tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81919206839660196062024-03-13T04:09:50.140-07:00Adventures in EverythingK. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-80629858386253268232016-04-03T19:43:00.000-07:002016-11-05T20:23:10.806-07:00Adventures in Homeownership: LiverMORE House<br />
Yes. The Plattner Family is on the move. Again. This time to Livermore, California. It is exciting. And new.<br />
<br />
We weren't really looking to move. I mean, yes, we did talk about it. We planned on moving eventually, but we were in no hurry. It all started when I looked at a website about the development being built on Communications Hill. The builder had some information online, but what caught my eye was a side-bar ad with the text "Ideal commuter location; conveniently located near I-580 and Livermore ACE train station." As I mentioned in a previous post, the Silicon Valley is getting more crowded, and the commute is getting worse. Knowing how much Aaron hates traffic, and loves public transit, I decided to click through. As I searched, and google mapped, I realized that this development was being built right next to the ACE train station. Not just conveniently nearby, but, like, right next to the station. It's eight-minutes-walking-from-the-front-door-to-the-platform close. We decided to check it out. And, after a lot of soul-searching and conversing and deliberating, we decided that it was time to make a change and move our family to Livermore.<br />
<div>
<br />
I have to admit, I am pretty excited to be moving to <a href="http://www.cityoflivermore.net/about/default.htm" target="_blank">Livermore</a>. Afterall, it is "California's oldest wine region." And I do enjoy a nice cold glass of white wine. Being able to walk to a local tasting room is not too shabby. After a few visits to the area, and some online sleuthing, we realized that Livermore is a cute city with a lot to offer. It has a growing downtown area that seems both family friendly and great for date nights. It also looks like Livermore has a flourishing arts community -- there is even a local orchestra and a recital hall. The schools seem to be quite good, and they seem to have some really good recreational offerings even for babies and toddlers. Livermore has more of a small town feel, like Turlock does. Small town feel with larger city amenities.<br />
<div>
<br />
Our new house is a part of a new KB Home Development called Vineyard Crossing. It is a large planned development community. When the community is done, there will be two large parks and a walking path around the whole thing. Our new house is going to be two doors down from one of the two parks. (Granted, it is basically a water drainage park, but it's grass I don't have to mow, so it's pretty sweet!) </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've chosen a home in what is being called <a href="http://www.kbhome.com/new-homes-bay-area/the-reserve-at-vineyard-crossing" target="_blank">the Reserves</a>, which features larger single family homes. Our new home,<a href="http://www.kbhome.com/new-homes-bay-area/the-reserve-at-vineyard-crossing/plan-3" target="_blank"> Plan 3</a>, is approximately 2,200 square feet. It will have five bedrooms and three bathrooms. The main living space and our guest room will be downstairs, with spacious bedrooms and laundry upstairs. Having this space will give us a guest room and a wonderful office for Aaron. (And, while he likely doesn't realize it yet, that will be half mine. Hello to my craft space not in the living room!) The rooms are a really good size, and the master is beautiful. Not only is it huge, it features a spacious balcony overlooking the hills of Livermore. The main living space is a great room style space, with a living area, kitchen, and dining all within a single glance. This will be lovely for watching the boys while cooking dinner. (Don't laugh. I won't have an excuse not to cook anymore. Maybe.) Off of the main living space is our (teeny-tiny) backyard. It's small, but it is outdoor space. Our outdoor space. It's big enough for Ethan to run around and throw a ball in. Someday it may even house a hot tub. One of the coolest parts about our new home is that our lot is right next to a fire easement. So, while the other homes are only ten feet apart (yikes!) ours will have an extra ten feet of space between them. Did I mention it is still being built? It's really exciting to watch the progress. There really was quite a lot done when we found it, but they are still putting the finishing touches on it.<br />
<br />
Move -in day will be before we know it. Once we get settled, you will have to come and check it out for yourself!<br />
<br />
<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/AVvXsEiy66QG_D7daV6xvZfy7DGEFUQib_CTtI6nPtBqMtwHQlIrU5vDzH1MnuBJBpFXg7xryYTrS2x6MUCtd1MHDWJoOzCKggUep0vobOKEVIPZlMoxD8-jBqUsaqub3igqWTg5FES1EciYWFU/s1600/IMG_20160130_164513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy66QG_D7daV6xvZfy7DGEFUQib_CTtI6nPtBqMtwHQlIrU5vDzH1MnuBJBpFXg7xryYTrS2x6MUCtd1MHDWJoOzCKggUep0vobOKEVIPZlMoxD8-jBqUsaqub3igqWTg5FES1EciYWFU/s320/IMG_20160130_164513.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 30, 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEj664A0tCMXqssdfIcmhXrp2_UWNotuGbWosTzgQcFKet9uakdo5mLbORZncDAYE5L_OVUY9MCAChYBpFMfcPusWz8xIrZAiwzay3OdZ5AtqcOgZDuIz_h0GA3EViQNTC4kYjd7q_n51Bg/s1600/IMG_20160130_164457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj664A0tCMXqssdfIcmhXrp2_UWNotuGbWosTzgQcFKet9uakdo5mLbORZncDAYE5L_OVUY9MCAChYBpFMfcPusWz8xIrZAiwzay3OdZ5AtqcOgZDuIz_h0GA3EViQNTC4kYjd7q_n51Bg/s320/IMG_20160130_164457.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">January 30, 2016</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_SUaOOuTdOS53LapBKj_1dYUVu2dvoEFpwOTNFAPPAHTkc-zuas1RBUtLLQ8WEOyb2T28RqakLYh22o2epgL27SaQ0QLOsA-f4PfBKYQTlRe0GqO_OXpvgLIHFGvFux7c5__ESaBxYo/s1600/IMG_20160209_162532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir_SUaOOuTdOS53LapBKj_1dYUVu2dvoEFpwOTNFAPPAHTkc-zuas1RBUtLLQ8WEOyb2T28RqakLYh22o2epgL27SaQ0QLOsA-f4PfBKYQTlRe0GqO_OXpvgLIHFGvFux7c5__ESaBxYo/s320/IMG_20160209_162532.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 9, 2016 </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/AVvXsEjmG0hVCdB1tUAjKAoK3zMvXpI6bdpW7nS7e7jRgf6zhfw7qlbyXJJLrsl914han2vskbM8fiBlFMNLgnAyD2Vz7qPk53P558MsiXQj0uwObEUIL-uzRrL1IQvlZya3re_-lt_GedbHDDU/s1600/IMG_20160209_162541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmG0hVCdB1tUAjKAoK3zMvXpI6bdpW7nS7e7jRgf6zhfw7qlbyXJJLrsl914han2vskbM8fiBlFMNLgnAyD2Vz7qPk53P558MsiXQj0uwObEUIL-uzRrL1IQvlZya3re_-lt_GedbHDDU/s320/IMG_20160209_162541.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">February 9, 2016 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXyWdWa6iRvd2YO7uxTjbb_lFmaN12MwO8GOWs9eJcN3nUjrnKfkm7jqJIt0X6LGGyCCBvbiMZNjOSydlbjS-wsDr_nUItY6yPc9BVbTUYZ1SgPnhnbWFj5-eR60gBqu1xFs9q5nEasE/s1600/IMG_20160209_162558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXyWdWa6iRvd2YO7uxTjbb_lFmaN12MwO8GOWs9eJcN3nUjrnKfkm7jqJIt0X6LGGyCCBvbiMZNjOSydlbjS-wsDr_nUItY6yPc9BVbTUYZ1SgPnhnbWFj5-eR60gBqu1xFs9q5nEasE/s320/IMG_20160209_162558.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">February 9, 2016 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCQvCWTDhom70JAs_CbKBZBrQ4XDkX9POFSypcDAcOO1B_USL0gpyql-W_YCdY5U35J5e0KHf3H4wwq0UImmfBdgBZ2IPWVgVp7PfOrEwgmoO7Ni0kAM9mFb2ecB1UMAzuqOgJSdgG9Q/s1600/IMG_20160209_162607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCQvCWTDhom70JAs_CbKBZBrQ4XDkX9POFSypcDAcOO1B_USL0gpyql-W_YCdY5U35J5e0KHf3H4wwq0UImmfBdgBZ2IPWVgVp7PfOrEwgmoO7Ni0kAM9mFb2ecB1UMAzuqOgJSdgG9Q/s320/IMG_20160209_162607.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">February 9, 2016 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq04MmcEm0pjXdhWGSQq7tJThP59TrXTBDc964BoGUMzkWUTukHh7_Egcgb79rM1NSoTyrc10meCSGcQwrFht8djNxQV6VrpO7-DOtXh5pLJTmqRiUKk1BQy3AKofFYD34WeR8dUA1ME/s1600/IMG_20160209_162622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhq04MmcEm0pjXdhWGSQq7tJThP59TrXTBDc964BoGUMzkWUTukHh7_Egcgb79rM1NSoTyrc10meCSGcQwrFht8djNxQV6VrpO7-DOtXh5pLJTmqRiUKk1BQy3AKofFYD34WeR8dUA1ME/s320/IMG_20160209_162622.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">February 9, 2016 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVQvuBnC7DnsJT3Dqyb1-9WFcmeuYfzfLZyeqL1HDMbvnciBPMnhxrzk7h9nW24VhjX94wZFZJ4ENz57ZGAn3z5331E4-4MC1NFx0oaHRUg_37tqbaQg-wWrXu24cBopHwvllhGNavlQ/s1600/IMG_20160209_162635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVQvuBnC7DnsJT3Dqyb1-9WFcmeuYfzfLZyeqL1HDMbvnciBPMnhxrzk7h9nW24VhjX94wZFZJ4ENz57ZGAn3z5331E4-4MC1NFx0oaHRUg_37tqbaQg-wWrXu24cBopHwvllhGNavlQ/s320/IMG_20160209_162635.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">February 9, 2016 </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-62399276731959680872016-03-11T11:14:00.000-08:002016-03-11T15:15:18.436-08:00Adventures in Homeownership: Movin' On Up <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4;">Aaron and I have been in our cute little San Jose townhouse for a little over four years. And it's been a wonderful four years. This house will always have special meaning to us. It was the first home we purchased together, just a few short months after we got married. We brought Ethan and Henry home to this house. We've celebrated birthdays, anniversaries and promotions. We've hosted holiday parties and gatherings. We've made friends with our neighbors. Our little townhouse is full of love and cherished memories. </span><br />
<div class="post hentry" itemscope="itemscope" itemtype="http://schema.org/BlogPosting" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; margin: 0px 0px 25px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-6239927673195968087" itemprop="articleBody" style="font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 720px;">
<div class="tr_bq">
<br /></div>
For the last four years, San Jose has been our home. But it's a funny thing about homes and houses. It doesn't really matter where it is. What matters is that you are with the ones you love.<br /><blockquote>
“Home wasn't a set house, or a single town on a map. It was wherever the people who loved you were, whenever you were together. Not a place, but a moment, and then another, building on each other like bricks to create a solid shelter that you take with you for your entire life, wherever you may go.”<br />― Sarah Dessen, What Happened to Goodbye</blockquote>
Now that the boys are getting bigger, our needs are changing. As our family grows, it has become increasingly cramped. With two babies, we were running out of space. Our office spaces are encroaching on our living spaces, and our living spaces were quickly filling up with kid-friendly materials. But the community is growing, too. This means our commutes were getting worse, as more and more people moved to the area. Getting to our work places was taking us longer and longer, and sitting in traffic is no fun at all when you know you have super-cute little dudes waiting for you at home. And as Ethan gets older, I find myself longing for at least a little backyard that boys can play in with ease.<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The thing is that we weren't really looking for something new, or for somewhere new, it kinda just presented itself. We had talked about moving someday; we knew that our cute little townhouse was not our forever home. We figured on a five year plan. We knew that we'd want to find a single-family home, something with a little more space and fewer stairs, and maybe that cute little backyard. And, if I am being honest, I was always looking at houses online. I liked keeping my eye on the market if for no other reason than so that I wouldn't miss something awesome. But with one eye on the market, we also knew that we had little hope of getting any closer to my work, or Aaron's work. If we wanted our ideal single-family home, we'd only be moving farther away. The big question is how far. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you have known us for a while, you know that Aaron commuted all the way to Santa Clara from Turlock. It was three hours. Each way. He loved taking the train to work, but the extra, extra long commute was taking a toll on him. That is how we came to find this house in San Jose. But with the traffic getting worse, the idea of taking public transit (even if it took a bit longer) seemed like a really exciting proposition. And that, my friends, is how we found our new house. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes. The Plattner Family is on the move. Again. This time to Livermore, California. It is exciting. And new. And because there is just so much to say, I will share more details about our new home in another post. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are really excited about this new chapter in our lives. As they say, when one door closes another opens. And this door opens to a beautiful new home, in a lovely area. Of course it will be extremely difficult to leave everything we have now. I'm going to miss our San Jose home. It's super cute. The kitchen is fabulous. The house often has a wonderful breeze blowing through it, keeping it nice and cool and airy. I finally feel like I have put my touch on some of the decorating. I especially love Ethan's new big boy room. The location is quiet and really convenient for Aaron to ride his bike to work. We have absolutely wonderful neighbors and a few cute grassy areas for Ethan to play in. But I am sure that the new house will have all of these things and more. And, of course, there is the fact that I will be leaving my job at my wonderful school and leaving my sub status with the big band I love playing in. It's a lot of change. But change is good, right? As they say, without change there would be no butterflies. </div>
<div>
<br />Yesterday, we received an offer on our fabulous townhome. We countered, and the buyers accepted. It makes my heart happy knowing that a cute newlywed couple wanted to call this house their home. Just as Aaron and I started our family in this home, they hope to start a family as well. Soon they will get to start filling it with love and making memories of their own.<br /><br />For those who didn't get a chance to visit, here are some photos of our San Jose home. What wonderful memories it brought us!<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 5px; position: relative;"><tbody>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2g_EEMIpgnaqXI76wFmc6_zDm4x_DIpmot8bDwmPP6LNJyMTdibSSZag0oYpNhO7b0NxfxF58-pGFMHumDlMaczhSRnGrpdLV49JOkDuTk8O2PKtNf07MN1FJJ0OoH300s-eo6rj8YM/s1600/SJHome+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT2g_EEMIpgnaqXI76wFmc6_zDm4x_DIpmot8bDwmPP6LNJyMTdibSSZag0oYpNhO7b0NxfxF58-pGFMHumDlMaczhSRnGrpdLV49JOkDuTk8O2PKtNf07MN1FJJ0OoH300s-eo6rj8YM/s320/SJHome+3.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">The "Upstairs Living Room"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; float: right; margin-left: 1em; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOlkbQEN0CDetLCGa7N1LqgzZoIWz5FIaJDMQCO15XoeabXOnHBpfMNFHncg8NQTqmuYNzXwQvJkoUMmv5oi7-2hI99r9I7PpaPx7L12LucNaJK7pHd-hceYXeUQTpwQ6J9Y8DyYUye4/s1600/SJHome+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOlkbQEN0CDetLCGa7N1LqgzZoIWz5FIaJDMQCO15XoeabXOnHBpfMNFHncg8NQTqmuYNzXwQvJkoUMmv5oi7-2hI99r9I7PpaPx7L12LucNaJK7pHd-hceYXeUQTpwQ6J9Y8DyYUye4/s320/SJHome+2.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">The dining room looking into the upstairs living room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1kGkzfnGPbPWoLnuC00mp-YkYqES_Rrrj9bSBI_aMGWqj9B6ZgpPY-9bHhD1z0MwBSZn8CUPb1itYY0Oo6D45Ack0Ge8aPF0KolZ4rcgRVU32UUPx7j89cK7XwKoIJqfctd4umZU_Eo/s1600/SJHome+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1kGkzfnGPbPWoLnuC00mp-YkYqES_Rrrj9bSBI_aMGWqj9B6ZgpPY-9bHhD1z0MwBSZn8CUPb1itYY0Oo6D45Ack0Ge8aPF0KolZ4rcgRVU32UUPx7j89cK7XwKoIJqfctd4umZU_Eo/s320/SJHome+1.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">A view of the dining and kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br /><div class="nobrtable">
<table border="2" bordercolor="#ffffff" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 756px;"><caption style="caption-side: bottom;"></caption><tbody>
<tr style="color: white; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;"><th><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; float: right; margin-left: 1em; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSBxuzaqzPyy-DUM3TuanRpX9y1d35TDeFZUPh4gBy4an1s5lRS6h4O2VH4DUcAliMswKaDuYumsvr1SbrNXqVRqFYiU_dSD3dgBTTKavMuuzpA80Z58YZrZIkbhz_xQvUGFrgXR-5ao/s1600/SJHome+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmSBxuzaqzPyy-DUM3TuanRpX9y1d35TDeFZUPh4gBy4an1s5lRS6h4O2VH4DUcAliMswKaDuYumsvr1SbrNXqVRqFYiU_dSD3dgBTTKavMuuzpA80Z58YZrZIkbhz_xQvUGFrgXR-5ao/s320/SJHome+4.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">The upstairs living room and half bath</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</th><th><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; float: right; margin-left: 1em; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd47IvvHgNR0_QCMWQ9UCeBHhhGEwOWC7pv3GKc1tjperZ0M8N0ysXcNePO9xBNs1MjqyIu3hoQeH0S3iixr9BwqqITPmR6ly1Klz-xZHnbBTiAjQfB-vRbSAUirA7h_CqNbTNnh2j3Q/s1600/SJHome+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyd47IvvHgNR0_QCMWQ9UCeBHhhGEwOWC7pv3GKc1tjperZ0M8N0ysXcNePO9xBNs1MjqyIu3hoQeH0S3iixr9BwqqITPmR6ly1Klz-xZHnbBTiAjQfB-vRbSAUirA7h_CqNbTNnh2j3Q/s320/SJHome+8.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">The half bath downstairs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</th><th></th></tr>
<tr class="alt" style="text-align: center;"><td style="background-color: #eeeecc;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; float: right; margin-left: 1em; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RhLnlJ4mGQHdo-GevS-Gx2XYWygACFpkFz0hRLQMytuAgTuSxbuYpr8b_ndrN7rhRvDxPCR-zDuVMPtrG2oG-CvvEJIdUcqvX4Pal3KaA7kAxh2-C3qHi253h8xpfdj_D6mXDo3IISc/s1600/SJHome+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7RhLnlJ4mGQHdo-GevS-Gx2XYWygACFpkFz0hRLQMytuAgTuSxbuYpr8b_ndrN7rhRvDxPCR-zDuVMPtrG2oG-CvvEJIdUcqvX4Pal3KaA7kAxh2-C3qHi253h8xpfdj_D6mXDo3IISc/s320/SJHome+6.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td class="tr-caption" style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black; font-size: 10.56px;">Ethan's Pixar themed big boy room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="background-color: #eeeecc;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1c79RN5ar6WdFe7P7yDsg71B9tZe9sFW1HTgfHtjZcxTrJp2fAPSKgZaUVUVZxApH65ab7JbVkxuSCDGnxP03tKc8nXyCCdcdk1hbgAYdmyOZtXsMl8jZ99PpeK6HK0_N-ivSgGepdo/s1600/SJHome+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1c79RN5ar6WdFe7P7yDsg71B9tZe9sFW1HTgfHtjZcxTrJp2fAPSKgZaUVUVZxApH65ab7JbVkxuSCDGnxP03tKc8nXyCCdcdk1hbgAYdmyOZtXsMl8jZ99PpeK6HK0_N-ivSgGepdo/s320/SJHome+5.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black; font-size: 10.56px;">Henry's Mickey Mouse themed nursery room</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="background-color: #eeeecc;"></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3Lh1mYVU-_ZwDZVZGOFoWR3DL5F4yA-iy8yWoBc8eW-LakSJpMj1IvZl4X-gMKaOw9a2x8IWCDqwyqorw_2o4Q3MORARbswPeDpMKgqfhNJsw2JuKD-VQETxkJpxqZC8Jhx7hBgEDbo/s1600/SJHome+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3Lh1mYVU-_ZwDZVZGOFoWR3DL5F4yA-iy8yWoBc8eW-LakSJpMj1IvZl4X-gMKaOw9a2x8IWCDqwyqorw_2o4Q3MORARbswPeDpMKgqfhNJsw2JuKD-VQETxkJpxqZC8Jhx7hBgEDbo/s320/SJHome+7.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">The hall bathroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; float: right; margin-left: 1em; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQF0O9N8eYmy3khjGrHIZRZIUr79K5_q3kE-eQI24HGwvC4mvycJS9pm1N_1NWkfk6c4v-KfgYSUYlJjeIfhNCJ4EAsFTpIevlHR1Jou-Ufw7HEfmh7BxVE0XJRlYycqMX7H5Id6QxVY/s1600/SJHome+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #2288bb; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQF0O9N8eYmy3khjGrHIZRZIUr79K5_q3kE-eQI24HGwvC4mvycJS9pm1N_1NWkfk6c4v-KfgYSUYlJjeIfhNCJ4EAsFTpIevlHR1Jou-Ufw7HEfmh7BxVE0XJRlYycqMX7H5Id6QxVY/s320/SJHome+11.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="text-align: center;"><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.56px;">Aaron's workspace, office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td></td></tr>
<tr class="alt" style="text-align: center;"><td style="background-color: #eeeecc;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbH8w-H7DpfpSin8bzhswW4uK1PlKakEMKJKAkci8yb921ajo12C_vpEaODd7Q_Ad5HN0D4NFwlLoxsesghch8K61LRIF1iQlE-KgAvdafd1L8Q1mcxHw0WeWJj1dITsMuIrEWmZuxY8/s1600/SJHome+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbH8w-H7DpfpSin8bzhswW4uK1PlKakEMKJKAkci8yb921ajo12C_vpEaODd7Q_Ad5HN0D4NFwlLoxsesghch8K61LRIF1iQlE-KgAvdafd1L8Q1mcxHw0WeWJj1dITsMuIrEWmZuxY8/s320/SJHome+10.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black; font-size: 10.56px;">The master bedroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="background-color: #eeeecc;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 1px 1px 5px; color: #444444; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkeUg_IdBUhD491n0Xu7ULrhYANvg_-NhJNHXtdZ7ZfsTkfh67ynH71Oc7nd_E63utVwNvLprky0Y7G8rbjJV6mSOr-KXJsyit4nll8nMBiFfSNTmuZALavzGTZ6GuNCXmo9ccWgn9Ic/s1600/SJHome+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #2288bb; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTkeUg_IdBUhD491n0Xu7ULrhYANvg_-NhJNHXtdZ7ZfsTkfh67ynH71Oc7nd_E63utVwNvLprky0Y7G8rbjJV6mSOr-KXJsyit4nll8nMBiFfSNTmuZALavzGTZ6GuNCXmo9ccWgn9Ic/s320/SJHome+9.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0980392) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="background-color: #eeeecc; color: black; font-size: 10.56px;">The master bathroom </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td style="background-color: #eeeecc;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="post-footer" style="background-color: #f3f3f3; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #444444; font-size: 10.8px; line-height: 1.6; margin: 20px -2px 0px; padding: 5px 10px;">
<div class="post-footer-line post-footer-line-1">
<div class="post-share-buttons goog-inline-block" style="display: inline-block; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; position: relative; vertical-align: middle;">
<a class="goog-inline-block share-button sb-email" href="https://www.blogger.com/share-post.g?blogID=8191920683966019606&postID=6239927673195968087&target=email" style="background: url("/img/share_buttons_20_3.png") 0px 0px no-repeat !important; color: #2288bb; display: inline-block; height: 20px; margin-left: -1px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; text-decoration: none; width: 20px;" target="_blank" title="Email This"><span class="share-button-link-text" style="display: block; text-indent: -9999px;">Email Th</span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="comments" id="comments" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16.8px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 10px; min-height: 0px; position: relative;">
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-21448631257444441132015-11-06T17:41:00.006-08:002015-11-16T19:32:30.236-08:00Adventures in Gratitude: Turkey Lent IV<br />
<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.braintreeclothing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/quote-thankful-580-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.braintreeclothing.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/quote-thankful-580-blog.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.braintreeclothing.com/blog/2014/03/12/inspirational-quote-of-the-week-29/" target="_blank">Photo Credit</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Looking back on the last few years, I have been truly blessed. Amazingly, awesomely blessed. Five years ago, when I started this blog, I don't think I could have predicted everything that has happened. There have been so many moments of celebration, but there have been a few moments of trial and tribulation. We have had so much going on that my poor little blog was pretty well neglected. I am hoping to catch up, if for no other reason than I would like a record of all of our wonderful adventures for my kids.<br />
<br />
I decided Turkey Lent is a perfect way to re-boot. Yes, I managed to take a three year (!) hiatus from my annual adventure in gratitude, but I am back, baby! Don't get me wrong, I am 9 1/2 months pregnant with a nearly two year old... it's not going to be glitter and glam. I am keeping it real -- I am lucky if I stick with it. But the last few years have really brought about some great change (and will continue to, "Hello Baby#2!"); and with change comes many,<i> many</i> things to be thankful for.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
For those of you who might be new to my blog, Here is a little history:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Every year I blog about what I like to call Turkey-Lent. <i>Yes. I made it up. </i>Much how Christians show penance before Easter through Lent, I have decided to show my gratitude for all of the wonderful things that have surrounded me just before Thanksgiving. Each November, I show my appreciation for all of the things I have by giving up (or greatly reducing my use and/or consumption of) something I love. I believe in gratitude. I believe that we, as both individuals and as a society, should be thankful for all of the wonderful bounty that surrounds us. Food to nourish us. Shelter to protect us. Friends and family to care for us. Because of this, I always appreciate Thanksgiving. But I don't think it is enough. I don't think there should only be one day a year when we decide it is okay to tell everyone what we are thankful for. We should be doing it every day, as often as we can.<br />
Unable to think of anything to give up that I hadn't already tried (or not concentrating that hard!) the last few years I decided to show my gratitude through various acts of appreciation. I used Facebook and twitter to show the world what I was thankful for, in hopes that other people will be inspired to share their own gratefulness. My goal was to use my Facebook status update and/or Twitter update to share at least one thing I was thankful for. My goal was to do it once a day, from November 1 - Thanksgiving.<br />
This year I have decided to continue with my goal of public displays of appreciation, as it has indeed become a KWP tradition!</blockquote>
I really wanted to go back to my Turkey-Lent roots and give something up as I had the first few years. Honestly, I was going to type some excuse, (blah, blah, about to have a baby) but it would be just that. So, I am going to try really hard to give up making excuses and live in the moment. Yep, you heard that right. I don't think I make excuses too often, but for some reason I always feel the need give super elaborate reasons why or why not. I am not going to do it any more. I choose to do something, or choose not. I am not going to worry about who I am upsetting, or how it will affect others. I am going to worry about me, and my three boys. I am going to live in the moment and not worry about it. I am always going to try really hard to give up worrying. This is a really big thing for a pregnant woman to try -- so bear with me on this one. But I know I worry about things that I don't need to worry about, or that I just spend too much time thinking about. And I know that it can sometimes adversely affect family time. So, this month, I will give myself a short period of time to reflect and then I will try my best to move on.<br />
<br />
But, don't you worry, I am still going to continue with my Random Thoughts of Appreciation. I will publish what I am thankful for every day from here to Thanksgiving (and maybe beyond!)<br />
<br />
<div>
So, I ask you my dear blog friends... what are you thankful for?<br />
<br />
<i><b>Random Thoughts of Appreciation 2015</b></i><br />
<ol>
<li>Today, Aaron and I were able to enjoy a relaxing afternoon at our favorite sparkling wine house, thanks to my parents. Yes, I am thankful for great service and a good glass of sparkling wine, even if I am not partaking while pregnant. We are blessed to have family who live close to us, and are willing to "play" with Ethan for an afternoon while we have a little date. Thank you, Mom and Dad. ♥ </li>
<li>Early (early!) this morning I awoke to rain pouring down outside our cute little house. I am so thankful for the rain. California desperately needs it, but it is also nice just to have a change in the weather. I do love living in California with our fabulous weather! ♥</li>
<li>We, both Aaron and I, have been so very fortunate to work for places we absolutely love doing a job we absolutely love. Aaron's company, NVIDIA, made us feel even more fortunate by increasing the paternity leave benefits for dads. We are so very blessed. I just wish that the rest of the US would get with the world and start offering better maternity and paternity benefits for all parents. All parents should be as fortunate as we are. ♥</li>
<li>Technology is both a blessing and a curse, but I appreciate it most of the time. Like, when you husband gets a flat tire on his bike, so you can feel better going to pick him up, rather than worrying about how and when he is going to get home. And then you get In N' Out as a treat for dinner, because it was right there, and because it is delicious. ♥</li>
<li>I love two things today -- One. I love having a good dental plan, and clean teeth. I love the feeling of mouth full of clean teeth. Two. Having the ability to take impromptu lunch dates with my husband. I appreciate that we are able to go out and spend time together. I really do love that man...and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory. ♥</li>
<li>Sitting on the couch, relaxing with my boys in my arms... that is quite possibly that best feeling in the whole world. I am truly blessed to have these wonderful gentlemen in my life. I am thankful for every second I get to spend with them. ♥</li>
<li>Watching Ethan interact with things is often the highlight of my day. We took him to the Disneystore today and his face lit up for so many different reasons. He was super excited to watch the Muppets on their TV screens. He was overjoyed to see Buzz Lightyear toys on the floor, within an arm's reach. We went to the store to get him a Buzz, a toy that he has played with time and time again, and never fussed over not taking it home. I can hardly wait when he realized he has it at home. I think he was a little shocked when he got to take it out of the store. ♥</li>
<li>Today was one of those productive, but still kinda chill days. I really appreciate those days when you can get stuff done, and still have fun, without feeling like you have been run over by a truck trying to accomplish too much in one day. I think that this is probably due to having a super supportive husband who puts up with my "To Do" Lists. ♥</li>
<li>I am thankful for my boys every minute of every day. But today was especially happy as I watched both boys get super excited watching the lightening and listening to the "kaboom"! ♥</li>
<li>As much as I hate to admit it, I really appreciate when something in life slows me down. It really helps to slow down and think about how lucky I am to have the blessings of health and happiness. ♥</li>
<li>Words cannot express how appreciative I am for those who have sacrificed for our country. So, today I will use another's... " Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices." (Harry S Truman) ♥</li>
<li>Lazy days at home are awesome. I am so thankful that I have been able to spend time with Ethan -- just the two of us. Today we had an awesome lazy day at home, just the two of us. And it was fabulous. While I know that everything will change soon, I will be able to cherish the memories of the two of us playing and laughing together. ♥</li>
<li>I am forever thankful for my friends, especially those that go out of their way to check on me and make sure I get some mommy/adult time. ♥</li>
<li>My heart is sad for those who are effected by the Paris terrorist attacks and the many other senseless acts of hate that occur all over the world. I really wish this was not the state of the world we live in. It makes me sad for the children, my children, that they may never know a world where things like this don't occur so frequently. Occurrences like these make me that much more appreciative that my loved ones are safe and sound today. Hug your loved ones, folks. You just never know, and I hope we never do. ♥</li>
<li>Aaron and I are so very fortunate to have found our "extra" family member -- Ethan's best friend (and babysitter/nanny extraordinaire) Michelle. She is absolutely wonderful with Ethan; I love watching them play and interact. I trust her whole-heartedly and without a worry in the world. That is a priceless feeling. We are so lucky to have Michelle as a part of our family! ♥</li>
<li>Little brother's arrival is just around the corner. I got a call this morning from a lovely person at Kaiser to give me information about his impending arrival -- and I am so thankful for her happy, kind telephone voice. Just having someone on the other line who sounded happy, listened to my questions intently and spoke eloquently and politely has really helped me to have a positive, happy outlook on the next few days. I really appreciate a good "bedside" manner. ♥</li>
<li><br /></li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li> </li>
<li></li>
</ol>
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-79371390820953232892015-06-17T18:00:00.000-07:002015-11-02T10:45:45.137-08:00Adventures in Life: Walking Away<div>
On June 17, 2015, I did something that was very, very hard for me. I turned in my school keys. This may not seem like much, but for me, it was really life altering. As a teacher, usually, you keep your keys. You keep them over the summer. You say you are going to go into your classroom and do all of these cool things (things you probably found on Pinterest). Then, of course, you don't do any of them, less the last two days of summer break when you freak out that you had not stepped foot in your classroom all summer. Not this year. </div>
<div>
This year, I turned in my keys. <br />
And my laptop. </div>
<div>
And boxed everything up to hand over to another teacher. </div>
<div>
This year, I turned everything in so that I could take a year to stay home with my babies. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At first, the decision to do so was easy. Ever since I was a little girl, had I had the opportunity, I knew I wanted to stay home with my kids. I have such fond memories of being at home with my mom and my brother and sister. I wanted to be able to provide the same for my own kids. And, thankfully, with Aaron's job, we are in a position to enable me to do so. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As I walked out to the parking lot, it hit me that after fourteen years of teaching, I was literally walking away from it. I was not just walking away from my job, or my occupation, but walking away from my passion. I love teaching. I love decorating my classroom before the first day of school. I love working with my peers, creating new curricula and sharing our successes. I love working with the students. There is nothing like watching a student's face light up when something finally "clicks". Or catching them laughing at one of your really lame jokes. I love almost everything about teaching. Don't get me wrong, there are some aspects of teaching that drive even the best of us to the brink of insanity. But I kind of love that, too. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I know, it's just a year, but... working in a classroom every day for the last fourteen years (fifteen if you include student teaching) is a part of me. Honestly, who will I be without that? Who will I be without the daily adventures a classroom of students brings? I mean, I like to think that I am a good mom, and that I would do super fun stuff with my little guys, but... what if I don't? What if I become one of those grumpy, cynical, blamey people that I have always felt sorry for? Will I have enough time, energy or gumption to be able to all of the awesome things I want to do? What if I am not cut out to be the stay-at-home-mom I always envisioned myself to be?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://onemissionfundraising.com/content/uploads/2014/04/WakeUpBeAwesome-Black-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://onemissionfundraising.com/content/uploads/2014/04/WakeUpBeAwesome-Black-300x300.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a>For now, I guess I am just left with a lot of unanswered questions. And, I am going to be okay with that. (If you know me, you know how totally hard that is for me!) For now, my goal is to wake up every morning (as late as possible!) and try to be awesome. Some days aren't going to be as awesome as I would like, I am certain of it. But, for now, I am going to try. I might not have a room full of students waiting for me, but I have a wonderful, loving, supportive husband, and the coolest kid you will ever meet instead. And I think that will be a pretty fun adventure, too. </div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-83582979713345420832015-05-30T20:00:00.000-07:002015-08-20T00:46:11.699-07:00Adventures in Parenthood: Again! <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPwdoNau_wmC3BDdJPHNkpW7rrrHoE-xIcDG9RQBcPNeDrHux_xYvK70UdFpU4rI1LWZh5sxRp6tArcWlzoJLcJfY-6492PpeOzKKKKS9me0eQqyPlHXUqSwSSiv9VyDHNywHg-0tRzg/s1600/Baby2Ann.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_zC4qUZfSFqgf7jMyF8uOOhJE-3fhuhz6UgZlY5aCjhJCRSWL5_WjSEqc2iszjDI6qbfFLjQ0y23CIc2vPNs9n06KxUAVU6kAVFK16VADlVNBeCUkRSnb0zQ3Z1hWqNcCaFK2X5LwT0/s1600/DSC_3727.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/AVvXsEgA_zC4qUZfSFqgf7jMyF8uOOhJE-3fhuhz6UgZlY5aCjhJCRSWL5_WjSEqc2iszjDI6qbfFLjQ0y23CIc2vPNs9n06KxUAVU6kAVFK16VADlVNBeCUkRSnb0zQ3Z1hWqNcCaFK2X5LwT0/s320/DSC_3727.JPG" width="211" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbPwdoNau_wmC3BDdJPHNkpW7rrrHoE-xIcDG9RQBcPNeDrHux_xYvK70UdFpU4rI1LWZh5sxRp6tArcWlzoJLcJfY-6492PpeOzKKKKS9me0eQqyPlHXUqSwSSiv9VyDHNywHg-0tRzg/s320/Baby2Ann.png" width="256" /></div>
<br />
The Plattner Family is growing, again! Little Mr. Ethan is going to be a big brother come November 2015. We are very excited about our new edition. It's hard to believe we could love someone else as much as we love our little man, but I am sure we have room in our hearts for this little guy, too!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-32842423616161553592013-11-18T22:03:00.002-08:002013-11-18T22:03:36.558-08:00Adventures in Parenthood: A Monsters Inc Nursery<br />
Aaron and I have been working on this room since July. And while it is "done", I don't think it will ever really be finished. I am always thinking of something I can add! Throughout the course of this pregnancy we have been absolutely blessed by the generosity of friends and family! Many of their generous, wonderful gifts is what make's Baby P.'s Nursery so adorable. Here you go! (If you want details on where we got all this cool stuff, jump to the bottom!) So, here it is... E's Monsters Inc Nursery!<br />
<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/AVvXsEispjt_BBPGOMizRPF6uNvlTBWwXcAFVWiZ9s9AHScRUPqpKjU6eh6SX0HvLp1OFaNTEVy1y_j_bVd7JcvjsRTLlZfRZILdIBSGU_tjeUda2TJgyJ0WewS-Rsq5JKZuBEFge1i_laCO52Y/s1600/DSC_0621.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispjt_BBPGOMizRPF6uNvlTBWwXcAFVWiZ9s9AHScRUPqpKjU6eh6SX0HvLp1OFaNTEVy1y_j_bVd7JcvjsRTLlZfRZILdIBSGU_tjeUda2TJgyJ0WewS-Rsq5JKZuBEFge1i_laCO52Y/s320/DSC_0621.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZDhhqgSdhamB2Xs27afyso3EPJJMeYS7PMAbXsEiWfLCfy5Pk5T7GQzfddzR2Q_aNgQ71tJcBX5FGyzIpK05yWcwexgkw91ZVIPSm4_0b36m5xX0TtGc7LUlwST0Iqsir6xuij5nGjI/s1600/DSC_0622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnZDhhqgSdhamB2Xs27afyso3EPJJMeYS7PMAbXsEiWfLCfy5Pk5T7GQzfddzR2Q_aNgQ71tJcBX5FGyzIpK05yWcwexgkw91ZVIPSm4_0b36m5xX0TtGc7LUlwST0Iqsir6xuij5nGjI/s320/DSC_0622.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmVw76lVzuOfu8vF3VrmV1bRDuij1ylMvxX0etLBt5759Ss7u5aIDHab3gNK0acaMN-wMOHXUGRjq0Rhs8V0BJjhAiI7SMYLgcq9FR5C8qQP1XNUGm9WqI1b8oosa4_hN-y5h55j8wX8/s1600/DSC_0624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmVw76lVzuOfu8vF3VrmV1bRDuij1ylMvxX0etLBt5759Ss7u5aIDHab3gNK0acaMN-wMOHXUGRjq0Rhs8V0BJjhAiI7SMYLgcq9FR5C8qQP1XNUGm9WqI1b8oosa4_hN-y5h55j8wX8/s320/DSC_0624.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY6KvVB2MlvP2v3XCMftYSnCjfi9xVGz7TarcHMUrxrakMk1VzPaXS-IBQcgbuZBLGk0y6Q22tcdV6pOd_HSZnV10nEpLs6oM7zr0vNCOiXvvN_4_DngwaND_U5rRLaEJrpVZdttlZZM/s1600/DSC_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtY6KvVB2MlvP2v3XCMftYSnCjfi9xVGz7TarcHMUrxrakMk1VzPaXS-IBQcgbuZBLGk0y6Q22tcdV6pOd_HSZnV10nEpLs6oM7zr0vNCOiXvvN_4_DngwaND_U5rRLaEJrpVZdttlZZM/s320/DSC_0623.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzXLgzL1pIETofbBs5bM0Y4yTqt7pQJLlr6yrCfi0gh18OBkz8zlfr7XNKL45e9am5uJd7h9VJnoBBuyjs4bOAeDlRGGnD4muR_Qv777GEAB_dXLK5oYwvhVMljaF04LEwnRl29G6M2w/s1600/DSC_0625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgzXLgzL1pIETofbBs5bM0Y4yTqt7pQJLlr6yrCfi0gh18OBkz8zlfr7XNKL45e9am5uJd7h9VJnoBBuyjs4bOAeDlRGGnD4muR_Qv777GEAB_dXLK5oYwvhVMljaF04LEwnRl29G6M2w/s320/DSC_0625.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87NUJLayIFR4Sj9pZ6WIkFlQRvESdbdzPN_mJOw6EM99-mTLdhTJnTm-PC_AUimrjygRTMfRlo8mvT2kSt3kDdh8fmO9wpDihNsQSDPKxESOhFYte3tAhxp5e61WdeMKysBuEiyt-hzE/s1600/DSC_0626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi87NUJLayIFR4Sj9pZ6WIkFlQRvESdbdzPN_mJOw6EM99-mTLdhTJnTm-PC_AUimrjygRTMfRlo8mvT2kSt3kDdh8fmO9wpDihNsQSDPKxESOhFYte3tAhxp5e61WdeMKysBuEiyt-hzE/s320/DSC_0626.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3Kqfw0ze0dadWxrtTDuHJtGYoAx_TKt4xOiUavZKxq6bdAtaKsvdkhj8CZawkELPnXPhPkRvpt8mLZBNSL4NWpuwl9Z7JOuaZ-J5x3khL-OH1GmvZdMWPlS-C1dbb2iF1WV_SA4hUXM/s1600/DSC_0627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik3Kqfw0ze0dadWxrtTDuHJtGYoAx_TKt4xOiUavZKxq6bdAtaKsvdkhj8CZawkELPnXPhPkRvpt8mLZBNSL4NWpuwl9Z7JOuaZ-J5x3khL-OH1GmvZdMWPlS-C1dbb2iF1WV_SA4hUXM/s320/DSC_0627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEhXtBh1Y0K0L4YABawOz36radD0qd1GpjUMl0UuT9LPX1aPVMUGXxoBD_KdbsldZ-K4IDl_dkImDq6LVOu6uChKqBZduf-4eZ8cMHMjlaO2RPe_Q9SJEG6eq-aT2-X2KMqcPY3IrcfBquo/s1600/DSC_0629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtBh1Y0K0L4YABawOz36radD0qd1GpjUMl0UuT9LPX1aPVMUGXxoBD_KdbsldZ-K4IDl_dkImDq6LVOu6uChKqBZduf-4eZ8cMHMjlaO2RPe_Q9SJEG6eq-aT2-X2KMqcPY3IrcfBquo/s320/DSC_0629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpW1pm3NeDr-v4huNdmvy9_q1g4qSIz_gxy93819LtoLJes_PVW1ArfKXfy7FrlQdTi_6ULsO5KGoYIFvgR1hLAylMZPDAtkIULyp9ftsEyB7AlRmZL339EUOGQ2X3nYzHweqx4QY-rj8/s1600/DSC_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpW1pm3NeDr-v4huNdmvy9_q1g4qSIz_gxy93819LtoLJes_PVW1ArfKXfy7FrlQdTi_6ULsO5KGoYIFvgR1hLAylMZPDAtkIULyp9ftsEyB7AlRmZL339EUOGQ2X3nYzHweqx4QY-rj8/s320/DSC_0630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJujIq3Gh3O4PYVgq4v9pqSyF6dpJclImYYiu8EH89mpTsQTWKLkW8Yv0YMvFkGx-LtlY00gN30CKiErZsJSNDgZtsyAxv5rcIjn1g81hHefjb610WqIdm-KND-aledXUrzGMihkI6II/s1600/DSC_0631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJujIq3Gh3O4PYVgq4v9pqSyF6dpJclImYYiu8EH89mpTsQTWKLkW8Yv0YMvFkGx-LtlY00gN30CKiErZsJSNDgZtsyAxv5rcIjn1g81hHefjb610WqIdm-KND-aledXUrzGMihkI6II/s320/DSC_0631.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO8XdX0aXByzl9F8C6C9qfM0lcK069YGTAaZ-O6n9q1cfddWtGv8JMbhTe65NF-87EzIAzPQUhHX4b9zzCcab3Mh7PMTK4M-FrsLWyO23sLEtZnKvHzp7DmlFOO-bB04MD7II3c4fzO8/s1600/DSC_0633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUO8XdX0aXByzl9F8C6C9qfM0lcK069YGTAaZ-O6n9q1cfddWtGv8JMbhTe65NF-87EzIAzPQUhHX4b9zzCcab3Mh7PMTK4M-FrsLWyO23sLEtZnKvHzp7DmlFOO-bB04MD7II3c4fzO8/s320/DSC_0633.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPA8S4F-4XRMIz-Y7eejM_gVmFQjq8AAmch_g9v6M59V_hNSCVRxFuDZlEIONy24FjkZsquAz847xXBiqMTPKSLjLeR5hy_DvZK11SX7CelS8A20ykO2-0D4JOWUsR3tQYOHcnUcqfIs/s1600/DSC_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPA8S4F-4XRMIz-Y7eejM_gVmFQjq8AAmch_g9v6M59V_hNSCVRxFuDZlEIONy24FjkZsquAz847xXBiqMTPKSLjLeR5hy_DvZK11SX7CelS8A20ykO2-0D4JOWUsR3tQYOHcnUcqfIs/s320/DSC_0632.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePul3dqw98tSQG9nQ4dVRkWpoKzyCzwKIQm7bSosY87i1jgWxr_znVoSOnCcCLxbMBtPX9oH-2IoxZnZs3a_VfitwKE7jLjadHXlwaKoaMWdK5-i6v3CwhqRgAA4xcwZRyEzwSDPRY-k/s1600/DSC_0635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePul3dqw98tSQG9nQ4dVRkWpoKzyCzwKIQm7bSosY87i1jgWxr_znVoSOnCcCLxbMBtPX9oH-2IoxZnZs3a_VfitwKE7jLjadHXlwaKoaMWdK5-i6v3CwhqRgAA4xcwZRyEzwSDPRY-k/s320/DSC_0635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Here are some details:<br />
<ul>
<li>The wall colors are <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEHR-Premium-Plus-Ultra-8-oz-S-G-560-Jazz-Blue-Interior-Exterior-Paint-Sample-S-G-560U/202180652#.Uor3NcSshkU" target="_blank">Behr Jazz Blue</a> and Behr Grey. Both colors were available in low-emission, smell-less paint from Home Depot.</li>
<li>The furniture is the <a href="http://www.sorellefurniture.com/details.php?item_number=151&cat_id=176" target="_blank">Sorelle Vista Couture collection</a>, and was ordered from <a href="http://www.buybuybaby.com/" target="_blank">Buy Buy Baby</a>. Be sure to order your furniture well in advance! We were told our furniture would take up to 15 weeks to arrive. Even after that, once we had it put together, it took a little while to "air" out.</li>
<li>Many of our wonderful Monster's Inc. items are available to purchase from <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=18576766&cp=&parentPage=search" target="_blank">Babies R Us</a>. The<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=18576766&cp=&parentPage=search" target="_blank"> four piece crib bedding set</a> came with the crib blanket (hanging on the wall), the dust ruffle, a fitted sheet and a diaper stacker. (I don't have the sheet or the diaper stacker in the photo.) Other super awesome items from Babies R Us included <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19789816&locale=en_US&ab=BRU:bproduct_rr:Customers%20Also%20Liked:2#showReviews" target="_blank">the Mike & Sulley adorable lamp</a>, <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19789806&locale=en_US&ab=BRU:bproduct_rr:Customers%20Also%20Liked:4" target="_blank">the Sulley Velour Changing Table Cover</a>,<a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19789796&locale=en_US&ab=BRU:bproduct_rr:Customers%20Also%20Liked:3" target="_blank"> the crib bumper</a>, and the <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19483166&locale=en_US&ab=BRU:bproduct_rr:Customers%20Also%20Liked:2" target="_blank">embroidered blanket</a> hanging on the crib. And, of course, the super awesome <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=21147406" target="_blank">upholstered Mike chair</a> that I am sure little E will love as much as we do!</li>
<li>The rocking chair was my Mom's rocking chair from when I was a baby. (Yes, it is super old!) The super cute stuffies sitting proudly on the chair were all on clearance from the <a href="http://disneystore.com/">Disneystore.com</a>.</li>
<li>The grassy green rugs and chevron-like fitted sheet are both from Target.</li>
<li>The artwork was all created on <a href="http://www.gimp.org/" target="_blank">GIMP</a> or <a href="http://inkscape.org/" target="_blank">Inkscape</a>, based on things I saw on the Internet, with the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/series/18537/" target="_blank">Virserum frames from IKEA</a>.</li>
<li>That fabulous Mickey Mouse diaper cake was hand-made by my parents and my sister. It will sit proudly on his dresser as we slowly but surely use the diapers it is made from! Each layer is a different size diaper. Isn't that cool!?</li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
If you have any questions, please let me know! I am happy to help! :) Enjoy!K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-40877906549776689932013-07-22T22:28:00.003-07:002013-07-22T22:28:47.291-07:00Adventures in Parenthood: Nursery Inspiration<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMdoO9BxKdf8258uQEYEeIa2E31p5ruMnJ_kVuLgSpW8X3YuNbWyjN4kVJFJZyeYzGF08Mktg37-0sHuMKcVdO-N1AHOh-AJljMQBPDBaybr_MAiEhMqEgHo-9oGi6ubRicvdihAG_uQ/s1600/Monsters+Inc+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkMdoO9BxKdf8258uQEYEeIa2E31p5ruMnJ_kVuLgSpW8X3YuNbWyjN4kVJFJZyeYzGF08Mktg37-0sHuMKcVdO-N1AHOh-AJljMQBPDBaybr_MAiEhMqEgHo-9oGi6ubRicvdihAG_uQ/s200/Monsters+Inc+Room.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo from <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=18576766&CAWELAID=1909523396&cagpspn=pla&pla=plab&camp=PLAPPC-_-PID14955187&KPID=14955187" target="_blank">Babies R Us</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In preparation for Baby Plattner, Mr. Plattner and I have been working very hard to turn the former computer room/home office into the baby's room! (YAY! It is so fun to say that!) But before we can truly transform the room, we needed a plan... a decorating plan! So today I am going to share with your our Nursery Inspiration!<br />
<br />
After looking through tons and tons of baby websites and stores, there was only one baby nursery set that I really liked. And, wouldn't you know it, it's Disney. (No surprises there, am I right?) Babies 'R Us features a new Monsters Inc. bedding set for nurseries, and I absolutely love it.<br />
<br />
This set was our springboard. But going hard-core Monsters was just too easy -- there were a lot of pieces of the set I loved, and some I thought were a little over the top. So over the course of the last few weeks, I have been gathering a few items for an overall nursery inspiration, with Monsters Inc. undertones!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMmdVMZBQ8RNun-oIviIU5LA26qvlTc2ziUMpLdrfz3xdigkjD4nIm7NWxDZ3ib28BRgs6_YQd2V55qkYxftbajEEot8dzI4i7isy2tHBTaOD6uZBCDcsMk4KiIce47DIuQ7tYqUhHC4/s1600/Monsters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsMmdVMZBQ8RNun-oIviIU5LA26qvlTc2ziUMpLdrfz3xdigkjD4nIm7NWxDZ3ib28BRgs6_YQd2V55qkYxftbajEEot8dzI4i7isy2tHBTaOD6uZBCDcsMk4KiIce47DIuQ7tYqUhHC4/s640/Monsters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.disneystore.com/mike-wazowski-shoes-for-baby/mp/1321837/1000222/" target="_blank">Mike Wazowski Slippers</a>, <a href="http://www.target.com/p/circo-nbn-2pk-snp-blue/-/A-14294835#prodSlot=medium_1_2&term=circo+sleeper" target="_blank">Circo Sleepers</a>, <a href="http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=19483166" target="_blank">Monsters Inc Blanket,</a> <a href="http://www.disneystore.com/plush-toys-sulley-plush-monsters-university-15-h/mp/1329162/1000267/" target="_blank">Sulley Stuffy</a>, <a href="http://www.target.com/p/circo-valboa-big-dottie-blanket/-/A-14352871" target="_blank">Grey Polka Dot Blanket</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-44079300898519721152013-07-09T22:34:00.002-07:002013-07-09T22:34:40.783-07:00Adventures in Parenthood: Halfway! This week marked the 20 week point in my pregnancy. We are halfway to holding the baby in our arms!<br />
<br />
I have been really very lucky to have had a pretty easy pregnancy thus far. The first trimester was almost too easy... many days I still wondered if I was even pregnant! Other than the need to eat every two hours to avoid feeling a bit queasy, I was blessed to not experience morning sickness. The worst part was not telling the world for the first twelve weeks! I am not a very good secret-keeper. Every once in a while I get a brutal sinus headache, which I just kind of let ride with some non-medicinal stuff. That is hard knowing a little bit of medicine would cure the headache almost immediately. For a while, I do think I might have experienced pregnancy rhinitis since my nose runs... a lot! Second trimester brought me some extra energy that was severely lacking in the first trimester. And there is a slight annoyance with the pressure in my left ear; it basically feels like I can hear and feel my heart beat within my ear. But overall -- So far, so good! I certainly feel pretty blessed!<br />
<br />
Within the last few weeks, I really think I can feel the baby moving around in there. Sometimes the pressure is pretty intense! Aaron is anxiously awaiting the day he can feel the baby move just by touching my belly. Luckily, my brother and sister-in-law let us borrow their home Doppler, so Aaron and I try and listen for the baby's heartbeat about once a week. It is so cool to see Aaron's face light up when he can hear the little heart pumping away!<br />
<br />
I have been holding off on posting photos. I know some people are not particularly excited with ultrasound photos, while others are... so if you want to see them, here they are. If not... I won't be offended. :) With all of the ultrasounds we have had so far, the baby has been pretty cooperative and looks to be growing healthy and strong. Here are a few of my favorite shots of our little boy, Ethan! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnubMvKzvEyyxqAvkJdOeSnUu-797ldFiPTiP7s_Ig7E-OoB8BhHXjQ8hyXAf97eZU5JvagA6Nlg2jwaAsDMDN7wLQ3sC2ZFl54AUt9Brk4Tvu0QmWPf2RiawkBDawchZEyQS26vczZd0/s1600/Baby+Plattner+5.10.13.+cute.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnubMvKzvEyyxqAvkJdOeSnUu-797ldFiPTiP7s_Ig7E-OoB8BhHXjQ8hyXAf97eZU5JvagA6Nlg2jwaAsDMDN7wLQ3sC2ZFl54AUt9Brk4Tvu0QmWPf2RiawkBDawchZEyQS26vczZd0/s400/Baby+Plattner+5.10.13.+cute.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Plattner, 12 weeks, <br />Waving hello to the camera! </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/AVvXsEgHbNXseBDsOvxC7n09ke5UJP2wIdPyQdp3qfAx7hZBnENPY9nFslmLsZOR5yL-hvfUZmtv14Q0xl2aNdpSU_EPvnaMQIe1ZW-8PNA8sfdLcuSvH84gA-XNqQSrsLLO3Z1sFuy3D0Zm8Nw/s1600/Gender+US+6.17+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbNXseBDsOvxC7n09ke5UJP2wIdPyQdp3qfAx7hZBnENPY9nFslmLsZOR5yL-hvfUZmtv14Q0xl2aNdpSU_EPvnaMQIe1ZW-8PNA8sfdLcuSvH84gA-XNqQSrsLLO3Z1sFuy3D0Zm8Nw/s400/Gender+US+6.17+(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby Plattner, 17 weeks & 4 days</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/AVvXsEix1VgxN7VRY4-tp6iKYXLC4tj7w4ku-B719Zv31K4sgPZyBqG5laB79hsrinihxI9007GALxlTjdcwQ_kCELeOy5Zwk3P0SKMCDCqgIGiOiYjjj_QUCVIEe0T2I1Go_DHNlh-dT6GSAXM/s1600/Gender+US+6.17+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix1VgxN7VRY4-tp6iKYXLC4tj7w4ku-B719Zv31K4sgPZyBqG5laB79hsrinihxI9007GALxlTjdcwQ_kCELeOy5Zwk3P0SKMCDCqgIGiOiYjjj_QUCVIEe0T2I1Go_DHNlh-dT6GSAXM/s400/Gender+US+6.17+(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, I am a boy! No more pictures, please! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb_czswGvcqqyvg6pgTB9Rz-wgaN7z3ERP3hb1MJGfUYtmywclPNAM2r5UbK9cHHMBPxh2i7JEEk6u2PmkDa9R4MJn9HgBS_1VFt8pb6T3lV05A2V_TifJqog95VpYbUbEUhlv0lNsl0/s1600/Gender+US+6.17+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYb_czswGvcqqyvg6pgTB9Rz-wgaN7z3ERP3hb1MJGfUYtmywclPNAM2r5UbK9cHHMBPxh2i7JEEk6u2PmkDa9R4MJn9HgBS_1VFt8pb6T3lV05A2V_TifJqog95VpYbUbEUhlv0lNsl0/s400/Gender+US+6.17+(7).JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is my foot. </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/AVvXsEj8oR81iA5E0aNoSqVtkuI8-L0yTTJXXAGn5XnRLNRJvNKi1CklUzkd2QBlpxKY2V51pdPlOaEv85kFj6JvkCB-uoNofkVHRc0Mv_9N7b1JAryqboCjMK1unl3VkNO8WLQV6uoVF82jF3E/s1600/Ethan+20+Weeks+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oR81iA5E0aNoSqVtkuI8-L0yTTJXXAGn5XnRLNRJvNKi1CklUzkd2QBlpxKY2V51pdPlOaEv85kFj6JvkCB-uoNofkVHRc0Mv_9N7b1JAryqboCjMK1unl3VkNO8WLQV6uoVF82jF3E/s400/Ethan+20+Weeks+A.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ethan, 19 weeks & 5 days</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-79433261585068256122013-06-09T21:42:00.002-07:002013-06-09T21:42:31.232-07:00Adventures in Parenthood! That's right, Baby Plattner is expected to be here November 2013!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQThMpMgzpSL71k7R77G-5HX2gSw-igKipKy41bpN9fydK-uDbjQCZYGKO0fs2QMpt6ORk0e-kzMTf-Z1XfzQ8dWd87zSVTyL3heOaW58kC-803pfjOtmjhIZ1RTjnIKvZBagvjHURsuw/s1600/Announcement+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQThMpMgzpSL71k7R77G-5HX2gSw-igKipKy41bpN9fydK-uDbjQCZYGKO0fs2QMpt6ORk0e-kzMTf-Z1XfzQ8dWd87zSVTyL3heOaW58kC-803pfjOtmjhIZ1RTjnIKvZBagvjHURsuw/s640/Announcement+Photo.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />
*Now you know why there have not been so many posts lately... juggling the first trimester and a full work load is tougher than I thought! But don't worry, summer vacation is around the corner. :)K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-68827471574325156212013-04-11T16:19:00.000-07:002013-04-12T08:36:43.314-07:00Edible Adventures: Keeping Bananas Yellow<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Because I spend a tremendous (read: too much) time on <a href="http://pinterest.com/kwingplattner/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, I often find cool things that I would love to try. Most of the time, they stay on Pinterest and I do not <strike>have</strike> make the time to try them out. But this pin was so promising, I just had to try it.... plus bananas are so inexpensive at Costco, it would not take much work or money on my behalf. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/103512491406551962/" target="_blank">pin</a> basically suggested that wrapping the stems of the bananas with foil would help them keep longer. Not seeing any side by side evidence, I decided I needed to test this out a little more scientifically .. well, as scientific as I get.<br />
<br />
To begin, the husband and I bought two large bunches of bananas from Costco. (Seriously, their 'nanas are super cheap and tasty... so worth it if you can!) We tried to get two bunches that were alike in color and size. The unscientific part is that we ate some of the non-foiled bananas as we went. They were too delicious to resist, but I tried.<br />
<br />
We then put both bunches of bananas in one place in the kitchen. One bunch we left untouched, the other bunch we wrapped foil tightly around the stems. (Note: in another trial we discover that the foil must be wrapped tightly around the stems or it does not work.) We took a photo every day around the same time. Here are our results:<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9US02Kta3d23A6lGGPqDATFXGkfM9_t67R_dssGoI1bO90cnUNwh0ukwjF9P6hk0l0SzBzy7jwWMVspc8biyCA_kg0HC8GuvotgwmmNKLZZiaMHT6tk_R9l4uDfo7kEzUKb7CUd9ACk8/s1600/P1020989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9US02Kta3d23A6lGGPqDATFXGkfM9_t67R_dssGoI1bO90cnUNwh0ukwjF9P6hk0l0SzBzy7jwWMVspc8biyCA_kg0HC8GuvotgwmmNKLZZiaMHT6tk_R9l4uDfo7kEzUKb7CUd9ACk8/s320/P1020989.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 1: March 12</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/AVvXsEjnXEjFzsfy248qbfQxTYC4__-4kV53pwIrsYcKTKARi-y89rKSkOeeBQXRL6J3yBAMsQ1kiCHrsIkdgC9923oaH_SsBcETjmY88DS0uUav7f7X4oArhhMnD2Y9lxlD_N5dP3pyMxCqSlU/s1600/P1020992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnXEjFzsfy248qbfQxTYC4__-4kV53pwIrsYcKTKARi-y89rKSkOeeBQXRL6J3yBAMsQ1kiCHrsIkdgC9923oaH_SsBcETjmY88DS0uUav7f7X4oArhhMnD2Y9lxlD_N5dP3pyMxCqSlU/s320/P1020992.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2: March 13</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/AVvXsEgOFmvEViIQ7zcCXatyvzYnMVKJJUKJMrqqQTabq65m9BbQCIqVLyukxpmrQqbeS5I8hCohlXvamnwHLkrz15poBfaMusv-9KnnZu4bgOELJ3YTy66giWW5eICvs8CDR5Tt6iVLCXt7FKk/s1600/P1020995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFmvEViIQ7zcCXatyvzYnMVKJJUKJMrqqQTabq65m9BbQCIqVLyukxpmrQqbeS5I8hCohlXvamnwHLkrz15poBfaMusv-9KnnZu4bgOELJ3YTy66giWW5eICvs8CDR5Tt6iVLCXt7FKk/s320/P1020995.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 3: March 14</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/AVvXsEiVTUELhGbNP7aGh-gSyVzrbBUsyzLCF3yKiNnTXjpXidX7aVrFM9tkH5FM-Lgpl5BO4kY_UjdQn2VlWr70LVS2FOVH9wQknmT093QP571vM_f9glGEOO9u0ewp4SvFBr3rBkNpSbtadCQ/s1600/P1020997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVTUELhGbNP7aGh-gSyVzrbBUsyzLCF3yKiNnTXjpXidX7aVrFM9tkH5FM-Lgpl5BO4kY_UjdQn2VlWr70LVS2FOVH9wQknmT093QP571vM_f9glGEOO9u0ewp4SvFBr3rBkNpSbtadCQ/s320/P1020997.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 4: March 15</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/AVvXsEiFqP-ssT6bfDn21NUOKjbP302dahL0k55GgE8yv8ccB1hBArverm3grL0I0uegBPLNEWnoWIbj4PRD8gZHHzc3qGdVZi4X8EiryFjBrharUxD80zMjdtv429HsUGK6GhovSkeu17N-pKU/s1600/P1020999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqP-ssT6bfDn21NUOKjbP302dahL0k55GgE8yv8ccB1hBArverm3grL0I0uegBPLNEWnoWIbj4PRD8gZHHzc3qGdVZi4X8EiryFjBrharUxD80zMjdtv429HsUGK6GhovSkeu17N-pKU/s320/P1020999.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5: March 16</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/AVvXsEi3w0E-1V_42G1foIOvECAlY_FLO7tmxkCW_HPB9ueq6wEsYBTnZexcSbDzHNmr03icK4mIuw_ccyF3u-S25u8Sx6QW_cf61J4as9mcfragpuLX1vKF9YBoLEXBg9MQjkNmr9CkQlblQ0Y/s1600/P1030001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3w0E-1V_42G1foIOvECAlY_FLO7tmxkCW_HPB9ueq6wEsYBTnZexcSbDzHNmr03icK4mIuw_ccyF3u-S25u8Sx6QW_cf61J4as9mcfragpuLX1vKF9YBoLEXBg9MQjkNmr9CkQlblQ0Y/s320/P1030001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 6: March 17</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/AVvXsEh1CCJuD7bz2F6eM2JLHKpv0c46vDyUfzfuml2ut9USM5y9S78C7T-KwMVFUysmZBuug4662UcR9T1yHcBe1d95OryGznovTKtcEno2KAc7vHw_W13XM9IlY9iT5ZMF1X0Ay86lKfjZsWg/s1600/P1030002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1CCJuD7bz2F6eM2JLHKpv0c46vDyUfzfuml2ut9USM5y9S78C7T-KwMVFUysmZBuug4662UcR9T1yHcBe1d95OryGznovTKtcEno2KAc7vHw_W13XM9IlY9iT5ZMF1X0Ay86lKfjZsWg/s320/P1030002.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8: March 19</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Clearly, the foil bananas are faring much better than those with no foil... partially because they aren't getting eaten, but also because they have foil on them. For us, wrapping the stems with foil will prolong bananas for a few days. I will be honest, once they get as brown as the unwrapped ones in our Day 8 picture, I won't eat them --- but husband will. Of course, he forgets, which is why we probably have two dozen brown bananas in our freezer. Yum, chocolate chip banana muffins... but that is a different post.<br />
<br />
If you try out the "foil" method, let us know how it works for you! :)<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-11237774370228165742013-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:002013-11-16T09:37:22.237-08:002013 Photos: Week 9<div dir="ltr">
This week I experienced a few beautiful sunrises on the way to work in the morning. I absolutely love watching the fog hover over the grass! </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6X_Pjm0nNZr_oj6u2j8B6Z3oDWwC62Pc-HbXMNisN6oprQtxHuVrFj2z7AahAwc0aPY7SuLn5zxYZpmNI5vEsGcgyuLZ2_T7PJ64755oIFeEJuiSAwlIeaGTEJ_2iGNpCabwi2_TLh0/s1600/20130301_064654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6X_Pjm0nNZr_oj6u2j8B6Z3oDWwC62Pc-HbXMNisN6oprQtxHuVrFj2z7AahAwc0aPY7SuLn5zxYZpmNI5vEsGcgyuLZ2_T7PJ64755oIFeEJuiSAwlIeaGTEJ_2iGNpCabwi2_TLh0/s320/20130301_064654.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
We said goodbye to my old, comfy couches. They found their next home at my brother's house. Now we wait for OUR new couches. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Gvq7uDCvlA5ISQfkKJl6RiKYOEFHGQNKkexbgNVuyD_CLYPTLOfzx4rmuX0__Q9xE-fby-4txo9k3lm36zqnULjAvCsyfuS8RX3T770X1BehLTUIWi_FhxpTfPQKKn3rH9h5ZVV9og/s1600/20130303_140357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7Gvq7uDCvlA5ISQfkKJl6RiKYOEFHGQNKkexbgNVuyD_CLYPTLOfzx4rmuX0__Q9xE-fby-4txo9k3lm36zqnULjAvCsyfuS8RX3T770X1BehLTUIWi_FhxpTfPQKKn3rH9h5ZVV9og/s320/20130303_140357.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
And we concluded the weekend doing work...I spent all of Sunday working on report cards, but I was all done by 11:00... pm. (Note the excessive caffeine usage!) </div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7rf3773FgehjLAHA7BDVfFwhIrW9BY24wseqFbQBy1yVKfHAdnNuHep-8ifCZvnl865Mso8uOsqSIwqWRqOEIoqJtw8gB5KAIrPuKWam6dYVaZs_Xpqj-STD8a2jOahiaNJ-PlYTP7E/s1600/20130303_135248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7rf3773FgehjLAHA7BDVfFwhIrW9BY24wseqFbQBy1yVKfHAdnNuHep-8ifCZvnl865Mso8uOsqSIwqWRqOEIoqJtw8gB5KAIrPuKWam6dYVaZs_Xpqj-STD8a2jOahiaNJ-PlYTP7E/s320/20130303_135248.jpg" width="240" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-35593378408950277622013-02-24T21:17:00.000-08:002013-03-14T21:33:19.256-07:002013 Photos: Week 8Random photos from a pretty random week...<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-bXDNlH3P61_BZclppeoDqGQewhBFCn9tMUhs6MET1ASL0xa7C8k_WGFRsnzEznI5wbZuQT-2-D8AVo7XoDpwnPzHWRgKXOtQu6JkxNGMMITwKhopO9TVxQ6dmhvl49Jty7eHk4tuMU/s320/1361432473580.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I got this super cool app on my new flashy phone that lets me make new fonts. <br />
I am super excited, and surprised I have only made two so far... </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/AVvXsEgw2eLELCWdDg0OPGG_l9-pPwIApb64CT6e-6yMwwTFEslzXmNFMb_e3YV8skGc7D-BYiZ4UoOXxmgP2hzn-qwGJnzLjd6C6cpeaIojHpuc7ARi1nOaOYbeE20z32cskfcbqqTU4npktJA/s1600/20130219_165816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw2eLELCWdDg0OPGG_l9-pPwIApb64CT6e-6yMwwTFEslzXmNFMb_e3YV8skGc7D-BYiZ4UoOXxmgP2hzn-qwGJnzLjd6C6cpeaIojHpuc7ARi1nOaOYbeE20z32cskfcbqqTU4npktJA/s320/20130219_165816.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Hail, Batman! These were some serious hail balls! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-bXDNlH3P61_BZclppeoDqGQewhBFCn9tMUhs6MET1ASL0xa7C8k_WGFRsnzEznI5wbZuQT-2-D8AVo7XoDpwnPzHWRgKXOtQu6JkxNGMMITwKhopO9TVxQ6dmhvl49Jty7eHk4tuMU/s1600/1361432473580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_keYRYamPjT1RGvsEzGG27GTqd6lAEkgbl87VUmasRKbzpcGfCUUGE_zKuPXZt1qcQwpIOtU4PeyGrkbv6u21tqpYxqLncatv1Xd7afpW2YEA0KaoUo-_wC9yum-K41QyBcD11dRWta4/s640/20130222_192712.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We celebrated National Margarita Day by making homemade margaritas and chicken fajitas. <br />
Big Blue Dinosaur wanted to sneak a sip! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_keYRYamPjT1RGvsEzGG27GTqd6lAEkgbl87VUmasRKbzpcGfCUUGE_zKuPXZt1qcQwpIOtU4PeyGrkbv6u21tqpYxqLncatv1Xd7afpW2YEA0KaoUo-_wC9yum-K41QyBcD11dRWta4/s1600/20130222_192712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-87122082832809001952013-02-23T09:29:00.001-08:002013-02-23T09:29:16.204-08:00Adventures in Washington, D.C.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9oR49V1KdflMC1lxju5tLSXBS3wce2VaVdFwwLkSB4b58x2l-Kguf_JBBJQEr1LVp6VjgyO13I2aEIjNTzYkx43PX6lADc-qsxS9CSQ8JxM990QIPEchNWQvVSCXv_xTbFJ28d_vV_v0/s1600/P1010380.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/AVvXsEg9oR49V1KdflMC1lxju5tLSXBS3wce2VaVdFwwLkSB4b58x2l-Kguf_JBBJQEr1LVp6VjgyO13I2aEIjNTzYkx43PX6lADc-qsxS9CSQ8JxM990QIPEchNWQvVSCXv_xTbFJ28d_vV_v0/s200/P1010380.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
In April 2012, Aaron and I met his parents in Washington, DC. Not only was it a chance to see our Nation's capitol, it also gave us the opportunity to visit with Aaron's Uncle Dan, and see all the sights of Aaron's mom's and Uncle Dan's childhood.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Our trip started off with a tour of Uncle Dan's current hometown, Reston, Virginia. One of the highlights was a walk through a local park with some fabulous flora and fauna.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMivKlLRYcXYpxgUDSSLg3bdtYYRhIbLN0SgGLpF3k4KPkXcrcpV7mC_Fisx4A4dbAtuBvuEfoJyJgTy0SF1HpiOZhmhRnaa6KA8X8XNchQULDhaDvk24P-KzsXN_I4w8BoiLtqDYnqFr/s1600/P1010332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMMivKlLRYcXYpxgUDSSLg3bdtYYRhIbLN0SgGLpF3k4KPkXcrcpV7mC_Fisx4A4dbAtuBvuEfoJyJgTy0SF1HpiOZhmhRnaa6KA8X8XNchQULDhaDvk24P-KzsXN_I4w8BoiLtqDYnqFr/s200/P1010332.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-suuS-4W9UJtRz3fIbD_T5eb9a82u-7G-GcovmUQrgvQSdZpKewJS5gwR2R8Kif_Cp6RpT7MEymlnu6fboWgCP1phRwn0dlpuKFGZ3hHYwXD7GAlg32xKpdK58k8sS7tSB1-82UORWnZ0/s1600/P1010331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-suuS-4W9UJtRz3fIbD_T5eb9a82u-7G-GcovmUQrgvQSdZpKewJS5gwR2R8Kif_Cp6RpT7MEymlnu6fboWgCP1phRwn0dlpuKFGZ3hHYwXD7GAlg32xKpdK58k8sS7tSB1-82UORWnZ0/s200/P1010331.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp2-5p57KZ-AOYvieM-QkecsKfsdMRbAJZ7yz8RhyNBZ2F0Gcc4JTdjZQ4ExZQ_haSfeSkfksp8YQiZ3uRRtBT6fz0mZbX42hw16CavLfbGL9CQA3MTbTphZCi3X20pSop6d2xuRRWsA0/s1600/P1010340.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibp2-5p57KZ-AOYvieM-QkecsKfsdMRbAJZ7yz8RhyNBZ2F0Gcc4JTdjZQ4ExZQ_haSfeSkfksp8YQiZ3uRRtBT6fz0mZbX42hw16CavLfbGL9CQA3MTbTphZCi3X20pSop6d2xuRRWsA0/s320/P1010340.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NJyGSDsojC6asd3vvGlUkSCRK5vRqK31MoLNGXgu2PdQRySYmpQJJSjINK3hyphenhyphenKdY_zZ8KgER0DSBw-6SzKFUSFVMNf9gOmRQ8s72dcN1HhvOehcRXGPKUvoC_iCpFT0JNzM9p0HAeD2w/s1600/P1010346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4NJyGSDsojC6asd3vvGlUkSCRK5vRqK31MoLNGXgu2PdQRySYmpQJJSjINK3hyphenhyphenKdY_zZ8KgER0DSBw-6SzKFUSFVMNf9gOmRQ8s72dcN1HhvOehcRXGPKUvoC_iCpFT0JNzM9p0HAeD2w/s200/P1010346.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4opiwrtNnZgrKO5cjW04gWDxnFPsy9T3ELfbqiJIejbQgeNRmoL9JCRGhahWuAl8RBhi10JrYtFcxDrc1xQKQtHRwOn220YW749wML9S8ZfynPoUfAYIci7Fg2gzZGf9LO6CCiXfawjJ/s1600/P1010347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4opiwrtNnZgrKO5cjW04gWDxnFPsy9T3ELfbqiJIejbQgeNRmoL9JCRGhahWuAl8RBhi10JrYtFcxDrc1xQKQtHRwOn220YW749wML9S8ZfynPoUfAYIci7Fg2gzZGf9LO6CCiXfawjJ/s200/P1010347.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As we made our way to the big city, we stopped at an old amusement park area. </div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgipiriElCvmQ3bCGxK_ZfBwruRg8tgTsju57l2uXlU1pGLCPB-DcLJ3N0nnN2MI9tQcbX3bPvVKn3iUoeM4gVGoTPSn97kvQKWSlEerqCpMoS1usksHMFylKm7JHpkjZzhQ8wkjhgRF7/s1600/P1010365.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDgipiriElCvmQ3bCGxK_ZfBwruRg8tgTsju57l2uXlU1pGLCPB-DcLJ3N0nnN2MI9tQcbX3bPvVKn3iUoeM4gVGoTPSn97kvQKWSlEerqCpMoS1usksHMFylKm7JHpkjZzhQ8wkjhgRF7/s200/P1010365.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1isaEi9HilTZCuo9h04pXML3DQX5ox02K2xDwMl72S8echb0dMQlki8qwo8leo2vaE1kTCmzoIbRwaGO2wJazW7zW2OnJsPpsC5w5sGCcgpi7PY91Yh0smwTadLBiLj4xEgH7CKd_Nop/s1600/P1010362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil1isaEi9HilTZCuo9h04pXML3DQX5ox02K2xDwMl72S8echb0dMQlki8qwo8leo2vaE1kTCmzoIbRwaGO2wJazW7zW2OnJsPpsC5w5sGCcgpi7PY91Yh0smwTadLBiLj4xEgH7CKd_Nop/s200/P1010362.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On our first day in our nation's capitol, we stopped to experience the Vietnam Memorial, </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOqz4T-MahyWHuCJabnwvvq3CyYx7JcCjduWhLs9UrKWmsfoc9PVe74dUd7b14Q7bLub1oySwEetZqU0K_E1KAqL78cEDdIH50JtmHT_PGLivzuqEs1knDF8ETbizYy8jTNo2rU-Vlexg/s1600/P1010376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcOqz4T-MahyWHuCJabnwvvq3CyYx7JcCjduWhLs9UrKWmsfoc9PVe74dUd7b14Q7bLub1oySwEetZqU0K_E1KAqL78cEDdIH50JtmHT_PGLivzuqEs1knDF8ETbizYy8jTNo2rU-Vlexg/s320/P1010376.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;">
and the Lincoln Memorial. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD01IMhx_6hAOEy59YJmbuiJfF0zul6og9cTG1lOdVTqFkmU2YBmolnwA-x2DW_59E8T6opq6wpUUJn8wBlmUFvgtP-aAf8qk84SkwCCSOHJ5lL7oks-v3mNvFqzp-N8yLx2nTX-ktx3sp/s1600/P1010392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD01IMhx_6hAOEy59YJmbuiJfF0zul6og9cTG1lOdVTqFkmU2YBmolnwA-x2DW_59E8T6opq6wpUUJn8wBlmUFvgtP-aAf8qk84SkwCCSOHJ5lL7oks-v3mNvFqzp-N8yLx2nTX-ktx3sp/s320/P1010392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGRLZY0NhUGB5itCLgYoTxllw2H35HJHTWUUgeGsr4fMFfklBq5DOMWeDcuP7wLig_ztqSrub4z977fGsX4IkTn2S6m98CeWaLgdI6836qVdFSNAI1ghm_qSBAd_KZG1U6Ui6eSlRFarW/s1600/P1010377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGRLZY0NhUGB5itCLgYoTxllw2H35HJHTWUUgeGsr4fMFfklBq5DOMWeDcuP7wLig_ztqSrub4z977fGsX4IkTn2S6m98CeWaLgdI6836qVdFSNAI1ghm_qSBAd_KZG1U6Ui6eSlRFarW/s320/P1010377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We saw the Washington Monument from across the reflection pond, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument up close.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3abnT9c6BC11FbUBa29D2EHONrDh1NR5s0wWOGE19eGoLxmagKTk9QDYGxf9VNQY_QKGt9RM5sAm-k58-oORJ_5DiM4rrouInY_aBbgatKUUevLHzcDJx-AVxzUYuLTqk652Qreaxo-W/s1600/P1010382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3abnT9c6BC11FbUBa29D2EHONrDh1NR5s0wWOGE19eGoLxmagKTk9QDYGxf9VNQY_QKGt9RM5sAm-k58-oORJ_5DiM4rrouInY_aBbgatKUUevLHzcDJx-AVxzUYuLTqk652Qreaxo-W/s320/P1010382.JPG" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zIZajzRUfa73N_1wMp1j7fA2NZ4fSjIqVSG-po6l14HcqNZEEK0IG8fCwbKI4zshQq97zaT8Bm1o4Lcu5HsqVJtDA2dvEuJfGKuX20KK2WFBWG6oj340NVNA5s80SajfeQ9cPGSLVA9I/s1600/P1010401.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zIZajzRUfa73N_1wMp1j7fA2NZ4fSjIqVSG-po6l14HcqNZEEK0IG8fCwbKI4zshQq97zaT8Bm1o4Lcu5HsqVJtDA2dvEuJfGKuX20KK2WFBWG6oj340NVNA5s80SajfeQ9cPGSLVA9I/s320/P1010401.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We also got to see the childhood homes of Kathy and Uncle Dan.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKvCjyHvKxRO5HRAkSKYlyvpCiUADtJVZsgm_ey0YMir565ZHZsZuY_M4MK7mwnNcBzWG_0TbBhmVPXz8M44QX5tRPuWPFTKRxv_MKY0krpEcf2-BeGREzX48yp1bMC9Jpbd3wzOQJ37D/s1600/P1010411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBKvCjyHvKxRO5HRAkSKYlyvpCiUADtJVZsgm_ey0YMir565ZHZsZuY_M4MK7mwnNcBzWG_0TbBhmVPXz8M44QX5tRPuWPFTKRxv_MKY0krpEcf2-BeGREzX48yp1bMC9Jpbd3wzOQJ37D/s200/P1010411.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48wACf8cdsYHfyTPoDUwGr_Q36vaLXEK5R-EDFY_b0w-Zrvhbm1PP5Hnws0UzXYb8yfz2QJV-BFbTI46-HT4L6SLYp3SkfDv4jYkAOgXxkMgOkwuL13H2hbytkzki4r3zXh7tCh8P6NrH/s1600/P1010412.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj48wACf8cdsYHfyTPoDUwGr_Q36vaLXEK5R-EDFY_b0w-Zrvhbm1PP5Hnws0UzXYb8yfz2QJV-BFbTI46-HT4L6SLYp3SkfDv4jYkAOgXxkMgOkwuL13H2hbytkzki4r3zXh7tCh8P6NrH/s320/P1010412.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;">
The next day we made our rounds through various Smithsonian Museums. i spent so much time admiring the museums, I took very few pictures. But once of my favorite places was the Butterfly Exhibit... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR6zwmpCJJErBW6pHW8taG7kpyRJctExXX39rumv1FEZGjfIedkYQGbDNvmOnirwAnxjExgHnqrTyoDVjCo1d4O6L8tNapkTi7QVVikCWmXA1shcPHnBb04wpbPGXt8JZWOE0N8Ox8Qad/s1600/P1010489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtR6zwmpCJJErBW6pHW8taG7kpyRJctExXX39rumv1FEZGjfIedkYQGbDNvmOnirwAnxjExgHnqrTyoDVjCo1d4O6L8tNapkTi7QVVikCWmXA1shcPHnBb04wpbPGXt8JZWOE0N8Ox8Qad/s320/P1010489.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;">
The next day we went to the Air and Space Museum. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWbjBfSKITcRDvSOdQwp2jpPbn7qWmbquixEZM6tnpalHetr6fl8VRXbkfBOqFtU7V3aOT2tYHrvxHxO5BhyTFjSOexdphoGEkWLrh-ah2uGz1AuvX36RMWR418TAvqEMFyo6N7F0Jvkb/s1600/P1010507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWbjBfSKITcRDvSOdQwp2jpPbn7qWmbquixEZM6tnpalHetr6fl8VRXbkfBOqFtU7V3aOT2tYHrvxHxO5BhyTFjSOexdphoGEkWLrh-ah2uGz1AuvX36RMWR418TAvqEMFyo6N7F0Jvkb/s200/P1010507.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zsaQoNHjTw4glPJYmnt42hImFXYaTVt2vEYJ7P4F6N9mavNoUnUzliCb0yshn1-HJFfreED54GB03q37R7VBMowzJx-a2sv2lLVAJi_R7DAH2FN2ReRecjbw_oIxlUtOSNYIgIKD2jwR/s1600/P1010518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zsaQoNHjTw4glPJYmnt42hImFXYaTVt2vEYJ7P4F6N9mavNoUnUzliCb0yshn1-HJFfreED54GB03q37R7VBMowzJx-a2sv2lLVAJi_R7DAH2FN2ReRecjbw_oIxlUtOSNYIgIKD2jwR/s200/P1010518.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQF3DzVpp58ZPhQl_XqTilINxT_GfQYCFw4a8GIF0jEni2ho1AhUO_z_fGeezvBVAALOPI8i3_nFtJlZaD6yq5LZan5w4auiq9xx8EpfGm59qfsjOFGqC5DvlQ9stv1OL-pw81ikBsF6n/s1600/P1010515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCQF3DzVpp58ZPhQl_XqTilINxT_GfQYCFw4a8GIF0jEni2ho1AhUO_z_fGeezvBVAALOPI8i3_nFtJlZaD6yq5LZan5w4auiq9xx8EpfGm59qfsjOFGqC5DvlQ9stv1OL-pw81ikBsF6n/s200/P1010515.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1shenJ6WBAn76rVa5KS3pm25NzWj_j52BNn91ecPVl9eFQBlrBjsidNWbrXz-yjR0SMwKKDeU5j06aLMXI6arkKpiyHvl25aDnSoxG9jLWzoPZH6EKbhSZ_cxLbx-aQtESLnheFP8huo4/s1600/P1010530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1shenJ6WBAn76rVa5KS3pm25NzWj_j52BNn91ecPVl9eFQBlrBjsidNWbrXz-yjR0SMwKKDeU5j06aLMXI6arkKpiyHvl25aDnSoxG9jLWzoPZH6EKbhSZ_cxLbx-aQtESLnheFP8huo4/s200/P1010530.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And on our final day, we toured the capitol building thanks to Kathy's local Iowa City representative. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXP2SIwNucPy8o5aP6grSpKPHBIaUCncRuUvM95wDSnl4LZ9TJM5drKHfbH8bmJjftE9ezAmwM7L_XBRlf6OYw0mmUQyKfeC4dECg1kvG4vx7tP3j5MvFvUtFsG86dyD7qBEpPlDd6XGK/s1600/P1010548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXP2SIwNucPy8o5aP6grSpKPHBIaUCncRuUvM95wDSnl4LZ9TJM5drKHfbH8bmJjftE9ezAmwM7L_XBRlf6OYw0mmUQyKfeC4dECg1kvG4vx7tP3j5MvFvUtFsG86dyD7qBEpPlDd6XGK/s320/P1010548.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEggq1lKsP6IzGwDT5V7Sr7wFKmVyHX-XDxFAEpP1U0xMjuIWi3_72Jwk5_G0qgoi6gli2pB0-tib4qPKHCX6g9GeDDNX4m_seke60GKVb8rYnR4WawQmHqK9kimH1p5WcqkurzLtyAXwGih/s1600/P1010576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggq1lKsP6IzGwDT5V7Sr7wFKmVyHX-XDxFAEpP1U0xMjuIWi3_72Jwk5_G0qgoi6gli2pB0-tib4qPKHCX6g9GeDDNX4m_seke60GKVb8rYnR4WawQmHqK9kimH1p5WcqkurzLtyAXwGih/s320/P1010576.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHp93LbmCDfhx7MEgUIhaF-y_vV2KBFKdrdcrvKES2jAYIEp4n35ClqNJ1nIGNtXfM5T-WRVx6ciEGr_XkwhKROY3v7dL2fCiMx2LElGtKPMyAU_9CURgXq2eqMXVurg_11zFLIGhWYa_/s1600/P1010569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHp93LbmCDfhx7MEgUIhaF-y_vV2KBFKdrdcrvKES2jAYIEp4n35ClqNJ1nIGNtXfM5T-WRVx6ciEGr_XkwhKROY3v7dL2fCiMx2LElGtKPMyAU_9CURgXq2eqMXVurg_11zFLIGhWYa_/s320/P1010569.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqItHaJqDVrZgyl3OzWwvJqvvsCRNl5Jqyo-ajVw08nLjqZw8h9fZeli4Lfzyp28Ry3-eue1ldUCGJ2dr84alZEJQrhOoNpBdRC8vl3uCvCi_HKZqqCd08kBi2KVp1qhIM6DNReQHQ5Ok/s1600/P1010574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqItHaJqDVrZgyl3OzWwvJqvvsCRNl5Jqyo-ajVw08nLjqZw8h9fZeli4Lfzyp28Ry3-eue1ldUCGJ2dr84alZEJQrhOoNpBdRC8vl3uCvCi_HKZqqCd08kBi2KVp1qhIM6DNReQHQ5Ok/s320/P1010574.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SrODWrE1nwJvsP3Yb91jAwzJWiLji0r3PwFgpeSt9xFQJu6YbfIXCLmbtWTYfy3PKEXgTErHTfmu4EywRHGKIifPYXp-7d0kAsxKxdqkT1YZfFBQBp6GeFLkvsc5kGmCYGOMRtRbxMYI/s1600/P1010566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4SrODWrE1nwJvsP3Yb91jAwzJWiLji0r3PwFgpeSt9xFQJu6YbfIXCLmbtWTYfy3PKEXgTErHTfmu4EywRHGKIifPYXp-7d0kAsxKxdqkT1YZfFBQBp6GeFLkvsc5kGmCYGOMRtRbxMYI/s320/P1010566.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL74K4Zn0vwsgoVD29sm_yutfRB9D_b2le7hFtttF-4gbZiErHM0URKvUr9hoHzhYcL1LibqEahWUMr-0u1JAmUhFPAHjS7jUawXXVNo9_UYyOk336KG6SgiRUL0xppu8EjuEBsPh-UMm/s1600/P1010556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL74K4Zn0vwsgoVD29sm_yutfRB9D_b2le7hFtttF-4gbZiErHM0URKvUr9hoHzhYcL1LibqEahWUMr-0u1JAmUhFPAHjS7jUawXXVNo9_UYyOk336KG6SgiRUL0xppu8EjuEBsPh-UMm/s320/P1010556.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-91575182543065351502013-02-23T09:27:00.001-08:002013-02-23T11:05:05.473-08:00Adventures in Seattle!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXy28zvoiSVzY5Xdhppj5QzNhq4iWI5iQ5klTvzef91l82csu2igOLZ8B1B7e2dMahTKnsZllga4c8BWTHWzjYpUs0-kmpAaNykmQrH5VvcynjNpuXA9ptlSxEypOpQ3fcYacQSl9__m/s1600/216698_2163345677049_966957_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWmXy28zvoiSVzY5Xdhppj5QzNhq4iWI5iQ5klTvzef91l82csu2igOLZ8B1B7e2dMahTKnsZllga4c8BWTHWzjYpUs0-kmpAaNykmQrH5VvcynjNpuXA9ptlSxEypOpQ3fcYacQSl9__m/s400/216698_2163345677049_966957_n.jpg" width="400" /></a>Aaron and I took a little tour of Seattle just before attending a wedding for a couple of Aaron's friends in August of 2011. (Yes, they are both Aaron's friends from college, and yes they are a couple!)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
While in Seattle, we decided to do the typical touristy things like Pike's Place Market...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut7vbu0whOwvpvXQcgUxEXMG-P_n7gQFNP3HROh2QoJ7-B9dYDH-J3Ai4Jgst0-tuBKiXOc_cgO39WGZFyMoOw1ammMuyDP6Z3jDPW5Ub1V5EAhz049OuS4lhZPZRXZ1qW-SbJBbTGuWX/s1600/IMG_9163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgut7vbu0whOwvpvXQcgUxEXMG-P_n7gQFNP3HROh2QoJ7-B9dYDH-J3Ai4Jgst0-tuBKiXOc_cgO39WGZFyMoOw1ammMuyDP6Z3jDPW5Ub1V5EAhz049OuS4lhZPZRXZ1qW-SbJBbTGuWX/s320/IMG_9163.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpowY1w7k763enzbo993gcbRZmFpyNiBFMI0_oDupsPReYXBL87fIQk5gsBJZAP3qzLK80gbPZy_YzCmVIuaAyMjxw4ZNbxUtMLHI2CJco1nr0xj5uHNaXNKyC2ogd1pjvSNLmhD0QQrPm/s1600/IMG_9152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpowY1w7k763enzbo993gcbRZmFpyNiBFMI0_oDupsPReYXBL87fIQk5gsBJZAP3qzLK80gbPZy_YzCmVIuaAyMjxw4ZNbxUtMLHI2CJco1nr0xj5uHNaXNKyC2ogd1pjvSNLmhD0QQrPm/s320/IMG_9152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
... the original Starbucks...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH54ytlrnpmZa8HlHwfrXQIC9H2qs6nFhmUWbL_QQ0Cut_AYa0_5e8mEzaZ9jTFbq0lO6MF3V1Bmod50tzl1Kvhwv7vF39OprIzwXAbF4LXYHDhmV5-5I48AD9cj6A0VfyFRToVRTlHuGH/s1600/IMG_9170.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH54ytlrnpmZa8HlHwfrXQIC9H2qs6nFhmUWbL_QQ0Cut_AYa0_5e8mEzaZ9jTFbq0lO6MF3V1Bmod50tzl1Kvhwv7vF39OprIzwXAbF4LXYHDhmV5-5I48AD9cj6A0VfyFRToVRTlHuGH/s320/IMG_9170.JPG" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3mygvHYS93tqYCklcPhxNDYaNBrDHVxXTlL94AaTNedzMqh91Rusds6CNC-ZX5wu-jV4R0X48Osa89Hj4IwjBmGGyguvQIypQXwKNc2DfYrdhJ09haGanfQ8JHQ-2vQNV9mMaMjS3OLF/s1600/289558_2161821838954_5415157_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx3mygvHYS93tqYCklcPhxNDYaNBrDHVxXTlL94AaTNedzMqh91Rusds6CNC-ZX5wu-jV4R0X48Osa89Hj4IwjBmGGyguvQIypQXwKNc2DfYrdhJ09haGanfQ8JHQ-2vQNV9mMaMjS3OLF/s320/289558_2161821838954_5415157_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
...Beecher's Handmade Cheese (for their well-known mac and cheese)...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vssghq6h5C3yMM_LmyW7diz_mFDrJalio7ZZOZ-k2P7E_iuBFpeQM1qFTKE_IFqbgpAK16ATMbGwsdv9_HmnsK25uwn17ZgBEkT2QENTdz20oQ4U8OA3VDCtkV4flS84NYLjAnxGZQ2F/s1600/IMG_9165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vssghq6h5C3yMM_LmyW7diz_mFDrJalio7ZZOZ-k2P7E_iuBFpeQM1qFTKE_IFqbgpAK16ATMbGwsdv9_HmnsK25uwn17ZgBEkT2QENTdz20oQ4U8OA3VDCtkV4flS84NYLjAnxGZQ2F/s200/IMG_9165.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDhN9mTFAjjnQQvPvOtJWiYjOcWtu3juEAtZ7_4892iq6X7lYsSRi0bzi1AB5rMybSq3UXw9y_hISQV6pTjdzTma-IbZn0mUF1QdwWsTGiuSxViIFwtrDxrPs76xdFZJ-q8p7NK7n-fu5/s1600/IMG_9167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyDhN9mTFAjjnQQvPvOtJWiYjOcWtu3juEAtZ7_4892iq6X7lYsSRi0bzi1AB5rMybSq3UXw9y_hISQV6pTjdzTma-IbZn0mUF1QdwWsTGiuSxViIFwtrDxrPs76xdFZJ-q8p7NK7n-fu5/s200/IMG_9167.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
... and the Space Needle...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9zyUHZ6g86h4E1HLR2gXQn-HyquBCqVf-ow26vWKc5tU5lZyim3zcE9GvyiTLLZC5mC_MRnPVclsJ8wVKF3m5sZ-9JOjqIsx285fPdoFsuxn4txqFsqkmhGg0hLFkmousGkgFPuqKjdL9/s1600/IMG_9181.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/AVvXsEj9zyUHZ6g86h4E1HLR2gXQn-HyquBCqVf-ow26vWKc5tU5lZyim3zcE9GvyiTLLZC5mC_MRnPVclsJ8wVKF3m5sZ-9JOjqIsx285fPdoFsuxn4txqFsqkmhGg0hLFkmousGkgFPuqKjdL9/s320/IMG_9181.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTEfFCBE6Zu9oOeRaDfX4fvxCPNQu4MYF8W5g6DK9pQ6785hfilQTGdHXN5P6KCMTp8A4gGThJ4KijOGqUdocQISiVl1yJcU7na-EDO1N5uuFdXaREI40QG_PghlBjfK5FFXKGBsFFEZu/s1600/251433_2163322716475_3281057_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXTEfFCBE6Zu9oOeRaDfX4fvxCPNQu4MYF8W5g6DK9pQ6785hfilQTGdHXN5P6KCMTp8A4gGThJ4KijOGqUdocQISiVl1yJcU7na-EDO1N5uuFdXaREI40QG_PghlBjfK5FFXKGBsFFEZu/s320/251433_2163322716475_3281057_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj7XNQoj4uoEVgD38BkY6f6hcLVFGorK7wm70qX-DAZDJTS1k38c6pXxI2BgtEOHfGEXECNkpSzAzgmg_Tkl8EKSAgUbWLe0v-QMi-NDjuI_GjDhcpN0g4ejjPaeXpOtUNkkwWDXsaRpG/s1600/IMG_9189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj7XNQoj4uoEVgD38BkY6f6hcLVFGorK7wm70qX-DAZDJTS1k38c6pXxI2BgtEOHfGEXECNkpSzAzgmg_Tkl8EKSAgUbWLe0v-QMi-NDjuI_GjDhcpN0g4ejjPaeXpOtUNkkwWDXsaRpG/s400/IMG_9189.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
...but we also decided to try something new and exciting by taking a walking tour of Seattle. Offered by <a href="http://www.savorseattletours.com/" target="_blank">Savor Seattle</a>, we decided to take the <a href="http://www.savorseattletours.com/tours/chocolate/" target="_blank">Chocolate Indulgence Tour</a>! This two-hour guided tour, took us through Seattle stopping at six different locations to try Seattle's best.<br />
<br />
<br />
We stared at the Mayflower Park Hotel for a chocolatey adult beverage!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QPKG7IDnX1Mal6slExAtMmsF_4ua5MlJsnM8BXtB4_6QZxBSANvQw9IwMxWQl_ALNgEIaQZbkmwRxZlsvquxmIpPHhkvYbwceOl3W_FT0U_Tq_Yq9J5X8sy7ymsz1tv_7W5RqoENgWbU/s1600/IMG_9122.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/AVvXsEi0QPKG7IDnX1Mal6slExAtMmsF_4ua5MlJsnM8BXtB4_6QZxBSANvQw9IwMxWQl_ALNgEIaQZbkmwRxZlsvquxmIpPHhkvYbwceOl3W_FT0U_Tq_Yq9J5X8sy7ymsz1tv_7W5RqoENgWbU/s320/IMG_9122.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1iSnSG7ZUynBxJX0y0GY4w3LycJ65dMx6BxsEKac7I7iOnsPXwQ0q2uD-G6PlMMKLwD7qis_gLUUSOJKyxJMTZhQey5ASAeVZ571IDnZd-X4iaXDZuABVDKMIJi1wY3VDMpMkGoXcqds/s1600/IMG_9123.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1iSnSG7ZUynBxJX0y0GY4w3LycJ65dMx6BxsEKac7I7iOnsPXwQ0q2uD-G6PlMMKLwD7qis_gLUUSOJKyxJMTZhQey5ASAeVZ571IDnZd-X4iaXDZuABVDKMIJi1wY3VDMpMkGoXcqds/s320/IMG_9123.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Our next stop was Dahlia Bakery, where we had the pleasure of trying multiple tasty treats. I think I may have even purchased something there!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMz8Anrbh_JSqQChQ6dQt9AKwdavbUjyf3w4tpVzm93WzSzFpIG8oCeStQa31bdZDAEv1ifnWeOk-ZcKnib1OuqUoVugphy_JgCA2xiNd2lyx35keRPfvx-rS0-hLulTTYktTmLLvbjyjd/s1600/IMG_9126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMz8Anrbh_JSqQChQ6dQt9AKwdavbUjyf3w4tpVzm93WzSzFpIG8oCeStQa31bdZDAEv1ifnWeOk-ZcKnib1OuqUoVugphy_JgCA2xiNd2lyx35keRPfvx-rS0-hLulTTYktTmLLvbjyjd/s320/IMG_9126.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAtmy-3vwuCfGJTcvN7Wg6b81sz8Vf-zRqwQfqKOi4bcGl0KNZlehSrLPSc_TdL1yeZUGOJz6h7kk0oWNpFBpyr5T_PuJlxcL4Y0Dd4zQS1_s3k4W5F7XmC7_YqKRPWAxoYtV70gG0L__/s1600/IMG_9129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvAtmy-3vwuCfGJTcvN7Wg6b81sz8Vf-zRqwQfqKOi4bcGl0KNZlehSrLPSc_TdL1yeZUGOJz6h7kk0oWNpFBpyr5T_PuJlxcL4Y0Dd4zQS1_s3k4W5F7XmC7_YqKRPWAxoYtV70gG0L__/s320/IMG_9129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This was followed by a stop at The Chocolate Box where we not only had tasty cupcakes but ice cream,too! My favorite!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf2o-GwSlP-XPmtn80t2hHsV3VsiK9-G2lgf2G6WhqYKwsaanfHevgZgcSVcgppL5ceda8IsVe9-6Wco7I2HtZ-rinFcnBup5R8f3bWIKfB8JZ0lZHsJQJfo3DJBIVqRP9EXLGyCSI-J5V/s1600/IMG_9130.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/AVvXsEjf2o-GwSlP-XPmtn80t2hHsV3VsiK9-G2lgf2G6WhqYKwsaanfHevgZgcSVcgppL5ceda8IsVe9-6Wco7I2HtZ-rinFcnBup5R8f3bWIKfB8JZ0lZHsJQJfo3DJBIVqRP9EXLGyCSI-J5V/s320/IMG_9130.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdMvWvZLeQK5DIPRKLVAYyIfTj4rL-CUJsfbi5QVpZYqgmbF4Ro6OmAukN7eF8RO_M3YpnNWHM-pBe_M8LUOxNjNPHyoHCETM6xi7ruk9uLM-XbQqtnU06W83L_Dr41eH1GjJlIViUTP1r/s1600/IMG_9133.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/AVvXsEjdMvWvZLeQK5DIPRKLVAYyIfTj4rL-CUJsfbi5QVpZYqgmbF4Ro6OmAukN7eF8RO_M3YpnNWHM-pBe_M8LUOxNjNPHyoHCETM6xi7ruk9uLM-XbQqtnU06W83L_Dr41eH1GjJlIViUTP1r/s200/IMG_9133.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wlmPeVze9JhCwyGaiOAUJPWeu1cKC5ZDI-fXFopyUl5Gfe4v2_to0joqY1WTBtbZIK3_pe562zhbT-3-vQ3YNrBM2iJnSkPrDVH5_rBP5RFJlkJieaClis2I6HVHRktyjdND7QAp0a_0/s1600/IMG_9141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wlmPeVze9JhCwyGaiOAUJPWeu1cKC5ZDI-fXFopyUl5Gfe4v2_to0joqY1WTBtbZIK3_pe562zhbT-3-vQ3YNrBM2iJnSkPrDVH5_rBP5RFJlkJieaClis2I6HVHRktyjdND7QAp0a_0/s200/IMG_9141.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
A quick stop at the Confectional allowed us a taste of some delicious cheesecake.<br />
<br />
<table 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/AVvXsEgrmUn-c0cxolW36rLsCL5DRDJBhjFHxmabmXO2_sfwYYthrHx-q99Cdcjzuyyi3IezFAUgLTMfnue8nSn5JqJP4t_HtmmOL4tkgM4_-dRBETIyj3e0CX3grn6h9EHuMD1ykP6wOIBHtKF5/s1600/IMG_9145.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/AVvXsEgrmUn-c0cxolW36rLsCL5DRDJBhjFHxmabmXO2_sfwYYthrHx-q99Cdcjzuyyi3IezFAUgLTMfnue8nSn5JqJP4t_HtmmOL4tkgM4_-dRBETIyj3e0CX3grn6h9EHuMD1ykP6wOIBHtKF5/s200/IMG_9145.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add caption</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wsL7R0IYP4ATcXiLHd0pWTV3Y9e9YJA-idnRZ5fASTXWo5tixbrv1OwH3MtQXI-cmDsMDe0GiFgnjcbpSgCpfrt5ltyqoh952gmuEfSn0a4fzRbVLIOzEv5wMizYEcSeFz-TqJ50xU4U/s1600/IMG_9147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wsL7R0IYP4ATcXiLHd0pWTV3Y9e9YJA-idnRZ5fASTXWo5tixbrv1OwH3MtQXI-cmDsMDe0GiFgnjcbpSgCpfrt5ltyqoh952gmuEfSn0a4fzRbVLIOzEv5wMizYEcSeFz-TqJ50xU4U/s200/IMG_9147.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhujP7TCyBCggj9gaW7vJEcZqcTpoxf4MqEuDiDBCaaSwFV4rcKqqyokPwwsOe7LzibV3ZFwKAPfVkwFm2EvNDk49wvqYVsCoqHHqURjHBLvSq334c-mdr4EmEiAk16k0HiUjTSFEoromc/s1600/IMG_9146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhujP7TCyBCggj9gaW7vJEcZqcTpoxf4MqEuDiDBCaaSwFV4rcKqqyokPwwsOe7LzibV3ZFwKAPfVkwFm2EvNDk49wvqYVsCoqHHqURjHBLvSq334c-mdr4EmEiAk16k0HiUjTSFEoromc/s200/IMG_9146.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Our next stop was at Kukuruza Gourmet Popcorn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxjwfwOX9QKCdQoc-HvR3YjdVU_9mtRuDc5PrB7f0n1HcfDiF57AZXG5ZyhQY093eVDM0vNadMfH48R0NwXwble-SdIvlGS-wIJMKhEwz7rWtK7nhJmiZIGhXGQFa__UFBtHvf8hLDWIT/s1600/IMG_9153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxjwfwOX9QKCdQoc-HvR3YjdVU_9mtRuDc5PrB7f0n1HcfDiF57AZXG5ZyhQY093eVDM0vNadMfH48R0NwXwble-SdIvlGS-wIJMKhEwz7rWtK7nhJmiZIGhXGQFa__UFBtHvf8hLDWIT/s200/IMG_9153.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVqgX6Pila37QC6mkFR0_wIYjjVaMvyp-QFST6mEG6JEcrzUFacS78oxw9yQir4QwZMxp9WPPRii3J1vIxLEhGKVEA9s28GHclVqEAVdFPjLD5igYbjS1HL11wES9oWNP-Vx4t3LJGzoC/s1600/IMG_9155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVqgX6Pila37QC6mkFR0_wIYjjVaMvyp-QFST6mEG6JEcrzUFacS78oxw9yQir4QwZMxp9WPPRii3J1vIxLEhGKVEA9s28GHclVqEAVdFPjLD5igYbjS1HL11wES9oWNP-Vx4t3LJGzoC/s200/IMG_9155.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgm0eNZpJvUOOfCx-hgiAWLPQ8uBUEDi_7GS8FQ7UM9uMHBbSLDS9l9aLQUhypY5YroEMtt0FXFmX7xQMFq3NznVzyNt10OR8yh0AB5RaMBCoG8ptTQgBUsZ3hTW_lmOHgK5f0ihmJ4XD/s1600/IMG_9154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSgm0eNZpJvUOOfCx-hgiAWLPQ8uBUEDi_7GS8FQ7UM9uMHBbSLDS9l9aLQUhypY5YroEMtt0FXFmX7xQMFq3NznVzyNt10OR8yh0AB5RaMBCoG8ptTQgBUsZ3hTW_lmOHgK5f0ihmJ4XD/s320/IMG_9154.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
We concluded our tour at Fran’s Chocolates, where we learned about Mrs. Obama's affinity for their salted carmel chocolates.<br />
<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/AVvXsEi-KqXoxrfzdjJTCnu5vUV6VQxCIgDD-mZpLHLMw4IV5lUX8Vqjom-TqRjY08qkqmVX7i8XuLiYeAClBOnrDPcyywSpk9pxcaKH_8Szr1GTLa7fxZYuOxbBGAKBet6xcvpW4ijhBLQKROWj/s1600/IMG_9158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KqXoxrfzdjJTCnu5vUV6VQxCIgDD-mZpLHLMw4IV5lUX8Vqjom-TqRjY08qkqmVX7i8XuLiYeAClBOnrDPcyywSpk9pxcaKH_8Szr1GTLa7fxZYuOxbBGAKBet6xcvpW4ijhBLQKROWj/s200/IMG_9158.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExURyLmFcXLhH9sXQgNYnzrOcQ7njeOEzWnXWcVdkZc0T1KKUiXHWoAvwnLBAv9HFYWTnn1ZpHfbg1m7TzB-WHSFhi-Ax5_Toz8uHAyRX6us3X35DMuC8mrmZsrulsK45djib8R82yqJx/s1600/IMG_9156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgExURyLmFcXLhH9sXQgNYnzrOcQ7njeOEzWnXWcVdkZc0T1KKUiXHWoAvwnLBAv9HFYWTnn1ZpHfbg1m7TzB-WHSFhi-Ax5_Toz8uHAyRX6us3X35DMuC8mrmZsrulsK45djib8R82yqJx/s200/IMG_9156.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Of course, to attend the wedding, we visited the Salish Lodge and Spa at Snoqualmie Falls. It was a beautiful wedding with breathtaking views of the falls.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNfXmTzsM1CDbtMunLR44bgwys7rAyS5-XYPeUcg4ega-gsUwxipY1dGYcn9PxChC98Jy0FRR0oHFfICN24VvALHesWLTSrLH_CYluZxuL2fHCZXV8-m0uU_iyWhWmAVScFjHSU4G_slB/s1600/IMG_9200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNfXmTzsM1CDbtMunLR44bgwys7rAyS5-XYPeUcg4ega-gsUwxipY1dGYcn9PxChC98Jy0FRR0oHFfICN24VvALHesWLTSrLH_CYluZxuL2fHCZXV8-m0uU_iyWhWmAVScFjHSU4G_slB/s320/IMG_9200.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5fx82uchitOQ_rvf1edLmHUAEIMAhZvfvTdAGn32y9-aSwpSKAgt9ufdxmRg7OxOj_9IFXoyuSN6bbMChmjD593x1rzRlbrLW7TLVro4lDkKEngX3sVhUhcJXYSgntTD6dPUP6umdwvw/s1600/IMG_9201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5fx82uchitOQ_rvf1edLmHUAEIMAhZvfvTdAGn32y9-aSwpSKAgt9ufdxmRg7OxOj_9IFXoyuSN6bbMChmjD593x1rzRlbrLW7TLVro4lDkKEngX3sVhUhcJXYSgntTD6dPUP6umdwvw/s320/IMG_9201.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-36802693033647781622013-02-19T19:19:00.001-08:002013-02-19T19:19:45.787-08:00Edible Adventures: Eggless Chocolate Chip CookiesCookies! With No Egg!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS4xfxEb02v7-l2EWOQKWiQrgUlcDXt4m6IzveF7F6gHnkyOTcB665XFV8VowFhmLGBmpS67rc83fg2WWFKBCajUoUo5MBo2wdVyio3QX0G9YUUqEP6JRF_uYy2hHI9jTRyZEcY2Aw3sG/s1600/P1010595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrS4xfxEb02v7-l2EWOQKWiQrgUlcDXt4m6IzveF7F6gHnkyOTcB665XFV8VowFhmLGBmpS67rc83fg2WWFKBCajUoUo5MBo2wdVyio3QX0G9YUUqEP6JRF_uYy2hHI9jTRyZEcY2Aw3sG/s320/P1010595.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
They were tasty! Sadly, I have no idea when we made these cookies, or with what recipe we used. If I find it, I will let you know. :)K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-91929583944177489282013-02-17T18:10:00.000-08:002013-02-19T19:46:34.171-08:002013 Photos: Week 7Hey Y'all... This week was Mardi Gras!<i> Laissez les bons temps rouler</i>! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12.800000190734863px;"><br /></span></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/AVvXsEgIOIa5h8AAx3dRIrDCDjfUsGPTvXqEbP6PV5S6VwhVnDxF96uVQaWd3NnI9nGgBJml6R2DT1bv_WyTr7AfrLurJ0dFBIjWHsA-5VR6eTP5bH1lg2kfZHn1WN1yeFDMGYpemyP-hVq5VRhz/s1600/IMG_20130211_173755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIOIa5h8AAx3dRIrDCDjfUsGPTvXqEbP6PV5S6VwhVnDxF96uVQaWd3NnI9nGgBJml6R2DT1bv_WyTr7AfrLurJ0dFBIjWHsA-5VR6eTP5bH1lg2kfZHn1WN1yeFDMGYpemyP-hVq5VRhz/s320/IMG_20130211_173755.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started the week off right with a Po' Boy on the eve of Mardi Gras ! </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/AVvXsEg9S3JcaAE5Fln2ersl0HkPMtOFGzI_9Pf0eYGldakwY_UUglemvhYeR2F4f3qEVudz8viazX_PqQIMOOjTBvlJbFWCyCcFtExKKQ6uw0Z1GK-c9XnFPCbEBnzdINYCv9-78OXtG0ljG-hU/s1600/IMG_20130209_185549.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S3JcaAE5Fln2ersl0HkPMtOFGzI_9Pf0eYGldakwY_UUglemvhYeR2F4f3qEVudz8viazX_PqQIMOOjTBvlJbFWCyCcFtExKKQ6uw0Z1GK-c9XnFPCbEBnzdINYCv9-78OXtG0ljG-hU/s320/IMG_20130209_185549.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our DIY home celebration kit for Mardi Gras.<br />(Of course, we didn't end up making the beignets, as it got a bit late. We will save them for another day!) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87r1dCI-Y_FacYD-tvATZQSFMOOrY3dUbYyUqhwilBXQn6FusFtz48hWEpNa30K4MIRbnmMRFHmx2bi6b39zoPazvOFzf3c_W_SC3L9oIABPSZhl7AEioTWEFrmxTJqEeBX-FDkpQntdB/s1600/IMG_20130217_134101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh87r1dCI-Y_FacYD-tvATZQSFMOOrY3dUbYyUqhwilBXQn6FusFtz48hWEpNa30K4MIRbnmMRFHmx2bi6b39zoPazvOFzf3c_W_SC3L9oIABPSZhl7AEioTWEFrmxTJqEeBX-FDkpQntdB/s320/IMG_20130217_134101.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Have gift card. Will spend. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLqt8PxiaUIfsgJFFejznT6l6DxtzXuZDEvmAuItXpx00PazS9hZMkZZKECAQy5Hu3XGF1hSuc9Szhe2oN2zGwf9YFJz2XkSRdCYV6X3HbWw6pg_eJY54yzvfwD56hMEczdeDlgC7w16b/s1600/IMG_20130217_133137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigLqt8PxiaUIfsgJFFejznT6l6DxtzXuZDEvmAuItXpx00PazS9hZMkZZKECAQy5Hu3XGF1hSuc9Szhe2oN2zGwf9YFJz2XkSRdCYV6X3HbWw6pg_eJY54yzvfwD56hMEczdeDlgC7w16b/s320/IMG_20130217_133137.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmmm. Bubbly and cheese... two of my favorite things. </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/AVvXsEgnqYTq3Zsa3ZxTCK1LklnN_qNQiGihyphenhyphenLZqPXx6S1sajeJC_Uy7piq7aWQTLG0IW4_qKwn-2Uj2gM4Laf8f9Z4fqdt2A9vUvskcyEKb7ktBOvmgciFqU4P4veaXSHM3Hzxfc70Q4LF28Wws/s1600/IMG_20130217_205915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnqYTq3Zsa3ZxTCK1LklnN_qNQiGihyphenhyphenLZqPXx6S1sajeJC_Uy7piq7aWQTLG0IW4_qKwn-2Uj2gM4Laf8f9Z4fqdt2A9vUvskcyEKb7ktBOvmgciFqU4P4veaXSHM3Hzxfc70Q4LF28Wws/s320/IMG_20130217_205915.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Verizon! <br />You have a 13 day window of opportunity to wow us! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-88461432092287027222013-02-10T18:10:00.000-08:002013-02-19T19:40:41.664-08:002013 Photos: Week 6Here are a few random thoughts from this week! <div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJEPyqj_y0zYYyjJorFPWiuWwtSpHhcxxDJaumyyzXzMjl7t-kvbHkZxIVVRVYYRKWWwHRNs9M0if321cvwtl_f10DZBVl57uIS8e3-LXJshk-kIV4fTEb_SX5W_ADL4BJu3NGVuKjwj1/s1600/IMG_20130208_173934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJEPyqj_y0zYYyjJorFPWiuWwtSpHhcxxDJaumyyzXzMjl7t-kvbHkZxIVVRVYYRKWWwHRNs9M0if321cvwtl_f10DZBVl57uIS8e3-LXJshk-kIV4fTEb_SX5W_ADL4BJu3NGVuKjwj1/s320/IMG_20130208_173934.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband surprised me with a treat when I picked him up from work.<br />Apparently, they have an ice cream vending machine in his office.... </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/AVvXsEgzO_lR1EAMDZgSrO1zQLQ6rQrth7-z_TUGi9RBMHC4VNTGB777timJQEUT9LRCX48rdvDzxKUCb6jz9Vab7pjKMiUptj7pwJiSzplNecjI3pzyvq6KWX_NEZH_l5rIvMajeP1cQ0oJKRvN/s1600/IMG_20130209_085639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzO_lR1EAMDZgSrO1zQLQ6rQrth7-z_TUGi9RBMHC4VNTGB777timJQEUT9LRCX48rdvDzxKUCb6jz9Vab7pjKMiUptj7pwJiSzplNecjI3pzyvq6KWX_NEZH_l5rIvMajeP1cQ0oJKRvN/s320/IMG_20130209_085639.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The newest edition to my collection. Kate. <br />Kate Spade. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
On Saturday, husband and I took a class in glass art. We had the chance to work with torch work, stained glass (copper foil method) and glass cutting. We didn't get to take it all home, but here is what we have to show so far...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw-PCpvwRO5pe371W3EkHzs4_NFb7YnlyuHIMCRFimKIBcx_p5hXN5JOgYVORGYnTGBmyBysCt61_ZJO2ErSU1gQfQnY74x4w67WlRKiSILK4xoCaLZsP4Ce8xZyLtPcvHnqArHr_t7wO/s1600/IMG_20130209_184346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUw-PCpvwRO5pe371W3EkHzs4_NFb7YnlyuHIMCRFimKIBcx_p5hXN5JOgYVORGYnTGBmyBysCt61_ZJO2ErSU1gQfQnY74x4w67WlRKiSILK4xoCaLZsP4Ce8xZyLtPcvHnqArHr_t7wO/s320/IMG_20130209_184346.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Torched swizzle sticks. "Honey Dipper" style!<br />Sorry , blurry photo! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<table 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/AVvXsEjqyLDQarNKznsMh7gYJ_583Wa6aelbLP2pqCx_4shQaBt-bGSZFCH7vyKcpB7UqB92jA9fnCazugLBlv04wmq-RoX_FDVOGFtP-YSw9-PSpIdbHYt5JpKnuIH2iHYT2CwvtrHJve577kVM/s1600/IMG_20130209_184431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqyLDQarNKznsMh7gYJ_583Wa6aelbLP2pqCx_4shQaBt-bGSZFCH7vyKcpB7UqB92jA9fnCazugLBlv04wmq-RoX_FDVOGFtP-YSw9-PSpIdbHYt5JpKnuIH2iHYT2CwvtrHJve577kVM/s320/IMG_20130209_184431.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of our torched swizzle sticks. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table 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/AVvXsEgKjJSthai2AzrBsfmAlDRviIj9XUnmI-0Vg5xqJxjXoDTaouHTYDGa5fd83b-_0k1ociLWvb7pjdvcnGEG13_4SqwYPtZjRSZpHosGKZTj9M7w9PSg84zshhsDWjMJa4gqlAJAb7ITOGp_/s1600/IMG_20130209_184152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjJSthai2AzrBsfmAlDRviIj9XUnmI-0Vg5xqJxjXoDTaouHTYDGa5fd83b-_0k1ociLWvb7pjdvcnGEG13_4SqwYPtZjRSZpHosGKZTj9M7w9PSg84zshhsDWjMJa4gqlAJAb7ITOGp_/s320/IMG_20130209_184152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooper Foil stained glass sun-catchers. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-87787860800942477682013-02-03T20:18:00.000-08:002013-02-19T18:12:11.976-08:002013 Photos: Week 5Apparently, I did NOT do a good job of taking photos this week. But I have two...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIGwzTdT9HoKUgrKcCzLqWxev_TSHV3d0SgKaactcYJiqktTOUQeiorI-fkujUiFQs8zlciPrCfxZLpy0D25qgel7z1eJgdtNlhWpH7OtBmWQylJgiji7r9xc49KfjfbnyFYSEALNTX7V/s1600/rubypants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIGwzTdT9HoKUgrKcCzLqWxev_TSHV3d0SgKaactcYJiqktTOUQeiorI-fkujUiFQs8zlciPrCfxZLpy0D25qgel7z1eJgdtNlhWpH7OtBmWQylJgiji7r9xc49KfjfbnyFYSEALNTX7V/s320/rubypants.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Set out clean pants for work. Ruby sits on them. Done. </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/AVvXsEhdaszaw2MlBp43f0EnFNwJ7J1oo44btfB3E7GLMynp0ieNO5K9f0HlIQ1Cipaeu3i1fgHWAStOeTCNXCa09hxpoxZG7V__76mGk8JB6rCniuhBQYnCKIjC2qONWnnHnxujJczGd9Z4SbZA/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdaszaw2MlBp43f0EnFNwJ7J1oo44btfB3E7GLMynp0ieNO5K9f0HlIQ1Cipaeu3i1fgHWAStOeTCNXCa09hxpoxZG7V__76mGk8JB6rCniuhBQYnCKIjC2qONWnnHnxujJczGd9Z4SbZA/s320/coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you parent! Happy teachers love coffee freebies! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-61167548660023121172013-01-31T20:24:00.000-08:002013-01-31T20:24:39.949-08:00Adventures in Fitness: Disneyland's Never Land Family Fun Run 5K<br />
A few weekends ago, I was able to cross off something from my 35 by 35 list.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uYpbRLAdR2zIteCP5RGcyGhaG7dpVsyVyMEAolhjhmBA8TIUXVXRQ1XA9i66MhIxBE-hzSrFezkeppQ4JYG_ONHYDS-_dYvMsax7uv6knJgQMhYEaekIi4KUplaVgv3niNPFuHINC8SD/s1600/5K+map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uYpbRLAdR2zIteCP5RGcyGhaG7dpVsyVyMEAolhjhmBA8TIUXVXRQ1XA9i66MhIxBE-hzSrFezkeppQ4JYG_ONHYDS-_dYvMsax7uv6knJgQMhYEaekIi4KUplaVgv3niNPFuHINC8SD/s320/5K+map.jpg" width="320" /></a>At 4:45 am, my mom, dad, husband and I lined up just outside of Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle to participate in the second annual Never Land Family Fun Run, a 5K run that takes participants through the magic of Disneyland Resort. Shortly before 5:30, we were all treated to a small display of fireworks and Tinkerbell flying through the sky!<br />
<br />
I was not able to take a bunch of pictures during the race. This was for several reasons. Reason #1 : You were supposed to maintain a 16 minute mile, or you would picked up by the carts of sadness. (Note to self: I did not see <i>one</i> cart of sadness, let alone anyone actually get picked up in one.) Reason #2: They had some pretty cool photo-op areas set up -- one for each mile marker, and several more stops with characters! But, I already felt like I was going too slowly, and I didn't want to wait in line just as I would during a regular Disney day -- so I kept on walking/jogging. Reason #3: Even when I did attempt to take photos, they did <i>not</i> turn out well. I don't know if it was me, my camera, or the fact that is was super dark and super cold. Regardless, my photos did not turn out well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoS6-PrJXgMG7nqmMv1HBys97eXkwiCxDpq0yIX2wRr3XO8G0gLK7xHgxzr7faungzHOTldjQNBSK_eYY5AV1sOshs5EiYmTTgC4hyphenhyphensBDvVxLnAYcm4PwVCx617GXVmisToRzSy29hoB6/s1600/race1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoS6-PrJXgMG7nqmMv1HBys97eXkwiCxDpq0yIX2wRr3XO8G0gLK7xHgxzr7faungzHOTldjQNBSK_eYY5AV1sOshs5EiYmTTgC4hyphenhyphensBDvVxLnAYcm4PwVCx617GXVmisToRzSy29hoB6/s1600/race1.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfKyICHVJ1Z8Hoj42Uiflmeafo6FguGO54rtDNYP-FUghymLUpXnguTrNasujdjVpBsXd8OpJIb7eStuT-aaN-yN1qn7JUZzcBRgdByOvG71T-ikFG7QIT-fFnk7g4pVAQpTo7vj9-1n5/s1600/racefinish1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfKyICHVJ1Z8Hoj42Uiflmeafo6FguGO54rtDNYP-FUghymLUpXnguTrNasujdjVpBsXd8OpJIb7eStuT-aaN-yN1qn7JUZzcBRgdByOvG71T-ikFG7QIT-fFnk7g4pVAQpTo7vj9-1n5/s1600/racefinish1.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6Dr35PGuQbilDsL4WNv06_UszdEgQPUGZx6T-WpDZEXXoiGI2lpEP4aWMLSCq31tgNgFnfqvueNHZIR-xXEGJjpnphTo7Ryiutft2AjrafMyslV5Mw9F28wRo8y1UWE0jLe2zaob5J06/s1600/race2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH6Dr35PGuQbilDsL4WNv06_UszdEgQPUGZx6T-WpDZEXXoiGI2lpEP4aWMLSCq31tgNgFnfqvueNHZIR-xXEGJjpnphTo7Ryiutft2AjrafMyslV5Mw9F28wRo8y1UWE0jLe2zaob5J06/s1600/race2.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZzbcIy63eZlMHCU6eVSuF2-ZIAP4sMqswKpUBPgW5hcL4n9GxShsfMxzRwk6aqet4nEh5JlSPtF6jIo75uEI09l8x2smDYuFy2cbwXAledBNqHSlTsMF3EiiXYrZoUAaFu2LUVeVjt1L/s1600/racefinish2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZzbcIy63eZlMHCU6eVSuF2-ZIAP4sMqswKpUBPgW5hcL4n9GxShsfMxzRwk6aqet4nEh5JlSPtF6jIo75uEI09l8x2smDYuFy2cbwXAledBNqHSlTsMF3EiiXYrZoUAaFu2LUVeVjt1L/s1600/racefinish2.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We did manage to get a few photos after we finished the race. Clearly we actually completed it, look at how run-down we all look! :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBsUYQra9tb7IdRBI_HalhpsA1qT-yxP3MoN4Wnj0kNn0GYEGgJfFUkqpaTgM0cQcRKhKVJVJyaQtTqBeoEk0L7Bhxc3-_V0dDH6i2QhG_5rh3q2toiZN3mNi8UHJOEWTD72-wBza6r1h/s1600/IMG_20130119_065710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiBsUYQra9tb7IdRBI_HalhpsA1qT-yxP3MoN4Wnj0kNn0GYEGgJfFUkqpaTgM0cQcRKhKVJVJyaQtTqBeoEk0L7Bhxc3-_V0dDH6i2QhG_5rh3q2toiZN3mNi8UHJOEWTD72-wBza6r1h/s640/IMG_20130119_065710.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We all finished the race in our matching blue running gear! :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-20299699488289889282013-01-27T19:07:00.000-08:002013-02-19T18:11:55.162-08:002013 Photos: Week 4<table 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/AVvXsEiAi0Y8rI1M0WTKdv-Y5IoYwcbg11JKu0rBUGAUxWcGNVcnZFF6vuL-IoEJlehvLVIaC1FEpf0vJJKLU-IsNDYJn3oj5caGDwqrCrfoW5ybuMJ6f8njafGIVMiYhpXHMa6AsTn9SuAIRS3L/s1600/ruby2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAi0Y8rI1M0WTKdv-Y5IoYwcbg11JKu0rBUGAUxWcGNVcnZFF6vuL-IoEJlehvLVIaC1FEpf0vJJKLU-IsNDYJn3oj5caGDwqrCrfoW5ybuMJ6f8njafGIVMiYhpXHMa6AsTn9SuAIRS3L/s320/ruby2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lost your hair tie? Just check in with Ruby. </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/AVvXsEiMoAkv2gvy5PRUOLCUZhDY3Yxlc1Rx4t4s7RKeAHZDuvX93LdXq-m8SxpIV888mALv2FR_5wCf3KZF2ew6esMTb9cTGLvkjelvO_KBlhA3EKlOuEYnkXULUoIVUpNKsI6S1Nl2wFNUI3GR/s1600/duece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMoAkv2gvy5PRUOLCUZhDY3Yxlc1Rx4t4s7RKeAHZDuvX93LdXq-m8SxpIV888mALv2FR_5wCf3KZF2ew6esMTb9cTGLvkjelvO_KBlhA3EKlOuEYnkXULUoIVUpNKsI6S1Nl2wFNUI3GR/s320/duece.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duece-Duece -- my sister's abnormally massive cat!</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/AVvXsEgVX0jLf_cfyzPs9fNSmogsi6tVnmEycozPU6Eyq4j-iaL5Eb7Cv4VSmSKe7bVMAIb1XLc5Vnj9VD5WDvWvqNn6rUzV1wWBGqDuD2tpVdBH_Akln05dGkrx_tAGlry_cFBSdAQHEP7JtahJ/s1600/cameo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX0jLf_cfyzPs9fNSmogsi6tVnmEycozPU6Eyq4j-iaL5Eb7Cv4VSmSKe7bVMAIb1XLc5Vnj9VD5WDvWvqNn6rUzV1wWBGqDuD2tpVdBH_Akln05dGkrx_tAGlry_cFBSdAQHEP7JtahJ/s320/cameo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, cameo! Another Silhouette Cameo project!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4X48K9xVbLaBO7wSFUH5o1M3xbQEyuQR9G3JWm0etbOkab0y6cS3fMMmAO9QENTiAWMZm-MfzVxGs_LkmJxlea7pI2voZcgDjOcfWufOKiimBrIPL6w_TEBGHNJ0LQR7AtxoT0ALfeHN/s1600/sunrise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ4X48K9xVbLaBO7wSFUH5o1M3xbQEyuQR9G3JWm0etbOkab0y6cS3fMMmAO9QENTiAWMZm-MfzVxGs_LkmJxlea7pI2voZcgDjOcfWufOKiimBrIPL6w_TEBGHNJ0LQR7AtxoT0ALfeHN/s320/sunrise2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another San Jose sunrise! </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/AVvXsEgjzXALW3zLagFotKm_o4Rou-97MW8VdWu7QXc3UvWD-YQtisqwmfoyUxU1lWhzR3wI_8oxLkHz2LRuRzdtIcFB5RWCbwFTRMYDVnzzAwjUEJOv-TWPmf9sHwNAW1nPOlfQ_tLzLDjVjI4s/s1600/popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjzXALW3zLagFotKm_o4Rou-97MW8VdWu7QXc3UvWD-YQtisqwmfoyUxU1lWhzR3wI_8oxLkHz2LRuRzdtIcFB5RWCbwFTRMYDVnzzAwjUEJOv-TWPmf9sHwNAW1nPOlfQ_tLzLDjVjI4s/s320/popcorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winner! Winner! Popcorn dinner! <br />
(I won this at a staff luncheon!) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-67089944755544907022013-01-21T17:01:00.001-08:002013-01-28T22:21:11.220-08:002013 Photos: Week 3<br />
<table 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/AVvXsEi6zC2U2LcOGzjg-TGZ9R0xZYwa8xgtZQOHA3p4EAQktkY2-2Da_AyEz5KV3VrYFNyBdLR0HJoyT0lG_nWDmO2pl5F9Aqb_B8favSF1Pq98CTpWEIfVWAny8uelgnNa7P_V1U055CrbJMhS/" 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/AVvXsEi6zC2U2LcOGzjg-TGZ9R0xZYwa8xgtZQOHA3p4EAQktkY2-2Da_AyEz5KV3VrYFNyBdLR0HJoyT0lG_nWDmO2pl5F9Aqb_B8favSF1Pq98CTpWEIfVWAny8uelgnNa7P_V1U055CrbJMhS/" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My new wine rack. :) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEjQoW1L2Tj_kowAYwb5FVJ0JKLw1Dqnx2jrnEBgnF3o088mvPCkwCT8y2iKoeDD4-4U0QDx8PEUs3ISjX1nSXOrn2g9WL7B4Ry9U2gaZuOpXMBrd28MTjBnXp2BVIE8Tnupkr3A-Yx61Ty0/" 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/AVvXsEjQoW1L2Tj_kowAYwb5FVJ0JKLw1Dqnx2jrnEBgnF3o088mvPCkwCT8y2iKoeDD4-4U0QDx8PEUs3ISjX1nSXOrn2g9WL7B4Ry9U2gaZuOpXMBrd28MTjBnXp2BVIE8Tnupkr3A-Yx61Ty0/" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When <i>isn't</i> it a good time <br />
to open a bottle of bubbly? </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/AVvXsEjqAG4nhbCs4kfXzayTzzkQnOLgbNDnKNpse9i1slZgbpygOX5FX3ncTCsbA25yFqlzCL0mIP32Hqvnps0nEKU3CMboFQ6dfv6rqYgs1GJUnktkHBxd1XOQmR19V7_y72iGdsJ0azQ3xXKN/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two favorite men! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOs9EO9h20cvisV2rbqgpyVrMGBd0pB_LgwR7r7vUbSJ9PL8fI4mRmeVpzIAVQLVKI38uGm93OIMFy_WHgJDgAQmkbYN9huXoumgrRo-6BeCmR9tmSpJsRACuA9t4dA2dOiWo7sl4DhOa-/" 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/AVvXsEhOs9EO9h20cvisV2rbqgpyVrMGBd0pB_LgwR7r7vUbSJ9PL8fI4mRmeVpzIAVQLVKI38uGm93OIMFy_WHgJDgAQmkbYN9huXoumgrRo-6BeCmR9tmSpJsRACuA9t4dA2dOiWo7sl4DhOa-/" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cars Land! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTTqCT87QvSv3Hjt3DlOcKZg_sJRC02gZGuYWKOPz01hk5yn5Ys87qEOr_M1EGp8vdulD8Z2WhYQMziqJaDsvznYB1IskS_Fgc2AGZAyevcQ4WDSua0jkUE2uWD555AQttFZZ2L74CBoL/" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luigi's Tires! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-81506089692033574832013-01-13T22:43:00.000-08:002013-01-13T22:43:34.387-08:002013 Photos: Week 2<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;">
This week was a good one. First week of work in 2013. It went pretty well. <br />Got a lot done, and there is a lot to look forward to... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7uSp1anE0e5kWSRYqisHflC_cPF13xSX_X1IsMajkKNkI4GkYmuzKlCtHdivkK6wamyOC919O9d9QtfSZ4tVkDz6o7iIOUHxKLy9XnBO51uDUcxsILL3H5QgNvx42wNS6vJ_7AI5EtGv/s1600/sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA7uSp1anE0e5kWSRYqisHflC_cPF13xSX_X1IsMajkKNkI4GkYmuzKlCtHdivkK6wamyOC919O9d9QtfSZ4tVkDz6o7iIOUHxKLy9XnBO51uDUcxsILL3H5QgNvx42wNS6vJ_7AI5EtGv/s320/sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jose Sunrise</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/AVvXsEhW9tVsle2AmVenvrO9TcIX60sFn3PYOJPWmBRimmQEIYa37B2kWXUWlYSQtElaHuCNSSedfmqh_vdgQpkpGP4ZPaIOWn1cShx6vnbDqlVXk1LAajexvIz_KMUTA94IJpwbXfoBsIGz-OcJ/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9tVsle2AmVenvrO9TcIX60sFn3PYOJPWmBRimmQEIYa37B2kWXUWlYSQtElaHuCNSSedfmqh_vdgQpkpGP4ZPaIOWn1cShx6vnbDqlVXk1LAajexvIz_KMUTA94IJpwbXfoBsIGz-OcJ/s320/sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Jose Sunset</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/AVvXsEiDjGi_vlOGw31wDvzBxoXI06Hc32Zy9W7ZpzLJn1CYQmGd8xbN3p4fxvWij9SJFapJ1w0r-_gj3TRGP009P__BRJKVfLQoi6-qIYdzQvT9v6KR7-ORUn3Pv3K3CIqL5lrJzG1I1HEXlBaM/s1600/Ruby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDjGi_vlOGw31wDvzBxoXI06Hc32Zy9W7ZpzLJn1CYQmGd8xbN3p4fxvWij9SJFapJ1w0r-_gj3TRGP009P__BRJKVfLQoi6-qIYdzQvT9v6KR7-ORUn3Pv3K3CIqL5lrJzG1I1HEXlBaM/s320/Ruby.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruby's "hiding" place</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/AVvXsEioBuvaeKetsOOCEyyEHpExpB4rYRYN0G_fSNA-dOwzzXXGgAju0MxcrdAfaoUHWUS4SwrTU37GZc32607j61BjbbfRG0sgzZ-IXorTJcvv1ycUDFYbQOSIoz5pAB-JB51gIca_JWJlDWNv/s1600/beer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioBuvaeKetsOOCEyyEHpExpB4rYRYN0G_fSNA-dOwzzXXGgAju0MxcrdAfaoUHWUS4SwrTU37GZc32607j61BjbbfRG0sgzZ-IXorTJcvv1ycUDFYbQOSIoz5pAB-JB51gIca_JWJlDWNv/s320/beer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husband's home brew, batch one</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/AVvXsEjoIGzh6U-Vd0QRwzY9RfSZOBwBVIDswU4cC7l5aC7yjAjoVyZzIggvlfujHDBD8ua2aeCRUe7dDsnSRCxNIm_T0GnQP3r3kp1M8CjYvDzu0k6FAAnLj7BJHl3YdWfOf94-lAW2T-POoOXv/s1600/enchiladas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoIGzh6U-Vd0QRwzY9RfSZOBwBVIDswU4cC7l5aC7yjAjoVyZzIggvlfujHDBD8ua2aeCRUe7dDsnSRCxNIm_T0GnQP3r3kp1M8CjYvDzu0k6FAAnLj7BJHl3YdWfOf94-lAW2T-POoOXv/s320/enchiladas.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Chicken Enchilads, <br />Flour tortillas, with green sauce</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/AVvXsEiYF9cBNvcD4XZMg7mJHLG3GJ09w79WQTgP_iC0e3H87Q9cU7BceRdNXmpwUphTqEbsOObck-yXGSDzhLk3h5si11PbPYJoZ6QTZrJHFUP2w0hcTGKHq9R9PHH4Jc6pNJ8VwlVQMo_Jcp-e/s1600/auntie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYF9cBNvcD4XZMg7mJHLG3GJ09w79WQTgP_iC0e3H87Q9cU7BceRdNXmpwUphTqEbsOObck-yXGSDzhLk3h5si11PbPYJoZ6QTZrJHFUP2w0hcTGKHq9R9PHH4Jc6pNJ8VwlVQMo_Jcp-e/s320/auntie.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auntie and nephew<br />He sees the camera flash, and knows to smile! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-9719679750483920702013-01-06T22:06:00.000-08:002013-01-06T22:10:53.413-08:002013 Photos: Week 1Hello, 2013!<br />
<br />
Here are a few photo highlights from this week.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG7se3hHrDPFkavIy_C_hzuBNoBHRsgKG6t0uIjC8sdHbE3_2qld__x5DNZY3aR3RTeKpbESxsXLbV7hHhYflvhGdD6R1qFx29kTTHviYUFKlD5f65W-apXgblzN9SWwTVuE3paT99Kgp/s1600/nerdynephew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwG7se3hHrDPFkavIy_C_hzuBNoBHRsgKG6t0uIjC8sdHbE3_2qld__x5DNZY3aR3RTeKpbESxsXLbV7hHhYflvhGdD6R1qFx29kTTHviYUFKlD5f65W-apXgblzN9SWwTVuE3paT99Kgp/s320/nerdynephew.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My nerdy nephew, sporting a onesie his Auntie made for him. :)</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/AVvXsEjhlKVT4XLvNtnEHJR1RST8aoUM5cqVz5XiE495Q1OqvuBfTADFDnXdsbWR3EACBXCvT9auzTUauFJl7XUYIOWY4VqfOX78RNDjFF_du_XuRHSzvJF8nuq6l2chvAQYj_itwIL94_ff98GB/s1600/albertinwasher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhlKVT4XLvNtnEHJR1RST8aoUM5cqVz5XiE495Q1OqvuBfTADFDnXdsbWR3EACBXCvT9auzTUauFJl7XUYIOWY4VqfOX78RNDjFF_du_XuRHSzvJF8nuq6l2chvAQYj_itwIL94_ff98GB/s320/albertinwasher.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albert felt like a dirty kitty. </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/AVvXsEimpWAjVi-n81-ZeoapAbMg1_Bp4kVn4ZZLCFiyXk7RBgUYkP-6KL_EEv3Bgu9hkm4MXn_dybEmRNG9Q225xGZwtazO4K4gO8Xgjs3-m_NPbdK7awST5JLDsmlglHga_z-yh-OlkLGeDkmy/s1600/baybridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimpWAjVi-n81-ZeoapAbMg1_Bp4kVn4ZZLCFiyXk7RBgUYkP-6KL_EEv3Bgu9hkm4MXn_dybEmRNG9Q225xGZwtazO4K4gO8Xgjs3-m_NPbdK7awST5JLDsmlglHga_z-yh-OlkLGeDkmy/s320/baybridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay Bridge: New Year's Day</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gnUOoHko_mZdZG0SGYJy4T6sh_Zrni-kVS0VYTuYdL19uPO1cgwBPaJWMmrzuCix5fLAto-q3lxuxqvr-MobyjY3E8uPLbXw1aT-xwZ8iTDopS-h9an0dK8_bwylopzQQfYkbiQu5gMI/s1600/redwoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8gnUOoHko_mZdZG0SGYJy4T6sh_Zrni-kVS0VYTuYdL19uPO1cgwBPaJWMmrzuCix5fLAto-q3lxuxqvr-MobyjY3E8uPLbXw1aT-xwZ8iTDopS-h9an0dK8_bwylopzQQfYkbiQu5gMI/s320/redwoods.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Redwoods in Guerneville</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/AVvXsEhmUW30v5g1kDKlwkdikz7uS0atcLhB1hTnez6F7V2zHV2_iNgfW9oJY0jSnoV9pb4SIB0h8HaYheL6Wk5zDZqaMMt9LpkmvTmdiLc7p7f_3jyNWGBiSU0Uvu-yQMJ-eAGODrG9ajHsc0jG/s1600/winecask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmUW30v5g1kDKlwkdikz7uS0atcLhB1hTnez6F7V2zHV2_iNgfW9oJY0jSnoV9pb4SIB0h8HaYheL6Wk5zDZqaMMt9LpkmvTmdiLc7p7f_3jyNWGBiSU0Uvu-yQMJ-eAGODrG9ajHsc0jG/s320/winecask.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">130 year old Sparking Wine Casks at Korbel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-22105282476543161542013-01-05T14:23:00.000-08:002013-01-05T14:23:21.592-08:00Resolutions - 2013In the past, I have created resolutions that were concrete. I wanted something I could measure: either I did it, or I didn't. This year, I thought I would try something new. This year, I am just going to try and be the best person I can me. What does that mean? How does that look?<br />
<br />
Here are seven things I hope I can focus on every day...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdsfA5Rdv16n0ACq-sq_6U7qW_XeL9ULd83IGQ5ajhVq75mMANbfR0i27KooznOpsE4mdYRwK79EVGPfPC40pWGiZ9W1fd-ZzMJve2usISLM_Fik3QBgK2piGl0WC0hqDiKtNefeEAvPb/s1600/Goals.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJdsfA5Rdv16n0ACq-sq_6U7qW_XeL9ULd83IGQ5ajhVq75mMANbfR0i27KooznOpsE4mdYRwK79EVGPfPC40pWGiZ9W1fd-ZzMJve2usISLM_Fik3QBgK2piGl0WC0hqDiKtNefeEAvPb/s640/Goals.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What are your goals and resolutions for 2013?K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8191920683966019606.post-76170974215928464772013-01-04T19:23:00.000-08:002013-01-04T19:37:18.522-08:00A Year of Adventure...2012Wow. 2012. What a year.<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
This has been a year of extreme change for me and my husband. We bought a house. We sold a house. I left my job of eleven years. I started a new job, which says a lot in this economy! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I would not be telling the whole truth if I didn't admit that these transitions were a little more difficult than I anticipated, and on some days, honestly, it got pretty stressful. But I would also not be telling the whole truth if I did not admit that living through this has provided me with a great deal of strength. Strength in my marriage, whereas I thought I could not love him more, my husband has been my best friend and my rock of stability through the year and all of its trials and tribulations. Strength in my relationships, in my ability to maintain friendships despite distance and time, and in my excitement in developing new friendships. Strength in my conviction, knowing who I am, what I stand for, and what I am willing to fight for.<br />
<br />
As far as I am concerned 2012 was pretty darn successful and while I might not be able to check all of my resolutions off my list, I certainly tried. And trying, making an effort, is really what makes life an adventure worth having.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
K. Plattnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10108566118854340641noreply@blogger.com0