" /></a>Ben makes us laugh all the time. He does this scrunchy face thing that has us rolling! He knows he is a ham too! He likes to pretend like he is going to clap, and then not actually clap while making this weird little grunt just beforehand. </div><div></div><div>He can say "mama" and "dada" but doesn't really use them as our names. To him, "mama" could be the couch, his snacks, or a golf ball. We are anticipating the day he walks...he has starting cruising around the furniture and doesn't need much help from anything to stand up on his own. Of course he is a master crawler and can get from the living room to an unexpecting open bathroom door in a matter of seconds. </div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrotJv6UauUz-sq_En_eHdzPo66_PGqwMKp4f7-CxkzVj45Zg5rcWfCPZHA5dLNtIUEWePI3gTXdnYJLUmgQUshd4m202tK15HICvwRK4Arr3qSDHSHyznPxefNddxc_qL_FhEaC2dbI/s1600-h/IMG_3945.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252282802739178994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKrotJv6UauUz-sq_En_eHdzPo66_PGqwMKp4f7-CxkzVj45Zg5rcWfCPZHA5dLNtIUEWePI3gTXdnYJLUmgQUshd4m202tK15HICvwRK4Arr3qSDHSHyznPxefNddxc_qL_FhEaC2dbI/s320/IMG_3945.JPG" border="0" /></a>Anything that has to do with being outside or in the water is his favorite thing. He had a blast at the river this summer with Grandpa Russ and Uncle Quinn. And of course his nightly baths are an adventure in and of themselves! He loves going on walks with Chris & I and thinks it is really funny when daddy rides his bike next to us. We have been blessed all summer to rent a house in Sacramento next to a beautiful park and we have loved going on walks and playground excursions with little man.<br /></div><div>Having a kid really makes you see things in a different way. Everyday things like a leaf falling from the tree or a dog barking as you walk by their yard are suddenly great adventures and incredible learning opportunities. It is like God lets you appreciate the details of his creation all over again. What a blessing! </div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL6MM6oxfa-uAKokWU6GaS9vjXodX8ImB-x-GIwklMtysMe_FODJ5gRaVBhKJ3BAWBG9spCOfnXhTvbIsQoU97RrCQfJcIWgy8Bx-OXzBm1sG62a0X06SnM-GAXxU1o4J_Eei0-rPsiQ/s1600-h/IMG_4914.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5252284542292194498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjL6MM6oxfa-uAKokWU6GaS9vjXodX8ImB-x-GIwklMtysMe_FODJ5gRaVBhKJ3BAWBG9spCOfnXhTvbIsQoU97RrCQfJcIWgy8Bx-OXzBm1sG62a0X06SnM-GAXxU1o4J_Eei0-rPsiQ/s320/IMG_4914.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Ben has 2 teeth on the bottom and 2 teeth on the top with 1 more almost through the gums on top already! Don't let him get ahold of your finger because he will bite as hard as he can, and it really does hurt! Of course, if you let out an unexpected yelp of pain, it hurts his feelings and he gets the pouty lip going, but after that happened twice, he hasn't tried to bite anymore. =)</div><br /><div></div><div>Let's see...what else? We have officially lived in California for 3 years today. How crazy is that?! I still have moments where I crave the Pacific Northwest but I do love our life down here. Fall has always been my favorite season, but I have never been more ready for cooler weather in my life! It seems like this summer has lasted an eternity. I just love the crisp air and the early evening walks through the crunchy leaves and the colors! Plus, for me it is the easiest season to decorate my house. I have to have serious restraint when shopping anywhere near fall decorations (not the cheezy ones but the classy rich looking ones, you know?). </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div></div>j.mcpeakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05268881275487935299noreply@blogger.com3