tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79110561400393126972024-03-13T14:06:19.901-07:00The DuPre DoubleAdventures with Morgan & Addy BayeRae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-32822765957047033312020-03-13T16:14:00.000-07:002020-03-13T16:14:12.441-07:00The New Normal <span style="font-size: large;">It has been five years since I posted but I thought this might be a nice time to start up again. As of today, Friday the 13th of March 2022 President Trump Declared a National Emergency because of the widespread Coronavirus. I have 200 pages of student grading, and will start the spring teaching online because all face-to-face classes have been canceled. The girls school is closed for next six weeks. We are encouraged not to be within 10 feet of another person and social distance ourselves. So for our sanity we are trying to plan what the new normal looks like. Morgan started a list:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-55636215447655510222015-10-05T14:05:00.000-07:002015-10-05T14:05:36.284-07:00Scout DuPre 2002-2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9q5MHJUZmtk/VhLjvsGHhlI/AAAAAAAABto/eUIOcm5VcHE/s1600/scout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9q5MHJUZmtk/VhLjvsGHhlI/AAAAAAAABto/eUIOcm5VcHE/s320/scout.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Scout DuPre was born is South Carolina in May of 2002. He
was a gift from Cory Owens meant to heal Justin’s heart. Justin’s Granddaddy believed
that dogs should have one syllable names, and Scout fit. I remember Justin
telling me about the night he walked his little red puppy home from Cory’s apartment
on 2100 Reynolda Road: “What will you need, a bowl, a lease, collar?” Each day
Scout sat in front to the big glass windows in the apartment waiting for Justin
to make the 40 minute drive home from work at lunch to take him out. When that
red Toyota pickup pulled up Scout took a break from crewing on the recliner to
welcome him. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I met Scout in the Fall of 02. I had returned to Winston-Salem
to attend a debate tournament and see if I could mend my heart. Standing there
in the apartment I heard Justin say to Scout “See this is the girl I was telling
you about.” We planned to be together and met up again in December. That cold
winter day I rented a car and Laverne and I drove across the plains. Justin and
Scout drove though the mountains of Tennessee and the four us met at a hotel in
Louisville, Kentucky. I remember watching from the window when that pick up
pull in. Scout and Vern hit it off, he licked her head all night, and snuggled
her in the back of the pickup all the way back to Winston.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Our family spent holidays and summers together. Then in June
of 2004 Justin and Scout left Winston to join Vern and I in Iowa City, IA. With
just enough room in the pickup’s cab for my man and his dog<span style="line-height: 107%;">—they
arrived, trailer full. </span>Iowa City was a great time for Scout and Vern. We walked hours at Hickory
Hill park, got free ice cream at the DQ on summer nights, went sledding in the
winter, attended the Emma Goldman dog washes, swam countless laps at the Solon
water plant, and Scout made the paper two years in </span>a row for his impressive jumps
into the community pool. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2005 I returned from a debate tournament one weekend to find
Justin red eyed with Vern. Scout had gotten sick and Justin drove him hours to
Aimes to the Iowa State animal hospital. A week later, after a diagnoses of IBD,
Scout returned happy as ever and with a fancy new dog diet. Scout and Vern made
countless drives back through Louisville to visit our Carolina family and run on the beach. And, on one August day, Scout stood guard as Justin proposed
to me on a trail outside of town. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally, we loaded the car to move West. Scout and Vern made
it through a storm in the badlands, Scout insisted we trade in our tent for a
hotel bed and we did (he was never much for camping). He watched the buffalos
in Yellowstone and we made a new home in Bellingham, WA. Scout, a member of the
old guard, was there for a lot. He held me through my struggle with
infertility, he laid with me during my pregnancy bed rest, he stayed up nights
as we rocked crying babies, he played in a house full of toddlers, and he demanded
nothing but love. Scout has walked miles, in all-weather, on all surfaces,
during his full fourteen years. He grieved only silently when his best friend
Vern died, and he welcomed Lexi months later with open arms. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Lexi brought new life to Scout. He tolerated her sitting on
him and gave into her playful demands. In the last four years these two became inseparable.
They walked, hiked, swam, and ran. He loved a good stick and could retrieve up to
three toys at a time. The big man, as I affectionately referred to him, prided
himself on protecting his girls. Long after his hearing had gone he sat by the
door guarding me from squirrels and birds in the yard. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Today his body could guard no more. Lexi, Justin, and I sat with
him as we let him go with dignity. My heart aches and I hope to help my family
heal by filling them up with memories of the smartest and kindest dog I have
ever known. He was my first and only boy and I miss him deeply. If heaven exists,
I know he is there. Thank you Scout, I am grateful for the ways in which you filled all of our
hearts. <o:p></o:p></div>
Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-17101065062202172362012-03-18T12:55:00.001-07:002012-03-18T12:55:05.733-07:00My Godson Logan Dean<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u3KG0M-RpRM/T2Y9l437xcI/AAAAAAAABgM/YJ9DyYy-3WU/s640/blogger-image-1305760057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u3KG0M-RpRM/T2Y9l437xcI/AAAAAAAABgM/YJ9DyYy-3WU/s640/blogger-image-1305760057.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-34341979498434529502012-03-18T12:54:00.001-07:002012-03-18T12:54:08.446-07:00Family day<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v9y6JGAMtxY/T2Y9WqP_PRI/AAAAAAAABfs/-AXx2-tnfxI/s640/blogger-image--1841937406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-v9y6JGAMtxY/T2Y9WqP_PRI/AAAAAAAABfs/-AXx2-tnfxI/s640/blogger-image--1841937406.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y2WjcxHgH_w/T2Y9W2L62PI/AAAAAAAABf0/UIpTwPKxr10/s640/blogger-image-1946425631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y2WjcxHgH_w/T2Y9W2L62PI/AAAAAAAABf0/UIpTwPKxr10/s640/blogger-image-1946425631.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uofh9CfJOzE/T2Y9XWLUWeI/AAAAAAAABf8/so-pgbZmcSE/s640/blogger-image--141133494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Uofh9CfJOzE/T2Y9XWLUWeI/AAAAAAAABf8/so-pgbZmcSE/s640/blogger-image--141133494.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EJeqCUiDWYI/T2Y9X4KJeAI/AAAAAAAABgE/NQAuQm3yrvE/s640/blogger-image-533241718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EJeqCUiDWYI/T2Y9X4KJeAI/AAAAAAAABgE/NQAuQm3yrvE/s640/blogger-image-533241718.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-21970931764014036282012-03-15T11:32:00.001-07:002012-03-15T11:32:44.727-07:00Gym timeThe photos are a bit blurry because they were running around so much. They love gymnastics. <br />
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We are lucky to have family that is willing to travel fare to see us and friends that we enjoy spending time with. here are some highlights from January and February. in the northwest rain fashion is important.<br />
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The girl's were glad to have a visit from their Nana</div>
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A sunny winter day by the water</div>
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A walk with Nana</div>
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All smiles at the dock</div>
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Baking mondelbread </div>
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A great visit from Grandma and possibly the only time this year we caught </div>
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both girls smiling on camera at the same time</div>
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We took a great little adventure with the Junell family to Padilla Bay Estuary</div>
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Addy playing with tall grass and getting a little tired of hiking </div>
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The family by the water</div>
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Looking at the Islands</div>
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Momma and Miss Morgie</div>
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<br /></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-88030197002986073892012-02-25T22:34:00.001-08:002012-02-25T22:37:55.374-08:00Some highlights<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-22h1CHUfTbw/T0nSeK1nNkI/AAAAAAAABcU/FnMwPS9QoJ4/s640/blogger-image--1706990408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-22h1CHUfTbw/T0nSeK1nNkI/AAAAAAAABcU/FnMwPS9QoJ4/s640/blogger-image--1706990408.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wNwBxi_S_m8/T0nSelFgNeI/AAAAAAAABcc/fAWfzK6E4pg/s640/blogger-image--778031865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wNwBxi_S_m8/T0nSelFgNeI/AAAAAAAABcc/fAWfzK6E4pg/s640/blogger-image--778031865.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QhFBXQ4E7GI/T0nSe0gbhKI/AAAAAAAABck/nwNOY6falIY/s640/blogger-image-1976895032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-QhFBXQ4E7GI/T0nSe0gbhKI/AAAAAAAABck/nwNOY6falIY/s640/blogger-image-1976895032.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--ih9WlH5Q6U/T0nSfQ-jleI/AAAAAAAABcs/6BMN8DnZn0w/s640/blogger-image--410947061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--ih9WlH5Q6U/T0nSfQ-jleI/AAAAAAAABcs/6BMN8DnZn0w/s640/blogger-image--410947061.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bZHHZGyw-OM/T0nSfsqQeYI/AAAAAAAABc0/bmYQeQ3XpwI/s640/blogger-image--1540463055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bZHHZGyw-OM/T0nSfsqQeYI/AAAAAAAABc0/bmYQeQ3XpwI/s640/blogger-image--1540463055.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7GKFkLqqq8k/T0nSf7G_97I/AAAAAAAABc8/FEfvMTGiagc/s640/blogger-image-1936825257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-7GKFkLqqq8k/T0nSf7G_97I/AAAAAAAABc8/FEfvMTGiagc/s640/blogger-image-1936825257.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xb-QjjMc0GQ/T0nSgvBG0mI/AAAAAAAABdE/OeTKCdUnPxw/s640/blogger-image--979695800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xb-QjjMc0GQ/T0nSgvBG0mI/AAAAAAAABdE/OeTKCdUnPxw/s640/blogger-image--979695800.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bOz2endcR-M/T0nSg4aLthI/AAAAAAAABdM/rmhKkNk_9AU/s640/blogger-image-1432174284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-bOz2endcR-M/T0nSg4aLthI/AAAAAAAABdM/rmhKkNk_9AU/s640/blogger-image-1432174284.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Lab-O8OY0sA/T0nShJkS8nI/AAAAAAAABdU/0-Rqv-wag7U/s640/blogger-image-1331017524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Lab-O8OY0sA/T0nShJkS8nI/AAAAAAAABdU/0-Rqv-wag7U/s640/blogger-image-1331017524.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dzYScWnEIu4/T0nShnqAbgI/AAAAAAAABdc/sJq1rZNlzhc/s640/blogger-image-739250357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-dzYScWnEIu4/T0nShnqAbgI/AAAAAAAABdc/sJq1rZNlzhc/s640/blogger-image-739250357.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comSudden Valley Sudden Valley48.722391 -122.356502tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-23583027633071697822012-01-21T11:29:00.001-08:002012-01-21T11:29:36.436-08:00Frozen yogurtThis was the first time they tried it but surely not the last. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F9yyZC-1y14/TxsR9uGAqNI/AAAAAAAABb8/adagCCKQQV4/s640/blogger-image--1529240336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-F9yyZC-1y14/TxsR9uGAqNI/AAAAAAAABb8/adagCCKQQV4/s640/blogger-image--1529240336.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p-Dc6B5bQaA/TxsSH3fTweI/AAAAAAAABcE/Ji_pxr4YV-0/s640/blogger-image--709587472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-p-Dc6B5bQaA/TxsSH3fTweI/AAAAAAAABcE/Ji_pxr4YV-0/s640/blogger-image--709587472.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-43690177508440667142012-01-14T13:01:00.001-08:002012-01-14T13:01:39.364-08:00A Bellingham highlight...As a vegetarian I can truly appreciate this. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jOP0wby9VHA/TxHtMRt5wAI/AAAAAAAABbw/7pVut3145vI/s640/blogger-image-1395411383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-jOP0wby9VHA/TxHtMRt5wAI/AAAAAAAABbw/7pVut3145vI/s640/blogger-image-1395411383.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-30106027091535296032012-01-08T20:03:00.000-08:002012-01-08T20:19:18.653-08:00The Holiday Season<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9tIl8D-wls/TwoXZSM9x_I/AAAAAAAABYg/CGwo2UCAd2M/s1600/1-6-12+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t9tIl8D-wls/TwoXZSM9x_I/AAAAAAAABYg/CGwo2UCAd2M/s320/1-6-12+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did not travel is holiday season. It was great just to stay home and spend some time as a close family unite. So we took lots of hikes, took up geocaching and just enjoyed being outside.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkacPs61tos/TwoXvFKDgoI/AAAAAAAABYo/zUoU2SS8dZo/s1600/1-6-12+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkacPs61tos/TwoXvFKDgoI/AAAAAAAABYo/zUoU2SS8dZo/s320/1-6-12+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spend alot of time at Whatcom Falls Park </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gRDVmEc3a5Y/TwoX7nMB5II/AAAAAAAABYw/DIcNn5KDAXI/s1600/1-6-12+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gRDVmEc3a5Y/TwoX7nMB5II/AAAAAAAABYw/DIcNn5KDAXI/s320/1-6-12+007.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addy on a "hike"</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOGFlxOUOWQ/TwoYHkUTMWI/AAAAAAAABY4/141myqUGOB4/s1600/1-6-12+024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jOGFlxOUOWQ/TwoYHkUTMWI/AAAAAAAABY4/141myqUGOB4/s320/1-6-12+024.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the last picture every taken of Vern. It was two days before she died. its strange she is the only one looking at the camera. We talk about her alot and miss her even more.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2qJuQSn-vxI/TwobcZEM0II/AAAAAAAABZA/_J_IC7Zj17c/s1600/1-6-12+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2qJuQSn-vxI/TwobcZEM0II/AAAAAAAABZA/_J_IC7Zj17c/s320/1-6-12+027.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did alot of snuggling and reading books.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNWKSh4un2k/Twobn0vgjsI/AAAAAAAABZI/tBSByRwnq1g/s1600/1-6-12+033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNWKSh4un2k/Twobn0vgjsI/AAAAAAAABZI/tBSByRwnq1g/s320/1-6-12+033.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addy make coffee in the morning.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4F_eMAyOoo0/TwobzABiw3I/AAAAAAAABZQ/xc16HArevXY/s1600/1-6-12+035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4F_eMAyOoo0/TwobzABiw3I/AAAAAAAABZQ/xc16HArevXY/s320/1-6-12+035.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan took to doing her own hair.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGar78rtkkE/Twob9-2RcSI/AAAAAAAABZY/5m7KG0RVpsQ/s1600/1-6-12+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DGar78rtkkE/Twob9-2RcSI/AAAAAAAABZY/5m7KG0RVpsQ/s320/1-6-12+046.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went for boat rides with Wilber and Teddy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAOtKnjeeKY/TwocKH_JePI/AAAAAAAABZg/0PSKQSU-A8E/s1600/1-6-12+050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JAOtKnjeeKY/TwocKH_JePI/AAAAAAAABZg/0PSKQSU-A8E/s320/1-6-12+050.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addy lead trips to the park.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMyVrXaZmvw/TwocaCPXWGI/AAAAAAAABZo/xS32Rt2GEo4/s1600/1-6-12+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMyVrXaZmvw/TwocaCPXWGI/AAAAAAAABZo/xS32Rt2GEo4/s320/1-6-12+057.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She likes to carry the bread for the ducks and encourage Scout and Morgan along. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxr_b1cIK4o/TwoclPpJlKI/AAAAAAAABZw/oP8X_nv7irI/s1600/1-6-12+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zxr_b1cIK4o/TwoclPpJlKI/AAAAAAAABZw/oP8X_nv7irI/s320/1-6-12+065.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So sweet</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQcyDN2xeGU/Twonej0DhsI/AAAAAAAABZ4/czsvV_ZZ7wU/s1600/1-6-12+071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IQcyDN2xeGU/Twonej0DhsI/AAAAAAAABZ4/czsvV_ZZ7wU/s320/1-6-12+071.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We practiced yoga. . . </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD_h6t-Ms18/TwonqN_sr6I/AAAAAAAABaA/G6ouPPFR08E/s1600/1-6-12+076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eD_h6t-Ms18/TwonqN_sr6I/AAAAAAAABaA/G6ouPPFR08E/s320/1-6-12+076.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and practiced some more </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxUk-7SOgt0/Twon11ei-dI/AAAAAAAABaI/MboBl5cxhFc/s1600/1-6-12+079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZxUk-7SOgt0/Twon11ei-dI/AAAAAAAABaI/MboBl5cxhFc/s320/1-6-12+079.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We dressed up for holiday parties</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EkrpC5H4zI/TwooAGSBQGI/AAAAAAAABaQ/x-_2CYWDDIY/s1600/1-6-12+086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EkrpC5H4zI/TwooAGSBQGI/AAAAAAAABaQ/x-_2CYWDDIY/s320/1-6-12+086.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and dressed down for Sunday football. Addy is an early fan but not pleased with the record.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov7KpxiehUk/TwooLlzeDUI/AAAAAAAABaY/XLqnk7mb88w/s1600/1-6-12+092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ov7KpxiehUk/TwooLlzeDUI/AAAAAAAABaY/XLqnk7mb88w/s320/1-6-12+092.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We lite the hanukah candles </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMNBZGhQrGo/TwooVQQBKPI/AAAAAAAABag/TeM1rqojQb0/s1600/1-6-12+095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zMNBZGhQrGo/TwooVQQBKPI/AAAAAAAABag/TeM1rqojQb0/s320/1-6-12+095.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I lite the real one and </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgaKfJd4YvQ/Twoog5LKcAI/AAAAAAAABao/tWwytAH-QVo/s1600/1-6-12+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EgaKfJd4YvQ/Twoog5LKcAI/AAAAAAAABao/tWwytAH-QVo/s320/1-6-12+097.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls lite the electirc one. Morgan really took to the candles and wanted them on all day and cried when we had to take the Menorah away. "Were did mine Hanukkah candles go" she still asks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQjhHsCM4aY/Twoosd_9_AI/AAAAAAAABaw/_1LcM-5Ntwc/s1600/1-6-12+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qQjhHsCM4aY/Twoosd_9_AI/AAAAAAAABaw/_1LcM-5Ntwc/s320/1-6-12+103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan and I did alot of baking.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KEdyWpnRNg/Twoo4dGyAqI/AAAAAAAABa4/10HP8HqKcpE/s1600/1-6-12+110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_KEdyWpnRNg/Twoo4dGyAqI/AAAAAAAABa4/10HP8HqKcpE/s320/1-6-12+110.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan dressing for the season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9NcCsAF-7c/TwopEodh3UI/AAAAAAAABbA/n_Zz0jLa8ME/s1600/1-6-12+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B9NcCsAF-7c/TwopEodh3UI/AAAAAAAABbA/n_Zz0jLa8ME/s320/1-6-12+125.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Christmas morning Addy tried to put on all the cloths she got (at one time) she started with the sweet socks Aunt Mica and Uncle Rich got her. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLs0voZrDNE/TwopO2TeBmI/AAAAAAAABbI/4uJXHu8reAg/s1600/1-6-12+127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MLs0voZrDNE/TwopO2TeBmI/AAAAAAAABbI/4uJXHu8reAg/s320/1-6-12+127.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan was thrilled with her Elmo jamies from Grandma (I have to wash them alot) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMKSBfxfVpk/TwopatQTG2I/AAAAAAAABbQ/h6aihyj7ENc/s1600/1-6-12+129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMKSBfxfVpk/TwopatQTG2I/AAAAAAAABbQ/h6aihyj7ENc/s320/1-6-12+129.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And now we have two little artists in the house.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub09eDibps4/TwopkVD6ozI/AAAAAAAABbY/uPvsiz1G4VQ/s1600/1-6-12+130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ub09eDibps4/TwopkVD6ozI/AAAAAAAABbY/uPvsiz1G4VQ/s320/1-6-12+130.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately we spend alot of time sick (all of us) in the bed. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCATbnLtC6s/TwopvzxU-OI/AAAAAAAABbg/nLR4m36K5uw/s1600/1-6-12+135.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FCATbnLtC6s/TwopvzxU-OI/AAAAAAAABbg/nLR4m36K5uw/s320/1-6-12+135.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But thanks to Jill A. Morgan is taking up doctoring skills</td></tr>
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All and all it was a great holiday and we hope all our readers have a happy and a healthy new year.Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-52814314766606024282012-01-07T16:50:00.001-08:002012-01-07T16:50:51.041-08:00GeocachingA family geocaching event. We did not find this one (has not been found in over a year). But we had fun looking and will be back. <br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-veeCA2JKhEQ/TwjoZe5d4DI/AAAAAAAABYA/x-I0ZLfSaco/s640/blogger-image--453260549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-veeCA2JKhEQ/TwjoZe5d4DI/AAAAAAAABYA/x-I0ZLfSaco/s640/blogger-image--453260549.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9YXFdxehTQY/TwjoZ_PWmuI/AAAAAAAABYI/JhKY995guSo/s640/blogger-image--580231402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9YXFdxehTQY/TwjoZ_PWmuI/AAAAAAAABYI/JhKY995guSo/s640/blogger-image--580231402.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M1KGD7MdDV8/TwjoaCy8o3I/AAAAAAAABYQ/5juIQWn8aiE/s640/blogger-image--1324693560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M1KGD7MdDV8/TwjoaCy8o3I/AAAAAAAABYQ/5juIQWn8aiE/s640/blogger-image--1324693560.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uy0GGrFFLbg/TwjoaVy3KXI/AAAAAAAABYY/2Sxtj2w3Fns/s640/blogger-image-1517640803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-uy0GGrFFLbg/TwjoaVy3KXI/AAAAAAAABYY/2Sxtj2w3Fns/s640/blogger-image-1517640803.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-66672300452909347822012-01-02T13:18:00.000-08:002012-01-02T13:18:14.184-08:00Nature babies and baking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This video shows Morgan and Addy in early Fall with a local group called Nature Babies. Here parents and babies "hike" the local trails and discover nature. In this video the girls where looking for mushrooms.<br />
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<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-picasa-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7oUI8FcLHQc/TwIdA4GvORI/AAAAAAAABWg/Af4bthqjkDg/s1600/Morgan%2Bstarts%2Bto%2Bbake.mp4"><param name="movie" value="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?videoUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fv19.nonxt3.googlevideo.com%2Fvideoplayback%3Fid%3D5127e00a3b1459f3%26itag%3D18%26source%3Dpicasa%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1325560163%26sparams%3Did%2Citag%2Csource%2Cip%2Cipbits%2Cexpire%26signature%3D62F3E9D58B1780BCC1BE4E1A600953C923AB4B68.6842404294345C42985F8EED5CECE4499BE6D7E8%26key%3Dlh1" />
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Morgan has taken a liking to baking, which is nice because while she does not have a sweet tooth, Addy most certainly does. Morgan bakes and Addy eats the product. I love to bake and eat baked goods so it works out for all of us.Above you will a short video of Morgan and I baking.<br />
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<br />Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-18888978817214350452011-12-29T14:54:00.001-08:002011-12-30T10:35:34.811-08:00The Time in CafeThanks for a good morning with Mei and Kelly. Here are some highlights before Morgan got jumped by a 18 month year old boy. She is fine. <br />
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<a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P4TzQyEXXkU/TvzvitwfjDI/AAAAAAAABWM/7ewzgA0Cdjo/s640/blogger-image-1510767456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-P4TzQyEXXkU/TvzvitwfjDI/AAAAAAAABWM/7ewzgA0Cdjo/s400/blogger-image-1510767456.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PM2QLWKxjB4/TvzvjInL_NI/AAAAAAAABWU/4xRwGRph1f4/s640/blogger-image--786580767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PM2QLWKxjB4/TvzvjInL_NI/AAAAAAAABWU/4xRwGRph1f4/s400/blogger-image--786580767.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-78796421139473351632011-12-29T08:04:00.000-08:002011-12-29T08:04:26.871-08:00Disappointing ReplyI woke upo to Jon's kind very very short email<br />
"very lovely note, Jon"<br />
<br />
Well I think that is the end to my fan mail for awhile. But the letter made me feel good to write.<br />
Scout told me it was a bad idea anyway, I will listen next time.Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-89950931971425460912011-12-28T20:20:00.000-08:002011-12-28T20:20:38.693-08:00An Open Letter to Jon KatzJon:<br />
<br />
Until recently, I have never been a blog follower of anyone I did not<br />
personally know, I have never written a letter to someone who did not<br />
know me (but Santa). Yet I have been thinking about writing you for<br />
some time. I was moved when you wrote that you would read all the mail<br />
that came your way. And so I hope my words find you well.<br />
<br />
Your name first entered my home in Bellingham, Washington when The<br />
Dogs of Bedland Farm was given to my then one and half year old twin<br />
daughters Morgan and Addy Baye. It was the first book they had with<br />
photographs rather than illustrations and instantly became a family<br />
favorite. We have all the read the book so many times the binding is<br />
bent and the pages have been taped together—several times.<br />
<br />
At the time our family had two dogs Laverne and Scout. Laverne was my<br />
fourteen year old Springer Spaniel. I had gotten her when I was twenty<br />
and my husband and I know her age had caught up with her. There is so<br />
much I could tell you about Vern (if you are truly interested her<br />
eulogy is on my blog<br />
<a href="http://www.thedupredouble.blogspot.com/2011/11/my-dearest-laverne.html" target="_blank">http://www.thedupredouble.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/2011/11/my-<wbr></wbr>dearest-laverne.html</a>)<br />
but all you really need to know is that she was my first dog and my<br />
best friend.<br />
<br />
On November 9th Vern died. Her death was quick, but not unexpected.<br />
None-the-less it was so hard. My husband and I had rushed her to the<br />
vet when her body opened up. We left our girls with a friend and with<br />
the heaviest hearts we returned to the enviably questioning of two<br />
year olds “Vern home?.”<br />
How was I going to explain to two year olds what I did not understand<br />
myself? How was I to hide the stabbing pain I felt? How was I going to<br />
tell them my closest friend of fourteen years was gone? Yet, how could<br />
I hide my hurt? I could not and if I tried they would see right<br />
through me. So I held them and cried reading All Dogs go to Heaven (a<br />
book my thoughtful Mother had hid in the closet, knowing I would need<br />
it sooner than later). “Vernie has gone to play with friends in<br />
heaven” was the explanation I offered them, and the one I hoped was<br />
true. “Play with Rose?” Morgan asked. And without thinking I answered<br />
“yes”<br />
<br />
A few days after Vern died I left on a trip for work with a library<br />
edition of your recent book in my carry on. As I traveled from one<br />
coast to another I read it cover to cover through my tears. I am a<br />
university professor often writing and reading thick theory but the<br />
simplicity of your type and depth of your teaching nurtured my heart.<br />
Through your words I believe I understand Vern’s purpose and will<br />
always be grateful for her gifts.<br />
<br />
To this day the questions of my twin two year olds keep coming “Vernie<br />
home?” “Vern play?” “ I draw Vern?” and the my mantra continues “Vern<br />
is in heaven playing with Rose.” Yesterday I heard the girls<br />
whispering to one another in the early dawn. Addy Baye asked Morgan<br />
“Vernie home?” “No” Morgie replied “Vern run and play with Rose. .<br />
.Vern in heaven.”<br />
<br />
I am sorry for your recent lose, thankful for your words, and hopeful<br />
Rose and Vern find one another on their journey.<br />
<br />
Rae Lynn Schwartz-DuPre<br />
Bellingham, WARae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-35868428276674468242011-12-27T18:35:00.001-08:002011-12-27T18:35:05.496-08:00Swiming in the Winter!!<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--jkBHqWaxf0/TvqAU8gyDiI/AAAAAAAABVU/_NtMiWSq5dc/s640/blogger-image--1587672881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/--jkBHqWaxf0/TvqAU8gyDiI/AAAAAAAABVU/_NtMiWSq5dc/s640/blogger-image--1587672881.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8BTH6CPTWyA/TvqAVPfoF2I/AAAAAAAABVc/1k02XVnBJjo/s640/blogger-image-1841090628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8BTH6CPTWyA/TvqAVPfoF2I/AAAAAAAABVc/1k02XVnBJjo/s640/blogger-image-1841090628.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m-PD-q2SFx4/TvqAVc3KqWI/AAAAAAAABVk/vq_A-VZ6BZU/s640/blogger-image--2105049784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-m-PD-q2SFx4/TvqAVc3KqWI/AAAAAAAABVk/vq_A-VZ6BZU/s640/blogger-image--2105049784.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6mFk9s_mQ-U/TvqAVi-xi9I/AAAAAAAABVs/E6BFcJvPQOg/s640/blogger-image--1476766872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6mFk9s_mQ-U/TvqAVi-xi9I/AAAAAAAABVs/E6BFcJvPQOg/s640/blogger-image--1476766872.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RIdFq57Qsc0/TvqAV28_VQI/AAAAAAAABV0/q48guhrlD2M/s640/blogger-image-1547327360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-RIdFq57Qsc0/TvqAV28_VQI/AAAAAAAABV0/q48guhrlD2M/s640/blogger-image-1547327360.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-49770805055875484162011-12-27T11:36:00.001-08:002011-12-27T11:36:53.875-08:00How about a fishMorgan, Addy, and Justin seem sold. I am more hesitant. <br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JzW1Qvi8-TA/TvoeUsC0o2I/AAAAAAAABVE/5Ufs3IFiWcU/s640/blogger-image-41800118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-JzW1Qvi8-TA/TvoeUsC0o2I/AAAAAAAABVE/5Ufs3IFiWcU/s640/blogger-image-41800118.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6cF2b5hnkOA/TvoeVLzG2LI/AAAAAAAABVM/VRSrHPkhdNI/s640/blogger-image--469520061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6cF2b5hnkOA/TvoeVLzG2LI/AAAAAAAABVM/VRSrHPkhdNI/s640/blogger-image--469520061.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-31571375923247422172011-12-27T10:44:00.001-08:002011-12-27T10:44:50.147-08:00Breakfast with the crew<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZrTVqUHlAhU/TvoSHiZRVhI/AAAAAAAABU0/Ki4XaqS26qc/s640/blogger-image-661171832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZrTVqUHlAhU/TvoSHiZRVhI/AAAAAAAABU0/Ki4XaqS26qc/s640/blogger-image-661171832.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C9O4VjT_d78/TvoSICdm9TI/AAAAAAAABU8/gLDy6srqV10/s640/blogger-image--1419008018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-C9O4VjT_d78/TvoSICdm9TI/AAAAAAAABU8/gLDy6srqV10/s640/blogger-image--1419008018.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-2320935323802590802011-12-26T22:04:00.001-08:002011-12-26T22:04:20.249-08:00Vacation TimeHere are some of the things we have done:<br />
<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krtYPMbZ-rk/Tvlfv6nqMoI/AAAAAAAABUE/jbvVENkqGdo/s640/blogger-image-717836934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-krtYPMbZ-rk/Tvlfv6nqMoI/AAAAAAAABUE/jbvVENkqGdo/s640/blogger-image-717836934.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1VHj1gVL_tY/TvlfwZbhM_I/AAAAAAAABUM/2RZurKJglVI/s640/blogger-image-1416364401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-1VHj1gVL_tY/TvlfwZbhM_I/AAAAAAAABUM/2RZurKJglVI/s640/blogger-image-1416364401.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jT2Kn59yIG4/TvlfwxCE5PI/AAAAAAAABUU/0biaIqhhm7E/s640/blogger-image-1687359876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jT2Kn59yIG4/TvlfwxCE5PI/AAAAAAAABUU/0biaIqhhm7E/s640/blogger-image-1687359876.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N4W89ldUNzc/TvlfxVSc03I/AAAAAAAABUc/_19J8I7Ch2c/s640/blogger-image--1297567952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N4W89ldUNzc/TvlfxVSc03I/AAAAAAAABUc/_19J8I7Ch2c/s640/blogger-image--1297567952.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GXt44HEVPn0/Tvlf4WV1U9I/AAAAAAAABUk/DO7YJKdNwDk/s640/blogger-image--568661350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GXt44HEVPn0/Tvlf4WV1U9I/AAAAAAAABUk/DO7YJKdNwDk/s640/blogger-image--568661350.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W0PRb6cmotk/Tvlf4ifWjaI/AAAAAAAABUs/rdL1z8HfS8A/s640/blogger-image-296585814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W0PRb6cmotk/Tvlf4ifWjaI/AAAAAAAABUs/rdL1z8HfS8A/s640/blogger-image-296585814.jpg" /></a></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comSudden Valley Sudden Valley48.722856 -122.356415tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-2698275841277807862011-12-22T22:43:00.000-08:002011-12-22T22:43:36.519-08:00Getting Lighter<div class="MsoNormal">My title is both literal and figurative. Today Bellingham had three more minutes of daylight then it did last night on the solstice. Twenty-one minutes a week is alot to gain. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am going to resist apologizing for not posting, although I want to. More than anything I want to apologize to my future self for leaving big gaps. Really I have not posted before now because the act of writing this blog, as I see it, is not present. Rather it is about recalling for friends, family, but mostly my future self what was. The journey I am on is so amazing I do not want to miss anything. So readers missed the girls second birthday, great family visits from Grandmothers, Papa, Granddaddy, Diane, Mica and Rich. In the time that I have not written the girls have started preschool, developed a vocabulary, been potty trained, stopped sleeping in cribs, stared drinking from cups, feel in love with Elmo, smoothies, animals, and in general have grown up. While they have a ways to go, not documenting these mile stones is what has kept me from writing. I feel so bad to have missed writing about them I think, how I can write about today when I missed last week. Yet in retrospect I did not write because I was living them. I know from my yoga practice, one I have just started revisiting (a big thanks to Sara Greenwood), that I should focus on the present. So I will.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal">Scout and I took a big walk yesterday (ok maybe not exactly present but close). It was the first long walk we have had in a while. The girls where with Nancy (our beloved Nanny sent by angles), Justin was at work, and I left the office to spend some time with Scout. I had no guilt for not doing work, caring for the girls, cook dinner, I was free to be in the woods with Scout and it felt so good. We hiked off to find a geocaching sight (which we did not find do to extensive leaf cover) and I realized how much I missed just walking the dogs. Not that I would trade it for time with the girls or Justin but that life has changed so much. Scout is such a quite simple guy, much like Justin (before kids). I felt good about bonding with Scout because I had never really spent time along with him. It was always the three, four or six of us. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I miss Vern everyday but I am proud to say that I have come to peace with her death. Much credit goes to the writing of Jon Katz. If you have ever lost a friend like Vern I truly recommend his book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Coming Home</i>. In his book and his blog <a href="http://www.bedlamfarm.com/">http://www.bedlamfarm.com/</a> ,which I am now a religious follower of, he talks about animals as service. They pay service to individuals in ways we might not understand while they are there. In exchange for their service we give them a good life of love and care and a good just death. I am at peace with Vern because I now know the service she paid to me and I know I did my best (as did Justin) to give her a good life and just death. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Vern took me from 20 to 34. In that chapter she helped me find my family.—first, just the two of us, then Justin, Scout, and then Morgie and Addy Baye. And when our family was solid, secure and full of love she felt her job was done and we let her go. The house is so quite without her tipping around. Scout is a quite sole and many have asked about him. He is well, we are all well. And I know where every she is Vern is well. The girls still ask about her. “Vern home?” It is hard to teach them what I do not understand. When one asks, usually Addy, before I can answer Morgan reminds her she is playing ball in heaven with her friend Rose (a dog they read about in Jon Katz’s children book <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dogs of Bedland Farm)</i>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With are all on vacation now. We are gearing up to cook a big dinner for friends. We miss family but are content to be with family as well. Morgan and Addy are such a gift. Most of you know getting pregnant was not easy for me. I like to be open about that because so many people struggle with infertility and fell as though it should be a secret. But Justin and I are proof that if you want children you can have them. They may come from your body, your biology, or neither. But when they are the people your life revolves around, they are your children. My thoughts are with Kim and her family as they return from China having officially adopted their two year old son Kai and a case of the chicken pox. You can follow their blog at <a href="http://oursprout.blogspot.com/">http://oursprout.blogspot.com/</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I type the girls are upstairs sleeping, the Beatles lullaby plays throughout the house and sound of rain taps. The Hanukah candles are flickering in the kitchen, the Christmas tree lights in the living room and I am in the rocking chair near the fire. Scout is dreaming on the couch and Justin in finishing making dinner (poor guy I am not a great cook and do not eat meat). Morgan and I are fighting the never ending cold, I and all is quite. I know I will miss the girls at this age. They amaze me everyday. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Last night Justin and I laid them to sleep at 7:30 and at 8:15 when I could still him them chatting I went to up to encourage them to rest and found them both naked and giggling. Addy was quick to tell me it was Morgan’s idea and Morgan proud to report that her bed was dry. There is little more I want in life them for them to be at peace and comfortable with themselves. A few months ago Justin and I were asked by the girl’s teacher to pick three things we want for the girls. As always I took our homework very seriously. Justin and I word shopped, sought suggestions, and final came up with three wishes. We wish them to be compassionate, honest, and courageous. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We get a lot more sleep them we did last year and as the New Year approaches I have a few goals in mind but one overarching challenge to myself. I want to be present without guilt. When I am playing with the girls, I do not want to think about work, when I am at yoga or running I want to be in my body, when I am working I want to be focused on teaching and writing a career I really love, and when I am with friends and family I want to enjoy every moment rather this wish Bellingham was closer to them. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Below are some pictures from the last two months. I hope to keep you updated but make no promises and have no guilt. Happy holidays and thank you for reading. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Rae </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdFc_pF6Ytk/TvQZr5DrZeI/AAAAAAAABQs/HtSvL1LS0bc/s1600/9-28-11+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sdFc_pF6Ytk/TvQZr5DrZeI/AAAAAAAABQs/HtSvL1LS0bc/s320/9-28-11+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Learning how to make meatballs with Papa </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGys2zZrBmA/TvQZ11eapWI/AAAAAAAABQ0/kY7NzWgJ-P4/s1600/9-28-11+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NGys2zZrBmA/TvQZ11eapWI/AAAAAAAABQ0/kY7NzWgJ-P4/s320/9-28-11+019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A visit to san fran to see Aunt Sara</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0N0OFJyJrA/TvQaBTpIGiI/AAAAAAAABQ8/t7ZXGIbKX-Q/s1600/9-28-11+030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A0N0OFJyJrA/TvQaBTpIGiI/AAAAAAAABQ8/t7ZXGIbKX-Q/s320/9-28-11+030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Greenwood and DuPre Mama's and Kids </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d77s8sDhnI0/TvQaVntAWmI/AAAAAAAABRE/WfLLBV6mvfs/s1600/9-28-11+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d77s8sDhnI0/TvQaVntAWmI/AAAAAAAABRE/WfLLBV6mvfs/s320/9-28-11+039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Aunt Mica (baby in belly), Rae, and Addy at the beach</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AChlzLGSG8Y/TvQahT02qvI/AAAAAAAABRM/fK7VYqMoSxk/s1600/9-28-11+042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AChlzLGSG8Y/TvQahT02qvI/AAAAAAAABRM/fK7VYqMoSxk/s320/9-28-11+042.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mica and Morgan </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlXUPB5c0rI/TvQarY-cx4I/AAAAAAAABRU/E_5ShNRJ86s/s1600/9-28-11+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlXUPB5c0rI/TvQarY-cx4I/AAAAAAAABRU/E_5ShNRJ86s/s320/9-28-11+054.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Mica, Rich, and baby in belly </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAjPDzZhF9g/TvQa2qR7L9I/AAAAAAAABRc/Nf3XN7BowRI/s1600/9-28-11+074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IAjPDzZhF9g/TvQa2qR7L9I/AAAAAAAABRc/Nf3XN7BowRI/s320/9-28-11+074.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A ride on the bus </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aXXH1kZsk8/TvQbI1xvlUI/AAAAAAAABRk/zlOF9Tj_IoE/s1600/9-28-11+090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6aXXH1kZsk8/TvQbI1xvlUI/AAAAAAAABRk/zlOF9Tj_IoE/s320/9-28-11+090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Grandmothers and girls picking wild berries </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsVhdL6Sf8c/TvQbVL-PNPI/AAAAAAAABRs/kEMSGr8OALI/s1600/9-28-11+102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YsVhdL6Sf8c/TvQbVL-PNPI/AAAAAAAABRs/kEMSGr8OALI/s320/9-28-11+102.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> September 17th, Morgan and Addy's second birthday trying out their first bikes </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vitq56Ah_W8/TvQbkjrXD3I/AAAAAAAABR0/VFlOPlw9-FQ/s1600/9-28-11+138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vitq56Ah_W8/TvQbkjrXD3I/AAAAAAAABR0/VFlOPlw9-FQ/s320/9-28-11+138.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Nana and Morgie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fm2gWN1XFXE/TvQbwIagaRI/AAAAAAAABR8/SFBCqVYby7I/s1600/9-28-11+146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fm2gWN1XFXE/TvQbwIagaRI/AAAAAAAABR8/SFBCqVYby7I/s320/9-28-11+146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The girls and Grandma</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w0UFlrjzReg/TvQb-mKaRLI/AAAAAAAABSE/tyjT2-OtoEA/s1600/9-28-11+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w0UFlrjzReg/TvQb-mKaRLI/AAAAAAAABSE/tyjT2-OtoEA/s320/9-28-11+152.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Morgan, Freyja and Addy </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2RG2K53Kcw/TvQcOMfG8II/AAAAAAAABSM/Yx0H4QYOTNQ/s1600/9-28-11+178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-L2RG2K53Kcw/TvQcOMfG8II/AAAAAAAABSM/Yx0H4QYOTNQ/s320/9-28-11+178.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Rae running the Bellingham marathon</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc706pwZeR4/TvQcbX3jmfI/AAAAAAAABSU/3StzfTUVt9Y/s1600/IMG_6127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc706pwZeR4/TvQcbX3jmfI/AAAAAAAABSU/3StzfTUVt9Y/s320/IMG_6127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next few images where all taken on Taylor dock with Bellingham bay in the background </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xa3vkEG1Spk/TvQcju4lwLI/AAAAAAAABSc/d6c7TaqYtjw/s1600/IMG_6130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xa3vkEG1Spk/TvQcju4lwLI/AAAAAAAABSc/d6c7TaqYtjw/s320/IMG_6130.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRndOUl_Rvo/TvQcyHXScUI/AAAAAAAABSk/p419wZsUFgc/s1600/IMG_6128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SRndOUl_Rvo/TvQcyHXScUI/AAAAAAAABSk/p419wZsUFgc/s320/IMG_6128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rRTc7xh-A4/TvQc89Y0_TI/AAAAAAAABSs/7CI0fdE-Li0/s1600/IMG_6129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--rRTc7xh-A4/TvQc89Y0_TI/AAAAAAAABSs/7CI0fdE-Li0/s320/IMG_6129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaKkarvUbYo/TvQdOrN73TI/AAAAAAAABS0/Fpvk1K_DwU0/s1600/IMG_6142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IaKkarvUbYo/TvQdOrN73TI/AAAAAAAABS0/Fpvk1K_DwU0/s320/IMG_6142.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Addy is hiding </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cL4UiG3tRs/TvQdb_2IDtI/AAAAAAAABS8/vhP8u_pTe5M/s1600/IMG_6140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1cL4UiG3tRs/TvQdb_2IDtI/AAAAAAAABS8/vhP8u_pTe5M/s320/IMG_6140.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Morgan hiding </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHRpANizqbU/TvQdp4KCdbI/AAAAAAAABTE/KMlImyYcTII/s1600/IMG_6141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHRpANizqbU/TvQdp4KCdbI/AAAAAAAABTE/KMlImyYcTII/s320/IMG_6141.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPU1rJy6gDg/TvQd2q3VSuI/AAAAAAAABTM/4fiXPALbcfg/s1600/IMG_6151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dPU1rJy6gDg/TvQd2q3VSuI/AAAAAAAABTM/4fiXPALbcfg/s320/IMG_6151.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Pumpkin picking at Stoneybrook farm </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzu_oJllMOM/TvQeEnVFoII/AAAAAAAABTU/KFO_i6Eo21I/s1600/IMG_6177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Fzu_oJllMOM/TvQeEnVFoII/AAAAAAAABTU/KFO_i6Eo21I/s320/IMG_6177.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDW_V_o-FpQ/TvQeRBKFyrI/AAAAAAAABTc/nrEy5N2Svq0/s1600/IMG_6193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SDW_V_o-FpQ/TvQeRBKFyrI/AAAAAAAABTc/nrEy5N2Svq0/s320/IMG_6193.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A visit from Granddaddy John </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2guUPaNhn8/TvQedHtudaI/AAAAAAAABTk/5gvPa5AyjFI/s1600/IMG_6191.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p2guUPaNhn8/TvQedHtudaI/AAAAAAAABTk/5gvPa5AyjFI/s320/IMG_6191.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8djLViFDJw8/TvQeqhPCaoI/AAAAAAAABTs/lzCrHE5dsTI/s1600/IMG_6204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8djLViFDJw8/TvQeqhPCaoI/AAAAAAAABTs/lzCrHE5dsTI/s320/IMG_6204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Halloween goes great with Hawaii </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ES2AOaHjM9I/TvQe2Fih8_I/AAAAAAAABT0/TL3Oovk_1CY/s1600/IMG_6216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ES2AOaHjM9I/TvQe2Fih8_I/AAAAAAAABT0/TL3Oovk_1CY/s320/IMG_6216.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mytIl90Eb-c/TvQfCJ2sJ2I/AAAAAAAABT8/bv85V3wlCCU/s1600/IMG_6219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mytIl90Eb-c/TvQfCJ2sJ2I/AAAAAAAABT8/bv85V3wlCCU/s320/IMG_6219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"> Good friends and a last bit of fun in the cribs before turning them into beds</div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-90370899053820184012011-11-10T11:55:00.000-08:002011-11-10T17:03:54.310-08:00My Dearest Laverne<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPIFWOHidfw/TrwpDYXT63I/AAAAAAAABPQ/_2k_uYJFQ-Q/s1600/vern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vPIFWOHidfw/TrwpDYXT63I/AAAAAAAABPQ/_2k_uYJFQ-Q/s320/vern.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Last night Justin and I were forced to let Laverne go. It might have been the hardest thing I have ever had to do. We both knew it was for the best. But we miss her so. For those of you who knew Vern you new what a happy dog she was. She walked, played, and brought love to our home until the day she passed. <br />
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Vern was born in Michigan in March of 1997. She lived with my mom and I until I went to college. She played in dog parks, had a wonderful sister Shirley (who I am sure was waiting to welcome her home) and knew all the dogs on the block, Emma, Buster, Pepper and Sonia. When I left for Vermont Laverne took care of my mom. She provided companionship, comfort, and slept next to her every night. When Vern got sick my Mom took her to and from the New York Vet Hospital until they got every last pine cone out of her nose. Mom even took care of her when Vern tried to play with the local skunk. Mom took her on road trips throughout the northeast and she came to vitis me for sleep overs.<br />
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After college I moved to Winston Salem NC and Vern came to live with me. It was there she met my love and her father, Justin. From that moment until last night Justin took amazing care of her. He walked miles with her, though parks, beaches, and trails. I will never forget the smile on her face when she smelled salt water. One day, we took her to the Outerbanks of North Carolina, missed the ferry and had to smuggle her into a hotel for the night. She loved to run on the beach and play in the ocean. On holidays we took Vern to Justin's mother house and his grandfather would give half of his dinner to her under the table. Everyday, no matter what the weather (and trust me Iowa brought on some weather) Justin and I cared for Vern and she cared for us. In North Carolina Vern learned to walk off the leash, run on the beach, and fell in love with an amazing Golden Retriever King. When I traveled for debate Laverne and King would play ball, chase goose in the lake, and cheer on their Dads at poker. <br />
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In 2002 Vern and I moved to Iowa. It was just the two of us at first and she took great care of me. She laid with me through every required reading, stayed up late while I wrote papers, and ran miles in Hikery Hill park with Sarah Allen and I. We walked every day in the pint-a-crest (aka Vern-a-crest) where she took sandwiches from innocent students with no apologies. In the fall Vern and I loaded up in a rent a car and drove to Louisville KY to reunite with her Daddy and meet her new brother Scout. Scout is King's biological nephew and he and Vern hit it off. They played, wrestled, and he licked her like a lollypop. The next day we all got in Justin's red pickup (Vern's favorite) and road home to Winston. It was cold in the back with no heat but Vern and Scout snuggled close and became best friends. For the next year and a half Vern traveled back and forth from Iowa to North Carolina with Justin and I. The four of us where a family and we took camping trips, beach visits, and began what is now our loving DuPre family.<br />
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In June 2004 Justin and Scout rolled into Iowa City trailer in tow. The four us moved into a small apartment with big windows and lots of love. Each day the dogs went for two 1 hour walks to the park. In the winter Justin and I wore crampons through the ice and brought sleds through the snow to play with Vern and Scout. Vern loved sledding. She would runing up and down the slope after us. In the summer we took walks to dairy queen and Vern got her own scoop of vanilla. When the heat was too much we went to the water plant or the lake so they could cool off and chase the goose. In the spring Vern and Scout raised money for charity at the annual dog wash. And in August of 2005 we all jumped in the truck and when to the lake where Justin asked me to marry him. Vern and Scout cheered (or jumped around and swam) and our family moved forward. <br />
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In the spring of 2006 Vern and Scout huddled together as the great Iowa City tornado rolled through our building. Safe and sound, we all moved into the nicest hotel in town (and the only one that would accept dogs). We lived with our camping gear for a few months. Vern liked the idea our bed on the floor because it gave her easy access to the down pillows she grew to love (and took from me every night). And in July of 2006 we all piled into the subaru (we sold the pickup before leaving town) and drove cross country.<br />
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We survived a storm in the badlands, Vern tried to make friends with the buffalo in Yellowstone, we braved 100 degrees in Montana and spent our last night on the road in Eastern Washington. Scout played in the water as Vern floated the rapids, again and again. Tuckered out they both passed out in the tent. The weather in Bellingham was great for Vern and Scout. No ticks, no heat, and no ice. After renting for a while we moved into our for-ever-home (we think) in Sudden Valley Washington. The yard is big and had lots for Vern and Scout to do. The porch is big and made a great place for squirrel watching. With nearby swimming spots and lots of off leash logging roads near by, it was all a dog could ask for. <br />
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When I was 7 months pregnant Vern laid in bed with me respecting my bed rest orders. We snuggled and I read her Go-Dog-Go a book that lead to Morgan's first sentence "Go-Dog-Go." When Morgan and Addy came home from the hospital Vern snuggled with them too. She tried to share their pack-in-play. The girls loved her. They shared their food , gave her rubs and read her books. In the last two summers we went to the lake together, swam, and played as a family of 6.<br />
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While still running and playing Justin and I knew Vern was getting older. Her body was not as strong as it use to be. We had a 6lbs cyst removed from her side this summer giving her another four months of playing. Just monday she rolled in the grass. Yesterday after Justin played with Scout and Vern in yard she came inside for dinner. She ate the whole meal and then her cyst began to slowly open up. With heavy hearts Justin and I drove Laverne to the doctor. She laid in the back with me resting. When we arrived it was clear that her time had come. It was not fair to force another surgery that would cause pain for her and just a little more time for us. She was tired and we had to say goodbye. We laid together on the floor, I softly whispered her amzing grace, and we thanked her for all the love she gave us.<br />
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Today we had to explain to the girls that Vern went to dog heaven. She is reunited with friends and we miss her deeply. But she was and will always be my first baby girl and life long companion. Scout is sad but we will all heal, not forget, but move foward with time. Where every she is, I know she loves us and will be at peace. Thank you Laverne you will always have a big part of my heart. -your mama and friend.Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-72225903458978372402011-10-16T11:52:00.000-07:002011-10-16T11:52:13.475-07:00Summer Videos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxykdTCRp0ZmPKIK7dvM3qEVSK7qu1hqEpTJyf-ELgdPpqVwi_0IX9V_kiArPRVNcvp38WogaQP920ifJ6RtA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyRK4bwaxesS0UEK7yVDwN6o9f_PgCmA6gQMBomdHqbvMfEHiIGG1XglmLUlSj7edGLfCwfRN_Njilflw8kXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxpdrLf9rq1eWIstCbMUB2gvGc88NeI0LnRuvxeJ0kkn7apcmXh2fr3pk36ADMZIOI7NKaLojmWdw5hyCopzA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyfTMFdw6R7KmZRG99hulA_JmNEzJRfOojNvh42MG5v0awXQ9g8yLWoMvjfpRZ3yOhLWp6Mr8i5IG3Fh8n4SA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwyXix13uEgu_u53mhJq0LdIe49-iYTKUk4hbS-WNgogxmXHqqliq86Me7XW6iMftAgnUUxKtRO4bmvQFJEBw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyaxFol3u8TPl98bAyWJ5H0b1cfKUD3hEG6QapfiVlwojYhz2p_aRCWtbNaNc1xp6oir53c_D43j-Vti-bjlg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwHWAfM6doUUuZfxjZDq9hfZ-f2UHolXjDhjEiMi4N0vet46F480RFyy1Oa1UfT4EPe1_xdjjbwSrinw_tJVg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzmA4RtaxNF3wEFDmcyaWiQKKcgjqOtVBMPKSIv5-yReQV6YdtudpM8JwQzm5wMMJIhl5hNCLbb_px0ODPv-g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-74061802606318423652011-08-24T20:37:00.000-07:002011-08-24T20:37:56.225-07:00The days of summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2ldiPKrxdc/TlMtWaFnR4I/AAAAAAAABM8/DT8phvNTcSI/s1600/IMG_5687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--2ldiPKrxdc/TlMtWaFnR4I/AAAAAAAABM8/DT8phvNTcSI/s320/IMG_5687.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While summer might have been slow coming- it has arrived. It is why we are all willing to tolerate the rain and clouds for so long. 75 degrees, sun, no bugs, and cool nights. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here are some of the things we have been upto:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">pool parties at Morgie and Addy's friend Henry's house</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgIRVzsAQj8/TlMtfAImP_I/AAAAAAAABNA/7pNvsO45bc4/s1600/IMG_5692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DgIRVzsAQj8/TlMtfAImP_I/AAAAAAAABNA/7pNvsO45bc4/s320/IMG_5692.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcQWCuVFrn4/TlMtpx6fkiI/AAAAAAAABNE/Y5-d-fTZDCk/s1600/IMG_5697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xcQWCuVFrn4/TlMtpx6fkiI/AAAAAAAABNE/Y5-d-fTZDCk/s320/IMG_5697.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picnics with friends </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNcdGip8RSU/TlMt3Djne0I/AAAAAAAABNI/yXv2pacKfCc/s1600/IMG_5707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kNcdGip8RSU/TlMt3Djne0I/AAAAAAAABNI/yXv2pacKfCc/s320/IMG_5707.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Berry picking at the lake </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1SKQwmyP2A/TlMuCIJJ62I/AAAAAAAABNM/yNw-sWtqZ1g/s1600/IMG_5710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-m1SKQwmyP2A/TlMuCIJJ62I/AAAAAAAABNM/yNw-sWtqZ1g/s320/IMG_5710.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Playhouse in the yard</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fksb_jr6rFI/TlMuMF78DXI/AAAAAAAABNQ/4czr36ZvTO8/s1600/IMG_5713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fksb_jr6rFI/TlMuMF78DXI/AAAAAAAABNQ/4czr36ZvTO8/s320/IMG_5713.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8UbBVF3o0g/TlMuZbtoVdI/AAAAAAAABNU/FQb0yrF7cc4/s1600/pics+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s8UbBVF3o0g/TlMuZbtoVdI/AAAAAAAABNU/FQb0yrF7cc4/s320/pics+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Twin outings in the park </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVdTTtb3wzI/TlMunCl41dI/AAAAAAAABNY/fcQVoaXr7H0/s1600/pics+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AVdTTtb3wzI/TlMunCl41dI/AAAAAAAABNY/fcQVoaXr7H0/s320/pics+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Playing in Hovander Park </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BcKA2uF1Yx8/TlMu7i30RJI/AAAAAAAABNc/LUeLq4GM32s/s1600/pics+028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BcKA2uF1Yx8/TlMu7i30RJI/AAAAAAAABNc/LUeLq4GM32s/s320/pics+028.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Addy in the garden </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpKn7hjAjNI/TlMvQzebIKI/AAAAAAAABNg/WXNqIeYSzMs/s1600/pics+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JpKn7hjAjNI/TlMvQzebIKI/AAAAAAAABNg/WXNqIeYSzMs/s320/pics+036.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Addy checking out the farm animals </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmZ19-ig53E/TlMvfIjzzkI/AAAAAAAABNk/_cO6P5XUyaE/s1600/pics+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cmZ19-ig53E/TlMvfIjzzkI/AAAAAAAABNk/_cO6P5XUyaE/s320/pics+043.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Morgan and Matilda gossiping </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWNqMcR7x5c/TlMvoJjSneI/AAAAAAAABNo/yTSs8FW50GE/s1600/pics+051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uWNqMcR7x5c/TlMvoJjSneI/AAAAAAAABNo/yTSs8FW50GE/s320/pics+051.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miss Morgan at the barn </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbzLTKR9JxA/TlMv4qxKPXI/AAAAAAAABNs/C2dJf9p22zg/s1600/pics+064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbzLTKR9JxA/TlMv4qxKPXI/AAAAAAAABNs/C2dJf9p22zg/s320/pics+064.jpg" width="320" /> </a><br />
Patty and Uncle Steven came to visit and it was awesome to see them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJIpsPFebNQ/TlMwIBTwu8I/AAAAAAAABNw/RvkC6lIXIF0/s1600/pics+081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IJIpsPFebNQ/TlMwIBTwu8I/AAAAAAAABNw/RvkC6lIXIF0/s320/pics+081.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We took the girls for walks in the woods </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLhdNdQilGQ/TlMwcUgoB1I/AAAAAAAABN0/35jT2LiCBvo/s1600/pics+087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WLhdNdQilGQ/TlMwcUgoB1I/AAAAAAAABN0/35jT2LiCBvo/s320/pics+087.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Can you believe I live less then 5 miles from this amazing spot</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Edy0HaVK0W0/TlMwqFaDr3I/AAAAAAAABN4/zjkIKf-JSDY/s1600/pics+096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Edy0HaVK0W0/TlMwqFaDr3I/AAAAAAAABN4/zjkIKf-JSDY/s320/pics+096.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miss Addy Baye playing in the trees</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5UjXyUiXnA/TlMw5oq9BrI/AAAAAAAABN8/BUHxr-TqNHE/s1600/pics+097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b5UjXyUiXnA/TlMw5oq9BrI/AAAAAAAABN8/BUHxr-TqNHE/s320/pics+097.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Miss Morgan following her sister</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PRsi7996mFI/TlMxFSN-BwI/AAAAAAAABOA/kuvNu5aWwto/s1600/pics+101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PRsi7996mFI/TlMxFSN-BwI/AAAAAAAABOA/kuvNu5aWwto/s320/pics+101.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More wild berry picking</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k50JC4IQ_vY/TlMxTJ_GFDI/AAAAAAAABOE/BZzjq8FMCws/s1600/pics+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k50JC4IQ_vY/TlMxTJ_GFDI/AAAAAAAABOE/BZzjq8FMCws/s320/pics+103.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the water fall </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fF3YnRQIEnQ/TlMxmIfOBvI/AAAAAAAABOI/jXZCzHRX76Q/s1600/pics+110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fF3YnRQIEnQ/TlMxmIfOBvI/AAAAAAAABOI/jXZCzHRX76Q/s320/pics+110.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">back to hovander park </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0j97kgIy1M/TlMxz-LNzGI/AAAAAAAABOM/aAcUOWDVMlk/s1600/pics+116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P0j97kgIy1M/TlMxz-LNzGI/AAAAAAAABOM/aAcUOWDVMlk/s320/pics+116.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">loving my Addy </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WT3duNEvqlQ/TlMyCy7_xRI/AAAAAAAABOQ/omwBCaa-7SY/s1600/pics+120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WT3duNEvqlQ/TlMyCy7_xRI/AAAAAAAABOQ/omwBCaa-7SY/s320/pics+120.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miss Morgan</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-OaIWh5Y6Y/TlMyXWeDiLI/AAAAAAAABOU/EXp1GYNl5QQ/s1600/pics+125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8-OaIWh5Y6Y/TlMyXWeDiLI/AAAAAAAABOU/EXp1GYNl5QQ/s320/pics+125.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Addy checking out the flowers </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a20V0DZozaY/TlMyf_TJ4TI/AAAAAAAABOY/KRL1dg0T1SE/s1600/pics+131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a20V0DZozaY/TlMyf_TJ4TI/AAAAAAAABOY/KRL1dg0T1SE/s320/pics+131.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So amazing </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGKE5uxP2dM/TlMyrJIUaFI/AAAAAAAABOc/aBa88vSYCFc/s1600/pics+144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGKE5uxP2dM/TlMyrJIUaFI/AAAAAAAABOc/aBa88vSYCFc/s320/pics+144.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rT6uU0ZWcw/TlMy0afnRKI/AAAAAAAABOg/7zIy0ivHY40/s1600/pics+157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3rT6uU0ZWcw/TlMy0afnRKI/AAAAAAAABOg/7zIy0ivHY40/s320/pics+157.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0u5bcr_f1wk/TlMzBnj_YSI/AAAAAAAABOk/ufIFm37hhBs/s1600/pics+172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0u5bcr_f1wk/TlMzBnj_YSI/AAAAAAAABOk/ufIFm37hhBs/s320/pics+172.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morgan getting a ride back to the car</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67BTtTAlsRw/TlMzL6C328I/AAAAAAAABOo/hp44Q9cPcm0/s1600/pics+178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-67BTtTAlsRw/TlMzL6C328I/AAAAAAAABOo/hp44Q9cPcm0/s320/pics+178.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So sweet</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSE987B6Nzo/TlMzWq1-VdI/AAAAAAAABOs/QTqEL2--wXI/s1600/pics+182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lSE987B6Nzo/TlMzWq1-VdI/AAAAAAAABOs/QTqEL2--wXI/s320/pics+182.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSyxbXSnD_Y/TlMziLjH-pI/AAAAAAAABOw/F3q_GqQUpaQ/s1600/pics+186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DSyxbXSnD_Y/TlMziLjH-pI/AAAAAAAABOw/F3q_GqQUpaQ/s320/pics+186.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3Kx3JCuJJQ/TlMzumxsjTI/AAAAAAAABO0/fAdiWoDwF1s/s1600/pics+193.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e3Kx3JCuJJQ/TlMzumxsjTI/AAAAAAAABO0/fAdiWoDwF1s/s320/pics+193.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing in the lake </td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr4CmY6kdqg/TlMz4ijFY4I/AAAAAAAABO4/WDQyl6kk-tk/s1600/pics+194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yr4CmY6kdqg/TlMz4ijFY4I/AAAAAAAABO4/WDQyl6kk-tk/s320/pics+194.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjXY6H6rBSU/TlM0EHIlBGI/AAAAAAAABO8/DmTHIvKh8G4/s1600/pics+202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cjXY6H6rBSU/TlM0EHIlBGI/AAAAAAAABO8/DmTHIvKh8G4/s320/pics+202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-5832861449813958542011-08-20T19:36:00.000-07:002011-08-20T19:36:27.109-07:00The North Cascades National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lVdF6bu13U/TkssEQ0VL9I/AAAAAAAABKQ/4JX-ujByNQA/s1600/IMG_5510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lVdF6bu13U/TkssEQ0VL9I/AAAAAAAABKQ/4JX-ujByNQA/s320/IMG_5510.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Justin and I have always shared a love for the outdoors and hiking. Bellingham has so many amazing outdoors spots. Yet for the last two years we have not spent much time on the trails. A twin pregnancy and girls less then two years old had us trading in our hiking boots for bibs and bottles. Yet now that the girls are getting older and stronger we have turned to the trusty "hiking with your kids in Western Washington bible" and took our kids on their first hike. Above is Morgan and I at the start of the Roserio hiking trail (1.5 miles each way) in Deception Pass State Park.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhDMwVSEq-I/TkssXj0vz_I/AAAAAAAABKU/L1ruWAcS00I/s1600/IMG_5517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YhDMwVSEq-I/TkssXj0vz_I/AAAAAAAABKU/L1ruWAcS00I/s320/IMG_5517.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>This beautiful park is part of Deception Pass State Park and the beginning of many salmon runs. At this point the puget sound meets rivers.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqUc-fZNHv4/TkssjeMrzFI/AAAAAAAABKY/TEEBzzc9qic/s1600/IMG_5542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GqUc-fZNHv4/TkssjeMrzFI/AAAAAAAABKY/TEEBzzc9qic/s320/IMG_5542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Morgie enjoying the nice warm weather </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jcy8_K_1WaA/Tkssxca5N9I/AAAAAAAABKc/j6nPNEcoOjo/s1600/IMG_5545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jcy8_K_1WaA/Tkssxca5N9I/AAAAAAAABKc/j6nPNEcoOjo/s320/IMG_5545.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Addy Baye on the dock </div><br />
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After a successful hike near home we took our hiking team on the road to the North Cascade National Park. The Park is the least visited national park in the US because it is very hard to access. There is only one road that winds through a small portion of the expansive park and it is only open in July-Sept (when the snow melts). There are countless glacial valleys in this 505,000-acre expanse of the North Cascades, which actually encompasses three diverse natural areas. This is an utterly spectacular gathering of snowy peaks, glacial meadows, plunging canyons, and cold, deep-blue lakes. The park is home to some of the largest and rarest animals in the US and it truly majestic. Figuring Addy and Morgan where not up to hiking glaciers (nor are their parents) we opted for shorter but still beautiful hikes. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5OFFqEQVZk/TksteGWkjLI/AAAAAAAABKk/VWcK8yf9tmM/s1600/IMG_5553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V5OFFqEQVZk/TksteGWkjLI/AAAAAAAABKk/VWcK8yf9tmM/s320/IMG_5553.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-989dC9B1zqw/Tkst3ETB7sI/AAAAAAAABKo/rb1EA1_usBU/s1600/IMG_5560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-989dC9B1zqw/Tkst3ETB7sI/AAAAAAAABKo/rb1EA1_usBU/s320/IMG_5560.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Addy hiked for part of the trip </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9RtAUixmMg/TksuDY8fi8I/AAAAAAAABKs/vTjbj66isBk/s1600/IMG_5563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N9RtAUixmMg/TksuDY8fi8I/AAAAAAAABKs/vTjbj66isBk/s320/IMG_5563.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Then rode in a backpack for some other </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYFf6zLQJZA/TksuVT2VXTI/AAAAAAAABKw/ln8FJyeApf0/s1600/IMG_5570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AYFf6zLQJZA/TksuVT2VXTI/AAAAAAAABKw/ln8FJyeApf0/s320/IMG_5570.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Justin showed Morgie how to take breaks by sitting on rocks, she test out alot of different rocks. Movement, while enjoyable was not too speedy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGEE34B7dWE/TksulmYlxRI/AAAAAAAABK0/U-UwUItVQJY/s1600/IMG_5578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qGEE34B7dWE/TksulmYlxRI/AAAAAAAABK0/U-UwUItVQJY/s320/IMG_5578.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">More hiking </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-EGosqtmGA/Tksuwj7W53I/AAAAAAAABK4/6x3ZlK4XiUk/s1600/IMG_5585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3-EGosqtmGA/Tksuwj7W53I/AAAAAAAABK4/6x3ZlK4XiUk/s320/IMG_5585.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">After leaving the trails the girls road in style checking out the scenery </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5wKDo240ZU/Tksu66wkZ8I/AAAAAAAABK8/lo44cCdfTI0/s1600/IMG_5601.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M5wKDo240ZU/Tksu66wkZ8I/AAAAAAAABK8/lo44cCdfTI0/s320/IMG_5601.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next day we set out again for a sunny hike. this time Morgan and I were partners. here we are overlooking sun valley lake. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VXhbpLS9ek/TksvFqyYCJI/AAAAAAAABLA/fJLGhPgMQJk/s1600/IMG_5606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9VXhbpLS9ek/TksvFqyYCJI/AAAAAAAABLA/fJLGhPgMQJk/s320/IMG_5606.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A family trail picture </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0JjEYxToXQ/TksvTk_pm_I/AAAAAAAABLE/MFlBHwiyt2I/s1600/IMG_5614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0JjEYxToXQ/TksvTk_pm_I/AAAAAAAABLE/MFlBHwiyt2I/s320/IMG_5614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our hotel had a great lake and the girls loved to play in it</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wQFuYmaLo7Y/TksvkJso1FI/AAAAAAAABLI/gXoJZjVaQoM/s1600/IMG_5623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wQFuYmaLo7Y/TksvkJso1FI/AAAAAAAABLI/gXoJZjVaQoM/s320/IMG_5623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Every time we rode by the horse farms the girls went crazy, so we decied to stop and give them an up close look. I have always loved horses and rode for many years so this part of our trip really touched my heart. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XvaDC18DYpY/TksvtfP3HCI/AAAAAAAABLM/p-gxw1kLExw/s1600/IMG_5627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XvaDC18DYpY/TksvtfP3HCI/AAAAAAAABLM/p-gxw1kLExw/s320/IMG_5627.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls enjoyed eating out </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPn9IpWJMKg/Tksv4pL22EI/AAAAAAAABLQ/kHFZ9O8okEk/s1600/IMG_5634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nPn9IpWJMKg/Tksv4pL22EI/AAAAAAAABLQ/kHFZ9O8okEk/s320/IMG_5634.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And alittle post meal ice cream </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LOTMLu2J1Ds/TkswF3RPlSI/AAAAAAAABLU/eP-d5J0Fx5E/s1600/IMG_5645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LOTMLu2J1Ds/TkswF3RPlSI/AAAAAAAABLU/eP-d5J0Fx5E/s320/IMG_5645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then more playing in the lake - this picture is one of my favorite </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USSvq250Vc4/TkswS_oSsqI/AAAAAAAABLY/kKLtsQkmPi8/s1600/IMG_5652.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USSvq250Vc4/TkswS_oSsqI/AAAAAAAABLY/kKLtsQkmPi8/s320/IMG_5652.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Up late partying in the hotel </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T78a4iW4c_Y/TkswgMj8nHI/AAAAAAAABLc/M5SO62O4LNg/s1600/IMG_5665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T78a4iW4c_Y/TkswgMj8nHI/AAAAAAAABLc/M5SO62O4LNg/s320/IMG_5665.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A final swim before we hit the road</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sopCFvYdmZM/Tkswy0WaH4I/AAAAAAAABLg/JIiV3b37wJE/s1600/IMG_5676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sopCFvYdmZM/Tkswy0WaH4I/AAAAAAAABLg/JIiV3b37wJE/s320/IMG_5676.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mountains of the North Cascade Range </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqhPqG8RVPw/Tksw9ug1ciI/AAAAAAAABLk/Bon1d0PsGl4/s1600/IMG_5678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VqhPqG8RVPw/Tksw9ug1ciI/AAAAAAAABLk/Bon1d0PsGl4/s320/IMG_5678.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A totally crashed out DuPre Double - but an amazing trip </div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7911056140039312697.post-34516147447697310762011-07-30T20:41:00.000-07:002011-07-30T20:41:57.474-07:00A Western Washington JulyEvery wonderful place to live has a drawback. Yet if you are privileged enough to decide where to live you are willing to take the draw back to reap the benefits. LA has great weather but if grossly overcrowded, the Midwest has four seasons but is land locked, the South has mountains and beach but faces unbearable summers and big gross bugs etc. So for those of us in Western Washington we are willing to tolerate darkness, clouds, and rain for 9 months a year because we know the 3 summer months (here it is July, Aug and Sept) are long, in the 70's during the day, cool enough to sleep with a blanket at night, and free of mosquitoes and flies (that's right we do not even have a screen door). The mountain snow is low enough to hike in August and lakes warm enough to swim in without a wet suit. They say July5 is the start of summer, and while it is usually true, this summer has been the exception.<br />
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While the rest of the country hid in their AC for most of July, we froze in the 50s and 60s with all too much rain. The girls wore summer dresses inside with the heat on and put on jeans and sweatshirt outside. Moral was a bit low. Yet knowing that the rain would return in just a few months we made the most of every summer moment we could. After a day at the pool, I think it is safe to say summer is here. No AC needed but blue skies and sunshine have finally arrived. Below are some of our June and July highlights.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_UlhKinaDM/TjTC-JZfNHI/AAAAAAAABIo/AsBTDBQE9Gk/s1600/IMG_5371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g_UlhKinaDM/TjTC-JZfNHI/AAAAAAAABIo/AsBTDBQE9Gk/s320/IMG_5371.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meals on the deck </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGCbFLPV44g/TjTDKCSizbI/AAAAAAAABIs/MT4OBg1ixP8/s1600/IMG_5379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bGCbFLPV44g/TjTDKCSizbI/AAAAAAAABIs/MT4OBg1ixP8/s320/IMG_5379.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The Washington beaches have more rocks then sand but the girls do not seem to mind. The views and wildlife are truly amazing. The picture above was taking at Birch Bay State Park</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCTucuaKQ4Q/TjTDWe0IJ-I/AAAAAAAABIw/6xocn-3oQg0/s1600/IMG_5395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MCTucuaKQ4Q/TjTDWe0IJ-I/AAAAAAAABIw/6xocn-3oQg0/s320/IMG_5395.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">The girls taken in the scenery</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MissZimy5G4/TjTDdolIjhI/AAAAAAAABI0/x9LqDu9DNGM/s1600/IMG_5412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MissZimy5G4/TjTDdolIjhI/AAAAAAAABI0/x9LqDu9DNGM/s320/IMG_5412.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Healpee (as they say) Daddy wash the windows</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v22DjsaT8ws/TjTDpxCumMI/AAAAAAAABI4/UV7ojRDBqpU/s1600/IMG_5415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v22DjsaT8ws/TjTDpxCumMI/AAAAAAAABI4/UV7ojRDBqpU/s320/IMG_5415.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Morgie watching squirrels play in the cedar in our front yard</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zhs9Qt3xDo/TjTDzaXyLUI/AAAAAAAABI8/oKp39RZ8DAc/s1600/IMG_5444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6zhs9Qt3xDo/TjTDzaXyLUI/AAAAAAAABI8/oKp39RZ8DAc/s320/IMG_5444.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Washington's three biggest exports are apples, marijuana, and berries. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So we took the opportunity to go strawberry picking.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eZLcSvxJLI/TjTD-gWxmmI/AAAAAAAABJA/pUCsgA2OMbI/s1600/IMG_5447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1eZLcSvxJLI/TjTD-gWxmmI/AAAAAAAABJA/pUCsgA2OMbI/s320/IMG_5447.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Addy tasking the product ( it is a good thing she did not have to weigh in </div><div style="text-align: center;">and out it would have cost us a small fortune) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uJcCiYfSBI/TjTEOCcA30I/AAAAAAAABJE/PSuYe5ctGxw/s1600/IMG_5448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uJcCiYfSBI/TjTEOCcA30I/AAAAAAAABJE/PSuYe5ctGxw/s320/IMG_5448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Morgan actually put the berries in the bucket, Addy just ate them off the vine</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kvA-LR96P9I/TjTEat9ObEI/AAAAAAAABJI/tn2VF9xSp-Y/s1600/IMG_5451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kvA-LR96P9I/TjTEat9ObEI/AAAAAAAABJI/tn2VF9xSp-Y/s320/IMG_5451.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If Morgan put a good one in Addy removed it to taste for quality </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl_LXfSbMlI/TjTEtXDPMnI/AAAAAAAABJM/K-FX6OY3VPU/s1600/IMG_5457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Bl_LXfSbMlI/TjTEtXDPMnI/AAAAAAAABJM/K-FX6OY3VPU/s320/IMG_5457.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We left with 22lbs of strawberries.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYgCkLFd7eY/TjTE2wJ94TI/AAAAAAAABJQ/i17MPVc5g40/s1600/IMG_5462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MYgCkLFd7eY/TjTE2wJ94TI/AAAAAAAABJQ/i17MPVc5g40/s320/IMG_5462.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">No big surprise who likes strawberry ice cream </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VN4eVFeDT30/TjTFA9utyzI/AAAAAAAABJU/ROI6C7rcOrs/s1600/IMG_5468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VN4eVFeDT30/TjTFA9utyzI/AAAAAAAABJU/ROI6C7rcOrs/s320/IMG_5468.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">So we froze some and Justin lead the jam making party with the rest</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mMDzDz6RZM/TjTFJrz5NqI/AAAAAAAABJY/tFq-EbuUWyM/s1600/IMG_5469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6mMDzDz6RZM/TjTFJrz5NqI/AAAAAAAABJY/tFq-EbuUWyM/s320/IMG_5469.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Us girls assisted </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPLZLbibz4s/TjTFT6a296I/AAAAAAAABJc/fhwwM_Xoz_M/s1600/IMG_5476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JPLZLbibz4s/TjTFT6a296I/AAAAAAAABJc/fhwwM_Xoz_M/s320/IMG_5476.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We have also been making the most of our lake side sandbox </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19-PS0aN8As/TjTFnnmMy7I/AAAAAAAABJg/Ibbf6s1eHsM/s1600/IMG_5491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-19-PS0aN8As/TjTFnnmMy7I/AAAAAAAABJg/Ibbf6s1eHsM/s320/IMG_5491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our crew hanging by the lake </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AiCn8OyAN4/TjTKDNWEduI/AAAAAAAABJk/hDiYsgAJEJY/s1600/pics+093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4AiCn8OyAN4/TjTKDNWEduI/AAAAAAAABJk/hDiYsgAJEJY/s320/pics+093.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I took the girls to nature baby class at marine park. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They loved looking for crabs, purple star fish, and playing with seaweed</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LR5ukPY7TAA/TjTKP-3rJ9I/AAAAAAAABJo/BhiM0XSetVM/s1600/pics+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LR5ukPY7TAA/TjTKP-3rJ9I/AAAAAAAABJo/BhiM0XSetVM/s320/pics+104.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkUpgq7rFE8/TjTKZsu4LRI/AAAAAAAABJs/Pa9sEM8VKx0/s1600/pics+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NkUpgq7rFE8/TjTKZsu4LRI/AAAAAAAABJs/Pa9sEM8VKx0/s320/pics+099.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RihfGGtJD9k/TjTKnQgCGAI/AAAAAAAABJw/6YioM2kaI9I/s1600/pics+156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RihfGGtJD9k/TjTKnQgCGAI/AAAAAAAABJw/6YioM2kaI9I/s320/pics+156.jpg" width="239" /></a></div> Vern has a hard start to the summer. The tumor on her side got very large and we feared her time was short. So at the recommendation of our beloved vet, who believed Vern would do well under surgery (she is 14), we had the 6.5lb tumor (mind you Vern is only 35lbs) removed. Well Dr. Johnson was right. Vern did great, drank a big gulp from the fountain of youth and is a much happier girl. She is my first baby and we are so grateful for her health and every day she shares with us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d92x2YeLHCw/TjTKzi65zEI/AAAAAAAABJ0/sr8nWzVjvMM/s1600/pics+167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-d92x2YeLHCw/TjTKzi65zEI/AAAAAAAABJ0/sr8nWzVjvMM/s320/pics+167.jpg" width="239" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have spent alot of time at playgrounds </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee6LsJXMFlo/TjTK8bohZqI/AAAAAAAABJ4/5afpxaSP32E/s1600/pics+165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ee6LsJXMFlo/TjTK8bohZqI/AAAAAAAABJ4/5afpxaSP32E/s320/pics+165.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Alot of time</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PfhLmiklsYg/TjTLJp9QfFI/AAAAAAAABJ8/Bil8odxex8Q/s1600/IMG_5359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PfhLmiklsYg/TjTLJp9QfFI/AAAAAAAABJ8/Bil8odxex8Q/s320/IMG_5359.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Laughed a ton</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6MC3mf1cSU/TjTLVVQx2OI/AAAAAAAABKA/RbX9mqJrMwA/s1600/IMG_5509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6MC3mf1cSU/TjTLVVQx2OI/AAAAAAAABKA/RbX9mqJrMwA/s320/IMG_5509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And helped Vern heal - hear she is sporting her Iowa City American Leagon poker tee shirt</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stay tuned for more summer adventures with the DuPre family </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Rae Lynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03779334895111066120noreply@blogger.com