tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71722322961352501692024-03-13T10:58:56.837-07:00Our Western Clan LifeChris Erika Finn Hudson -
A (mostly) daily account of our livesChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.comBlogger203125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-71334557828334059662012-08-29T07:56:00.001-07:002012-08-29T07:59:23.269-07:00Finn's First Day of Kindergarten!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Crazy that today is Finn's first day of school! We're super excited for him. He's been looking forward to this day all summer, and definitely seemed excited (and maybe a bit overwhelmed). He'll be in full day K-g with Mrs. Thies and has already made a friend, Koa, who happens to live three streets away. </div>
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-71908093510987947422012-08-20T21:17:00.001-07:002012-08-20T21:21:20.323-07:00Great Basin National Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A few photos from our recent trip to Great Basin National Park. We talked about going here for years - and finally made it with Stefan, Jess, Greta, and Graham. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lehman Creek in the early morning.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn warming up in the morning smoke and fog</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bristlecone Pine near Wheeler Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring Lehman Cave</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn and Greta in Lehman Cave</td></tr>
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<br />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-61684902602828124102012-05-23T14:24:00.002-07:002012-05-23T14:37:50.101-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The kids and I had a busy weekend while Chris continued his long hours of field work.<br />
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<li>Friday: Finn and Nana - Natural History Museum Friday </li>
<li>Saturday: Living Traditions Festival w/Nana Saturday - Mongolian dance performances and mufti-cultural food samplings </li>
<li>Sunday: A morning in the backyard/garden and Living Traditions Festival in the afternoon - Japanese drums, Native American dance and even more new food flavors savored. Grand Finale - Solar Eclipse viewed from start to finish from our front yard.</li>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finn prepared to view the solar eclipse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not quite the full ring of fire view from out our front door but still "cool". </td></tr>
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<li>Tuesday, Wednesday - Home with a sick Finn </li>
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Although I am falling terribly behind by not being at work it is really nice to have a few quiet days at home with the kids. I just wish it was under healthier circumstances. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugs for a sick Finn</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making her sick brother laugh</td></tr>
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-84329301673615790872012-05-20T08:08:00.001-07:002012-05-22T06:24:02.611-07:00May 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rounding the bend:<br />
One week left of pre-school and only three more weeks of being four ("and three-quarters"). Finn spends most of his time at home outside whether it is racing up and down the sidewalk on his bike or pretending to play "ship" in the backyard with neighbors.<br />
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Nola continues to scoot at high speeds and is now pulling up on everything vertical. She loves to play outside. Water provides endless entertainment. <br />
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<br />Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-23559873517610714852012-03-09T21:12:00.002-08:002012-03-09T21:15:20.675-08:00Winter...Meh<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">Definitely getting ready to transition into Spring. More photos at the <a href="https://plus.google.com/photos/113253762305066317158/albums/5718128047863884049?authkey=CJHDsM-bn5KKygE" target="_blank">Late Winter Google Web Album,</a> including a priceless video of Finn and a $1 thrift-store treasure.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hb778wxxLk/T1riyZBzbnI/AAAAAAAAD0s/NzqiPRokfjs/s1600/IMG_4822.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hb778wxxLk/T1riyZBzbnI/AAAAAAAAD0s/NzqiPRokfjs/s400/IMG_4822.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Nola enjoying the sun.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J79igF2Ot7Y/T1riyjDGPnI/AAAAAAAAD00/aj0F8u5TV0Y/s1600/IMG_4833.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J79igF2Ot7Y/T1riyjDGPnI/AAAAAAAAD00/aj0F8u5TV0Y/s400/IMG_4833.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Nola loves Finn - no matter how many times he yells something crazy in her face or steals her toys!</div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Whbkv8p-6_M/T1riysN2zpI/AAAAAAAAD1I/cWXCTxz541k/s1600/IMG_4874.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Whbkv8p-6_M/T1riysN2zpI/AAAAAAAAD1I/cWXCTxz541k/s400/IMG_4874.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Farm duties like collecting eggs in a snowstorm are best left to the younger generation.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CP4lrVm0QR8/T1riz9bFlTI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/0Msub9BTQbw/s1600/IMG_4879.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CP4lrVm0QR8/T1riz9bFlTI/AAAAAAAAD1Q/0Msub9BTQbw/s400/IMG_4879.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Finn settling in for a long conversation with Nana.<br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuLUoicX0HE/T1ri0cOl9hI/AAAAAAAAD1c/t3nFzIPA2FA/s1600/IMG_4900.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CuLUoicX0HE/T1ri0cOl9hI/AAAAAAAAD1c/t3nFzIPA2FA/s400/IMG_4900.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Helmet head...thanks to Finn. She didn't seem to mind.<br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4-ct_FYBV4/T1ri049xdGI/AAAAAAAAD1k/m7Grng3pMIw/s1600/IMG_4907.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4-ct_FYBV4/T1ri049xdGI/AAAAAAAAD1k/m7Grng3pMIw/s400/IMG_4907.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Finn, Chip, Ruby and Owen enjoying some time outside at Sugarhouse Park.<br /></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9x8jMisYol8/T1ri1PrDmII/AAAAAAAAD10/wSMNCSpsWlY/s1600/IMG_4908.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9x8jMisYol8/T1ri1PrDmII/AAAAAAAAD10/wSMNCSpsWlY/s400/IMG_4908.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Nola checking the back cassette for me.</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" border="0" align="middle" /></a></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-74038146573147391902012-02-05T13:42:00.000-08:002012-02-05T19:50:53.629-08:00Sundry Winter Photos<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><div style="text-align: left;">Now that my foot is nearly healed from the neuroma surgery, Finn has his own ski gear bin, and Nola fits her hand-me-down Patagonia "sport suits," we are starting to complain about the lack of wintery winteryness. And we're not the only ones (<a href="http://chipandaudrey.blogspot.com/2012/02/winteryou-there.html">Winter...You There??</a>). But in true DuRoss fashion, we've been loading up on snacks, and making the most of it:<br /></div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y14NZM5hgps/Ty73yGwXYKI/AAAAAAAAC3c/vQPSL1VNo5o/s1600/IMG_4606.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y14NZM5hgps/Ty73yGwXYKI/AAAAAAAAC3c/vQPSL1VNo5o/s400/IMG_4606.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Finn test driving his remote control car, which Mom and Dad, and NOT Santa, so smarty gave him for Christmas!<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RuIUEjVHrUs/Ty73yV3nXhI/AAAAAAAAC3s/T1yXpAP-3ws/s1600/IMG_4691.CR2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RuIUEjVHrUs/Ty73yV3nXhI/AAAAAAAAC3s/T1yXpAP-3ws/s400/IMG_4691.CR2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Enjoying the last few hours of 2011. This photo makes me laugh - I can picture it as another DuRoss classic - the sepia, weathered, and torn, "Wanted Dead or Alive" poster.<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-ccRM6Ebvo/Ty73zFTCpoI/AAAAAAAAC30/wSD0yW2Ffzc/s1600/IMG_4743.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-ccRM6Ebvo/Ty73zFTCpoI/AAAAAAAAC30/wSD0yW2Ffzc/s400/IMG_4743.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Finn and our amputee snow man. Notice the leaves in the snow. This was taken Jan. 7th. Seriously.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VB1c5XNs_vI/Ty73zaFa8fI/AAAAAAAAC38/R4Sy0WWvu0g/s1600/IMG_4767.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VB1c5XNs_vI/Ty73zaFa8fI/AAAAAAAAC38/R4Sy0WWvu0g/s400/IMG_4767.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Finn sledding on mostly grass. He didn't seem to mind.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lpOgxAtxgA/Ty73zlz_k2I/AAAAAAAAC4M/2FWASN-vJik/s1600/IMG_4768.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lpOgxAtxgA/Ty73zlz_k2I/AAAAAAAAC4M/2FWASN-vJik/s400/IMG_4768.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nola wondering why she is wearing a snow suit if there's no snow.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdSH1UaNOos/Ty730fwC_MI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/h-XFn0225bE/s1600/IMG_4771.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xdSH1UaNOos/Ty730fwC_MI/AAAAAAAAC4Y/h-XFn0225bE/s400/IMG_4771.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Stefan, Jess, Greta, Graham, and Cooper helping us find snow in the Uinta's.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pwOdBAKSRA/Ty731ReMivI/AAAAAAAAC4k/HNucTRV_uFU/s1600/IMG_4788.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9pwOdBAKSRA/Ty731ReMivI/AAAAAAAAC4k/HNucTRV_uFU/s400/IMG_4788.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is the sundry part. Great, but random photo of Nola by E.<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZMY0x2Z3Ns/Ty732GCmKcI/AAAAAAAAC40/r809gYa6Zu0/s1600/IMG_4807.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dZMY0x2Z3Ns/Ty732GCmKcI/AAAAAAAAC40/r809gYa6Zu0/s400/IMG_4807.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Finn's first day on skis, or actually on "click-in" skis as he reminded me. He did great, and is excited to go every weekend (thanks E and Nola in advance!).<br /><br /></div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NGp8wpgQgc/Ty7328b4VyI/AAAAAAAAC48/zquDs6CmTt8/s1600/IMG_4817.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NGp8wpgQgc/Ty7328b4VyI/AAAAAAAAC48/zquDs6CmTt8/s400/IMG_4817.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Finn eyeing that line down Mt. Superior. Actually eyeing the lodge, but someday...<br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" border="0" align="middle" /></a></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-75167620784880520492012-01-10T14:16:00.000-08:002012-02-05T19:53:20.923-08:009 Months<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJq0TdrGXOw/Tv-K9PtJWcI/AAAAAAAABoc/O9wpAE-vZCI/s1600/IMG_4646.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VJq0TdrGXOw/Tv-K9PtJWcI/AAAAAAAABoc/O9wpAE-vZCI/s320/IMG_4646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692421238812137922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw0r7cTQo-4/Tv-J3sW1_0I/AAAAAAAABoQ/OdJZMHsB4VY/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kw0r7cTQo-4/Tv-J3sW1_0I/AAAAAAAABoQ/OdJZMHsB4VY/s320/IMG_4641.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692420043912380226" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-24954411943402620022011-12-29T21:34:00.000-08:002011-12-31T14:13:55.923-08:00Salt Lake Christmas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4zgAX2UVe8/Tv0D1KnN1uI/AAAAAAAABlQ/eeqTDxeli0s/s1600/IMG_4540.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N4zgAX2UVe8/Tv0D1KnN1uI/AAAAAAAABlQ/eeqTDxeli0s/s320/IMG_4540.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691709715982964450" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwcbgMfYVKM/Tv0D1qMdAiI/AAAAAAAABlc/2kGOFAkyjd8/s1600/IMG_4550.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CwcbgMfYVKM/Tv0D1qMdAiI/AAAAAAAABlc/2kGOFAkyjd8/s320/IMG_4550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691709724460646946" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Christmas came and went in a snowless, foggy haze of coughs and runny noses for all four of us.... but it was still memorable to have our first Christmas at home in Salt Lake City.<br /><br />We shared Christmas eve with our neighbors (Scott, Shannon, Farah and Gunner) complete with prime rib, popovers, roasted vegetables, wild rice soup and strawberry, rhubarb creme brulee. Santa even dropped a few early gifts off in a bag on the front stoop for the kids.<br /><br />Christmas morning started quietly at our house with Finn methodically riffling through his stocking. Once all the contents were fully assessed we settled in at the kitchen table for parfaits prepared by Chris (yogurt, granola, raspberries and whipped cream).<br />What a treat!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3KeB2zwwAg/Tv09swtC1hI/AAAAAAAABng/dRXLRL6lklg/s1600/IMG_4560-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h3KeB2zwwAg/Tv09swtC1hI/AAAAAAAABng/dRXLRL6lklg/s200/IMG_4560-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691773343263544850" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGtI94UhUlc/Tv0-en7I16I/AAAAAAAABns/waclVHE8rOU/s1600/IMG_4610.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGtI94UhUlc/Tv0-en7I16I/AAAAAAAABns/waclVHE8rOU/s200/IMG_4610.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691774199900198818" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We unwrapped gifts from beneath the tree. Finn was sweet helping Nola open her first gifts and was overjoyed with what his packages contained. As much as he complained in the weeks leading up to Christmas that, "surprises were hard" and he didn't really like surprises, I think he would agree now that the wait was worth it. Lunch was a treat too. My crazy foodie antics must be rubbing off on Chris. Not only did he plan for these amazing sandwiches but he even paused to photograph them before we ate. (Baguette with sopressa, fontina cheese, shredded fennel, spring greens, and a sauce of mayo, capers, paprika and grainy Dijon mustard)<br />And isn't this the same person who usually gives me grief for taking photos when we should be eating the food? I love it!<br /><br />To round out the night, Audrey came down the mountain with Ruby and Owen to join us for Christmas dinner. Chip was working.<br /><br />Did we really not take any pictures of this? Ruby and Owen thoroughly enjoyed following their big cousin Finn between rooms and doing laps around the kitchen/living room loop. Good times!<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGtI94UhUlc/Tv0-en7I16I/AAAAAAAABns/waclVHE8rOU/s1600/IMG_4610.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skIFMr1dNig/Tv0DYGx2QgI/AAAAAAAABk4/nJvwe_3cg7w/s1600/IMG_4577.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-skIFMr1dNig/Tv0DYGx2QgI/AAAAAAAABk4/nJvwe_3cg7w/s320/IMG_4577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691709216737608194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3l2qnssvsHk/Tv0DYaztPMI/AAAAAAAABlE/Kca6z61aqQM/s1600/IMG_4570.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3l2qnssvsHk/Tv0DYaztPMI/AAAAAAAABlE/Kca6z61aqQM/s320/IMG_4570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691709222114114754" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2hKDaQMHYc0/Tvz97SJa59I/AAAAAAAABks/3wt4qJLGNeU/s1600/IMG_3764.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fUmGw1fDACc/Tvz0Fj0xxzI/AAAAAAAABkg/zLexTQOGgHQ/s1600/IMG_4641.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CF_hif3ITPQ/TvzrRNqNW4I/AAAAAAAABkU/9YCYXM07t2w/s1600/IMG_4614.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CF_hif3ITPQ/TvzrRNqNW4I/AAAAAAAABkU/9YCYXM07t2w/s320/IMG_4614.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691682710046464898" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OnlbI2kH2Rk/TvzqyY74BdI/AAAAAAAABkI/TFoMeGlwP7Y/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFcxEl5g9hQ/TvzZoJJCm6I/AAAAAAAABj8/nHBPH1n1PlE/s1600/IMG_4623.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VFcxEl5g9hQ/TvzZoJJCm6I/AAAAAAAABj8/nHBPH1n1PlE/s320/IMG_4623.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691663312761297826" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X5IMsD__tcs/Tv-IfI02ufI/AAAAAAAABoE/f7W02b77JbI/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X5IMsD__tcs/Tv-IfI02ufI/AAAAAAAABoE/f7W02b77JbI/s200/IMG_4670.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692418522546092530" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_-cDdoKhFs/Tv-IeivElVI/AAAAAAAABn4/dC5FvD4iing/s1600/IMG_4591.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V_-cDdoKhFs/Tv-IeivElVI/AAAAAAAABn4/dC5FvD4iing/s200/IMG_4591.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5692418512321287506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTcTQccVZT8/TvzQJLKbkVI/AAAAAAAABjw/krJKm8o7Ov4/s1600/IMG_4670.JPG"></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-25271102248946224832011-12-29T18:49:00.000-08:002011-12-29T20:07:13.556-08:00Thankful for Another YearThis November Chris's grandma (Gammy) had her 90th birthday. We were fortunate to be able to join everyone in Ohio for the festivities. Was she ever surprised when we opened the study door revealing our huddled mass, of 13 adults and 7 great-grandchildren, in song. As a grand-finale to the evening we gathered around a slide-show, choreographed by Derek, portraying her beautiful, vivacious life. Ninety years old; amazing (and so hard to fathom)!<br /><br />Our stay extended through my birthday and Thanksgiving allowing for lots of quality family time, numerous cakes, wonderful food and even a quick visit to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOBsx5xdFVg/Tv0rKU7msPI/AAAAAAAABm8/pwDt1HnYdvo/s1600/IMG_3644.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SOBsx5xdFVg/Tv0rKU7msPI/AAAAAAAABm8/pwDt1HnYdvo/s320/IMG_3644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691752960483569906" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tUsBfZ6Iug/Tv0rLDLJ_-I/AAAAAAAABnI/Fln19P0tWUk/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tUsBfZ6Iug/Tv0rLDLJ_-I/AAAAAAAABnI/Fln19P0tWUk/s320/IMG_3646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691752972896829410" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLUGUSd8RCc/Tv0rJ-c2j6I/AAAAAAAABmw/5pAfKM29oL8/s1600/IMG_3642-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iLUGUSd8RCc/Tv0rJ-c2j6I/AAAAAAAABmw/5pAfKM29oL8/s320/IMG_3642-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691752954449006498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3tUsBfZ6Iug/Tv0rLDLJ_-I/AAAAAAAABnI/Fln19P0tWUk/s1600/IMG_3646.JPG"></a>Finn was a pro at sorting animals into categories of bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect. How does he know this so well already? I guess he is the son of a wildlife loving science geek, teacher.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N23fTZSLQnc/Tv0qQAbba-I/AAAAAAAABmk/RAFOKnWHmQs/s1600/IMG_3626.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N23fTZSLQnc/Tv0qQAbba-I/AAAAAAAABmk/RAFOKnWHmQs/s320/IMG_3626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691751958547491810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzc_pYfO5k0/Tv0p1IC4DtI/AAAAAAAABmY/wnWGceA-hh8/s1600/IMG_3676.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Yzc_pYfO5k0/Tv0p1IC4DtI/AAAAAAAABmY/wnWGceA-hh8/s320/IMG_3676.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691751496735526610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzAcm4r-RB0/Tv0orw8IcTI/AAAAAAAABmM/FBlvBQ7XIZk/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BzAcm4r-RB0/Tv0orw8IcTI/AAAAAAAABmM/FBlvBQ7XIZk/s320/IMG_3699.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691750236402774322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t607YIHHoEA/Tv0oNzr9jSI/AAAAAAAABmA/oh0lHdQ3394/s1600/IMG_3631-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 148px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t607YIHHoEA/Tv0oNzr9jSI/AAAAAAAABmA/oh0lHdQ3394/s320/IMG_3631-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691749721744182562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QmTQQo4oic/Tv0nr8x6G6I/AAAAAAAABl0/ekMXCyEMFj4/s1600/IMG_3628-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9QmTQQo4oic/Tv0nr8x6G6I/AAAAAAAABl0/ekMXCyEMFj4/s320/IMG_3628-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691749140069489570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wJVXWY5hQw/Tv0nK1odhuI/AAAAAAAABlo/gIBdnsb92O4/s1600/IMG_3663-1.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--wJVXWY5hQw/Tv0nK1odhuI/AAAAAAAABlo/gIBdnsb92O4/s320/IMG_3663-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691748571215136482" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0a-0WPSOk48/Tv0rRulUHII/AAAAAAAABnU/D8mLgr9Nn6U/s1600/IMG_3661.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0a-0WPSOk48/Tv0rRulUHII/AAAAAAAABnU/D8mLgr9Nn6U/s320/IMG_3661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691753087628483714" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Nola: sitting strong on her own and interested in smearing food everywhere under the guise of feeding herself.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our little "gamer" taking in a late night game of Parcheesi with Daddy, Nana and Papa.Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-70528638742798990042011-11-05T14:45:00.000-07:002011-11-05T15:02:09.809-07:00Hudson Rock DuRoss, 2000-2011<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rekDnS7i9o8/TrWwmN5eINI/AAAAAAAAC1o/F-0Xgscu6Ls/s1600/scan0013.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rekDnS7i9o8/TrWwmN5eINI/AAAAAAAAC1o/F-0Xgscu6Ls/s320/scan0013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671633476355236050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Hudson DuRoss</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><u><br /></u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">He was with us...</div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Those four words pretty much sum it up: Hudson was a faithful friend who, for the last 11 years, was there at every turn. Looking back through the albums, from the ones on the shelves, to those on the computer, nearly each one has a photo of Hudson in there. Sometimes front and center, other times just hanging in the background. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He was really our first kid. We married September 1999, and we picked Hudson out of the litter in early 2000. We named him after "Hudson Rock" at Joshua Tree. He saw it all. Every house we lived in, nearly every adventure, a move across the country, school, house remodeling, and kids. He spent many nights in the tent, in the vestibule, in the truck, and just lounging around in the back yard with us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">He was a great dog. Although annoying at times, Hudson was never far. He was famous for following you around the house, only content and willing to snooze if he knew you were close by. His favorite place to lay was at your feet, whether in the kitchen, under the table, in the garden, or on the floor next to the shower. The first four years were crazy - he would run and run, steal things (shoes, clothes, etc.) and then run some more. He loved to play fetch, swim, lounge in the shade, follow me into the ocean surfing, roll in the snow, go for hikes, and just take strolls around the blocks. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Literally, he was there through thick and thin. He was there when we brought Finn home from the hospital; although he wasn't sure what to think at first, he quickly accepted Finn as part of the family and realized that he was an excellent source of food. He was there on Finn's birthday, his first day of preschool, and on the day we brought Nola home. I have great memories of Finn playing with him, feeding him, walking him, and hugging him. Hudson never complained, never turned down a treat (or dropped food), never failed to bark at the mailman, never had a bad day, never lost his temper, never failed to wag his tail when you came through the door. He was a comfort when we lost loved ones, when Erika miscarried, when we were having bad days. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-algZOkFsOVM/TrWwlb26SDI/AAAAAAAAC1U/Rv0yCdG-CZw/s1600/Huds_and_Finn2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-algZOkFsOVM/TrWwlb26SDI/AAAAAAAAC1U/Rv0yCdG-CZw/s320/Huds_and_Finn2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671633462922725426" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The last month was difficult. Good days and bad days. Days when we thought he'd pull through; days when we thought it was the end...when he just couldn't take another step and I'd have to carry him inside. We're glad that we were able to take him on one last adventure together...to a cabin where he wandered, got muddy, and just enjoyed being with us. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Hudson, you will be missed. Thank you for teaching us what unconditional love really is. Goodbye "good ole boy."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Chris, Erika, Finn, and Nola</div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtexcLvIpmc/TrWuo9zx18I/AAAAAAAACvg/3P1IVAUZzWw/s1600/Huds_Cooley.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jtexcLvIpmc/TrWuo9zx18I/AAAAAAAACvg/3P1IVAUZzWw/s400/Huds_Cooley.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnfTfUr6TiE/TrWupPzzX8I/AAAAAAAACvo/HuuF4la-VHc/s1600/Huds_puppy_running.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnfTfUr6TiE/TrWupPzzX8I/AAAAAAAACvo/HuuF4la-VHc/s400/Huds_puppy_running.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-FpiA89KLk/TrWupMnzKcI/AAAAAAAACv4/6NXXixPCsG4/s1600/Hudson_cbd_fountain.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-FpiA89KLk/TrWupMnzKcI/AAAAAAAACv4/6NXXixPCsG4/s400/Hudson_cbd_fountain.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceFjf3rpgzg/TrWupsnKmEI/AAAAAAAACwE/_CKu6JRRl5o/s1600/Hudson_mirror.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ceFjf3rpgzg/TrWupsnKmEI/AAAAAAAACwE/_CKu6JRRl5o/s400/Hudson_mirror.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8eIxRZN0B3w/TrWupwn_MJI/AAAAAAAACwQ/XDo4FBSpWWc/s1600/Huds_and_E.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8eIxRZN0B3w/TrWupwn_MJI/AAAAAAAACwQ/XDo4FBSpWWc/s400/Huds_and_E.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbz1KZzp698/TrWuqemeQaI/AAAAAAAACwY/sTXoF63fzME/s1600/Huds_chair.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cbz1KZzp698/TrWuqemeQaI/AAAAAAAACwY/sTXoF63fzME/s400/Huds_chair.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmp8rc1nR9k/TrWuqko2JbI/AAAAAAAACws/YKWYVAWgXdI/s1600/Huds_GRE.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rmp8rc1nR9k/TrWuqko2JbI/AAAAAAAACws/YKWYVAWgXdI/s400/Huds_GRE.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMbTV4zhHmk/TrWurX4gA5I/AAAAAAAACw0/mXU5DhM-nLY/s1600/Huds_paddle.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TMbTV4zhHmk/TrWurX4gA5I/AAAAAAAACw0/mXU5DhM-nLY/s400/Huds_paddle.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDoo7FrKiTc/TrWurT6LjeI/AAAAAAAACxA/t3kkOoUe6xQ/s1600/Huds_swell.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iDoo7FrKiTc/TrWurT6LjeI/AAAAAAAACxA/t3kkOoUe6xQ/s400/Huds_swell.jpg" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">My favorite photo of Hudson. In the San Rafael Swell</div><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxoQW2V_YNc/TrWurkOlG-I/AAAAAAAACxQ/VgZy_izOO3Y/s1600/Huds_ball.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxoQW2V_YNc/TrWurkOlG-I/AAAAAAAACxQ/VgZy_izOO3Y/s400/Huds_ball.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elwD-8SmUqg/TrWusY5zX-I/AAAAAAAACxY/RsWJ4QB54KA/s1600/Hudson_cbd_park.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-elwD-8SmUqg/TrWusY5zX-I/AAAAAAAACxY/RsWJ4QB54KA/s400/Hudson_cbd_park.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSXYNQYmpx8/TrWusVJJSII/AAAAAAAACxg/u2fN7xpB2GA/s1600/Huds_E_capt_reef.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pSXYNQYmpx8/TrWusVJJSII/AAAAAAAACxg/u2fN7xpB2GA/s400/Huds_E_capt_reef.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyJG5RJ_gdU/TrWusqowDzI/AAAAAAAACxw/AJzOtM5qwm8/s1600/Huds_Red_Rocks.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JyJG5RJ_gdU/TrWusqowDzI/AAAAAAAACxw/AJzOtM5qwm8/s400/Huds_Red_Rocks.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnbvBZ4JSf0/TrWutdycrSI/AAAAAAAACx8/cHGXQGeAH0w/s1600/Huds_hiking.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lnbvBZ4JSf0/TrWutdycrSI/AAAAAAAACx8/cHGXQGeAH0w/s400/Huds_hiking.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5vTmRrLGpE/TrWutpej6GI/AAAAAAAACyI/eAY4-ktPYos/s1600/Huds_desert.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-B5vTmRrLGpE/TrWutpej6GI/AAAAAAAACyI/eAY4-ktPYos/s400/Huds_desert.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAt4raPDo10/TrWuuAcfdvI/AAAAAAAACyU/9pMt5KE3Cl4/s1600/Huds_mt_olympus.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nAt4raPDo10/TrWuuAcfdvI/AAAAAAAACyU/9pMt5KE3Cl4/s400/Huds_mt_olympus.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMu6-Ev4Aos/TrWuuRMWcPI/AAAAAAAACyg/OTai6t6z8so/s1600/Huds_bath.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMu6-Ev4Aos/TrWuuRMWcPI/AAAAAAAACyg/OTai6t6z8so/s400/Huds_bath.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZw9wU_1TeY/TrWuu5fsmOI/AAAAAAAACyw/ct4etOW6Qek/s1600/Huds_garden.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bZw9wU_1TeY/TrWuu5fsmOI/AAAAAAAACyw/ct4etOW6Qek/s400/Huds_garden.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYN2a35VXrA/TrWuvcFHt3I/AAAAAAAACy4/G7X_FDmC6-A/s1600/Huds_ramona.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYN2a35VXrA/TrWuvcFHt3I/AAAAAAAACy4/G7X_FDmC6-A/s400/Huds_ramona.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSTgt9ak0KA/TrWuvnc6yfI/AAAAAAAACzE/smU-dKFk8ak/s1600/Huds_kitchen.jpg"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JSTgt9ak0KA/TrWuvnc6yfI/AAAAAAAACzE/smU-dKFk8ak/s400/Huds_kitchen.jpg" /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFVOJ_HjFSU/TrWvkTwPATI/AAAAAAAAC0A/ymT9S1RB7Y8/s1600/Huds_peeing.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFVOJ_HjFSU/TrWvkTwPATI/AAAAAAAAC0A/ymT9S1RB7Y8/s320/Huds_peeing.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671632344055742770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Am67r90zR3Q/TrWvkv_Yb-I/AAAAAAAAC0I/tlKb4KLi-QQ/s1600/Huds_Finn_baby.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Am67r90zR3Q/TrWvkv_Yb-I/AAAAAAAAC0I/tlKb4KLi-QQ/s320/Huds_Finn_baby.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671632351635468258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKwJVSlUTXc/TrWvlsO1IcI/AAAAAAAAC0k/82pmsen34Gc/s1600/Huds_baby_food.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VKwJVSlUTXc/TrWvlsO1IcI/AAAAAAAAC0k/82pmsen34Gc/s320/Huds_baby_food.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671632367806390722" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 283px; " /></a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AISNq8zvchU/TrWvk7_99PI/AAAAAAAAC0c/WkpiLSuFUVQ/s320/Huds_finn_box.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671632354859152626" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3q9S9mPXwW0/TrWvl5ohr_I/AAAAAAAAC0w/MeSVCYjHJnQ/s320/Huds_finn_ball.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671632371403829234" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></span></div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3mv6mTFN88/TrWwkWSWS-I/AAAAAAAAC08/f5oteOE1WOU/s1600/Huds_cabin.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y3mv6mTFN88/TrWwkWSWS-I/AAAAAAAAC08/f5oteOE1WOU/s320/Huds_cabin.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671633444247325666" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATfubIGO-TU/TrWwk0VqeJI/AAAAAAAAC1I/0h5uEFvaxOI/s1600/Huds_school.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ATfubIGO-TU/TrWwk0VqeJI/AAAAAAAAC1I/0h5uEFvaxOI/s320/Huds_school.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671633452314294418" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9C-zajC-04/TrWwlhUruHI/AAAAAAAAC1g/cjh4AKtC5lk/s1600/Huds_E_pregn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k9C-zajC-04/TrWwlhUruHI/AAAAAAAAC1g/cjh4AKtC5lk/s320/Huds_E_pregn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5671633464389777522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-988158781890755712011-11-02T13:59:00.000-07:002011-11-02T14:10:12.850-07:00Fall changes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5soHWK_IfHU/TrGwVVBYM7I/AAAAAAAABjY/AlNAZT5KLPc/s1600/IMG_4274.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5soHWK_IfHU/TrGwVVBYM7I/AAAAAAAABjY/AlNAZT5KLPc/s320/IMG_4274.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670507286302831538" border="0" /></a>We've been on extended blog hiatus. It is daunting to catch up .....but we will (or at least we'll do a multiple month in summary post). For now, here are a few recent photos of the kids.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXBGxhZGzpk/TrGvkxpvufI/AAAAAAAABjM/cXmG-YDeH2U/s1600/IMG_4388.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tXBGxhZGzpk/TrGvkxpvufI/AAAAAAAABjM/cXmG-YDeH2U/s320/IMG_4388.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5670506452174748146" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-73337770135160253052011-06-29T11:55:00.001-07:002011-06-30T14:09:24.002-07:00"You are My Sunshine"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoXV8LXdf20/Tgt1l6IIgXI/AAAAAAAABhw/awMSiy4T4ao/s1600/IMG_3011.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OoXV8LXdf20/Tgt1l6IIgXI/AAAAAAAABhw/awMSiy4T4ao/s320/IMG_3011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623717853821174130" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Our approach to bedtime has changed again with the addition of Nola. Most nights I read stories to Finn on the couch and then while I get Nola ready for bed Chris finishes off the rest making sure Finn gets his teeth brushed and then tucks him into bed with a song, a Bob Book and often a few shared giggles.<br /><br />The other night I overheard a moment that made me smile and still does as I think about it again. Finn was cranking his music player which plays the tune "You are My Sunshine". He was varying the speeds and they were both making a game of singing away fast then slow, getting such a kick out of it. Those little moments are so special (for them - and me when I'm fortunate enough to catch a small "glimpse").Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-47618792989452342252011-06-28T21:56:00.002-07:002011-06-28T22:11:53.922-07:00June Days<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HB3kOUP5Wac/TgqxS5EBYgI/AAAAAAAABg4/cWvV5iKyehE/s1600/IMG_2943.CR2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HB3kOUP5Wac/TgqxS5EBYgI/AAAAAAAABg4/cWvV5iKyehE/s320/IMG_2943.CR2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623502022838936066" border="0" /></a><br />We are enjoying our summer! The heat has definitely set in with temperatures stepping up to the mid-nineties but we've managed to find our escapes - whether it is spending the hottest part of the day playing indoors, running through water outside or escaping into the nearby mountains.....<br /><br />Nola is smiling more all the time and has begun to laugh/coo more frequently. She had her two month appointment last Friday. Three immunization shots in the thighs left her wailing and a bit out of sorts for several days - thankfully that has passed and she is back to her calm, sweet self. Her growth seems to be starting off like Finn's, and he definitely has his Dad's build. It will be interesting to see if she continues to follow Finn's growth tradjectory or ends up more petite in stature like her mom. For now she is long and lean: 25th percentile for weight (9.94lbs), 50th percentile for height (22.5) inches and 75th percentile for head circumference. Only time will tell....<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IqY7A_AUHk/Tgqw753gN3I/AAAAAAAABgw/OE3lsTYZVow/s1600/IMG_2910.CR2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_IqY7A_AUHk/Tgqw753gN3I/AAAAAAAABgw/OE3lsTYZVow/s320/IMG_2910.CR2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623501627917875058" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfmHg0hh2zc/Tgqw7WUYteI/AAAAAAAABgo/WfmX46GpmNw/s1600/IMG_2905.CR2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CfmHg0hh2zc/Tgqw7WUYteI/AAAAAAAABgo/WfmX46GpmNw/s320/IMG_2905.CR2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623501618375341538" border="0" /></a><br />Finn is my great helper. He is ever enthusiastic about rushing out the door in the morning to see if the chickens have laid any eggs then reports to Daddy when he gets home on whether it was a "two egg" or a "three egg day". Finn eagerly takes kitchen scraps out and makes great effort to ensure the hens receive equitable shares. Today we gave them a treat of mozzarella cheese. One of the girls has been laying thinner eggs and Finn wanted to make sure she got her calcium so he tore the cheese into small bites and strategically dispersed it to their anxious beaks.<br /><br />We are working hard to play catch-up after such a late start to gardening this year. Chris assembled a great sprikler system for the expanded garden bed this weekend. With the regular watering (and the warmer temperatures) perhaps things will start taking off and our seedlings will not frizzle in the sun as soon as they pop out of the soil. Finn wanted to participate in putting the sprinklers together and testing them out. The past few days he has been out there next to me poking beet seeds into the dirt and covering them over so they can germinate, checking on how many potato plants have poked out of the ground, looking in awe at the purple sweet potato sprout just emerging, grabbing the trowel to transplant a pathetic eggplant so it won't be crowded out by the potato. It is so fun to hear him say, "I like feeling like a farmer"!<br /><br />Rapidly rising summer temperatures and copious quantities of snow melting out of the Wasatch range have the local rivers raging. Finn has always loved the outdoors as much as we do and Chris knew that the striking power and velocity of a roiling river escaping its banks and crashing over rocks/trees was something that would completely enthrall Finn. He was absolutely right. Sunday we headed up Big Cottonwood canyon and hit the Mill B South trail (toward Lake Blanch) for our first hike with Nola and really the first hike where Finn had to do all his own footwork instead of being in a backpack. He did absolutely amazing, hiking over 3 miles, all-the-while his enthusiasm for everything around him overflowing infectiously. We didn't make it to Lake Blanch (we never expected to) or even to that magical spot just ahead that would provide us one last "good view" or even find "a shady, private place, with a rock to sit on, aspens, ripe strawberries and a lake to nurse Nola beside" but we enjoyed all we saw and our time <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFl954nSbHs/Tgqy9SB1xPI/AAAAAAAABhI/hMxfiXxkFkA/s1600/BCC_20111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFl954nSbHs/Tgqy9SB1xPI/AAAAAAAABhI/hMxfiXxkFkA/s320/BCC_20111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623503850606806258" border="0" /></a>together as a family. I can't wait to get out for our next hike!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09kDjeVzInE/Tgqy-GBT5EI/AAAAAAAABhQ/txy7VjSCa7Y/s1600/BCC_20114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-09kDjeVzInE/Tgqy-GBT5EI/AAAAAAAABhQ/txy7VjSCa7Y/s320/BCC_20114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623503864563229762" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zDax6iFTj8/Tgqzcfp-s1I/AAAAAAAABhg/w6_RtDSfbIM/s1600/IMG_2976.CR2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zDax6iFTj8/Tgqzcfp-s1I/AAAAAAAABhg/w6_RtDSfbIM/s320/IMG_2976.CR2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623504386840769362" border="0" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNLKJJc9enY/TgqzcLGlXGI/AAAAAAAABhY/WfQgpy6VVEM/s1600/IMG_2970.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qNLKJJc9enY/TgqzcLGlXGI/AAAAAAAABhY/WfQgpy6VVEM/s320/IMG_2970.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623504381323598946" border="0" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gliBg63f8kk/TgqzsT6-siI/AAAAAAAABho/VWVBdr9SLmM/s1600/IMG_2990.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gliBg63f8kk/TgqzsT6-siI/AAAAAAAABho/VWVBdr9SLmM/s320/IMG_2990.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623504658568753698" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-64526073435218977432011-06-18T15:29:00.000-07:002011-06-19T08:22:36.257-07:00June<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27k0Gb_PDzU/Tf4SbMztXpI/AAAAAAAACfI/yW6avY8NMRs/s1600/IMG_1605.CR2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; ">This has been a crazy month:</div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><ul><li>Nola Mae has continued to grow and become more awake and expressive, and we're all settling into our family of four (er, five...sorry Hudson). It is amazing how time flies with the second and how there are days that I feel like I barely get to hold her. The real challenge has been trying to tackle house/yard projects (see bullet #2)...things like dog-hair management tend to spiral out of control. Erika has been amazing in that regard: losing one job (teaching), but picking up three: Finn, Nola, and part-time work for a science museum. But, we're happy...especially with how calm she is (unless she's hungry!).</li><li>We were saddened to have our good friends from across the fence move to Portland. We sadly deconstructed the gate between our yards, but happily moved the fence - acquiring some of their expansive back yard. Many hours went into moving the fence (thanks Chip!), but we couldn't be happier with our new bigger yard and are grateful to them for making it happen. </li><li>With the extra land, we accelerated our plans to add three new additions to our family: 3 chickens in a hurricane-proof coop. Our amazing neighbors helped build it (including supplying a 1/4" sheet of aluminum for the roof!) and after just a week or so, we took on our moving neighbor's chickens. They're psyched about their new digs, and after a brief period of contemplation and discussion, have been rewarding us with three eggs a day. </li><li>Last, but not at all least, Finn turned 4! The weeks or so building up to his birthday were amazing: he was thrilled to be turning four and happy to no longer have to tell people he was three and three-quarters. The weather held and we celebrated outside with a pool and a bunch of his friends. He is one amazing kid - who continues to surprise and amaze us with his creativity, questions (though exhausting at times!), comprehension of complex things (e.g., photography, neighbors moving and us taking their chickens...), his calmness around and love for Nola, and appetite for learning (officially read his first word a few weeks ago). </li></ul>Ok, the photos:</div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-27k0Gb_PDzU/Tf4SbMztXpI/AAAAAAAACfI/yW6avY8NMRs/s320/IMG_1605.CR2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619949643508833938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet Nola Mae...sorry if we leave you in this seat a lot.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I2JG6lEmgtQ/Tf0nKVmY29I/AAAAAAAACdo/Glz10Q2JHEg/s1600/IMG_2795.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I2JG6lEmgtQ/Tf0nKVmY29I/AAAAAAAACdo/Glz10Q2JHEg/s400/IMG_2795.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">June blooms.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_BU3aLnoEQ/Tf0nLlt9EFI/AAAAAAAACeI/X71-4XbjEhQ/s1600/IMG_2803.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o_BU3aLnoEQ/Tf0nLlt9EFI/AAAAAAAACeI/X71-4XbjEhQ/s400/IMG_2803.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; ">The upper deck....the new 19' added to our yard, which we're "turning into a farm" according to our upset neighbor (actually, he's right)</div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gKLdHhVVHkA/Tf0nKwxL35I/AAAAAAAACdw/oWBCRmU0Uks/s1600/IMG_2798.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gKLdHhVVHkA/Tf0nKwxL35I/AAAAAAAACdw/oWBCRmU0Uks/s400/IMG_2798.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; ">Our new garden space. Saying "our" as opposed to "E's" is a big step for me...finally taking part ownership of the garden. Carrots, potatoes, lettuce, squash should be "harvestable" come November.</div></div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Et44uqmWPvE/Tf0nKzHPOxI/AAAAAAAACd4/QZHzfO0yuLk/s1600/IMG_2800.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Et44uqmWPvE/Tf0nKzHPOxI/AAAAAAAACd4/QZHzfO0yuLk/s400/IMG_2800.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The coop. At three organic eggs a day, our break-even point is mid June of next year in case you were wondering.</div><div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0aTJx1IU928/Tf0nLDJaSGI/AAAAAAAACeA/nwlExCznw_Y/s1600/IMG_2802.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0aTJx1IU928/Tf0nLDJaSGI/AAAAAAAACeA/nwlExCznw_Y/s400/IMG_2802.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sir Pecksalot...our most consistent layer (nickname Miss Laysalot). </div></div><div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdNVjy7wAc/Tf0nOnAFGZI/AAAAAAAACfA/PnSAXs1c1yA/s1600/IMG_2853.CR2.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OwdNVjy7wAc/Tf0nOnAFGZI/AAAAAAAACfA/PnSAXs1c1yA/s400/IMG_2853.CR2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; ">Pool party! Total craziness.</div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQPfvDGlrgw/Tf0nLxE10aI/AAAAAAAACeQ/-2WFla3cgHg/s1600/IMG_2861.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dQPfvDGlrgw/Tf0nLxE10aI/AAAAAAAACeQ/-2WFla3cgHg/s400/IMG_2861.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;">Finn on his 4th.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtrpgZtosO8/Tf0nNBC6gMI/AAAAAAAACew/hF9fiqSMAkc/s1600/IMG_2850.CR2.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jtrpgZtosO8/Tf0nNBC6gMI/AAAAAAAACew/hF9fiqSMAkc/s400/IMG_2850.CR2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Cake pops! These were a huge hit with kids and adults alike.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rF4Lq3GimFs/Tf0nL-ZjctI/AAAAAAAACeY/dAkIusLhJOM/s1600/IMG_2866.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rF4Lq3GimFs/Tf0nL-ZjctI/AAAAAAAACeY/dAkIusLhJOM/s400/IMG_2866.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Blowing out the lighter (too windy for the candles).</div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKIhl0pZANQ/Tf0nMcelHdI/AAAAAAAACeg/z73COj4ik04/s1600/IMG_2873.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HKIhl0pZANQ/Tf0nMcelHdI/AAAAAAAACeg/z73COj4ik04/s400/IMG_2873.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Nola taking it all in with mom. </div></div><div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89ALgPFTynE/Tf0nM2N1RrI/AAAAAAAACeo/Y2S2NnDVP8k/s1600/IMG_2876.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-89ALgPFTynE/Tf0nM2N1RrI/AAAAAAAACeo/Y2S2NnDVP8k/s400/IMG_2876.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">The whole crew of moms and kids (minus Ann/Anya, Renae/Kaya and a few others). </div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><br /></div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div></div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-65188052222254078562011-06-14T15:58:00.001-07:002011-06-15T08:39:00.885-07:00Sun Sun Sun Here It ComesOK, we're a few weeks behind, but this is too priceless to not share. Check out Finn jammin' on his last day of preschool. Watch as much as you can bear, but at least wait for the pan right and then back left...cracks me up every time.<br /><br />Chris<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5kkx3aF2hhg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-68327941070698789882011-06-07T21:09:00.000-07:002011-06-09T19:27:24.634-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nQsHkAAFDFY/TfECXlIIRkI/AAAAAAAABfg/x4okJ5NR35g/s1600/IMG_2740.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nQsHkAAFDFY/TfECXlIIRkI/AAAAAAAABfg/x4okJ5NR35g/s320/IMG_2740.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616272814434174530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QwBygQPrH-c/TfEB9Axcq1I/AAAAAAAABfY/_9g1_rNV7rE/s1600/IMG_2711.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QwBygQPrH-c/TfEB9Axcq1I/AAAAAAAABfY/_9g1_rNV7rE/s320/IMG_2711.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616272357998766930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhktXtoz0hs/Te73BSo33-I/AAAAAAAABfQ/wvyk2pEh7EY/s1600/IMG_2683.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JhktXtoz0hs/Te73BSo33-I/AAAAAAAABfQ/wvyk2pEh7EY/s320/IMG_2683.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615697386932789218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKqxh-c-0BE/Te72OKC2E4I/AAAAAAAABfI/SKnadolQzPk/s1600/IMG_2786.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oKqxh-c-0BE/Te72OKC2E4I/AAAAAAAABfI/SKnadolQzPk/s320/IMG_2786.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615696508452475778" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WngSy_xit8E/Te72N3rXjiI/AAAAAAAABfA/4W70wLH_isI/s1600/IMG_2782.CR2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WngSy_xit8E/Te72N3rXjiI/AAAAAAAABfA/4W70wLH_isI/s320/IMG_2782.CR2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615696503522168354" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-71892814940881961742011-05-31T10:26:00.000-07:002011-06-07T21:09:02.425-07:00School's out for the SummerSummer is officially here. Finn had his last day of pre-school, complete with a grand finale class performance. They sang "Here Comes the Sun" and "Down By the Bay" with fun props and "moves". I hope we can once again figure out how to post video clips because it was priceless to watch Finn strum his guitar and wiggle to the beat.<br /><br />His teachers sent home a packet of his collective works from the year along with a packet of photos. I can't believe how much he has grown (physically, mentally and emotionally) over the school year. His handwriting continues to improve, he is starting to visually recognize numbers and is showing not only an interest but a striking adeptness for learning to read. I don't think Finn fully grasps what summer means yet. He is excited to be home every day but I am sure he will miss seeing his friends and teachers.<br /><br />Nola continues to grow...... she weighed in at 9lbs 3oz at my 6 week postpartum exam.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBblA-CqlFQ/TeVOr4_dl_I/AAAAAAAABek/074jvO6AmPE/s1600/IMG_1638-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBblA-CqlFQ/TeVOr4_dl_I/AAAAAAAABek/074jvO6AmPE/s320/IMG_1638-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979026527098866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vc-6J8N-NLM/TeVPXy6rhSI/AAAAAAAABes/DGmQAAImD2w/s1600/IMG_1655.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vc-6J8N-NLM/TeVPXy6rhSI/AAAAAAAABes/DGmQAAImD2w/s320/IMG_1655.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612979780810671394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0n6seTqtrk/TeUlIJg6IXI/AAAAAAAABec/eJ3pPohhdS8/s1600/IMG_1659.CR2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0n6seTqtrk/TeUlIJg6IXI/AAAAAAAABec/eJ3pPohhdS8/s320/IMG_1659.CR2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612933332510318962" border="0" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWpmwKmwo8Y/TeVP8Ymm5tI/AAAAAAAABe0/P89CAitsjc0/s1600/IMG_1633.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IWpmwKmwo8Y/TeVP8Ymm5tI/AAAAAAAABe0/P89CAitsjc0/s320/IMG_1633.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612980409402320594" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-14819135808341198832011-05-19T16:52:00.000-07:002011-05-19T16:56:25.634-07:005 Weeks<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><div style="text-align: left;">We've been meaning to post some photos and thoughts on how a month has flown by, and here we are already at 5 weeks. Nola is doing great and seems to be growing incredibly fast (she had gained a pound at 2 weeks!). Right now she seems pretty entertained by food (nursing), sleeping, looking at your forehead and intently tracking your movements, moving her head all around, and wildly swatting and talking at her toys (definitely a DuRoss). </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Here are some photos from last weekend when she was actually a month old.</div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F32VAe7pB7o/TdWtWDKfJfI/AAAAAAAACcU/Tug3vleitVA/s1600/Mid_may1.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F32VAe7pB7o/TdWtWDKfJfI/AAAAAAAACcU/Tug3vleitVA/s400/Mid_may1.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rKJxm4s-Pbo/TdWtWXKBRAI/AAAAAAAACcc/k8ew_mKePD0/s1600/Mid_may4.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rKJxm4s-Pbo/TdWtWXKBRAI/AAAAAAAACcc/k8ew_mKePD0/s400/Mid_may4.JPG" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YBEDWb7gXRE/TdWtWu_4nHI/AAAAAAAACck/dsfE4WcQFms/s1600/Mid_may5.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4CVPXtM81A/TdWtXIlQOQI/AAAAAAAACc8/nvBKl9rIrug/s1600/Mid_may10.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4CVPXtM81A/TdWtXIlQOQI/AAAAAAAACc8/nvBKl9rIrug/s400/Mid_may10.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER">And of course hard to believe this guy is ALMOST four</div><div style="clear:both; text-align:CENTER">(three and three-quarters he likes to say)</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-47570844677282943352011-05-08T19:11:00.001-07:002011-05-16T10:52:26.508-07:00Mother's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjHJZBlpZJE/TcdOSaHS5WI/AAAAAAAABeU/1WffXO_AiQg/s1600/C_misc_may7.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AjHJZBlpZJE/TcdOSaHS5WI/AAAAAAAABeU/1WffXO_AiQg/s320/C_misc_may7.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604534339440403810" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-61306508155417753472011-05-08T16:59:00.000-07:002011-05-08T19:01:00.072-07:00Weeks Two to Three<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eU5tUaE5vck/TcdGBLA-1EI/AAAAAAAABd8/7Bu8huHDs0E/s1600/Nola_3wk6.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eU5tUaE5vck/TcdGBLA-1EI/AAAAAAAABd8/7Bu8huHDs0E/s320/Nola_3wk6.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604525247236592706" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--csgnglmJ0Q/TcdFvB_Q1EI/AAAAAAAABd0/z12Wh2eT-AE/s1600/Nola_3wk4.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--csgnglmJ0Q/TcdFvB_Q1EI/AAAAAAAABd0/z12Wh2eT-AE/s320/Nola_3wk4.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604524935575819330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S4RcnZFDXM4/TcdFii7rA0I/AAAAAAAABds/yvES4Y6UoWg/s1600/Nola_3wk13.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S4RcnZFDXM4/TcdFii7rA0I/AAAAAAAABds/yvES4Y6UoWg/s320/Nola_3wk13.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604524721080828738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V95VQZI_-KI/TcdE98_clEI/AAAAAAAABdk/sCD-AqZosm8/s1600/Nola_3wk12.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V95VQZI_-KI/TcdE98_clEI/AAAAAAAABdk/sCD-AqZosm8/s320/Nola_3wk12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604524092420822082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Di8HLEM00UM/TcdEuKodnXI/AAAAAAAABdc/AKWDV_6AiqI/s1600/Nola_3wk9.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Di8HLEM00UM/TcdEuKodnXI/AAAAAAAABdc/AKWDV_6AiqI/s320/Nola_3wk9.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604523821204610418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYNTIA9OtZk/TcdEfdyp-AI/AAAAAAAABdU/xHLDfTpPs48/s1600/Nola_3wk8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kYNTIA9OtZk/TcdEfdyp-AI/AAAAAAAABdU/xHLDfTpPs48/s320/Nola_3wk8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604523568649598978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1_6DnCyHPA/TcdEDjmFjCI/AAAAAAAABdM/E9DH73NFip8/s1600/C_misc_may8.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1_6DnCyHPA/TcdEDjmFjCI/AAAAAAAABdM/E9DH73NFip8/s320/C_misc_may8.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604523089171156002" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Change is slow, or not as readily apparent, when you are with a newborn every day, staring into their eyes and marveling at the wondrous life in your arms. I'm sure that watching growth through our intermittent photo postings the changes are much more drastic.<br /><br />Friday we went to Nola's 2 week appointment (at 3 weeks). She weighed in at 8lbs 3oz and measured 21 inches. Our little girl is indeed growing. Looking back at the photos or reflecting upon how tiny she was, dwarfed in her car seat, at her two day pediatrician appointment I see the changes in size, scale, expressions, alertness, interest and increasing strength.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWbQxB9-auk/Tccx6jFFcmI/AAAAAAAABdE/genYfsowdDY/s1600/Nola_3wk3.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MWbQxB9-auk/Tccx6jFFcmI/AAAAAAAABdE/genYfsowdDY/s320/Nola_3wk3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604503143204614754" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-41186692124590449452011-05-07T19:01:00.000-07:002011-05-09T13:53:58.524-07:00Transition from Three to Four<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HenKe3JdAPs/TcdLnbsQfjI/AAAAAAAABeE/qadrId8R-Oc/s1600/IMG_1338.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HenKe3JdAPs/TcdLnbsQfjI/AAAAAAAABeE/qadrId8R-Oc/s320/IMG_1338.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604531402106240562" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />.........and Hudson makes Five.......<br /><br />To my, perhaps limited, knowledge there is no illustrious guide documenting how to transition from life with one child to two; no definitive text describing how to prepare for the changes as parents or how to prepare the first child for their new role of older sibling while ensuring continued growth as an individual. For now I will put my faith in the same maternal and paternal instincts that got us through the first time and keep my ears out for any good advice out there. We'll surely make some great discoveries in both areas of success and things to learn from. Who knows, maybe I'll even document them and pass them on or maybe I'll just get caught up in experiencing the joys of every new day.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xja30gkkoXM/TcdL3h1_SvI/AAAAAAAABeM/90Dr1kBSFhE/s1600/IMG_1341.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xja30gkkoXM/TcdL3h1_SvI/AAAAAAAABeM/90Dr1kBSFhE/s320/IMG_1341.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604531678635576050" border="0" /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-40830551146665449802011-04-25T09:25:00.000-07:002011-04-25T10:15:36.816-07:00Photos of Birth and First Few Days<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFRBmnq_dis/TbWjbiym_4I/AAAAAAAACTc/iICryNOBcIU/s1600/Finn_Nola1.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 226px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EFRBmnq_dis/TbWjbiym_4I/AAAAAAAACTc/iICryNOBcIU/s320/Finn_Nola1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5599561405295951746" /></a><div><br />Sorry, but I have to redirect you. I've been unsuccessful in uploading photos to this blog, please check out my <a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/cduross?authkey=Gv1sRgCM7znPLw5N_eUw">Picasa Web Albums</a> for a whole mess of photos - from birth to today!</div><div><br /></div><div>Also, check out Facebook (shouldn't need an account) for more photos: </div><div>Pictures of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.1901286288590.2108951.1134684761&l=c07a5cb5c2">Nola</a><br />Pictures of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.1901267128111.2108940.1134684761&l=e6f6e42927">Finn and others</a> enjoying the Salt Lake Spring<br /><br /></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-18823468520542522422011-04-21T16:51:00.000-07:002011-04-22T09:04:13.812-07:00Week One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcXAVBI84W8/TbDFigLB-yI/AAAAAAAABcE/qVUxUL9aCiM/s1600/Nola%2BMae%2BDuRoss.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NcXAVBI84W8/TbDFigLB-yI/AAAAAAAABcE/qVUxUL9aCiM/s320/Nola%2BMae%2BDuRoss.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598191533363952418" border="0" /></a>Here we are at the one week mark. Nola continues to sleep away much of the day and the night, awaking to nurse every 2-3 hours now instead of the every 5 hours during her first few days. She definitely is a good eater.<br /><br />We've run the range of good nights to long nights but as a whole she is a very calm, content baby. She squeaks, coos and sometimes grunts but doesn't cry much. Being the scientist I know that correlation does not always mean causation but the two most difficult nights spicy dinners - of course another discounting factor is that this is two nights out of a grand total of 7 nights so not exactly a significantly sound sample size/data set.<br /><br />Our first round of help has come and gone. Finn reveled in the time with Grandma and Grandpa and we were so thankful for all the help with shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning, baby holding, entertaining, school shuttles.<br /><br />Life at home has been eventful yet pretty sedentary. A trip to the ER the day after we returned home from the hospital confirmed a blood clot in my left calf (thankfully superficial and needing nothing more than self-monitoring, heat, elevation and ibuprofen). Since I was dizzy upon arrival the doctor ordered a series of tests involving poking and prodding and even more waiting (blood draws, EKG, vitals, IV). The test results concluded my hematocrit/hemoglobin levels were extremely low (likely explains why I blacked-out the first time I got out of bed post delivery). So per ER doctor and midwife orders I have been taking it easy, seldom leaving the couch. Chris has been impressive taking on 98% of the diapers changes, swaddling, bedtime routine with Finn, playing with Finn, refilling my water, serving snacks/lunches/dinners couch-side and keeping the household running smoothly inside and out - all that and still managing to squeeze in a little more work on getting the basement closer to ready to move our bedroom into. Did I say impressive yet?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQpoxOYc-7w/TbDFiTiEbzI/AAAAAAAABb8/uZ4kOs1_teg/s1600/Finn%2Band%2BNola.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eQpoxOYc-7w/TbDFiTiEbzI/AAAAAAAABb8/uZ4kOs1_teg/s320/Finn%2Band%2BNola.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5598191529970921266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FInL7ZOxIDs/TbDtGscX56I/AAAAAAAABcM/qQVD1vQ26KQ/s1600/NM.jpg"><br /></a>Erikahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01102788382282131157noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-24966066029808603482011-04-15T12:37:00.000-07:002011-04-15T13:13:49.469-07:00Nola's First Day<p class="mobile-photo">We're finally home with Nola! But before I get into how great it is to be in our own (very clean - thanks Donna, Matt, & Finn!) home, let me lay out the back story.</p><p class="mobile-photo">E and I wondered if Nola and I would be sharing a birthday, but that didn't come to pass. Instead, after mild to moderate contractions that evening (13th), E woke at ~2 am with fairly strong contractions. With the distant memory of E's 18-hour labor with Finn, we tried not to get too excited...timing contractions, packing, talking, etc. Pretty much ignoring our midwife's recommendation to not hang around the house too long, since labor with the second has a way of progressing more quickly compared to with the first. But over about 30 minutes E progressed from one stage to another, suddenly becoming very serious. A this point she was working incredibly hard, and then started feeling hot and sweaty, and felt like a bowl movement was coming on...uh oh. With contractions about 4 min apart and lasting over a minute, we quickly loaded up in the driving rain/sleet/snow and made way for the hospital. Later E told me that she was having serious self doubts right before leaving the house - a good sign that things were moving toward the end game! Upon check-in (~3am) she was 8cm dilated and expertly weathering strong contractions. Our awesome midwife showed up, E weathered a few more contractions, and then started pushing. About 20 min later, after a short, but very-intense (drug-free!) labor, Nola was born (4:05 a)! </p><p class="mobile-photo">We are so happy to report that she is happy, healthy, beautiful, and perfect in every way. Here are some photos from her first full day.</p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7pr_Xw9EgnM/Taie1kBMV2I/AAAAAAAACSE/AS1qavuNpac/s400/IMG_0060-741172.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897180046776162" /></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">Finn finally getting to meet his baby sister. He was really cute - excited, cautious, and curious. He's going to be a great big brother.</p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAl_bXyIqbc/Taie2C8p5PI/AAAAAAAACSM/l7I_GB2JzQ4/s1600/IMG_0059-744338.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dAl_bXyIqbc/Taie2C8p5PI/AAAAAAAACSM/l7I_GB2JzQ4/s400/IMG_0059-744338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897188349240562" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">E soaking up the Nola time. How special she is to both of us. </p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGwnXEqoSWw/Taie2UGBgvI/AAAAAAAACSU/qeJFhrtvDBw/s1600/IMG_0058-745228.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HGwnXEqoSWw/Taie2UGBgvI/AAAAAAAACSU/qeJFhrtvDBw/s400/IMG_0058-745228.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897192951939826" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">Nola. In DuRoss fashion nicknames to follow. So far, tossing out: Nol, Noly, Noler, Nellie.</p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_TCY-Qk9tQ/Taie2oDaWhI/AAAAAAAACSc/z8huu_n_f7k/s1600/IMG_0057-745921.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I_TCY-Qk9tQ/Taie2oDaWhI/AAAAAAAACSc/z8huu_n_f7k/s400/IMG_0057-745921.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897198309693970" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">She's a sleeper (at least during the day)</p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y070izf07ZY/Taie3xrvo2I/AAAAAAAACSk/DVFnSHlti5I/s1600/IMG_0054-747011.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y070izf07ZY/Taie3xrvo2I/AAAAAAAACSk/DVFnSHlti5I/s400/IMG_0054-747011.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897218074649442" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">It was great to have so many visitors. Here Nola is meeting Chip, Audrey and cousins Ruby and Owen.</p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq1LqJpJAXY/Taie4TTOirI/AAAAAAAACSs/MJEHFDOsjEc/s1600/IMG_0053-753215.JPG"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq1LqJpJAXY/Taie4TTOirI/AAAAAAAACSs/MJEHFDOsjEc/s400/IMG_0053-753215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897227098622642" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Matt. A special thanks to them for taking triple duty with meals, Finn-entertaining (and explaining, I'm sure), and house/basement details.</p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqm991PivyQ/Taie4wPBn4I/AAAAAAAACS0/k3eEMs9GmUE/s1600/IMG_0052-754430.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zqm991PivyQ/Taie4wPBn4I/AAAAAAAACS0/k3eEMs9GmUE/s400/IMG_0052-754430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595897234865627010" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo" style="text-align: center;">My special girl...can't seem to hold her enough.</p>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7172232296135250169.post-84810040818658967532011-04-14T07:11:00.000-07:002011-04-14T12:15:27.280-07:00Nola Mae DuRoss<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wkoGLzTyeI/TacBCtJka0I/AAAAAAAACRs/6y03tqeNWs0/s1600/IMG_0049-705691.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3wkoGLzTyeI/TacBCtJka0I/AAAAAAAACRs/6y03tqeNWs0/s400/IMG_0049-705691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595442208022227778" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi54zkOsOA4/TacBEQ--FMI/AAAAAAAACR0/ChJbryMSG7A/s1600/IMG_0047-713037.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vi54zkOsOA4/TacBEQ--FMI/AAAAAAAACR0/ChJbryMSG7A/s400/IMG_0047-713037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595442234821317826" /></a></p><p class="mobile-photo"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFy5gC6q70A/TacBFQSWHoI/AAAAAAAACR8/7Cq_xevIbKM/s1600/IMG_0048-720250.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LFy5gC6q70A/TacBFQSWHoI/AAAAAAAACR8/7Cq_xevIbKM/s400/IMG_0048-720250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595442251814018690" /></a></p>We are excited to announce the birth of our beautiful, healthy daughter Nola Mae DuRoss! She was born this morning, April 14, at 4:05a, weighing 7 lb. 5 oz. E was absolutely amazing, induring a short, but intense labor (~2 hours). Both E and Nola are doing well. We can't wait for all of you to meet her!<p>Chris, Erika (and Finn) <p>>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17124637081487628224noreply@blogger.com2