tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-203999502024-03-07T02:00:42.750-06:00Aloha and Holo HoloA life of love and adventureMandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.comBlogger2261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-84812522005761137302021-05-18T22:10:00.004-05:002021-05-18T22:11:27.080-05:00Double Digits<p>I cannot believe my little Claycito is already 10! It's been a decade of fun and adventure, and I'm so thankful to have you in my life. You make me smile every single day, and I love you more than words can say.</p><p>This year has been weird in so many ways because of COVID, but you did get to travel over the summer to California, Las Vegas, and Florida. You also visited Colorado in February. Additionally, we traveled to a Jellystone Park in Kerrville over New Year's and to Port Aransas during Spring Break. You are pretty much always up for an adventure, and I love that about you. </p><p>You have been thrilled to have Oliver living with us since the summer. You love to play with him and love on him, and he loves it too! You were especially thrilled to find out his birthday was in the same month as yours, and you insisted we spoil him with some special treats. </p><p>We changed up the way we do school this year, and you started attending the iSchool K-5 charter school. It took you a little while to get into the swing of it, especially with the difficulty of having to start virtually because of COVID. But once you got the hang of everything, you have been thriving. You enjoy your teacher, Ms. Gasaway, and you have made many wonderful friends. You have performed well academically and have mastered the art of food trading at lunchtime. I'm very pleased with how you embraced this change and bravely stepped into a new situation, and I'm so proud of all your hard work this year. </p><p>You continue to be VERY interested in weapons of all kinds and have amassed quite an armory. In fact, "Nerf War" was the number one activity on your birthday party agenda. You have also shown interest in a variety of video games (especially Minecraft and Clash of Clans), The Lord of the Rings movies, Spotify, and video chatting with your friends. And your deep love of Five Below is still as strong as ever, though you certainly aren't opposed to spending money in other stores if you have the chance. </p><p>Clay, you are a lover and a giver, and you make the world a better place by spreading joy wherever you go. You are easy-going and fun-loving. And you are quick to apologize when you step out of line. You almost always ask how my day was, and you give me "extra hug" every night before you go to bed, which means more to me than you will probably ever really know. You have a wonderful imagination and really clever ideas that I always enjoy hearing about. You have aspirations to become a blacksmith/lumberjack/woodworker, and you have a plan to build a very elaborate house that is filled with booby traps and water slides. I'm incredibly thankful that you came into my life ten years ago! Happy birthday, sweet boy! Thanks for being amazing!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V47NXWZ7iO28vcW3DsMlA8HZwbDP-DfVws87mnF9hs0i0MaIikmQJ4jUMUX9BB9SmbVEFq8gtZoWAlYM1uj4iBilFtU6hrqJ5ie-pfkJe1uRXarIQolcZzIXkKlDL-KyZ29ojQ/s3872/PXL_20210508_164549354.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3872" data-original-width="2904" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3V47NXWZ7iO28vcW3DsMlA8HZwbDP-DfVws87mnF9hs0i0MaIikmQJ4jUMUX9BB9SmbVEFq8gtZoWAlYM1uj4iBilFtU6hrqJ5ie-pfkJe1uRXarIQolcZzIXkKlDL-KyZ29ojQ/w300-h400/PXL_20210508_164549354.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-6268425207857007032021-01-12T21:51:00.064-06:002021-01-16T14:08:25.685-06:00Arriving on the Teen Scene<p>Max--</p><p>I cannot believe it, but you are a teenager now! It's been a wild ride to get to this point, but I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. You and I have been teaching each other about life, and I believe we've both learned so much and are better for the knowledge we've gained. It has been a delight to watch you grow and learn and mature throughout the years. This last year was probably the most challenging year we have ever experienced--as a family and as a world--and I have been so impressed with the way you have handled every stressful situation and disappointment with courage and resilience. You are an overcomer, and I am so proud of you!</p><p>Just before the world shut down due to COVID-19, you had the opportunity to travel with Nana on your 12-year trip to Pigeon Forge, TN and The Ark Experience in KY. You had a wonderful time and got to do so many neat things, and you experienced the world going into lockdown mode in real time. As the world slowly started to open back up in the summer, you got to travel to California (with stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas) and Florida. You also got to spend some time at Mimi and Grandpa's during the summer and Nana and Papa's during the winter break. And we began the New Year with a little trip to Kerrville, where we stayed at a cool Jellystone campground.</p><p>During quarantine, you decided to revive the barn project and took it upon yourself to figure out how to install all of the electrical outlets and the tv, creating a super fun place to hang out. In December, we added a PS3 to the mix, making the space even more fun. It was a challenging project, but you stuck with it, watching YouTube videos and chatting with experts (your dad and grandpa) until you accomplished your goal. </p><p>Another thing you became very interested in during quarantine was coins, especially pennies, and you have taken on the role of our resident numismatist. You have spent hours and hours watching YouTube videos to learn about coins and pouring through piles of change looking for oddities and rare treasures. </p><p>When you aren't engaged in these specialty hobbies, you can be found with your nose in a book (on weekdays) or your eyes glued to a screen (on weekends). You might also be found playing with Ollie, who joined our family late in the summer. You mostly love him, but sometimes you feel he plays a little too rough, and you don't appreciate it when he tries to interfere with the electricity in the barn by either chewing on or unplugging the extension cord. He does seem to be in tune with the feelings of everyone in our household, and he has been a comfort to you many times when you were feeling kind of down or upset. </p><p>You are back at the iSchool this year for 7th grade, and you are thriving there. You have some good friends and are making excellent grades, and you enjoy the whole environment of the school. It's a good place for you, and I'm thankful you have the opportunity to go to school there. </p><p>While you have struggled with the occasional emotional outburst this year, I have seen you make significant progress in managing your emotions and reactions. It is becoming more natural for you to take a breath, create some space, redirect your attention, and use your words to convey what you need and want. As I previously mentioned, you are an overcomer. I'm proud of the ways you are maturing, and I'm thankful for the ways your brain is developing to relieve some of the internal stress and anxiety you have experienced during most of your 13 years. </p><p>You are an amazing kid, Max, and I'm so thankful to have you in my life! You are kind and generous and thoughtful. You believe in justice and standing up for what you think is right. You are courageous and creative and curious. You are a problem solver and a hard worker. You teach me many things and help me become a better person. I love you so much! Happy 13th birthday!</p><p>Love,</p><p>Mom</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1YSQIasmljcQYpVH1bkrifx1AhH_27wXiB91Ro-3tlhZYKoaE50fPFgwa3bTM42uyrSXLqCPHthkKUVuz0wZx4N7QYQOdyhBLb0lOea48m-QEiIyfhvkOJHId77YP82PmNzLWA/s4032/PXL_20210112_122109014.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis1YSQIasmljcQYpVH1bkrifx1AhH_27wXiB91Ro-3tlhZYKoaE50fPFgwa3bTM42uyrSXLqCPHthkKUVuz0wZx4N7QYQOdyhBLb0lOea48m-QEiIyfhvkOJHId77YP82PmNzLWA/w300-h400/PXL_20210112_122109014.MP.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving on the Teen Scene</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-37992811116340687102020-11-26T17:16:00.009-06:002023-01-07T19:57:54.969-06:00Fifteen<p>Well, you have managed to survive one of the most bizarre and difficult years of your life so far, enduring disappointments and heartache in your personal life, as well as wrestling with the effects of a global pandemic along with the world at large. So much of this year has felt ugly and hard, but I hope when you look back on this year, you will also be able to see the undercurrent of beauty and light that have been woven into it. Even though I know you wouldn't want to repeat this year (and neither would I!), I have seen you grow and mature in numerous ways as a result of having lived through it. I have seen you bravely face disappointment and chart new courses. I have seen you stretch yourself to try new activities, create new relationships, and think about things in new ways. I have seen you lead by example with your brothers and your friends. I have seen you show compassion, humility, initiative, flexibility, curiosity, courage, resilience, dedication, integrity, composure, and self-confidence. I have been awed by you and inspired by you on many occasions throughout this year. I'm so proud of the person you are and the man you are becoming. </p><p>You were just at the beginning of your speech and debate season around your last birthday, and you threw yourself into it with everything you had, which led to much success. Your passion and enthusiasm for it were contagious and delightful. Your arguments and speaking matured throughout the season and you became more and more comfortable, charming, and capable. You earned enough green check marks to go to state, and one of the disappointments you had to face was the loss of that opportunity due to COVID. Still, you learned much during the season and performed to the best of your ability, which is something you can be proud of. We also got to travel to tournaments across many states, and we had so many good times along the way. I'm thankful for that time with you, and I'm grateful for the skills you developed by participating in speech and debate. </p><p>When the pandemic shut down schools, activities, and social outlets in the spring, you struggled to find motivation. But you've stepped into your high school years in a new school, and you have been thriving academically and socially. You have rediscovered your love of playing team sports and have been thoroughly enjoying participating in football and basketball. You have made many new friends and had lots of new experiences. You even have a particularly inspirational World Geography teacher that has tapped into your sense of adventure, and you are looking forward to traveling abroad with him and a group of other students in the summer of 2022.</p><p>Speaking of travel, despite the pandemic, you still had several opportunities to travel during the last year. We spent time with family in Lake Tahoe last Christmas, and you were thrilled by the snow and cold, as you always are. You got to participate in speech and debate contests in Georgia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, as well as several in different parts of Texas. We had a mini vacation to the Jellystone Campground in Tyler, and you got to spend time with your grandparents in Belton and Lake Buchanan. You also took summer trips to California (with stops at the Grand Canyon and Las Vegas) and Florida.</p><p>You attended a church camp with your youth group last December and had an experience that really solidified your faith. You have continued to be involved in youth programs at Rockpointe and have been particularly thrilled with a class that started in the new school year called Man Up--a class designed to teach guys your age more about the Bible and some useful life skills as well. Earlier this month, you also made a decision to get baptized. You have said that your faith is what has helped you face the many challenges of this year, and I'm thankful you have it to lean on. </p><p>Weston, this year hasn't been easy, but in so many ways, you've used it as an opportunity for growth. I'm proud of your character and your perseverance. I'm thankful for your ability to roll with the punches and to not let the difficult things keep you down for too long. I'm constantly entertained by your hilarious sense of humor. I'm often educated and encouraged by our conversations. It definitely feels like one of my greatest privileges is getting to share this life with you. You make the world a better place, and you make my world a wonderful place to be. I love you so much, and I wish you all the best on this, your 15th birthday. </p><p>Love,</p><p>Mom</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4UO0bLICAfnhQMKkWZJHsSltof3Jo0KJobjw4aiZgBYQjhR8puylviPP9fVqDUqcNXuaKIv2FXYI5DjoJ79Jx5GWLGHUCHRXRrfaHSdNldzqGYEkysodiz8UO2qafPXHfpHVRQ/s2629/IMG_20200908_063747%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2629" data-original-width="1972" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4UO0bLICAfnhQMKkWZJHsSltof3Jo0KJobjw4aiZgBYQjhR8puylviPP9fVqDUqcNXuaKIv2FXYI5DjoJ79Jx5GWLGHUCHRXRrfaHSdNldzqGYEkysodiz8UO2qafPXHfpHVRQ/w300-h400/IMG_20200908_063747%257E2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-7185059635458231502020-05-29T19:59:00.012-05:002020-06-02T12:38:48.030-05:00EighteenCongratulations! You are officially an adult! Eighteen years seems like a long time when you're just talking about it, but I truly cannot believe how quickly eighteen years have passed in real time. I'm so thankful you made me a mom and that you have been patient with me as I've tried to figure this parenting gig out. I think we have both learned a lot along the way. It has been one wild, crazy, heartbreaking, exhilarating, challenging, joyous ride that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world! You are such an amazing person, and I'm grateful to have you in my life!<div><br /></div><div>You have really grown into yourself in the past year and I think you are more than ready to enter adulthood. About a year ago, you got a job working for Ruff It, the grooming and boarding side of City Vet. You were recognized for your hard work by being awarded employee of the month a couple of times, and it wasn't long before you were ready to move into a vet tech role with more challenges and responsibilities. You acquired many new skills and a greater degree of confidence, and you even took the lead on coming up with ways of making the clinic run more smoothly. And, you got pretty good at dealing with people and animals of varying temperaments. Unfortunately, because of Covid-19, you were furloughed from your job in late March, and then they decided they weren't going to be able to bring you back. It was a tough experience on many levels, but you handled it with grace and didn't let it get you down for long.</div><div><br /></div><div>Because of work, you had the opportunity to stay home by yourself a couple of times during the summer and during the winter break, which is another reason I know you are more than prepared to enter adulthood. You are quite capable of taking care of yourself. And you are responsible and trustworthy...and thoughtful, as you even cleaned up the house before our return.</div><div><br /></div><div>You had the opportunity to attend a CAP powered flight academy last summer, and you took a leadership position at one of the Encampment events, as well as attending and leading at several events in the fall. You also rose to an officer rank within the Nighthawk Squadron, achieved the title of 2nd Lieutenant, and received the Billy Mitchell award. I'm so proud of your hard work in this organization and of the wonderful skills you acquired! </div><div><br /></div><div>This was your senior year of high school, but you took all your classes at NCTC, so it was a bit of a non-traditional senior experience, which I guess was an appropriate ending to all your other years of non-traditional schooling. You enjoyed your classes and made excellent grades, and even wrecked the curve for the rest of the class from time to time. Your academic achievements earned you a nice scholarship to UNT and a place in the honors college. You are so smart, and you are an incredibly hard worker, and I'm so proud of all your accomplishments!</div><div><br /></div><div>You have struggled, as all teenagers do, with what you want to major in in college and the path you'd like to take for your life. For now, you have settled on majoring in Psychology and possibly pursuing a career in Occupational Therapy. I think this is wonderful, but I want you to know that it's absolutely okay if you change your mind. Despite what society might have you think, you don't have to have your life figured out at the age of 18 (or any particular age). I know for sure that you have within you everything you need to become who and what you want to be on whatever timeline makes sense for you. And you have the power to change and grow and continue becoming all the days of your life, so don't ever think you are locked into something that no longer serves you and your happiness. I am excited about the journey that awaits you and will be here cheering you on every step of the way!</div><div><br /></div><div>This year has brought some difficult changes and circumstances to our family and to the world at large, but I have watched you handle them all with grace, forgiveness, strength, and dignity. You are the kind of person who tries to see the good and make the best of the situation, and you have learned through therapy and life how to manage your mental health in a way that allows you to rise rather than sink. And because of this, you have so much to give to others. You have been a shining example and a wonderful comfort to your brothers, to myself, and to others as we have all navigated these choppy, unfamiliar waters. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ruth, you have the most beautiful heart and a wonderfully brilliant mind. And you truly have so much to offer the world. You make me proud and bring me joy every single day! I consider these last eighteen years with you a rare and amazing privilege, and I'm thankful for all of the big and little moments that have brought us to this point. You are now and will forever be, not only my favorite daughter, but one of my favorite people on the planet! Welcome to adulthood! You are going to rock it! I love you more than words can say!</div><div><br /></div><div>Love,</div><div>Mom</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOth6aFk3W4MLxWHUys7ikdtwCC-yvjnOt136oCJ6TFwYn06dgIO9JzMWuCap7Ki2_0QKFEqi0QZDNB48zN01CB4e41TdiA2yQ324O8-LIsmtfzlgs9PzyhYJvGvrFmQCnxHV-sQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOth6aFk3W4MLxWHUys7ikdtwCC-yvjnOt136oCJ6TFwYn06dgIO9JzMWuCap7Ki2_0QKFEqi0QZDNB48zN01CB4e41TdiA2yQ324O8-LIsmtfzlgs9PzyhYJvGvrFmQCnxHV-sQ/w480-h640/IMG_20200530_100343.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-28490342595827212302020-05-05T22:42:00.000-05:002020-05-18T22:54:12.091-05:00Whoa-oh, we're halfway thereSweet Clay,<br />
<br />
I truly cannot believe you are already nine and halfway to being an adult! They say "time flies when you're having fun," and it really rings true when I think about how much fun the last nine years have been and how quickly they have gone by! I love being your mom, and I'm so thankful to have you in my life. You make me smile every day, and you inspire me to continue to strive to be a better person. I love your sweet hugs, your happy disposition, you fabulous sense of adventure, your incredible imagination, your unfailing curiosity, and your deep love. You are an absolute joy, and every day with you feels like a special gift!<br />
<br />
This year has brought some difficult changes to your life, but you have taken them all in stride, and I'm proud of your bravery and resilience. Change is always hard, and no one ever really wants to go through hard things, but usually the hard things in life make us stronger, and I believe you have an opportunity to grow in unique ways as a result of the challenges you have faced.<br />
<br />
Last summer, we had the opportunity to spend some time in the Florida Keys and in Barbados. And even though you ended up with a terrible sunburn, you loved finding treasures on the beaches and riding around in our cute little open-air vehicle, even when we got caught in a major rain storm. You and I also got to spend some time together on our own after that trip, while everyone else was busy with other activities. We did some cool things together in DFW and also made a trip to Granny's and a trip to Nana's. Later in the summer, you and your brothers and me took a road trip to Washington D.C. On the way, we stopped to see the gigantic Bass Pro Shop in Memphis, visited the Corvette Museum and Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, and toured Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello, in Virginia. We spent the 4th of July in the nation's capital, which was really a special experience. We also visited several of the wonderful museums in D.C. but your favorite, by far, was the Spy Museum. On our return trip, we stopped at the Louisville Slugger Museum, which you enjoyed tremendously. You were especially impressed with the 120 foot tall baseball bat the greeted us when we arrived. You and Ruth and I traveled back to D.C. by plane a few weeks later to attend Dad's flag ceremony. And then you spent some time out at Campmeeting. Somehow, you also found the time to attend a week of Cake Camp, which you really loved. It was a pretty amazing summer, full of lots of wonderful memories!<br />
<br />
You continued doing homeschool and Arrow this year for school, and you had a very successful year. You are so very smart and are able to accomplish anything you put your mind to. We switched to Khan Academy classes for math and grammar halfway through the year, and you enjoyed getting to do those lessons on the computer. You also loved the DIY Science videos we found and some of the cool science experiments we did. We did realize early in the school year that your eyes were getting fatigued when you would read, which led us down a path of several months of vision therapy. We found out your eyes weren't really having a problem, but your brain was having trouble processing what you were asking it to do. You worked very hard with Ms. Debby and just recently passed your re-evaluation, so you don't have to do the therapy any more and reading has become much easier for you. But even though you enjoy reading books, your favorite thing is listening to audiobooks. Among other stories, you listened to all the Harry Potter books this year (and rewatched all the movies), which inspired the theme for your birthday party.<br />
<br />
During this school year, you continued to participate with Cub Scouts, though we switched to a pack that seems to be a better fit for us. You and I had fun building your Pinewood Derby car and attending the Blue and Gold banquet together.<br />
<br />
You moved into your "little apartment" (my closet) early in the school year, and you really love having your own private place. In fact, I recently asked if you were looking forward to moving out and into one of the other rooms when Ruth goes off to college at the end of the summer, and you told me you thought you like to just stay because it's just so cozy.<br />
<br />
We spent Thanksgiving at the ranch with Mimi and Grandpa and Christmas in Lake Tahoe with them as well as Alan and Bekki and the girls. And you spent the first week of the new year at Nana and Papa's. You are blessed to have so many people in your life who love you dearly and who you love in return!<br />
<br />
During Spring Break, you and Weston and me went to Tyler and stayed at the Jellystone Campground for several days. We had a blast learning to play pickleball, jumping on the giant pillow, trying to start a campfire, making tie-dye shirts, and enjoying being in nature. You and I also hiked in Tyler State park, where we found an "army or turtles," a sneaky snake, and tried our best to locate a beaver. The park was beautiful, but seeing it through your eyes was a real treat.<br />
<br />
Right after Spring Break, our world got turned upside down by the Covid-19 (Corona) virus. We suddenly found ourselves under "stay at home" directives, and all the schools, activities, playgrounds, and most of the businesses shut down. We didn't leave our house for a couple of months, and certain things like meat and toilet paper (to name only a couple) became hard to get at the stores. It was weird and disappointing in some ways, but we also had some really great times and made some wonderful memories. We did chalk art and regular art, went on nature scavenger hunts, cooked and baked lots of yummy food, watched lots of movies/tv shows/videos, played tons of games, learned to use Zoom, and participated in lots of video chats. The world is opening up little by little now, but we are still certainly not back to what we would think of as normal. We had to make lots of adjustments during this crazy period, but as always, you have just rolled with it.<br />
<br />
Clay, you are my favorite nine-year old! I adore listening to your stories, seeing all the weapons you invent, watching you become completely immersed in an imaginary world of play, experiencing all your new kinds of hugs, and observing a rare kindness and love in you that few people possess. You are an absolute treasure, and I'm not sure how I was lucky enough to be picked to be your mom, but I'm thankful that I was. Happy birthday, sweet boy! I love you more than words can say!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-35009079222768293162020-01-12T09:15:00.000-06:002020-01-22T07:23:30.545-06:00TwelveIt's a new year and a new decade, and you are twelve. Time flies, for sure! It has been a pretty great year, and I have enjoyed watching you grow and learn and become more of who you are. You are such a great kid, and I'm glad I get to be your mom!<br />
<br />
This year, you joined Boy Scouts, and you have enjoyed making new friends, learning new skills, and going on many campouts, including two week-long camps during the summer. You have completed many merit badges and have advanced in rank. You were even elected by your patrol to be the their very first Patrol Leader, and you have been the Grub Master for several campouts. I'm proud of the the things you have accomplished during your time in Scouts and for the ways you've stepped up to lead when no one else was inclined to do so!<br />
<br />
Aside from campouts, you had the opportunity to travel Florida, Barbados, Washington D.C., and Lake Tahoe. You thoroughly enjoyed the beach and the snow and pretty much everything in between, and you delighted in our visits to lots of cool places like The Coca-Cola Museum, Mammoth Cave, The Corvette Museum, Monticello, The Louisville Slugger Museum, and The Spy Museum.<br />
<br />
You played baseball in the spring and really enjoyed the season, though sports don't seem to be your true love. You tend to prefer to spend your time reading, building, playing with friends, inventing, and solving interesting problems. You have also gotten really into music this year and can often be found curating and jamming to your Spotify playlist. Currently, The Git Up is your favorite, and you can nail the dance from the video in a most impressive way.<br />
<br />
This school year, you started attending the ischool STEM Academy, and it has been such a great fit for you. You have made many new friends, and you seem to truly enjoy your classes and teachers and the structure and opportunities the school provides. And once you got the hang of the way assignments are turned in and graded, your grades have been fantastic. Your teachers also really love you, and Ms. Hyde has pulled me aside on several occasions to tell me what an asset you are to her classes and to the whole 6th grade. She has talked about how helpful, attentive, and eager you are, and it made me super proud to hear these glowing reports. You really seem to be blooming in that environment, and I'm so thankful you have been given the opportunity to go to school there.<br />
<br />
Shortly after school started, you started having lots of headaches, and we realized you needed glasses. I think you look very handsome in your new eyewear, and I think the glasses have made reading even more enjoyable for you. You also developed a wild case of blood poisoning in the fall that was scary and uncomfortable for a bit and required you to miss a day of school. Fortunately, you avoided being admitted to the hospital, but you discovered that you are definitely not a fan of IVs. I think you also learned the importance of thoroughly cleaning even minor cuts and scrapes.<br />
<br />
You started attending the youth group at The Village Church, and you really love it. You are enjoying learning more about the Bible and about prayer, and you are especially enjoying the social interactions you have there.<br />
<br />
We had the opportunity to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at the ranch, and you were able to shoot a small 8-point deer, which you were very proud of. You also got to get some more practice driving the Ranger on your own, and you are getting to be a pretty good driver.<br />
<br />
Max, you are such an amazing kid! You have a big heart and often show so much love and care and thoughtfulness for the people around you. You are generous and kind and so creative. Your mind is always churning with curiosity and new ideas, and I love to hear about the things you think about and see you working to make the ideas in your head into realities. You still struggle sometimes with controlling your big, intense emotions, but you have matured so much in the last year, and I can definitely tell it is getting easier for you to manage them. I'm proud of the way you keep working to improve your happiness and make yourself stronger. I love you so much and I'm so thankful for these 12 years with you! I look forward to seeing what the next year brings! Happy birthday!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WAI_AphP3ufMtRdMlnwu7aMeRtkvhlQSBNEEfzgmpuDmjc7xxOV_5Q4SH4u8LQJ9UJADnBm063Ns271OPWFU6cQ7D6X0zYUCj2n5nAwQNq__2FVOnTsWAeUC1UE3dH05nS62Jw/s1600/IMG_20200112_225558_557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-WAI_AphP3ufMtRdMlnwu7aMeRtkvhlQSBNEEfzgmpuDmjc7xxOV_5Q4SH4u8LQJ9UJADnBm063Ns271OPWFU6cQ7D6X0zYUCj2n5nAwQNq__2FVOnTsWAeUC1UE3dH05nS62Jw/s400/IMG_20200112_225558_557.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite 12-year-old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-64759885918395733582019-11-26T17:44:00.000-06:002019-11-28T07:04:54.988-06:00FourteenDear Weston,<br />
<br />
Somehow your fourteenth birthday has managed to sneak up on us. It kind if caught me off guard, to tell you the truth, and I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around it. What a privilege it is to have known you these fourteen years! You are smart and sweet and funny and charming and thoughtful and resourceful. You are a good friend, an excellent leader, a shrewd investor, and a delightful person. You have made my life fuller and richer in so many ways, and I'm thankful I get to be your mom!<br />
<br />
You have continued to work hard on your Scouting journey throughout this last year. You have attended many camps, held several leadership positions, and are just on the cusp of completing your Eagle Scout rank. Some parts of this journey have not been easy, but you have learned some important lessons and have carried on with your integrity in tact. You should be proud of all you have accomplished.<br />
<br />
Your new loves this year have been speech and debate, and you have thrown yourself into them with passion. You competed and performed well in one tournament in the spring, which kind of gave you the bug. And you have just finished the first tournament of the new season, with another trophy for your efforts. You have a real talent for speaking, persuading, entertaining, and forming reasonable arguments, and I hope you will continue to develop these talents and use them for good in the world.<br />
<br />
You have had a lot of great opportunities this year, which you have taken advantage of. You invested in the stock market and are quietly letting your wealth grow in the background; you won first place in a state PSIA speech contest; you spent a week crewing a boat in the Florida Keys; you traveled to Washington DC by yourself to visit Dad and navigated the city for a couple of days on your own; you met with city officials while planning your Eagle Scout project; you made new friends and tried new activities and set goals to push yourself. I love the way you embrace life and the way you give it your all. You are brave and bold and one of the best people I know!<br />
<br />
We had a big change in our family this year as Dad went to work first in DC and then in New Delhi. I am sure this has not been an easy adjustment for you, but you have handled it bravely and with grace. And, you've been a tremendous help and encouragement to me and a great example for your younger brothers during this time, and I want you to know you are appreciated. I'm so very thankful for you!<br />
<br />
Weston, you are such a wonderful young man, and I love getting to do life with you! I appreciate all the ways you have matured in the last year and the many amazing ways you show up in the world. I'm so proud of you, and I hope the year ahead is your best on yet! Happy 14th!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_JKfj2bLIbWQ6J43UN4YBcrvcomABhQUW7WD_wUHhWBZqZ1kRm2eEol82vBzws8quwKMK-fjB-Iv-8Br0tr848rYSan-X5gLMIZpBA7jUB1Dh0ZKh3YIZPqJe3YQ_Z22JzI3tQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_JKfj2bLIbWQ6J43UN4YBcrvcomABhQUW7WD_wUHhWBZqZ1kRm2eEol82vBzws8quwKMK-fjB-Iv-8Br0tr848rYSan-X5gLMIZpBA7jUB1Dh0ZKh3YIZPqJe3YQ_Z22JzI3tQ/s400/image.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite 14-year-old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-27542556893532819052019-05-31T13:28:00.000-05:002019-06-05T13:34:22.229-05:00May Memories<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAGKf2OmvUTk5SnEF54SCb-sIdIM9QQo019AJJnl_HpCu3M5j2ph_4t5JmIfyH9ppwiO-wjE1757K7e7X_OwM0NxPhhLBzy2iZ39U9t0z10kZEmKT6ruU7RlaJ9tyK0mVJirn8g/s1600/photocollage_201952917826899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVAGKf2OmvUTk5SnEF54SCb-sIdIM9QQo019AJJnl_HpCu3M5j2ph_4t5JmIfyH9ppwiO-wjE1757K7e7X_OwM0NxPhhLBzy2iZ39U9t0z10kZEmKT6ruU7RlaJ9tyK0mVJirn8g/s400/photocollage_201952917826899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rangers' Game</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuFSq4hv9YDlNuFmj7jV8esH4C7i9yXYDnGtmnxaG7WNvLgJcdm-q_FvgSrsHcmczUP2W64IS_e3ISTn6rx2Ik7rZsqCgdcyU6K5XlhKiOZg_WUDPsfb5pQY_ceLkhihTeofwpA/s1600/photocollage_2019529171020563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuuFSq4hv9YDlNuFmj7jV8esH4C7i9yXYDnGtmnxaG7WNvLgJcdm-q_FvgSrsHcmczUP2W64IS_e3ISTn6rx2Ik7rZsqCgdcyU6K5XlhKiOZg_WUDPsfb5pQY_ceLkhihTeofwpA/s400/photocollage_2019529171020563.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max acted as a math tutor and<br />
also came up with a creative way to<br />
do his own math scratch work.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dFllhm0FBLLvbLJ4HJcTPIfkzLpAJc-CJfo2-2Zr1Zo5_ycaC32PcVOh4ZiklcrFm6Y4yC6pov3a3ZWGqROuI1wRBmscjvu659ce188xqUYeJmjK0oVnydPCGI5tKZoYSbD4Mw/s1600/photocollage_2019529173014570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2dFllhm0FBLLvbLJ4HJcTPIfkzLpAJc-CJfo2-2Zr1Zo5_ycaC32PcVOh4ZiklcrFm6Y4yC6pov3a3ZWGqROuI1wRBmscjvu659ce188xqUYeJmjK0oVnydPCGI5tKZoYSbD4Mw/s400/photocollage_2019529173014570.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Clay's 8th birthday!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYESB1WZNN_hY9xz3xFRKPsCAiuMIQm67X-LryIsBWGux8xBLFspgrJpMpmqJ83UGjx00krmr9ieXyTh_ZxkK0m5k4bHh7IZ_fZhnI-7VO-rKq6Jn6HpouiCSn1w7v9Wpg_nU8g/s1600/photocollage_2019529173212255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYESB1WZNN_hY9xz3xFRKPsCAiuMIQm67X-LryIsBWGux8xBLFspgrJpMpmqJ83UGjx00krmr9ieXyTh_ZxkK0m5k4bHh7IZ_fZhnI-7VO-rKq6Jn6HpouiCSn1w7v9Wpg_nU8g/s400/photocollage_2019529173212255.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I got to have a series of dates<br />
in McKinney while the kids were<br />
doing end-of-year teasting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRA5yzzd8oh8Ff7UK40a72rGE6l1kl9u2SKvvn_QG4fpHmhr7-S1QrUwPEjCl3QYmTbG14bVgL3URNJA_9jYRKzIE8-QjpmavPM-NEBv9nhEoXM141e4aisaVWsT2OF8sgHMNrw/s1600/photocollage_2019529173442627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRA5yzzd8oh8Ff7UK40a72rGE6l1kl9u2SKvvn_QG4fpHmhr7-S1QrUwPEjCl3QYmTbG14bVgL3URNJA_9jYRKzIE8-QjpmavPM-NEBv9nhEoXM141e4aisaVWsT2OF8sgHMNrw/s400/photocollage_2019529173442627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff was officially invited to join the<br />
199th training class of U.S. diplomats!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFXmPHj3XBSAB2O8JD2wVy0gJSW8_T3_54P2vdMOspfU4fJPRnsOxUYXHh46rtmUnASekGbgzm8SnTj0crA_KE70t8963k9z_Vcj6D6znsjmmG9mKgdc31v7nntggwiED8KiSJw/s1600/photocollage_2019529173632448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivFXmPHj3XBSAB2O8JD2wVy0gJSW8_T3_54P2vdMOspfU4fJPRnsOxUYXHh46rtmUnASekGbgzm8SnTj0crA_KE70t8963k9z_Vcj6D6znsjmmG9mKgdc31v7nntggwiED8KiSJw/s400/photocollage_2019529173632448.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay and I got take a little trip to<br />
my sister's to visit with family.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflDeDAsDSrjtu896PNYD4z9Ld6OtVbw0T3LuSTe5jJ12rye7vHtZXRXQSdce5uXtfwZIfOlInbFt9PT_vxAtKfo_UDgQnQl2TVmFuFuLvofUYR_Pj5YrdE01N8JiPr0WizNiMAQ/s1600/photocollage_2019529173953858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjflDeDAsDSrjtu896PNYD4z9Ld6OtVbw0T3LuSTe5jJ12rye7vHtZXRXQSdce5uXtfwZIfOlInbFt9PT_vxAtKfo_UDgQnQl2TVmFuFuLvofUYR_Pj5YrdE01N8JiPr0WizNiMAQ/s400/photocollage_2019529173953858.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77mAX7f7dRPlTrbN1hSEPvX3pZ28GhEnv4f58_P_XQSV6vpIhFxVuO1Muess5__Bo7apnNLGbur_CKJTVu2hv2u66o7HDuAr6EZy6HZX2DVenx5zNPtCShkr5bXOeH7ZBfhv1Iw/s1600/photocollage_2019529174134544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg77mAX7f7dRPlTrbN1hSEPvX3pZ28GhEnv4f58_P_XQSV6vpIhFxVuO1Muess5__Bo7apnNLGbur_CKJTVu2hv2u66o7HDuAr6EZy6HZX2DVenx5zNPtCShkr5bXOeH7ZBfhv1Iw/s400/photocollage_2019529174134544.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had some fun playing around<br />
with our new ice cream maker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGnb1O6T3p25w23mHIFHYSASy8qM69Hr5RudgphhN6TXbK2I7JGzTGvBDETvoae0J63fraxdjx0yWrEpyK2t9IOHdM_jY8TBfpZcQOXPTvgauc4TyYqUVuWBH7C1Wqg2hzTYhow/s1600/photocollage_2019529174317831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGnb1O6T3p25w23mHIFHYSASy8qM69Hr5RudgphhN6TXbK2I7JGzTGvBDETvoae0J63fraxdjx0yWrEpyK2t9IOHdM_jY8TBfpZcQOXPTvgauc4TyYqUVuWBH7C1Wqg2hzTYhow/s400/photocollage_2019529174317831.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay loved getting to launch rockets<br />
with the Cub Scouts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhackmFonENfk7-29K-Z_gg8iBfPDAMjpF9cLXqX2JCAxFel-MEbF5T3kua8URNOSJS12c3ycdhToYdWlM1JoeVsNATjNQTlTgV65uHrcNCvCAhFLWEfYZZWgAs6lSJ329xuoGluA/s1600/photocollage_2019529174938888.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhackmFonENfk7-29K-Z_gg8iBfPDAMjpF9cLXqX2JCAxFel-MEbF5T3kua8URNOSJS12c3ycdhToYdWlM1JoeVsNATjNQTlTgV65uHrcNCvCAhFLWEfYZZWgAs6lSJ329xuoGluA/s400/photocollage_2019529174938888.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth had a fun swim party with her<br />
friends to celebrate her birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j8nSSs9HKooU1uNBE1EmiXccM8ss8my1LzMXacUebigHoYZXjoJdQ-BTPKsmO-x4GFiQwTQKWNMeI5QrkFIQwMBFwIYxRtA_ij6_-f9pDnUWTHhsUbK2sppjtW5ueMyRdiUQOw/s1600/photocollage_201952917541018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4j8nSSs9HKooU1uNBE1EmiXccM8ss8my1LzMXacUebigHoYZXjoJdQ-BTPKsmO-x4GFiQwTQKWNMeI5QrkFIQwMBFwIYxRtA_ij6_-f9pDnUWTHhsUbK2sppjtW5ueMyRdiUQOw/s400/photocollage_201952917541018.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last Scout meeting of the year<br />
was a big one. Weston received a<br />
couple of merit badges and was elected<br />
SPL (leader of whole troop), even though he<br />
wasn't even running for the position.<br />
Max received his Scout status and<br />
was elected as Patrol Leader for his patrol.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIckQMlSvAH9UsI8TUuss1r34CeoXLFjR6i2J1lB85_WCv3uA4dUmb6y_-EiGABOf8aiKHTzaMAvjBiGtC-v3jbdLHrV9qoWNDzzmL3YkJI0xvFAh13JvZinDCEuOZU4r_0zW3OA/s1600/photocollage_201952917572446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIckQMlSvAH9UsI8TUuss1r34CeoXLFjR6i2J1lB85_WCv3uA4dUmb6y_-EiGABOf8aiKHTzaMAvjBiGtC-v3jbdLHrV9qoWNDzzmL3YkJI0xvFAh13JvZinDCEuOZU4r_0zW3OA/s400/photocollage_201952917572446.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay's last Scout meeting was also<br />
fun, and he got to go through the face<br />
painting ceremony recognizing that<br />
he completed all the Wolf requirements<br />
and is ready to start down the Bear path.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nH0uO78NLE5YBJ-HMQTeKjXZJtJ85Lq_WLZ3QjIl6DXvU6IcGl8fTHI7sFNnf_zmoBRVg7Jq5DGy4Txn9ydpk8gxdGXg5VUCYOEm_IyFlYt7JICboVf94Opmp43wO8KDTq7Twg/s1600/photocollage_201952918357735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nH0uO78NLE5YBJ-HMQTeKjXZJtJ85Lq_WLZ3QjIl6DXvU6IcGl8fTHI7sFNnf_zmoBRVg7Jq5DGy4Txn9ydpk8gxdGXg5VUCYOEm_IyFlYt7JICboVf94Opmp43wO8KDTq7Twg/s400/photocollage_201952918357735.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little baker was busy all month<br />
making cookies, monkey bread,<br />
and a birthday cake for his cousin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QknR_-Ac6bBk0SOvDnz0JzB8HRj6mkNNmVsLw6AHd2YOFhHxvBj7tbw5chFkl9hK0DmIx1RWTnZ_y96a1dyzxE5DSTpK9q03sjibDGfG47DQt6JJWnQQ1EexNT4ISvXhOwiuQg/s1600/photocollage_201953063558718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QknR_-Ac6bBk0SOvDnz0JzB8HRj6mkNNmVsLw6AHd2YOFhHxvBj7tbw5chFkl9hK0DmIx1RWTnZ_y96a1dyzxE5DSTpK9q03sjibDGfG47DQt6JJWnQQ1EexNT4ISvXhOwiuQg/s400/photocollage_201953063558718.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were thankful to have family<br />
in town to kick off the Memorial Day weekend.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MEuSrafzINDvTje-Upw_H4kDPDBXOkNxsRafGDDDl0ylvE-FklmTY4tPJW_YZTZRw7EGpEfev90vAzkJroXi9fv1bhQv9CddgUipvoHawXDdAbEr9viHthUktub9w4lI9NsrcA/s1600/photocollage_201953064044269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MEuSrafzINDvTje-Upw_H4kDPDBXOkNxsRafGDDDl0ylvE-FklmTY4tPJW_YZTZRw7EGpEfev90vAzkJroXi9fv1bhQv9CddgUipvoHawXDdAbEr9viHthUktub9w4lI9NsrcA/s400/photocollage_201953064044269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had so much fun hiking and<br />
hanging out on the Katy Trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwF99o-spu6strKy6UbCBqVMM3NKNmOo6YyN2IPsxRoBrhyphenhyphenLEvqCPQTUxlK1aNaBA9oqat2qI6Fsw6BaToFYvUJCMvfk6PYj24A1O5zYO4MQk8J3J7hAUzF-WHIrswI0I4XF9-g/s1600/photocollage_201953064644166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwF99o-spu6strKy6UbCBqVMM3NKNmOo6YyN2IPsxRoBrhyphenhyphenLEvqCPQTUxlK1aNaBA9oqat2qI6Fsw6BaToFYvUJCMvfk6PYj24A1O5zYO4MQk8J3J7hAUzF-WHIrswI0I4XF9-g/s400/photocollage_201953064644166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fun evening at Pokey O's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8oHnJqInJ9GqVWFdPaG-lrFCAwA_V9DJM-oAPjFdkFMDFNCIb9ous6QKAk-1R7IrJBRDfgt6Qt1nJZOEdzlKz6gLxD1-85_XfRmn6RdsWpyf-LEWJKjut2MYvIQ-N93qg5PLCQ/s1600/photocollage_201953065115715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8oHnJqInJ9GqVWFdPaG-lrFCAwA_V9DJM-oAPjFdkFMDFNCIb9ous6QKAk-1R7IrJBRDfgt6Qt1nJZOEdzlKz6gLxD1-85_XfRmn6RdsWpyf-LEWJKjut2MYvIQ-N93qg5PLCQ/s400/photocollage_201953065115715.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were delighted to discover Earl's.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW9k7cpzJPCvD4b5JZYaS0ioAbOPBth3ICtUDoSpp_YZVNMNTTJ4Gu19sbCa2XkVSPMMlR32fpFHK755D4VrKJ-7G-UVgFyfX0mds_rtWCL-7m7zwMFvvfj1V6Bv2Y912hZRRUw/s1600/photocollage_201953065644402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW9k7cpzJPCvD4b5JZYaS0ioAbOPBth3ICtUDoSpp_YZVNMNTTJ4Gu19sbCa2XkVSPMMlR32fpFHK755D4VrKJ-7G-UVgFyfX0mds_rtWCL-7m7zwMFvvfj1V6Bv2Y912hZRRUw/s400/photocollage_201953065644402.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a blast celebrating Weston's<br />
half-birthday at Main Event.</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;"><br />
<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7rs8tHwQiy4yVtZpcUCsw-RtP9AgX5DS5MvJK1Ob1Exqa0bJ7iy_NImKEeiFltQE1kvScoT_yxusNPJ_UB7JzUAcc_g0k9TaBfMkCbVsFRQUtFQKqZKnGCtiOA9kQzvuwAfyyg/s400/photocollage_201953065942838.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth turned 17, and we celebrated in style.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp7rs8tHwQiy4yVtZpcUCsw-RtP9AgX5DS5MvJK1Ob1Exqa0bJ7iy_NImKEeiFltQE1kvScoT_yxusNPJ_UB7JzUAcc_g0k9TaBfMkCbVsFRQUtFQKqZKnGCtiOA9kQzvuwAfyyg/s1600/photocollage_201953065942838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYeAy8fATsAtKJfHtLY6lUSMh5NuCiQ1YAzNado70DIn7VgvAaCc5DW9n2ImIF4NKXCC7WfmfUszjaiRbvnvEbnElxTjOlwps38rF4SR41P884zWCRi3_rmmVs32fu5RPTygFGw/s1600/photocollage_20195307230339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYeAy8fATsAtKJfHtLY6lUSMh5NuCiQ1YAzNado70DIn7VgvAaCc5DW9n2ImIF4NKXCC7WfmfUszjaiRbvnvEbnElxTjOlwps38rF4SR41P884zWCRi3_rmmVs32fu5RPTygFGw/s400/photocollage_20195307230339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to spend some quality<br />time in the closet waiting out a tornado.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCcg_75TklOkLPh8ME4vojk3mU62AD0uOhJZ0BQ3Cb7abg-CQE-ajGUig9odK9LUBhe0YGdUNJ9yohyphenhyphenKa0bXrb5u8s2DnvYoCoP-7vHJR5tVciHQZE7ir9wNOpGZJENr740aOSg/s1600/photocollage_201965135145171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCcg_75TklOkLPh8ME4vojk3mU62AD0uOhJZ0BQ3Cb7abg-CQE-ajGUig9odK9LUBhe0YGdUNJ9yohyphenhyphenKa0bXrb5u8s2DnvYoCoP-7vHJR5tVciHQZE7ir9wNOpGZJENr740aOSg/s400/photocollage_201965135145171.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a busy month, we were<br />glad to begin our vacation in Florida.</td></tr>
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-15951090884908702592019-05-29T21:14:00.001-05:002020-06-02T12:27:14.466-05:00SeventeenHappy birthday to the person who made me a mother seventeen years ago! You have taught me so much, and it's been incredible watching you turn into the amazing young woman you are today. You are intelligent, thoughtful, creative, responsible, capable, caring, self-motivated, independent, and mature beyond your years. You work hard to accomplish your goals, and you consistently make smart choices. I'm so very proud of you and know without a doubt that you have a bright future ahead!<br />
<br />
We spent a couple of months in South America last summer, visiting famous sites like the Amazon, Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, Easter Island, and the Andes. You bravely spoke Spanish with the natives, ate a grub in the Amazon, and drove a standard-transmission car on Easter Island. Besides that, you seemed to enjoy the sightseeing and the family time.<br />
<br />
Last summer, you obtained your driver's license and, along with it, so much more freedom. You have been responsible with both those things and have never given us a reason to be concerned. Dad and I love that we can trust you completely on and off the road!<br />
<br />
You ran cross country and track again this year. In addition to keeping fit and enjoying the activities, you have also made some great friends through HSAA, and it's so good to see you building these strong relationships. You are a faithful friend and have so much to offer!<br />
<br />
You have also continued your involvement in CAP, which has pushed you into a variety of leadership roles this year. You became the First Sergeant of the squadron and recently made Chief. You have also staffed several camps, and, in a couple of days, you will attend a Powered Flight Academy. Adult leaders and parents of other cadets have told me how you add value to the organization, and from my perspective, it has been nothing but a positive experience. I have seen you gain confidence and leadership skills that will serve you well for the rest of your life.<br />
<br />
This year, you took most of your classes through NCTC, and though you were often the youngest person in your classes, you consistently impressed your professors by your class participation and performace on assignments and exams. You stayed on top of the material and studied hard, which allowed to you receive an A in every class. You also made a 1440 on the SAT, which is really fantastic and should help you move in whatever college direction you choose.<br />
<br />
Ruth, I am so thankful that I have gotten to have you in my life for seventeen years! You are a delight to know, and you make me proud every single day! I hope that this coming year is your best one yet! I love you!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<br />
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-57309808050557936852019-05-07T18:49:00.000-05:002019-05-09T07:50:50.318-05:00The Great EightSweet Clay,<br />
<br />
How can it be that you are eight?! It seems like it wasn't that long ago that you decided to join our family, but here we are eight years later, unable to imagine our lives without you! You have added joy and love and wonder to every single day, and it is truly a pleasure to know you and to spend my days with you!<br />
<br />
Just two days after your last birthday, we hopped on a plane to South America, where we spent a couple of months visiting Peru, Argentina, and Chile. You took to it like you've taken to all our adventures--warmly and with enthusiasm. Not many kids your age can say they've explored Machu Picchu, viewed the Nazca Lines, fished in the Amazon for piranhas, sandboarded down massive sand dunes, posed with moai statues on Easter Island, skied in the Andes, or eaten guinea pig. You eagerly embraced every moment and had the time of your life!<br />
<br />
You started second grade in the fall and continue to be a wonderful student at home and at Arrow, where you took art, history, Lego robotics, P.E., guitar, and dance. You work hard in all your classes and approach most subjects with genuine interest and zeal. Your independent reading has also exploded this year, and you can rarely be found without a book in your hand. You have especially been enjoying the Magic Tree House books and the Great Illustrated Classics.<br />
<br />
You continue to be active in Cub Scouts and embody all the principles of the Scout Law, which states that "a Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent." In addition, you participated in a Ninja Warrior class in the fall, took golf lessons for a couple of months after the first of the year, and improved your swimming skills with another round of swim lessons. You truly love to try new activities and are always thinking about what your next thing might be.<br />
<br />
You love to cook and often ask to help in the kitchen or to prepare meals and treats from your growing stash of cookbooks. You are even planning to attend Cake Camp this summer, and I know we will all be the beneficiaries of your creations.<br />
<br />
You are obsessed with toy weapons and costumes, and just about every day your imagination carries you off to creative worlds that transcend our own. And, you spent at least half of this year sleeping in your "fort," a sanctuary under your bunk, with blanket walls, that had you happily sleeping on the floor rather than in your bed.<br />
<br />
You love to play board games and have beat me soundly a number of times at Ticket to Ride, which is one of your favorites. You have also learned to play Settlers of Catan, Boggle, Dungeons and Dragons, and several card games. You are often the instigator and organizer to bring the whole family together for a fun game night.<br />
<br />
Clay, you are an absolute delight! You are kind, generous, loving, smart, funny, curious, enthusiastic, and creative. You dispense hugs (and "extra hugs") and smiles freely, and you make every day more beautiful and exciting! You are the kind of person I want to be, and I'm thankful I have the opportunity to learn from you every day. I can't wait to see what the next year brings for you. Happy birthday, sweet boy!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED3Mn6l4c2uEqG4N2BPWuUiQeLkGiNIGnbpmqZGeRGmSrJRTqckZYdN28-gzYdWF_CAuxl04G8j4FAvm0FwcEGVaWAPjnZqzcPMFctKLS13MXSkZRdA_mXFzbBxYF9Sd5qFAkXw/s1600/IMG_20190429_135549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgED3Mn6l4c2uEqG4N2BPWuUiQeLkGiNIGnbpmqZGeRGmSrJRTqckZYdN28-gzYdWF_CAuxl04G8j4FAvm0FwcEGVaWAPjnZqzcPMFctKLS13MXSkZRdA_mXFzbBxYF9Sd5qFAkXw/s320/IMG_20190429_135549.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Cinco de Mayo</td></tr>
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-49362849705620137082019-04-30T22:26:00.000-05:002019-05-02T09:38:11.228-05:00AprilcadabraI'm not really sure how April just disappeared, but it was here and then it was gone, just like that! Once again, we filled the month full. I'm thankful for these highlight reel posts because sometimes I get so caught up in the day-to-day living of this crazy life that I forget to appreciate all the wonderful moments along the way. These posts are such great reminders of all we have to be grateful for.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKp9qMHvPxlURVABZgEIHZWwKuTXvLJ8nphENzQDyQtC08LD-O10u8WtsEetl2Zhwj-Cl2s50YRcvIF40B4ROhzRxMxnHL6vWqmGpTnuJ6q-i3LfJ7Oe-QiUjYYrHAlVCyOALhA/s1600/IMG_20190401_205424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKp9qMHvPxlURVABZgEIHZWwKuTXvLJ8nphENzQDyQtC08LD-O10u8WtsEetl2Zhwj-Cl2s50YRcvIF40B4ROhzRxMxnHL6vWqmGpTnuJ6q-i3LfJ7Oe-QiUjYYrHAlVCyOALhA/s400/IMG_20190401_205424.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay and I did some drawing to kill time while waiting for the other boys at a Scout event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8I1aLj0cFJRd1vUn_RYuXRvmwWA6P6aIAMQjmg_978GEj4d4UM1pwYdUba0CXBpnIaA2v6zlMQ0fMN_WEgMKIEgD_f9K5VhvmipW62qec267U7kqa3HfWB-kXN2K5GjfRrF3slg/s400/photocollage_20195110103688.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Girls' Weekend in Big Bend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uO8cWY-AKzBFsm8Wo9s73kLnPnj0Egp6-tg0f6umhqCzTG2kxWZ5R1rmWcuHBZU2wXVFiq2uXLPDcVvpBLpJduHoojseIHpTYq8md-uub-sLm_1wFkIteLjo-6AgLOjV2rFZlw/s1600/photocollage_2019511434267.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uO8cWY-AKzBFsm8Wo9s73kLnPnj0Egp6-tg0f6umhqCzTG2kxWZ5R1rmWcuHBZU2wXVFiq2uXLPDcVvpBLpJduHoojseIHpTYq8md-uub-sLm_1wFkIteLjo-6AgLOjV2rFZlw/s400/photocollage_2019511434267.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay was a big helper in picking out and moving tile into the house<br />
for our big bathroom remodeling project.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE-XmkD9zBeVYzUd3X-MCXOfJJf4g4aEKaYZpDQRQepCXT9kntGK_yxtQFBGnp3Zl_gPXVqSz_aBKlkyytzvq4d2EnXdFzK7Z9yXGsmWBtDhIvC-SLKgAPb-Xi1EeZpg-NvfwcA/s1600/photocollage_20195114646308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimE-XmkD9zBeVYzUd3X-MCXOfJJf4g4aEKaYZpDQRQepCXT9kntGK_yxtQFBGnp3Zl_gPXVqSz_aBKlkyytzvq4d2EnXdFzK7Z9yXGsmWBtDhIvC-SLKgAPb-Xi1EeZpg-NvfwcA/s400/photocollage_20195114646308.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We basically scrapped the bathroom we had and started over.<br />
We are so happy with the finished product!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDBAieW9rijvjW-mzeE9i-QkoZ21lpXkgXeShfPohglu6_o-kG1MszayITj5fa4xaWR0VX7NAZp7s-QWw6n0xZTQKciO5ifwzlJRGrEh_m_4Wpd6U3N5XbLPyTwpYe0tKcKtS6g/s1600/IMG_20190409_163642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRDBAieW9rijvjW-mzeE9i-QkoZ21lpXkgXeShfPohglu6_o-kG1MszayITj5fa4xaWR0VX7NAZp7s-QWw6n0xZTQKciO5ifwzlJRGrEh_m_4Wpd6U3N5XbLPyTwpYe0tKcKtS6g/s400/IMG_20190409_163642.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay took some refresher swim lessons to get ready for our beach trip this summer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gtL103CXyzkEBdyKYNF7NF5Vyg1fBr23XhsFQH0yERG9-k6WSeZQ5CGHDxbbJzHmjR_Ve789i2VjsWgXhrBzNHWpSPtjThKV1HveS3FYcpvWiTj2PCo4m7_V37GvrhOZ9GJDeA/s1600/IMG_20190409_192952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9gtL103CXyzkEBdyKYNF7NF5Vyg1fBr23XhsFQH0yERG9-k6WSeZQ5CGHDxbbJzHmjR_Ve789i2VjsWgXhrBzNHWpSPtjThKV1HveS3FYcpvWiTj2PCo4m7_V37GvrhOZ9GJDeA/s400/IMG_20190409_192952.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I had a couple of dates to Local Pint.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L2PT6XyZoYXIbrCQiRCMtb8aiJXlM06IGrvw8iTH5ZWwBM0g-TSUQ9LRnA-YvwreSx9DiEWKP7Erp_JOq5O0GCCaFg7U-wc9IPv4OjdZQ4aveZs6rh82Ka1W18KIvI9MVq0JRQ/s1600/IMG_20190411_074455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4L2PT6XyZoYXIbrCQiRCMtb8aiJXlM06IGrvw8iTH5ZWwBM0g-TSUQ9LRnA-YvwreSx9DiEWKP7Erp_JOq5O0GCCaFg7U-wc9IPv4OjdZQ4aveZs6rh82Ka1W18KIvI9MVq0JRQ/s400/IMG_20190411_074455.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max led the morning exercises.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyQ91s9Vm33AfIxR_xrWd9NS6vDVPD5SBicAJiHGqzx5cP1ujnQMj3_vwWmctnx4qYacoBoGEsvGWrD4Ct7MW-YcfeLjqMPWqM0p6dWrtlL4S12FHQfVD6Z9B1xPNbpcFVN8vyA/s1600/photocollage_201951101937173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyQ91s9Vm33AfIxR_xrWd9NS6vDVPD5SBicAJiHGqzx5cP1ujnQMj3_vwWmctnx4qYacoBoGEsvGWrD4Ct7MW-YcfeLjqMPWqM0p6dWrtlL4S12FHQfVD6Z9B1xPNbpcFVN8vyA/s400/photocollage_201951101937173.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had the opportunity to be part of Central Elementary's Career Day,<br />
and I absolutely loved every moment of it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXn_Zzw7mcYOn_EG-7nn-n5y03cjptBAY-lN006wnCpUBHMbj6cNdsG29mGeczslkGsuZnAQsVqFDf2H00xRMP_5l2KDJs9zuC_bZYkL8NNdUg0DT-NUiHDB_cVh-Q5wbkKe7mw/s1600/IMG_20190414_135733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGXn_Zzw7mcYOn_EG-7nn-n5y03cjptBAY-lN006wnCpUBHMbj6cNdsG29mGeczslkGsuZnAQsVqFDf2H00xRMP_5l2KDJs9zuC_bZYkL8NNdUg0DT-NUiHDB_cVh-Q5wbkKe7mw/s400/IMG_20190414_135733.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth got to attend a fancy Sweet Sixteen party for one of her friends.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62cqpJ-tDa92TWPpkks80Etd-KJhjmdNPzM3gTR5_IseY00chYi7PWOCLvoe0cps1KQDoZR0iELouPcUnj84N9tHJ_lpUMjE-bd3FPCHoP8Ha8hOiwCd-feVXZ7KKYOxdFUgN3w/s1600/IMG_20190415_112819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62cqpJ-tDa92TWPpkks80Etd-KJhjmdNPzM3gTR5_IseY00chYi7PWOCLvoe0cps1KQDoZR0iELouPcUnj84N9tHJ_lpUMjE-bd3FPCHoP8Ha8hOiwCd-feVXZ7KKYOxdFUgN3w/s400/IMG_20190415_112819.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two turned up matching my Central Elementary mug,<br />
and we thought it was photo worthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK0S8Jwd96cf-LkdPTsS9Pg-m8a6XcNWqO1RWpgA64D_P9FrY1TCoBj_Gf35cCsePh7e_fCzLWcZJEAiJpOg1FHsyGAFMoIFFZRJcvLmnUsYEl-0J3q182jP5bBn-7oPr-GmS5A/s1600/photocollage_201951141615196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPK0S8Jwd96cf-LkdPTsS9Pg-m8a6XcNWqO1RWpgA64D_P9FrY1TCoBj_Gf35cCsePh7e_fCzLWcZJEAiJpOg1FHsyGAFMoIFFZRJcvLmnUsYEl-0J3q182jP5bBn-7oPr-GmS5A/s400/photocollage_201951141615196.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay found a "sushi" recipe in his cookbook to make for us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb64tsuAQjOncQPC4DY3uu7dLd8nfwElQkvYJYOjuEivmTgGQ00VYSRwvLjYMjh2TJZDjl7TWkP_YciXvhCEmwe8mzTD96k4ZjdQVIXZmvTquKq5AZys_CKIg0qCH3Sq0U-3AEA/s1600/IMG_20190418_192726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCb64tsuAQjOncQPC4DY3uu7dLd8nfwElQkvYJYOjuEivmTgGQ00VYSRwvLjYMjh2TJZDjl7TWkP_YciXvhCEmwe8mzTD96k4ZjdQVIXZmvTquKq5AZys_CKIg0qCH3Sq0U-3AEA/s400/IMG_20190418_192726.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is not much better than chunking rocks in a body of water!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJbFvKJU8Nf2krd-UZbxOhu80KVV_qGCcyUqxF_kmkcXbs2oXt9nCN0EVU6zJG3UwZJkYp6qvRrvH8qwxI6FAHmoHkT4GyNSxqzO6RPwvqA-nOi4CDNYoDOZZYV9TlVaub1pPKA/s1600/photocollage_201951174734983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJbFvKJU8Nf2krd-UZbxOhu80KVV_qGCcyUqxF_kmkcXbs2oXt9nCN0EVU6zJG3UwZJkYp6qvRrvH8qwxI6FAHmoHkT4GyNSxqzO6RPwvqA-nOi4CDNYoDOZZYV9TlVaub1pPKA/s400/photocollage_201951174734983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston was selected to be a member of the Order of the Arrow,<br />
which is a special service oriented group of Scouts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-YK_FNxDNvChd7MywsfpII84ghg59UwqFP2DNHj9agRmU2n8vJqX4PMd5FHSvIFBx_cx_6kZvNuGc_MIdqrVER0T3zug7F6vMTBSK2urfs6tYN7XVV0YmIGK7rQSzCY-5g8b3w/s1600/photocollage_201951175457794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-YK_FNxDNvChd7MywsfpII84ghg59UwqFP2DNHj9agRmU2n8vJqX4PMd5FHSvIFBx_cx_6kZvNuGc_MIdqrVER0T3zug7F6vMTBSK2urfs6tYN7XVV0YmIGK7rQSzCY-5g8b3w/s400/photocollage_201951175457794.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys had a field trip to LLELA to learn about small pond creatures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c-Hw1P1XbkcrLRjsm4Tac-Qow0mRxAjaDhwc2rDbO5yWMZ8XhuJTT7ghVwsP1zqYgW1wYysB5dHBVMxEs8O6kYFrN-WdBeJicnYGfoRJE1I4R0eov7qiazyPeuwqFldKys5MhQ/s1600/IMG_20190419_182543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3c-Hw1P1XbkcrLRjsm4Tac-Qow0mRxAjaDhwc2rDbO5yWMZ8XhuJTT7ghVwsP1zqYgW1wYysB5dHBVMxEs8O6kYFrN-WdBeJicnYGfoRJE1I4R0eov7qiazyPeuwqFldKys5MhQ/s400/IMG_20190419_182543.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These three rolled themselves up in a giant sibling burrito.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8A0gx7IsBQtNylefy3756CWJZ_LWk4dEbG2wsHya7EeO4cBoSRutrfg_NE46UyjFgrwSj_AMIWvz67X0KQ-Hrmjd8bjWaYV3ux7eWZoZtlr8mu0KxkXeV5izqD4qv46-QnaTHw/s1600/IMG_20190420_132507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8A0gx7IsBQtNylefy3756CWJZ_LWk4dEbG2wsHya7EeO4cBoSRutrfg_NE46UyjFgrwSj_AMIWvz67X0KQ-Hrmjd8bjWaYV3ux7eWZoZtlr8mu0KxkXeV5izqD4qv46-QnaTHw/s400/IMG_20190420_132507.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supporting their baseball playing brother</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmx33QH8EssEzzK2ZE-WciAjPcrwqhuQ-Ua-eUgDg6FgmyL-qb_oxYexTbJnHBj3ASrXQQB42ytnaKT5k4Y2VgIEaIQ2iQbpzVXPN6M_FnLVzfKyD1WitMXzHxRjWNdBUCHR3ig/s1600/photocollage_2019511834312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmx33QH8EssEzzK2ZE-WciAjPcrwqhuQ-Ua-eUgDg6FgmyL-qb_oxYexTbJnHBj3ASrXQQB42ytnaKT5k4Y2VgIEaIQ2iQbpzVXPN6M_FnLVzfKyD1WitMXzHxRjWNdBUCHR3ig/s400/photocollage_2019511834312.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were thankful to get to spend Easter with family.<br />
We were also thankful for all the amazing wildflowers on the way,<br />
including a solid red field of poppies.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUpMYJDuUOFroL2Lajw6nZi-Js7FkKFTl4wnpSl9qJ7K43Hxf2s0n9pk4b5PXy4BJ2GCpRCZmsmHjdVtQdtUPsMWFuPCeqq4Udqm-Q51xtYpcA-uFRJS4Emh9sik4mwA1m1_6Kw/s1600/IMG_20190422_074959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUUpMYJDuUOFroL2Lajw6nZi-Js7FkKFTl4wnpSl9qJ7K43Hxf2s0n9pk4b5PXy4BJ2GCpRCZmsmHjdVtQdtUPsMWFuPCeqq4Udqm-Q51xtYpcA-uFRJS4Emh9sik4mwA1m1_6Kw/s400/IMG_20190422_074959.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay bought himself a multi-tool, which he is very proud of!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLQsLWRi_OZ9obm53O-gadJv3f8S_KuAHdfsF29Jw2umK_DhEHS7nggiTAQN5PEXxJ419qKYx0LwSS6dQzeEApQq1b8pxAUOE5seWw_RqE9JeMkoRn5ryRT1q52kZsYeQbi2YEA/s1600/photocollage_2019511852976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZLQsLWRi_OZ9obm53O-gadJv3f8S_KuAHdfsF29Jw2umK_DhEHS7nggiTAQN5PEXxJ419qKYx0LwSS6dQzeEApQq1b8pxAUOE5seWw_RqE9JeMkoRn5ryRT1q52kZsYeQbi2YEA/s400/photocollage_2019511852976.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth got a job at City Vet, working in their kennel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7vT9oFoFi_FbFNzHIPXndk676xu2i5WI-7dVr31Gwyaha5Xhd1KboQSSYGcNt5dG9yRcJCRaXa9VrYB0g2FtgRgMXQWvcHOyeMI1o371ldNK3KxaVzGMCF1r8Z5Q1WZWdJeHWQ/s1600/photocollage_20195117845215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7vT9oFoFi_FbFNzHIPXndk676xu2i5WI-7dVr31Gwyaha5Xhd1KboQSSYGcNt5dG9yRcJCRaXa9VrYB0g2FtgRgMXQWvcHOyeMI1o371ldNK3KxaVzGMCF1r8Z5Q1WZWdJeHWQ/s400/photocollage_20195117845215.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers at our house were very happy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVm8xQg3ZaSbDkDJl8HVPpmVtN-pddmxN4ibBQxEeLEzo0tssckvg4iQIl2gLfqEnSnpvwE5ebWWToAO7aMc3OfcPrRUggGftsSGdBwiijpsO4Ri7UHrfDeG9vbtFPKk2GDjXIw/s1600/photocollage_20195118840423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVm8xQg3ZaSbDkDJl8HVPpmVtN-pddmxN4ibBQxEeLEzo0tssckvg4iQIl2gLfqEnSnpvwE5ebWWToAO7aMc3OfcPrRUggGftsSGdBwiijpsO4Ri7UHrfDeG9vbtFPKk2GDjXIw/s400/photocollage_20195118840423.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day of Arrow for the year:<br />
Weston wore every name tag he had neglected to wear for the last ten weeks.<br />
Clay dressed up like Leif Erikson.<br />
Max dressed up as and gave a presentation on Robin Hood. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD63jwDIlrLkpMUah0NJyO79ZQDOpZ0RWfFMMJswXdUfA5iaqG1ePB1y1_5Y5zTrNnofbFHkWjTY4XWgIdo9hHG3atjX0ZhRZ6xcq7SYho_ugsyzKOoxG4UvTazm5vuC4s2xLKg/s1600/photocollage_201951181858628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuD63jwDIlrLkpMUah0NJyO79ZQDOpZ0RWfFMMJswXdUfA5iaqG1ePB1y1_5Y5zTrNnofbFHkWjTY4XWgIdo9hHG3atjX0ZhRZ6xcq7SYho_ugsyzKOoxG4UvTazm5vuC4s2xLKg/s400/photocollage_201951181858628.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arrow's Spring Handmade Market:<br />
Clay sold slingshots; Max sold chocolates; and Weston sold loaded popcorn.<br />
They all sold out of their products and felt very rich by the end of the evening. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwceqJMflJPzqb52zI9JN0A-z3ibr9FH4-_D5kBiTWXLILScckkO2B_rbysuwY91ZrooH4P1x3y_ntetHe6UUbaJ2Jy3HlKlxfeICoHCsCg6i8UndaMGRbYwWCgoSeJMS7y6Tqw/s1600/photocollage_201951182255476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwceqJMflJPzqb52zI9JN0A-z3ibr9FH4-_D5kBiTWXLILScckkO2B_rbysuwY91ZrooH4P1x3y_ntetHe6UUbaJ2Jy3HlKlxfeICoHCsCg6i8UndaMGRbYwWCgoSeJMS7y6Tqw/s400/photocollage_201951182255476.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Arrow's End-of-Year Celebration, each of the boys got to <br />
demo something from one of their classes.<br />
Clay performed with his dance class.<br />
Max sang with his history class about the plague.<br />
And Weston participated in a mini debate and gave an impromptu speech.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bGuxSlx-KWYogdJ8yEx5V-i1Kqe0GTTZ2R8Ic9GiZ1dC8fDn3bbuncJdiiTmX3Xe1EEauRpKFiXLoHUsR62CC5DJ59QK47siC6PgOang_vNG5Ib-z-4XbYD0ehI_zRu2qtf3_g/s1600/photocollage_20195118250548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bGuxSlx-KWYogdJ8yEx5V-i1Kqe0GTTZ2R8Ic9GiZ1dC8fDn3bbuncJdiiTmX3Xe1EEauRpKFiXLoHUsR62CC5DJ59QK47siC6PgOang_vNG5Ib-z-4XbYD0ehI_zRu2qtf3_g/s400/photocollage_20195118250548.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids were gifted a couple of drones, which the boys took to immediately.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsr4wmhMnhWbVz6T_vx2hBWgFPkMmGZ4s5hk1AQBaEWr_FQPz4cB-en6KrtYD6D0FJmghqfelMfiRkqubPPxHhN7CSRhk_29ldk0SM05pqjH9pYJLdv0hEhgJ45FwgAzB4EUYDQ/s1600/photocollage_201951182635211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsr4wmhMnhWbVz6T_vx2hBWgFPkMmGZ4s5hk1AQBaEWr_FQPz4cB-en6KrtYD6D0FJmghqfelMfiRkqubPPxHhN7CSRhk_29ldk0SM05pqjH9pYJLdv0hEhgJ45FwgAzB4EUYDQ/s400/photocollage_201951182635211.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max got to spend some time on the mound in a couple of games.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq17wPTjtFFdw7fSGwHhnFMUadkbzW-UjB10gJMP0kCBVtQHvg7r1w2E1XPjuhkMgLqGgkXT4tm2YiTcQpLWmSZJgXfOBTfYzof0ApLAnxsgTidXss9j9RDGsUwhSU6xkABSSGQ/s1600/photocollage_201951182846336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq17wPTjtFFdw7fSGwHhnFMUadkbzW-UjB10gJMP0kCBVtQHvg7r1w2E1XPjuhkMgLqGgkXT4tm2YiTcQpLWmSZJgXfOBTfYzof0ApLAnxsgTidXss9j9RDGsUwhSU6xkABSSGQ/s400/photocollage_201951182846336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had fun hanging out with Mimi at Bumbershoot BBQ/Gnome Cones.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHvP8XJKOROK-NwZXrXl5ZDKx1C3ZLTkeUzZ9oQ-zYm5l8QWfMCyqR66DkKJlJ3KQweMXnsHDx5uiIZIjGcG6V1a4wWLqG7qKyW3xxGf8gsDZPAguDV0p4a_mEIfGffAhw_MMAA/s1600/photocollage_201951183238166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiHvP8XJKOROK-NwZXrXl5ZDKx1C3ZLTkeUzZ9oQ-zYm5l8QWfMCyqR66DkKJlJ3KQweMXnsHDx5uiIZIjGcG6V1a4wWLqG7qKyW3xxGf8gsDZPAguDV0p4a_mEIfGffAhw_MMAA/s400/photocollage_201951183238166.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took Mimi to brunch at Cafe Komali and hiking on the Katy trail.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ53Np0DunQ2sRI3zL-3VFm8jbbHv6kdFYgyRj-HyDszXbQ6NZPkP63x_P3P2lILNaoiv7htMcFcT6Y99TSflYHMtHlcqnBca7JYVQBZPxQu0fPaap9MTugvPp97V9sYRnULulA/s1600/photocollage_20195118411899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJ53Np0DunQ2sRI3zL-3VFm8jbbHv6kdFYgyRj-HyDszXbQ6NZPkP63x_P3P2lILNaoiv7htMcFcT6Y99TSflYHMtHlcqnBca7JYVQBZPxQu0fPaap9MTugvPp97V9sYRnULulA/s400/photocollage_20195118411899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played pub trivia a couple of times at Vetted Well and had so much fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTX-8Lf7i5oAA45zGP5CMoxiN0Y640SmggK2Kpw6f0WN0gjhBp9kwTAeGlZlJ0XSVkW9x54cT1rikdYnkS7eQZqonvBImA_JIku3vmng8Jz6TnQcNpg7I6PXZ-TgeKFtK1tJ459g/s1600/IMG_20190428_150222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTX-8Lf7i5oAA45zGP5CMoxiN0Y640SmggK2Kpw6f0WN0gjhBp9kwTAeGlZlJ0XSVkW9x54cT1rikdYnkS7eQZqonvBImA_JIku3vmng8Jz6TnQcNpg7I6PXZ-TgeKFtK1tJ459g/s400/IMG_20190428_150222.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We kind of went crazy at the library's book sale. This is only half of what we bought.<br />
We bought somewhere in the neighborhood of 172 books, 11 movies, and 1 puzzle.<br />
The deal of buy one bag at $4, get a bag for free was just too much for us to resist.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAVg_zVCYxgOaFxf3kBGezFlAuq-zbHUQH2hhVWo5Es1neJx21LmM3Nz1fW5DtUMYMa_nRBpJvZAUdcfi0OgzdGm8zpXbaGWMRTx-ocNVTBgEJzKfcIDV7jeGL6k-3vq6gs2axA/s1600/IMG_20190429_135549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAVg_zVCYxgOaFxf3kBGezFlAuq-zbHUQH2hhVWo5Es1neJx21LmM3Nz1fW5DtUMYMa_nRBpJvZAUdcfi0OgzdGm8zpXbaGWMRTx-ocNVTBgEJzKfcIDV7jeGL6k-3vq6gs2axA/s400/IMG_20190429_135549.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay couldn't believe the whole store was celebrating Cinco de Mayo<br />
when we went to pick out some things for his birthday party.<br />
I think he thinks that day is just for him!</td></tr>
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Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-38423420518664597312019-03-31T14:10:00.000-05:002019-03-31T14:10:39.112-05:00Time MARCHes OnHow on earth is it the last day of March??!! Once again, we packed the month full and have many wonderful memories and experiences to show for it.<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5iILUJCeW-VF7swws7bAxbNEdtMkX5qxAk6c9oAKJomONJGD7kCZGXDQ24QFCTj03RClKL5oHOReoxk4tAh45RskXgCpohmOLXQnRxgI6-0k7V9YfgKeNW1AYutGk31WflP4Pg/s1600/IMG_20190301_152516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1150" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy5iILUJCeW-VF7swws7bAxbNEdtMkX5qxAk6c9oAKJomONJGD7kCZGXDQ24QFCTj03RClKL5oHOReoxk4tAh45RskXgCpohmOLXQnRxgI6-0k7V9YfgKeNW1AYutGk31WflP4Pg/s400/IMG_20190301_152516.jpg" width="287" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max has been taking a Lego Robotics class at Arrow<br />this year, and he was excited to get to show off for us.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI_dZHcRaUoJ8C-HsAuNfcDf-TTvRl0ny0uam0iqs-cKmdzV2cDDvTMEaznpXsmS5I3hL6fRBemDUPZFLfLTWFE70le-tLkoTzJi79xI3O2zZZZqrp_KNfkBhSaHcIC9aJ-p-Ag/s1600/photocollage_201933111232112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJI_dZHcRaUoJ8C-HsAuNfcDf-TTvRl0ny0uam0iqs-cKmdzV2cDDvTMEaznpXsmS5I3hL6fRBemDUPZFLfLTWFE70le-tLkoTzJi79xI3O2zZZZqrp_KNfkBhSaHcIC9aJ-p-Ag/s400/photocollage_201933111232112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth participated in a number of track meets this month,<br />mostly in cold and/or wet weather.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Xs_2mBgg66WuIlaJOLG8nf6SG2JdW7vJbNccQR1Qpy7qgqksZ3vpEt87okJfl9jpPjI5ZbWiHmNuo7V4qzIU8kU3pSgPF21poMD5KueJjGuBrdKKUji1K3wEYjN4TBkK4kwog/s1600/IMG_20190304_201940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6Xs_2mBgg66WuIlaJOLG8nf6SG2JdW7vJbNccQR1Qpy7qgqksZ3vpEt87okJfl9jpPjI5ZbWiHmNuo7V4qzIU8kU3pSgPF21poMD5KueJjGuBrdKKUji1K3wEYjN4TBkK4kwog/s400/IMG_20190304_201940.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max got to go on his first Boy Scout campout.<br />But, first, he and his patrol had to practice pitching the tent.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M2U1lhGXvVXpmJh_G6vvmJiUAN2w_uulmkX6gKqsXDdGco73beFiC_PQL94h4oIZPjnGI20ptEHtA6Asmrya_uJmZ9_4R606xk17_-GcsDr3IZsUjYMceR-bub6lceLkSassjQ/s1600/photocollage_2019331113529371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1M2U1lhGXvVXpmJh_G6vvmJiUAN2w_uulmkX6gKqsXDdGco73beFiC_PQL94h4oIZPjnGI20ptEHtA6Asmrya_uJmZ9_4R606xk17_-GcsDr3IZsUjYMceR-bub6lceLkSassjQ/s400/photocollage_2019331113529371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max and Clay got to go on a field trip to the Sci-Tech Museum in Frisco.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Sc8EEheDmd790Zkjd3NGHeSayES_JHAeDnqecvLnhpzLyAHXcH2uIG4eUFQeWm78SS7PgZyy1J66Ilb28v8EG_IrN4itmoTzXGXzOKm4h4kZnenNPiOx1hatBkZsnAa-3-E3A/s1600/photocollage_201933111399924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Sc8EEheDmd790Zkjd3NGHeSayES_JHAeDnqecvLnhpzLyAHXcH2uIG4eUFQeWm78SS7PgZyy1J66Ilb28v8EG_IrN4itmoTzXGXzOKm4h4kZnenNPiOx1hatBkZsnAa-3-E3A/s400/photocollage_201933111399924.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We discovered Bumbershoot Barbeque in Argyle.<br />It's a food truck with an amazing outdoor area that's fun for kids and adults.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59089KFosX05MW25SGfkD4BXcxduzHyE2lFMEUnQLRHLfF62UO4cIs5fH4hoOudpu-45ZOPpDV40rFLO36KIhsHD9nHeKmG-Hh9bh1whKt7Y_ssN-YH5YIfcyPMfS6yM4_sJv5A/s1600/photocollage_2019331114225857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg59089KFosX05MW25SGfkD4BXcxduzHyE2lFMEUnQLRHLfF62UO4cIs5fH4hoOudpu-45ZOPpDV40rFLO36KIhsHD9nHeKmG-Hh9bh1whKt7Y_ssN-YH5YIfcyPMfS6yM4_sJv5A/s400/photocollage_2019331114225857.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay got to be an only child for a weekend, so we visited the Crayola Experience,<br />which was just perfect for this sweet little artist!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-oM0SswqlU21PchxAFJ3nlgzkc9y9AzKLs2RACb0Yo8XUpcdWiGeRM7poYeV52IYL8dr3oElYDUhuAZuSPjd8L6bzlVQXyGkz56q8yxHePfDSUsGyzH_s5J13wV_H9kCSKrhZA/s1600/1162333144.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-oM0SswqlU21PchxAFJ3nlgzkc9y9AzKLs2RACb0Yo8XUpcdWiGeRM7poYeV52IYL8dr3oElYDUhuAZuSPjd8L6bzlVQXyGkz56q8yxHePfDSUsGyzH_s5J13wV_H9kCSKrhZA/s400/1162333144.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff finally made it onto the official register for the State department!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEbdDikfbAUzw1LLCCpPxggEXdMmS2elSRIMafNBCulEvbDHHri8rBztUg_HF2uuhW3sXnK6wt_xydeLd3rA0KFDc8BS9t2_UrtHIi3SofXADM8vhDHTHLhjpQcS-2CeD02nqHA/s1600/photocollage_20193311148086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEbdDikfbAUzw1LLCCpPxggEXdMmS2elSRIMafNBCulEvbDHHri8rBztUg_HF2uuhW3sXnK6wt_xydeLd3rA0KFDc8BS9t2_UrtHIi3SofXADM8vhDHTHLhjpQcS-2CeD02nqHA/s400/photocollage_20193311148086.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston participated in a three-day speech and debate tournament.<br />He advanced to finals in impromptu speaking and ultimately won 6th place.<br />He and his debate partner also advanced to finals in their debate division and won 2nd.<br />And, Weston won 1st place as overall best debate speaker for his division.<br />We are so incredibly proud of him!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3oFgH7i4sB0QM9ZNGZQkP5H_JpzY_DIN1OSJCsr5oZj7rPFELOYMfZ9kTy3ly6XEo0hDNkniUMW0xrfdex4PDCwrDYCR7xL-cRdEY6NEiMoQ6-0DR6DVwJNaCGvdmCV_5cSBmw/s1600/IMG_20190314_203752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1531" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3oFgH7i4sB0QM9ZNGZQkP5H_JpzY_DIN1OSJCsr5oZj7rPFELOYMfZ9kTy3ly6XEo0hDNkniUMW0xrfdex4PDCwrDYCR7xL-cRdEY6NEiMoQ6-0DR6DVwJNaCGvdmCV_5cSBmw/s400/IMG_20190314_203752.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth made a delicious chocolate pie for our Pi Day celebration!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF0UVZRRdTPFpStAydqUmsCsCjyCQZSvcyyBZlisjFLBEbI4Q85EMxoEUxmCOaIx_G3A7ED5bhjhHdo7X2TloYFPmudo9pFdB3uu1IKM56UMLrN9_bM0IQqU3pvcF7BuFqOnnoA/s1600/photocollage_201933111504912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWF0UVZRRdTPFpStAydqUmsCsCjyCQZSvcyyBZlisjFLBEbI4Q85EMxoEUxmCOaIx_G3A7ED5bhjhHdo7X2TloYFPmudo9pFdB3uu1IKM56UMLrN9_bM0IQqU3pvcF7BuFqOnnoA/s400/photocollage_201933111504912.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys worked for days with their friends to build a fort in the woods near our house.<br />They were super proud of it and even invited me to come visit!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk128hNH07cyp0qnHs-i8AlWJF3SwZosPCYoXNbgDiIUSNjUB77KHCyktV1Ek3vwNus2ZXc3nDBBkgFgYrwU9-MZf882GE2hFSoRoHAcE3xQ22f-zlEmMoFPW_ABYax5xzQ18SIA/s1600/photocollage_201933112651857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk128hNH07cyp0qnHs-i8AlWJF3SwZosPCYoXNbgDiIUSNjUB77KHCyktV1Ek3vwNus2ZXc3nDBBkgFgYrwU9-MZf882GE2hFSoRoHAcE3xQ22f-zlEmMoFPW_ABYax5xzQ18SIA/s400/photocollage_201933112651857.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had an awesome St. Patrick's Day cookout with some new friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdcIBJNY66aHP72rASXqbqilySwASZHvZJFM2VlRrQo64eP3d4W10YeXYSmk75JQCZw60nAM-lYgolE7cpFf8DR5mbHPxIt7CFTJeG3rPoZ40knVdPq2H1ZOicEx44da9d0Ud4g/s1600/photocollage_2019331121952800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdcIBJNY66aHP72rASXqbqilySwASZHvZJFM2VlRrQo64eP3d4W10YeXYSmk75JQCZw60nAM-lYgolE7cpFf8DR5mbHPxIt7CFTJeG3rPoZ40knVdPq2H1ZOicEx44da9d0Ud4g/s400/photocollage_2019331121952800.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay got to go hiking with his Wolf Den.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9A7myhGYrDR2BZNLFWYgo3Fhzjb1H80y_G21WUT7UtZu-oZOppimBvhilBZGMq-1RCC8v_nmt0R4dNIjvmx6AfqiHaeTBygbKB2aG6Mi1kbdWgEc_PmB3lmTwlgN3PYbTeqgHg/s1600/IMG_20190318_202509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO9A7myhGYrDR2BZNLFWYgo3Fhzjb1H80y_G21WUT7UtZu-oZOppimBvhilBZGMq-1RCC8v_nmt0R4dNIjvmx6AfqiHaeTBygbKB2aG6Mi1kbdWgEc_PmB3lmTwlgN3PYbTeqgHg/s400/IMG_20190318_202509.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth achieved the CAP rank of Senior Master Sergeant.<br />She also got to attend two leadership camps--one as a participant and one as staff.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidns5p8ZVJ0c_bswpU_3i-99vZvy7X_juhfLEHDb1l6LlPLJU1-yZM6V5keKNntpAyc-BEKo_w5iku5l-JjQPedxhipGKmTTW_AVj9yJfPMlCBb8PfwfLyhb5GeAAiW5jRvSHsw/s1600/photocollage_2019331122414867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidns5p8ZVJ0c_bswpU_3i-99vZvy7X_juhfLEHDb1l6LlPLJU1-yZM6V5keKNntpAyc-BEKo_w5iku5l-JjQPedxhipGKmTTW_AVj9yJfPMlCBb8PfwfLyhb5GeAAiW5jRvSHsw/s400/photocollage_2019331122414867.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baseball season has started, and Max is loving it!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwsBgZp094PyDIiE1gGwiXFpQnVwbQL8y3T9DMLk30gvNycnpWiQbqvfZJ_o_qz6_xxWmrYQ7Tb883e3DX9h6xYsWN0IJjFI166tOjJh5tfL3jM7fD6aLS_ndz_e5IxtrYgxJLA/s1600/51Ywhb5uSPL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="350" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwsBgZp094PyDIiE1gGwiXFpQnVwbQL8y3T9DMLk30gvNycnpWiQbqvfZJ_o_qz6_xxWmrYQ7Tb883e3DX9h6xYsWN0IJjFI166tOjJh5tfL3jM7fD6aLS_ndz_e5IxtrYgxJLA/s400/51Ywhb5uSPL._AC_SL1500_.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I published my sixth <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mandi-M-Watts/e/B01DPA753Q?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1554056560&sr=8-1">Geography Explorer</a> book.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6SPIqQJQE9vY4zrgUIwwrSu_4GH2zmXA5pCXYV2_Z7uCoxgE_1wuO3Sxkg9HWSf5-OtfYVrHzrFq03B0CAWtdlOKkj6gdg9ElbdZde3TPxeQslCWA4mNOtSuK4oaWvgNfg78GA/s1600/IMG_20190321_100641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC6SPIqQJQE9vY4zrgUIwwrSu_4GH2zmXA5pCXYV2_Z7uCoxgE_1wuO3Sxkg9HWSf5-OtfYVrHzrFq03B0CAWtdlOKkj6gdg9ElbdZde3TPxeQslCWA4mNOtSuK4oaWvgNfg78GA/s400/IMG_20190321_100641.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max and Clay had their first natural science classes at LLELA.</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMHqdYSOs5U4PgwIpVIf2ZRYxJGyee8B2AUxJwG970XIkbnNB0sEUedGzslwKK2wz4ThhtNbjL5OVtiDE4HEpsoD49Pb3jQ6JbnHQFHGCeULJS0J9Wl0Av05ifuFLprJiMHntrw/s1600/photocollage_2019331122559274.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkMHqdYSOs5U4PgwIpVIf2ZRYxJGyee8B2AUxJwG970XIkbnNB0sEUedGzslwKK2wz4ThhtNbjL5OVtiDE4HEpsoD49Pb3jQ6JbnHQFHGCeULJS0J9Wl0Av05ifuFLprJiMHntrw/s400/photocollage_2019331122559274.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Wow, Mom, you made two things this week with spinach that were actually good!"<br />(Documenting in case anyone tries to come back to me and tell me they don't like spinach!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2DKr9LkZGvv0lUdYO_hehyMg5EawiIwwBHxLGpFGTcqwhZT6pA-gRfqkMn1smnfvm1JfUHf8cnY_gxx1hi8z8tLkI385zTa-X9fuRe0CxUaxtcqmUJaEOfDv_JPlrZbUEeRoNA/s1600/photocollage_2019331125423452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil2DKr9LkZGvv0lUdYO_hehyMg5EawiIwwBHxLGpFGTcqwhZT6pA-gRfqkMn1smnfvm1JfUHf8cnY_gxx1hi8z8tLkI385zTa-X9fuRe0CxUaxtcqmUJaEOfDv_JPlrZbUEeRoNA/s400/photocollage_2019331125423452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">While the other kids were tied up with various activities, Jeff and I took Clay<br />to the used book sale at the library. He was in heaven! (And so were we!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvR2gQ-OGsrJxaLSzDVw0cDglVzNrLdewbTRiH9GmYzkpwwZhDESeAICJgaDIIsFprk_zMC_HMNdkmxqkK9aJ_OlacNaYOXSIx99O8LRbNL_pGNs4lwHjW6KJlKYELIZC68FpJA/s1600/photocollage_2019331122750379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyvR2gQ-OGsrJxaLSzDVw0cDglVzNrLdewbTRiH9GmYzkpwwZhDESeAICJgaDIIsFprk_zMC_HMNdkmxqkK9aJ_OlacNaYOXSIx99O8LRbNL_pGNs4lwHjW6KJlKYELIZC68FpJA/s400/photocollage_2019331122750379.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's been so fun watching our tulips grow this month!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BoRJpLW32MoGl02I-u9jcLHaB4CDxfXXaJoCoX9TRcTKvqHpkGYNR7Mg6W7tpq2sMMzLz89N4muZTARNDVY_f7xs4rRpuk6qndP2x5kxXnsy2PvBdBw6cEjFN1lHk8sQDsZGTg/s1600/photocollage_201933112344678.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BoRJpLW32MoGl02I-u9jcLHaB4CDxfXXaJoCoX9TRcTKvqHpkGYNR7Mg6W7tpq2sMMzLz89N4muZTARNDVY_f7xs4rRpuk6qndP2x5kxXnsy2PvBdBw6cEjFN1lHk8sQDsZGTg/s400/photocollage_201933112344678.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little pastry chef has been keeping us supplied with sweets!</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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbSvyRYAyAh7TvFYXW1ybHKn0nK4qT_0rbeXQLN2RvnQ6sOfjGm83ZcuI7EOyAz9dz-SzHaZcptmvVjjIp0196N97rpZsyrQXsMwPXi2IuPm2hJES8gsIKAIa1-KDaUIrHQCEpw/s1600/IMG_20190330_173828_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbSvyRYAyAh7TvFYXW1ybHKn0nK4qT_0rbeXQLN2RvnQ6sOfjGm83ZcuI7EOyAz9dz-SzHaZcptmvVjjIp0196N97rpZsyrQXsMwPXi2IuPm2hJES8gsIKAIa1-KDaUIrHQCEpw/s400/IMG_20190330_173828_1.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston participated in PSIA again this year.<br />He won 4th in Mathematics, 2nd in Modern Oratory, <br />and 1st in Number Sense. He advanced to State in those last two.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfsY2RGLSRMr4wYclgOzWOYEIMYCSWtVIutRFeyUuFH-LyR-jo5qRlcqwhOy6hKsWnGc65n54rnMbU3_fAwM7O4r-ZyJUFY5o5bgdyrkeL2xQvqXR4dMSgY8kBgCspkx6W8myHg/s1600/photocollage_2019331123545681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfsY2RGLSRMr4wYclgOzWOYEIMYCSWtVIutRFeyUuFH-LyR-jo5qRlcqwhOy6hKsWnGc65n54rnMbU3_fAwM7O4r-ZyJUFY5o5bgdyrkeL2xQvqXR4dMSgY8kBgCspkx6W8myHg/s400/photocollage_2019331123545681.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Weston's bucket list items was to have a chicken taste test.<br />We thought it was the perfect way to celebrate his PSIA victories.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-70469060708977899272019-03-03T18:20:00.000-06:002019-03-31T14:18:37.026-05:00February ForeverTo be the shortest month, I always feel like February takes forever to get through. But we did get through it! Here are the highlights:<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiRt1wmTuPpRiP4_cmUXNcfmJUQl9ryf2XigwHz7uPDSo_D-T0KTTT-Sb_7dw0lS9ItUewDtlE1aZ6kEP5WbSdx_Bk09S-1xSdFOZJQnN23DixjO5G2HuNjhFYnzyWejE_95LIg/s1600/IMG_20190203_121908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiRt1wmTuPpRiP4_cmUXNcfmJUQl9ryf2XigwHz7uPDSo_D-T0KTTT-Sb_7dw0lS9ItUewDtlE1aZ6kEP5WbSdx_Bk09S-1xSdFOZJQnN23DixjO5G2HuNjhFYnzyWejE_95LIg/s400/IMG_20190203_121908.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston developed a case of cellulitis (on top of poison ivy)<br />
and had to spend some quality time at the clinic. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTyN-Y9DfQkL93_6qFmB5nqqQpi-DIr7OIjSh_uD4sYaijD6ZLtQOX-Vu8QbgqiEiO-vFRyQ_Mj46lfMbm4WUflXANTgxN-Vk2Kh8FAy6PjN3itY4Gp4MNIG-uSMfL9aUa57VnQ/s1600/IMG_20190203_150823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTyN-Y9DfQkL93_6qFmB5nqqQpi-DIr7OIjSh_uD4sYaijD6ZLtQOX-Vu8QbgqiEiO-vFRyQ_Mj46lfMbm4WUflXANTgxN-Vk2Kh8FAy6PjN3itY4Gp4MNIG-uSMfL9aUa57VnQ/s400/IMG_20190203_150823.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Bowl Party</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m-P1xKkC6M5B9BcdWfYwNO8DPODus8PHrtQFmJqHFW3Wg3nGCwowGisRyKikXPzUR1Rmyxk5ax4VpQeVWmI4eZcSdN3uUNatl8mse3NVynOkyVaz92oLfrvA05Ous6xfFr8cKw/s1600/photocollage_20193317434607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1m-P1xKkC6M5B9BcdWfYwNO8DPODus8PHrtQFmJqHFW3Wg3nGCwowGisRyKikXPzUR1Rmyxk5ax4VpQeVWmI4eZcSdN3uUNatl8mse3NVynOkyVaz92oLfrvA05Ous6xfFr8cKw/s400/photocollage_20193317434607.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay's Scout den visited the police station, <br />
and he got to sit in a squad car and get a mugshot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp-oxHuucdVzwUkG3HHUj7FMbhiUmTUhjPjS0od5E4WudYUAZ5HMPgwUiqwmM3M91amABmb4FbuqnmY9ytNs32SSHFND-ExWOaPTWGbJS_n3G-X33uIG5nB0Lxhd-Xh1Axw1vig/s1600/photocollage_20193316436511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmp-oxHuucdVzwUkG3HHUj7FMbhiUmTUhjPjS0od5E4WudYUAZ5HMPgwUiqwmM3M91amABmb4FbuqnmY9ytNs32SSHFND-ExWOaPTWGbJS_n3G-X33uIG5nB0Lxhd-Xh1Axw1vig/s400/photocollage_20193316436511.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brothers and friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYxzDyGnMKJ0EhITkywS8UgammmniRvkLMRyTF-AyEDvRRgm-QT-JYgqJIIeVQ_E-ChJvsHmTm-RTN5iIZuUjIbabhqZ5hcRwYdBD3VBjZ6WxXwvR1jGEh0TE8MrDTgA93hgETw/s1600/IMG_20190207_165032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEYxzDyGnMKJ0EhITkywS8UgammmniRvkLMRyTF-AyEDvRRgm-QT-JYgqJIIeVQ_E-ChJvsHmTm-RTN5iIZuUjIbabhqZ5hcRwYdBD3VBjZ6WxXwvR1jGEh0TE8MrDTgA93hgETw/s400/IMG_20190207_165032.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth, Weston, Jeff, and I got to go bowling at Main Event</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo35N8HEG85ejEuKfNeX6gPKHTUUdHRk9uW4ctmGB1ua7jg65FFWYEU7uwqEIjZIGeNWZaH6_gk0ANM_8Ws7JlXiDHKwL7nI1svMMvtw0Z8U2kM5lLs9j_8ulnMsvmuWhGRHmCQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbo35N8HEG85ejEuKfNeX6gPKHTUUdHRk9uW4ctmGB1ua7jg65FFWYEU7uwqEIjZIGeNWZaH6_gk0ANM_8Ws7JlXiDHKwL7nI1svMMvtw0Z8U2kM5lLs9j_8ulnMsvmuWhGRHmCQ/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, these guys were building bonfires at Mimi and Grandpa's house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuDYy2ntuBwSYu00WF6Mg9xJiLSGZyMBiFUqvh-jXx97xSgErJmW4n2wezfIrIQ8hrbFpIavreSJAkVCy8xVgiRTRZU3NKTiqc3pUu9oZ9cQCj8OR0OFx7S0PId0_3NsGjJMc9w/s1600/photocollage_201933164755350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMuDYy2ntuBwSYu00WF6Mg9xJiLSGZyMBiFUqvh-jXx97xSgErJmW4n2wezfIrIQ8hrbFpIavreSJAkVCy8xVgiRTRZU3NKTiqc3pUu9oZ9cQCj8OR0OFx7S0PId0_3NsGjJMc9w/s400/photocollage_201933164755350.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I had a day of dates which included a visit to the Haltom City farmer's market,<br />
brunch at the Omni Ft. Worth, a quick stroll through the Ft. Worth water garden,<br />
and a wonderful cultural experience at Mercado 369, where we heard an artist,<br />
whose preferred medium is coffee, give a speech and demonstrate his craft, enjoyed <br />
coffee samples from a craft roaster, and viewed many forms of Latin American art.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OjIn7kezRQytRszEqEgwcRHtDu0N7qXGmijNdNUvVwWJ-tEwgaxE-o6k36aWb-F0PW9qkN9qJqciT5jAll0cF3VAs-I76mvWK9T8j1Ozfrl0F_Zw3skW4tru5tzzmZdvX4X0zQ/s1600/photocollage_201933164521347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OjIn7kezRQytRszEqEgwcRHtDu0N7qXGmijNdNUvVwWJ-tEwgaxE-o6k36aWb-F0PW9qkN9qJqciT5jAll0cF3VAs-I76mvWK9T8j1Ozfrl0F_Zw3skW4tru5tzzmZdvX4X0zQ/s400/photocollage_201933164521347.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and Weston tried out VR gaming at Source Gaming Lounge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQKkoIT0kpphHuUR6gM_Ob-sI3I-nqVl7iHw6eWsGaSyYkqNvevYHsx8jTUCUejf_gJrGYHuzIZxv7d3SN8v4WqamGQ4gu-8EXfsreT95Ue3D32DLFd9SRArofpBG654QediWQw/s1600/IMG_20190209_175239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQKkoIT0kpphHuUR6gM_Ob-sI3I-nqVl7iHw6eWsGaSyYkqNvevYHsx8jTUCUejf_gJrGYHuzIZxv7d3SN8v4WqamGQ4gu-8EXfsreT95Ue3D32DLFd9SRArofpBG654QediWQw/s400/IMG_20190209_175239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We played lots and lots of games!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WhjCvwC4xci_WwVnnmKnCOKMgYK3ZxdGI_FL2JpuDDmvpVP6Yb0HIouWDK0PYaUqMApOtVjoncYEPEIZxgQAmQu-pLkDVlzUR9mOKlBRFfeVdIkk2tWOP588CWwvTveFPqy1Yg/s1600/photocollage_20193316495055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WhjCvwC4xci_WwVnnmKnCOKMgYK3ZxdGI_FL2JpuDDmvpVP6Yb0HIouWDK0PYaUqMApOtVjoncYEPEIZxgQAmQu-pLkDVlzUR9mOKlBRFfeVdIkk2tWOP588CWwvTveFPqy1Yg/s400/photocollage_20193316495055.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We helped pack and deliver boxes for Lovepacs of Lewisville.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B-CMJpUtV0JqNvBv2s6ojt8oh3h8FWz0jkrfBCLTRZb7VHizAHPoJ_9KBkbxIn8Ty-FoefwO3WJfpglsOd2uiAl_cksa0c87FKHlAFGuMTLLPLNRnBkvqbL5JbrrvkWeDpMF6w/s1600/photocollage_201933165137625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7B-CMJpUtV0JqNvBv2s6ojt8oh3h8FWz0jkrfBCLTRZb7VHizAHPoJ_9KBkbxIn8Ty-FoefwO3WJfpglsOd2uiAl_cksa0c87FKHlAFGuMTLLPLNRnBkvqbL5JbrrvkWeDpMF6w/s400/photocollage_201933165137625.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated my half-birthday with singing, sushi, and tulips.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JtqCvLF8mut5SEykvndnwG0_xvmor7NTbxQWbBWtJg7Xu8ThdCMt0yPnYKsZqpyy_9hriraGfBEmJPeldZjE_gJToM4n5GBdHBjTNEFaxch9kh857HVqpHDDEyWdKhF040sQoA/s1600/photocollage_20193316554432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4JtqCvLF8mut5SEykvndnwG0_xvmor7NTbxQWbBWtJg7Xu8ThdCMt0yPnYKsZqpyy_9hriraGfBEmJPeldZjE_gJToM4n5GBdHBjTNEFaxch9kh857HVqpHDDEyWdKhF040sQoA/s400/photocollage_20193316554432.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston was chosen to be the MC for the Scouts' Court of Honor at the last minute,<br />
and he was completely nonplussed, even though he had had no time to prepare. <br />
He was also recognized for his most recent merit badges and his latest rank of Life Scout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidW7toMbb0EcVxxVDxq-VYwSQXVMX9dty2GCWrLHKGBIaie9cSm_gt1Ib_iqAU9_ynmGnKj-a1oqJx0wsJX_9BAdLxBuTtK1rz9fJjbOnJYXyVY0qHwuC5KJ3iEelVZ9VB5bZVIg/s1600/photocollage_20193316582123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidW7toMbb0EcVxxVDxq-VYwSQXVMX9dty2GCWrLHKGBIaie9cSm_gt1Ib_iqAU9_ynmGnKj-a1oqJx0wsJX_9BAdLxBuTtK1rz9fJjbOnJYXyVY0qHwuC5KJ3iEelVZ9VB5bZVIg/s400/photocollage_20193316582123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valentine's Day Celebration:<br />
Movie and a Chik-fil-A bouquet for the kids,<br />
fancy dinner at J2 steakhouse for the grown-ups</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmHwTLyhckyAxlOebCiFpU2CQtZwDOf8lnr4EKhctpl4IdULEBj6u6v0-BxLPtEyI7QG7imzzeHehNoPeRCEIGVPqvYpr-ghunvChLaHgCgEcMoW5O2SutMoMyT2zfW2SnEC5vQ/s1600/photocollage_20193317116252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHmHwTLyhckyAxlOebCiFpU2CQtZwDOf8lnr4EKhctpl4IdULEBj6u6v0-BxLPtEyI7QG7imzzeHehNoPeRCEIGVPqvYpr-ghunvChLaHgCgEcMoW5O2SutMoMyT2zfW2SnEC5vQ/s400/photocollage_20193317116252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The younger boys and I traveled to Seguin to celebrate my nephew's birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqG9kTC9PIdKA_OxElAfknNz-5FKVCdZC5htic3CQO6J7-q4WD8thMwIjRz5VpwwudYkMXdY7Gl-tO49rB1Xl96T-Icq4cRXBXbizhr-iWw1fJ-jy1-MwlLVbjGl8JR0GXGIXvw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXqG9kTC9PIdKA_OxElAfknNz-5FKVCdZC5htic3CQO6J7-q4WD8thMwIjRz5VpwwudYkMXdY7Gl-tO49rB1Xl96T-Icq4cRXBXbizhr-iWw1fJ-jy1-MwlLVbjGl8JR0GXGIXvw/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First track meet of the season, where Ruth ran in the 100M, 200M, the 4x200.<br />
Her relay team captured third place!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LvszseGHsulfsujU-n10lHjGocRVYa6PJ7IdqgV6uZzHxolmyP8NXyKSlh2ztCc0S3VTJH03cyD4lsTto2LXkdDr7Xpj_EIX3HHfIv5Y5BpcBq5690rrvzVtanqQc8FA5gGbKA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8LvszseGHsulfsujU-n10lHjGocRVYa6PJ7IdqgV6uZzHxolmyP8NXyKSlh2ztCc0S3VTJH03cyD4lsTto2LXkdDr7Xpj_EIX3HHfIv5Y5BpcBq5690rrvzVtanqQc8FA5gGbKA/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth's CyberPatriot team had their end-of-season party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FVpVJTD3zVAQXwLizdeRc3RjOP8ajVymZMhf8nZoEVsZ6Lg5mjbnTykvizgSzM-AwZP3Lo_n-WamdSqzwz5tvsKth-YRHDbskLVYFX8oEGVZBXcgO-_UrwHZWcV0-jVjPyHiLA/s1600/IMG_20190218_083217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FVpVJTD3zVAQXwLizdeRc3RjOP8ajVymZMhf8nZoEVsZ6Lg5mjbnTykvizgSzM-AwZP3Lo_n-WamdSqzwz5tvsKth-YRHDbskLVYFX8oEGVZBXcgO-_UrwHZWcV0-jVjPyHiLA/s400/IMG_20190218_083217.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes it was hard to get through the school day. 😴</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7ZJISqFPUF1CXGrqfzWpWi-kkA3h-A7N82d6ck3l_h0I_PK2WQQdt03yQpJxMhWi-1XEfIWezaUzAMLLj66-9usRpOSG_vfz0ZRdnjhzuL2nb8-MT-4X0ngrc1dKqZTvyr784w/s1600/IMG_20190218_141031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF7ZJISqFPUF1CXGrqfzWpWi-kkA3h-A7N82d6ck3l_h0I_PK2WQQdt03yQpJxMhWi-1XEfIWezaUzAMLLj66-9usRpOSG_vfz0ZRdnjhzuL2nb8-MT-4X0ngrc1dKqZTvyr784w/s400/IMG_20190218_141031.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston and Clay had a brother rodeo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUoKJjQkGnmhq6uxNY3_Sv7a29vvUEJd0DOmQiiiSOQgGXJLIBsNxXStK6nmhBH6j_KlpbC1D14rLHf_-zPu0FzInih6zdyIMxFV7DMsITFw57OpH_4jYHxGdkoOv_yCM4cA_gA/s1600/photocollage_20193317195969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUoKJjQkGnmhq6uxNY3_Sv7a29vvUEJd0DOmQiiiSOQgGXJLIBsNxXStK6nmhBH6j_KlpbC1D14rLHf_-zPu0FzInih6zdyIMxFV7DMsITFw57OpH_4jYHxGdkoOv_yCM4cA_gA/s400/photocollage_20193317195969.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring tried half-heartedly to make an appearance</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziIUwvKXe63jQx1gTZlsV6zTOQ3BDgvqPH14wHuU9LL77zSro06OHR8Yi6hyphenhyphen0D_NTFOZKlsfAOVSRxxxFb3q0ZtGcLL3BCPyJqcTNjY07DjkkkvZ6WPirZuCtFsk0PQa2wYSKxQ/s1600/photocollage_201933171613615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjziIUwvKXe63jQx1gTZlsV6zTOQ3BDgvqPH14wHuU9LL77zSro06OHR8Yi6hyphenhyphen0D_NTFOZKlsfAOVSRxxxFb3q0ZtGcLL3BCPyJqcTNjY07DjkkkvZ6WPirZuCtFsk0PQa2wYSKxQ/s400/photocollage_201933171613615.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay helped me work through some of the projects that will be included<br />
in my soon-to-be-published Explore Australia book.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6AF6DoPA53h_Sy9pGWXOWj2Ij2QKhFLtlHWuvROvL5d8XIce8gBy7kf_YcsQP3gy7kh4ZzMhmhu3yCgWiXQXwffijz3cZBb3JSn5WS8_mPniLIPUlMxSxfN6XFDsVMTt6KEzjQ/s1600/photocollage_201933172115560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp6AF6DoPA53h_Sy9pGWXOWj2Ij2QKhFLtlHWuvROvL5d8XIce8gBy7kf_YcsQP3gy7kh4ZzMhmhu3yCgWiXQXwffijz3cZBb3JSn5WS8_mPniLIPUlMxSxfN6XFDsVMTt6KEzjQ/s400/photocollage_201933172115560.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay got to be part of the Color Guard at his Scout pack meeting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f3X0V6p1zT39YU98FhxYFd6FhTSlSyH3O51rxqqy_eu9vDHwe8-aXge5SA4oEe_l1sD2usCfpFHkCzI0L68E676wt-jA3ooHLXacawrcHGCt_QJ4IYGqx7QLujGMy3SZoNUPWw/s1600/photocollage_2019331739127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f3X0V6p1zT39YU98FhxYFd6FhTSlSyH3O51rxqqy_eu9vDHwe8-aXge5SA4oEe_l1sD2usCfpFHkCzI0L68E676wt-jA3ooHLXacawrcHGCt_QJ4IYGqx7QLujGMy3SZoNUPWw/s400/photocollage_2019331739127.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cub Scout Blue and Gold banquet was fun for everyone!<br />
Max helped pass out tickets, and Weston helped <br />
welcome the boys bridging over to Boy Scouts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHu6zMrX1ufYmskVnubWzzNR-zrHocO3RJGxC8_VMxUqZGxZmkDtTlOeVwSlrxasJW9fF_4iJols63I2iR_D79KSvKDu33X-hxDFCIE-2QHJKjhWNBfc7eyBh-EOddcawUe_YPg/s400/IMG_20190224_134725.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We took advantage of one of the really lovely days to have a cookout and picnic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHu6zMrX1ufYmskVnubWzzNR-zrHocO3RJGxC8_VMxUqZGxZmkDtTlOeVwSlrxasJW9fF_4iJols63I2iR_D79KSvKDu33X-hxDFCIE-2QHJKjhWNBfc7eyBh-EOddcawUe_YPg/s1600/IMG_20190224_134725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqHu6zMrX1ufYmskVnubWzzNR-zrHocO3RJGxC8_VMxUqZGxZmkDtTlOeVwSlrxasJW9fF_4iJols63I2iR_D79KSvKDu33X-hxDFCIE-2QHJKjhWNBfc7eyBh-EOddcawUe_YPg/s1600/IMG_20190224_134725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjy62tipq_MV0TGsEpyL8V_xWEJ8F7JYFUrOECBAHJRZ7JfRHeAtLYl_NHwBp22l3T54Z_PYMspA9OX68URUZHPPc7IkxRs24DzBjdKs8RUQVtMih3SwIvfVYgm038Tu5XIy-yg/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjy62tipq_MV0TGsEpyL8V_xWEJ8F7JYFUrOECBAHJRZ7JfRHeAtLYl_NHwBp22l3T54Z_PYMspA9OX68URUZHPPc7IkxRs24DzBjdKs8RUQVtMih3SwIvfVYgm038Tu5XIy-yg/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max officially joined the Boy Scouts.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidazyBbxx0K8I2OYdTaxA5sgA0DRjd9sbJLBhPTCzIQVRa2iEZxpCyYNIGZTQmGKVL_vr5DfyeVhpCDo8v8GMCJZzzxk_R3rda8QfwmW5HwNiC6SoaoSn6B6-vUC05DGx7sDIP0A/s1600/IMG_20190228_105331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidazyBbxx0K8I2OYdTaxA5sgA0DRjd9sbJLBhPTCzIQVRa2iEZxpCyYNIGZTQmGKVL_vr5DfyeVhpCDo8v8GMCJZzzxk_R3rda8QfwmW5HwNiC6SoaoSn6B6-vUC05DGx7sDIP0A/s400/IMG_20190228_105331.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a field trip to Medieval Times with the boys' Arrow history classes.</td></tr>
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-64700273293417479542019-02-01T15:13:00.000-06:002019-03-31T14:19:58.709-05:00First Month of the New YearWe are already a month into 2019, and I honestly can't tell you how we got here. It just went by so quickly! It was a month packed full of family, friends, and fun! Our new year is definitely off to a great start, as you can see from the following highlight reel of January:<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULv9IjRGqE2hVtGlFTi_rnxQ-Qs7ts8Jxws7pF2tlmC3aB-hV01HIMwXJqTPldeRIF8zp7sUoWXjJnlanHzihWPBh4wH9H3DcihMLa3g01I9_ZrarP13rB3rirtqEBuRj4fwgXg/s1600/photocollage_201921105733502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgULv9IjRGqE2hVtGlFTi_rnxQ-Qs7ts8Jxws7pF2tlmC3aB-hV01HIMwXJqTPldeRIF8zp7sUoWXjJnlanHzihWPBh4wH9H3DcihMLa3g01I9_ZrarP13rB3rirtqEBuRj4fwgXg/s400/photocollage_201921105733502.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent the first week of the month in Houston,<br />
making special memories with our Watts family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJH7i_S1sTxMB11aYc786aUC-_KlqEisoFjHAVjxXj2NZtIQ7be5zAq8DaOGWmeUIXvCJ7oE29yWUIodcwMeGO9V4fCykayO9EUbV3XX68n6c4zQogRfnPYXqZscxDpt74Njpag/s1600/IMG_20190104_103901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEJH7i_S1sTxMB11aYc786aUC-_KlqEisoFjHAVjxXj2NZtIQ7be5zAq8DaOGWmeUIXvCJ7oE29yWUIodcwMeGO9V4fCykayO9EUbV3XX68n6c4zQogRfnPYXqZscxDpt74Njpag/s400/IMG_20190104_103901.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth gave an Instagram tutorial to her aunt and Mimi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdKmGIUaNaisfxl9KifvyWRlp54vIwHXLW00vzl3LLjyYLq5xH08yI2GEEr_a3XK0JNKBrWTAwukNqsaTbQ407PTqO3Ys_wsDyBHBLLwMJutf8FUKFOAqa6S7sH-2gheMujxgJA/s1600/photocollage_20192111104583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdKmGIUaNaisfxl9KifvyWRlp54vIwHXLW00vzl3LLjyYLq5xH08yI2GEEr_a3XK0JNKBrWTAwukNqsaTbQ407PTqO3Ys_wsDyBHBLLwMJutf8FUKFOAqa6S7sH-2gheMujxgJA/s400/photocollage_20192111104583.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay was glad to get back to school. He was excited to work on his reading,<br />
discover a new love in Ken-Ken puzzles, and teach us all a money game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcec313_R5XjAJj4ghe-AOb0MN1aBPyARIyo4NZBju_ada2v7Xcvg9Fbrs8-zDD36F5HEHnVqYsHBSl8ihrZhy-gG7Mn0Si91bQSEKKMEDkXDaD1mpGBj2_N8aOveIR-Z8uOx_yg/s1600/photocollage_201921134358711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcec313_R5XjAJj4ghe-AOb0MN1aBPyARIyo4NZBju_ada2v7Xcvg9Fbrs8-zDD36F5HEHnVqYsHBSl8ihrZhy-gG7Mn0Si91bQSEKKMEDkXDaD1mpGBj2_N8aOveIR-Z8uOx_yg/s400/photocollage_201921134358711.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff spent two weeks in Mexico in an immersion Spanish class.<br />
The vendors wouldn't approach him because they said he looked like Secret Service!<br />
Nevertheless, he was able to track down all kinds of fun surprises to bring home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_zmmrW7JN_0Fe2ncw4SjKmg3dcPQhCjOkwqlypQJZgg-laBaDzqwK4fRbPgETpa6ER-7W4xuruUEUCnnxj5aakxFKXh7Qc4SQW5-TkZZyUuHhKqnZpo6jEcMCJVJF4dbqjjTsA/s1600/photocollage_20192111446535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8_zmmrW7JN_0Fe2ncw4SjKmg3dcPQhCjOkwqlypQJZgg-laBaDzqwK4fRbPgETpa6ER-7W4xuruUEUCnnxj5aakxFKXh7Qc4SQW5-TkZZyUuHhKqnZpo6jEcMCJVJF4dbqjjTsA/s400/photocollage_20192111446535.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Max's 11th birthday with doughnuts, cake balls, and gifts.<br />
And we spent the day at Corky's, playing arcade games,<br />
throwing axes, and escaping from Alcatraz.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysWQ7djnxiX-D4CKnOv6D6gyWMpHKIE-fOT1olK4bvot5B2O7LQlxCaNBm2iZnr2_qpnkU8zqjGEswVUnO7D9_iMbhUsSgC5l8lqjYtdlVAxV88d2SsoZoE9uDXaA2MYSMJ88ng/s1600/photocollage_20192111848881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysWQ7djnxiX-D4CKnOv6D6gyWMpHKIE-fOT1olK4bvot5B2O7LQlxCaNBm2iZnr2_qpnkU8zqjGEswVUnO7D9_iMbhUsSgC5l8lqjYtdlVAxV88d2SsoZoE9uDXaA2MYSMJ88ng/s400/photocollage_20192111848881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston and I got to attend Ruth's CAP banquet, where, among other things,<br />
we saw her march in with the color guard, be recognized with her CyberPatriot team,<br />
and receive an award for "Americanism" from the American Legion. We are so proud of her!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPaYb0QSd1vNwSh1ztruUPlxI0scsh-4NZpH3Ny0td_7NxTiOiRmKT80GFY6XIVMI7aq4uawK__PB7bezsQnDvjyXUWtvfThBS4DPtUTbQ8YR3hVcshnMmxBkXmH3WPUxQqqCAg/s1600/photocollage_201921111415237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBPaYb0QSd1vNwSh1ztruUPlxI0scsh-4NZpH3Ny0td_7NxTiOiRmKT80GFY6XIVMI7aq4uawK__PB7bezsQnDvjyXUWtvfThBS4DPtUTbQ8YR3hVcshnMmxBkXmH3WPUxQqqCAg/s400/photocollage_201921111415237.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max got a baseball pitching machine for his birthday,<br />
and the boys have had a big time trying it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKw6AI2Q_iQTXrL8EBI_Hxr2dJGMK4I2uIvsiNk9KVYTFRkRZBD8aIsJzh4R9AGRXuTrs5lCZIyPuo2CE13-CsuJ_1o8w-uCn23a6Y6I6LBmdR_uir_lpyrSU99yCmxJ9G0mZNg/s1600/photocollage_201921133513291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEKw6AI2Q_iQTXrL8EBI_Hxr2dJGMK4I2uIvsiNk9KVYTFRkRZBD8aIsJzh4R9AGRXuTrs5lCZIyPuo2CE13-CsuJ_1o8w-uCn23a6Y6I6LBmdR_uir_lpyrSU99yCmxJ9G0mZNg/s400/photocollage_201921133513291.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We somehow managed to survive WINTER STORM 2019. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAP8mCcEtMH2H5Dm2XHIySsxcNbmUAffDgTCjKycYwEwmf5nJnH1klmQaXR_1tKoRqZNcoAPmIl9TVgxFI0CeOyn5Kb9z03DxCGB3aoYDgipxnOVD4CzVmscY-WXANhwPaVraQg/s1600/IMG_20190119_130138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAP8mCcEtMH2H5Dm2XHIySsxcNbmUAffDgTCjKycYwEwmf5nJnH1klmQaXR_1tKoRqZNcoAPmIl9TVgxFI0CeOyn5Kb9z03DxCGB3aoYDgipxnOVD4CzVmscY-WXANhwPaVraQg/s400/IMG_20190119_130138.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made out like bandits at the library used book sale.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFcZ2CYYu6ZpjEKIeaD030ryMadz0oa4ppkj_gGkJU6loeXKuzp44YRq3yN9azdj_sa-Gj9rGRJW2PJXbV49N2K5eFvFKCBfHWURGtC-5-5i6VyQ1mR2k95XDLx7wXRz9oG0gqQ/s1600/photocollage_201921145056223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFcZ2CYYu6ZpjEKIeaD030ryMadz0oa4ppkj_gGkJU6loeXKuzp44YRq3yN9azdj_sa-Gj9rGRJW2PJXbV49N2K5eFvFKCBfHWURGtC-5-5i6VyQ1mR2k95XDLx7wXRz9oG0gqQ/s400/photocollage_201921145056223.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay adores his big sister and couldn't resist surprising her with flowers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFWVUXWtQuqPoefCiCfhBRZ3mECGIujznleN1qTkaMar_l4GFrDloEZvRoffTManCUKm1fRnNh7YuBukJZFOXRO6MBHKotiUhmDQKf_cSGuFLCpnPE-YpBmhSirxVcJ7JO6enng/s1600/photocollage_20192113373031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFWVUXWtQuqPoefCiCfhBRZ3mECGIujznleN1qTkaMar_l4GFrDloEZvRoffTManCUKm1fRnNh7YuBukJZFOXRO6MBHKotiUhmDQKf_cSGuFLCpnPE-YpBmhSirxVcJ7JO6enng/s400/photocollage_20192113373031.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi and Grandpa came to visit twice during the month,<br />
and we had so much fun hanging out with them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9axp3IOrinbFqq3CrIlj5i5WQ7peCIlnGtBjBrHCCB03-q61Cz3jbzJMUJohx8wlHYkGy6_gxj4EDkoqnzIN3GBWfy5mV82k738Ih1vvBU_BB7C7LRB97aFaaaFnAcjK3HZM3g/s1600/photocollage_20192113476123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9axp3IOrinbFqq3CrIlj5i5WQ7peCIlnGtBjBrHCCB03-q61Cz3jbzJMUJohx8wlHYkGy6_gxj4EDkoqnzIN3GBWfy5mV82k738Ih1vvBU_BB7C7LRB97aFaaaFnAcjK3HZM3g/s400/photocollage_20192113476123.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We attended the Minutemen Disaster Response open house and had a great time.<br />
We were especially impressed with the 28-bed bunk trailer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0qadzQUGL6LF7o_3kJ2oT9WG21w5jLe68XgBFsWnr_eg5fKL4xUxQzimtXtvwhFcBkAjeYW4POEEjk_2QcixBz26-bHa2GEDE7S3j5Yb2WniQuzwLtCjmlzl66v05rCxGCG0vA/s1600/photocollage_201921134543174.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA0qadzQUGL6LF7o_3kJ2oT9WG21w5jLe68XgBFsWnr_eg5fKL4xUxQzimtXtvwhFcBkAjeYW4POEEjk_2QcixBz26-bHa2GEDE7S3j5Yb2WniQuzwLtCjmlzl66v05rCxGCG0vA/s400/photocollage_201921134543174.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth achieved the rank of Master Sergeant and <br />
the title of First Sergeant at the CAP promotion ceremony. <br />
She also gave a recruiting speech to encourage cadets <br />
to attend Airman Leadership Training in the spring,<br />
which is an event she will attend as medical staff. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdNb91NZx6eZ6_dVMXP7Z0pfU-kllHZN3NVMVDq1pvfc8o0snv8jS0xPUWbjelbITl3pwkQWc8dZPtE2PZZknvly24dm4fn0mGXl9nDlqPBx8LtMs0FXwy5CV8WDXLL4rSJNBDg/s1600/photocollage_20192111161435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdNb91NZx6eZ6_dVMXP7Z0pfU-kllHZN3NVMVDq1pvfc8o0snv8jS0xPUWbjelbITl3pwkQWc8dZPtE2PZZknvly24dm4fn0mGXl9nDlqPBx8LtMs0FXwy5CV8WDXLL4rSJNBDg/s400/photocollage_20192111161435.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay started golf lessons and is absolutely the cutest little golfer ever!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZgijSEHG-NC-d8E7xXc9xySbuZ0PT0kXEM1H826UyKzl3XhMU-ZSZfk9D__BhH4dY1pwbzkv6Fe2eZoa5-YA-Y0McwLAGj9XfrMknowkzhF-vzszTvKodWyAesxpDoGX0wZgWg/s1600/IMG_20190124_180357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZgijSEHG-NC-d8E7xXc9xySbuZ0PT0kXEM1H826UyKzl3XhMU-ZSZfk9D__BhH4dY1pwbzkv6Fe2eZoa5-YA-Y0McwLAGj9XfrMknowkzhF-vzszTvKodWyAesxpDoGX0wZgWg/s400/IMG_20190124_180357.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys got new dressers, and I acquired <br />
some new skills by putting them together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhqDWp08njQhg1U9Wt3wWUA70ZK8fq6YZMEKvZ_nbx5hwNv8-X9Hs_KMPgcM6b3mYWQuqv2PRD6p1wqm234MuStL3E0Fdi-c2vvVzvSlNW9MJeCBxoSiHp9fMKFBZP9t5eml6kw/s1600/IMG_20190127_101442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhqDWp08njQhg1U9Wt3wWUA70ZK8fq6YZMEKvZ_nbx5hwNv8-X9Hs_KMPgcM6b3mYWQuqv2PRD6p1wqm234MuStL3E0Fdi-c2vvVzvSlNW9MJeCBxoSiHp9fMKFBZP9t5eml6kw/s400/IMG_20190127_101442.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth brought me these beautiful tulips for no reason!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOwnP-6Zzb3Aa0CGJL1uo8rDyy3W3kh7S0h0oxT7Ma0Y_kHctosWCPUTbX_wTkxhE4qa039v9f7wvsOoKiX-XFJm_n5i7IkJWba7Dg22dF0Gu36nDosT6H8xZR2afvhgSs4gSQg/s1600/IMG_20190127_155945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeOwnP-6Zzb3Aa0CGJL1uo8rDyy3W3kh7S0h0oxT7Ma0Y_kHctosWCPUTbX_wTkxhE4qa039v9f7wvsOoKiX-XFJm_n5i7IkJWba7Dg22dF0Gu36nDosT6H8xZR2afvhgSs4gSQg/s400/IMG_20190127_155945.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston spent hours climbing every tall tree in the woods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdijcvnEh7LPRNBDNrvUBq04fYKaz7y6yH1DiZlyByx0X4UKoQ965t5l730NcLLqv9HRk41QPSy5BNg4YHDw4rOlNoz9nIbiU4hYV4VMWDSd83bmRHuJFNIPGEiHquHJZ4I-maBA/s1600/IMG_20190110_194331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdijcvnEh7LPRNBDNrvUBq04fYKaz7y6yH1DiZlyByx0X4UKoQ965t5l730NcLLqv9HRk41QPSy5BNg4YHDw4rOlNoz9nIbiU4hYV4VMWDSd83bmRHuJFNIPGEiHquHJZ4I-maBA/s400/IMG_20190110_194331.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston spent a ton of time working on Scout stuff this month.<br />
He attended a Merit Badge College, where he worked on three<br />
different merit badges. He hiked a total of 65 miles to complete<br />
his hiking badge. And, he went on the monthly campout with his troop.<br />
He also interviewed and was accepted to be on staff for one of the summer camps,<br />
making him one of the youngest Scouts to receive such a position. <br />
He has already attended one training session and begun practicing his speeches. <br />
He loves Scouting so much, and we are so proud of his hard work and dedication!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz12kjVCXhcg_dudFgJ-2yLM6nHFp_v3_soxUc1t2Skjqe1ciNWmWRrJLzyNp6zJRNkVpWau2axgA3Zuj71uw-Y90LqIhJO4Z-6GNDsmjv0bh1-Re4qz-oZlpekrFHECbTNrDBcw/s1600/51124280_10217700334410734_8561273729772945408_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz12kjVCXhcg_dudFgJ-2yLM6nHFp_v3_soxUc1t2Skjqe1ciNWmWRrJLzyNp6zJRNkVpWau2axgA3Zuj71uw-Y90LqIhJO4Z-6GNDsmjv0bh1-Re4qz-oZlpekrFHECbTNrDBcw/s400/51124280_10217700334410734_8561273729772945408_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my book clubs got together to throw axes, and we had so much fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-73871220114799193662019-01-12T23:17:00.000-06:002019-01-15T22:38:09.613-06:00Maximus ElevenusDear Max,<br />
<br />
I can't even begin to tell you how thankful I am that you came into my life eleven years ago! Since that day, you have been helping me learn how to love in ways I never previously imagined and to grow and improve as a person. You have helped me see the world in new ways, and I honestly feel that just knowing you is a privilege. That's not to say our life together is without challenges, but more and more I can see that getting through those challenges side by side is part of what knits our hearts together. You are an amazing young man, and I am so proud of you!<br />
<br />
You tried some new things this year, including yoga, an online coding class, a foam run, seeing a Broadway musical (Les Mis), visiting several new countries, saxophone lessons, camping with the Boy Scouts, packing and delivering boxes for Lovepacs, and classes one day a week at Arrow Christian Academy. It takes bravery and a sense of adventure to attempt new activities and to do things you've never done before, and it's important to have many different experiences so you can start to find the ones that light you up. I'm so proud of you for your involvement in and openness to each of these experiences.<br />
<br />
Arrow is your favorite, and you are specifically enamored with your robotics class there, though you also enjoy your other classes, which include History, Science, P.E. and a couple of study hall periods. You look forward to working on your robotics project every week and to interacting with old and new friends.<br />
<br />
Your great love of reading continues, and you have read numerous books both for school and for your personal entertainment. You have explored classics, fantasy, biographies, National Geographic magazines, and many other genres. You have many interests and are never really bored as long as you can find something to read. And you are particularly fond of series that allow you to really connect with the characters over a longer period of time. Reading helps foster your curious mind and creative imagination, and I'm so glad it is a true love of yours.<br />
<br />
In the spring, you wrote your first in-depth research paper for Essentials about Abraham Lincoln. You read many books about him and developed a great love for him. And you did a wonderful job presenting your paper, in costume, in front of a large audience at the end of the year.<br />
<br />
You've been really in to board games this year and have especially enjoyed playing Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, and Dungeons and Dragons. Through the games, you have been learning a lot about strategy, teamwork, adjusting your plan when things don't go your way, and many other important skills. Plus, you've been having lots of fun!<br />
<br />
You have also spent lots of time outdoors having Nerf wars with your new neighborhood friends, playing outdoor games with your siblings, hiking with the family, whittling, and working on our new outbuilding with Dad and your brothers. You genuinely enjoy the Great Outdoors, and I'm amazed at everything you've found to do with a simple stick.<br />
<br />
We spent a couple of months in the summer traveling in South America. You got to hike around Machu Picchu, fish in the Amazon River, sandboard in the Atacama desert, fly over the Nazca drawings, ski in the Andes, feed and pet llamas and alpacas, get up close and personal with the Moai on Easter Island, see where the desert meets the sea, visit ruins, eat different foods, practice some Spanish, and experience some cool cultural activities. You are a great traveler and enjoyed all the experiences tremendously!<br />
<br />
You planned your birthday celebration completely on your own, working within the budget Dad and I set for you and the time constrictions our schedule required. You managed to squeeze in donuts, fun and games at Corky's Gaming Bistro with your friend (which included arcade games, axe throwing, and an escape room, all of which you were pretty awesome at), a lasagna dinner and movie at home, mint chocolate chip ice cream and homemade (by you) cake pops. You demonstrated determination, creativity, flexibility, and frugality throughout the planning process, and it was so cool to see how hard you worked to create the perfect day for yourself.<br />
<br />
Max, I have seen you push yourself this year in a variety of ways to try to become the best version of yourself you can be. I have seen you work hard, and I have seen you play hard. And, I have seen new levels of maturity from you. You have a curious mind, an incredibly sweet heart, a passionate spirit, and a strong, healthy body. You have so many skills and talents, and you are an extraordinary person, who has a very bright future to look forward to. Thanks for letting me be part of your life! I love you, and I hope your birthday and the coming year are truly amazing!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
Mom<br />
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm9uRIeaZY-pGzJNkqf00CL0KioXS58hhBGw8xQv4VB5TSaSoKScad0zjS0_LnGT-1f7O5FBZaHwHrsgZfA4rKpELNcZnKI4thWFrvSHgxQnJprWRd2vjFfOFyD1IkThknoAOSw/s1600/IMG_20190112_151506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggm9uRIeaZY-pGzJNkqf00CL0KioXS58hhBGw8xQv4VB5TSaSoKScad0zjS0_LnGT-1f7O5FBZaHwHrsgZfA4rKpELNcZnKI4thWFrvSHgxQnJprWRd2vjFfOFyD1IkThknoAOSw/s640/IMG_20190112_151506.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killin' Eleven!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-6821557718666022172019-01-01T18:19:00.000-06:002019-01-02T10:52:23.423-06:00December<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9La8tUQZ4Eq75UgWF5dSnGmnlPpfwqmyjl9T6MDtvnYfOpN3U-YNUUjXRYhbB6yiFmbdG1L_pZG1M-luhwIqs7GOojsUvu5yqqw7yy3XRMwWqWAUWrghv5fWCIzbAc5hElnEbw/s1600/photocollage_20181231135233844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9La8tUQZ4Eq75UgWF5dSnGmnlPpfwqmyjl9T6MDtvnYfOpN3U-YNUUjXRYhbB6yiFmbdG1L_pZG1M-luhwIqs7GOojsUvu5yqqw7yy3XRMwWqWAUWrghv5fWCIzbAc5hElnEbw/s400/photocollage_20181231135233844.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston's birthday party at Top Golf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiKRHhFkDv9JxN_9E8H1z_SczkvPrMS5XwjXgozHtd-JlkT9A_7ieJIQchfcqTBFzDy53ic5rCJ8k6fC4rY4pmicy9SMhalRmk-gNPqzVAPDbjuysEO4gtwwvisMcTaRHD0Y9zQ/s1600/photocollage_20181231135536543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiKRHhFkDv9JxN_9E8H1z_SczkvPrMS5XwjXgozHtd-JlkT9A_7ieJIQchfcqTBFzDy53ic5rCJ8k6fC4rY4pmicy9SMhalRmk-gNPqzVAPDbjuysEO4gtwwvisMcTaRHD0Y9zQ/s400/photocollage_20181231135536543.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking at Eagle Mountain Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT6_NyTL-jIMF1wvst7HVgtsBd1go9II7WMMu4IBZgVs64RaorTVG6om4_s4pnT1KU_BNzWpuoHDdRv8T2cbvgpcd2CGTRV53XNj1beZIRV6ESi3CIA723y5U6ZaFUfpmkOF7Tg/s1600/photocollage_2018123114155592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAT6_NyTL-jIMF1wvst7HVgtsBd1go9II7WMMu4IBZgVs64RaorTVG6om4_s4pnT1KU_BNzWpuoHDdRv8T2cbvgpcd2CGTRV53XNj1beZIRV6ESi3CIA723y5U6ZaFUfpmkOF7Tg/s400/photocollage_2018123114155592.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master Singer's Concert<br />
(Max and Clay are trying to spot Nana)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzTWniFJ9LT1hTGLgYrd2XbWTVBWxm5qwqCLT_KrRXasm78TrcZ4uNE6c4Oa59sNfKhyXhC5badtEhCt-0kSAA_0TSGhj5oDAh36a42fdQ6_R1CfPHAIMxuaaMFodEh1MtaMbyQ/s1600/photocollage_201812311468983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzTWniFJ9LT1hTGLgYrd2XbWTVBWxm5qwqCLT_KrRXasm78TrcZ4uNE6c4Oa59sNfKhyXhC5badtEhCt-0kSAA_0TSGhj5oDAh36a42fdQ6_R1CfPHAIMxuaaMFodEh1MtaMbyQ/s400/photocollage_201812311468983.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medieval celebration at Arrow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH2FkbnIfySSMBdtltpBhYvbUVLsxLvxtNrlnO5wi03u9_UyZmfJho9ebbP-xowVoSlzfByKU7nUD31GDlXyaoWXHSF2nQA3TzNH-I_P2jxE3hqhCQ6iL5Y1BEWjWRVvY4vZjMQ/s1600/photocollage_2018123114857597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzH2FkbnIfySSMBdtltpBhYvbUVLsxLvxtNrlnO5wi03u9_UyZmfJho9ebbP-xowVoSlzfByKU7nUD31GDlXyaoWXHSF2nQA3TzNH-I_P2jxE3hqhCQ6iL5Y1BEWjWRVvY4vZjMQ/s400/photocollage_2018123114857597.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing and delivering boxes for Lovepacs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi99kkVMlARTGZPUEDE_HwKSwtLmMnbB8EeY8-wsh8bvF1aVcYu7hRYE0HlX_-BwHFLommLvmoghC5K8lFrCp8AIIK26vOc1DdQAFWzq17PNkiJOdGtilxKfuXpRAfPVXqahriQ/s1600/photocollage_20181231141141270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi99kkVMlARTGZPUEDE_HwKSwtLmMnbB8EeY8-wsh8bvF1aVcYu7hRYE0HlX_-BwHFLommLvmoghC5K8lFrCp8AIIK26vOc1DdQAFWzq17PNkiJOdGtilxKfuXpRAfPVXqahriQ/s400/photocollage_20181231141141270.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dungeons and Dragons is a new<br />
favorite game at our house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheew21ENYarU44cygpntxh2KVnFlSrBqEJmHexslFaN6UXMea96E1Jgeu4ItcDYDoAE3bRdDX4N_478WaLbGlYWRlu_HtfMt-_oaTErYqwD5iP6-SnZ0tg6YM-8Rez3ONEkXCgeQ/s1600/photocollage_2018123114182969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheew21ENYarU44cygpntxh2KVnFlSrBqEJmHexslFaN6UXMea96E1Jgeu4ItcDYDoAE3bRdDX4N_478WaLbGlYWRlu_HtfMt-_oaTErYqwD5iP6-SnZ0tg6YM-8Rez3ONEkXCgeQ/s400/photocollage_2018123114182969.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun at Northpark Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjFHA1jwXBUKmF2iSiOBbme3FBrzqxgO_R9KKwGz9p68-BjbnWUSm7Hn3PTuYbq8kXzeUmocWu7FU_-AnBwro1uVhhatVY0ypCX5PO8PgVT2wOc07Zeq_eBa9LvFAejB3-62HwQ/s1600/photocollage_20181231142246440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjFHA1jwXBUKmF2iSiOBbme3FBrzqxgO_R9KKwGz9p68-BjbnWUSm7Hn3PTuYbq8kXzeUmocWu7FU_-AnBwro1uVhhatVY0ypCX5PO8PgVT2wOc07Zeq_eBa9LvFAejB3-62HwQ/s400/photocollage_20181231142246440.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Twelve Days of Christmas at<br />
the Dallas Arboretum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLjZjQrYvwM1sPZB1mOxXe4PxZ_Ltwl7DWzjrezjRk8XYB5t24TcOISLuuXWiu8aDDzjrmOIgNIBbPc3R1AFR5A9ANYNmd0vkv7aLY7RWrCGUI-nYT4JIY7MK9WHqkI6vxvTGvA/s1600/IMG_20181217_202845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRLjZjQrYvwM1sPZB1mOxXe4PxZ_Ltwl7DWzjrezjRk8XYB5t24TcOISLuuXWiu8aDDzjrmOIgNIBbPc3R1AFR5A9ANYNmd0vkv7aLY7RWrCGUI-nYT4JIY7MK9WHqkI6vxvTGvA/s400/IMG_20181217_202845.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston achieved the rank of Life Scout.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBsoBaaeZQpOmpMot5WJC8vZVwWT3fg9H69kAEkPQYW5N90tt8WBaWdj4sTM24SlI8C6eJleMetEjP-w6bQfpmD_r0CLx97crQTVYD_yoXmYZNEuhUD0zb5UvhTg8DnogMaD_Wg/s1600/photocollage_20181231143451423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoBsoBaaeZQpOmpMot5WJC8vZVwWT3fg9H69kAEkPQYW5N90tt8WBaWdj4sTM24SlI8C6eJleMetEjP-w6bQfpmD_r0CLx97crQTVYD_yoXmYZNEuhUD0zb5UvhTg8DnogMaD_Wg/s400/photocollage_20181231143451423.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter Breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvhyphenhyphen1Ttmr7if2Qc_ECu3K346vEBXrdn8-k8XT0CvNVZx3EETgJ4gcrBIGN2EKQwCQrE79rugzmxxkhb4bcUmxc_-HPLCS_23qNXRJkR6ZdQYBQ62zDD7OSnXH6WbRSSj7qLFAlw/s1600/photocollage_201911111153883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvhyphenhyphen1Ttmr7if2Qc_ECu3K346vEBXrdn8-k8XT0CvNVZx3EETgJ4gcrBIGN2EKQwCQrE79rugzmxxkhb4bcUmxc_-HPLCS_23qNXRJkR6ZdQYBQ62zDD7OSnXH6WbRSSj7qLFAlw/s400/photocollage_201911111153883.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homestead Heritage in Waco</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLDNNIQJa4y3ShD5v1GX9LchGS1zEVTObmz6AWE_Te5Ka6arH6Ya-uEzPTLqcfFu2t3_itAFva8W5_rjTfk4dltca5u-oJInGJ8GlyzfauObzwAC0cahglSBYZor0_1VawHi5vw/s1600/photocollage_201911111354951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLDNNIQJa4y3ShD5v1GX9LchGS1zEVTObmz6AWE_Te5Ka6arH6Ya-uEzPTLqcfFu2t3_itAFva8W5_rjTfk4dltca5u-oJInGJ8GlyzfauObzwAC0cahglSBYZor0_1VawHi5vw/s400/photocollage_201911111354951.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayborn Museum at Baylor</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSzqJtdxQvGVHcRLEkQLwLDKU68SoJHL8_XkfxCEy-Y8XYAZnTt0HsmMe74ZUNrAzbrHE-mXuKJ2pJC6TzYvDqvDilz1TKYaI8W3uGzdW1TgUvIWqe-0muEfZYb5Ca0AFnjvxkA/s1600/photocollage_201911112314319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDSzqJtdxQvGVHcRLEkQLwLDKU68SoJHL8_XkfxCEy-Y8XYAZnTt0HsmMe74ZUNrAzbrHE-mXuKJ2pJC6TzYvDqvDilz1TKYaI8W3uGzdW1TgUvIWqe-0muEfZYb5Ca0AFnjvxkA/s400/photocollage_201911112314319.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holiday family fun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYOxSs9xdbx_SsTck9yxDf9JSAwEEodQwJGUZVhFagF-nOJLiQ78ZYobKeQvDpvDatFakv29P47hGifDyboaDz2jylKMT-4zti47OHiVTcIC1bGxRanmaI135izxXoOKVmvFViw/s1600/IMG_20181224_183051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhYOxSs9xdbx_SsTck9yxDf9JSAwEEodQwJGUZVhFagF-nOJLiQ78ZYobKeQvDpvDatFakv29P47hGifDyboaDz2jylKMT-4zti47OHiVTcIC1bGxRanmaI135izxXoOKVmvFViw/s400/IMG_20181224_183051.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston spent Christmas Eve<br />researching stocks and investing<br />in the stock market.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_kQEYJQRdxiDQ3T6dqaN6MirjfP31oXMTF5EjM1WihvGcju1RcHHHleVcAR9mYmKBlvPbMon-98HyHKcb2IQaqdf5HACAZ2PekT8AWNs3Qa3n7JCxigf8yicLk3X01Ib9FqVig/s1600/IMG_20181226_114906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_kQEYJQRdxiDQ3T6dqaN6MirjfP31oXMTF5EjM1WihvGcju1RcHHHleVcAR9mYmKBlvPbMon-98HyHKcb2IQaqdf5HACAZ2PekT8AWNs3Qa3n7JCxigf8yicLk3X01Ib9FqVig/s400/IMG_20181226_114906.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston attended Twin Arrows<br />
Scout leadership training at Camp Tahuaya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxPR6E0IqP98_vBnyhUYdvWJVVS0aOk58prW7wtePEz8BsKBW1YLPqoWNGF5FYreEAvEaP1VXWmiU90x_nA3tWraLf9JIsKj5hyp752TPG3G80h9yXKATezX4Uk7uO5eVpgffgA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="696" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNxPR6E0IqP98_vBnyhUYdvWJVVS0aOk58prW7wtePEz8BsKBW1YLPqoWNGF5FYreEAvEaP1VXWmiU90x_nA3tWraLf9JIsKj5hyp752TPG3G80h9yXKATezX4Uk7uO5eVpgffgA/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth attended a CAP leadership training<br />
at Lackland Air Force Base</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eWkxzURvG7ECT4hPNjAZCweIkKK91HvyA0cyVPzeQrwEtYtBf1AA0g5HAJFiWeN6fwS_Vp4GSZkvrloaJkOio-Zql0UNREBACIq_37IWBkpXv6nIpZduXC-92mi8pnnrT8URLQ/s1600/photocollage_201911113351507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9eWkxzURvG7ECT4hPNjAZCweIkKK91HvyA0cyVPzeQrwEtYtBf1AA0g5HAJFiWeN6fwS_Vp4GSZkvrloaJkOio-Zql0UNREBACIq_37IWBkpXv6nIpZduXC-92mi8pnnrT8URLQ/s400/photocollage_201911113351507.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carnival Cruise as a family of four</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug4D_kBTR0ncfmosYeCOXreqvAKB24m1fFcxcmJBhHZpROigmjFTZ4eDLwhqMT_6pq4zvYQwDwK7jz4OvyiseuJXDcBv2yyZ2jaMq7sI58Ucq-nwm2c_-lK7q2UR4LzwHwKrrig/s1600/photocollage_201911113931832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug4D_kBTR0ncfmosYeCOXreqvAKB24m1fFcxcmJBhHZpROigmjFTZ4eDLwhqMT_6pq4zvYQwDwK7jz4OvyiseuJXDcBv2yyZ2jaMq7sI58Ucq-nwm2c_-lK7q2UR4LzwHwKrrig/s400/photocollage_201911113931832.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozumel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56RlwV-2YP-jMV2ogKDqF4ckZe-6lp2KltPdBrEGnb4TdcZCfi17p86tUz4U_ei_V2Y3oFp6LHH6WGNGfj8NNjf8dr-X9qGvNrG5tx4wzpQvdSSQFwoYzRApcILNWeGGqCp8prQ/s1600/photocollage_201911115026936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="696" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg56RlwV-2YP-jMV2ogKDqF4ckZe-6lp2KltPdBrEGnb4TdcZCfi17p86tUz4U_ei_V2Y3oFp6LHH6WGNGfj8NNjf8dr-X9qGvNrG5tx4wzpQvdSSQFwoYzRApcILNWeGGqCp8prQ/s400/photocollage_201911115026936.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Year's Eve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-74909302662164068932018-11-30T20:13:00.000-06:002019-03-31T14:33:22.706-05:00November<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQxmEUq1crQ9ht86-Ccv7hrIu8UKffoAFjC6VSKwPsB7Wa50O9BSbjt2tyenqz6Pzzes4NnJAwEva5Qop4RHupo-bTap69McpCPVJy233BwOywVQY27dxzlcljJGPnL29cGNU4w/s1600/photocollage_20181129113155251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQxmEUq1crQ9ht86-Ccv7hrIu8UKffoAFjC6VSKwPsB7Wa50O9BSbjt2tyenqz6Pzzes4NnJAwEva5Qop4RHupo-bTap69McpCPVJy233BwOywVQY27dxzlcljJGPnL29cGNU4w/s400/photocollage_20181129113155251.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started off the month celebrating Jeff's birthday. <br />
We played pub trivia (and won!), visited The Back Dough for midnight doughnuts, <br />
and showered Jeff with fun gifts, like a ukulele. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTlEhWFT4P0sxDmzloo0uoocTwzfJ5DQo2Fw7nFdSLVmruDaxLC8YJcrhIEzM_Tc4S5EbF80na5vQbBvMe4g0lM84lwNapbiLevQiwC9J8LR0llhiix5ZeFkwu9kqBpX3TW-rBA/s1600/photocollage_20181129114113917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJTlEhWFT4P0sxDmzloo0uoocTwzfJ5DQo2Fw7nFdSLVmruDaxLC8YJcrhIEzM_Tc4S5EbF80na5vQbBvMe4g0lM84lwNapbiLevQiwC9J8LR0llhiix5ZeFkwu9kqBpX3TW-rBA/s400/photocollage_20181129114113917.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys had the opportunity to participate in a handmade market at Arrow.<br />
They each worked hard to come up with just the right product and were thrilled<br />
that they sold everything they brought and made some serious cash.<br />
Max made molded chocolates. Clay produced many artistic masterpieces.<br />
And Weston had homemade hot chocolate, marshmallows, and whipped cream. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhF78Fi45-puLp3prFhhTnasvrDO0m7Uc8cdOdgz1Dmaq7LfWgOCk4WZUA18mdy1xVvF5FHJEEZol252brB888UmHhJ7ib-e3D4LKPSVSwZ0W2xHHFkH_cz-9V9eHBt36V_iw8A/s1600/photocollage_2018112911463738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhF78Fi45-puLp3prFhhTnasvrDO0m7Uc8cdOdgz1Dmaq7LfWgOCk4WZUA18mdy1xVvF5FHJEEZol252brB888UmHhJ7ib-e3D4LKPSVSwZ0W2xHHFkH_cz-9V9eHBt36V_iw8A/s400/photocollage_2018112911463738.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After the market closed, Clay's Arrow dance class put on a lovely performance.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NFXlEnIs1ekcHbke1Vz_8GovSGok4RmWKBzUcuQZjyCh3t_yj0BdQF5OWP6yAW2AjwqNtriSXaOdnlcXqw55XeTYGDsii5NCpIrxHBcU-jz30tUYhS_-WYgSfvHLAwu62F_-cA/s1600/IMG_20181104_094900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4NFXlEnIs1ekcHbke1Vz_8GovSGok4RmWKBzUcuQZjyCh3t_yj0BdQF5OWP6yAW2AjwqNtriSXaOdnlcXqw55XeTYGDsii5NCpIrxHBcU-jz30tUYhS_-WYgSfvHLAwu62F_-cA/s400/IMG_20181104_094900.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay read about homemade drums in a science book and decided to make his own set.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94pcXgNAkl6mdfcPGx1pedvu4r8my_9O1j4X_4OF_vAz7i8QqfnUgOjRAYrQMidX3RiwM4JvfDHUH7LLFKd_0GNXlV5A220vYlk-3A_9gY4Od856VowoslN45O4f3-A64ZwC1SQ/s1600/photocollage_2018112912128628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj94pcXgNAkl6mdfcPGx1pedvu4r8my_9O1j4X_4OF_vAz7i8QqfnUgOjRAYrQMidX3RiwM4JvfDHUH7LLFKd_0GNXlV5A220vYlk-3A_9gY4Od856VowoslN45O4f3-A64ZwC1SQ/s400/photocollage_2018112912128628.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Clay's half-birthday with a few small gifts, doughnuts, and The Grinch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduHz0u9pLOKGy34R0qgHIUdIUWDteZA0XyULBeOZGQ6yM_gssVNwyiTksyFd_-KKKMuff6RfQp6io-L3cwOrUrNm5asnLN57jprykkBsgZcXpy6w0UfEpRJk-NMuMow1QK3NeDQ/s1600/photocollage_2018112915255510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiduHz0u9pLOKGy34R0qgHIUdIUWDteZA0XyULBeOZGQ6yM_gssVNwyiTksyFd_-KKKMuff6RfQp6io-L3cwOrUrNm5asnLN57jprykkBsgZcXpy6w0UfEpRJk-NMuMow1QK3NeDQ/s400/photocollage_2018112915255510.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth marched in the Veteran's Day parade in Roanoke,<br />
and Clay and I got to watch the parade while trying to stay warm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH4N86h3aDNSWG7zibp-jsKqDp1V1KAZTh-cw9f5vBa1xotaJIW4kXOuiqm6JgTsSPBIxMESfMJ45wsWZ0-_fbV3mW8bCAaiuPUiwpL94CVU05N7k_Rm1Z9d1hsGRRMzCmrmcxA/s1600/photocollage_2018112917851469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJH4N86h3aDNSWG7zibp-jsKqDp1V1KAZTh-cw9f5vBa1xotaJIW4kXOuiqm6JgTsSPBIxMESfMJ45wsWZ0-_fbV3mW8bCAaiuPUiwpL94CVU05N7k_Rm1Z9d1hsGRRMzCmrmcxA/s400/photocollage_2018112917851469.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay decided to make giant pumpkin doughnuts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiwyO6NUtPPpgLYJzXelDFhSx86Aop7_LkFmOyk7qtQ65pR7Oc0cQ1cw5DSq6ceO6YD4pE_aFiXpUjowtL7ZCe6P4LA10n_qvU2R9nuD9RusxJsFxPrgMzMhBFnB4mPS8_cmTyA/s1600/IMG_20181111_091351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguiwyO6NUtPPpgLYJzXelDFhSx86Aop7_LkFmOyk7qtQ65pR7Oc0cQ1cw5DSq6ceO6YD4pE_aFiXpUjowtL7ZCe6P4LA10n_qvU2R9nuD9RusxJsFxPrgMzMhBFnB4mPS8_cmTyA/s400/IMG_20181111_091351.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay got a few plants for his half-birthday <br />
and has been a very attentive gardener.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHKuvqSbK5kD5n5Upg4Jz3hrlSMBiRidzUMq_f3SsvzrjHgWuiqLIofKOS0Kcfj1miuuCfG0M6XGbbpYGLU1ZbuR6a9nSfr9YZzh6GdZM9qU1hVYmQmXjsz5JdULeHUnBwJkFEg/s1600/photocollage_2018112917954723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigHKuvqSbK5kD5n5Upg4Jz3hrlSMBiRidzUMq_f3SsvzrjHgWuiqLIofKOS0Kcfj1miuuCfG0M6XGbbpYGLU1ZbuR6a9nSfr9YZzh6GdZM9qU1hVYmQmXjsz5JdULeHUnBwJkFEg/s400/photocollage_2018112917954723.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had an eggnog taste test.<br />
(I snapped the pic after the almond nog, which was everyone's least favorite.)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxYNsGCSrb_fpZP5Iq86U5yQcAKAkIgeYPKKXUTSlIHUWQMJ3QR_tPasVQjf0ZeB0PSR0C8JPcUzaA7DZ98cWo56qRcHEPufxQoXGJP-tpReqjOqE35cRh4-V_XV_p4Qte27Ucw/s1600/photocollage_20181112181024779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxYNsGCSrb_fpZP5Iq86U5yQcAKAkIgeYPKKXUTSlIHUWQMJ3QR_tPasVQjf0ZeB0PSR0C8JPcUzaA7DZ98cWo56qRcHEPufxQoXGJP-tpReqjOqE35cRh4-V_XV_p4Qte27Ucw/s400/photocollage_20181112181024779.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We introduced the kids to Bob Ross, and they are now huge fans!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0_oQGn5GF-UjhtlOi0xc7Zo3iRooOb60xSazekNdN0Il4BdA7SOiQLlWafeu-wzgUFhL5DnTRBIsKbMZu6pzk8WFYGWqW_s1zqQ5OEKApqNque2Axws8IVSwOrHdTvku_htuIA/s1600/IMG_20181113_200531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0_oQGn5GF-UjhtlOi0xc7Zo3iRooOb60xSazekNdN0Il4BdA7SOiQLlWafeu-wzgUFhL5DnTRBIsKbMZu6pzk8WFYGWqW_s1zqQ5OEKApqNque2Axws8IVSwOrHdTvku_htuIA/s400/IMG_20181113_200531.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing The Worst-Case Scenario Game was probably <br />
one of the most hilarious game nights of all time! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvSArqD2MboQ794j5eBWVVkR1NyXd2xRpapV3J2YE9iRy3rB5U84OmRaaF08Yw6Q3ENiZrl15l52W4c9Jmu2lQoryvrX8lDsxZRCVzsSrelYgTpBTaCh9KmbkUzse69Vb807cZg/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvSArqD2MboQ794j5eBWVVkR1NyXd2xRpapV3J2YE9iRy3rB5U84OmRaaF08Yw6Q3ENiZrl15l52W4c9Jmu2lQoryvrX8lDsxZRCVzsSrelYgTpBTaCh9KmbkUzse69Vb807cZg/s400/image.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston has gotten really into debate and had the opportunity<br />
to observe a debate competition, where he dutifully <br />
"flowed" (took notes) so he could improve his skills. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwsRK8n8yqJuymy4vm3FYizQkMvyxdTdNIVPqW06aJQ0d2oEa7ciZbWrPmC0qjSdAMRGsPFxJgV9U-5zKp31Eut8diF7T8jtItzLi3hLVhbIDGtE9aWeX16V17E5htzrLrzUR8Q/s1600/IMG_20181116_110416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwsRK8n8yqJuymy4vm3FYizQkMvyxdTdNIVPqW06aJQ0d2oEa7ciZbWrPmC0qjSdAMRGsPFxJgV9U-5zKp31Eut8diF7T8jtItzLi3hLVhbIDGtE9aWeX16V17E5htzrLrzUR8Q/s400/IMG_20181116_110416.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I happened to be up at Arrow one day <br />
and in the vicinity of Clay's robotics class,<br />
so I caught him in action.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4I8OISbr8G3ndmC5xPRFaC552s3aTQ8rrF7NYxV3gMSWL2inZkE1SWYNsIh4OFPb4H6x3AU9oAzSh00zPVds-3z6tCV6TKFc6Qgn8UvRoDt9b3TfGVULNYHu8Qij59tg7YLi-Q/s1600/photocollage_2018112917198316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij4I8OISbr8G3ndmC5xPRFaC552s3aTQ8rrF7NYxV3gMSWL2inZkE1SWYNsIh4OFPb4H6x3AU9oAzSh00zPVds-3z6tCV6TKFc6Qgn8UvRoDt9b3TfGVULNYHu8Qij59tg7YLi-Q/s400/photocollage_2018112917198316.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I had a super fun, spur-of-the-moment date night in Denton.<br />
We saw Little Shop of Horrors at the community theater, visited East Side Denton<br />
and <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Paschall Bar, and picked up unique doughnuts at The Back Dough.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hxbr27SmjQ9P87AEhoZ_pPtoYtAiMwVRDiVwdAm8XvjOK4Gy_oc7dXBlhGKWDlhVwaXuie3JnEIUs5P5Kj7JpAVQkzNY8Now6MjKQGb_4KUpvIZEIc8V675yRHVq7nb67hkkcw/s1600/46376437_2134896933437660_1006499648510099456_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="622" data-original-width="1280" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Hxbr27SmjQ9P87AEhoZ_pPtoYtAiMwVRDiVwdAm8XvjOK4Gy_oc7dXBlhGKWDlhVwaXuie3JnEIUs5P5Kj7JpAVQkzNY8Now6MjKQGb_4KUpvIZEIc8V675yRHVq7nb67hkkcw/s400/46376437_2134896933437660_1006499648510099456_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston had a grand adventure camping and hiking for a week in Palo Duro Canyon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzTEO1W_jrjszA4zFwqC-5TU2EghIBmC-Jr7w55DKkY5Kjx2OA4vi5T1Uq1tjZEuNdTmuG8btGvOwANnZbmKPv-sW0dwrbxvsNt3D61CISVM-LdN-P2MBl8kkoX1XJksnvpQkLQ/s1600/photocollage_2018112917212396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzTEO1W_jrjszA4zFwqC-5TU2EghIBmC-Jr7w55DKkY5Kjx2OA4vi5T1Uq1tjZEuNdTmuG8btGvOwANnZbmKPv-sW0dwrbxvsNt3D61CISVM-LdN-P2MBl8kkoX1XJksnvpQkLQ/s400/photocollage_2018112917212396.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along with my parents, we made a little trip to Rusk for the Thanksgiving holiday.<br />
This was our first day at the KOA. We had the cutest little cabin and my parents<br />
brought their RV. The little boys rocked at finding the golden pinecones the<br />
campground staff had hidden, and they were rewarded with ice pops.<br />
Papa taught Weston how to make specialty sandwiches on the griddle. <br />
And Weston delivered his fire building/safety talk and helped us get the fire started.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-etg2as6Y2Sc5vVz9zPzxJrNUK83nBtMElSF8iaYC1mnxOKUKqhAdihIasx3VtLsCf_r_avi7Z5ASwL74P4_cr6NBZY5fW8QRwAT5rJa5OqI0i_TQyau97HK9Jb9KQSisdY9lw/s1600/photocollage_20181129173112503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-etg2as6Y2Sc5vVz9zPzxJrNUK83nBtMElSF8iaYC1mnxOKUKqhAdihIasx3VtLsCf_r_avi7Z5ASwL74P4_cr6NBZY5fW8QRwAT5rJa5OqI0i_TQyau97HK9Jb9KQSisdY9lw/s400/photocollage_20181129173112503.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving Day was gorgeous! We took a walk in the woods, rented quad bikes<br />
from the campground, tossed the football around, had plenty of snuggles,<br />
roasted marshmallows and made s'mores, and wore ourselves out. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqqmImWmMTJ5X3Nq5eHGY0UsNJ7UyiyL-6Hjd-ZICj5O2849AAY5QPjr_wihIpx1gGRlDxa8-X1F5GuTxnf3kal_N4CYdFutQJzsSihelf4YGfT_0VXakU7dY1CXjkqFXQSpbeA/s1600/IMG_20181109_104205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSqqmImWmMTJ5X3Nq5eHGY0UsNJ7UyiyL-6Hjd-ZICj5O2849AAY5QPjr_wihIpx1gGRlDxa8-X1F5GuTxnf3kal_N4CYdFutQJzsSihelf4YGfT_0VXakU7dY1CXjkqFXQSpbeA/s400/IMG_20181109_104205.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made gratitude journals for each member of my immediate family,<br />
which had entries for every day from last Thanksgiving to this one,<br />
and I presented them to the family on Thanksgiving Day.<br />
They all said it was one of the best gifts they have ever received,<br />
and making them was truly beneficial and joyful for me as well.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAT1jStnJNJ3a9m35WPqqE5AgUYhAhYfct0-6iCQqgbI2Jyj7dcuIm10rXgmjuxrKWHgsuPaIUyUTJABz8rKgT3xf0vzMNfYeWBnEevBLv6cb5S0Nuuzgu7RwP1BaFgzoWWWAQw/s1600/IMG_20181122_130603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAT1jStnJNJ3a9m35WPqqE5AgUYhAhYfct0-6iCQqgbI2Jyj7dcuIm10rXgmjuxrKWHgsuPaIUyUTJABz8rKgT3xf0vzMNfYeWBnEevBLv6cb5S0Nuuzgu7RwP1BaFgzoWWWAQw/s400/IMG_20181122_130603.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanksgiving, KOA style</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI3dopjAzfOMgEiLh1ba2jxNNXMU6jcetw3fPFOYPkBzc5kFoS5ToRUyJQHCPf8UEotOCRhPk2sZJQV4yCZls-p1roNMeUq3zljbrNSW7MRDHa2-wtuZLP3GpDwOVjidyvbF8dg/s1600/photocollage_20181129173653917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioI3dopjAzfOMgEiLh1ba2jxNNXMU6jcetw3fPFOYPkBzc5kFoS5ToRUyJQHCPf8UEotOCRhPk2sZJQV4yCZls-p1roNMeUq3zljbrNSW7MRDHa2-wtuZLP3GpDwOVjidyvbF8dg/s400/photocollage_20181129173653917.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The day after Thanksgiving was spent playing games, <br />
racing bikes, and chatting around the fire. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4HMMPjN3tfVHjohvY29RqqsVudrS06e_gUmjjfrwwZPxAOVhNbCzIhpcrWMeQXF8EoSJTVsBQWjr8vz_cSItnASvwe5V4E7mhyphenhyphenlp5hD2g_UXHLpuyZRmLWqoW73VwppoRNeDCQ/s1600/photocollage_201811291740257.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4HMMPjN3tfVHjohvY29RqqsVudrS06e_gUmjjfrwwZPxAOVhNbCzIhpcrWMeQXF8EoSJTVsBQWjr8vz_cSItnASvwe5V4E7mhyphenhyphenlp5hD2g_UXHLpuyZRmLWqoW73VwppoRNeDCQ/s400/photocollage_201811291740257.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a great time in the town of Rusk, visiting the longest footbridge in the nation<br />
(according to the city of Rusk) and seeing some murals and historic homes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrQw1dovAmXY3_epbrdeoLMZYW4YPXgdvzTlcmo3czcvxonat2w_U1hO1jGSM01E3J8oTT1e9qcEGGt70-FrinrflENm2K_H9SDUGAYasHdTajsXScrFEeJkFa58QBbFiROQcuQ/s1600/photocollage_20181129174238507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrQw1dovAmXY3_epbrdeoLMZYW4YPXgdvzTlcmo3czcvxonat2w_U1hO1jGSM01E3J8oTT1e9qcEGGt70-FrinrflENm2K_H9SDUGAYasHdTajsXScrFEeJkFa58QBbFiROQcuQ/s400/photocollage_20181129174238507.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and I slipped off for a lovely hike through the Piney Woods.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK1PBV-nmrrTmusALq7Dm90UB8hWaCn4E73waUza1grUXmFX6wCqKyO-R75VzieHLRc-hu6R4XHmFP6cQQS-yjHSGM8ODdd15c-XujljZvB0KiiLW9-zzP-efwmnV6yembtUXeA/s1600/photocollage_20181129174449905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoK1PBV-nmrrTmusALq7Dm90UB8hWaCn4E73waUza1grUXmFX6wCqKyO-R75VzieHLRc-hu6R4XHmFP6cQQS-yjHSGM8ODdd15c-XujljZvB0KiiLW9-zzP-efwmnV6yembtUXeA/s400/photocollage_20181129174449905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our last night at the campground, we cooked gigantic steaks,<br />
had a mini birthday party for Weston, <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and stayed up literally all night </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">watching the Fightin' Texas Aggies execute an </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">epic win against LSU.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn1TFlNVO2FqYE0GctIEVztnglxe663CJ3DaioJQRLflyBufNYPcrqBW_ybYwktuj-acAnFfr7uFq8g9IjiV0SgSPRC3xyacNf6iT_Z3jLrzjl6tFzABETy_eiKvVcad1mAo_BQ/s1600/photocollage_20181129195425767.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNn1TFlNVO2FqYE0GctIEVztnglxe663CJ3DaioJQRLflyBufNYPcrqBW_ybYwktuj-acAnFfr7uFq8g9IjiV0SgSPRC3xyacNf6iT_Z3jLrzjl6tFzABETy_eiKvVcad1mAo_BQ/s400/photocollage_20181129195425767.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston became a teenager, and we had fun celebrating with gifts and Wolf'ems.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65j5ZylAGFbXXHDlDPoct_vMGYXwdnqVzsYZ2WP42xSfO-J1Y92WfGVwTGNbV3yt9yR4Dm4MRUGwy2sXJbzv7PJqWid5ZiM7p2fngQb0DFerHK0liuZgn2ubsFGkJXbofoXJNKg/s1600/IMG_20181128_130421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh65j5ZylAGFbXXHDlDPoct_vMGYXwdnqVzsYZ2WP42xSfO-J1Y92WfGVwTGNbV3yt9yR4Dm4MRUGwy2sXJbzv7PJqWid5ZiM7p2fngQb0DFerHK0liuZgn2ubsFGkJXbofoXJNKg/s400/IMG_20181128_130421.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had my first ever experience with Jury Duty<br />
and am now much more knowledgeable about the Voir Dire process.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgLyHzTRbLPc-_ceq8EyCDT6BnOxdNgH5gFSnLz_wPrcyEzJnNhza-hQJbr0hpGPk4kBzRX6xixGEpzjbgp_lEssZRAHC8pfOto-mvqn9y7Q6gAn6WjtI_1cVzWbQxSbiu10jkw/s1600/photocollage_20181129195655680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgLyHzTRbLPc-_ceq8EyCDT6BnOxdNgH5gFSnLz_wPrcyEzJnNhza-hQJbr0hpGPk4kBzRX6xixGEpzjbgp_lEssZRAHC8pfOto-mvqn9y7Q6gAn6WjtI_1cVzWbQxSbiu10jkw/s400/photocollage_20181129195655680.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth achieved the CAP rank of Technical Sergeant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEifTAT9pJGnXEqdSlPUV500SWXH4TnVdL8bTZ8PHNc0UmH3PdQ_xBPFLKOw9AQXDadBooxi9Ll-fPG_0wAvMZXZc1TlSPK9OOagwPakY9IkLK2w-kQrpLETczVM5X5So7jmUrVQ/s1600/photocollage_2018112919590918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEifTAT9pJGnXEqdSlPUV500SWXH4TnVdL8bTZ8PHNc0UmH3PdQ_xBPFLKOw9AQXDadBooxi9Ll-fPG_0wAvMZXZc1TlSPK9OOagwPakY9IkLK2w-kQrpLETczVM5X5So7jmUrVQ/s400/photocollage_2018112919590918.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We kept our annual tradition of having an "Average Birthday Party"<br />
(for those with birthdays and half-birthdays in November) at a Brazilian steakhouse.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SXYXhgP2Rq-55KyMVVgyD13YMDkiybquKx9-WKaeB1-XRl2sSBTEuxUl3cDEv0VQ-_YZT696Tx0eq10UDUP3zc17pkkOGMm_DVx5oG4WnyD1jmwowUcTqUcG-rSfr2xF7rJWKQ/s1600/photocollage_2018112920150336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3SXYXhgP2Rq-55KyMVVgyD13YMDkiybquKx9-WKaeB1-XRl2sSBTEuxUl3cDEv0VQ-_YZT696Tx0eq10UDUP3zc17pkkOGMm_DVx5oG4WnyD1jmwowUcTqUcG-rSfr2xF7rJWKQ/s400/photocollage_2018112920150336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated Ruth's half-birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODbTp4a3RRBO52_QqJednMgsAE6OFEDaJSeNVy160P82zRJRmXumI14Pwqh5hHrlkxjI9cRKR__Qm4p5eAL43WcX8UYcqomyzgplNyaIJi7eyJG-kIToV9h0RXSu2c66A9Zvk1g/s1600/IMG_20181129_100525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODbTp4a3RRBO52_QqJednMgsAE6OFEDaJSeNVy160P82zRJRmXumI14Pwqh5hHrlkxjI9cRKR__Qm4p5eAL43WcX8UYcqomyzgplNyaIJi7eyJG-kIToV9h0RXSu2c66A9Zvk1g/s400/IMG_20181129_100525.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made models of water and alcohol molecules<br />
for the boys' Arrow science class.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-73689840759379311222018-11-26T22:44:00.000-06:002018-11-27T16:49:03.566-06:00Lucky Number 13Dear Weston~<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thirteen years ago you made me a boy mom. I had no idea how to fill that role, and frankly, I was a little terrified. Admittedly, sometimes I still feel that way. But, you have been a great teacher, and you have been very patient with me, and together, we are figuring it out. I am so incredibly proud of the young man you are becoming, and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching you grow and mature during these thirteen years!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This year has been full of fun and adventure. You have continued to be very involved in Scouts and are still rising through the ranks. You are just on the brink of getting your Life rank, and I admire the hard work you've put in to making that happen. You have also become a great leader within the troop. Many of the other Scouts look up to you, and the adult leaders have great respect for you. You became the troop's librarian and immediately made some positive changes that were very beneficial to the troop. You also received a staff position for Brownsea and have worked hard to learn the material on fire building so you can teach it at the camp next week. Additionally, you have attended every monthly campout as well as special week-long camps in New Mexico this summer and Palo Duro a couple of weeks ago. Scouting lights you up and has given you confidence and purpose, and I'm so glad you are pouring yourself into it.</div>
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<div>
This was a year of new sports for you. You tired your hand at basketball, ping pong, and cross country. I love your willingness to try new things and to diligently search for those things that you truly enjoy rather than just sticking with what you already know. Each sport had its own lessons for you, and each experience helped you grow as a person. </div>
<div>
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<div>
You wrapped up your time in CC last semester with a wonderful research paper on Thomas Jefferson, which you put your best effort into. And, this year, we started a new academic adventure by enrolling in Arrow. So far, you are really pleased we made the switch, and you are enjoying your classes, which include History, Guitar, P.E., Science, and Speech and Debate. This last class is your absolute favorite, and you even spend your free time working on speeches and preparing for debates. I think debate has become your new passion. You are looking for a team to join so you can become even more involved in the competitions. You were thrilled to receive a briefcase from Nana and Papa for your birthday so you can start putting your serious debater look together. </div>
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<div>
We spent two months this summer traveling around South America, visiting places like Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, Easter Island, the Amazon, and the Andes. Your favorite activities were sandboarding in the Atacama Desert and snow skiing in the Andes. You were especially tickled to have the opportunity to ski in June since it is normally summer at that time, and it just felt so ironic. You also got to spend some time in Oklahoma City with Ruth and Nana, and you had so much fun exploring a new-to-you location. You love to travel, and you are always up for an adventure!</div>
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<div>
Weston, you are such a fun-loving, easy-going guy! You love to laugh and to make others laugh, and you fill our home with joy. You have a sweet heart, an analytical mind, a strong body, an adventurous spirit, and a bold presence in the world. You are growing in confidence and maturity every day, and I could not be more proud of you! You are my favorite thirteen-year-old! Happy Birthday!</div>
<div>
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<div>
Love,</div>
<div>
Mom<br />
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxqkBiL_Q7tou9v_ZsGhRf03SyC7la41wC7svTsD5vHaH32LF-v35HpWcQcC7UHCWizdjhv9hKSrLOYRZVQxPOssFXB9CLGSdmNnV-mGqP5yiU6aItaHgaATYIaN5NbtMw7elAw/s1600/IMG_20181126_162909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="874" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhxqkBiL_Q7tou9v_ZsGhRf03SyC7la41wC7svTsD5vHaH32LF-v35HpWcQcC7UHCWizdjhv9hKSrLOYRZVQxPOssFXB9CLGSdmNnV-mGqP5yiU6aItaHgaATYIaN5NbtMw7elAw/s640/IMG_20181126_162909.jpg" width="348" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally a teenager!</td></tr>
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Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-50871708812115107962018-10-31T20:07:00.001-05:002019-03-31T14:40:28.554-05:00October<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_MGbr1b1b1UKJfDxlXKbOSiB9hNSEU9uWy7Q2Xv8LcpgpiKEeHrA7Zh_MkCx_5VsiiJBGDSM3Nk74TWPGfUcb2LiPoKqCpko9j9kqKZ9T8G_uWCtCgOwX3PIbQEXDF12E3GUpg/s1600/IMG_20181001_104048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_MGbr1b1b1UKJfDxlXKbOSiB9hNSEU9uWy7Q2Xv8LcpgpiKEeHrA7Zh_MkCx_5VsiiJBGDSM3Nk74TWPGfUcb2LiPoKqCpko9j9kqKZ9T8G_uWCtCgOwX3PIbQEXDF12E3GUpg/s320/IMG_20181001_104048.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOckFDYghD8Pt8p1NA78tTqRtvsySy5V-6M7PBWP22ukT_TY4Y6-49P21Nb21vk5fq09wdsKVQ0n1t_Bs-CV9RofAIoN0FpCLNmI14tawwVaLNNuAsmo7QsZsbqVLhB9NarIeNlA/s1600/IMG_20181003_175526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOckFDYghD8Pt8p1NA78tTqRtvsySy5V-6M7PBWP22ukT_TY4Y6-49P21Nb21vk5fq09wdsKVQ0n1t_Bs-CV9RofAIoN0FpCLNmI14tawwVaLNNuAsmo7QsZsbqVLhB9NarIeNlA/s320/IMG_20181003_175526.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fall landed on our front porch while it was still 90º,<br />
but the temperature eventually caught up with the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7n9sy6GZ2wxmJhpT-MFEDlWez-7Pbc_TmztFPDrQqR2rl6a0mERSOhYHjpodmlBc8-Bb7I7_ZYDe_vP8dWv73M5GUciegPc-tRDnwvRKsq9oXW5EqVdgIDPgvLOEb1ASdhUbig/s1600/IMG_20181003_180055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq7n9sy6GZ2wxmJhpT-MFEDlWez-7Pbc_TmztFPDrQqR2rl6a0mERSOhYHjpodmlBc8-Bb7I7_ZYDe_vP8dWv73M5GUciegPc-tRDnwvRKsq9oXW5EqVdgIDPgvLOEb1ASdhUbig/s320/IMG_20181003_180055.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay and I spent some time creating a lion mask<br />
for a performance he will do with his dance class in Nov.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNAw8dNx4qXaykF-IN8txO_WTvrnEsB3BgR8HX0a4_ukEjJ0eSscq9apKpjHuCKJSjmqzpnFK18ibotX7fQvZ1lDzaJaT4lfajk7c7Kaghd9Vnog8jFPpXjRVQyQ0JwIYd3j_aA/s1600/photocollage_2018103192910329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNAw8dNx4qXaykF-IN8txO_WTvrnEsB3BgR8HX0a4_ukEjJ0eSscq9apKpjHuCKJSjmqzpnFK18ibotX7fQvZ1lDzaJaT4lfajk7c7Kaghd9Vnog8jFPpXjRVQyQ0JwIYd3j_aA/s320/photocollage_2018103192910329.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I worked a Friday Meals on Wheels route in a different part of town,<br />
which put me quite close to this new market, so I had to check it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxK579BY9hbnBlhY_4aVAmfeURmsAZL7Z3GE1lypxAHW1nEFmUXQtwvUhCLFyWBlT-7_owI_-tHor0UQkKO1_-yECJYyB-IhXAvLB6FlXvShvMGJ55YIqoa08OnzuOnlgxombOw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="710" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxK579BY9hbnBlhY_4aVAmfeURmsAZL7Z3GE1lypxAHW1nEFmUXQtwvUhCLFyWBlT-7_owI_-tHor0UQkKO1_-yECJYyB-IhXAvLB6FlXvShvMGJ55YIqoa08OnzuOnlgxombOw/s320/image.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth attended a homeschool homecoming dance<br />
for all homeschoolers in the DFW area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGMz5DomQ8tUSvn5E46Guk98KLOIu3R9nf7lcdnOJhDrXmpbKaj_CO4WjXQV0ubWs-aB5546gkyIgx9ENTwBJMzYTrrfgMayidoWAgvaQGeWrTnoR_VdlFeXYAYDtyg2lfyokwQ/s1600/photocollage_201810319323952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGMz5DomQ8tUSvn5E46Guk98KLOIu3R9nf7lcdnOJhDrXmpbKaj_CO4WjXQV0ubWs-aB5546gkyIgx9ENTwBJMzYTrrfgMayidoWAgvaQGeWrTnoR_VdlFeXYAYDtyg2lfyokwQ/s320/photocollage_201810319323952.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to spend time with family, <br />
celebrating sweet Charlotte's first birthday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYSHGU9FQcogrBnCHxLpKYJFNQJBKW-xNhlsUv0-NghTyw_2QOrE7YlmVXlS-BaWbXxU0JuCv_M1D4qo6kMSm_CLfMw6M88GPAIUQN1XmIQHMR2_Tu2-TJZVidCvc23TYsrDaEQ/s1600/IMG_20181008_090043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYSHGU9FQcogrBnCHxLpKYJFNQJBKW-xNhlsUv0-NghTyw_2QOrE7YlmVXlS-BaWbXxU0JuCv_M1D4qo6kMSm_CLfMw6M88GPAIUQN1XmIQHMR2_Tu2-TJZVidCvc23TYsrDaEQ/s320/IMG_20181008_090043.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston stepped in as substitute math teacher one day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxG8IGwyPX4qHSs4evb7zthA8w8MSRDScRkQFJWf5nktrASeFSLsgmajvC2wqcpvqmAJY4kOWkgj8IgAI7ezyu51N_cECVHA4NRKwIorNhzYg3vNOeSBiE46v5OQvg1I6hngmIw/s1600/photocollage_201810319350364.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXxG8IGwyPX4qHSs4evb7zthA8w8MSRDScRkQFJWf5nktrASeFSLsgmajvC2wqcpvqmAJY4kOWkgj8IgAI7ezyu51N_cECVHA4NRKwIorNhzYg3vNOeSBiE46v5OQvg1I6hngmIw/s320/photocollage_201810319350364.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys read a book called <i>The Martyr of the Catacombs</i> for their <br />
history class and then made clay models of the catacombs.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ceQi672WF9PsiMAK_XjfTzh2zPZ2uEzBtL-JT6fgTHWOcMakasqSOQ6ed6xjxn7bnkvWXHNbuONcmTzEAkvmroC7V_tahQ0VYTyMvZ1juRsTUyTNrw21nyJKx76KkzMxVZCM0g/s1600/IMG_20181008_165537-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ceQi672WF9PsiMAK_XjfTzh2zPZ2uEzBtL-JT6fgTHWOcMakasqSOQ6ed6xjxn7bnkvWXHNbuONcmTzEAkvmroC7V_tahQ0VYTyMvZ1juRsTUyTNrw21nyJKx76KkzMxVZCM0g/s320/IMG_20181008_165537-COLLAGE.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay became a master popsicle maker.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnc5SsqzcGAHGz9_-E7g_3ujFJu1Pow6lN8xSdfOxdVC3lXMkw4sIIbNFL7gKTUJyDLBabNZ_oYTi7950MXycFXUUd-A3APLFZ5tJrrHNbNZOJqkHN1wZBQd5INV8o5s-tvUVjA/s1600/IMG_20181011_135413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilnc5SsqzcGAHGz9_-E7g_3ujFJu1Pow6lN8xSdfOxdVC3lXMkw4sIIbNFL7gKTUJyDLBabNZ_oYTi7950MXycFXUUd-A3APLFZ5tJrrHNbNZOJqkHN1wZBQd5INV8o5s-tvUVjA/s320/IMG_20181011_135413.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston and I watched a local grocery store make all the popcorn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlAVBko8fWxYrWNpQgevtwW7Ce8a5GThKSCvrYUBZRvzh9Y_jzIVCKaz5Vs7ud4NdVUcSHBQYE-sJEi0jxmWgimqUptM1GSiLhlklc4l770mG0K5T5VUT04Vm5sw5WBnk0yGL8g/s1600/IMG_20181012_085534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlAVBko8fWxYrWNpQgevtwW7Ce8a5GThKSCvrYUBZRvzh9Y_jzIVCKaz5Vs7ud4NdVUcSHBQYE-sJEi0jxmWgimqUptM1GSiLhlklc4l770mG0K5T5VUT04Vm5sw5WBnk0yGL8g/s320/IMG_20181012_085534.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max was selected to help with the pledge at Arrow.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcqqqymm7Y3iVgRjEQ_HZYS2w9RC5AyBR_Qlx7FFrFoJPGokWsRSfBM09m5khqbqWjq5hWTRJtJqyhrAMbHJZj6ZL5B2jNg3xOBV9IsgMTTBZhA-QqzKQtYOf_txoVaYeK_XgLQ/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcqqqymm7Y3iVgRjEQ_HZYS2w9RC5AyBR_Qlx7FFrFoJPGokWsRSfBM09m5khqbqWjq5hWTRJtJqyhrAMbHJZj6ZL5B2jNg3xOBV9IsgMTTBZhA-QqzKQtYOf_txoVaYeK_XgLQ/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth and her besties attended the HSAA homecoming game.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2RnbqdNbqIRnxExhI4uBSD7YFFR88g0tFKUPtWiDJCd8Tglq9TREZyrIk5zj5A2tEImJ9OXtW1zlCMiN-wU2PB7SljOEDa4CqtGs807pSiCyqwMvb5UjKsngHEUsZcinfBLEjA/s1600/photocollage_2018103193824929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ2RnbqdNbqIRnxExhI4uBSD7YFFR88g0tFKUPtWiDJCd8Tglq9TREZyrIk5zj5A2tEImJ9OXtW1zlCMiN-wU2PB7SljOEDa4CqtGs807pSiCyqwMvb5UjKsngHEUsZcinfBLEjA/s320/photocollage_2018103193824929.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I had a date night to Lucile's during Lobstrama.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuwOifq5m0lHa792VhKdVgTthzcTBstgvw-QdR66-_7er_eTTTEgQmpAFxzkZWsf6EmGecAnZLave6QTE7cPA8xNEifbPBxXZrFOSSkAtMQ6JHj-k97DFfFCsSGlBizS5N8gI1A/s1600/photocollage_2018103194941529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNuwOifq5m0lHa792VhKdVgTthzcTBstgvw-QdR66-_7er_eTTTEgQmpAFxzkZWsf6EmGecAnZLave6QTE7cPA8xNEifbPBxXZrFOSSkAtMQ6JHj-k97DFfFCsSGlBizS5N8gI1A/s320/photocollage_2018103194941529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and Ruth attended an Air Force Academy information meeting<br />
and happily shared their new-found knowledge with the rest of us.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQcy70RIOY2bsAt1ciZ5wa_Xkc7HCrvMwnQ2DnPVp8Q7hdjyB7hJj-Bwetx_fWjJBk5BlCvdA0F5Bue7iHC6icje9etmmGB3SlaT8Vzb2pLuRh4lRgyyVNeM_GHJjB8mEB3mVCA/s1600/photocollage_2018103194445986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMQcy70RIOY2bsAt1ciZ5wa_Xkc7HCrvMwnQ2DnPVp8Q7hdjyB7hJj-Bwetx_fWjJBk5BlCvdA0F5Bue7iHC6icje9etmmGB3SlaT8Vzb2pLuRh4lRgyyVNeM_GHJjB8mEB3mVCA/s320/photocollage_2018103194445986.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We attended the Taste of Denton event at the Armadillo Ale Brewery.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy8wNi5jD0hcDyQLHPk_XbId_4OgPS6I7RAHrG4mOaxgTQ5ItPjc5suQAA11RXLiyRjLJCuSw5HALI_50-oMAkD3eYGhpUJD2HOJixYXXhSD9WhzcZR9DqlWDn8qALX-_HOratQ/s1600/image-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIy8wNi5jD0hcDyQLHPk_XbId_4OgPS6I7RAHrG4mOaxgTQ5ItPjc5suQAA11RXLiyRjLJCuSw5HALI_50-oMAkD3eYGhpUJD2HOJixYXXhSD9WhzcZR9DqlWDn8qALX-_HOratQ/s400/image-COLLAGE.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain, rain, and more rain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6OidvBwyH0QHQuZThMruMP2djiHn8G0_fQDkXZRW1TZcyFFd1WWSI6WRuEGXiophaZqrgNqSiHw9DZpBnhz1qWJrfHDlT0gsaRPkdz1MduSsBzJ-NvZHRm4hbUwVPsrVQ6M4VA/s1600/photocollage_2018103195632603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6OidvBwyH0QHQuZThMruMP2djiHn8G0_fQDkXZRW1TZcyFFd1WWSI6WRuEGXiophaZqrgNqSiHw9DZpBnhz1qWJrfHDlT0gsaRPkdz1MduSsBzJ-NvZHRm4hbUwVPsrVQ6M4VA/s320/photocollage_2018103195632603.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken Oil Co. is always a hit with our crew<br />
when we're in College Station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDPCaRGCJsqRQzaoLbhT6poIC2zhiN1B0rbtr21xoso72nIoZOX1OT8nfY62x6ghFzNAT4TjCs-I6_Y3lBrQLYcFvFBvFxlPu16iDdOXFCFSr6Z57hkUmkTU_ZJDOUhXprBT4vg/s1600/photocollage_201810311049448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDPCaRGCJsqRQzaoLbhT6poIC2zhiN1B0rbtr21xoso72nIoZOX1OT8nfY62x6ghFzNAT4TjCs-I6_Y3lBrQLYcFvFBvFxlPu16iDdOXFCFSr6Z57hkUmkTU_ZJDOUhXprBT4vg/s320/photocollage_201810311049448.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth and Weston finished up the cross country season<br />
with the homeschool state meet at Texas A&M.<br />
The course was a mess, but at least it wasn't raining.<br />
We're so proud of their hard work this season!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6aBIVBjb9j22JFo1yWDy_6qFdrKhqVCbx89RaPc0YdpWA5HjvJ5hjn2tI8UKPAeSh4wNZp6kp6xQKCH5EhIYhYGFchw0LVoalcT4p8bsYqgYtrxR5YpugKctjxiI3CBJg-8Hcw/s1600/IMG_20181020_172749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6aBIVBjb9j22JFo1yWDy_6qFdrKhqVCbx89RaPc0YdpWA5HjvJ5hjn2tI8UKPAeSh4wNZp6kp6xQKCH5EhIYhYGFchw0LVoalcT4p8bsYqgYtrxR5YpugKctjxiI3CBJg-8Hcw/s320/IMG_20181020_172749.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">While we were </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">in College Station, w</span>e met up with Jeff's<br />
brother's family <span style="font-size: 12.8px;">for a long-overdue visit.</span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK3XnvOdTbTGecWy23qLe25ikwvq0SFfBF964C9IpOP3saQzZINnK1t-Exknak4BuOJjhXmZ9zLgrlmDM6a41O931Lhfe5rWiFVvo2fpUSvOTlDg2bcEALVG7B9VbsDJI_Ev9dw/s1600/photocollage_20181031101028634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCK3XnvOdTbTGecWy23qLe25ikwvq0SFfBF964C9IpOP3saQzZINnK1t-Exknak4BuOJjhXmZ9zLgrlmDM6a41O931Lhfe5rWiFVvo2fpUSvOTlDg2bcEALVG7B9VbsDJI_Ev9dw/s320/photocollage_20181031101028634.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No trip to A&M would be complete without ring pictures.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJwiMDpN5RWR5vY-BBhGdf3dob0vBoY9yErnw8ZdZwR5qB1T1mZiiyAOulAvIQ8S0Zyd2MXTujBKPHCa2VXTc9K9WXDvH-IdOk3sOa9mAQi29lAxgEQrhVCRjbcS3o7oxzova6w/s1600/IMG_20181022_144959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCJwiMDpN5RWR5vY-BBhGdf3dob0vBoY9yErnw8ZdZwR5qB1T1mZiiyAOulAvIQ8S0Zyd2MXTujBKPHCa2VXTc9K9WXDvH-IdOk3sOa9mAQi29lAxgEQrhVCRjbcS3o7oxzova6w/s320/IMG_20181022_144959.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got in on the first day of early voting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriJceYIN8pMPJ6ViA_uFyvhpMNlmJ2Y9_N9AbY69zBiAjHasFYV2AUIHFpLkixcGfDDz9kCa1xqG-Z05LomfUTta7B9CFxIxf73jnkqtWEtRvw1ndqY610dkFqq5QqvmOpWvdGg/s1600/IMG_20181023_144931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriJceYIN8pMPJ6ViA_uFyvhpMNlmJ2Y9_N9AbY69zBiAjHasFYV2AUIHFpLkixcGfDDz9kCa1xqG-Z05LomfUTta7B9CFxIxf73jnkqtWEtRvw1ndqY610dkFqq5QqvmOpWvdGg/s320/IMG_20181023_144931.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay taught me how to play Ticket to Ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRr5aQNXQfmeF_U1QFp0Nq5YbFbSbLq5A7E27D2vXe1KHH5BuanJPAUGz47lqcuN9BtBwIqSKnOgq2mVI6cCN-o2oInkNc_BwJ_4NNQ69ow49XLZgS54NvraEcsSTu2O1ue0dbQ/s1600/image-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="1064" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRr5aQNXQfmeF_U1QFp0Nq5YbFbSbLq5A7E27D2vXe1KHH5BuanJPAUGz47lqcuN9BtBwIqSKnOgq2mVI6cCN-o2oInkNc_BwJ_4NNQ69ow49XLZgS54NvraEcsSTu2O1ue0dbQ/s400/image-COLLAGE.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth finished up her public speaking class.<br />
They created vision boards on the last day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa1FrboEl3Kjwn6RMer_Zz5eVVkXrEMAonWPN8BeZcU6VFWEXvuqja7uhsr7d6jhvSKi9vQeANlrvTC8gDnO1EB_jtL1I5I5oC2acw_hCrgC_9EssngiRbaIOHAE4r2taMw_4lA/s1600/IMG_20181024_115826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa1FrboEl3Kjwn6RMer_Zz5eVVkXrEMAonWPN8BeZcU6VFWEXvuqja7uhsr7d6jhvSKi9vQeANlrvTC8gDnO1EB_jtL1I5I5oC2acw_hCrgC_9EssngiRbaIOHAE4r2taMw_4lA/s320/IMG_20181024_115826.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay managed to lose another tooth to make himself<br />
look like a vampire just in time for Halloween.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue86RL9EMpHxL_kg3wQ5u-g_XU1_Wh8ouHGXAWe0NB8kzDx9l9EclM2ZgCzWjLAS435t5KJnkVNqjwByYyhsig07xoP85aOWl6sroH_0XPt3FJC23nG399ta9xbXlFOiP6jKLkA/s1600/44764594_10113605293619344_8009991772270755840_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgue86RL9EMpHxL_kg3wQ5u-g_XU1_Wh8ouHGXAWe0NB8kzDx9l9EclM2ZgCzWjLAS435t5KJnkVNqjwByYyhsig07xoP85aOWl6sroH_0XPt3FJC23nG399ta9xbXlFOiP6jKLkA/s320/44764594_10113605293619344_8009991772270755840_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my book clubs met at Sloan and Williams Winery<br />
in Grapevine, which was a special treat. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzmZIJrlGy3aUh-u51Me05y02wl9h1b8z6llYLFu_Dzfse8zkN7FGjaoAy_8z3r6axXIVZ1w-3cET-rpLH9TeIiYyAqXGw_92nWlhUDDyolcPGzGzSLk3aeqFNjd_7YXRJeKQcw/s1600/IMG_20181025_143045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzmZIJrlGy3aUh-u51Me05y02wl9h1b8z6llYLFu_Dzfse8zkN7FGjaoAy_8z3r6axXIVZ1w-3cET-rpLH9TeIiYyAqXGw_92nWlhUDDyolcPGzGzSLk3aeqFNjd_7YXRJeKQcw/s320/IMG_20181025_143045.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max took on another paying job<br />
filling up holes in our yard.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMpDvMvz9f-IPIPgkNbuRUvvmAhR8eAw6YOzt722AulTjQZ5Oa9GlqxvCVeZx9Q6iP_aSx70xCAn_vYmUcii0R4kxA9FFDNVmJAavVcmc2LFgZXIjOdfvhYTTIv6ky7HxRLp4ZQ/s1600/photocollage_2018103110232711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMpDvMvz9f-IPIPgkNbuRUvvmAhR8eAw6YOzt722AulTjQZ5Oa9GlqxvCVeZx9Q6iP_aSx70xCAn_vYmUcii0R4kxA9FFDNVmJAavVcmc2LFgZXIjOdfvhYTTIv6ky7HxRLp4ZQ/s320/photocollage_2018103110232711.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got to spend a lovely weekend with my MIL at Lake Buchanan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjhZBNsqFiQeVP5lCKeEPfhfPv08TkeximwsfyobxrNA9OGAerel-0ZZp8uWzV78fpeQw7fpRGQuwyNQGItVX1gkeS-qW5VEbvZFpdIq7G_uje5GQL3QzgDyoL7Poq3I2k_VNmw/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1586" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdjhZBNsqFiQeVP5lCKeEPfhfPv08TkeximwsfyobxrNA9OGAerel-0ZZp8uWzV78fpeQw7fpRGQuwyNQGItVX1gkeS-qW5VEbvZFpdIq7G_uje5GQL3QzgDyoL7Poq3I2k_VNmw/s320/image.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had our first-ever online consultation with a physician<br />
when Weston developed a severe rash and a sore throat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZfMs_vmy9pGeS1JPPWl7EgtSlcQuGNY01ryBweuXlclm-3TciXErrcUFsaYnmO4ZLbMvwfpI6F8APJGZipEF9mt7Vt_RlgOhjUDF3ZSiewiuchGOd1C_VkQa7UNk9DqiV_MLtg/s1600/IMG_20181028_155127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1600" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZfMs_vmy9pGeS1JPPWl7EgtSlcQuGNY01ryBweuXlclm-3TciXErrcUFsaYnmO4ZLbMvwfpI6F8APJGZipEF9mt7Vt_RlgOhjUDF3ZSiewiuchGOd1C_VkQa7UNk9DqiV_MLtg/s320/IMG_20181028_155127.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We came up with a reward system for the boys for getting their<br />
schoolwork done, which involved, in part, a large shipment of used Legos,<br />
which had to be washed before I would allow them into circulation.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iKrjAGKraZ6zu23h1TnWwAPyq_J8xEiwJFscBXxEOIzpPHErQgMyp_zUH-XM8D8IxYYzRdKNuYM7xzBcEPprLpEOfJEs1ZEic3Kl25idS4yMR6QG7unIPnMjF_UiP60v1opSTw/s1600/IMG_20181029_173132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9iKrjAGKraZ6zu23h1TnWwAPyq_J8xEiwJFscBXxEOIzpPHErQgMyp_zUH-XM8D8IxYYzRdKNuYM7xzBcEPprLpEOfJEs1ZEic3Kl25idS4yMR6QG7unIPnMjF_UiP60v1opSTw/s320/IMG_20181029_173132.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth rocked her skeleton costume <br />
for her CAP Halloween party.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMREbvw0NB3jqd-0Po1TVMRCxxiJQhq9fd7GOMBbegQthPSB-D5kSu8_27mQQ6CxNtrPyhNSnPgeidKkggihW7ZVuxCM8JrJj8qUchjW3wKMpwvgq54L31rExkZDNBs_z14lnIZQ/s1600/photocollage_20181031102615182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMREbvw0NB3jqd-0Po1TVMRCxxiJQhq9fd7GOMBbegQthPSB-D5kSu8_27mQQ6CxNtrPyhNSnPgeidKkggihW7ZVuxCM8JrJj8qUchjW3wKMpwvgq54L31rExkZDNBs_z14lnIZQ/s320/photocollage_20181031102615182.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys have a couple of events coming up at Arrow that<br />
necessitated us turning our kitchen into a factory of sorts.<br />
We made homemade marshmallows, homemade chocolates,<br />
homemade brownies, and homemade goat milk soap.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-82435677440268401862018-09-30T20:24:00.001-05:002018-10-14T11:37:35.923-05:00September<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbN9-B4iRkj3F7vX6fs1BV1CVSsP7rSuLaJ-Oif2nJNLWh_0duzTFnM1ctA2Xjqsm2oY9BuljEDnCjiQPE_Yb7HuiUiz_Zv4Weik34k4Vi4U9yf_ZwWBkd_usDqkPNgwr7QV4wQ/s1600/photocollage_20189291417793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcbN9-B4iRkj3F7vX6fs1BV1CVSsP7rSuLaJ-Oif2nJNLWh_0duzTFnM1ctA2Xjqsm2oY9BuljEDnCjiQPE_Yb7HuiUiz_Zv4Weik34k4Vi4U9yf_ZwWBkd_usDqkPNgwr7QV4wQ/s400/photocollage_20189291417793.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did lots of fun science experiments.<br />
Pictured here is our lava lamp and our balloon kebab.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgSadm9nusSbzT4FSzInuIHlWqO6MMYfMOhC-IZJyOLGWyPBd1IL02gX-hdq4DqMFSzAPC3EQkXsXLDKfjPm-T6PyX5jzJnGo0jEluVP4A2y70STVLaG7ZWjj98BL8AcSbQz1wQ/s400/IMG_20180929_112023.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though a couple of meets have been cancelled due to weather,<br />
these two are having a great cross country season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcgSadm9nusSbzT4FSzInuIHlWqO6MMYfMOhC-IZJyOLGWyPBd1IL02gX-hdq4DqMFSzAPC3EQkXsXLDKfjPm-T6PyX5jzJnGo0jEluVP4A2y70STVLaG7ZWjj98BL8AcSbQz1wQ/s1600/IMG_20180929_112023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnzUuMHQZbZ7XJ_hvUTpwOH_Hrdwf8_R_ufo30YjkgeFOws-ESt1JxZbmR_q_13Zo8oeUscSExns0NZjaTcU-C2wWVM_wzHaok3Mli7UErYqCudX2iVYRvUNucqtRSCwXjqDvhA/s1600/IMG_20180903_125416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnzUuMHQZbZ7XJ_hvUTpwOH_Hrdwf8_R_ufo30YjkgeFOws-ESt1JxZbmR_q_13Zo8oeUscSExns0NZjaTcU-C2wWVM_wzHaok3Mli7UErYqCudX2iVYRvUNucqtRSCwXjqDvhA/s400/IMG_20180903_125416.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It has been raining almost non-stop this month,<br />
but that hasn't kept us from having lots of fun!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00_pTSOCCW35NIqsyi52dE0ho8lsozpTovT6et0Sa-pJXwmzTFKtqKiI3dYpE5QCFPAK59qz6KsojQMI5x84VAea7AcuAKoZJb9JOVX6bthcTDS-d8FNg-kQWh7WgkJCHiMBjJg/s1600/photocollage_2018929143015777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00_pTSOCCW35NIqsyi52dE0ho8lsozpTovT6et0Sa-pJXwmzTFKtqKiI3dYpE5QCFPAK59qz6KsojQMI5x84VAea7AcuAKoZJb9JOVX6bthcTDS-d8FNg-kQWh7WgkJCHiMBjJg/s400/photocollage_2018929143015777.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've had some pretty amazing early morning runs!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQzEmZivF-Z9TCNWIXQOzjKksmNolegwxrJ99CRzmD_m4ASU4OR3rqanSmgdpcGJTQ27OX8iKrZfn5pxme3Qv96I_sm8G5CVInUd7jSzZK11l2zjYZmQjDIeAYoxjLQGHxja31Q/s1600/IMG_20180906_152329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsQzEmZivF-Z9TCNWIXQOzjKksmNolegwxrJ99CRzmD_m4ASU4OR3rqanSmgdpcGJTQ27OX8iKrZfn5pxme3Qv96I_sm8G5CVInUd7jSzZK11l2zjYZmQjDIeAYoxjLQGHxja31Q/s400/IMG_20180906_152329.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I encountered a bobcat in my alley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqZmRXWbD6YRB0v6303q8SQyHPMPpc0qiPirDw1WGyv9nCEMaanSJ0M4wCEqLqmhldq08Sclk8A-1l1fPrnAglLDVQFRKSxx4BkE9vn4frAvPwTnfVE9klNuHx8O2tax1YJOOFg/s1600/IMG_20180908_202207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPqZmRXWbD6YRB0v6303q8SQyHPMPpc0qiPirDw1WGyv9nCEMaanSJ0M4wCEqLqmhldq08Sclk8A-1l1fPrnAglLDVQFRKSxx4BkE9vn4frAvPwTnfVE9klNuHx8O2tax1YJOOFg/s400/IMG_20180908_202207.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our resident bartender has put together some fun drinks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEQirkr6pEfw2Zg72PQkwHTHTxQYdW0pJIvqJsElgPkRzLmzl57s1Fduzqan2IRoyCR_18xxz7cPVVtxwQmOEgHNcZVKEsT74VQmd-hLpQz7ubeo9jMfY0Aq43AUYprg5ZmFWjQ/s1600/weston+camping.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEQirkr6pEfw2Zg72PQkwHTHTxQYdW0pJIvqJsElgPkRzLmzl57s1Fduzqan2IRoyCR_18xxz7cPVVtxwQmOEgHNcZVKEsT74VQmd-hLpQz7ubeo9jMfY0Aq43AUYprg5ZmFWjQ/s400/weston+camping.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston went camping with his Scout troop in Broken Bow, OK.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-EUXRdm4OPRmp9BsYmw1bJqK7K8T9IJp_oV5wQ6rQNjwcDgT-AN0dp7blfFG4Sf2NvZQDomDqbDAq5yr46TBNUDcLIdOOcwSxLZ37DvPG5aOwZYSxcLhYJs-lfm8zKkNdsgxdA/s1600/IMG_20180910_150536_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9-EUXRdm4OPRmp9BsYmw1bJqK7K8T9IJp_oV5wQ6rQNjwcDgT-AN0dp7blfFG4Sf2NvZQDomDqbDAq5yr46TBNUDcLIdOOcwSxLZ37DvPG5aOwZYSxcLhYJs-lfm8zKkNdsgxdA/s400/IMG_20180910_150536_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids have played hours of Ticket to Ride.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiPJo3AREDdd_ZGYSECFW1FVjQGjkZrcfw4VfH9-YZvIBLD7T4pZX2zWEjScxGlfUdw4eQuOUhoaIp4dmks2GmTvbzo5oR2ycCPdzChO8iuAWbSLhean9Grf3NygPMY2XNaWRCw/s1600/IMG_20180910_195746.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPiPJo3AREDdd_ZGYSECFW1FVjQGjkZrcfw4VfH9-YZvIBLD7T4pZX2zWEjScxGlfUdw4eQuOUhoaIp4dmks2GmTvbzo5oR2ycCPdzChO8iuAWbSLhean9Grf3NygPMY2XNaWRCw/s400/IMG_20180910_195746.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weston received four merit badges at the <br />
Court of Honor ceremony for his troop.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcF1JwZP1qHKU8E8w3P3D_fQZuX6unoydT7HLtzigyJGM2_mts4tPfEYG9q6cgsWAQKmPnXT3J_JU6DCRl4Dkyo1i6x20rsgOvf7iTdpdFy903mJl96xyl9Jb1GeEWN1D2-uVwg/s1600/photocollage_2018930105216358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAcF1JwZP1qHKU8E8w3P3D_fQZuX6unoydT7HLtzigyJGM2_mts4tPfEYG9q6cgsWAQKmPnXT3J_JU6DCRl4Dkyo1i6x20rsgOvf7iTdpdFy903mJl96xyl9Jb1GeEWN1D2-uVwg/s400/photocollage_2018930105216358.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We watched <i>Forks Over Knives </i>and became inspired<br />
to experiment with a more plant-based diet.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfj-VDj1esUtI4QQay-ab0THldK0B34bpgy4D0lYPLcVmjPello0SaBbKJGWArZ7nEEtpwJs2pmke7tqIxfXWOMZ8qZiFmyfSpzB7nWfJE6yHkOxs1sZlxV_fFHjDDVA0P6p3Nw/s1600/IMG_20180913_105728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTfj-VDj1esUtI4QQay-ab0THldK0B34bpgy4D0lYPLcVmjPello0SaBbKJGWArZ7nEEtpwJs2pmke7tqIxfXWOMZ8qZiFmyfSpzB7nWfJE6yHkOxs1sZlxV_fFHjDDVA0P6p3Nw/s400/IMG_20180913_105728.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kid is reading more and more just for fun<br />
(and I love the pure concentration on his face).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjxYQdvhQ1-Rg_zDLyXIYq1R4ftoAgtFY_MkFkgNYWeucQicMxcHaDNO4cdGX7y7_e4gNgv-oR4iZpyV3HNPEOmxlxAbTrglsuBD6rt-h5ja5lvtoGH6sieDkFRQUUWg7_dyjWA/s1600/IMG_20180914_203121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQjxYQdvhQ1-Rg_zDLyXIYq1R4ftoAgtFY_MkFkgNYWeucQicMxcHaDNO4cdGX7y7_e4gNgv-oR4iZpyV3HNPEOmxlxAbTrglsuBD6rt-h5ja5lvtoGH6sieDkFRQUUWg7_dyjWA/s400/IMG_20180914_203121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many games of chess have been played. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKUI-dkMMq1Gsge_YEfxXZWsClVbPUw087LlgfeCjLFkUTYM4-SnLdsvT7Q22M4HBSFwxKOOt7aJbo5A81x1nGyDk_6KkInWoC826nHQOWf7D5USfj7TzA8ZLh44fo7evGBrKXQ/s400/IMG_20180915_190222.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many football games have been watched. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLKUI-dkMMq1Gsge_YEfxXZWsClVbPUw087LlgfeCjLFkUTYM4-SnLdsvT7Q22M4HBSFwxKOOt7aJbo5A81x1nGyDk_6KkInWoC826nHQOWf7D5USfj7TzA8ZLh44fo7evGBrKXQ/s1600/IMG_20180915_190222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4nnoM7b-Ww4x1iG9nllwGNgnWUXWi_ieC_z_319U0uxqoy2M6nw8zGt2lQWa2Iut5s3DWj7KomGzGjAAVF1D0dr6h3nlQXsCy-yL4nC2GGqBvlKIkWtCKHxPI5bUfjMQ9PSGsw/s1600/IMG_20180917_175413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4nnoM7b-Ww4x1iG9nllwGNgnWUXWi_ieC_z_319U0uxqoy2M6nw8zGt2lQWa2Iut5s3DWj7KomGzGjAAVF1D0dr6h3nlQXsCy-yL4nC2GGqBvlKIkWtCKHxPI5bUfjMQ9PSGsw/s400/IMG_20180917_175413.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This kid took on his first paying job.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys7DpLild47BNOejQ30D2RaG1vrqJp496RKECpG60AFgEvRz28n52GZnAbRAtHrYS2c26ED5kNdbyuwTLjUwblxaVKti75e7oEAn7cIXyDmHv47HOqz3fO8pCOXbkm2cq-Qf9MQ/s1600/photocollage_201892914147625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjys7DpLild47BNOejQ30D2RaG1vrqJp496RKECpG60AFgEvRz28n52GZnAbRAtHrYS2c26ED5kNdbyuwTLjUwblxaVKti75e7oEAn7cIXyDmHv47HOqz3fO8pCOXbkm2cq-Qf9MQ/s400/photocollage_201892914147625.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We attended Homeschool Day at the Perot Museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuaiXcbdJjzcWOXzWSJtBIObO-w_S5EQk7v3DR4pZHnKq9c4jRyq1vQJLsojXmS8l4ye34BRhKENmQSrHBgSBEHdv0InLLv9Zb5sosllxvDQKY_sHls-RvujDm_GxFDxlO1t3VQ/s1600/photocollage_2018929141738498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuaiXcbdJjzcWOXzWSJtBIObO-w_S5EQk7v3DR4pZHnKq9c4jRyq1vQJLsojXmS8l4ye34BRhKENmQSrHBgSBEHdv0InLLv9Zb5sosllxvDQKY_sHls-RvujDm_GxFDxlO1t3VQ/s400/photocollage_2018929141738498.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also attended Homeschool Day at the Lego Discovery Center.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dRp4NXxMG-YkgYGIwDY1brVe27xtd8yvQQV8NZRrnvJOO6A0wkkJmUawALIsVZxB3UnUVbPbgHs38hpIQ2tQNy4SGFIKRcwWDhJrjo-wQqKITlTF_11V8PE5MW63_uzvX9qoVA/s1600/IMG_20180923_145200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dRp4NXxMG-YkgYGIwDY1brVe27xtd8yvQQV8NZRrnvJOO6A0wkkJmUawALIsVZxB3UnUVbPbgHs38hpIQ2tQNy4SGFIKRcwWDhJrjo-wQqKITlTF_11V8PE5MW63_uzvX9qoVA/s400/IMG_20180923_145200.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys worked on adding some wiring to our little barn.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn2uEQ-x7O-l6YNPqj_Us4u_GUN8PakQw0zrJ-w5wMNMXxFH4qTjrAZUKhzt3zpzYSLjnPFsRI6sGhJM1mFnDANx4NBSCDzNF-uV4VXUFzJx_u09PXKxVES5xMJdQJJDIq0m-5A/s1600/photocollage_2018929151459413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyn2uEQ-x7O-l6YNPqj_Us4u_GUN8PakQw0zrJ-w5wMNMXxFH4qTjrAZUKhzt3zpzYSLjnPFsRI6sGhJM1mFnDANx4NBSCDzNF-uV4VXUFzJx_u09PXKxVES5xMJdQJJDIq0m-5A/s400/photocollage_2018929151459413.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I participated in two different book clubs.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe76iixlwNBzx0laG0_WuEcdt6GixMI7oynLaz2P-3t8OjDHjpsS55AjU4ISmpH0oS_ZNtoL5mnkH9FB0Q79RQkGumK6aPxnLPhtMbbSNMB-uWErlORWLthkEFDWPJFuXT-ceRA/s1600/photocollage_2018929142646762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe76iixlwNBzx0laG0_WuEcdt6GixMI7oynLaz2P-3t8OjDHjpsS55AjU4ISmpH0oS_ZNtoL5mnkH9FB0Q79RQkGumK6aPxnLPhtMbbSNMB-uWErlORWLthkEFDWPJFuXT-ceRA/s400/photocollage_2018929142646762.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ruth got to spend a weekend at Airman Leadership School in Mineral Wells,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">where she was awarded Honor Cadet for her character, enthusiasm and leadership,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> and where her flight gained the honor of Warrior Flight for </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">exhibiting excellence throughout the weekend.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYACV3iY4VsC1ITkxT1nwQv2knCYBv5PwIkC1G7FelTyXSP7acPJf_MdE2QCVBeQhLlci-vbHP6RpPItQSRwbdhfOmkOZMPgxezEEoAzjQBezvBVytGUN74oBLdY9iR3dJfjFEA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="1600" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYACV3iY4VsC1ITkxT1nwQv2knCYBv5PwIkC1G7FelTyXSP7acPJf_MdE2QCVBeQhLlci-vbHP6RpPItQSRwbdhfOmkOZMPgxezEEoAzjQBezvBVytGUN74oBLdY9iR3dJfjFEA/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and the boys attended a Rangers game.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3MbHxKGq2WKTtTAA6ELTdTsAcCqUb8Wn44Xd-WJrTCEb-TunSgweGxEfarNiNbQY2nxZl1-kSnbFylLgLJCs4YzEllQBBUlRUKUelqsJ-iJLHJnIzS5JvIWl4x3tpjbUdqFfUA/s1600/IMG_20180924_195017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG3MbHxKGq2WKTtTAA6ELTdTsAcCqUb8Wn44Xd-WJrTCEb-TunSgweGxEfarNiNbQY2nxZl1-kSnbFylLgLJCs4YzEllQBBUlRUKUelqsJ-iJLHJnIzS5JvIWl4x3tpjbUdqFfUA/s400/IMG_20180924_195017.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay worked on learning the sign language alphabet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsFCm3L7AKYnVXoO-SYj1y49zyK87BNVbo-5Cgi6OfOzkTPdr70VklJPihDi-gvJTVM5OLcqWNTi54WFBEp88wkqm7jfhaMgZr2CkJuoaXuc8I7vTW9j5FtfUzfMU-tXfgdIDGQ/s1600/photocollage_2018930105918941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinsFCm3L7AKYnVXoO-SYj1y49zyK87BNVbo-5Cgi6OfOzkTPdr70VklJPihDi-gvJTVM5OLcqWNTi54WFBEp88wkqm7jfhaMgZr2CkJuoaXuc8I7vTW9j5FtfUzfMU-tXfgdIDGQ/s400/photocollage_2018930105918941.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth earned the CAP rank of staff sergeant. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitlUjLyDM7Bx8DgMy3Yo_tSQ24H0l0X8uYCAvrzMwq5RN23ysqWJFpJHSRNiPornZgOy1soAN-CL3TX2JFTezCu-rivGr1RttYGw2adRGsGARGBGNupZQ7jgsavslGaNJA2d-aCw/s1600/IMG_20180924_202424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9pJRo3kTHV8YsTBsnHBDWN72fiCD9tkNHi40o8QxU_zgJI2e4QjrBx0oDm6wzzXu2rWAsRrhDATsGvbKJgsYq-fJcbmChe3Ib0Vp3O_qKmCWrbJMDwjVB7w-Z8i1g9jaHvD31A/s1600/IMG_20180926_071455.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP9pJRo3kTHV8YsTBsnHBDWN72fiCD9tkNHi40o8QxU_zgJI2e4QjrBx0oDm6wzzXu2rWAsRrhDATsGvbKJgsYq-fJcbmChe3Ib0Vp3O_qKmCWrbJMDwjVB7w-Z8i1g9jaHvD31A/s400/IMG_20180926_071455.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This cutie lost his second tooth.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCxKFK1HISgOX9TUQzq9LEFtp1SCBZgeZOCvL8Q5YH7l7yCNxBkem6RArVVhtlMquD4tNKJWr37OkXKz_pYlLtscOHceWrEW0je5Yxz_QpFSuTTkbEzlIzmEbdFVoMZBnxmXIiA/s1600/IMG_20180929_184003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCxKFK1HISgOX9TUQzq9LEFtp1SCBZgeZOCvL8Q5YH7l7yCNxBkem6RArVVhtlMquD4tNKJWr37OkXKz_pYlLtscOHceWrEW0je5Yxz_QpFSuTTkbEzlIzmEbdFVoMZBnxmXIiA/s400/IMG_20180929_184003.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruth finally got the letter jacket she earned during track season.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lYEpdtLhnmwMNadYy587GiZdZYVsnzra__vmiDI_JwmA7MXtFnpfiBGRKj4Mvxh1oEY1m5mOMn3_LU2UUY6aidqLv_iWPcMmQuM_VCHaR1QAEgUKPURqDGdbJIW6jntxJVukHQ/s1600/IMG_20180928_150722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lYEpdtLhnmwMNadYy587GiZdZYVsnzra__vmiDI_JwmA7MXtFnpfiBGRKj4Mvxh1oEY1m5mOMn3_LU2UUY6aidqLv_iWPcMmQuM_VCHaR1QAEgUKPURqDGdbJIW6jntxJVukHQ/s400/IMG_20180928_150722.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our kids became outraged when they realized that certain<br />
books they love, including some they are currently <br />
reading, have been banned at certain points in time.<br />
Ironically, we discovered<span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> that our library was </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">celebrating</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Banned Books Week </span><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">just after we encouraged the kids</span><br />
to keep on reading the banned books. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPjMbx8PJuvjDBKVvoHaU1GoudVBEitli0b37jpcaCofi5PbxzgOKiY4ahJUinMJK77rX73RRaNe1J70umZLZqmneOxf0YzFlE1MrFultKKyOV8rVQzyGf1COnBXJOB0WYcKkLA/s1600/IMG_20180929_103535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUPjMbx8PJuvjDBKVvoHaU1GoudVBEitli0b37jpcaCofi5PbxzgOKiY4ahJUinMJK77rX73RRaNe1J70umZLZqmneOxf0YzFlE1MrFultKKyOV8rVQzyGf1COnBXJOB0WYcKkLA/s400/IMG_20180929_103535.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This enterprising kiddo volunteered to help sell<br />
popcorn with his Cub Scout pack. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WH5gGwrZLZ8NJ1L4pM6PxxIrLdHryOku2TUF1pS1lwPqgAakjBmlKN_1O_J1orOhEYrGih3kGkF3nAPYIS3N473_HULQDwsd87bIfc7yNfOajlg_6pNQJnSgSRyCk0lXzMtJiw/s1600/photocollage_201893019434733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8WH5gGwrZLZ8NJ1L4pM6PxxIrLdHryOku2TUF1pS1lwPqgAakjBmlKN_1O_J1orOhEYrGih3kGkF3nAPYIS3N473_HULQDwsd87bIfc7yNfOajlg_6pNQJnSgSRyCk0lXzMtJiw/s400/photocollage_201893019434733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clay participated in the Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta and got 2nd place in his den.</td></tr>
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-66101870907078375692018-08-31T21:48:00.000-05:002018-09-01T21:56:12.643-05:00AugustIt is simply shocking that August is already over! We definitely made the most of it, and here are the highlights. Not represented in the pictures: a trip to the revolving sushi restaurant to celebrate my father-in-law's birthday, my first visit to a chiropractor because of a very sore back, a couple of visits from the plumber to install a new kitchen faucet, Jeff joined every conversational Spanish group in the DFW metro, Clay started his Ninja Warrior class, Max started his yoga class, Arrow Academy orientation, my mom came to stay with the kids for a week, Weston got to work with the Scouts at the Highland Village Balloon Festival, Ruth and Weston's first cross country meet, Weston attended Boy Scout leadership training, and Ruth started college classes at the local community college.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTEkXF5X_9B8kwmh9_64iDPY40RR0ySlYmTR-7C_kbW9NEckBacYYZ2vrzaRlWgVoqYBX29XaCyQhOU-9hgmiBSKHCxvfezZYpARDvuxKCy8FgS2GL6kMx0dcL9MZMUaqpxECVA/s1600/IMG_20180801_154522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTEkXF5X_9B8kwmh9_64iDPY40RR0ySlYmTR-7C_kbW9NEckBacYYZ2vrzaRlWgVoqYBX29XaCyQhOU-9hgmiBSKHCxvfezZYpARDvuxKCy8FgS2GL6kMx0dcL9MZMUaqpxECVA/s400/IMG_20180801_154522.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took a beaded bracelet class at the library and produced this lovely piece.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT215fRu8mOk8zEfuo9y3Ta66toAIBGzfAdRnWF5kDEey_lki8QUGWh1wjv1DfQblU0NC3xsAIHLdKPY6o_0FXf9HJaszxIeQjJ5Ih1-TnDpHExVjw_PS8_ma3NtAWnhc-jGH20A/s1600/photocollage_201891142759955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT215fRu8mOk8zEfuo9y3Ta66toAIBGzfAdRnWF5kDEey_lki8QUGWh1wjv1DfQblU0NC3xsAIHLdKPY6o_0FXf9HJaszxIeQjJ5Ih1-TnDpHExVjw_PS8_ma3NtAWnhc-jGH20A/s400/photocollage_201891142759955.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a better-than-average time at Walmart.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ko6NTumqcVTmsUtN00QfmVNXPwPsDpbqUgjfbLqA6tOS3wwS5leal0t2T23CCQ2BLRebzEQUGh8Djd-Fn0wENmDmFyCsRiYDzgQpYevahUApJswdkeoCA-ZoJmI_mbBp-m2X1w/s1600/IMG_20180802_195720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Ko6NTumqcVTmsUtN00QfmVNXPwPsDpbqUgjfbLqA6tOS3wwS5leal0t2T23CCQ2BLRebzEQUGh8Djd-Fn0wENmDmFyCsRiYDzgQpYevahUApJswdkeoCA-ZoJmI_mbBp-m2X1w/s400/IMG_20180802_195720.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff finished up his bartending class and<br />got to do an externship at The Magnolia Hotel in Dallas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSJuF32kata8C-U_ss7sRh0EL1VT4HO5145pIBZ1OjP2EpHBKbBcM6ep-U2xdkYOpbSEK3yzD_udhcKygGShSQlEN0AQ-ZPK0LP_qpJmZ7Km3vSTMOh7fUWBuazw0i3h2eMUTLA/s1600/IMG_20180802_201258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJSJuF32kata8C-U_ss7sRh0EL1VT4HO5145pIBZ1OjP2EpHBKbBcM6ep-U2xdkYOpbSEK3yzD_udhcKygGShSQlEN0AQ-ZPK0LP_qpJmZ7Km3vSTMOh7fUWBuazw0i3h2eMUTLA/s400/IMG_20180802_201258.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We visited the Giant Eyeball in Dallas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgC6i9ZIkaGyw9RZoUti75r3ohK91KBF4G9KpkWF9dobmmuUpkS-4eJ1gJQt-3ZZrUm1ambkwbYp-TQ2P-FY9A5CVNhfyAkIrHaPq3avONr89PXsWKGHmn6EVoLMvcHdo_nHskQ/s1600/IMG_20180803_153350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijgC6i9ZIkaGyw9RZoUti75r3ohK91KBF4G9KpkWF9dobmmuUpkS-4eJ1gJQt-3ZZrUm1ambkwbYp-TQ2P-FY9A5CVNhfyAkIrHaPq3avONr89PXsWKGHmn6EVoLMvcHdo_nHskQ/s400/IMG_20180803_153350.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max got to go to Lego Mindstorms camp while at Nana Camp.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpoaxHU2s7OXA61Y3ArNL8C0ZefnWC9nwvI4JBKH9SWbiXQBgosKZecL6aEUbE-kCVKYe__7-u-dJmFr0x2py7JU69OlKNp5nq6rYYDJiYnbNHZ0TKI8g18ev1kj5H8-1Ymyo6Q/s1600/photocollage_201891143145112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpoaxHU2s7OXA61Y3ArNL8C0ZefnWC9nwvI4JBKH9SWbiXQBgosKZecL6aEUbE-kCVKYe__7-u-dJmFr0x2py7JU69OlKNp5nq6rYYDJiYnbNHZ0TKI8g18ev1kj5H8-1Ymyo6Q/s400/photocollage_201891143145112.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We spent several lovely days out in the Davis Mountains.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy3ZQvBfdUTuTe9xhpORjW-nu5sSlJiVTs08n9sm_UtHiBfB9f_xN9Z6EwZJa91zD29ZqR9jGTsTT5DjKOprEjUbPlHAvX4YGMxjKhk5DDrQh7ZdOm1-U2H16STifWRY28jSr5Q/s1600/photocollage_20188321150286.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhy3ZQvBfdUTuTe9xhpORjW-nu5sSlJiVTs08n9sm_UtHiBfB9f_xN9Z6EwZJa91zD29ZqR9jGTsTT5DjKOprEjUbPlHAvX4YGMxjKhk5DDrQh7ZdOm1-U2H16STifWRY28jSr5Q/s400/photocollage_20188321150286.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had an essay featured on the <a href="https://theartofsimple.net/success/">Art of Simple blog</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYQEs457k9Qe4Hx-nbLWwTq10IALH5KN5dSCd1_xopL3SRzGM4naBxQRb0drCJGuroFpFNXDGReZR0DO7OV3vD04LDY_ZncFwhxIjKxTPqgUIgFozI4eaVF3rXJCeUt-4f1_emA/s1600/IMG_20180809_143938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqYQEs457k9Qe4Hx-nbLWwTq10IALH5KN5dSCd1_xopL3SRzGM4naBxQRb0drCJGuroFpFNXDGReZR0DO7OV3vD04LDY_ZncFwhxIjKxTPqgUIgFozI4eaVF3rXJCeUt-4f1_emA/s400/IMG_20180809_143938.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The younger boys and I got to spend a day with Granny.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2-a0VnyyDcuZCvsinxcTk8c-qXrDBh8h3pHqYuw1hA8lngyLI2zKZEwbLnAJunfNgEBvzwpIa4vbIEptc6Hzh1PXlgzukHd1UNPbcfQgdq2LkjHj05L9Kt_E3KvNU7U8krwAwQ/s1600/IMG_20180809_201413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2-a0VnyyDcuZCvsinxcTk8c-qXrDBh8h3pHqYuw1hA8lngyLI2zKZEwbLnAJunfNgEBvzwpIa4vbIEptc6Hzh1PXlgzukHd1UNPbcfQgdq2LkjHj05L9Kt_E3KvNU7U8krwAwQ/s400/IMG_20180809_201413.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had a barn/playroom built in our backyard.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbVOYm7-4chSpfGfBtsXHgfMkdNOQIuisKG1W-YYlvEa9tD7vHJQfgWB50vccsafljWB_4IABsQbpUH8Dml10Fwoz1DYSBw7fFbAv1-0jVHT-2paxx-7FbMNa_0FXxiNnygUV-g/s1600/IMG_20180810_102310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCbVOYm7-4chSpfGfBtsXHgfMkdNOQIuisKG1W-YYlvEa9tD7vHJQfgWB50vccsafljWB_4IABsQbpUH8Dml10Fwoz1DYSBw7fFbAv1-0jVHT-2paxx-7FbMNa_0FXxiNnygUV-g/s400/IMG_20180810_102310.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We attended a back-to-school party with Arrow Academy at a super cool splashpad.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWUOttwW196zpE3pAfvWJC35aI2WoWdSE2jo_olwd46LdBWWAcZP8e9sWtbH9tepm9ow4ZQik1i5vou9aWiWLNSLG4_p4vw6oVt2jBv2V4w_s1-2VNZ4BDY4p5BEnd2A8fQvgEA/s1600/photocollage_201891143619260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWUOttwW196zpE3pAfvWJC35aI2WoWdSE2jo_olwd46LdBWWAcZP8e9sWtbH9tepm9ow4ZQik1i5vou9aWiWLNSLG4_p4vw6oVt2jBv2V4w_s1-2VNZ4BDY4p5BEnd2A8fQvgEA/s400/photocollage_201891143619260.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I turned 41 and received sweet cards and drawings from the kids and<br />gardening supplies, including these awesome Sloggers, from Jeff.<br />We also ordered dessert using Door Dash and had brunch at Nico's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwhiDun9lu53hLwJtXKmT0AQiD44TUveNlE9Pth-rjaATA3vXYBvIyW3RysaTbcm2VR8-kHi5To5L3-xolhZl0D-gt3lAi_itlchkL5L8PQxb8gfuE-Zd04z-BK612701Ah7ttw/s1600/IMG_20180812_132646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFwhiDun9lu53hLwJtXKmT0AQiD44TUveNlE9Pth-rjaATA3vXYBvIyW3RysaTbcm2VR8-kHi5To5L3-xolhZl0D-gt3lAi_itlchkL5L8PQxb8gfuE-Zd04z-BK612701Ah7ttw/s400/IMG_20180812_132646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I became locally famous by making it into the Flower Mound<br />activities catalog, which featured a picture from the dance class we took a while back.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nrfEOCfDgOJCP07AmqiD7Ar8FM-gcMhw1sPe9_QdzxXdijyhdoC1KOZzkqrQedN4KDtUKnATJnI7xiBwqwjIqmfBXqpp_0r27rOcq5aqMA_lEh-xkk94xBKPG3jQ9aIdLsyQ9g/s1600/IMG_20180815_150156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nrfEOCfDgOJCP07AmqiD7Ar8FM-gcMhw1sPe9_QdzxXdijyhdoC1KOZzkqrQedN4KDtUKnATJnI7xiBwqwjIqmfBXqpp_0r27rOcq5aqMA_lEh-xkk94xBKPG3jQ9aIdLsyQ9g/s400/IMG_20180815_150156.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We successfully shopped for new school clothes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5u_yxQqJGPa6SUi4Qap6zg2oITImWZSDoHbRvZHid1jZQWBVt_eqh7HVlA6GYkKRb7RGYwR_n2miiN0s5vDKj_bTT64ADKkSEUGlA0vVKQmOACLhFhvSOPR9XxJQQEbLXmOpHA/s1600/image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1321" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi5u_yxQqJGPa6SUi4Qap6zg2oITImWZSDoHbRvZHid1jZQWBVt_eqh7HVlA6GYkKRb7RGYwR_n2miiN0s5vDKj_bTT64ADKkSEUGlA0vVKQmOACLhFhvSOPR9XxJQQEbLXmOpHA/s400/image.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff took a motorcycle class at Harley and became a licensed motorcycle rider.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B8t4e-VujMNMUVU-ckaKu1u6gkrFSxZSN7g2Doy5fHMg4BATeukyupcQNnl1Nrlvmq9-tzMHPqayAyHXdfCuyuf-bqGfQaPZjBvuDhFjGIDkmi4gwNHlJuajoQk9rROcIkFM8Q/s1600/IMG_20180816_173414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B8t4e-VujMNMUVU-ckaKu1u6gkrFSxZSN7g2Doy5fHMg4BATeukyupcQNnl1Nrlvmq9-tzMHPqayAyHXdfCuyuf-bqGfQaPZjBvuDhFjGIDkmi4gwNHlJuajoQk9rROcIkFM8Q/s400/IMG_20180816_173414.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I cooked enough food to feed an army in preparation for being out of town.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4pZME862AZMZu6O5_cRN-qsoSjWWqPhWTrv535p8EjWonqbq1W3hItDSlVc9FNUfVAAfvCiHODGmAKojpC_iQ5MNC4p_In1hwo2d1zDSnSyF-U4vUPrmb9C5G8FS-WvtrA073A/s1600/IMG_20180830_095740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN4pZME862AZMZu6O5_cRN-qsoSjWWqPhWTrv535p8EjWonqbq1W3hItDSlVc9FNUfVAAfvCiHODGmAKojpC_iQ5MNC4p_In1hwo2d1zDSnSyF-U4vUPrmb9C5G8FS-WvtrA073A/s400/IMG_20180830_095740.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boys started their classes at Arrow, which include<br />things like History, Science, Art, Robotics, P.E.,<br />Speech and Debate, Dance, and Guitar.<br />Clay has been belting out <i>Bubba Shot the Jukebox </i>all week,<br />even though the only thing they are supposed to be <br />practicing is tuning the instrument. Such an overachiever!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7IDFwonmKeRflfG6zC_sjqyFo9PhcvIonZEyGr5rGf919CUGlYPCLmwQx25nE-VAdxSr-h1CWagOYDYzF8OrKHy6gDyR9Fbjg1Bk70ua7LHeD3KROMRWf2VCuDjif5mUv4ITSw/s1600/photocollage_201891144451130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7IDFwonmKeRflfG6zC_sjqyFo9PhcvIonZEyGr5rGf919CUGlYPCLmwQx25nE-VAdxSr-h1CWagOYDYzF8OrKHy6gDyR9Fbjg1Bk70ua7LHeD3KROMRWf2VCuDjif5mUv4ITSw/s400/photocollage_201891144451130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff and I celebrated our 20th anniversary in Costa Rica.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYq4Rw_eiEBpr6a87bfWvcw_241-BM5tR0Sxw97uK_c3cp9SevBts7vd6f_DA42EFjaW_31lKBzmxOVlKe65JzMZy5SSit9Oqh7zcD9oLLFNv3bABqlZcQ1ZCvYHcDnWwVpzUSw/s1600/photocollage_2018827162315394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYq4Rw_eiEBpr6a87bfWvcw_241-BM5tR0Sxw97uK_c3cp9SevBts7vd6f_DA42EFjaW_31lKBzmxOVlKe65JzMZy5SSit9Oqh7zcD9oLLFNv3bABqlZcQ1ZCvYHcDnWwVpzUSw/s400/photocollage_2018827162315394.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We started school, and I can hardly believe we have kids in each of these grades.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDqBkhBxLSwylCwWYgUlbOQAk3QOSKtgewYfSMysjQpE-ujMWdK2m7V2y82JlCjJ1DJyc_m50VePbVNipKq03OowuqyFw_UL6SVBNOFgFKs5NgkCtS9leUMxjzteL7UjrQ3TZRA/s1600/IMG_20180828_173112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDqBkhBxLSwylCwWYgUlbOQAk3QOSKtgewYfSMysjQpE-ujMWdK2m7V2y82JlCjJ1DJyc_m50VePbVNipKq03OowuqyFw_UL6SVBNOFgFKs5NgkCtS9leUMxjzteL7UjrQ3TZRA/s400/IMG_20180828_173112.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Max started saxophone lessons.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8-_GuEy2ZeFvd3gLdUqJHWSNddpY6u_4iq1Gpmk6_7ddad2UGqSXQKjlZNJenkKm-ZYsffEj5Ql8bRlqfKGUfi4znEYGQGqAED9fSDRcbWhj1bP48U87lTLaG8_Q_jReFg5_xA/s1600/IMG_20180830_130431_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8-_GuEy2ZeFvd3gLdUqJHWSNddpY6u_4iq1Gpmk6_7ddad2UGqSXQKjlZNJenkKm-ZYsffEj5Ql8bRlqfKGUfi4znEYGQGqAED9fSDRcbWhj1bP48U87lTLaG8_Q_jReFg5_xA/s400/IMG_20180830_130431_1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entire family supported the Aggies for the first game of the football season.</td></tr>
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Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-39576880906230798842018-08-27T21:49:00.000-05:002018-08-27T21:49:29.669-05:00First Day of School<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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMjQNooHaierXx_MNg-RTcvmPbYZvUCay3MFsMIUl4aFircBRumVn92gBVvLEgFUMfbSCOCqVLdndmn9LQXWxcsXgvI_DBzdk2B1rfvaOTKbWVxGkA1Ns7sJupn2G70CRFHjE4A/s1600/photocollage_2018827162315394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJMjQNooHaierXx_MNg-RTcvmPbYZvUCay3MFsMIUl4aFircBRumVn92gBVvLEgFUMfbSCOCqVLdndmn9LQXWxcsXgvI_DBzdk2B1rfvaOTKbWVxGkA1Ns7sJupn2G70CRFHjE4A/s640/photocollage_2018827162315394.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So proud of these kiddos and so very excited about the opportunities before each of them this year!</td></tr>
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<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-26809930992318683572018-08-26T21:41:00.000-05:002018-09-14T20:26:11.802-05:00Celebrating 20 YearsOn the 22nd, Jeff and I hit a major milestone in our marriage: our 20th anniversary. This momentous occasion called for a grand celebration, so we took ourselves to an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica for a week while my amazing mom stayed with the kids and got them to all their various activities. Costa Rica was a new country for us (country 43 to be exact), and we loved it! We spent most of our time relaxing at the resort and indulging in the wonderful food and beverages, walking on the beach, watching the local wildlife, participating in included activities, and visiting the spa. On our actual anniversary, we spent the day away from the resort, hiking in the rainforest at the Rincón de la Vieja National Park, which was amazing. I am including picture collages of the highlights of each day.<br />
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Jeff and I are proud of our marriage and the life we've built together. I'm so incredibly thankful that he chose me all those years ago and that we still have forever to look forward to! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxQb4vu3aX07pU9EJdBGVCHavACAKhHfTzp1rDB75dCgdySbij5k9aSuxEVhw4j9oNmd3SfYd_F017J6Exy8nfi3K2GvlF1jo5OAnbxkef6RqX605X0DNOPwcFEsv-AcWHckXrQ/s1600/photocollage_2018827153415959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxQb4vu3aX07pU9EJdBGVCHavACAKhHfTzp1rDB75dCgdySbij5k9aSuxEVhw4j9oNmd3SfYd_F017J6Exy8nfi3K2GvlF1jo5OAnbxkef6RqX605X0DNOPwcFEsv-AcWHckXrQ/s640/photocollage_2018827153415959.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day One:<br />
A pic from the plane as we approached the coast;<br />
A welcome drink;<br />
All the desserts;<br />
A walk on the beach;<br />
The first of many iguana sightings;<br />
Sunset on Playa Conchal<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgJQbSFLlRspYX31SHU54J01wUGon2KQUgWdvxMgknxJmfADA8ulj8DCGNsEevx6sa7SaOM9OEeos252ZOeJk-oGjUxkUDSHSMR9qJvmwQDc3UbKSibcFLlLK3cIwRHZQDIvSjg/s1600/photocollage_2018827154532912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgJQbSFLlRspYX31SHU54J01wUGon2KQUgWdvxMgknxJmfADA8ulj8DCGNsEevx6sa7SaOM9OEeos252ZOeJk-oGjUxkUDSHSMR9qJvmwQDc3UbKSibcFLlLK3cIwRHZQDIvSjg/s640/photocollage_2018827154532912.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Two:<br />
Iguana entertainment at breakfast;<br />
A special towel animal;<br />
An anniversary cake delivered to our room;<br />
The most amazing sunset of the week;<br />
Thatch-roofed restaurant;<br />
Celebrating a few days early</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcFY2xTW97FaAciAX04DyoYbF-cgBDlgaAZ7AocPb4l0iPmwpz4dan0c4mT-55on-_nMB9r_4mkbKaM7z-M_5Tvy0lc5MRWCpZtLz7bI0qstqcgyTPAwFmI45u7atIBwbHxLXCA/s1600/photocollage_2018827155251901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcFY2xTW97FaAciAX04DyoYbF-cgBDlgaAZ7AocPb4l0iPmwpz4dan0c4mT-55on-_nMB9r_4mkbKaM7z-M_5Tvy0lc5MRWCpZtLz7bI0qstqcgyTPAwFmI45u7atIBwbHxLXCA/s640/photocollage_2018827155251901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Three:<br />
A sunrise walk on the beach (after ordering off the After-Midnight room service menu at 4:30);<br />
We found a little love on the rocky end of the beach;<br />
Restaurant floral arrangement;<br />
Two-toned squirrel busy in the tree outside our room;<br />
Another awesome sunset;<br />
Our first coati spotting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7aiqk53tGr2kY_O70A8tYGR1WunzADEPhROMBs4cVquVfJEfDVqyyKoVUhvXGZhqSCd9bmzs1F6ncUL6IWcIMSWoB6G7C997TwluC0AoO0ZMhpK609Pv5_z9TUUDPSQFMzG86A/s1600/photocollage_201882715567382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7aiqk53tGr2kY_O70A8tYGR1WunzADEPhROMBs4cVquVfJEfDVqyyKoVUhvXGZhqSCd9bmzs1F6ncUL6IWcIMSWoB6G7C997TwluC0AoO0ZMhpK609Pv5_z9TUUDPSQFMzG86A/s640/photocollage_201882715567382.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Four:<br />
Our first time to see a calabash tree;<br />
Pedicures at the spa (Jeff's first, and my first at a resort);<br />
A howler monkey making his way across the resort grounds;<br />
Spectacular views of the golf course;<br />
Cocktail making class;<br />
A poisonous yellow-bellied sea snake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUafssXa1fCh9UjIGXfBzzu9EPTpVWnwqFQ6djAva6egy_6sg9t7ZtAqI_Htj35eeamJ67Oxve7IEYqY6Z70mZcJ4sTKkTDmgtC37PDDCrht7fR7SqPIHEoaxSDL1X1CSxfyIp5Q/s1600/photocollage_2018827155912779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUafssXa1fCh9UjIGXfBzzu9EPTpVWnwqFQ6djAva6egy_6sg9t7ZtAqI_Htj35eeamJ67Oxve7IEYqY6Z70mZcJ4sTKkTDmgtC37PDDCrht7fR7SqPIHEoaxSDL1X1CSxfyIp5Q/s640/photocollage_2018827155912779.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Five:<br />
One of the huge strangler fig trees in Rincón de la Vieja National Park;<br />
20 years of adventure;<br />
One of many Blue Morpho butterflies;<br />
La Cangreja waterfall was our reward for hiking through the rainforest;<br />
Turtle towel friend;<br />
Sushi dinner at Bamboo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rr6Bt9qfP0ccnF3D8kOLqjRtzrQ-SdP8UMAxlBdO7uAmDd0xPMTC2C6VWi3Kf0wGA51rNRjQVqZPqgc0k_O4hnUAJuPTLaDgmtqvx-GAHaeYqurRTAe3sjDQJRQz0oBcTtoiWA/s1600/photocollage_20188271640129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rr6Bt9qfP0ccnF3D8kOLqjRtzrQ-SdP8UMAxlBdO7uAmDd0xPMTC2C6VWi3Kf0wGA51rNRjQVqZPqgc0k_O4hnUAJuPTLaDgmtqvx-GAHaeYqurRTAe3sjDQJRQz0oBcTtoiWA/s640/photocollage_20188271640129.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Six:<br />
Sushi making class;<br />
The chocolate bomb dessert at Catalinas;<br />
Incredible night sky;<br />
My happy place</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliwKfa96pAlCtcAORHoZKNzF6ZWvBk7ax3Y1mCo7NVFhUg5cVBRXFxCUUD4eCX4Tq90fKZ5upzoipjnvorslDB_ssdWHGx6E_jqb0Mw-7WoWiMGbfQpbhTbYs2c2sRs4vu1KMGA/s1600/photocollage_2018827161141308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliwKfa96pAlCtcAORHoZKNzF6ZWvBk7ax3Y1mCo7NVFhUg5cVBRXFxCUUD4eCX4Tq90fKZ5upzoipjnvorslDB_ssdWHGx6E_jqb0Mw-7WoWiMGbfQpbhTbYs2c2sRs4vu1KMGA/s640/photocollage_2018827161141308.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day Seven:<br />
Our last walk on the beach;<br />
A beautiful send-off;<br />
The rainbow was an added bonus;<br />
Wrapping up the trip with a spa package that included a massage, reflexology treatment, and manicure;<br />
Palm tree in paradise;<br />
The big daddy of all iguanas. Man, he was huge!);<br />
Costa Rican coffee class;<br />
Crème brûlée and a "French Kiss" last hoorah</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
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Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-63459279594392833372018-07-30T14:58:00.000-05:002018-07-31T10:06:07.395-05:00Days when the kids were awayAlmost accidentally, Jeff and I ended up childless for several days last week while the kids played with grandparents in the far reaches of Texas and Oklahoma. We made the most of our time and put together a brilliant staycation. On Tuesday, we headed to downtown Dallas, where we checked into the W hotel and then headed over to <a href="http://www.happiesthourdallas.com/">Happiest Hour</a> for lunch. It was such a cool place, and we definitely want to go back sometime. From there, we braved the intense Texas heat and walked over to the <a href="http://www.nashersculpturecenter.org/">Nasher Sculpture Center</a> for some culture. After that, we went back to the hotel and spent several lazy hours lounging on the awesome pool deck, which has spectacular views of the city. Tuesday evening, we had dinner at <a href="https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/mansion-on-turtle-creek-dallas/dining">The Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek</a>, a place we have always wanted to visit. We tried the tasting menu with wine pairings. The food was wonderful, the atmosphere was elegant, and it was an overall excellent experience!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX3OKJLO5KBXBYTjGX4E_zOwu_OSa4SPYYT7L7C93DC_CaeSRqiE37xOV9P-n5KkkU5sZ5Yp1qWwynm7ST_AEKShTxDy97rB4aD9jnXXGbr6D8UqAogv9AIW9ZRa4djOnQkDPhg/s1600/photocollage_201873014225866.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJX3OKJLO5KBXBYTjGX4E_zOwu_OSa4SPYYT7L7C93DC_CaeSRqiE37xOV9P-n5KkkU5sZ5Yp1qWwynm7ST_AEKShTxDy97rB4aD9jnXXGbr6D8UqAogv9AIW9ZRa4djOnQkDPhg/s400/photocollage_201873014225866.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">W Dallas Victory</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2el0vlwoJIUM5XGzJOEOXYljaMr75I7BfL9NKPptHaSAy-0MV_mMB8pF9plDZj748ksjRZX4nq8i5lwWBcupVY_jvqhBuLdP2Dse7uzXJXtwLf1NUlByE6kIUPUonw-f8LCZItw/s1600/photocollage_201873014275715.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2el0vlwoJIUM5XGzJOEOXYljaMr75I7BfL9NKPptHaSAy-0MV_mMB8pF9plDZj748ksjRZX4nq8i5lwWBcupVY_jvqhBuLdP2Dse7uzXJXtwLf1NUlByE6kIUPUonw-f8LCZItw/s400/photocollage_201873014275715.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Happiest Hour</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yjPuYUJ6FV0-AOHhWBs2Y3YIW7LM6Bl_SvMPN0URCV-eW9B4_jtlA5HU26zeisFsxocQJclG82Ygi_l900zuLIAAHo9zrsSP6vvet8rLgqQTRIr3-dTgdMAWCMPFtbp3ON0L3A/s1600/photocollage_2018730144233631.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yjPuYUJ6FV0-AOHhWBs2Y3YIW7LM6Bl_SvMPN0URCV-eW9B4_jtlA5HU26zeisFsxocQJclG82Ygi_l900zuLIAAHo9zrsSP6vvet8rLgqQTRIr3-dTgdMAWCMPFtbp3ON0L3A/s400/photocollage_2018730144233631.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasher Sculpture Center </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3l5LM-A2toWLreg8WPpsRc5iNM_5PukxZJBkvzi9msyCu05yy1rYMMKCJvGdX55cG_Sp5Vq1edxzRi-8BqbqcEYSq0iEDIlqrci_hi1KoCIFmlxeQxOTGMGFBDOwhEyMqByyDg/s400/photocollage_2018730143249981.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3l5LM-A2toWLreg8WPpsRc5iNM_5PukxZJBkvzi9msyCu05yy1rYMMKCJvGdX55cG_Sp5Vq1edxzRi-8BqbqcEYSq0iEDIlqrci_hi1KoCIFmlxeQxOTGMGFBDOwhEyMqByyDg/s1600/photocollage_2018730143249981.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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On Wednesday, we came back to Flower Mound in time for me to do my deliveries for Meals on Wheels. It was fun to have Jeff ride along, and I think he enjoyed getting to participate in an activity that is important to me. When the deliveries were done, we made a beeline for McKinney, where we had lunch and visited wineries and shopped around the historic square. Later, we had dinner at Sol and then visited Trader Joe's and Half-Price Books.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W7G4gOgfWEUiX_drHB1e8dLjZ6owipJPW_36tRIUNrqOJb5_4Hi32TBWIzKf6z08merrEND-d5LFxb2X7cgZLRzJvAORCV82tidkUetkvdWZ6UsRmNCBcrkwcwqCErCaA7A5sA/s1600/photocollage_2018725223348687.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3W7G4gOgfWEUiX_drHB1e8dLjZ6owipJPW_36tRIUNrqOJb5_4Hi32TBWIzKf6z08merrEND-d5LFxb2X7cgZLRzJvAORCV82tidkUetkvdWZ6UsRmNCBcrkwcwqCErCaA7A5sA/s400/photocollage_2018725223348687.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKinney</td></tr>
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On Thursday morning, we hopped up before the sun so we could meet our hot air balloon flight crew and check an item off our bucket list. Just as the sun was coming up, we became airborne and flew around for about an hour, enjoying the peace and beauty all around us. It was spectacular! And, with the whole day still before us, we then headed to Jeff's parents' house to pick up our younger boys, stopping for lunch at George's in Waco.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptSqiUoIs9yGnRH6nOCCO-Zr4qakschsvLkgwOiwzfDlshJTzsHQ7mDWVy4dt2MkAFSG7lQk9_befjys6M9Ww5QGCUKEE6pQH0j7ZuY2lwummEkQupyiq_i4htLx9_xvCYDhePA/s1600/photocollage_201873014506600.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptSqiUoIs9yGnRH6nOCCO-Zr4qakschsvLkgwOiwzfDlshJTzsHQ7mDWVy4dt2MkAFSG7lQk9_befjys6M9Ww5QGCUKEE6pQH0j7ZuY2lwummEkQupyiq_i4htLx9_xvCYDhePA/s400/photocollage_201873014506600.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot air balloon flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwFmDOJPdZAhjW-H3rBu-7bze54ecxr05ptN2n66xUZGF54rruymVLEUZeTS7XJvsfTrcVwYRcxUX600sks4a-MPusAr0CMC6AlOvkr6UmkCO4q5geNspW45_TXak_NUDw7Os7g/s1600/IMG_20180726_132453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifwFmDOJPdZAhjW-H3rBu-7bze54ecxr05ptN2n66xUZGF54rruymVLEUZeTS7XJvsfTrcVwYRcxUX600sks4a-MPusAr0CMC6AlOvkr6UmkCO4q5geNspW45_TXak_NUDw7Os7g/s400/IMG_20180726_132453.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">George's</td></tr>
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We love hanging out with our kiddos, but we were definitely glad for a chance to spend some quality one-on-one time together enjoying some of the wonderful things DFW has to offer!Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20399950.post-66200106245712515012018-07-16T21:53:00.000-05:002018-07-18T21:54:35.260-05:00We have a new driver!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7G3oaCKDSXz95NPIAGsUkzWEn5-UugiES5_ruH0fJG3wRM9yT27Ls5htN7UCYh8Yg_mf2EZmVhBtvRWBl5t0mnX6yFdh05hXykZZF3fP9pnx_H1xEPOY1WX716nZq4C2x5icWQ/s1600/photocollage_2018716195129948.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7G3oaCKDSXz95NPIAGsUkzWEn5-UugiES5_ruH0fJG3wRM9yT27Ls5htN7UCYh8Yg_mf2EZmVhBtvRWBl5t0mnX6yFdh05hXykZZF3fP9pnx_H1xEPOY1WX716nZq4C2x5icWQ/s640/photocollage_2018716195129948.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Mandi Wattshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07017498069965537129noreply@blogger.com0