tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36839481998122106172024-02-21T00:15:51.780-08:00Brewer's House of MusicJust another Cool Traditional American Family.MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-53356525957105318872013-11-21T17:06:00.002-08:002013-11-21T17:10:29.329-08:00A Birthday Tribute to My Dear Wife, Maura<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Happy 28th Birthday,
Maura….</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Exactly 10 years ago, I
took Maura out on a date for her 18th Birthday. We had a nice meal at Oliver
Garden, then we drove to the Portland Temple, were we walked around the temple
grounds. I gave her a beautiful gold bracelet and we had a long talk. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Each year her birthday
rolls around, I think of that particular birthday/date, one because it was the
first we spent together, and second It is on that night that I<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>fell in love with Maura Dunn.</b></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If you haven’t had the
opportunity to get to know Maura, I highly recommend you do. I’ve never met a
more genuine, caring soul. She is not carnal in anyway and holds no grudges
against others. She has absolutely changed my life and eternal existence. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As a goofy and loud teen,
she didn’t like me at first. I was a little eccentric, but she saw my
potential. When junior year rolled around and I began to mature, she and I
became friends. We enjoyed spending time together. We especially enjoyed long
walks and talks. Though very shy at the time, she always had positive things to
say. She let me do all of the talking mostly, which neither of us minded. :)</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br />
Our love blossomed from there, and I cherish all of the wonderful
memories and long talks we have had since then.</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maura has a deeply rooted
testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. There are few people in the world that
you can look at and say, that person will dwell in God’s presence one day.
Though only 28, in my eyes,<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>she
is a women destined for heaven’s gate.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>She
may be petite and soft spoken, but there is not a more faithful and valiant
saint than my dear wife, Maura. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maura has an ability to
look at others and see their greatness and potential. She took a huge chance on
me, and has taught me to see my potential. I can’t express enough how
much I appreciate her for her faith me, especially at times when I lost faith
in myself. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Everyone knows that Maura
is musical. It is a subject that gets her talking. Her eyes light up as she
talks about a favorite concert or a favorite song. She comes out of her shell
on stage where she unleashes a beautiful high soprano voice that stuns the
crowd. She is very modest about her amazing musical talents, but<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>she truly has a
voice that would cause the angels in heaven to pause and listen.</b> </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Maura has a deeply
spiritual connection with music. She loves teaching the children music. In
addition to the 14 private music students and 2 group music classes she teaches
weekly, she is also the children’s chorister at church. She is in her “happy
place” with that responsibility. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">As I said before, Maura is
not carnal in anyway whatsoever. Maura grew up in a home of thriftiness and
careful spending. I thank Maura’s mother for instilling in her that desire to
scrimp and save for a rainy day. In our short time of marriage, we have
experienced many rainy days. Recently it has felt like a monsoon, since I have
changed careers. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If everyone in this world
could have a mother of choice, I would recommend Maura.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Her children love her.</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>There is no denying that. They trust
her, because she would never do anything to harm them. I hope one day, when our
children are grown and out of the house, they will hold great appreciation for
the wonderful mother they had. I have those tender feelings for my
mother. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Having spent 10 birthdays
with my Maura, I have only just begun to discover the heavenly child that she
is. When I need someone Christ-like to follow, I look to Maura, because she is
always looking to Christ. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Happy Birthday,
Maura. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Love,</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #252525; font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> Benjamin</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715119594850887192noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-20571085166172719102013-06-30T23:10:00.003-07:002013-06-30T23:10:53.879-07:00May and June 2013Wow! What a crazy few months May and June have been! Just for family journaling purposes, I'll outline the months here...<br />
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<strong>MAY</strong><br />
<strong>May 3</strong>: 5 Year Wedding Anniversary<br />
<ul>
<li>Weekend getaway to Bend, OR. First time we've gotten away for a night since having kids! It was very fun! We experienced the downtown scene with an Art Walk, street music, and a delicious dinner! On day 2 we did a couple of hikes; one gaining elevation above ground, and the other going down under the earth in a lava tube cave! We took two different routes driving on the way there and back. Both drives were gorgeous! :)</li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-RicO1qoKL20YwA9pB78EfAgwsLflTZE4nF_nqBAMOn8Y4LYi-v3wOLeyN3LzHveq9qkM4In43Spcgnyg_2rHcfL8p0t6ywFJq5pbhoAFbnBIuDRZ3FXlEitR-G4d2OeTsul8G7Xv6ee/s640/Bend+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-RicO1qoKL20YwA9pB78EfAgwsLflTZE4nF_nqBAMOn8Y4LYi-v3wOLeyN3LzHveq9qkM4In43Spcgnyg_2rHcfL8p0t6ywFJq5pbhoAFbnBIuDRZ3FXlEitR-G4d2OeTsul8G7Xv6ee/s320/Bend+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>May 9:</strong> 10 Year Anniversary of our first date! <br />
<ul>
<li>Can't believe its been 10 years! You can read a version of "our story" on <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-royal-wedding-happy-anniversary.html" target="_blank">this blog post</a>.</li>
<li>We can't wait to see what the next 10 years brings! :)</li>
<li>Also took the girls for Dr. appts this day. Got a great new Dr. here in Vancouver who will be wonderful to help us with the next steps for <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/life.html" target="_blank">Alice</a>.</li>
</ul>
<strong>May 12:</strong> Mother's Day<br />
<ul>
<li>So nice to be here in the PNW where BOTH of our mothers are!</li>
<li>We love the mom's and women in our lives! (Read last year's Mother's Day post <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2012/05/women-and-mothers.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and Ben's most recent tribute to his mother <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2013/06/tribute-to-my-mother.html" target="_blank">here</a>.)</li>
<li>Had a 'farewell' dinner at Mom and Dad Brewer's house for Aaron and Hoku, who started their big move to Ohio that next week! (We miss you guys so much!)</li>
</ul>
<strong>May 16-21:</strong> Trip to Utah/Training for Maura/Alice Turns 2!!<br />
<ul>
<li>Flew to UT with both girls. Girls were pretty good for the most part. It is hard to keep Alice contained/still for ANY amount of time, so considering the circumstances, she did really well! </li>
<li>Maura trained to be a Sound Beginnings teacher on Friday, the 17th. She is excited to add this class to her <a href="http://www.brewermusicstudio.weebly.com/" target="_blank">music studio</a> as well as start teaching Let's Play Music in the fall!</li>
<li>Alice turned 2 on Saturday, May 18!! We had a fun little picnic/party at the park for her and it was great to see Matt, Melissa and kids, Grandma and Grandpa Brewer, Adam and Kylie and crew, and Aaron and Hoku + their girls there! </li>
<li>We now have a 2 year old and a 3 year old! Busy, Busy!</li>
<li>Visited with family and friends, went to BYU to reminisce and had a wonderful time! (despite the NW rainy weather...really!?...we must have brought it with us)</li>
</ul>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkzuXchnGOm64nNeAXbE2l4o_uDZuDmYMeP91wkkPzGQ0ggXgA58O4vG3aS-QB9QthR81rxa2wC_KIhbn3MvqfyKAzPEgJ8MdhFWo_V3kLVUleU44L7rGbdOtWdA2FJBKRi9IaJGepIE3/s960/Alice+2+years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnkzuXchnGOm64nNeAXbE2l4o_uDZuDmYMeP91wkkPzGQ0ggXgA58O4vG3aS-QB9QthR81rxa2wC_KIhbn3MvqfyKAzPEgJ8MdhFWo_V3kLVUleU44L7rGbdOtWdA2FJBKRi9IaJGepIE3/s320/Alice+2+years.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little 2 year old!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoCcO-MyjNipyd2N28QBEdqweBAiCl7TDn9sV1pKoquWfg64nVjd17lrBCnS5haqDEOdIW1psmh-4DTGPPNnxSaN8_H272JMKmkSbjG93D6qlvo20R-SYE-IVQaUPhH6eTXCRadCA5xH3/s612/Provo+Temple+May+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixoCcO-MyjNipyd2N28QBEdqweBAiCl7TDn9sV1pKoquWfg64nVjd17lrBCnS5haqDEOdIW1psmh-4DTGPPNnxSaN8_H272JMKmkSbjG93D6qlvo20R-SYE-IVQaUPhH6eTXCRadCA5xH3/s320/Provo+Temple+May+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<strong>May 24:</strong> Brewer Music Studio Playing Party<br />
<ul>
<li>My private students played for each other at my house! Had a great time and enjoyed some refreshments afterwards.</li>
</ul>
<strong>May 25-27:</strong> Memorial Day Weekend<br />
<ul>
<li>Just took it easy. Went to the park, went on walks and just enjoyed time with our little family! :)</li>
</ul>
<strong>May 31: </strong>Merrilee LOVES goats! (Who knew!?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v8VP9olfuLrkayn2iJZA9OFZv4KenExi1zmXVkZKlI79QMlRrDrhq0Z46f3na7o2ea9dAy89M5NB4K42JQGcz_TttVTzxWx5hNdVP2trVOiSFtkidvNw8Z3f1rQjonszHfJlIq-9p-O9/s1600/2013-05-31_20-03-33_913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3v8VP9olfuLrkayn2iJZA9OFZv4KenExi1zmXVkZKlI79QMlRrDrhq0Z46f3na7o2ea9dAy89M5NB4K42JQGcz_TttVTzxWx5hNdVP2trVOiSFtkidvNw8Z3f1rQjonszHfJlIq-9p-O9/s320/2013-05-31_20-03-33_913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<ul>
<li>Went to some friend's house for dinner. They own some goats and at first Merrilee was a little nervous, but after checking out the situation, she jumped right in and started feeding, petting, playing with, and hugging the goats! SO CUTE! </li>
<li>This coming from a girl who freaks out and cries when she SEES a cat, dog, or most any other animal.</li>
<li>Big breakthrough!</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn5rewd5RBnRyiW1kp48dlzQcJs7MYcvcStVG_f5N7ZC8UCM_y2PGfRfM_BfbKC3je1Wgcxm-c98j2n25QtgZ6G5f2wTIBtKfR39dFD5bnNcUx77zyagK1DuHmn42W3MDjX2CyJH8BBnJ/s1600/2013-05-31_20-17-59_670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn5rewd5RBnRyiW1kp48dlzQcJs7MYcvcStVG_f5N7ZC8UCM_y2PGfRfM_BfbKC3je1Wgcxm-c98j2n25QtgZ6G5f2wTIBtKfR39dFD5bnNcUx77zyagK1DuHmn42W3MDjX2CyJH8BBnJ/s320/2013-05-31_20-17-59_670.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugging the goat!</td></tr>
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<strong>JUNE</strong></div>
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>June 1-2: </strong>Matt and Jeralyn came down to visit! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kqfkByFQCywHLPvfr3aFYbjU9DLDnfj-KbZUiJA07Vh6Fd68YhhDpTPrckQ_gRtDvcp0RBmt6yCNEZo9r_O3N8qci7bf4ONrjg-WU0BT1YJ6y54w2YksWORUFPAw3TWXA0jCwxL-YFNQ/s1600/2013-06-01_10-29-17_59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kqfkByFQCywHLPvfr3aFYbjU9DLDnfj-KbZUiJA07Vh6Fd68YhhDpTPrckQ_gRtDvcp0RBmt6yCNEZo9r_O3N8qci7bf4ONrjg-WU0BT1YJ6y54w2YksWORUFPAw3TWXA0jCwxL-YFNQ/s320/2013-06-01_10-29-17_59.jpg" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strawberry pickin'!</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li>Went strawberry picking, played Wii golf, let the cousins play together, and had a nice family dinner together!</li>
</ul>
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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/AVvXsEicowSe_pzBCTdmTHQieFTPmVgEZT9BxPgI0fcpCRrBKCZf_8mgvXLCJZmXV0FsQ9l78xJ0lgz9IN-XF9JhQRw0ac7VSH7836qMUscJRMgrn8cKOiREP-ouSDaqckP4q-kJ7bieS3Xe82Hr/s1600/2013-06-01_17-38-09_792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicowSe_pzBCTdmTHQieFTPmVgEZT9BxPgI0fcpCRrBKCZf_8mgvXLCJZmXV0FsQ9l78xJ0lgz9IN-XF9JhQRw0ac7VSH7836qMUscJRMgrn8cKOiREP-ouSDaqckP4q-kJ7bieS3Xe82Hr/s320/2013-06-01_17-38-09_792.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cousins playing together...</td></tr>
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<strong>June 8-9:</strong> Clark College Chorale Concert<br />
<ul>
<li>Maura has been a part of the Clark College Chorale (Community College community choir) since we moved here.</li>
<li>Had a fabulous concert of show tunes and Broadway, including Les Miserables! Maura accompanied "You'll Never Walk Alone" on the piano with Janet Reiter (4-hand accompaniment). </li>
</ul>
<strong>June 16:</strong> Father's Day!<br />
<ul>
<li>Maura gave a talk in church about inviting the spirit into our homes.</li>
<li>We love the Fathers in our lives! (Read Ben's most recent tribute to his Dad, <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-fathers-day-tribute-to-my-dad.html" target="_blank">here.</a> )</li>
<li>Went to Maura's parent's house for dinner...Yum!</li>
</ul>
<strong>June 18:</strong> A BIG change!<br />
<ul>
<li>Ben quit his job in Portland to help run a startup company here in Vancouver!</li>
<li>Really Exciting! His dream job! :)</li>
<li>Go check out Oakiwear!! <a href="http://www.oakiwear.com/">www.oakiwear.com</a></li>
</ul>
<strong>June 24-25:</strong> Scout Camp<br />
<ul>
<li>Ben was called to be the deacon's quorum advisor (teach the 12-13 year old boys at our church)in our ward back in April. </li>
<li>Ben went to the first 2 days of scout camp to go support the boys in their efforts! </li>
</ul>
<strong>June 28-19:</strong> Family Camping!<br />
<ul>
<li>Went camping as a family with some other families to Cougar Campground near Mt. St. Helens.</li>
<li>1st camping trip of the summer! Lots of fun and PERFECT camping weather.</li>
<li>Girls were great! (They both had lingering coughs/colds from earlier in the week...they both slept REALLY well, but Ben and I didn't because their snoring/coughing kept us up!</li>
<li>Played in the lake, ate yummy food, Ben went fishing, we went to Ape Caves and Trail of Two Forests</li>
<li>We were all beat, but it was a great way to kick off the summer! Looking forward to more camping this summer!</li>
</ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8Kxv3SSZxtaqFb82epZ12UmoNLFDfmz1rd2ymieEmYCDoBYElnf2vq3unmFNppApTkGyzdrYOCQOEyXsXODsfL0w6Mwbz1gEJz4UIEqhjNEPUV3PsJnIVLCj3cQEMRig31o4FEaaDd0q/s1600/2013-06-29_09-46-35_751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT8Kxv3SSZxtaqFb82epZ12UmoNLFDfmz1rd2ymieEmYCDoBYElnf2vq3unmFNppApTkGyzdrYOCQOEyXsXODsfL0w6Mwbz1gEJz4UIEqhjNEPUV3PsJnIVLCj3cQEMRig31o4FEaaDd0q/s320/2013-06-29_09-46-35_751.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Throwing rocks into the lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Uznw1tUP6DrWII5KkVfiKx8dn_RH8uxC1_I-IxRTOUZBNldFwdnnf2DRcmorFs4pM85fL64cgYZfJ5C11oTK-9HaQR9FiTB0trGOPwy1bKLpDHndJcI8RUyIjieBP5vFP6f12A7UK0Gj/s1600/2013-06-29_09-09-22_431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Uznw1tUP6DrWII5KkVfiKx8dn_RH8uxC1_I-IxRTOUZBNldFwdnnf2DRcmorFs4pM85fL64cgYZfJ5C11oTK-9HaQR9FiTB0trGOPwy1bKLpDHndJcI8RUyIjieBP5vFP6f12A7UK0Gj/s320/2013-06-29_09-09-22_431.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Games in the tent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgY2Idcbif4zNbNTbQ64fThkfeXa8yg4r0KAYL-73jTd0o511hGhfitgs9UqBg8QqYZKz7Wpj0MjLvGYP8_UEC-YpZCY0Lr-0zluZyo6m269VhfEICybuvXS4hnuMJH4Y6XY4vi9USGLF/s1600/2013-06-29_10-00-02_437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgY2Idcbif4zNbNTbQ64fThkfeXa8yg4r0KAYL-73jTd0o511hGhfitgs9UqBg8QqYZKz7Wpj0MjLvGYP8_UEC-YpZCY0Lr-0zluZyo6m269VhfEICybuvXS4hnuMJH4Y6XY4vi9USGLF/s320/2013-06-29_10-00-02_437.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She loves the outdoors! She cried because she didn't want to leave. :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We've just been loving life around here! :) Looking forward to lots of fun this summer!MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-75216280889410736092013-06-16T12:54:00.000-07:002013-06-16T13:13:59.661-07:00A Father’s Day Tribute to my Dad<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Earlier this month I wrote a tribute to my mother for her birthday.
It was a neat experience to take the time to ponder deeply the things I love
about my Mom. It was even sweeter to place those thoughts into writing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s only fitting with today being Father’s Day that I write
a tribute to my dad, Michael Clark Brewer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is difficult to know where to begin. I will start with my
earliest childhood memory. I was three years old. It was the Portland Temple
dedication in 1989. I remember holding my father’s hand and walking through the
temple with him. I probably talked loudly the whole time, and my dad was
probably very patient with me. My earliest memory is one of my favorites of my dad.
I also remember when my dad baptized me, ordained me, and crying his eyes out
when I left to be an LDS missionary. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The greatest tribute to my dad is this: He taught me to be a
man and he taught me to serve. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dad has been attending early Sunday church meetings since
before I was born. He is faithful in EVERY church duty assigned to him. Growing
up, whenever there was someone in need, we were there. We moved people, fixed
fences and roofs, shoveled driveways and moved some more. “The Brewer Boys”
were always there. Were we excited to help? Not all the time. But my dad was.
He taught us how to work, serve, and be men of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dad, has had ups and downs all of his life. He has worked
extremely hard, even to this day, to support a family. My dad is a man of
little words, so I will share some of the things he has shared with me over the
years, so you can get to know the greatest man in my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He worked at JC Pennys as a manager for many years. He had
many difficult bosses, many who didn’t like the fact that he had six boys. My
dad told me that there were many hard days where he would leave the sales floor
and go back to his office, ready to give up. Completely. Completely give up.
These are the words of an almost defeated man. Almost. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My dad said of these difficult days, “I would look at the
pictures of my six sons sitting on my desk, and I would then have the strength
to continue on one more day.” This continued on for 16 years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most fathers would love to come home after a long day and
rest. My dad would come home to six boys. Resting was impossible. <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span> He played with us, and
must have crashed the moment we went to sleep. When the weekends came, we were
helping someone move. Sunday came, and my dad was at the church before I was
even awake. Monday came, and my dad was off to the office, before I was up for
school. As you can observe, my dad is pretty amazing, but there’s more.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Despite Saturdays full of sports and other activities, my
parents were able to slip away and visit the temple. They found great solace there.
They would always return refreshed and renewed. This example of temple
attendance was very powerful on us boys. We were not financially well off, but
my parents always gave a very generous Fast Offering. When one of my brothers
was being set apart as a missionary, our bishop made a very spiritual and
inspired comment. The bishop said, “he was inspired to tell us that the reason
our family was so blessed with righteousness amongst us boys was directly
related to my parents giving overly generous Fast Offerings for many years.” I’ve
never forgotten that experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a recent blessing for my dad who is having pain in an
ailing arm, he made some special comments that I will never forget. He expressed
that he has always felt a little less than others around him and that he is not a man of
many eloquent words. He described how he often felt like an outsider at the work place because
of his beliefs and the fact that he had a large family. Many thought he was
crazy for having so many kids.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let me begin by saying I believe my dad is greater than all those
around him. I think he is a man of wisdom and requires only a few words to make
his point, while it takes others paragraphs to do the same. I thank my dad for
having so many kids. I love my brothers, who all received our eagle scout award
(with a double case of “boot in the butt” from our parents) we all served LDS
missions and we are almost all married with children. My dad may feel small in
this life, but I can’t think of a more giant of a man. I can’t think of any who
is loved by God more than my dad. He has given everything, literally
everything, to his family. My dad gave up golfing 30 years ago to raise a
family. He was pretty good. Now he is relearning the game, from his sons. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My Mom and Dad have earned the right to enjoy the twilight
years of their lives. I wish to build them the biggest mansion on the highest
hill overlooking Vancouver. Funny though, my Dad would be happy living in the
simple home where they raised six boys; the very boys that kept my Dad going one
more day, so many years ago. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love you Dad. Happy Father’s Day. I hope to celebrate you
for many more years. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Your Son,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Benjamin<o:p></o:p></div>
benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715119594850887192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-9998788252455828072013-06-03T21:45:00.000-07:002013-06-03T21:45:02.399-07:00Tribute to My MotherToday my Mom turns 55 years old. 55 years is a long time. My Mom isn't old. In fact 55 is the new 40. :) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuQy5xnjn6lN73YmxtSQN8KBxLnARUcmQYvkjuG33wbB1Ipe7gLUwQYM_5S2Wwo0n4020OSh8bGiknchyphenhyphenB52l90tvFvbSaAzbfhlvYiMKt2390nVgKfAqFwT2tf9S_S2Kvuv11nKig79w/s400/Mother.jpg" width="288" /> In all seriousness, I wanted to take some time to write a tribute to my mother, Ruth Ann Brewer. As many of you know, my mom was blessed with six boys, no girls. We were a lot for my Mom to handle. I am not sure how she would get through each day with us boys, well, being boys. It's quite a miracle to be more exact. I am not sure how she did a lot of things. My Mom made sure that we had a good hearty meal every night. Family dinner was important to her. She rarely made something we didn't like. She took great pride in having a delicious meal ready for my tired, worn out dad (he is amazing too, but he doesn't get a blog post till Father's Day).</div>
<br />
I've heard that angels walk the earth. I believe that statement to be true. I was raised by one.<br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother who had endless amounts of patience. It's impossible to keep six boys quiet, so she would play with us, and read to us and lived the old adage "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." We in turn would clean for her and sew with her (good times) and plant her flowers for her. We would also ruin all of those flowers by playing basketball in the front driveway. :) <br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother who stood by my dad through thick and thin. Not many marriages have that type of strength now days. They honored each other, and I have no memory of them fighting or quarreling in front of us. I think the love they showed to each other made us boys feel secure in our home. <br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother who maintained a spirit of love in our home (though at times we would fight her to the death). My Mom would always prevail. If it wasn't a song my Mom would sing after each quarrel, she was calming telling us to get along, or we would have to wash dishes. :) <br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother who introduced me to music. I believe that love of music is what led me to my wife Maura. We now like to make beautiful music together, thanks to the influence of my mother. My Mom loves to sing, and knows more songs than what's in the music dictionary. <br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother who carried no pride of her own, but held and holds a great deal of pride for her six boys (now men). These boys all received eagle scouts, all served two-year missions for the LDS church, 5 are now married with nearly 14 grandchildren between them and many more are on the way. <br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother who is more like Jesus than anyone I have ever known. She exemplifies the spirit of love, humility, meekness and kindness. She doesn't seek after worldly gain. We grew up under poor worldly circumstances, but I think we were the most spiritually rich people in town, thanks to my righteous mother. <br />
<br />
I was raised by a mother, and I am all the better for it.<br />
<br />
Happy Birthday, Mom. We hope you have many more to come. <br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Benjaminbenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715119594850887192noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-70501675121565225812013-03-17T21:18:00.001-07:002013-03-17T21:18:07.824-07:00Settling InWow. So, its been a LONG time since we updated! We didn't send out Christmas/New Year cards or letters, and a lot has happened in our lives lately...I think its about time to update this thing!<br />
<br />
So, We moved again! This time we moved out of Ben's parent's basement into our own space! We were looking to buy a home, but the market here, during this time of year is just pretty much dead. We also were just sick of the whole process. After looking at dozens of homes, making 4 different offers on different homes, and coming up short, we decided to just rent for a while. I think all the road blocks were meant to be, because now we live in the most perfect rental house! Isn't it funny how the Lord answers our prayers in ways not expected? It is way nicer and bigger than any of the homes we were considering buying, and it is in the area we wanted/felt like we needed to be in also (Salmon Creek/Mt. Vista area). We moved in at the beginning of December and we're just now starting to feel "settled in", slowly, but surely.<br />
<br />
Anyways, we are so happy to be on our own, not in an apartment complex, not in someone's basement, but our own space. Our house is actually a townhouse, but the only attached wall is the garage wall attaches to the next door neighbor's garage wall, not even noticeable! <br />
<br />
As we've been 'settling in', I <a href="http://www.brewermusicstudio.weebly.com/" target="_blank">started teaching</a> again at the beginning of the year! I am teaching private piano and guitar and my private student time slots are already full! I am excited to also start teaching <a href="http://www.letsplaymusicsite.com/" target="_blank">Let's Play Music</a>, and <a href="http://www.letsplaymusicsite.com/sound-beginnings" target="_blank">Sound Beginnings</a> in the fall. <br />
<br />
Ben has been enjoying his PR job and his bus commute to Portland, where he has time to read, ponder, or watch the crazies on the bus. He's also taken on a few other side PR ventures in his spare time. He's been staying active by joining an indoor soccer team with Aaron and Hoku. Its been fun to see the Brewers totally kick butt on the field! We also have a babysitting arrangement with Aaron and Hoku every other weekend so that we can go out on dates. Its been SO nice to get out together on dates, and also fun to spend time with Aaron and Hoku and their girls before they leave us in a couple months. :(<br />
<br />
I'll play a little catch-up, since I've missed posting about some major holidays and some major cuteness going on!<br />
<br />
OCTOBER<br />
--Halloween activities and fall fun!<br />
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NOVEMBER<br />
--Maura's Birthday, Thanksgiving, Jesse's Wedding in LA, Alice finally starts walking (17.5 months old)!<br />
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DECEMBER</div>
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--Move into new house, Christmas</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzaO0KIsOFRimLfDzBcPspUcgvOwLtn4ZXuJBMUh8Cb1U8hCWfxttk0thzw3G10Hn0kd5vkszmpbn6q26Ki6H7pPz7sgmqX3ZR5Z3-oN3Fd6W1E7YL5G07kuZbq34t-ayCOwq51M1TiC9/s1600/2012-12-08_10-41-11_909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpzaO0KIsOFRimLfDzBcPspUcgvOwLtn4ZXuJBMUh8Cb1U8hCWfxttk0thzw3G10Hn0kd5vkszmpbn6q26Ki6H7pPz7sgmqX3ZR5Z3-oN3Fd6W1E7YL5G07kuZbq34t-ayCOwq51M1TiC9/s1600/2012-12-08_10-41-11_909.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i5scWY5Wo8AcQxRU_3cDQKrd5E_RRUd2ozCEfnk-_tgdj164MTPK-MP3KghqEvnV-pLLF_N4NZTSV6QzHqIk8xK3nlOjgLaEs0B_U8oD0br7kUq0ZXwPLuu7C96Z4kl3bh15H5td5eyQ/s1600/2012-12-08_10-27-48_756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i5scWY5Wo8AcQxRU_3cDQKrd5E_RRUd2ozCEfnk-_tgdj164MTPK-MP3KghqEvnV-pLLF_N4NZTSV6QzHqIk8xK3nlOjgLaEs0B_U8oD0br7kUq0ZXwPLuu7C96Z4kl3bh15H5td5eyQ/s1600/2012-12-08_10-27-48_756.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
We went with Ben's parents to get their Christmas tree at an AWESOME tree farm in Washougal. The girls were very good helpers.<br />
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Merrilee was the 'Angel' in the Brewer family Christmas program</div>
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JANUARY</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPmWyzV01wI668T8p9qLXJbDXUShWrkCN6y0Bqb55AydkM-igVI2nmhadqFhDA-pVTZwcs_5KDqVXK90dnNb9pWN2dVxHenV7nO9UblbIfAYxFDjncym98-aaSlYttaNP7OY8h6EsJ3ka/s1600/2012-12-31_15-21-34_447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPmWyzV01wI668T8p9qLXJbDXUShWrkCN6y0Bqb55AydkM-igVI2nmhadqFhDA-pVTZwcs_5KDqVXK90dnNb9pWN2dVxHenV7nO9UblbIfAYxFDjncym98-aaSlYttaNP7OY8h6EsJ3ka/s1600/2012-12-31_15-21-34_447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrPmWyzV01wI668T8p9qLXJbDXUShWrkCN6y0Bqb55AydkM-igVI2nmhadqFhDA-pVTZwcs_5KDqVXK90dnNb9pWN2dVxHenV7nO9UblbIfAYxFDjncym98-aaSlYttaNP7OY8h6EsJ3ka/s1600/2012-12-31_15-21-34_447.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a>--Ben's birthday, Maura starts teaching studio business</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf_l8-sYjgSND-etaFkXs6a8IHEDaVnsHnjRTZRPZCFFgfXQhzhZHMAJlljcO822KnaJ7BIKk_uf7IbxVhBXHBDDhURxKYKUDhSSfI0FYh7NqmA3NI239PSnV3B5KOQT6TfNnjffAEfcY/s1600/2012-12-31_15-21-29_458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcf_l8-sYjgSND-etaFkXs6a8IHEDaVnsHnjRTZRPZCFFgfXQhzhZHMAJlljcO822KnaJ7BIKk_uf7IbxVhBXHBDDhURxKYKUDhSSfI0FYh7NqmA3NI239PSnV3B5KOQT6TfNnjffAEfcY/s1600/2012-12-31_15-21-29_458.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow on New Year's Eve!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8fYyFoVnlev-0MeoID4pmFKmrTtqx_MdtXt1RbwSMeEZnmXlo2dta7iTmE0ooqaTnScKHs0WgcXyp8p0erVkOePgLaZSYG7Y-taPGTIGyVlF396mMbGXqpCS7tbEWIq4CERqOMfEBAHW/s1600/2013-01-21_12-53-36_33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8fYyFoVnlev-0MeoID4pmFKmrTtqx_MdtXt1RbwSMeEZnmXlo2dta7iTmE0ooqaTnScKHs0WgcXyp8p0erVkOePgLaZSYG7Y-taPGTIGyVlF396mMbGXqpCS7tbEWIq4CERqOMfEBAHW/s1600/2013-01-21_12-53-36_33.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love Portland!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKD4lIHwqiizOBcmVo4alUR7nibOJ81l_qHyWVeuUpVSGfGH7e6KBi5zxSlTWoZ8nuDRHmP6iophEH6XNA-bq4Ay6Q8dFUn5VpOacK0ldExX7-lVQLfhxmDwlGU5qeMGAjHIXNjgZskq_/s1600/2013-01-01_12-27-23_572.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKD4lIHwqiizOBcmVo4alUR7nibOJ81l_qHyWVeuUpVSGfGH7e6KBi5zxSlTWoZ8nuDRHmP6iophEH6XNA-bq4Ay6Q8dFUn5VpOacK0ldExX7-lVQLfhxmDwlGU5qeMGAjHIXNjgZskq_/s1600/2013-01-01_12-27-23_572.jpg" height="400" width="225" /></a><br />
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FEBRUARY</div>
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--Merrilee turns 3, feeling settled in. </div>
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Merrilee's 3rd Birthday was really fun. We had both sets of grandparents over and Aaron and Hoku with their girls. Merrilee loved having everyone there! She was so excited about all of her presents too! So excited, in fact, that while opening one of them, she had a pee pee accident! Yes, we are still in the throws of potty training with her. Its been a long, hard battle, but things are getting a lot better now on that front. </div>
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MARCH</div>
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--Alice and Merrilee both get big girl beds (they were sleeping in a pack and play and a crib mattress on the floor). They both love playing the piano and singing all the time. Here's a funny video of their rendition of "Happy Birthday to Everyone". </div>
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We do miss some things from Utah, but we have felt so incredibly blessed these last few months since we've moved back to the Northwest! We are grateful everyday to be close to family, friends, and the luscious green NW scenery! Hopefully we can get back to keeping this blog updated more often from now on (no promises, though)!<br />
<br />MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-45515208000031792632012-10-31T13:12:00.003-07:002012-10-31T13:12:46.021-07:00We moved! Finally an updated post.Well, it has been a whirlwind these last couple months! I finally decided it was time to update this thing! We decided to leave Orem only 2 weeks after we decided we would be moving in mid-August. Those 2 weeks were crammed with packing, procrastinating, more packing, tieing up loose ends on all sorts of things, packing and cleaning. We made some visits and said some goodbyes. We didn't get to visit/say goodbye to everyone we wanted to, but oh well...these days, is there ever really a goodbye with how connected we can stay with technology? One of the hardest goodbyes was Grandma and Grandpa Brewer. They became our best pals and our favorite people to visit while we were in Utah! We already miss them dearly. <br />
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We packed up everything into our Budget truck with the help of the Elder's Quorum from church (Thank You!). It was really strange seeing our little basement apartment all bare, and realizing how much STUFF we had accumulated! When we moved in, we had been married just over a year and didn't have very much. By the time we left, our family had doubled and so did our stuff! We had some really great memories there, but now its time to make some new memories in a new place!</div>
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Ben's Dad came down to Utah and drove the truck up to WA while Ben and I drove with the girls in our ONLY car. We sold Ben's commuter car before we left, so now we are down to a one car family. (Thank you Dad B! It was so nice of him to do that for us!) So far it has worked out really well! :) In fact, Ben's parents are so extremely generous that they are letting us live with them until we can get into a house! We are hoping to be able to buy a house in the next few months. </div>
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Cost of living and housing/rent are so much higher here than in Utah! It is crazy that it is cheaper for us to buy a house than it would be to rent a decent place! We've been going through the process of getting pre-approved, taking homebuyer's education courses (really helpful!), and looking for homes! We actually put an offer in on a house a couple weeks ago, but got outbid by a cash investor! Grr! Those cash investors are smart investors, but sure are frustrating when families like us are trying to buy homes! It is way more of a seller's market up here in the NW than it was in Utah. Oh well, something will open up for us soon, I'm sure! (We are trying to put a bid on a foreclosure house as I type this!)</div>
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Ben is loving his new job and is glad he made the decision to go with this job rather than the Utah job he was offered around the same time. Since we are down to one car, he's been taking the commuter bus from Vancouver down into Portland. Its been working out nicely for him because he doesn't have to stress over driving in traffic, and he gets some time on the bus to read or do whatever.</div>
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The girls have been keeping me busy and it has been nice to be close to both sets of parents and spend time with family. I'm antsy to get into our own place so I can start "home-making". These 'crafty and cozy' seasons are just killing me thinking about all the cute stuff I could be doing/decorating if I had my own space to do it! Once we get settled into a place, I also look forward to setting up my <a href="http://brewermusicstudio.weebly.com/" target="_blank">music studio</a> again and getting some private students and some students for<a href="http://www.letsplaymusicsite.com/" target="_blank"> Let's Play Music</a> classes. In the mean time, I've started singing with the clark college chorale to keep singing and music a part of my life.</div>
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Ben and I have callings in the ward, even though we are temporary. I am a primary worker teaching the 6-7 year olds. My class is 7 boys and 1 sweet little girl. Its been fun. Ben is the 14-15 year old sunday school teacher. It has been interesting trying to trade off and juggle Alice around during church while we are trying to do our callings. She turns 18 months mid-November, and will (age wise) be old enough to go to nursery, but she is still not walking, so we are working hard to get her walking before nursery age! (She's making some great progress on the walking though! She'll probably be running around in circles in the next week or two!)</div>
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Here are some fun pictures of the girls since we've moved...they are best friends! So cute. There are a bunch more that we want to share, but they are on Ben's phone, so those pics will just have to wait until we update again. Enjoy! :)</div>
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<br />MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-65051735869334238312012-08-16T09:43:00.000-07:002012-08-16T09:43:01.751-07:00A Summer Catch-up Post<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Its been a while since we last posted, so most of this post will be pictures to chronicle some more summer fun...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBH0UCfmo0vV_BvTUIDD6S4g3JH3f5hnBjgJSAzlYEg40QOxdnyQwWE-NRTqAECq7IqitMPt0Q3kmQAzOKT45YPpN5Hb9R6jHhbrn6F1aP9YZZ5Fb1RGYmFHWmVChYOH0RwnlH8wBBHqk/s1600/2012-06-16_16-48-48_171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBH0UCfmo0vV_BvTUIDD6S4g3JH3f5hnBjgJSAzlYEg40QOxdnyQwWE-NRTqAECq7IqitMPt0Q3kmQAzOKT45YPpN5Hb9R6jHhbrn6F1aP9YZZ5Fb1RGYmFHWmVChYOH0RwnlH8wBBHqk/s320/2012-06-16_16-48-48_171.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYM-IGasPQROFUA0oSiJqY8ioueY65nuPXxTvfRdn2ExSZzk00TiwSVzM92nb5zt7D0i96LB5izl55GVl4djozNZjzE-AhoQFWGtWbqW5PVu1kH8zJ9Z9iya0nhneciQwRCzeGan8l3E/s1600/2012-06-16_16-48-58_781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNYM-IGasPQROFUA0oSiJqY8ioueY65nuPXxTvfRdn2ExSZzk00TiwSVzM92nb5zt7D0i96LB5izl55GVl4djozNZjzE-AhoQFWGtWbqW5PVu1kH8zJ9Z9iya0nhneciQwRCzeGan8l3E/s320/2012-06-16_16-48-58_781.jpg" width="180" /></a>Water Fun- Shops at Riverwoods splash pad</h3>
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Merrilee was terrified of the water for most the time. She would only touch the littlest squirt of water and only if she was with Alice or one of us. Alice loved the whole thing! :)</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>4th of July</b></span><br />
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My parents and siblings all came to town for the 4th of July week. Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures of family or all the awesome fun stuff we did, but I did get pictures of just our little family enjoying the balloon festival on the morning of the 4th! The girls were entranced! It was really fun. We also went to the Provo freedom festival later in the day. Merrilee loved doing all of the kid crafts, and Alice loved sleeping through it.<b> </b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tIr4W_ynKYJ2MpqKI_Elus7JGOui8ZI4Cb5JlDPr7NNSWxwxJDB-obwCpcQU_Xm_gX2B_dI9OFIezRvId4m2jXBPIA2nSmyzQmZwnJsSShOrSXKMgn0YkRNAr1BqTmGMOPrSJIORFEje/s1600/IMG_20120726_213140.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-tIr4W_ynKYJ2MpqKI_Elus7JGOui8ZI4Cb5JlDPr7NNSWxwxJDB-obwCpcQU_Xm_gX2B_dI9OFIezRvId4m2jXBPIA2nSmyzQmZwnJsSShOrSXKMgn0YkRNAr1BqTmGMOPrSJIORFEje/s320/IMG_20120726_213140.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zQdWD3GV1PUMnVCoHHagsny1VaeAA1_qSbt18dEnXI7-bmvKUf7Jxz_MOhyphenhypheng3FrhMOj6vn-Y72_JupkQ1SuC4R_CxIaEHmv9y4KRqFiVlBtNSzeEPjcVnAd6R_39CUlbgRa35PK_cs8W/s1600/2012-08-13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zQdWD3GV1PUMnVCoHHagsny1VaeAA1_qSbt18dEnXI7-bmvKUf7Jxz_MOhyphenhypheng3FrhMOj6vn-Y72_JupkQ1SuC4R_CxIaEHmv9y4KRqFiVlBtNSzeEPjcVnAd6R_39CUlbgRa35PK_cs8W/s320/2012-08-13" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6YqqF2P6DRA_c5dQ4bhQkP5b2fdAJ9fdseQGdytcP1Z8RBgsbc29X61MG9-esvHQ72KMQ1XCouMcn5yXq25qJE0NDgbrfvpOscoVJZf8R-eCEYFEDDOO1HpvPMwe92UBnmppBZ8SZUW5/s1600/2012-08-13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6YqqF2P6DRA_c5dQ4bhQkP5b2fdAJ9fdseQGdytcP1Z8RBgsbc29X61MG9-esvHQ72KMQ1XCouMcn5yXq25qJE0NDgbrfvpOscoVJZf8R-eCEYFEDDOO1HpvPMwe92UBnmppBZ8SZUW5/s320/2012-08-13" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbFBOfOWpmaNwaChxBDqKvwhU0UxAm3wBpnKzlVSgL42_-WNnBMnOBQHZm_xuBqJSe2P0hUD75G12KaWlve59CPhL4TcOtb51DJa8tVhY2IElqxxzKxkpp4raewNQDzl7-Wl6b_X7lKFu/s1600/2012-08-13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbFBOfOWpmaNwaChxBDqKvwhU0UxAm3wBpnKzlVSgL42_-WNnBMnOBQHZm_xuBqJSe2P0hUD75G12KaWlve59CPhL4TcOtb51DJa8tVhY2IElqxxzKxkpp4raewNQDzl7-Wl6b_X7lKFu/s320/2012-08-13" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QideF9wTCX-H5pVDgOZWTHbE8D4w6q1lRLTpWZoZuEC-CEPvFTjivb39CWON1Q1bztNcPXX8hiFmvasvZxO1dAJZBCRvR94uUA5zPsWwTvZf7_zOozcsoTEa-q8L5uF65ZW2faAIBx0N/s1600/2012-08-13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QideF9wTCX-H5pVDgOZWTHbE8D4w6q1lRLTpWZoZuEC-CEPvFTjivb39CWON1Q1bztNcPXX8hiFmvasvZxO1dAJZBCRvR94uUA5zPsWwTvZf7_zOozcsoTEa-q8L5uF65ZW2faAIBx0N/s320/2012-08-13" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l79GYJPUgrAS9nWH1i2xlAbLO-lYBJe25NmlyIXbDRO0g_vH_qWw2tE8Zz6i1Ro13lmlBZuUo3DlC_7PrZiAmFyC0vDzSXIA3882Olv_O01kFY5rykJiFc8266C9MsBkY0wDQhIUjYc/s1600/2012-07-04_15-27-37_562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-l79GYJPUgrAS9nWH1i2xlAbLO-lYBJe25NmlyIXbDRO0g_vH_qWw2tE8Zz6i1Ro13lmlBZuUo3DlC_7PrZiAmFyC0vDzSXIA3882Olv_O01kFY5rykJiFc8266C9MsBkY0wDQhIUjYc/s320/2012-07-04_15-27-37_562.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_xRV2YRD7iPrAsykj6pGFW-dS2Gasfug51RthGG413Oa4JDBPRhVDU_zvmZooIr6h4rF9k2Gt629Eeoim7RdSK1TLp40Ic8nkth7D_gycbaNYg8rdyVUHCHRTJDrZM9X7jX2qx0LmKQ/s1600/2012-07-04_15-08-39_46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_xRV2YRD7iPrAsykj6pGFW-dS2Gasfug51RthGG413Oa4JDBPRhVDU_zvmZooIr6h4rF9k2Gt629Eeoim7RdSK1TLp40Ic8nkth7D_gycbaNYg8rdyVUHCHRTJDrZM9X7jX2qx0LmKQ/s400/2012-07-04_15-08-39_46.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYDGjOEXd3oJz2mKnJ7mkyIxq0uu2bmiznTigIQ18dlchBwN2373oOsEAiiJ44O8d3WBHkhHcfXemyITfMNjIuQmZowH5zyCyETFFrB_Or7BM0WU8D5FpS6YLNAuFm3n_-dCAp6bIyX4/s1600/2012-07-04_15-24-48_752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYDGjOEXd3oJz2mKnJ7mkyIxq0uu2bmiznTigIQ18dlchBwN2373oOsEAiiJ44O8d3WBHkhHcfXemyITfMNjIuQmZowH5zyCyETFFrB_Or7BM0WU8D5FpS6YLNAuFm3n_-dCAp6bIyX4/s320/2012-07-04_15-24-48_752.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Mike and Song also came into town that week and we spent some time with them! This is the only picture I have to document that visit. Cute cousins! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_Jkk4KtnwdHYpetXfGm_sxJnurzz65tFuQy1fVSG1Ja8bJcrzwLoUVoPveF0gjSq4mN1p_E1J9bE-xA6gSJLxZmjq4DTkGakTL4Ngn4TUfz2s6J_qq8Eh3WCdkyquS-r4LM-d6xIaN1E/s1600/2012-08-13" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7_Jkk4KtnwdHYpetXfGm_sxJnurzz65tFuQy1fVSG1Ja8bJcrzwLoUVoPveF0gjSq4mN1p_E1J9bE-xA6gSJLxZmjq4DTkGakTL4Ngn4TUfz2s6J_qq8Eh3WCdkyquS-r4LM-d6xIaN1E/s320/2012-08-13" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>CONCERTS!</b></div>
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Towards the end of July, Ben and I celebrated Pioneer Day with 2 different concerts. On Friday, July 20, we went to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Pioneer Day Concert "The Joy of Song" with Katherine Jenkins. It was lovely. (Thanks Mom and Dad!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9435ez909kovUSlBZtWbn0o8dtmgvfhGCTpV7qqrsHdCtBbJeVzJ_UhgBe4N8taBqw9xsjBKJAgwMrWvMG-nD9cALmTD-fIlFagEzbY1m-yVqnsnNMTn2TH3sfnm5bpxeh4_KS4zGWgqu/s1600/IMG_20120813_102400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9435ez909kovUSlBZtWbn0o8dtmgvfhGCTpV7qqrsHdCtBbJeVzJ_UhgBe4N8taBqw9xsjBKJAgwMrWvMG-nD9cALmTD-fIlFagEzbY1m-yVqnsnNMTn2TH3sfnm5bpxeh4_KS4zGWgqu/s320/IMG_20120813_102400.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Then, on actual Pioneer Day (July 24th), we went to a Rodney Atkins concert at the Scera Shell across the street from our house! It was SO FUN! We love country music! :)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fjb8ZYJ-Wa6mJkfopkFXxm6hEg13lzvRW_sVDcBrafhS2mz9q3e1IxLEQnKSopE5-ED9lI_m2vtq9qr9CbP641_ahwV70F7Bro9Uu2l12MCWA6T2qhbmWyjTl_TUAiphP7KwEtfUT-v9/s1600/IMG_20120726_220202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fjb8ZYJ-Wa6mJkfopkFXxm6hEg13lzvRW_sVDcBrafhS2mz9q3e1IxLEQnKSopE5-ED9lI_m2vtq9qr9CbP641_ahwV70F7Bro9Uu2l12MCWA6T2qhbmWyjTl_TUAiphP7KwEtfUT-v9/s320/IMG_20120726_220202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was raining right before the concert started, and we saw a double rainbow right over the stage!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEGwOjWAtqwNixSjur3jsKqakrVx-Sdysc4rCY3TI6HTF_rFp9D_fbbaDpKQRcWHOyHDy20z2I8Y_18F3jSogx5vJynmrvRdLaT17MvzC0JVm6zq9XJmQk7jjLylgG634X-CoCsNnYySz/s1600/IMG_20120726_220804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSEGwOjWAtqwNixSjur3jsKqakrVx-Sdysc4rCY3TI6HTF_rFp9D_fbbaDpKQRcWHOyHDy20z2I8Y_18F3jSogx5vJynmrvRdLaT17MvzC0JVm6zq9XJmQk7jjLylgG634X-CoCsNnYySz/s320/IMG_20120726_220804.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOeAWD8EyH2xkmvS5GETzeVom2623nSeXudDqRH3Sb8WwEEFPO7PwGpvPpulSuR-EAMwh2jqb3mnDcdPHQjLKv7HVnwAlp-S7_wDTl_NAUR5m0vhmIoHhueMJK-2jz3dowss5gJR5xEYx/s1600/IMG_20120726_220429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOeAWD8EyH2xkmvS5GETzeVom2623nSeXudDqRH3Sb8WwEEFPO7PwGpvPpulSuR-EAMwh2jqb3mnDcdPHQjLKv7HVnwAlp-S7_wDTl_NAUR5m0vhmIoHhueMJK-2jz3dowss5gJR5xEYx/s320/IMG_20120726_220429.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Don't worry, it stopped raining before the concert started!<b> </b> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApUyd83EzL5GKtlq7XAS_k2wqR24UZRtFUk1kWrfZ9i2RxQX9p_UN96hdnXmAVRmHZUM09jq9V9jA22z4LPmMTzEJvfvoOVX9MD7XEZPQHPAgZS9Y4O2EkNifGg8hsdIj6LVFRNn4YF_i/s1600/IMG_20120726_221136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApUyd83EzL5GKtlq7XAS_k2wqR24UZRtFUk1kWrfZ9i2RxQX9p_UN96hdnXmAVRmHZUM09jq9V9jA22z4LPmMTzEJvfvoOVX9MD7XEZPQHPAgZS9Y4O2EkNifGg8hsdIj6LVFRNn4YF_i/s320/IMG_20120726_221136.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AaEGXUJ_YZzHyeBihzgGg7JLutfPwPFCi-Hdjgwh-caRbmF09MSAtSvGnzZmX2jgaWBi1LZoZn0uVeM_-m7VsV8VCNVs1nmveDDdjfASQ9SkfslsUA3Ai3THEmgLBQt2TXvrrW1TxEQ1/s1600/2012-07-24_20-53-05_303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AaEGXUJ_YZzHyeBihzgGg7JLutfPwPFCi-Hdjgwh-caRbmF09MSAtSvGnzZmX2jgaWBi1LZoZn0uVeM_-m7VsV8VCNVs1nmveDDdjfASQ9SkfslsUA3Ai3THEmgLBQt2TXvrrW1TxEQ1/s320/2012-07-24_20-53-05_303.jpg" width="240" /></a>The Concert was amazing and right during the encore song, tons of fireworks were going off all around the city! It made for a perfect ending to a great night! :) </div>
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<b>NORTHWEST TRIP</b></div>
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3 days after the concert, we left for a trip to the Northwest! It was fun visiting with family and friends! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5leSnDRHzOhYGdqOG059Oo2Rp05oyL-tITNSEfb8RYQmQwPSHjbc5h0-_A2nl6b3OTlDdFMFxQb2TEGttMLQasSco-69KYAGEeH9jsy085_gXOKgPXtNAn94ZZhHkAtLT79RnYkQpzWKe/s1600/IMG_20120726_221700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5leSnDRHzOhYGdqOG059Oo2Rp05oyL-tITNSEfb8RYQmQwPSHjbc5h0-_A2nl6b3OTlDdFMFxQb2TEGttMLQasSco-69KYAGEeH9jsy085_gXOKgPXtNAn94ZZhHkAtLT79RnYkQpzWKe/s320/IMG_20120726_221700.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUBqZ7bvN7Gsc5FXG0iSQKxd8vjBoCvcXdKx8pXde8xx2QB99sWqyyLrV9jBL4fjXudXUFBIXeAj9_u1IvQxYtRLmpNpSXTsjF-hAQ67Eti-EM1iu3TukSuYNZddB6ZJ7IbTT_bnuOOSO/s1600/2012-07-27_20-56-34_777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUBqZ7bvN7Gsc5FXG0iSQKxd8vjBoCvcXdKx8pXde8xx2QB99sWqyyLrV9jBL4fjXudXUFBIXeAj9_u1IvQxYtRLmpNpSXTsjF-hAQ67Eti-EM1iu3TukSuYNZddB6ZJ7IbTT_bnuOOSO/s320/2012-07-27_20-56-34_777.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF2e0VkZ-ZX9g0POV2lUKF-XlEPxkqc9C_-sP-r8StfPfZn42XFjCyVdgXxgcGPiMgM73PGmS2a4pTQy3xFWec_K7bmeyr9JDfe1NxceLUpdBAADEYxg-bGwoqFH-1JIfvZ9WAojFO6X5/s1600/IMG_20120806_211033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhF2e0VkZ-ZX9g0POV2lUKF-XlEPxkqc9C_-sP-r8StfPfZn42XFjCyVdgXxgcGPiMgM73PGmS2a4pTQy3xFWec_K7bmeyr9JDfe1NxceLUpdBAADEYxg-bGwoqFH-1JIfvZ9WAojFO6X5/s320/IMG_20120806_211033.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzYvgZHr0k9klHHzukgiYy82whmouwkypZZb0-8RCkjGPN7XSANBqiQaTCKr7JE8yRyLlot1ITAy96PQbAslPWzVgSTLpfiVWuCSTiPtYTub1vCwVVwRt2iF08qil4c_NusUIErsKBXIz/s1600/IMG_20120806_211431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzYvgZHr0k9klHHzukgiYy82whmouwkypZZb0-8RCkjGPN7XSANBqiQaTCKr7JE8yRyLlot1ITAy96PQbAslPWzVgSTLpfiVWuCSTiPtYTub1vCwVVwRt2iF08qil4c_NusUIErsKBXIz/s320/IMG_20120806_211431.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy0-do7wo2Pb82fJOh23a2ko4Qan_n2Kla2IM82IZPBOW8qLqaZ50WJb_UQV2uZsZiSUIpnm5DxZzbIUU-bi80UMt20MRNP1ZeYdId5dvpuC9jn7iesCuQKQJeW5Dy-NNL3SYFmrKZxsj/s1600/IMG_20120806_211548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy0-do7wo2Pb82fJOh23a2ko4Qan_n2Kla2IM82IZPBOW8qLqaZ50WJb_UQV2uZsZiSUIpnm5DxZzbIUU-bi80UMt20MRNP1ZeYdId5dvpuC9jn7iesCuQKQJeW5Dy-NNL3SYFmrKZxsj/s320/IMG_20120806_211548.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbxUn_U3AOkawBn7u-1DM7tHRQj-m2eNMrktdLLAjqTQHqYW5W9BCEwnsaXndprASplATJN5F1LWVT-OSuzwzwNVYCMSQMUomXARxDhQqgCLir4ILxNPlzEoM1NGt9m63Pvtl1A-21wDC/s1600/IMG_20120806_211840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTbxUn_U3AOkawBn7u-1DM7tHRQj-m2eNMrktdLLAjqTQHqYW5W9BCEwnsaXndprASplATJN5F1LWVT-OSuzwzwNVYCMSQMUomXARxDhQqgCLir4ILxNPlzEoM1NGt9m63Pvtl1A-21wDC/s320/IMG_20120806_211840.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We went to the zoo, went on walks, visited with friends and family, and just loved being back home in the Northwest! One thing we were sad we didn't get to do while we were there was go to the coast. But guess what?! We will be able to go whenever we want now! That's right folks...we are moving back to the Northwest!<br />
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While we were there, Ben had a 2nd job interview with a company in Portland. They liked him so much they asked him back for a 3rd interview while we were still there!After we got back from our trip they asked for a few more things from Ben and a couple days ago, they offered him the job, and we accepted! We are hoping to leave in about a week and a half.<br />
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This is all crazy and kind of unexpected, but we think this will be good for our little family. I will miss lots of things about Utah and lots of people in Utah. I will miss the opportunity to direct the Orem Children's Chorale. I was going to be their new director starting the first part of September, but obviously not anymore! I also was going to start up some <a href="http://letsplaymusicsite.com/" target="_blank">Let's Play Music </a>classes with school starting in a couple weeks. Hopefully we can get settled soon up in the Northwest so I can start these classes up there! <br />
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We are going to try to cram doing all the fun Utah stuff and hanging out with all our awesome Utah friends in the next week between packing and getting ready to go! The next update on here will probably be about our move!MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-45032890416362901032012-07-07T11:42:00.001-07:002012-07-07T11:42:41.771-07:00Camping!A couple weeks ago, Ben and I took the girls CAMPING! Ben got a new awesome 10-man tent for Father's Day, so we decided we'd go try it out with the girls. We have not been camping since Alice was born. We went camping a few times when Merrilee was 4-6months old, but not since. It was an..."interesting" camping trip, but we still had fun!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM_uhM3hq9ljb8Zx-zBmq4V70i0wIv8QSI87A14525H4LHKvcOhWPxl1NzvZKeoEISYbpew4Cs0JrwvlUuz5zp2Gq1gKbgyzJJ23XglP86pqIs0Gq18EkcvNKGT5bd-L98EHSDW7dyAo/s1600/2012-06-22_19-26-08_623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM_uhM3hq9ljb8Zx-zBmq4V70i0wIv8QSI87A14525H4LHKvcOhWPxl1NzvZKeoEISYbpew4Cs0JrwvlUuz5zp2Gq1gKbgyzJJ23XglP86pqIs0Gq18EkcvNKGT5bd-L98EHSDW7dyAo/s320/2012-06-22_19-26-08_623.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls having so much fun in the tent</td></tr>
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We decided to stay close to home for this experimental trip. We went to Nunn's park right by Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon (a 10 min. drive from our house). When we got there, we found a GREAT spot right next to the Provo River and a little bit secluded from other camping spots. It took us a while to set up camp and try to keep the girls contained and entertained while we set up. The girls LOVED being outdoors and getting dirty and the whole experience. Once the tent was up, Merrilee ran the length of the tent back and forth just squealing in delight. Alice followed suit by crawling close behind and giggling. While Ben set up the beds and tried to get a fire going, I took the girls to the campground playground. By the time I got back with the girls, Alice was getting grumpy, so we got the girls ready for bed. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91p6yev6fRHlyNhquq7PkYT99ebNtD0vTeCRm1n8LftmxSasfkbyc52UCOWtFllCF_dfyI1Fo4B9mM7SCxpQ-Rjg8faScUxJxLfM4TdwHhcEZ4Unvpieq8Ewbf2yVRIHY6Yj8R4buims/s1600/2012-06-22_19-32-22_998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj91p6yev6fRHlyNhquq7PkYT99ebNtD0vTeCRm1n8LftmxSasfkbyc52UCOWtFllCF_dfyI1Fo4B9mM7SCxpQ-Rjg8faScUxJxLfM4TdwHhcEZ4Unvpieq8Ewbf2yVRIHY6Yj8R4buims/s320/2012-06-22_19-32-22_998.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Right by our campsite</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;"> The girls loved everything so much, they didn't even want to go to sleep in fear that they might miss out on something awesome! Well, Alice did go to sleep fairly well (considering the circumstances), but something woke her up a few hours later and she decided to stay awake and PARTY most of the night. Merrilee did not want to go to sleep. Ben had to sit in the camping chair by the fire and hold her and sing to her until she fell asleep (at around 10pm...2 hours after Alice went to bed).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Here's a little video of the campsite...</span><br />
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While I was trying to console Alice and while Merrilee was dead asleep, Ben had a close encounter with wildlife.<br />
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(From the perspective of Ben) So I was using the restroom (a tree behind the campsite) when I heard a really loud noise in the bushes right in front of me. I flashed my headlamp in the direction on the noise, and there was a pair of green eyes staring at me. To see a pair of green eyes with your pants down in the dark is a little unnerving. I walked quickly back to our picnic table to arm myself with a pink umbrella stroller and whipped around again to see the green eyes a little closer. I'll admit, I was a little frightened. After hiding in the tent for a while, I looked out once more and saw a chunky raccoon scavengering through our camp. I'm just glad it wasn't a cougar because there have been a few sightings this year (especially at BYU campus :)<br />
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The morning was a little more pleasant. Merrilee decided to wake us up at 5:30AM. She has NEVER gotten up so early...oh well. Despite the lack of sleep for ALL of us, everyone was cheery and happy in the morning. I pre-made breakfast burritos before the trip and wrapped them in foil so we could heat them over the fire in the morning. YUM! is all I have to say.<br />
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We sat around the morning campfire and just enjoyed some family time together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX92gbBv-qNOxUfMl42iYITFC9QTRCaBG4FjcqYBYGKCtbROhgSSZlDXZjsNcaKnQiFWWSCuMrICqRQprtWGLRWvrdRFik043ClNm0Y1G9i4xKxMpnAuCmIwWB0fanE53_46IZBevLa5e-/s1600/PhotoGrid_1341194571700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX92gbBv-qNOxUfMl42iYITFC9QTRCaBG4FjcqYBYGKCtbROhgSSZlDXZjsNcaKnQiFWWSCuMrICqRQprtWGLRWvrdRFik043ClNm0Y1G9i4xKxMpnAuCmIwWB0fanE53_46IZBevLa5e-/s640/PhotoGrid_1341194571700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We really didn't want to pack everything up yet...it seemed like we JUST got everything settled, but we knew we were only prepared for one night and wanted the girls to get good naps at home, so we packed up camp. After we packed up, we took the girls on a little "hike" (walk) to Bridal Veil Falls. We just got a new (used) baby hiking backpack to carry Alice in. It worked pretty well, except that Alice was so tired and grumpy all the way there and back, so her cries were right in my ear. JUST as we were approaching our car, she finally fell asleep!! Merrilee was very tired and emotional on this little walk also and made Ben carry her the whole way.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">It was really fun (and needed) to get back in touch with nature and spend some quality family time together. Now that we've initiated the girls into camping, we hope we can get out a few more times this summer! Anyone want to come with us next time? ;)</span></div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-7986470848546922892012-06-11T10:14:00.000-07:002012-06-11T10:14:32.587-07:00Summer fun!The beginning of our summer has been pretty fun so far. We obviously don't have any children in school yet, but the warmer weather these days tells us that its time for Summer FUN! The last few weeks we've been having some summer fun...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZPyhd2CXHbVMEIKbkZZJcCfxX7c-LCAGWw_XM6UbNk5nrs0pMaTLV__jCBwkXYvh3PEJI5oQNesnOHoqDUgbf-yp-AgZv92f8I3xamQm46ygHdznRCJJC7kOmMB9LLEL5v1zXyTEVq8/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZPyhd2CXHbVMEIKbkZZJcCfxX7c-LCAGWw_XM6UbNk5nrs0pMaTLV__jCBwkXYvh3PEJI5oQNesnOHoqDUgbf-yp-AgZv92f8I3xamQm46ygHdznRCJJC7kOmMB9LLEL5v1zXyTEVq8/s320/photo.jpg" width="180" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NEBCqg66KYGJpooIYA0fIEcOTfkRVxxIGS2b6N3zjAjpV6PHE9a6mONxqLm6US7y8Bs82q-V2lRfonnrfTa_Lpy84HET-bsAuBuQHks2j2e0FpnQPXglp8bb_29_33GOH2B-l5KT60w/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0NEBCqg66KYGJpooIYA0fIEcOTfkRVxxIGS2b6N3zjAjpV6PHE9a6mONxqLm6US7y8Bs82q-V2lRfonnrfTa_Lpy84HET-bsAuBuQHks2j2e0FpnQPXglp8bb_29_33GOH2B-l5KT60w/s320/photo.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">In May we had a fun day with some of our favorite friends (Thanks Z's!). They treated us to a yummy lunch and we let the kids play together. We also let the kids fingerpaint with homemade fingerpaints (edible). Merrilee had fun experimenting with this new art medium and Alice just liked to eat it...I think Alice also found a new crush...<3</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice trying to hold hands with Baby Z. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying this fun chair and G&G B's</td></tr>
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On Memorial Day, Ben worked in the morning, and then we went out to lunch with Grandma and Grandpa Brewer. After lunch we headed over to their house and just visited and relaxed out on their back patio. When we got home, it was Alice's bed time and then Merrilee and I had some nice cuddle and story time. It was a nice day!</div>
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The weekend after Memorial Day, my brother and his wife came to town. On Friday, the girls (my sister, my sister-in-law and I) went to IKEA. I got a few bins and baskets for organizing things, but had the most fun watching Merrilee play in the 'toy' section. She was quite the little cook! :) I love going to IKEA. I get so many ideas and just long for the day when I have my 'own' home to experiment all my awesome ideas on. </div>
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We had fun going out to eat Friday night with just the adults (Tucano's never fails!). Saturday morning Ben and I took the girls to the first day of the Provo farmer's market just to walk around and take in the sights, sounds, and smells. The coolest thing I saw there was this guy playing the most beautiful, intriguing music on an instrument I've never seen or heard of...the Nyckelharpa...apparently a sweedish fiddle. It was so cool! After the Farmer's Market, we got in the car and headed up to Provo Canyon to meet everyone at Bridal Veil Falls for a little outdoor outing. We got there before everyone else, so we just enjoyed a nice leisurely stroll with the girls along the trail and then stopped in a shady spot to let the girls explore and wait for everyone to show up. Once everyone got there, we went to the falls and hung out for a while. It was a warm day and it felt nice to wade our feet in the cool water. Merrilee had so much fun throwing rocks. She spent the majority of the time just picking up rocks and throwing them!<br />
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After Bridal Veil Falls, we all drove up to Heber and ate at a local burger joint called Train Burger. It was delicious! They even had these awesome electronic soda dispensers...it kind of blew our minds. After lunch, my brother and his wife continued on to Park City and us and my sister's family drove home to Orem. We just rested and hung out the rest of the day.<br />
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The Monday after this exciting weekend was really HOT. It was the first day in the 90's here. I pulled out the girls' little wading pool after their naps in the afternoon and we spent a couple hours having some water fun in the backyard. The girls had a lot of fun and they looked so cute in their tiny swimming suits. Can't wait for another really hot day to have some more water fun!<br />
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Yes, I realize these are the same picture of Alice, but I just love it so much in both color and black and white...
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This past weekend was the Orem Summerfest. We went <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2011_06_01_archive.html" target="_blank">last year</a> to the Summerfest, but didn't really do anything because the girls were so little. It is a celebration of the city of Orem complete with food, entertainment, booths, and carnival rides and games. I got to sing with the Orem Chorale on Saturday morning as part of the 'entertainment'. There wasn't much of an audience yet in the morning, which was good because somehow I got roped into singing a little solo part in one of the songs that morning. After we were done performing, Ben and I walked around with the girls. It was so nice because there wasn't any crowd at all! No lines, no people to maneuver our stroller around...just a few families here and there. I'm sure the crowds picked up later in the day. Merrilee was fascinated by all the rides. We thought for sure she would be scared of them, but after constantly saying she wanted to ride the cars and the boat and the airplane and the animals...we gave in and bought 6 tickets for her to ride some rides. She LOVED them! (all except the merry-go-round and the little 'pirate roller coaster'. It was about nap time at that point, so that probably contributed to the meltdowns). It was so much fun watching her laugh and enjoy herself on the [rickety]rides. Alice fell asleep in the stroller among all the excitement of the rides. After all the excitement, we took the girls home for their naps and I even got to sneak in a little nap too! :) Later in the evening there was a parade...we didn't dare attempt to watch it...people had their blankets and chairs set up on the side of the road 5 days in advance (pretty ridiculous if you ask me). We didn't want to try to find a spot or attempt to brace the strong winds that picked up in the afternoon/evening. The winds were so strong we were wondering if they would cancel the fireworks show later that night, but the show still went on! The girls were in bed and Ben and I just walked to the church parking lot for a good view (one house away) to watch the fireworks. It was a FUN weekend! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE6m9QxMf33chuf-1y5vZMbyrLvm3RlP4rCEzu0iP-b-bU0OYMqOtfjLb1izTP_6uJLL3sXCv5Z1sQfSYyMYGD0VADHZwqcbnUc-GxxGK7rrOJO6bhhKPC6TT3yUFzsH3TOv0ha447k8/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdE6m9QxMf33chuf-1y5vZMbyrLvm3RlP4rCEzu0iP-b-bU0OYMqOtfjLb1izTP_6uJLL3sXCv5Z1sQfSYyMYGD0VADHZwqcbnUc-GxxGK7rrOJO6bhhKPC6TT3yUFzsH3TOv0ha447k8/s640/photo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrilee was holding onto me for dear life on the Merry-go-round. She HATED it! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are looking forward to more summer fun complete with (hopefully) camping, family, hikes, bbqs etc. etc. Oh how I love Summer! :)</div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-50716200382048092422012-06-05T08:11:00.000-07:002012-06-05T08:43:16.793-07:00Alice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLU6M3w0gKwnjtnrAlBiVNi6Og5AVuJ5XV_YODZUmPFVrs8IqOtPkmUBG7pySPtTEeGs3vcBI8jMXr_ZkMoDr4A_mlkF3votxeNLMVXB_4gb8upZabnGyQcOYJzbtUCosJ2Yj7xmxJnuB/s1600/IMG_20120521_204536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYLU6M3w0gKwnjtnrAlBiVNi6Og5AVuJ5XV_YODZUmPFVrs8IqOtPkmUBG7pySPtTEeGs3vcBI8jMXr_ZkMoDr4A_mlkF3votxeNLMVXB_4gb8upZabnGyQcOYJzbtUCosJ2Yj7xmxJnuB/s320/IMG_20120521_204536.jpg" width="320" /></a>This very long post is devoted to our little Alice Mae. On May 18, our little Alice turned <b>ONE!!! </b> I can't believe how fast this past year has gone! Alice is such a spunky little girl, always moving and wiggling and exploring things. She does not really like to be held and is VERY independent. She won't even let us feed her food from a spoon anymore! She has to feed herself, so we just have to cut or mash up her food so that she can get all messy and do it herself! She will bat away our hands if we even attempt to feed her from a spoon. She is always happy and smiling (except when she needs something, then she really makes it known to us!). Lately, some of her favorite things and activities are:<br />
~ throwing toys<br />
~ hitting faces<br />
~ crawling like a speed racer across the room<br />
~ playing and giggling with her sister<br />
~ reading books<br />
~ kicking walls<br />
~ going for walks outside<br />
~ exploring grass<br />
~ singing songs (Nerdy side note to my music friends: She totally can sing the S-M (m3) interval! Its amazing! This really is the first interval that babies and children can sing in tune! )<br />
~ saying "Hi" to everyone she sees and also to her favorite toys and objects<br />
~ playing rhythm instruments or playing with anything that makes sounds<br />
~waking up 2-3 times per night to have quality bonding time with mommy (*Yawn)<br />
~ splashing in the bath<br />
~ snuggling with her little bunny blankie and sharing it with others<br />
<br />
Alice brings so much joy and excitement to our little family. She's always keeping us on our toes, that's for sure! You can just tell she is just so happy to be alive here on earth and lives life with passion.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRycNCxu-V3WEypxNUaT5X6pPVEIINZ2QjGWh64ydLYsjitPt6VxHaNgJ-BrcuweU4yLFrVX_5OfB3eBuCTs1DaZ96A9K9Dxf_7HkENT1zwy07n_P1cYYpdERBBpKwuiurEsTrclR8q_I5/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRycNCxu-V3WEypxNUaT5X6pPVEIINZ2QjGWh64ydLYsjitPt6VxHaNgJ-BrcuweU4yLFrVX_5OfB3eBuCTs1DaZ96A9K9Dxf_7HkENT1zwy07n_P1cYYpdERBBpKwuiurEsTrclR8q_I5/s320/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a>So some updates on Alice's health...I took her for her 1 year checkup a couple weeks ago. It sure was different going to a different pediatrician. We sure missed <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2012/03/tribute.html" target="_blank">Dr. Nielson</a>. I will definitely not go back to this pediatrician we saw for Alice's checkup. He was very impersonal and dismissive. Anyways, Alice is still tiny, but growing steadily, around 7% for weight (16.9 lbs). She looks like a 6-9 month old, and still wears these sizes of clothing, but does things like a 1 year old. Its really cute to watch!<br />
<br />
As far as her neuroblastoma goes, we are still monitoring. (If you were not aware of her health situation read posts <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/life.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2011/08/plan-camera-fun.html" target="_blank">here</a>). The last many tests have been clear (except for elevated dopamine levels still in her urine, but I guess that's not too worrisome.) We scheduled another round of MRI and lab tests for the end of June. She isn't showing any symptoms or anything, but we just want to be sure everything is still clear. The oncologists we are working with think that the cancer has most likely resolved itself (which is somewhat common in babies under 1). It is really miraculous that a little baby body can fight away cancer without any outside medicine or help! (FYI this type of childhood cancer gets a LOT harder to fight once the children are older, like 2years +).<br />
<br />
I am confessing right now that I am a horrible journal keeper...these blog posts are kind of like my journal so that I can preserve memories and happenings in our family. I figured this post would be a good place to remember Alice's birth story...So, for those who are interested, here's the birth story. For those who are not interested, skip down to the bottom for pictures! :) <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8-JddRol5T4FCd5-fhaEXazMrB9h4d1QXN9PaGQZQXXL9VG82ZBQBt6qDMAg5fUGTov5ztYArbs8zt07OIjlAE85mnzsqUbB-lEorbejqixscEYrjn7ogM_FlygBMG-PkMHxTfDBDFBr/s1600/DSCN9762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC8-JddRol5T4FCd5-fhaEXazMrB9h4d1QXN9PaGQZQXXL9VG82ZBQBt6qDMAg5fUGTov5ztYArbs8zt07OIjlAE85mnzsqUbB-lEorbejqixscEYrjn7ogM_FlygBMG-PkMHxTfDBDFBr/s200/DSCN9762.JPG" width="200" /></a><i>So about a week before Alice came, I was 37 weeks and some days along and the doctor was getting a little worried because I was consistently measuring small for dates. We got my fluid checked the next day via ultrasound just to be sure everything was ok. Apparently my fluid level was "borderline", meaning there was enough fluid in there for baby, but if it got any lower, it might be risky. The ultrasound specialist sent me straight-way to talk to the doctor. He wanted me to go to the hospital to get an amniocentesis to check if the baby's lungs were developed enough to deliver early. If they were, he wanted to induce. I didn't really understand why he would want to induce me just for 'borderline fluid'. In the ultrasound, the baby looked healthy and like she was thriving in there. Anyways, the next day I went to the hospital for the amnio. Before they did anything, they did an ultrasound to double check the fluid level. The hospital ultrasound people were a lot more thorough and experienced. According to that ultrasound, the fluid level was good...above borderline. The specialist doctor at the hospital said there was no reason to do an amnio or to induce unless I wanted them to. I said no way! I wanted this baby to come when she was ready! So the doctor sent me home and told me to enjoy the rest of my pregnancy...which only happened to be exactly one week longer!</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtleV4lLFS4c3Vuxj4_dkcUVk3ykUkF45jDE0Bv-GmyzNuOuZDbBCX836KGdySSR3tuZHd-HOZx21TDFHKGbtvaTV0WtH2nJyR9ogJxnnfjukc_qpH-iWQwrEcZFdj2aw3Govly6Xvv3R/s1600/DSCN9767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtleV4lLFS4c3Vuxj4_dkcUVk3ykUkF45jDE0Bv-GmyzNuOuZDbBCX836KGdySSR3tuZHd-HOZx21TDFHKGbtvaTV0WtH2nJyR9ogJxnnfjukc_qpH-iWQwrEcZFdj2aw3Govly6Xvv3R/s320/DSCN9767.JPG" width="320" /></a><i>The next Wednesday morning at about 4:30am I got up to use the little girl's room. I started having contractions and woke up Ben to tell him we needed to go to the hospital! The contractions were close together and pretty intense. Since Merrilee came so fast, the doctors kept telling us as soon as you feel contractions get to the hospital, don't wait. So we rushed around to get everything together and tell my sister we were leaving so she could take care of Merrilee, and we were off! We got to the hospital at about 5am. I was dilated to a 4 (just a day and a half before I was at a 1). The contractions were going strong and then I got the epidural. This seemed to slow things down for a couple hours...like my contractions essentially stopped...until they broke my water! They broke my water at around 10am and Alice was born at 10:38am! Within that half hour after they broke my water, I started having REALLY intense contractions. They were so intense I could still feel them (with pain) even with the epidural. Ben called in the nurse for me and she checked things out. She said, "Oh wow! There's the head!" She called the doctor to come in (he was about to leave the hospital because he thought it would still be a couple hours). O</i><i>nce they got everything set up for the delivery, I only had to push once and there she was! (if fact, in the middle of that first push, the doctor said "Ok, you can stop pushing!" haha) :) Alice was coming whether I helped her along or not! </i><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5anlHmdJX0JUpF-QJa47ihNtRzE8UDtzRqBfNeZ8OdGuT9kur3RqgK9VfqCiIoKfCc9QBdgh4_MirVekfKlCaW1PObAyoz7-cmbjKYdi1xw9-yoj98orzxQJLPmnljgtXvhpvX9T6A-Kk/s1600/DSCN9785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5anlHmdJX0JUpF-QJa47ihNtRzE8UDtzRqBfNeZ8OdGuT9kur3RqgK9VfqCiIoKfCc9QBdgh4_MirVekfKlCaW1PObAyoz7-cmbjKYdi1xw9-yoj98orzxQJLPmnljgtXvhpvX9T6A-Kk/s200/DSCN9785.JPG" width="200" /></a> <i> A perfect little girl, Alice Mae Brewer, 5lbs 15oz 18in long. The nurse put her on me right away. I did not have this experience with Merrilee, they cleaned up Merrilee before I held her. It was so amazing to be able to see and hold tiny little Alice right away. As soon as we saw her, both Ben and I said "She is so TINY!" She was smaller than Merrilee was by a pound. It was such a miraculous and special moment to see our little Alice for the first time. We knew she was part of our family and she came to our family exactly at the right time. After they got her all cleaned up and weighed and me all taken care of, everyone left the room so that Ben and I could have some alone time with our new little angel. This was so nice. We didn't have this experience with Merrilee either. I tried to breastfeed Alice for the first time and she latched on right away! After a while of family bonding time, we called for the nurses to take Alice and Ben for Alice's bath and to take me down to the mother's recovery room. Recovery was a BREEZE with Alice. I was up and around so quick after giving birth. It was very enjoyable after remembering what it was like after giving birth to Merrilee (I was sick as a dog with a sinus infection and just lied in the hospital bed like a sack of potatoes the whole time I was in the hospital with her!) </i><br />
<br />
Ok, Here's some pictures of our last year with Alice. We love you Alice! ;)<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/AVvXsEh820VqWsI7L8G_p-AoKisyZDvHvEmcUvFB6eBQxab-F5TGjWadWQffdMYZuHj53Nd10AYqpUbWTZrnz6R9rDyO2SJd48Mw9sNV8qXyx20iCDe-uSLJ03jLcqTLa_fhiky5pe82Hm8nFS3X/s1600/DSCN9816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh820VqWsI7L8G_p-AoKisyZDvHvEmcUvFB6eBQxab-F5TGjWadWQffdMYZuHj53Nd10AYqpUbWTZrnz6R9rDyO2SJd48Mw9sNV8qXyx20iCDe-uSLJ03jLcqTLa_fhiky5pe82Hm8nFS3X/s320/DSCN9816.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A couple weeks old. We had to buy some premie outfits for her because she was so tiny!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMeOml2I1w2a2pOl2gCvPSpyuWRtUQlnw6Br1oTIHPL-W4sevumkBon6HHVRXF8M0MU6uFoUtQRIk1JoFLTh8rNKoFLPdKCX5l-8Po7jpeGrDT-42RUOiuIJVM0S4OZUgJVeSousa85PG/s1600/DSCN9865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVMeOml2I1w2a2pOl2gCvPSpyuWRtUQlnw6Br1oTIHPL-W4sevumkBon6HHVRXF8M0MU6uFoUtQRIk1JoFLTh8rNKoFLPdKCX5l-8Po7jpeGrDT-42RUOiuIJVM0S4OZUgJVeSousa85PG/s320/DSCN9865.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One month</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnaSXRUD-3Aq0IMiui34prxXtQH5O8hyiU-L7MImklGfSdC2hbABzWk5zLKjG9NdJF5kef0hIROqtHdcfVSPBQN7QTCzOr7NwI33gvT-u4i6lYejEm_3ftGOtxtOqyWvkDdvHJOmDJIqq/s1600/DSCN9959+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSnaSXRUD-3Aq0IMiui34prxXtQH5O8hyiU-L7MImklGfSdC2hbABzWk5zLKjG9NdJF5kef0hIROqtHdcfVSPBQN7QTCzOr7NwI33gvT-u4i6lYejEm_3ftGOtxtOqyWvkDdvHJOmDJIqq/s320/DSCN9959+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg15owEHCjyTkPQYquXwRgGGM8sHASrKUl8aF9V0ESfWbcoqaP60kgv-fWcsnBY2lQ7FGtRIpU1rE4AOjmQZGiGAjEuA7MPly0i6EJrAzbDCgqbrg-fGv8SqKd-nlidSqOOFYPTgvkXfjz/s1600/Alice4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg15owEHCjyTkPQYquXwRgGGM8sHASrKUl8aF9V0ESfWbcoqaP60kgv-fWcsnBY2lQ7FGtRIpU1rE4AOjmQZGiGAjEuA7MPly0i6EJrAzbDCgqbrg-fGv8SqKd-nlidSqOOFYPTgvkXfjz/s320/Alice4.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflVZ-y7Y6LbkY3Pajvx0FqNFY4LMf6uiDqMBtTIxd3IvShobYg9AldAslYVjYrteeWU9dJj4jlAspUv7F7RoaYdzYC2NVSWPuhZyVxcfCwmQUWDn1IUEwn-UC2qUuIqV-D3IauJVxT96G/s1600/DSCN9954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhflVZ-y7Y6LbkY3Pajvx0FqNFY4LMf6uiDqMBtTIxd3IvShobYg9AldAslYVjYrteeWU9dJj4jlAspUv7F7RoaYdzYC2NVSWPuhZyVxcfCwmQUWDn1IUEwn-UC2qUuIqV-D3IauJVxT96G/s320/DSCN9954.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">4 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nkj5jS8YFlGgmcC-XoqBzydF21rRiuPlW0IKExwN0-1MjCR_ALIhQF4xuQsIZb9NRRnyqYyxKpT7dBzfaWGif2pPEamdhKGkEJAlpgB4om3C2C07oQmePAdF3c0XZFWyzH1b3wNA3f9C/s1600/DSCN9767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nkj5jS8YFlGgmcC-XoqBzydF21rRiuPlW0IKExwN0-1MjCR_ALIhQF4xuQsIZb9NRRnyqYyxKpT7dBzfaWGif2pPEamdhKGkEJAlpgB4om3C2C07oQmePAdF3c0XZFWyzH1b3wNA3f9C/s320/DSCN9767.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_08j5R3Qks_fi6kFVqFfVxX81s0CZNDKyt89rRCINuzwSbu1bCse7EbM2MmZCMfEKeB9DB9vjGFu-4Ve3EftkWAdnwQLcEMNv4eqbOYcBH_wfYUeXwRT_pNjH5j52rXcHrznxcoj1DLfU/s1600/BrewerFam2011-35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_08j5R3Qks_fi6kFVqFfVxX81s0CZNDKyt89rRCINuzwSbu1bCse7EbM2MmZCMfEKeB9DB9vjGFu-4Ve3EftkWAdnwQLcEMNv4eqbOYcBH_wfYUeXwRT_pNjH5j52rXcHrznxcoj1DLfU/s320/BrewerFam2011-35.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 months</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg2cqjZDnnvdpG3nqikqoj9UXWq8CgIClN74HtblTgRiObrX5sWdfpsVm6K-a4Sj2ERqUODK1qaXFYg3Wvrdl6Fssw7Q46_zgZ6N8Dkp6QFk_u_JjB-t3muvBu16PaCK9t3uk1tYTdlR8/s1600/DSCN0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwg2cqjZDnnvdpG3nqikqoj9UXWq8CgIClN74HtblTgRiObrX5sWdfpsVm6K-a4Sj2ERqUODK1qaXFYg3Wvrdl6Fssw7Q46_zgZ6N8Dkp6QFk_u_JjB-t3muvBu16PaCK9t3uk1tYTdlR8/s320/DSCN0102.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">7 months </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8SfX5sAm9xudgTONFoyM6BgmFN85jCowjDRPl09kbF4iGIjElnEx8s-MujV0V4VwCJUU4TaLgUuLjCv-zQ9NGY7Dmst69GwW-X1Rg31uIvsSK-69K5HWMdLHd6hlsAgpBPydZvcxDHc8/s1600/DSCN9768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8SfX5sAm9xudgTONFoyM6BgmFN85jCowjDRPl09kbF4iGIjElnEx8s-MujV0V4VwCJUU4TaLgUuLjCv-zQ9NGY7Dmst69GwW-X1Rg31uIvsSK-69K5HWMdLHd6hlsAgpBPydZvcxDHc8/s320/DSCN9768.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 months</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/AVvXsEjpKioMX1eKSwq-AsD69vRfhUEDQTCELFCBGg0alfxGSJ7Mbh9MTwLzhA6qW5NxGi4OfLgWHwvfnoOlKVinx47teXLYduw7xSxfaZDxvRTy-YwqSY79Je6w0BUrhSNDcP0DS3UOJzqPj51a/s1600/2012-03-03_11-05-14_851_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKioMX1eKSwq-AsD69vRfhUEDQTCELFCBGg0alfxGSJ7Mbh9MTwLzhA6qW5NxGi4OfLgWHwvfnoOlKVinx47teXLYduw7xSxfaZDxvRTy-YwqSY79Je6w0BUrhSNDcP0DS3UOJzqPj51a/s320/2012-03-03_11-05-14_851_edit0.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG75YhTPo-V-5_sMgyShTE7cEJXIY8B_7fISToxQbnOQs1Qbwk-9S8g8uf7CElN9KZDLo3v7rZVxw_SmxqgF89VCR_qTR1IPI0QTSh0SjGhPgk4uitlPkYuqO0_TyC6edIFYeoIHhDNLEl/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG75YhTPo-V-5_sMgyShTE7cEJXIY8B_7fISToxQbnOQs1Qbwk-9S8g8uf7CElN9KZDLo3v7rZVxw_SmxqgF89VCR_qTR1IPI0QTSh0SjGhPgk4uitlPkYuqO0_TyC6edIFYeoIHhDNLEl/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcP3fa0l6pSDPSvAUn7hJNAh76bzXGgV9rU-tF0VyJdNv8cmftXQ5vT9ygEWkQ1uZkcetfZJJiZg1wyr9wPsObDh4C7g_BhcrK2CI8Sai7MbjYGrksn0d6jsJ8bsPHxJISasykNDnza2-/s1600/2012-04-13_17-19-53_50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBcP3fa0l6pSDPSvAUn7hJNAh76bzXGgV9rU-tF0VyJdNv8cmftXQ5vT9ygEWkQ1uZkcetfZJJiZg1wyr9wPsObDh4C7g_BhcrK2CI8Sai7MbjYGrksn0d6jsJ8bsPHxJISasykNDnza2-/s320/2012-04-13_17-19-53_50.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">11 months</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_n5grKKOigVZ9PY5YiaL2lbh9DL9IiwOkwEAefXaleRTb0-9ToTjGolD03E8lEIGfPahJKyiQbMOkqx1st21UsgAd0fr-URc8HnXkpnTidH9kMk69vnw3sOqQ5skiPuR1DXw-e7GrZpE/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_n5grKKOigVZ9PY5YiaL2lbh9DL9IiwOkwEAefXaleRTb0-9ToTjGolD03E8lEIGfPahJKyiQbMOkqx1st21UsgAd0fr-URc8HnXkpnTidH9kMk69vnw3sOqQ5skiPuR1DXw-e7GrZpE/s320/photo.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 YEAR!</td></tr>
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Below are just some cute recent pics of our little peanut...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ky6VP2s7agf8l4YZpQd04sPZp6GUxHPDwjUqF9Yx_A7617vNz434kPMn_tYbOJSR34YHHGvmLyv_8T5tCluEoyxR_da6nqJGSwyXxkQT_lxK4YqyG-nUuKfoSZiscrsegibm9qWvvh-5/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Ky6VP2s7agf8l4YZpQd04sPZp6GUxHPDwjUqF9Yx_A7617vNz434kPMn_tYbOJSR34YHHGvmLyv_8T5tCluEoyxR_da6nqJGSwyXxkQT_lxK4YqyG-nUuKfoSZiscrsegibm9qWvvh-5/s320/photo.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid91ncVBbcfMspI0eNOyALDMTz4HWubllwbRIIBi53gBcW8Rfp78vm3Gl7UTVr45ZRNRDfjyk5adRpMflyTJd3WaXyUrcylERBLSXNlG92qeauqMTeDhef1gmcD-NwzueGTsQKK82G9d0J/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid91ncVBbcfMspI0eNOyALDMTz4HWubllwbRIIBi53gBcW8Rfp78vm3Gl7UTVr45ZRNRDfjyk5adRpMflyTJd3WaXyUrcylERBLSXNlG92qeauqMTeDhef1gmcD-NwzueGTsQKK82G9d0J/s320/photo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL78Hcb09HXMkluauegQbUlLDDiz38SRy32Dp5pbfPyhGv0Eu8QDheyY3MEuwfChRKEIu_dhT3p740OZUQ-eGZ9jnewngGP1DkCtbJ2CpjUQ1SqGvGebU3fqXU3Z0KqfXSHwDDAllLq5_/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL78Hcb09HXMkluauegQbUlLDDiz38SRy32Dp5pbfPyhGv0Eu8QDheyY3MEuwfChRKEIu_dhT3p740OZUQ-eGZ9jnewngGP1DkCtbJ2CpjUQ1SqGvGebU3fqXU3Z0KqfXSHwDDAllLq5_/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
More update posts to come...MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-31877680553473892682012-05-14T13:15:00.001-07:002012-05-14T13:15:14.763-07:00Women and Mothers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7chtaKYHLPT_LKaFs6MuICX3q1m-uwY7WApeIiaP6awrbCr-djDUvY1owJdRuLAnBXH2Lxuv_GU9PH4PxMQEjzFPsVJuc_vTgncmk2yD8P4vSQOVGbUoP3EvhBruo6dWHsq52BlSmk9Q/s1600/IMG_5607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO7chtaKYHLPT_LKaFs6MuICX3q1m-uwY7WApeIiaP6awrbCr-djDUvY1owJdRuLAnBXH2Lxuv_GU9PH4PxMQEjzFPsVJuc_vTgncmk2yD8P4vSQOVGbUoP3EvhBruo6dWHsq52BlSmk9Q/s400/IMG_5607.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I know this is late, but this mother's day, I wanted to write a post to express my gratitude for the incredible women in my life, starting with my own angel <b>mother</b>. My mom is the best in the world! From her I have learned and continue to learn about love, selflessness, strong faith and devotion, prayer, tenderness....the list could go on. She is the most loving person I've ever known. I have always felt so loved by her. Thank you, mom for being such a great example of what true beauty is! I love you! :) </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL-IWTcJHoVO-xHoFOFFMbOYWgi4I5cyU3JjkXDrvkWdn8gjhcDGtEgLQuYYrhpE9TpHSj9lukyOg3S1pSxm8rjqAniFciIYQACBugJF9aeaaeJQmdSlzYwXg6iMU8d-fkBEc4xWCypat/s1600/Melissa+and+Alice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbL-IWTcJHoVO-xHoFOFFMbOYWgi4I5cyU3JjkXDrvkWdn8gjhcDGtEgLQuYYrhpE9TpHSj9lukyOg3S1pSxm8rjqAniFciIYQACBugJF9aeaaeJQmdSlzYwXg6iMU8d-fkBEc4xWCypat/s320/Melissa+and+Alice.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beautiful sister and Alice</td></tr>
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Next is my amazing <b>sister</b>. There is quite the age gap between us (9 years), but she has always been a great example to me. I love living so close to her and being involved in each other's lives. She has firm faith, a fun, friendly personality, and amazing determination and strength through the good and tough times (10 surgeries in the past 6 years!).<br />
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Then there is my sweet <b>mother-in-law</b>. We have similar personalities and I just love being around her when we have the opportunities. She is very calm and sweet, always making sure everyone is taken care of. I am amazed at how she raised SIX amazing sons (my hubby being the most amazing, of course ;). I am grateful for her righteous example of how to raise righteous, faithful children. I know that she is a "mother who knows". She reminds me of the mothers of the stripling warriors in the Book of Mormon <a href="http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/56?lang=eng" target="_blank">(See Alma 56: 47-48)</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB5Pk7Fq7_2cyPpwcgH7PtqOBVw61A12xE7YTJrn_7KtIkc-Z8eFPol-wemNiVjoDnHba2YwdTRbvyd4ixXZrxGh0zuAfooHfqhg833Bsl-PxUX6XgjU8ZgoIE20Iq9RuYVv-ocaOwH3F/s1600/Grandma+Dunn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYB5Pk7Fq7_2cyPpwcgH7PtqOBVw61A12xE7YTJrn_7KtIkc-Z8eFPol-wemNiVjoDnHba2YwdTRbvyd4ixXZrxGh0zuAfooHfqhg833Bsl-PxUX6XgjU8ZgoIE20Iq9RuYVv-ocaOwH3F/s200/Grandma+Dunn.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Dunn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff40SH9n_Qkyn7YWK3VVdTvYiZnnRolybNk0m9NEC1sxfw7DkFmL1XL6-LF7xAKe4ucHMv8Izzrz46QHMgzpLsvlznQ9Q4TvCBSt8BKdgJVXtFpcq-UeSw3tCuEQyVG4_wuxsvGrDMOPs/s1600/IMG_6324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiff40SH9n_Qkyn7YWK3VVdTvYiZnnRolybNk0m9NEC1sxfw7DkFmL1XL6-LF7xAKe4ucHMv8Izzrz46QHMgzpLsvlznQ9Q4TvCBSt8BKdgJVXtFpcq-UeSw3tCuEQyVG4_wuxsvGrDMOPs/s200/IMG_6324.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma Brewer</td></tr>
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The <b>Grandmothers</b> in my life are very special to me. Grandma Dunn has always been so supportive and loving to all her family members. I love hearing stories of how she raised SEVEN boys and ONE girl. She has always been energetic and kind. Even though we've always lived far apart, I've always felt so loved and cared for by her. Grandma Brewer is Ben's grandma, but I feel close to her like she is my own (biological) grandma too. We've been blessed to be able to live near her since we got married. Grandma Brewer is ALWAYS thinking of others and how to serve. She is so very kind and one of my favorite people to spend time with. She is very strong-willed with a very strong faith that she shares by her shining example to all around her. My Granny Lois has always been special. I've not spent very much time with her, but I know she loves the Lord and loves all around her. She is very willing to love and serve those around her and is just as sweet as can be. (Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of Granny Lois)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindIMJ5W8R_nqbmdYLJKM2guHR25JmwSV3gRdoOFQwxZ36-CZRYAWZy1dxGA5VxUbnl5hmjVL3EtkMOIcNr8A3eCAXPMQ3QrwCFLPY7ox-plAqhgCnWWzYnsboc_AV5ymzkXIMvbT2nkDN/s1600/couple1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEindIMJ5W8R_nqbmdYLJKM2guHR25JmwSV3gRdoOFQwxZ36-CZRYAWZy1dxGA5VxUbnl5hmjVL3EtkMOIcNr8A3eCAXPMQ3QrwCFLPY7ox-plAqhgCnWWzYnsboc_AV5ymzkXIMvbT2nkDN/s200/couple1.JPG" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Emily</td></tr>
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I am blessed to have some amazing <b>Sisters-in-law</b>.</div>
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~Emily just joined our family a few months ago, but she's a keeper! ;) She is so good for my brother and I can tell she is an amazing mother. I'm looking forward to getting to know her better. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvkUbfiV6kd5J46CtSdFe5PLRE4-BWp0EHExrzO0c5nWrnkOCqqrkcHwtDDJ_Pz1poUHM2ToKJdm06-AoQfWo40AE6tbqDFvZbN3KV-HJZzqoFzXPqNmoPxkQQh8ECoycYRtZcrfVgJu5/s1600/Mike+and+Song+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGvkUbfiV6kd5J46CtSdFe5PLRE4-BWp0EHExrzO0c5nWrnkOCqqrkcHwtDDJ_Pz1poUHM2ToKJdm06-AoQfWo40AE6tbqDFvZbN3KV-HJZzqoFzXPqNmoPxkQQh8ECoycYRtZcrfVgJu5/s320/Mike+and+Song+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song</td></tr>
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~We had the opportunity to live with Mike and Song for a few months while Ben did an internship in D.C. I learned SO MUCH from Song about motherhood and wifehood (is that even a word?) I was still very much a new mother with Merrilee being only 6 months when we moved there, and I found out I was pregnant with Alice while we were there also! Song showed me and helped me realize the kind of wife and mother I aspire to be with my children and family by the way she ran her household and loved her children. Through her example, she taught me about housekeeping, sewing, cooking, how to be a good friend/neighbor, how to show your children love throughout the day...the list could go on. I know we were supposed to go out East for a reason, and I know that this is one of them...so that I could learn from Song's example of love, patience, kindness, hard work, and tenderness. (Miss you Song!)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoku</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzcGAWPXxhJddHCG58L-rUgZK87vFYs4qFsghjdn6BsyIcoP6ouPu46nHvfbXr37sruYRymc_uh45Tf7Leyp7_MArMwsPtN9Zx6ZNmG1ZmdHtkgudomxhCl0YK5vR9pOI55UVGNuoQiXT/s1600/Jeralyn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVzcGAWPXxhJddHCG58L-rUgZK87vFYs4qFsghjdn6BsyIcoP6ouPu46nHvfbXr37sruYRymc_uh45Tf7Leyp7_MArMwsPtN9Zx6ZNmG1ZmdHtkgudomxhCl0YK5vR9pOI55UVGNuoQiXT/s200/Jeralyn.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeralyn</td></tr>
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~Hoku and I go way back...to middle school band! Yep we sat next to each other in the flute section of the 8th grade band. We also went on a YW backpacking trip together a few years later. I am so happy that we are sisters now! Hoku is an amazing example of superwoman! Her ambition and hard work are inspiring (working, schooling, motherhood)! She is very loving and FUN to be around.</div>
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~Jeralyn and I also go way back! We were friends in High School and we always thought it would be funny if we both married Brewer boys and became related. :) Well, now we are! Jeralyn also has a fun personality. I've always admired her quiet strength and easy-going attitude. She is just so sweet and I love talking with her when we get the chance. The way she treats all around her shows what a kind-hearted person she is!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLond_6YH4tC74SDesqrMHWsGtOzZ12jDWyeJHwNkXvsYcRg7wmHiTQ8fDmKLqHat9gglsUemWCBqQrpxHixcY_EnP0nb8gYym_KeubHUwIqacvS7UR88NYoMjqA8IUx1l7raYoZm6sCg/s1600/kylie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLond_6YH4tC74SDesqrMHWsGtOzZ12jDWyeJHwNkXvsYcRg7wmHiTQ8fDmKLqHat9gglsUemWCBqQrpxHixcY_EnP0nb8gYym_KeubHUwIqacvS7UR88NYoMjqA8IUx1l7raYoZm6sCg/s200/kylie.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylie</td></tr>
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~Kylie is so awesome. I've always loved how friendly and outgoing she is! She is an amazing mama and crafter/homemaker extraordinaire! I find her easy to talk to and relate with and she's just one of those people you want to be around! I'm glad we've gotten to spend some time together every few months! </div>
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And then there are all my <b>Friends</b>. I don't have room to write about each one of them here, but they are my best, lifelong friends, my friends from high school, my friends from college, my friends from church, my friends from the community...I feel like I have many friends who uplift me, inspire me, encourage me and are examples to me. These are the women who are making a difference in my life everyday (whether they know it or not) just by their examples. </div>
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There are so many women and mothers in my life who have helped me become who I am today and who continue to help me to progress and refine my womanly and motherly attributes.Thank you all for being the women you are! </div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-13809537595445092522012-05-13T22:05:00.003-07:002012-05-13T22:05:39.916-07:00Some catch up with photosOk, so here's some random catch up with some photos...<br />
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My mom came into town a couple weeks ago and we had a grand time. We went to the tulip festival at Thanksgiving point, played games, and just had fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXPPYVl4xoR-rY6E17PUS4JakBVTiV_HSlacdMtq3lHXmC-bYwUSKjnXuNlNCNhpx5Lebfrd4-8dqnUemTfAxJ7WmSWi76u_A4tuaU0IN-zvpBcmUM3eyMM_Sx0-BPIFD52GibLuJEMis/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAXPPYVl4xoR-rY6E17PUS4JakBVTiV_HSlacdMtq3lHXmC-bYwUSKjnXuNlNCNhpx5Lebfrd4-8dqnUemTfAxJ7WmSWi76u_A4tuaU0IN-zvpBcmUM3eyMM_Sx0-BPIFD52GibLuJEMis/s320/photo.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHojIMJWypfzeAcoUKge6PSE-G9Oh4Ni-aefe84Oa6TpyNCoK9G1KoxlMyrmr3OPpa8aSqh-0Z9fZjb87VQUKcsA_UZj5jTi7SYVPvnYCPWVjYtsR5jVJ-WXSTY8u7VeinTUr8fu0dEWen/s1600/photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHojIMJWypfzeAcoUKge6PSE-G9Oh4Ni-aefe84Oa6TpyNCoK9G1KoxlMyrmr3OPpa8aSqh-0Z9fZjb87VQUKcsA_UZj5jTi7SYVPvnYCPWVjYtsR5jVJ-WXSTY8u7VeinTUr8fu0dEWen/s320/photo.jpg" width="207" /></a><br />
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My mom gave Alice a few early birthday presents... a precious little dress and 2 baby dolls (Thanks Nana!). I couldn't get her to look at the camera because Merrilee was distracting her. Oh well.<br />
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Ben and I had our anniversary date. Dinner at Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point. It was very lovely and delicious!<br />
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Merrilee loves to be a helper these days, especially in the kitchen! Sometimes it ends up being way more of a mess, but oh so fun! :) Here are some after pictures of helping with a recipe that involved flour...(its a little hard to see, but she was COVERED in flour! hehe)<br />
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Alice is just getting cuter by the day! She has 2 bottom teeth and one (huge) top tooth in right now. She's so silly during bath time! ;)<br />
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<span id="goog_595713363"></span><span id="goog_595713364"></span>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-60079084886020229542012-05-06T20:19:00.000-07:002012-05-06T20:20:54.296-07:004 Years Down, Eternity to Go! (With some marathons in between)<br />
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Last year I (Maura) wrote our <a href="http://brewershouseofmusic.blogspot.com/2011/05/my-royal-wedding-happy-anniversary.html" target="_blank">Wedding Anniversary post</a>, so Ben decided he would write one this year (what a sweet man!):</div>
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Maura and I had quite the eventful weekend. I will begin
with our 4<sup>th</sup> wedding anniversary. </div>
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We celebrated our 4 year wedding anniversary on May 3. On
May 9, it will be the 9<sup>th</sup> anniversary of our first date. So you can
understand what I mean when I say it feels like we have been married longer than 4 years.
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I took
Maura out to Harvest Restaurant at Thanksgiving Point for Dinner. It was a
Thursday night so we had the whole restaurant to ourselves. It was so weird just
having us two alone that It took some time to know what to talk about besides
children stuff. It was nice to take
Maura out and spoil her. She also picked out a few cute outfits on our outing.
Maura is a very frugal person, so when we go shopping for clothing, I have to force
her to put things in her cart. It’s Ironic that I am the big spender in the home.</div>
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I wanted to write this blog post because it gave me an
opportunity to share how amazing of a person Maura really is and how grateful I
am to be married to her. </div>
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I knew in High School I wanted to marry her. Strange for a
high school kid to be thinking even a day ahead, but I was sure that she was
the one for me. I am grateful that this early impression happened. From the beginning
our relationship it was obvious to all around that Maura was dating DOWN. I was
nice on the outside but sometimes not so gooey and creamy on the inside. I had
and still have a lot of edges that Maura is trying to smooth out. </div>
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I never
had much confidence in my ability to do well in schooling. On our first day of
senior year in high school, Maura and I just friends at the time compared
schedules as we walked to class. We basically had opposite schedules. She had
high school in the morning and college classes in the afternoon. As I walked
her to her first class, I not having any classes till my college classes at 10:00 AM, I felt desperate because I wasn’t going to see her during the days. At this
point we had been on one "official" date and I was really starting to like her. So I
followed her to her first class, AP Government, and sat next to her. When the
teacher asked who I was, I told him that I was joining the class. Maura seemed
a little shocked, as did I, that those words came out of my mouth. I also did
this same procedure for the second class of the day. I had to drop all of my
morning college classes and switch them to the afternoon. </div>
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I am
not sure why, but being with Maura really drove me to excel at school. I
received the same grade as her in those classes (remember Maura easily got into
BYU Provo) which was amazing to me because I don’t think I had ever seen an “A”
before. I spent the next 9 months courting her to the point of giving the most
romantic love story a run for its money. Now I wasn’t perfect. I made a fool of
myself probably more than anything else. But it didn’t matter to me. Maura made
me want to be better, and I couldn’t let go of her. So here we are today, married
and two kids later. Our adventure began only 9 years ago, and there is plenty
more ahead. I couldn’t think of a better person to continue this journey with. </div>
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Soooooooooooooooo…..#2 Maura and I ran a Half Marathon Relay
Today!</div>
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As I write this, Maura is passed out on the couch. Maura
only began training a few weeks ago, and she managed to run 6.8 miles today in
a decent time. We basically ran a half marathon relay style, with me starting the
race, meeting her half way, and her finishing the race. We awoke this morning
at 4:30 AM and I had to take a bus to the start line at 5:30 AM in Provo canyon.
This was all while it was 38 degrees outside. We are pretty beat at this point.
Maura is really good about pushing herself to be better. We finished in a combined time of 2 hours and
2 minutes for 13.1 miles. Not bad for amateurs. </div>
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The girls are doing well. Alice turns one in a few weeks,
and Merrilee has become a “good helper” in the kitchen. She stands on an old
laundry detergent bucket and watches as we cook and wash dishes. We love these
little girls. </div>
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That’s all. You will not likely hear from me for another
year, because I do not want to scare people away from the blog, so expect to
hear from Maura soon. </div>benhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07715119594850887192noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-55871446125517969602012-04-18T14:04:00.000-07:002012-04-18T14:04:29.620-07:00Fun Easter Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Its time to catch up! Easter weekend we had a lot of fun! On Saturday, I had a choir rehearsal from 9-11. When I got home, we got everyone ready and we headed down to the LaVell Edwards Stadium for BYU's 1st annual easter egg hunt! It was pretty crowded. They had all sorts of fun stuff to 'win' in the hunt, like football tickets, tour of the locker rooms, membership in cougar kids club, BYU memorabilia, and of course candy! Merrilee got a pretty good loot of candy and some BYU sports cards and a BYU rally towel! Alice just had fun playing on the field! :)</div>
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<span id="goog_2094606478"></span>They were giving away free tickets to the baseball games going on that day, so we snatched some up and headed over to the baseball stadium across the street. We watched a few innings, but then the girls were getting really tired, so we took them home for naps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was SO tired, but was extremely well-behaved!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls love to play together while in their double stroller.</td></tr>
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On Easter Sunday, we went to church, went and took pictures of the girls in their pretty Easter dresses that Grandma and Grandpa Brewer so generously gave them, then went over to Grandma and Grandpa Brewer's for Easter dinner. I left dinner early because I was singing in an Easter program that evening. It was a fabulous day filled with love, food, but mostly the spirit of Easter...the hope and joy that comes through <a href="http://mormon.org/jesus-christ/" target="_blank">Jesus Christ!</a><div>
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The next Friday after the kids were in bed, Ben and I had 'date' at home and dyed eggs (better late than never!). Ben is a pro! He had to teach me all the awesome techniques. His turned out way better than mine!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben's are the ones front and center...I'm telling you he's pro!</td></tr>
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It was a great Easter season! Now we're looking forward to having tons of fun this Spring and Summer! :)</div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-1839774207398506072012-04-03T08:07:00.000-07:002012-04-03T08:07:50.941-07:00FamilyThis past weekend, we watched 8 hours of the Semi-Annual LDS <a href="http://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng" target="_blank">General Conference</a> via the internet (we don't have a TV). Oh how inspiring it was to hear men of God give council and guidance to people across the globe! Naturally, I went in with some general and personal questions seeking guidance and answers. I came out of it with guidance and answers and a new sense of commitment to my faith and most especially my Family.<br />
<br />
Was it just me, or did a large portion of the speakers seem to speak upon the subjects of Family, Children, Parenting, Teaching in the home, etc.? As I browse over my notes, it doesn't seem that these themes were the MAIN topics of a lot of the talks, but sure were tied in or referenced in a lot of them (or maybe I just was listening for/needing to hear these themes.)<br />
<br />
There are so many worthwhile things to be doing with my time. As I think about how I spend my time, my priorities are revealed. I might have good intentions or a willing heart for the best priorities, but how I spend my time REALLY reveals where my priorities are. After conference, I realize I may need to re-prioritize some things in my life, especially my family!<br />
<br />
One could rationalize that since I am a stay-at-home mom, I AM focusing on my family. That may be true to some degree, but am I spending my time <i>wisely </i>in order to optimize my time teaching, playing with, valuing my family? Well, I have some new goals about how I spend my time at home with the girls and my time with Ben. After all, as Elder Ballard said...The most important cause of your lifetime is your family! :)<br />
<br />
Here's some cute recent pics of the girls just doing what they do best...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP2JjHL6l2YZ_THYUxojmjEzd8cXCe_ftWrLPQNmC61zca95vG5cfNzMt761P4NZp3EwObfxFlhMas5AF7HShFTiClRV_8BrqgCx7I3-GGgjP_or6p29nzttmNNuBomu-V2r-rCjg7-uo/s1600/2012-03-15_09-47-48_71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHP2JjHL6l2YZ_THYUxojmjEzd8cXCe_ftWrLPQNmC61zca95vG5cfNzMt761P4NZp3EwObfxFlhMas5AF7HShFTiClRV_8BrqgCx7I3-GGgjP_or6p29nzttmNNuBomu-V2r-rCjg7-uo/s400/2012-03-15_09-47-48_71.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off her "pretties"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAWn_gRDsSpVVOd-1C8mVaeuzpgPFjKutqeqObjsx8SB0jAxKBwkhtEEv-EgH3b5vq6Igrnamo77z1W8_LRzztIm1m5R8qi2ZHwV-G1oXv-jH6-Pb6mnCz2Q-UByCJmSAoXoxiET2CAdL/s1600/2012-03-15_09-48-18_585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdAWn_gRDsSpVVOd-1C8mVaeuzpgPFjKutqeqObjsx8SB0jAxKBwkhtEEv-EgH3b5vq6Igrnamo77z1W8_LRzztIm1m5R8qi2ZHwV-G1oXv-jH6-Pb6mnCz2Q-UByCJmSAoXoxiET2CAdL/s400/2012-03-15_09-48-18_585.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Showing off her books</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfb5ofYSqDnndJBGry-Jxr0yfMPf8Elc9vg7fPWqgVlfKixOg5YUI0ycqlBNqkNCr0LAABpspvzVygv35OGS_swUu9XUJPa315Vfc4wJIgmPeLKxj2PyPjIgjcSRycgTvT_9yPhhUJZtP/s1600/2012-03-15_18-31-10_114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwfb5ofYSqDnndJBGry-Jxr0yfMPf8Elc9vg7fPWqgVlfKixOg5YUI0ycqlBNqkNCr0LAABpspvzVygv35OGS_swUu9XUJPa315Vfc4wJIgmPeLKxj2PyPjIgjcSRycgTvT_9yPhhUJZtP/s400/2012-03-15_18-31-10_114.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fun at the park!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBkIw_ZavZURogJYEWnF61vNAJgHVIwBLGdH3DWgtZPBSo6IROQ7FZX52IEISEySYCvdTu1k9V5fSXl8vAIH-4Xbdxd3RkY2xdjpiiWJ7xlqCVRUgL9QJMP_UZ-PEPI3llJe1JXvuEhJ7/s1600/2012-03-17_17-42-13_176.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBkIw_ZavZURogJYEWnF61vNAJgHVIwBLGdH3DWgtZPBSo6IROQ7FZX52IEISEySYCvdTu1k9V5fSXl8vAIH-4Xbdxd3RkY2xdjpiiWJ7xlqCVRUgL9QJMP_UZ-PEPI3llJe1JXvuEhJ7/s400/2012-03-17_17-42-13_176.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Patty's Day pickle! Yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DQbDnYRVQrzySrqtgNNm8fIyYPYI8x7klYpAj6AcnM2lJ_6G2r_KK7XZJa2u1vGMMPVqj5AFNydUH67ppWM6aZ6Cksqf32pjlFCkIQvjzU4QoBNw38RnRU_R9SmOAVmpOZHL_1NXsWdR/s1600/2012-03-26_10-44-25_600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-DQbDnYRVQrzySrqtgNNm8fIyYPYI8x7klYpAj6AcnM2lJ_6G2r_KK7XZJa2u1vGMMPVqj5AFNydUH67ppWM6aZ6Cksqf32pjlFCkIQvjzU4QoBNw38RnRU_R9SmOAVmpOZHL_1NXsWdR/s400/2012-03-26_10-44-25_600.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Ponies together.*sigh* So cute!</td></tr>
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<br />MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-39643513602031658802012-03-29T13:52:00.000-07:002012-03-29T13:52:08.469-07:00Daily MusicI just thought I'd make a quick record of my musical happenings lately.<br />
<b>Listening</b><br />
My daily listening usually consists of "Toddler Radio" streaming from Pandora. Some Faves...<br />
- "The Wheels on the Bus"<br />
- "Itsy, Bitsy Spider"<br />
- "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"<br />
<br />
<b>Singing</b><br />
I am usually singing toddler songs all day long with Merrilee. Some of Merrilee's Faves...<br />
-"Twinkle, Twinkle"<br />
-"Clean up! Clean up!"<br />
-"ABCs"<br />
-"I am a Child of God"<br />
On Thursdays I get to sing <i>grown up</i> music with the Orem chorale. Last Thursday we performed a masterwork, Mozart's Requiem. It was pretty fabulous.<br />
<br />
<b>Teaching</b><br />
-I still sub in elementary music classrooms every now and then. Fun stuff!<br />
-3 piano students<br />
-2 guitar students<br />
-2 babies and a husband ;)<br />
<br />
<b>Playing</b><br />
-Recently, I've started trying to practice/play piano everyday...currently working on some Rachmaninoff piano preludes.<br />
-Since I've started teaching guitar, I guess I better learn how to play! I've been trying to practice/play everyday. Currently working on different strumming/picking techniques.<br />
-I have been released from being the primary pianist at church, now I am the Ward Choir pianist.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I think I don't have enough music in my life; I mean after majoring in music and then being a full-time music teacher I literally had a "Career in Music". But after just now recording my music happenings as a now stay-at-home wife and mother, I realize music is still very much a part of my daily life and I am still blessed to be able to share this gift of music with others (most importantly my family!).MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-15855023180679798442012-03-15T22:00:00.000-07:002012-03-15T22:00:00.922-07:00A TributeLast week we got some heartbreaking news... The girls' pediatrician suddenly and unexpectedly passed away! He was only 39 years old (survived by his wife and 4 young children)! This news is devastating. We just took the girls in to see him a few weeks ago. Dr. Nielson was a great man will always hold a special place in our hearts!<br />
<br />
He helped save Merrilee's life when she was only 8 days old! He saw her, took her stats, and said we needed to go to the hospital right away. If we would have waited any longer, Merrilee might have died! (Her oxygen levels were in the 60%s and "normal" is in the 90%s! She was so dehydrated it took them 2 hours just to find a vein to put an IV in her to get some fluids pumping in her body...FYI she had RSV and pneumonia...poor baby) He visited us and Merrilee at the hospital every day and was so kind and reassuring.<br />
<br />
Dr. N was large in stature (very tall) but had the most gentle, loving touch with children. Every "well-child" visit and every "sick-child" he would make me and the girls feel at ease.<br />
<br />
The then Alice came! When Alice was born, Dr. N was already at the hospital doing his rounds, so he checked Alice out and came in to offer his Congratulations to us. Then, when we started noticing Alice's little eye and other minor things, he was so helpful in getting us with the right people and getting the right tests done.: eye doctor, physical therapist, oncologists, etc. He would call us occasionally with lab results, or just to check up on how things were going during some of the tough times.<br />
<br />
Dr. N always seemed so genuinely concerned and caring for our two little ones and us. He was the best pediatrician we could have asked for through all of the rocky stuff and happy stuff with our girls. I am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that we will have to find a different pediatrician for our girls...one who does not know us or the medical history etc. In my eyes, Dr. Nielson is truly irreplaceable! Dr. N, you will truly be missed!MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-66212861641138157082012-03-06T09:46:00.000-08:002012-03-06T09:46:14.175-08:00smartphonesWe have officially entered the world of smartphones. Yes. Its true. We have never really seen the point or need for a smartphone. What? Is it supposed to make you feel smart or something? The thing that has really turned us off of the whole smartphone thing is seeing people EVERYWHERE (the mall, the park, the grocery store, in the car, sitting in a room full of company, etc.) with their eyes glued to their phones instead of their kids, the road, the people around them , the beautiful scenery, etc.<br />
<br />
But alas, our phone contracts ended and if there was ever a time to get a smartphone, I guess this was it. We got our new phones and totally felt overwhelmed. Was a phone supposed to do all these things? I mean, I was used to a phone that made phone calls and basic texts. I actually had to press buttons! Now I can gently slide my finger across the screen and it seems like the whole world is at my fingertips. Ben and I have vowed not to become "Those" types of people that are always on their phones. I can see how it can be addicting to search apps, play games, or check Facebook or email almost constantly...but we aren't going to give in!<br />
<br />
There have been some positives to the whole smartphone thing though. We LOVE the lds gospel library app. Its so easy to just whip out our phones and look up a scripture or read a conference talk throughout the day. Also, we are loving the camera features. Instead of having to remember to bring our old digital camera places, we don't even have to think about it and we have nice cameras in our pockets that have better resolution than our digital camera anyways! And the cool part is there are tons of apps for photo editing right on the phone! Genius! We are starting to like our smartphones now. But somehow I am starting to miss the feeling of holding my little old trusty cell and putting pressure on those buttons to make it work. After all, it helped strengthen my fingers for piano playing! ;)<br />
<br />
Some cute pictures of the girls recently taken and edited from my phone.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKioMX1eKSwq-AsD69vRfhUEDQTCELFCBGg0alfxGSJ7Mbh9MTwLzhA6qW5NxGi4OfLgWHwvfnoOlKVinx47teXLYduw7xSxfaZDxvRTy-YwqSY79Je6w0BUrhSNDcP0DS3UOJzqPj51a/s1600/2012-03-03_11-05-14_851_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKioMX1eKSwq-AsD69vRfhUEDQTCELFCBGg0alfxGSJ7Mbh9MTwLzhA6qW5NxGi4OfLgWHwvfnoOlKVinx47teXLYduw7xSxfaZDxvRTy-YwqSY79Je6w0BUrhSNDcP0DS3UOJzqPj51a/s320/2012-03-03_11-05-14_851_edit0.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfclJ7CRG05ldwQ72iZqbNAFAsFJB2LduOdwEWQ9vwUC8lQ0prXBcX74g7rODxglgBBDpfe6Jn1BGQTVkrU7YHeeoPYp2YIJ9lIxkEIXL2Dz54iKI_XQ0V5eENhvJj17QNjEkmYiyeZ-sc/s1600/2012-03-05_16-22-38_286_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfclJ7CRG05ldwQ72iZqbNAFAsFJB2LduOdwEWQ9vwUC8lQ0prXBcX74g7rODxglgBBDpfe6Jn1BGQTVkrU7YHeeoPYp2YIJ9lIxkEIXL2Dz54iKI_XQ0V5eENhvJj17QNjEkmYiyeZ-sc/s320/2012-03-05_16-22-38_286_edit0.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziqrHHnOA3k92oY9iuiBVeHi6GvzGE_0d1qf8wrMrzID5QhwgptUBAag4N3XMPbMWfihsywjp12J0U1e2kVjIBfLpeFMVHGc8rFq7qvSa9FBxwOjR_N5vR3a27USK6snsTJoNlHZZoVwa/s1600/2012-03-05_16-29-43_27_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhziqrHHnOA3k92oY9iuiBVeHi6GvzGE_0d1qf8wrMrzID5QhwgptUBAag4N3XMPbMWfihsywjp12J0U1e2kVjIBfLpeFMVHGc8rFq7qvSa9FBxwOjR_N5vR3a27USK6snsTJoNlHZZoVwa/s320/2012-03-05_16-29-43_27_edit0.jpg" width="279" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrilee with her cousin</td></tr>
</tbody></table>So, if you ever see Ben or I glued to our phones, please tell us to look up! :)MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-23539591510056213112012-03-06T09:14:00.000-08:002012-03-06T09:14:19.386-08:00A Toddler's Artistic EndeavorsLately, Merrilee has shown a lot more interest in coloring. We permanently keep out some paper and crayons that she can get whenever she wants to color. Luckily we have not (yet) encountered any problems with drawing on walls, eating crayons, etc. Merrilee is a very obedient and structured little girl (Thank you Merrilee!). <br />
<br />
The other day she was coloring and I asked her what she was drawing....she said "Around!" I've never demonstrated how or told her to draw circles or anything like that. Its amazing how children learn by exploring! Well, she figured out how to draw "Around" on her own...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCh9E8_VR2W0KDg72y1las5xrISbw4SYewWJq2mT2TsnRhV4isJIgr6xVuOt7tCp7NdOGHw_FmITo855_TzNxygZTbKrTvQAFEY3IyqhIEbZen4eCL629VV0Ohl3I21lSqDl0UI-6E69xn/s1600/2012-03-06_09-50-48_298_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCh9E8_VR2W0KDg72y1las5xrISbw4SYewWJq2mT2TsnRhV4isJIgr6xVuOt7tCp7NdOGHw_FmITo855_TzNxygZTbKrTvQAFEY3IyqhIEbZen4eCL629VV0Ohl3I21lSqDl0UI-6E69xn/s320/2012-03-06_09-50-48_298_edit0.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>And then, just yesterday, she brought me this picture...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBodo9nqHVbE3evoZsgU8T0ycEGKhWhxOnFqMaXZcaCfasDV9HZcv0GnL9lhP24yo7LHanYGHg-ZuWs6o8YgiBZk2VXf2oPc2LId5y5GYY2-GbC5ieWydYn_YN2dQ52nt33iFJuAaeyYS/s1600/2012-03-06_09-38-49_739_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmBodo9nqHVbE3evoZsgU8T0ycEGKhWhxOnFqMaXZcaCfasDV9HZcv0GnL9lhP24yo7LHanYGHg-ZuWs6o8YgiBZk2VXf2oPc2LId5y5GYY2-GbC5ieWydYn_YN2dQ52nt33iFJuAaeyYS/s320/2012-03-06_09-38-49_739_edit0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I said, "Tell me about your picture." She said, "Yummy Cake! And fire!" Oh the mind of a two year old! I love it! I think she was thinking of her birthday cake (with candles) she had almost exactly a month ago...Rainbow chip. Notice how she makes use of all the space on the page. :) We have started an "Art Gallery" on the wall on Merrilee's level. Some of these creations are combined efforts, and some are completely from the artist herself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmil-9RL4phYWUgLWeD9zyS1Vjy928dClzpwrKU2pNkj3RtCMDaGr8Yr_28xmdT8iTH4W1IXHA6H_NkIXU_WjPiTxkeYYRtvkT2sAKHlzggLF0Xb1gAdLFULEE9hE4-0d8supPldtxyroD/s1600/2012-03-06_09-39-04_862_edit0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmil-9RL4phYWUgLWeD9zyS1Vjy928dClzpwrKU2pNkj3RtCMDaGr8Yr_28xmdT8iTH4W1IXHA6H_NkIXU_WjPiTxkeYYRtvkT2sAKHlzggLF0Xb1gAdLFULEE9hE4-0d8supPldtxyroD/s320/2012-03-06_09-39-04_862_edit0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We are proud of our little budding artist! Maybe sometime soon I will feel like being an overachieving mom and actually get out some paints, or maybe we will start with markers. :)MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-54901900974075872542012-02-22T12:27:00.000-08:002012-02-22T12:27:26.053-08:00Snow date!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This weekend Adam and Kylie came down for a visit. We had a nice evening with them on Sunday and on Monday they were so AMAZING and offered to watch the girls so we could go out on a date! We decided we better do something that we wouldn't normally do with kids around, so we went snowshoeing! We have barely had any snow this winter, but there was enough in the canyon to have some decent snow fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJNan7LuSDeBikHrhXXwLA-9lXmLkeCM_dQelMUOtUhDGoowtvi7vKJ1MKdxDlQuMDGzyVavPxluUrpLOP_EpHG-4J8Ui99wto9dnjWPSCJiGPunoCg9YCFmeZiYkkk4OiwnU6wf7k-Fz/s1600/DSCN9836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZJNan7LuSDeBikHrhXXwLA-9lXmLkeCM_dQelMUOtUhDGoowtvi7vKJ1MKdxDlQuMDGzyVavPxluUrpLOP_EpHG-4J8Ui99wto9dnjWPSCJiGPunoCg9YCFmeZiYkkk4OiwnU6wf7k-Fz/s320/DSCN9836.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdJ-_vLsGBJ9DPSIbd4oR9zskg550soUPomiMQ8wDz_cJPbteq7ekc1SwnU0X1gjy-Bu3QrEQ-YFBvG_iYCmR9BjzhQII9P2KyUySPBVjBj7DV0rNbTelMeJMXdmt95a-zLo1Qd9PGS0k/s1600/DSCN9844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdJ-_vLsGBJ9DPSIbd4oR9zskg550soUPomiMQ8wDz_cJPbteq7ekc1SwnU0X1gjy-Bu3QrEQ-YFBvG_iYCmR9BjzhQII9P2KyUySPBVjBj7DV0rNbTelMeJMXdmt95a-zLo1Qd9PGS0k/s320/DSCN9844.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOp7QvuOVQXyHgA3EV2Nuv5vIbJ3FaqnkVb0tn-9xSwuMJF0eG-OXI33NaIAwCKZXbHjRYzIbkDbazEAHdT7PZKnGvvg-qktjw0fVMEKzKlBPYFSIyCJholLuURAHOQAXtaqAmsQRJpZ2/s1600/DSCN9854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzOp7QvuOVQXyHgA3EV2Nuv5vIbJ3FaqnkVb0tn-9xSwuMJF0eG-OXI33NaIAwCKZXbHjRYzIbkDbazEAHdT7PZKnGvvg-qktjw0fVMEKzKlBPYFSIyCJholLuURAHOQAXtaqAmsQRJpZ2/s320/DSCN9854.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>We figured we went about 3-4 miles. It was SO MUCH FUN! When we got back to the parking lot, we busted out our awesome table that came with our CRV and had a tailgate lunch. We used our little travel stove thing and heated up a can of chili on it and then ate some nice warm chili with chips! Yum! It was so nice to get out just the two of us. It is a rare experience for us these days! :) THANK YOU SO MUCH Adam and Kylie for watching the girls! We love you guys! :)MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-35607166608642467542012-02-22T12:11:00.000-08:002012-02-22T12:11:41.520-08:00A weekend wedding in Idaho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A couple weeks ago, Ben and I drove up with the girls to Idaho for my brother's wedding. The drive wasn't bad at all. We had clear weather and the girls were really good the whole drive up there (about 6-7 hour drive). We stayed in Boise on that Thurs. night and went out to eat with the whole family from our side and also Emily's parents. Friday, we all drove up into the mountains of Idaho to a fabulous little house tucked away in the snow! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWBwSlmdxO6cGbm-avSur8zcJO77gjnLyp1pwu4P8k-WG8o37pBzmKycMiKulxLz3lWeIe0rR5usIDW_C_vCKB2NUmP-HlViZxqjjAhjZNT4JXM5reXglstA4avH8W8pcFZ9UUmY2UCsK/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWBwSlmdxO6cGbm-avSur8zcJO77gjnLyp1pwu4P8k-WG8o37pBzmKycMiKulxLz3lWeIe0rR5usIDW_C_vCKB2NUmP-HlViZxqjjAhjZNT4JXM5reXglstA4avH8W8pcFZ9UUmY2UCsK/s200/DSC_0193.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB2W318n_5Z5IXWldVSiH9zHKvUU3QpUQGq_i9tk3Kp89-kGNZVYkBUFSnOYT3x986sPl9dcTHueHi7S_eZu6Q08cpuVbHvEhzNhlU4HWIc_V5kHdSSUDXNzOrwrJ4oEBOCIdmBgaY3bl/s1600/DSC_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMB2W318n_5Z5IXWldVSiH9zHKvUU3QpUQGq_i9tk3Kp89-kGNZVYkBUFSnOYT3x986sPl9dcTHueHi7S_eZu6Q08cpuVbHvEhzNhlU4HWIc_V5kHdSSUDXNzOrwrJ4oEBOCIdmBgaY3bl/s200/DSC_0231.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We had fun that night as we went over to the other house where Emily's family was staying and had pizza and then came back to our cabin and played games together as a family. The next morning my sister, mom, and I went over to the other house to help set up for the wedding while the guys stayed home and played/went sledding with the kids. We helped decorate the cake, made the bride's bouquet, helped with food, and arranging/decorating tables. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zqzEn7skZWpD7fyeKR2iaDGiuwEVi3TNBfLMHKztqSRJYBp5Rrp-NSY9a0YmPkt06-3NZCEprqc4wusaKLI6qNTSbZGx_svB4Atyxt3SJqwqHNFCIydiCl3d5pCi5m4W2yYdClZq-1EN/s1600/DSC_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zqzEn7skZWpD7fyeKR2iaDGiuwEVi3TNBfLMHKztqSRJYBp5Rrp-NSY9a0YmPkt06-3NZCEprqc4wusaKLI6qNTSbZGx_svB4Atyxt3SJqwqHNFCIydiCl3d5pCi5m4W2yYdClZq-1EN/s320/DSC_0314.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">The pretty cake</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We went back to our cabin, got ready, and then came back to the bigger house for the main event! It was lovely! I'm so happy for my brother! :)</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzG_wpjxIDcl42MQdGCIOTKdFU56xnyMkN1C7e10rJMw3UFzUJneoTDKk4MSqJ4wmYmf80UPyVenmyrlKkEf7-jR6eZ9zVFyYy2AEwlXEdJGE_qR6VGliz487sWaHGvWmtvL9AWVedJUF/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfzG_wpjxIDcl42MQdGCIOTKdFU56xnyMkN1C7e10rJMw3UFzUJneoTDKk4MSqJ4wmYmf80UPyVenmyrlKkEf7-jR6eZ9zVFyYy2AEwlXEdJGE_qR6VGliz487sWaHGvWmtvL9AWVedJUF/s320/DSC_0391.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm17BD11VZhZpyMpLUPSMayDrDgOUE94nmoNwKTWUYxPWHxwZuBe8_Ic5-LCey2mI0xUN4zX0iBeayr8jiv93ZiVeCSewbU4wR78XNL-u2Xrxl1J-sengme9dwYQr2zRdSWRvQNq-HGiAs/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm17BD11VZhZpyMpLUPSMayDrDgOUE94nmoNwKTWUYxPWHxwZuBe8_Ic5-LCey2mI0xUN4zX0iBeayr8jiv93ZiVeCSewbU4wR78XNL-u2Xrxl1J-sengme9dwYQr2zRdSWRvQNq-HGiAs/s320/DSC_0298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Merrilee's hair is getting so long!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_z4C8AOBZNpKhsZ5NWeQ_QngScw1GBOkBywJ1rwp_ni-U_YmBDR6o1pP195gBe_wCLprpOyeQJJV3_jmfxd0HfuSVjS4a1s9-bBDlAMBbm1tJyJUewgcFyAC5s48dkpd1tKSPy2tN5oHU/s1600/DSC_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_z4C8AOBZNpKhsZ5NWeQ_QngScw1GBOkBywJ1rwp_ni-U_YmBDR6o1pP195gBe_wCLprpOyeQJJV3_jmfxd0HfuSVjS4a1s9-bBDlAMBbm1tJyJUewgcFyAC5s48dkpd1tKSPy2tN5oHU/s320/DSC_0322.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">My good looking brothers! My little brother officiated for my big brother's wedding! :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnm0KCyRrJ_0Nc51PBCem-L4A5LZPewOR3KKelBZpXPhZX-33pZNBpGV4a3JEdH0h8zX2xZDqr7fEaA-4Cw8bXXVUabgUYLl2GxA3v0Y-pTKc-TvCsHWFIDiQt69E_Sk4ETsIU2kt-QpS/s1600/DSC_0329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqnm0KCyRrJ_0Nc51PBCem-L4A5LZPewOR3KKelBZpXPhZX-33pZNBpGV4a3JEdH0h8zX2xZDqr7fEaA-4Cw8bXXVUabgUYLl2GxA3v0Y-pTKc-TvCsHWFIDiQt69E_Sk4ETsIU2kt-QpS/s320/DSC_0329.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Siblings. Great looking bunch!</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/AVvXsEhn6utHTjzTn9SPiYMxxZcQSLulVJqU587KMCxdqszENlovIU3FsSvMV2ueL3hZylyLPCBVWHEwWBV95NvU4c_CkHK5uEFNzGn9MjqAsPF4xL5izvValzBJSTAOxMSjQQQ3tWY-Sh7Gqjdh/s1600/Ceremony1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6utHTjzTn9SPiYMxxZcQSLulVJqU587KMCxdqszENlovIU3FsSvMV2ueL3hZylyLPCBVWHEwWBV95NvU4c_CkHK5uEFNzGn9MjqAsPF4xL5izvValzBJSTAOxMSjQQQ3tWY-Sh7Gqjdh/s320/Ceremony1.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the moose head!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5b1NHvflEgPiiIw_3Kn7-K4qV6N5i5vholxl0LwxySy6C2-NuJa87Y4Meuz6kZQfdl_0hzF9XL-gYnq0KX7zhe_-lxf4CgpeWQ4Ch84ZOMa6r8Iu0vH7Scm3x6V3putUsyPtgTqVxFX3/s1600/couple1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk5b1NHvflEgPiiIw_3Kn7-K4qV6N5i5vholxl0LwxySy6C2-NuJa87Y4Meuz6kZQfdl_0hzF9XL-gYnq0KX7zhe_-lxf4CgpeWQ4Ch84ZOMa6r8Iu0vH7Scm3x6V3putUsyPtgTqVxFX3/s320/couple1.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful happy couple!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirfEl6VIaORuz4f4PNlI_42pXdh_53ltbHAYl41qc7C9XXlko59R_UdHktDLA15sCstEYth5rbzfAn5rESXxtBcvOMqfgN_E7R9ZmP-2o5II19PjWrGjuF9nS1sx0HMIlgZnLPeDBJZEMs/s320/Family+shots+2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The whole family (Our side)</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;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBg5YaCHSQLHTdPArZWCu4pWc1buyu0rbTM_FoBsS-3_CJVUYisbuoB6tVvFYxWiPFdJ2a5qhyphenhyphenTRIp760ctEJX14U4AoV032gosBCWUQ3QM3wJFG7At1rowii5cDs_plgrOSxxX_orP-Yx/s320/DSC_0560.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a beautiful new family! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_Q6J-YroA4NzTrp8YunEi19FkrPBDTYn0iEqPzvjVIHmxU4VPawK-loOJ88HMVvm7x9VdQLPtWOjHZBaaBxiMgseHSvljuREBv-scFWWD1ChLhQ6dCrG4CBSHvEwuwMM1V2mmHtEIGuZ/s1600/DSC_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_Q6J-YroA4NzTrp8YunEi19FkrPBDTYn0iEqPzvjVIHmxU4VPawK-loOJ88HMVvm7x9VdQLPtWOjHZBaaBxiMgseHSvljuREBv-scFWWD1ChLhQ6dCrG4CBSHvEwuwMM1V2mmHtEIGuZ/s320/DSC_0598.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute sister + my cute baby = CUTE picture!</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We were happy we were able to be there for this special event and we are grateful to have Emily and her children join our family! We love you guys!<br />
<br />
The ride home on Sunday was ok. Merrilee threw up as we were winding our way out of the mountains, but after that, she was fine. We made it home safe and sound Sunday evening. It was a great family weekend!<br />
<div><br />
</div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-47483980558625860632012-02-13T22:23:00.000-08:002012-02-13T22:23:54.399-08:00We have a 2 year old!I can't believe we can say we have a 2 year old! That makes us feel like we are starting to get old and actually be "grown-ups" or something. Last Saturday Merrilee turned 2! I remember when she was born 2 years ago. She came 2 weeks early and unexpectedly after a long day of teaching. I was sick as a dog and we had nothing ready! Nevertheless, Merrilee decided to enter the world and join our family the night of Feb. 4. What a blessing she has been to us. She has always been such a happy, easy-going girl. We love watching her grow up!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF8FYQfVA-X6q-aB-u70FAGZcHOaNUn-j0984Z42_mGXCEH3DDwmE5KNertlrmm0dfrNH78vY6QLe-xWLG6f8B5J9ZjG_8iOlG3pbHdd4Z_8PPuQtwA2Mbk2ltvfDuEpvku-vymGjpiCK/s1600/fun+pictures+105+edit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF8FYQfVA-X6q-aB-u70FAGZcHOaNUn-j0984Z42_mGXCEH3DDwmE5KNertlrmm0dfrNH78vY6QLe-xWLG6f8B5J9ZjG_8iOlG3pbHdd4Z_8PPuQtwA2Mbk2ltvfDuEpvku-vymGjpiCK/s200/fun+pictures+105+edit.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Newborn </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUn46N5cEYjv2SRoigbuzGtXYUYQ4l6_xGlW-M9RDPfUBTLTfuh2pZsYo7msMyM_GpTkAFValnJTtp2X5Ko-Jiqu5SpIX1WYNP4Y-yvqcZX5Lut9zESrkmiEFHGmC7R9QErRiHG4wOZB89/s1600/DSCN9926+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUn46N5cEYjv2SRoigbuzGtXYUYQ4l6_xGlW-M9RDPfUBTLTfuh2pZsYo7msMyM_GpTkAFValnJTtp2X5Ko-Jiqu5SpIX1WYNP4Y-yvqcZX5Lut9zESrkmiEFHGmC7R9QErRiHG4wOZB89/s200/DSCN9926+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1 year old</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZqjTh8GjHFIHNIjXv6fcmmEEAAj5x_SkiFzRdTQfRKQ44ScBKftlUg4-bx6JRua0yoVLAVg3GYjuCQ-tM0D-q6mHgwN3jO7W0qD6TlZTqaLGQuR-B7aZTuFQ8JrWZJFSbc7qTSRNsz3J/s1600/DSCN9835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZqjTh8GjHFIHNIjXv6fcmmEEAAj5x_SkiFzRdTQfRKQ44ScBKftlUg4-bx6JRua0yoVLAVg3GYjuCQ-tM0D-q6mHgwN3jO7W0qD6TlZTqaLGQuR-B7aZTuFQ8JrWZJFSbc7qTSRNsz3J/s320/DSCN9835.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2 year old</td></tr>
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Here are some of our favorite things about Merrilee as a now 2 year old:<br />
-She copies what we say (We have to be careful!)<br />
-She likes to sing songs with us. She knows many words to many songs. Her current favorites are "I am a Child of God" and "Twinkle, Twinkle"<br />
-She sits and very expressively reads books to herself.<br />
-She says "Pease" and "Tankoo" and "You Kelcom" often<br />
-She loves dancing!<br />
-She gives the biggest hugs and kisses<br />
-She counts to 10 and knows (can recognize) almost all of her letters!(Between all the reading she does and how many times she insists we sing the ABC's...She is basically self-taught!)<br />
-She knows how to make Alice giggle and laugh and then gives her baby sister loves.<br />
-She is so pretty! (We get comments from strangers all the time about how beautiful she is. Yes. That's right. We make beautiful children. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
We put together a fun little birthday celebration for Merrilee. The morning of her birthday was basically our usual morning routine. When we put her down for her nap, then we decorated and set up her "Big" birthday present. Right before she woke up, the power went out! Our basement doesn't get much "natural" lighting (as you can see from the two tiny windows in the picture), so this is what Merrilee woke up to...except a darker version. (I love how Alice is sticking out of the tent in both pictures looking at the camera! haha!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjP1A98PIEW-oZOQi0Nz6rPcaDkrKUJdIdJ8R4VRkJgVu6VtsiN1u8OkMnlY4838zvKyUqk6M7ufmm6cgIqn-fDx5tFQZgegR0lxhehu92jkttbDSluYAbj7v1Psrg3HTA8emOCG5Gvsc/s1600/DSCN9795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdjP1A98PIEW-oZOQi0Nz6rPcaDkrKUJdIdJ8R4VRkJgVu6VtsiN1u8OkMnlY4838zvKyUqk6M7ufmm6cgIqn-fDx5tFQZgegR0lxhehu92jkttbDSluYAbj7v1Psrg3HTA8emOCG5Gvsc/s320/DSCN9795.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthPfIj1ECcRuQjLBnAW3sR-y5f0WA5Sk2yDsz4lX7KESuHp6c0_3JAMz6s_B8lBz9qrpUMgSiVPieftCPobbEbcm7skXmvsjUz44YJuIiDrQ4UcsbWBtBFoUhox-dNUNUgfgevSDNArHV/s1600/DSCN9793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjthPfIj1ECcRuQjLBnAW3sR-y5f0WA5Sk2yDsz4lX7KESuHp6c0_3JAMz6s_B8lBz9qrpUMgSiVPieftCPobbEbcm7skXmvsjUz44YJuIiDrQ4UcsbWBtBFoUhox-dNUNUgfgevSDNArHV/s320/DSCN9793.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Since the power was out, we decided to go outside for a walk to the park until the power came back on. These days, Merrilee wants Alice to do a lot of activities with her. She insists that Alice swings next to her at the park every time now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6UJLtC7nlNtp1X3sxXS9cEb7Ma0gJhw48RYLhB1lF86FLEoRictQpnpALSrHBxPDohSejOIXZtf5DnlgUlqXF0uJCX2okKx4A84WCE9gMgJ18Vs0M70sFaQRrD9NE-fraBcikbPf6jjp/s1600/DSCN9777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6UJLtC7nlNtp1X3sxXS9cEb7Ma0gJhw48RYLhB1lF86FLEoRictQpnpALSrHBxPDohSejOIXZtf5DnlgUlqXF0uJCX2okKx4A84WCE9gMgJ18Vs0M70sFaQRrD9NE-fraBcikbPf6jjp/s320/DSCN9777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqeVOZ1LYlRPL4gMT18mFwWOZ4RCTdmSHP4REXkq-tzCsid527o6BQcnwlDsdkzS8-aqIEP3ksq4nCdFwedckrUtITavxUiT72BWZ13tH7OQ2eRgA1fo-iMHidh2TfOapf0HNLuHI7Yp1/s1600/DSCN9776.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqeVOZ1LYlRPL4gMT18mFwWOZ4RCTdmSHP4REXkq-tzCsid527o6BQcnwlDsdkzS8-aqIEP3ksq4nCdFwedckrUtITavxUiT72BWZ13tH7OQ2eRgA1fo-iMHidh2TfOapf0HNLuHI7Yp1/s320/DSCN9776.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When we got back from the park the power was back on, so we baked a cake, wrapped presents and let the girls play together in the new crawl and seek fun center!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs93c5kQR1c2VOllZnrursVBiAkcm2zXNAKyi-NBKZNyoVlgpHCsWH7m1Eh4dddljDKKUBt6wQTzWQOVGV6ry5OLeMFqJ1FeUkvuAMKeiwu2a7A171DmeSYZjcoRyE3DyRMfEVYRnU3FYt/s1600/DSCN9791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs93c5kQR1c2VOllZnrursVBiAkcm2zXNAKyi-NBKZNyoVlgpHCsWH7m1Eh4dddljDKKUBt6wQTzWQOVGV6ry5OLeMFqJ1FeUkvuAMKeiwu2a7A171DmeSYZjcoRyE3DyRMfEVYRnU3FYt/s320/DSCN9791.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We invited my sister and her family downstairs for a little "party". We had cake and ice cream, watched Merrilee open some presents, and had a fun dance party!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhqmT0j15qk2s0f40es4Uo4XTX5VaRwMDJqxVoHJYaVAnlAeYJg6gzdtTY9dgFTM8AS1cIp9NXBChVnc-D7SvkRYoZ4SZ2aK2l8-ztyyrW7OC1L-8ZgJT_0RoPjMuUdzbU9dVkfcGpESV/s1600/DSCN9796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijhqmT0j15qk2s0f40es4Uo4XTX5VaRwMDJqxVoHJYaVAnlAeYJg6gzdtTY9dgFTM8AS1cIp9NXBChVnc-D7SvkRYoZ4SZ2aK2l8-ztyyrW7OC1L-8ZgJT_0RoPjMuUdzbU9dVkfcGpESV/s320/DSCN9796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuB9pMSXVeQqGuLZXTpZeB2G75gVWYndh0HGQwxw_5PGB0OHFWsOmpXixPUZi6iSkqmRiTZgnJnljsMmEDgM0StQvTxUjY1zXkfzFQqDkEbUHcWyAwzIOyQQOo3nFl_dCTPk9vKMxUzKv/s1600/DSCN9800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuB9pMSXVeQqGuLZXTpZeB2G75gVWYndh0HGQwxw_5PGB0OHFWsOmpXixPUZi6iSkqmRiTZgnJnljsMmEDgM0StQvTxUjY1zXkfzFQqDkEbUHcWyAwzIOyQQOo3nFl_dCTPk9vKMxUzKv/s320/DSCN9800.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIk2A9Z9EXMAfiMU8WP3mMU7IimK9k4qF-p5jV0PW8cqvVWnb5knpcjyj4McxQBc44nAAabMr_vTOWIPIDVKmdovARfEM2jFV7Ws8APr95PUYWKAFqU0ajV_TDDtHXaJSBTpHbR8pScG_/s1600/DSCN9805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXIk2A9Z9EXMAfiMU8WP3mMU7IimK9k4qF-p5jV0PW8cqvVWnb5knpcjyj4McxQBc44nAAabMr_vTOWIPIDVKmdovARfEM2jFV7Ws8APr95PUYWKAFqU0ajV_TDDtHXaJSBTpHbR8pScG_/s320/DSCN9805.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After our little party we headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Brewer's house. Merrilee loves her great grandparents! Every time we go over there she gives Grandma and Grandpa big hugs and likes to play with them. It was so nice of G & G Brewer to get Merrilee a present! Thank you! </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/AVvXsEjy-WIjdRK5Q43sqDEOfG_v3YPHfOWzEsxrhBpR_9qmSOaBDMUNr0KwjtU3Lii8e4ZmmhlM5brJL6hUh2ITeIFNvcUKIQd_WigS_HSx0BjHbqW29ExHBBy911IqqG5V_YTroqp0IpzuNCfY/s1600/DSCN9806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy-WIjdRK5Q43sqDEOfG_v3YPHfOWzEsxrhBpR_9qmSOaBDMUNr0KwjtU3Lii8e4ZmmhlM5brJL6hUh2ITeIFNvcUKIQd_WigS_HSx0BjHbqW29ExHBBy911IqqG5V_YTroqp0IpzuNCfY/s320/DSCN9806.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading the card</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF12aZJ86O44CUmWUqnQTqxAU8o4Az9mvi1xc12FCUQv96_m2Lf5D-cBoahcFQkKbw13bDMERc7WEupeGXbkBx6neLrPyjSqH_PlSFqKG1E53D8Tj2TCCkp0-Z4Hpk-zav4X_7yTNyrPpE/s1600/DSCN9808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF12aZJ86O44CUmWUqnQTqxAU8o4Az9mvi1xc12FCUQv96_m2Lf5D-cBoahcFQkKbw13bDMERc7WEupeGXbkBx6neLrPyjSqH_PlSFqKG1E53D8Tj2TCCkp0-Z4Hpk-zav4X_7yTNyrPpE/s320/DSCN9808.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giving grandpa a big "thank you" hug</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxUzd2tSBjSkeRP6v9fAUdPcRQg0oDJznNkBYDVBlYFrmiiijwRRUMa53k5tM98-XO0gdeUHFvT-5oJXOcAPqAP4MB6IGMp2c9Ms8x_Gk6n69cWWtT0JDUzoWknNHn8GR5dk0IQ809825/s1600/DSCN9814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxUzd2tSBjSkeRP6v9fAUdPcRQg0oDJznNkBYDVBlYFrmiiijwRRUMa53k5tM98-XO0gdeUHFvT-5oJXOcAPqAP4MB6IGMp2c9Ms8x_Gk6n69cWWtT0JDUzoWknNHn8GR5dk0IQ809825/s320/DSCN9814.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reading with Grandpa</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a fabulous day for everybody and we still can't believe we have a 2 year old! We love you Merrilee! :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A365w2srNEct3UDy0U-uFJbfrT4prtt-ZVEZKVbvop4plQzqLadgndBVF9cnMrtITlezNA95CcRkG9CZZvdYJcJRNybSgVuj0u21pBSleDk-NhCGu9FS6pZv6NF0_TRm45YfcoLyRP_g/s1600/DSCN9815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2A365w2srNEct3UDy0U-uFJbfrT4prtt-ZVEZKVbvop4plQzqLadgndBVF9cnMrtITlezNA95CcRkG9CZZvdYJcJRNybSgVuj0u21pBSleDk-NhCGu9FS6pZv6NF0_TRm45YfcoLyRP_g/s320/DSCN9815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-1307741645032819572012-02-13T10:10:00.000-08:002012-02-13T22:37:48.636-08:00JanuaryA little recap of January...<br />
<br />
New Years Eve: Went to the mall for a walk and our traditional photo booth pictures. Then we had fun hanging out with my sister and her family with games, food, and fireworks!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi602BvLy5IBV8CGY891M6aTCpyAKKwg4YikFO_-Kl50Vx7rpU9Gjo2muIh1i380cJwexgHo1NWVKTg0OHb1lX0edqjKJvBFSbiUX2Vqp5jhVqgSTl1-lEUJcPh-2Zk2KI-UImujGDDSX2a/s1600/New+Years.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi602BvLy5IBV8CGY891M6aTCpyAKKwg4YikFO_-Kl50Vx7rpU9Gjo2muIh1i380cJwexgHo1NWVKTg0OHb1lX0edqjKJvBFSbiUX2Vqp5jhVqgSTl1-lEUJcPh-2Zk2KI-UImujGDDSX2a/s320/New+Years.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Alice went to her LAST session of physical therapy! I still need to do some exercises with her at home, but we don't have to go to therapy any more! YAY!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Ben had a Birthday! We don't have any pictures, but my sister watched the girls while we went out to lunch at Tucano's! YUM! It was nice to get a couple hours for a date together. We haven't been on a date like that in MONTHS! I got him a very nice electric razor...the first 'nice' one he's ever owned. A few days later we had some friends over for a Chinese New Year/Ben Birthday celebration. Again, not many pictures, but I went all out and even made some Chinese lanterns to hang for decorations to go with our homemade Chinese food. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_5teW-W18dicb0wYkFV46zXy7tJkZ1SyX0Sz4zIJHvFCoilQ9lkoHF9ouqXpwQw6daXTR4sgtnhjhs3MwjULgGsRJmszSEiFgV8JXfFoGP0GXp5B0hgQkzt2djlfZ7shKc2S4Wl-a91m/s1600/DSCN9751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_5teW-W18dicb0wYkFV46zXy7tJkZ1SyX0Sz4zIJHvFCoilQ9lkoHF9ouqXpwQw6daXTR4sgtnhjhs3MwjULgGsRJmszSEiFgV8JXfFoGP0GXp5B0hgQkzt2djlfZ7shKc2S4Wl-a91m/s320/DSCN9751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Merrilee was just as cute as ever in January...preparing to be a 2 year old! Her vocabulary really expanded during January and she talks our ears off now!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I substitute taught a few times in January and I continue to teach piano. I also started teaching my little niece guitar. Its fun to have teaching in my life again! I love it! :) </div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-16898199668858550472012-01-07T10:45:00.000-08:002012-01-07T10:45:16.142-08:00ChristmasThis year we had 3 Christmas celebrations.<br />
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Celebration #1--Orem, UT-- Little Brewer Family--December 19,2011<br />
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We decided to do our own little Christmas before we headed to the Northwest. We sang songs, read the Christmas story while playing with our 'kid nativity' and let the girls open presents. We got Merrilee a few little books and a toy Xylophone (all from a thrift store in pristine condition! Yay for deals!) Alice got a little baby ball and Candyland to share with her sister.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas #2--Ridgefield, WA--Dunn Family--December 21-25, 2011</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a great time with my parents. They took us and the girls to see Santa. In the line leading up to him, Merrilee kept talking about Santa and seemed pretty excited, but as we got closer and closer, she got more apprehensive. By the time it was her turn to sit on Santa's lap, she had the death grip on Ben and was saying "No, no, no!" Finally she couldn't take it anymore and broke down screaming. Oh well, we'll try again next year. Alice, on the other hand, LOVED Santa! We got a cute picture of Alice with Santa (not on our camera, sorry). We did get some pictures of the girls in the line leading up to the Santa experience...</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We 'did' Christmas with my parents on Christmas Eve. It was nice just having only us and my parents there. </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/AVvXsEiDVUwkm9nEDVEM9TP1XR7rg8RaqpZX15ZleYztwjX7Wyu6Ls30GzfZOv9fxBvPnNLbJjiX1ZHqH9m5V7R5zCCDnlSwmfTTRNnyVYSEX0fFNhe-ST_6Z8Q0FL8XITyUBl-m7n0duEe50s6I/s1600/DSCN0027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDVUwkm9nEDVEM9TP1XR7rg8RaqpZX15ZleYztwjX7Wyu6Ls30GzfZOv9fxBvPnNLbJjiX1ZHqH9m5V7R5zCCDnlSwmfTTRNnyVYSEX0fFNhe-ST_6Z8Q0FL8XITyUBl-m7n0duEe50s6I/s320/DSCN0027.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice in her cute Christmas Pjs</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3zEjD7gRsljAed_oEue4QNsUL25wyi5iVSP1dSXTyEZ8kvcVt5IvG4jImeqBCVVvyIOu_FMOC4nLKXcGEwu44sn0x1ZGhOhknazeuENMe_Blvw_twcfjuP5QCx64sHkZCWEH67oY0dXw/s1600/DSCN0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3zEjD7gRsljAed_oEue4QNsUL25wyi5iVSP1dSXTyEZ8kvcVt5IvG4jImeqBCVVvyIOu_FMOC4nLKXcGEwu44sn0x1ZGhOhknazeuENMe_Blvw_twcfjuP5QCx64sHkZCWEH67oY0dXw/s320/DSCN0029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After we opened presents and put the girls to bed, we had a nice little Christmas Eve 'program' with my parents. One of my favorite traditions! On Sunday (Christmas) we went to church with my parents and then moved over to the Brewers for the rest of the week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas Celebration #3--Vancouver, WA--Brewer Family--December 25-29</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We sure had a great time with the Brewer clan! All of Ben's (5) brothers except one were there with their families! It was a full house! We had a fabulous Christmas Seafood dinner with everyone and then opened presents and had a family devotional. (Unfortunately we didn't really get any pictures of the girls in their cute Christmas outfits, so if anyone else did, please send them our way!) This is the only one we got of Merrilee!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDKdEdBin_5zAw7-q23Ued0XNe6F0TaBH6n8scqqqp_G5h3e9pyeiSq3OunZfDZGe4w4pvnXs4gEL36-boFX8fb1qT75NG8GfXpUhKXgKecyYUx1r6naxVCa15iwDFN8Lmw0S0bY0J7ea/s1600/DSCN0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDKdEdBin_5zAw7-q23Ued0XNe6F0TaBH6n8scqqqp_G5h3e9pyeiSq3OunZfDZGe4w4pvnXs4gEL36-boFX8fb1qT75NG8GfXpUhKXgKecyYUx1r6naxVCa15iwDFN8Lmw0S0bY0J7ea/s320/DSCN0051.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We loved spending time with everybody! It was so great to see Merrilee and Ashlynn play together again, now that they are both older! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-Ajkq2Ww_udp15t-WQTe11FQ6Al4c8Tt-tjjI2H9wNdyyhEVDDlI3RZp4xkESctMnlV-n_wtVqcLPdUktvlW4wImBZpNhsfdFhEStVBj6SF5v6uzUbBu-meEjJO46Sw4rvamO65pAu3d/s1600/DSCN0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-Ajkq2Ww_udp15t-WQTe11FQ6Al4c8Tt-tjjI2H9wNdyyhEVDDlI3RZp4xkESctMnlV-n_wtVqcLPdUktvlW4wImBZpNhsfdFhEStVBj6SF5v6uzUbBu-meEjJO46Sw4rvamO65pAu3d/s320/DSCN0063.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was so fun to see ALL the cousins play together! There were lots of opportunities too...While the guys went golfing, the girls and the kids stayed home and played together. While the guys went to the Blazer game, the kids slept while the girls had a fun movie night! We all went to the new Vancouver library (Which is AMAZING!) and played together...and we also went to Aaron and Hoku's and played together. I think we need to arrange for more occasions for these cute little cousins to play together more often!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><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/AVvXsEgt8Pj9KlwTvSHuHab6h1ou4snjAtfpHl4zyQRQqsRQ7hoEN6q_3qeeuPt80zWGt_Kdc9zKbnt3BODEIRMdWf2creX-kCOGYRySeKKZlsTt80t2SUyqmibRFjOCq6Fs-OY2C24wjXiKhqPl/s1600/DSCN0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt8Pj9KlwTvSHuHab6h1ou4snjAtfpHl4zyQRQqsRQ7hoEN6q_3qeeuPt80zWGt_Kdc9zKbnt3BODEIRMdWf2creX-kCOGYRySeKKZlsTt80t2SUyqmibRFjOCq6Fs-OY2C24wjXiKhqPl/s320/DSCN0078.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute Leah</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1exQxWj0O0gpfoj8eL5Swbq4lUbSbjE2mSN6PlSOdInxs9hy0IrIpmVUhbMMYrDkRkSMk_yLiO1IfpgghPvu0YBz9TAt6pi04DkRMuQaB12DjiXf5iDfl5laAi0eea0LGOdWw4cSVEbRb/s1600/DSCN0084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1exQxWj0O0gpfoj8eL5Swbq4lUbSbjE2mSN6PlSOdInxs9hy0IrIpmVUhbMMYrDkRkSMk_yLiO1IfpgghPvu0YBz9TAt6pi04DkRMuQaB12DjiXf5iDfl5laAi0eea0LGOdWw4cSVEbRb/s320/DSCN0084.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alice having fun at the library</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibym4DCDYyrkZ_GyuzPZZyC9T3MqygU-j5LtPq4MHR2k-srOYD2Kj21bCaCDeaElCzONWT25BMPw-8AtoaOtfQndVhLkHABH6OcnaiP0uS4fQ5MYRLCBYnNu95hJJOnDEHr3xa0KxBWOuG/s1600/DSCN0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibym4DCDYyrkZ_GyuzPZZyC9T3MqygU-j5LtPq4MHR2k-srOYD2Kj21bCaCDeaElCzONWT25BMPw-8AtoaOtfQndVhLkHABH6OcnaiP0uS4fQ5MYRLCBYnNu95hJJOnDEHr3xa0KxBWOuG/s320/DSCN0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Song had her nifty camera and took some pics of the cousins at the library!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkzSLzi4fILHhU4ql8uG-b39In6izc1ceU6TAbp6IqYh2F1Po6GaWGq6uttr-8yxcEDrCv8Nh6tEpFbQFoaien5amdW4L5tFovZ-o3N5tgJh4cFgfB6405gyFu4appiEkZGKdaFh5RRzF/s1600/DSCN0094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkzSLzi4fILHhU4ql8uG-b39In6izc1ceU6TAbp6IqYh2F1Po6GaWGq6uttr-8yxcEDrCv8Nh6tEpFbQFoaien5amdW4L5tFovZ-o3N5tgJh4cFgfB6405gyFu4appiEkZGKdaFh5RRzF/s320/DSCN0094.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cute Ethan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pjs6FwnFpmvDsgrQDwfaTslQajh7J62B09YoBw7mY7rr4-vnQhWTuppZ7Mf0guxTsPI4Lu3lm_2ldUp5sxPZQKyfnVFSnzuwlRMyxSlYHOSYdtB5Ktx-0wnfggfzmcfNARY8zrI0G77B/s1600/DSCN0098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Pjs6FwnFpmvDsgrQDwfaTslQajh7J62B09YoBw7mY7rr4-vnQhWTuppZ7Mf0guxTsPI4Lu3lm_2ldUp5sxPZQKyfnVFSnzuwlRMyxSlYHOSYdtB5Ktx-0wnfggfzmcfNARY8zrI0G77B/s320/DSCN0098.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrilee had a BLAST at the library!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9U7HF2cmzhHxuYjcblA_ECJSyfgD6EQAvhyphenhyphen53W266J8C08i_D0RP1E6VRzhnpH64Dip4l1O5klJ9ZmPsUslsPss8KSTbMcpXJ_6VVi-GNuCIwEavbqG0ZDoZl07dw9rTRPjwIudN0zuO/s1600/DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9U7HF2cmzhHxuYjcblA_ECJSyfgD6EQAvhyphenhyphen53W266J8C08i_D0RP1E6VRzhnpH64Dip4l1O5klJ9ZmPsUslsPss8KSTbMcpXJ_6VVi-GNuCIwEavbqG0ZDoZl07dw9rTRPjwIudN0zuO/s320/DSCN0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Brewer reading to Merrilee and Malia</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The week in WA went by way too fast and we already miss everyone from both sides of the family. Thanks, all, for making our Christmas celebrations so wonderful!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">P.S.- Even though there are a lot of pics on this post, we didn't get as many as we would have liked of the girls with family members, if you have any, we would be so grateful if you could send them to us! </div>MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3683948199812210617.post-24757193853382659442011-12-11T16:25:00.000-08:002011-12-11T16:40:51.994-08:00A Little catch up...NovemberIts been a while since we updated so here it goes...<br />
<br />
November was a great month (really, November is my most favorite month out of the whole year :) ) We had lots going on last month. We got our family photos taken for the the first time ever since we were married. We figured two kids later, it was about time. Here are a few we really like...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw__p1mPvQdx0DpdX3Nf45rlrQ2EZPg30OIBxLPxvZjQo7hmFgNXNzTzj4_P21htYhTRSfdmAWIcuDoKs4CiClHHnsbq_pE4AvP9sLam9KeVvxnFvUHGJjd7iPNaFCPVNZbhyNxaFMwLr/s1600/IMG_4638web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJw__p1mPvQdx0DpdX3Nf45rlrQ2EZPg30OIBxLPxvZjQo7hmFgNXNzTzj4_P21htYhTRSfdmAWIcuDoKs4CiClHHnsbq_pE4AvP9sLam9KeVvxnFvUHGJjd7iPNaFCPVNZbhyNxaFMwLr/s320/IMG_4638web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGMK5OTsYqK_poWJ2WAlUmTXIhq2FPrZ2KTv8iTzGo46dtLh1i3moXD06Ke-f0ekijEJd5VpEsch8gYZyjMNNBjvjZuHJlnTUqkEJeidSCAP7WyKkRL2vJdc25JgyusIJHLfZKghkSDDm/s1600/IMG_4683web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiGMK5OTsYqK_poWJ2WAlUmTXIhq2FPrZ2KTv8iTzGo46dtLh1i3moXD06Ke-f0ekijEJd5VpEsch8gYZyjMNNBjvjZuHJlnTUqkEJeidSCAP7WyKkRL2vJdc25JgyusIJHLfZKghkSDDm/s320/IMG_4683web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Merrilee and I also got our photos taken for the local newspaper for an article about how literacy can save a child from all sorts of unfortunate life circumstances. <a href="http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/education/child-literacy-a-looming-crisis-in-utah-county/article_844a43e6-1334-11e1-a8ef-001cc4c002e0.html">Here is a link</a> to the story if you are interested. It is a 3 part story. This is the first part. My amazing neighbor is featured in the 3rd part and I am in a picture in the background with Alice in the t<a href="http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/how-to-save-a-kid-take-the-time-to-read/article_94dcb90c-1e7c-11e1-b8b9-0019bb2963f4.html?mode=story">hird part of the story.</a> (if you want to see the pics bigger, click on the "images" tab at the top of the story.) It was fun to talk about how much Merrilee loves to read and to advocate for reading to children. <br />
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In mid-November, Alice had her 6 month checkup. She is still just a tiny peanut in the 9% for weight at 13.8 lbs. She did great with her shots! She only cried when the needle was actually poking her, but after it was all over with, she started giggling uncontrollably and smiling! What a silly girl. Alice has also been continuing with physical therapy for her torticollis and we just got her a helmet last week to help fix her head shape. I must say it is a little hard to nurse her with that big hard helmet, but other than that, she's been doing really well with it and she is really CUTE in it too! Ben has dubbed her "Tron baby".<br />
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We also celebrated my birthday in November. Ben got me a sewing machine which I have been wanting ever since Song taught me how to sew when we were living in Virginia with them. I am so excited! I went to JoAnn fabrics on black friday and waited in crazy long lines to get some good deals and stock up on some fabric! I've already started a few projects. For the birthday celebration, Ben and the girls took me out to lunch and then we had some cake and ice cream at home with my sister's family. We also got out the Christmas decorations on my birthday (a few days before Thanksgiving). Since we will be gone for actual Christmas, we decided to put our stuff up a little early so we could enjoy it in our home a little longer before Christmas.<br />
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We had a nice small Thanksgiving here with my sister and family. My sister and I split up the food responsibilities and just had a great time cooking and eating together! All the kids thoroughly enjoyed it too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq4ABqOFxFqOEk_p2G1Qmkrrw28hSiHG8oGOdJZT3S8_DicAJC8n2jqan6UUYv0Ms_3vxr8A27mPQijAULP0upZND5IRGeCUxIR9UpbJAxs0XC790U2QrtzAez2u4m34o9Dr9qCJX89Oy/s1600/DSCN9885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihq4ABqOFxFqOEk_p2G1Qmkrrw28hSiHG8oGOdJZT3S8_DicAJC8n2jqan6UUYv0Ms_3vxr8A27mPQijAULP0upZND5IRGeCUxIR9UpbJAxs0XC790U2QrtzAez2u4m34o9Dr9qCJX89Oy/s320/DSCN9885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Merrilee had fun eating</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaLeA8OKoQRmgiwNph1O0TfWIbFlmWM0DiHrp7TzeJSSsUhlPuEptEWJGxJmU_ph6YR1h6AiOzHu-cOtOvW5Ini3nNo_GbiTyB9rS7QPDxtFNbsoob-_v8L2UiqJNQhtGzRbXsHDfdCcw/s1600/DSCN9886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKaLeA8OKoQRmgiwNph1O0TfWIbFlmWM0DiHrp7TzeJSSsUhlPuEptEWJGxJmU_ph6YR1h6AiOzHu-cOtOvW5Ini3nNo_GbiTyB9rS7QPDxtFNbsoob-_v8L2UiqJNQhtGzRbXsHDfdCcw/s320/DSCN9886.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My awesome nephews</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxaw1nWE6yVz_0i4siQHGjikoPB6uDnXpunWm6Q-TIp2hxgOZe2xnUdpqd5NpTceBwQbsUFMYFMurxLOuOtMpwzu5UG87a2ZSodTzM2pHJuzSc_GQe6JUCyz5gbUXfwybRCorWvy5tDU_/s1600/DSCN9887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxaw1nWE6yVz_0i4siQHGjikoPB6uDnXpunWm6Q-TIp2hxgOZe2xnUdpqd5NpTceBwQbsUFMYFMurxLOuOtMpwzu5UG87a2ZSodTzM2pHJuzSc_GQe6JUCyz5gbUXfwybRCorWvy5tDU_/s320/DSCN9887.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My cute niece Ellie</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nB3O9aF_EE7KM_TtSqsC4J0cWP0ElmJn2hd06rmgdO5yWYifURS99rhSO2djb9UXGvEZZUiWXpzvoADruiCTj9cSn5mElF0gQO6OSLVTTPVHHWp9i8meTDcr2jMsQQtn6AGbK89l8CYS/s1600/DSCN9888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7nB3O9aF_EE7KM_TtSqsC4J0cWP0ElmJn2hd06rmgdO5yWYifURS99rhSO2djb9UXGvEZZUiWXpzvoADruiCTj9cSn5mElF0gQO6OSLVTTPVHHWp9i8meTDcr2jMsQQtn6AGbK89l8CYS/s320/DSCN9888.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is how Alice enjoyed the meal...watching everyone stuff their faces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Adam and Kylie hung out with us a couple days after Thanksgiving and did some black Friday shopping with us. It was fun to see them. We look forward to them being on the same flight to WA with us for Christmas so we can all help out with each others babies. :) During the Thanksgiving break, Ben and I also took the girls to the nicklecade and redeemed our tickets for a cute little doggy piggy bank for Merrilee. It was genuinely very fun to just do this fun little activity with our little family.<br />
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Another fun thing I started in November is singing in the Orem Chorale (Local community choir). Its been way too long since I've sung in a choir. We've been preparing for a Christmas concert that we will perform this week. Its been great to sing again! It really just brings my heart so much joy to be able to sing with a decent choir.<br />
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Well, that about sums up November. We feel very grateful for all of our blessings and look forward to spending the Christmas holiday with family in the Northwest!MaurBenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05279259594619351760noreply@blogger.com1