tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28432068875175884922024-03-14T01:28:46.682-05:00Love Grows in Small HousesStories from a life lived in 400sq ft.Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-358451040396676242010-11-24T17:56:00.009-06:002010-11-25T07:39:50.007-06:00What I am Thankful For...The time has come to say goodbye to this nightly routine that I go through 3 nights a week of....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">First locking the front door and then placing Matt's bike in front of it, this way no one can break in quietly.......</div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2vvj-WovI/AAAAAAAABFk/mTGgWgqS6nY/s1600/DSC04784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543279948008432370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2vvj-WovI/AAAAAAAABFk/mTGgWgqS6nY/s320/DSC04784.JPG" /></a> Next I place the siren alarm doorstop under the back door....... If someone is breaking in I am going to hear them!<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2vvO2vyXI/AAAAAAAABFc/ODQqB7c143s/s1600/DSC04789.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543279942339381618" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2vvO2vyXI/AAAAAAAABFc/ODQqB7c143s/s320/DSC04789.JPG" /></a> Then I turn the living room light off, dim the dinning room lights, and turn on the hall light.... not too bright, but bright enough that there will be no surprise attack.....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2toclPEeI/AAAAAAAABFU/u_rEoObRHoA/s1600/DSC04787.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543277626741690850" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2toclPEeI/AAAAAAAABFU/u_rEoObRHoA/s320/DSC04787.JPG" /></a> Then I place the other siren alarm doorstop under the back door in Matt's office. I also place skis in front of the door just to make sure that I will hear someone breaking in....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2toDE_UjI/AAAAAAAABFM/BH7YKecaN-g/s1600/DSC04806.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543277619895554610" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2toDE_UjI/AAAAAAAABFM/BH7YKecaN-g/s320/DSC04806.JPG" /></a>Attack bunny always by my side. (His eyes only turn red when he is in attack mode or he is getting his picture taken....they are normally beautiful brown!)<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2tm0CgJeI/AAAAAAAABFE/Lk1yXVWDpxk/s1600/DSC04801.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543277598678722018" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2tm0CgJeI/AAAAAAAABFE/Lk1yXVWDpxk/s320/DSC04801.JPG" /></a> Then I barricade the bedroom door with pillows, this way there is a little light that shines in but Harvey can't escape the bedroom. It's amazing how one little rabbit can sound like a burglar trying to break in at 3 am. (After that he lost all privileges to roam the house at night)</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543277575598556994" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2tleDwx0I/AAAAAAAABE0/TvlZPWKvlFM/s320/DSC04833.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Then I turn the TV on to an old black and white Cary Grant movie... The volume turned down to level 3.....</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543272982580326674" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2paHu4cRI/AAAAAAAABEc/ciqp7Jwu7wo/s320/DSC04816.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Next I turn on the soothing sounds of Joshua Radin, volume level 4, so just barely a whisper. Of course this is more to drown out the sounds of our crazy neighbor building a secret room in his backyard at 2 am..... Oh the hammering.....</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543272993833002786" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2paxpupyI/AAAAAAAABEk/mQQM_6VjAcw/s320/DSC04810.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Then I place my two phones on my nightstand.... and set all three alarms (my hope is to at least hear one of them to wake up in the morning). I also place my keys on my nightstand. The keys have two different functions: 1. So if someone was to break in (hypothetically) I can escape out the back, hop in the car, and drive away 2. They also serve as a good weapon.... right in the eye...</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543273010589269442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2pbwEu_cI/AAAAAAAABEs/docslu1E_nY/s320/DSC04804.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Of course I always have to leave my bedside light on in order to see my phones and keys.... I have horrible night vision!</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543272971800481570" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2pZfkxDyI/AAAAAAAABEU/bRjBi4DNl5Y/s320/DSC04811.JPG" /></div><br /><div>And last but not least, just in case the keys fail me, I have a butcher knife hidden under my pillow.......just kidding, I keep it on Matt's nightstand ;)<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543272950573132066" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2pYQfxaSI/AAAAAAAABEM/6mEg7vo61wY/s320/DSC04791.JPG" /></div><br /><div>But after tonight I will not have to go through this routine anymore.... This is Matt's last PICU night shift. Starting next week he will be working day shift in the PICU!!!</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543277588663701346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TO2tmOuvD2I/AAAAAAAABE8/Xo9LZsk-fYs/s320/DSC04800.JPG" />And we will live happily ever after......... </div><br /><div>I guess one thing I might keep with me though is this adorable attack bunny! </div></div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-53555520280379692812010-10-31T21:24:00.006-05:002010-10-31T21:49:09.129-05:00Happy Halloween!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 420px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534403690479751522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TM4m1X6oEWI/AAAAAAAABDk/yzBNf4UxhSE/s320/DSC04767.JPG" /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 423px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 301px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534403710523797474" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TM4m2ilf7-I/AAAAAAAABD8/UPKKfPOAXBQ/s320/DSC04776.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534406828041385378" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TM4psAPnNaI/AAAAAAAABEE/Zw4bZGObki4/s320/DSC04781.JPG" /> <div><div><div> </div></div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-34380243518623162132010-10-29T19:04:00.010-05:002010-10-31T21:24:08.299-05:00Our Epic AdventureIt has been a very busy past several months! Matt graduated from nursing school. Both of us passed our boards and got jobs! Currently Matt is working in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at OU Children's Hospital and I got my dream job as a Pediatric Pain Management Nurse Practitioner at OU Children's. We also moved out of our wonderful 400 sq foot apartment to one that is twice the size and has central heat and air! (I LOVE central heat and air, and promise to never take it for granted again!). We love our new apartment but the size of it took some getting used to. The first few months we mainly lived in the kitchen and bedroom because it felt too big. To celebrate all of these exciting changes (mainly the fact that we both survived going back to school) we decided to go to Europe! Actually we had started planning this trip when we both started school as a goal to get through school. So two weeks ago after 2.5yrs of planning and dreaming we finally boarded a plane for an AMAZING and much needed two week vacation- In which I like to title Plane, Trains, and Automobiles.....<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Our first stop was Rome, Italy. We spent 1&1/2 whirlwind days walking all over the entire city of Rome! Our favorite thing was visiting the catacombs de Priscilla. Which was a very impressive maze stretching 3 miles under the city.<br /><div><div><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 281px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533875138561683874" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxGHmlVsaI/AAAAAAAAA_k/YzO_CpOzFLw/s320/Europe+2010+078.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 336px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533875118011546434" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxGGaBze0I/AAAAAAAAA_U/qbgaTJm9gqE/s320/Europe+2010+037.jpg" /><br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533875129764699602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxGHFz-XdI/AAAAAAAAA_c/St-Kfeaw-q4/s320/Europe+2010+786.jpg" /> After two days we road a train to Cinque Terra, which was absoultely breathtaking! We spent two days hiking and riding the train between the five villages. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 323px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533883657162638690" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxN3c2ExWI/AAAAAAAAA_8/upY9g7Qyak8/s320/Europe+2010+139.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534249805943679986" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TM2a4HWMK_I/AAAAAAAABDE/uHc5Oi6yzQA/s320/Europe+2010+150.jpg" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 257px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 305px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533875156555290098" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxGIpnWVfI/AAAAAAAAA_0/lpNSPO_sMyQ/s320/Europe+2010+181.jpg" />The whole experience was incredible! One evening as we were walking back to our hotel we saw the happiest bride and groom walking down the street! It was so random as there was no one else around them or any sign of a wedding. It just proves how magical Cinque Terra is!</div><div></div><br /><div>Our third stop was Florence, Italy. We spent two nights and one very long perfect day walking all over the entire city of Florence!.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 322px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 191px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533883678336844818" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxN4ruZhBI/AAAAAAAABAU/-DzcDZNJtSQ/s320/Europe+2010+361.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 345px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533883670238303730" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxN4NjjlfI/AAAAAAAABAM/CWjc8v6YwMw/s320/Europe+2010+237.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 254px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533883661923277362" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxN3ulGWjI/AAAAAAAABAE/HJF0gmLjj7A/s320/Europe+2010+287.jpg" />Our fourth stop was Venice. We spent one whole day here before boarding an overnight train to Vienna. I fell in love with Venice and will hopefully get to come back here again someday......<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 307px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 316px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533888153188734386" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxR9J2OlbI/AAAAAAAABAk/FWhJ73dzYEw/s320/Europe+2010+480.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 232px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533888158966882226" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxR9fX2H7I/AAAAAAAABAs/ojrRfiuU6cU/s320/Europe+2010+489.jpg" /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 224px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533883690899821058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxN5ahpUgI/AAAAAAAABAc/skrUH3t39sA/s320/Europe+2010+413.jpg" />Our fifth stop was Vienna, Austria. We splurged on a private sleeping car which was completely worth it!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 286px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533888179993836418" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMxR-ttD-4I/AAAAAAAABBE/kftHbQcAjs0/s320/Europe+2010+533.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534049740263072130" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzk6wm5IYI/AAAAAAAABC0/6-_errOBrpg/s320/Europe+2010+550.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534049738418090258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzk6pvA8RI/AAAAAAAABCs/Y_n8gqXTWcQ/s320/Europe+2010+607.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534049727662874066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzk6BqxXdI/AAAAAAAABCk/VXOt7wXVmBk/s320/Europe+2010+604.jpg" /> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534049723011935298" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzk5wV5rEI/AAAAAAAABCc/BmSsGS3_6cY/s320/Europe+2010+593.jpg" /> We were even able to see an Opera! We saw Salome which was about the beheading of John the Baptist. The music was incredible until you realized what they were singing about which was very disturbing! We spent two full days in Vienna. On the morning of the third day we woke up at 3:30 am to catch a plane for Bergen, Norway at 6:30am. The plan was for one layover in Frankfort then arrive in Bergen around 11:30am where we had a rental car waiting for us. Well what we didn't take in account though was the fog in Frankfurt which had us circling in the air around the airport for one hour before finally landing. Then once we landed they could not get the door to our plane open. So we had to exit out the rear of the plane, wait for a bus, then ride the bus to the opposite end of the terminal. We then sprinted to our gate arriving 15min prior to our connecting flight leaving. What we didn't realize though is they board much earlier and take a bus out to the plane. So we missed our flight. They originally had us booked on the next flight to Bergen which was 12+hrs away. We begged for something sooner and they found a flight to Amsterdam that had a connecting flight to Bergen which would get us there at 3:20pm, much better than getting in a midnight! We were disappointed about the delay but excited about getting there at a decent time- then we learned our flight was delayed to Amsterdam. We arrived in Amsterdam as our flight was leaving for Bergen. So we were booked on the next flight which did not leave for 7hrs. So we decided to make the best of it and buy a train ticket into the city to pass the time away..... Amsterdam is so pretty in the fall!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 365px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 235px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534045041996172290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzgpSMxjAI/AAAAAAAABCU/xLnTGB8fejY/s320/Europe+2010+285.jpg" /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 360px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534045036947568626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzgo_ZF9_I/AAAAAAAABCM/siRJWRHapG0/s320/Europe+2010+293.jpg" /> The airline was nice enough to give us food vouchers for the airport. So after waking up at 3:30am we finally arrived in Bergen at 11:00pm. We were so happy that at first we didn't realize that the ground was covered in snow!<br /><div></div><br /><div>The first night we took a taxi into Bergen to stay the night (since the rental car companies where closed). We were not too prepared on how cold it would be! The hotel we stayed in was nice, but we could never figure out how to turn on the heat! The only thing we could find was a little space heater. So that night we slept in our hats and coats. It wasn't until the morning that we figured out where the thermostat was!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534045016841006178" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzgn0fULGI/AAAAAAAABB8/oPVtDXChytE/s320/Europe+2010+294.jpg" /></div><div>One of our main goals while visiting Norway was to see the Stangeland Farm. All growing up I have heard about the Stangeland Farm from my Great Aunt Shirley. In fact when my sister and I were in elementary school we would go to her house once a week for Norwegian lessons. So I was excited to finally see where the Stangeland family came from! Unfortunately I am afraid to admit that my Norwegian is severely lacking and I remember very little of it. Shirley, I promise to practice more before my next trip!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 357px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534045008623027250" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzgnV3_xDI/AAAAAAAABB0/tUJhzFdJkxw/s320/Europe+2010+554.jpg" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 353px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534037311566401026" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzZnUGsTgI/AAAAAAAABBs/AdNWSxAyKBI/s320/Europe+2010+688.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 346px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534037310076483810" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzZnOjd-OI/AAAAAAAABBk/_hRWIC1Ggvo/s320/Europe+2010+694.jpg" /></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 347px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534037299827419250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzZmoX5qHI/AAAAAAAABBc/G-XlEx4X6Fc/s320/Europe+2010+712.jpg" /></div><div>We spent the first day driving around the fjords. It was breathtaking!! The last day we spent exploring Bergen.....</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 241px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534037282984383346" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzZlpoNU3I/AAAAAAAABBU/13CgyjE4zLk/s320/Europe+2010+738.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534037274342166706" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzZlJbvkLI/AAAAAAAABBM/l1IbwEbdD7U/s320/Europe+2010+733.jpg" />The trip was incredible! This was not my usual expression.... this was after carrying my backpack around for two weeks and at this moment we had just missed our train. (Each day it seemed to get much much heavier!) I was telling Matt that I cannot run anymore.....</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 321px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 217px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534049745127190226" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TMzk7CulrtI/AAAAAAAABC8/jU8mrO8ZxO0/s320/Europe+2010+773.jpg" /></div><div>This was more my usual expression- I love this man and I love Europe!!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 353px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 237px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534396934859961794" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/TM4gsJRWtcI/AAAAAAAABDU/iVe9zIi45nE/s320/Europe+2010+500.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-75170301630646072742009-12-15T09:49:00.009-06:002009-12-15T11:00:41.800-06:00Hallelujah!!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye--IfTN1I/AAAAAAAAA-0/4r2VEOJ_T6o/s1600-h/DSC02844.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415507051576244050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye--IfTN1I/AAAAAAAAA-0/4r2VEOJ_T6o/s320/DSC02844.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415506777416634930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye-uLKjkjI/AAAAAAAAA-s/lt_NijbFSuI/s320/DSC02852.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye5q7nxBDI/AAAAAAAAA-E/gKRr5afKk4o/s1600-h/DSC02855.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501224146437170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye5q7nxBDI/AAAAAAAAA-E/gKRr5afKk4o/s320/DSC02855.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye46-rldhI/AAAAAAAAA98/X4jIHXOWGgE/s1600-h/DSC02834.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415500400334042642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye46-rldhI/AAAAAAAAA98/X4jIHXOWGgE/s320/DSC02834.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye46uwvKKI/AAAAAAAAA90/gQs89G9ck9M/s1600-h/DSC02835.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415500396060682402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye46uwvKKI/AAAAAAAAA90/gQs89G9ck9M/s320/DSC02835.JPG" border="0" /></a> After two very long years it has finally come to an end! I graduated with my Advanced Practice Nursing Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! I could not have made it without it!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415507784070007266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye_oxPbCeI/AAAAAAAAA-8/ra68cp4MoWs/s320/DSC02987.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-61943886257023881352009-12-15T09:47:00.019-06:002009-12-15T10:49:50.224-06:00Our Last Trip....<div align="center"> A week ago we left on our last trip to Spokane, for finals.<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye58eB3VxI/AAAAAAAAA-c/n7sQbu6zcik/s1600-h/DSC02824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415501525440485138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye58eB3VxI/AAAAAAAAA-c/n7sQbu6zcik/s320/DSC02824.JPG" border="0" /></a> After my last lecture and finals were over we spent the remaining of the weekend playing and trying to stay warm!!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye3X1LDKRI/AAAAAAAAA9U/y1Qh8CeQbr4/s1600-h/DSC02913.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415498696974608658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye3X1LDKRI/AAAAAAAAA9U/y1Qh8CeQbr4/s320/DSC02913.JPG" border="0" /></a> The goat who eats trash!! (and tried to eat my hand)<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye3XUcogMI/AAAAAAAAA9M/Y1GxsidrIFg/s1600-h/DSC02911.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415498688189989058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye3XUcogMI/AAAAAAAAA9M/Y1GxsidrIFg/s320/DSC02911.JPG" border="0" /></a> The whole weekend was freezing! The high was 16 degrees with windchill -5, at night the windchill was -17! <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye2jJFZvmI/AAAAAAAAA88/12x1x9OEo1g/s1600-h/DSC02863.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415497791786565218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye2jJFZvmI/AAAAAAAAA88/12x1x9OEo1g/s320/DSC02863.JPG" border="0" /></a>On Monday afternoon we headed to Riverside State Park to go hiking.... that only lasted for five minutes though! (Way too cold!)<br /><div><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye2iAXTsDI/AAAAAAAAA8s/LRKlIg4wjlQ/s1600-h/DSC02873.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415497772265877554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye2iAXTsDI/AAAAAAAAA8s/LRKlIg4wjlQ/s320/DSC02873.JPG" border="0" /></a>So then we headed to downtown Spokane.... That lasted for 20 minutes!!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye2hqFJOaI/AAAAAAAAA8k/hsCMdIlZLc0/s1600-h/DSC02889.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415497766284114338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye2hqFJOaI/AAAAAAAAA8k/hsCMdIlZLc0/s320/DSC02889.JPG" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1iicFr-I/AAAAAAAAA8U/JLnaeVAPMxY/s1600-h/DSC02894.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415496681901109218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1iicFr-I/AAAAAAAAA8U/JLnaeVAPMxY/s320/DSC02894.JPG" border="0" /></a> Spokane Falls<br /><div><div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1iENjvqI/AAAAAAAAA8M/h-9aKQi1G_c/s1600-h/DSC02923.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415496673787100834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1iENjvqI/AAAAAAAAA8M/h-9aKQi1G_c/s320/DSC02923.JPG" border="0" /></a> My face was frozen in the picture!<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1hojMtEI/AAAAAAAAA8E/49fJ7uRycuE/s1600-h/DSC02924.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415496666361672770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1hojMtEI/AAAAAAAAA8E/49fJ7uRycuE/s320/DSC02924.JPG" border="0" /></a>So then we headed to Cour'de Lane, Idaho... to walk around the lake and antique shop!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1hVFAhUI/AAAAAAAAA78/Euv35FA1G8A/s1600-h/DSC02949.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415496661134771522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1hVFAhUI/AAAAAAAAA78/Euv35FA1G8A/s320/DSC02949.JPG" border="0" /></a>Mudgy, Midgy, & Matt<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1g2VbtxI/AAAAAAAAA70/U-AsSi1iDhk/s1600-h/DSC02950.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415496652882163474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye1g2VbtxI/AAAAAAAAA70/U-AsSi1iDhk/s320/DSC02950.JPG" border="0" /></a> The last night we were there we decided to stay downtown in a historic hotel to celebrate!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415495241735446834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye0OtZ1oTI/AAAAAAAAA7M/g_hy5fY-djI/s320/DSC02984.JPG" border="0" />Amazing flat screen TV!<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye0QoNzdVI/AAAAAAAAA7s/HXRreBLh924/s1600-h/DSC02960.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415495274702533970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye0QoNzdVI/AAAAAAAAA7s/HXRreBLh924/s320/DSC02960.JPG" border="0" /></a><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415495250928332866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye0PPpl8EI/AAAAAAAAA7U/m2vS77k1px0/s320/DSC02982.JPG" border="0" /> Dinner at Luigi's!<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye0Pvaq5dI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Tcny0L-vAJ8/s1600-h/DSC02977.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415495259455677906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye0Pvaq5dI/AAAAAAAAA7c/Tcny0L-vAJ8/s320/DSC02977.JPG" border="0" /></a> It was an awesome final trip! Gonzaga we are going to miss you! Thanks for being so good to us!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415504526352904658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sye8rJTI8dI/AAAAAAAAA-k/bJXxZJUFoUY/s320/DSC02871.JPG" border="0" /> <div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-16508325587331796832009-12-12T21:14:00.013-06:002009-12-15T10:01:41.726-06:00Happy 30th Birthday!!<div align="center"> This past weekend we celebrated Matt's 30th birthday!</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SyexfBVvgBI/AAAAAAAAA68/SWgDhc9Gjnc/s1600-h/DSC02995.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415492223430000658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SyexfBVvgBI/AAAAAAAAA68/SWgDhc9Gjnc/s320/DSC02995.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SyexFuQE2sI/AAAAAAAAA6s/z_c9-AkJvlY/s1600-h/DSC02998.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415491788809231042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SyexFuQE2sI/AAAAAAAAA6s/z_c9-AkJvlY/s320/DSC02998.JPG" border="0" /></a> For his birthday, he is going skiing after finals week with Rob, Bryan (my brother), and Aaron (my cousin)!<br /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415492671106404914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Syex5FEHUjI/AAAAAAAAA7E/ZRLd_bDL0dg/s320/DSC02992.JPG" border="0" />Happy Birthday Babe!! I love you so much!!<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SyRdRk8h6GI/AAAAAAAAA6U/csnDBIhLWmo/s1600-h/Copy+of+m13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414555208562894946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SyRdRk8h6GI/AAAAAAAAA6U/csnDBIhLWmo/s320/Copy+of+m13.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-47081643766054104342009-11-22T13:19:00.003-06:002009-11-22T13:26:45.048-06:00Gonzaga Basketball<div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SwmPe7FR-DI/AAAAAAAAA58/xj8lmlxlyPQ/s1600/DSC02801.JPG"></a> An ideal evening at home...... </div><div align="center">doing homework and watching Gonzaga basketball. </div><div align="center">(okay,well almost an ideal evening....)<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SwmPP8o9aRI/AAAAAAAAA5s/utnJWD5gMDI/s1600/DSC02802.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407010331773724946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SwmPP8o9aRI/AAAAAAAAA5s/utnJWD5gMDI/s320/DSC02802.JPG" /></a>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-84388706222205902762009-11-13T20:23:00.005-06:002009-11-13T20:27:51.440-06:004 Weeks Until......<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sv4VYz5nRNI/AAAAAAAAA5k/csN1iCLZXmk/s1600-h/hats.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403780118884074706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sv4VYz5nRNI/AAAAAAAAA5k/csN1iCLZXmk/s320/hats.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">This makes me smile.....<br /><br /></div><div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-39420838012024600172009-11-01T20:07:00.006-06:002009-11-05T17:50:07.826-06:00Happy Halloween!<div align="center">This year for Halloween we were foosball players.....</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj-lV9wXI/AAAAAAAAA5U/ipbc1MXeIzA/s1600-h/DSC02784.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400770304974635378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj-lV9wXI/AAAAAAAAA5U/ipbc1MXeIzA/s320/DSC02784.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj-fbmj_I/AAAAAAAAA5M/yfv8Bw7nZIM/s1600-h/DSC02786.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400770303387668466" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj-fbmj_I/AAAAAAAAA5M/yfv8Bw7nZIM/s320/DSC02786.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj962F0GI/AAAAAAAAA5E/y_nlqFIMxMA/s1600-h/DSC02788.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400770293566656610" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj962F0GI/AAAAAAAAA5E/y_nlqFIMxMA/s320/DSC02788.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj9kv6EDI/AAAAAAAAA48/0_QhlAlzVN8/s1600-h/DSC02790.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400770287635140658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SvNj9kv6EDI/AAAAAAAAA48/0_QhlAlzVN8/s320/DSC02790.JPG" /></a> We had so much fun, but it was a little difficult to walk around....</div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-56257368760282718982009-10-27T12:48:00.034-05:002009-10-28T20:19:04.440-05:00Fall 2009 Spokane Trip<div align="center">This past week I made my second to last trip to Spokane for midterms. This time my parents accompanied me on my journey! Thankfully I passed my midterms and I am currently on schedule for a December graduation! (yikes!). The first day we arrived I gave my parents a brief tour of Spokane before hitting the books. Then they spent the next few days with a tour of Coeur d'Alene, Seattle, and Port Townsend! </div><div align="center"><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4bYxxaHI/AAAAAAAAA34/89RQoSgboCA/s1600-h/DSC02662.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397344721585662066" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4bYxxaHI/AAAAAAAAA34/89RQoSgboCA/s320/DSC02662.JPG" /></a> The fall colors were amazing!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397344730475518594" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4b55R2oI/AAAAAAAAA4A/XPG0DJD3UCc/s320/DSC02661.JPG" />Spokane Falls<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4azFDOmI/AAAAAAAAA3w/uYWJCE_FUjY/s1600-h/DSC02657.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397344711465974370" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4azFDOmI/AAAAAAAAA3w/uYWJCE_FUjY/s320/DSC02657.JPG" /></a> Gonzaga<br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4aDAeYgI/AAAAAAAAA3g/ZdG6-eo4onc/s1600-h/DSC02678.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397344698561880578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc4aDAeYgI/AAAAAAAAA3g/ZdG6-eo4onc/s320/DSC02678.JPG" /></a> Harvest House at Green Bluff Orchards- We ate the most amazing apple-huckleberry pie, that we had to go back for seconds!!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397351515841054754" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc-m3WfSCI/AAAAAAAAA4I/lm3n2q1ieSI/s320/DSC02667.JPG" />Our trip to Portland- First we hiked to the top of Beacon Rock.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc14M4Ju1I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/ejmEeQRA9wg/s1600-h/DSC02719.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397341918072519506" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc14M4Ju1I/AAAAAAAAA3Y/ejmEeQRA9wg/s320/DSC02719.JPG" /></a> Beacon Rock <div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc13U81ThI/AAAAAAAAA3I/1jWhn2uWqjU/s1600-h/DSC02727.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397341903059766802" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc13U81ThI/AAAAAAAAA3I/1jWhn2uWqjU/s320/DSC02727.JPG" /></a> Dad hanging on for dear life!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc13OJr7rI/AAAAAAAAA3A/pLrWKq0c8ps/s1600-h/DSC02723.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397341901234630322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc13OJr7rI/AAAAAAAAA3A/pLrWKq0c8ps/s320/DSC02723.JPG" /></a> Then we visited Multnomah Falls....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc0i0kOhcI/AAAAAAAAA24/wjSBWXuvv94/s1600-h/DSC02736.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397340451257615810" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc0i0kOhcI/AAAAAAAAA24/wjSBWXuvv94/s320/DSC02736.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc0K4DF-sI/AAAAAAAAA2w/LUEFeGuLiGE/s1600-h/DSC02739.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397340039875525314" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Suc0K4DF-sI/AAAAAAAAA2w/LUEFeGuLiGE/s320/DSC02739.JPG" /></a> The top of the falls looking down....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SuczuS1WnmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/89v0DZ9n8Ck/s1600-h/DSC02751.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397339548849446498" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SuczuS1WnmI/AAAAAAAAA2o/89v0DZ9n8Ck/s320/DSC02751.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SuczS7Ghx-I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/8wuEpk9h-C4/s1600-h/DSC02757.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397339078622562274" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SuczS7Ghx-I/AAAAAAAAA2Y/8wuEpk9h-C4/s320/DSC02757.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sucy0JEG-uI/AAAAAAAAA2I/JRA6grxJmW8/s1600-h/DSC02765.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397338549794568930" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sucy0JEG-uI/AAAAAAAAA2I/JRA6grxJmW8/s320/DSC02765.JPG" /></a> My new best friend!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397338795724752834" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SuczCdObx8I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/Ld16-a6x15g/s320/DSC02772.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-62246630152225424252009-10-19T20:14:00.025-05:002009-10-28T20:13:59.224-05:0060th Wedding Anniversary<div align="center">On October 22, 1949 The Loebers (Matt's grandparents) were married. We recently were given the privilege to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with them!</div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucyMwb8HNI/AAAAAAAAA14/cNpVK7JjsE8/s1600-h/DSC02611.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397337873168735442" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucyMwb8HNI/AAAAAAAAA14/cNpVK7JjsE8/s320/DSC02611.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucyAAqWb1I/AAAAAAAAA1w/bRYXwvbBdVs/s1600-h/DSC02623.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397337654185848658" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucyAAqWb1I/AAAAAAAAA1w/bRYXwvbBdVs/s320/DSC02623.JPG" /></a><br /><div><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucxR0q3vMI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/i88_XclprDw/s1600-h/DSC02631.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397336860692823234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucxR0q3vMI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/i88_XclprDw/s320/DSC02631.JPG" /></a> I hope that we are still this in love in 60 years! They are such an awesome testament to us!<br /><div><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sucw2PIm42I/AAAAAAAAA1I/Knf6oz3vrXY/s1600-h/DSC02634.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397336386760532834" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Sucw2PIm42I/AAAAAAAAA1I/Knf6oz3vrXY/s320/DSC02634.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucwnObvoUI/AAAAAAAAA1A/KAhw1YxJ3aE/s1600-h/DSC02641.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397336128874324290" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucwnObvoUI/AAAAAAAAA1A/KAhw1YxJ3aE/s320/DSC02641.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucwXxdMswI/AAAAAAAAA04/CBXpKJY-8Tk/s1600-h/DSC02644.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397335863397757698" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SucwXxdMswI/AAAAAAAAA04/CBXpKJY-8Tk/s320/DSC02644.JPG" /></a> Happy Anniversary!! Thanks for sharing it with us!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-60017517365676182102009-10-15T10:15:00.015-05:002009-10-15T17:45:24.046-05:00Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall!!<div align="center"> Fall is one of my most absolute favorite times of the year!! I especially have welcomed the colder weather that fall brings! So goodbye summertime I will miss you, but I will not miss your extraordinary heat, roasting in our tiny apartment, taking cold showers just to try to stay cool, the dreaded loud window unit which feels as if you are sitting directly in front of a wind tunnel and requires us to turn on the caption function on the tv just to understand what the people are saying (I never appreciated the beauty of central heat and air until I moved into our little apartment, I promise to never take it for granted again!). So hello beautiful fall, I love your weather, I welcome the fact that I no longer have to read captions while watching tv, that I can finally open the blinds and welcome the sunlight in (no longer needing to block out the heat), that I am no longer required to use paperweights to hold down my papers while doing homework, and that I can finally take hot showers! Although with the welcoming of the fall comes the realization that winter's cold weather is just around the corner.........<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392847393399686642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc-Ibt6xfI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/SQiLjDgvqqg/s320/fall+001.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392847622513374226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc-VxO4NBI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/Arsp-d9caQs/s320/fall+002.jpg" border="0" />Not only has fall been welcomed into our apartment but the excitement of the upcoming holiday season, starting with Halloween.....<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc-1ZDLxpI/AAAAAAAAA0o/nojzDDzUYoc/s1600-h/Carol%27s+Cam+028.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392848165777688210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc-1ZDLxpI/AAAAAAAAA0o/nojzDDzUYoc/s320/Carol%27s+Cam+028.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc-kiYG9DI/AAAAAAAAA0g/1K7_pBYxJNI/s1600-h/Carol%27s+Cam+053.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392847876223595570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc-kiYG9DI/AAAAAAAAA0g/1K7_pBYxJNI/s320/Carol%27s+Cam+053.jpg" border="0" /></a> Of course our lives have not changed that much, although this picture was taken last year it is pretty much identical to the current state of our apartment and how we spend our evenings....<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392848382734387682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Stc_CBRsSeI/AAAAAAAAA0w/MWOqN74v8DY/s320/Apt+life1.jpg" border="0" /> <div>T-minus 2 months....</div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-74217550679083146732009-10-03T22:13:00.002-05:002009-10-03T22:18:14.664-05:00The Flu..<div align="center"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#000000;"> </span>Just a friendly reminder:</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;color:#cc0000;">Get your flu shot, it just might save a life!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SsgS7HhnUhI/AAAAAAAAAz4/uPkfQTuixPI/s1600-h/flu2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388577760990417426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SsgS7HhnUhI/AAAAAAAAAz4/uPkfQTuixPI/s320/flu2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5388577865623112786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SsgTBNT_jFI/AAAAAAAAA0A/cj8HwiMEebw/s320/flu1.gif" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-80731630957806275212009-09-20T15:54:00.014-05:002009-09-25T21:19:17.776-05:00A Message....<div align="center">A couple days ago I went out to lunch with my preceptor. It was there that I received my message from God via fortune cookie.......<br /><br /></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385405721314872834" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrzN-G5UTgI/AAAAAAAAAzw/82Z6hfIV9jY/s320/Fortune%2520Cookie.jpg" /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#000099;"><em>"Remember three months from this date. Good things are in store for you."</em><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:78%;color:#333333;">(I tried to take a picture of my fortune but it would not show up on camera)<br /></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Three months from the day I received my message I will:<br /></div><div align="center">1. Learn that graduate school is not for everyone.... (that I was not meant to write prescriptions for Amoxicillin on a daily basis, but at least I will be free from doing homework on a nightly basis :) ) </div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;"></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:180%;">or</span></div><div align="center"><br />2. I will <strong>graduate</strong> with my degree as an Advanced Practice Nurse!!!</div><br /><div align="center">I hope for the sake of the bank (who we borrowed student loans from) and my husband's sanity that the latter rather than the former is true! 3 months and counting.......</div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-24523483441875478762009-09-19T17:59:00.008-05:002009-09-19T19:28:55.275-05:00The Tradition Continues...<div align="center">The Stangeland family has a long history of running Cross-Country. It all started with my grandfather who started the Cross-Country program in Ponca City and coached many successful teams. It continued with my dad and uncle running in high school, and my dad running in college. So it should have been no surprise to me that when I failed to master softball (only hit the ball once), soccer (never even kicked the ball), volleyball (I ducked anytime the ball came in my direction), and well basketball (I didn't even bother trying)... that my dad strongly suggested that I try Cross-Country. My thought 'this shouldn't be too bad, there is not a ball, and really how hard can running be'. I quickly learned that cross-country is a very difficult and challenging sport and I loved it! So once again there was a Stangeland runner on the Ponca City Cross-country team.... soon my sister Melissa was running, and my cousin Laura, then my brother Bryan.... </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> Dad and I at the Tulsa Run in 1997</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVu-Et1MpI/AAAAAAAAAzI/1xOHIeC30B0/s1600-h/41.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 220px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383330942288212626" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVu-Et1MpI/AAAAAAAAAzI/1xOHIeC30B0/s320/41.jpg" /></a> We were very excited when my cousins Brianne and Michael decided to run Cross-Country this year, and enjoyed watching them race! The tradition continues on....<br /></div><div align="center">Grandad, Michael, and I<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVuHKMFluI/AAAAAAAAAzA/bMXy1hTwTxM/s1600-h/DSC02582.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383329998864488162" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVuHKMFluI/AAAAAAAAAzA/bMXy1hTwTxM/s320/DSC02582.JPG" /></a>Brianne and I after her race...<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVt-t8mQiI/AAAAAAAAAy4/sDri0Br8AiA/s1600-h/DSC02576.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383329853844374050" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVt-t8mQiI/AAAAAAAAAy4/sDri0Br8AiA/s320/DSC02576.JPG" /></a> </div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-30798601521159249592009-09-17T09:26:00.002-05:002009-09-19T18:47:20.502-05:00The Best Cake Ever!<div align="center"> Although we have taken so many fun trips lately, the past two years have not been easy. Especially the past couple of semesters, with working, clinical rotations, and homework. Matt has been the absolute best. He has been such an awesome support to me from ironing my clothes, cleaning house, cooking dinner, running errands, quizzing me before tests and never once complaining! This time though he really went above and beyond..... the past week or so I have been craving cake. (No, I am not pregnant- I have always had strong and crazy cravings, just ask my past roommates). Well yesterday evening after getting home from clinicals (It had been a long week with work and clinicals for the past 6 days) and Matt surprised me with dinner and a chocolate cake that he had made just for me in our tiny gas lit oven!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383328860269833538" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SrVtE4l97UI/AAAAAAAAAyw/9eS2euaFfbU/s320/DSC02571.JPG" /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-12947788814680307602009-09-01T15:48:00.044-05:002009-09-19T18:34:43.705-05:00California 2009<div align="center">The last two and half weeks Matt, my mom, my grandpa, and I were in Palo Alto, CA for my clinical rotation at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. (The second week my sister and Dad joined us). I spent two weeks working with the pediatric pain team (which included a full time golden retriever- an official pain and palliative care dog). It was an incredible clinical experience, and of course we managed to have fun on the down times as well! </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378439686814008578" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQOZiJphQI/AAAAAAAAAx0/87ZxzZykepU/s320/DSC02547.JPG" /> Lucille Packard Children's Hospital<br /><div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378439030727489346" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQNzWCbt0I/AAAAAAAAAxk/87KyAySFLKU/s320/DSC02421.JPG" /></div><div>One of our favorite things to do in the evening was to walk to the outdoor Stanford Mall. </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378439206212453154" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQN9jxTwyI/AAAAAAAAAxs/pjPCsCDlzxs/s320/DSC02567.JPG" /></div><div>Of course we would always visit See's Candies for our free sample! Yum!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378438721938746946" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQNhXtdbkI/AAAAAAAAAxc/yfXnbdb2Ea4/s320/DSC02431.JPG" /> Stanford campus at night.<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378060495579029266" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK1hsuMnxI/AAAAAAAAAts/jsqQ7LidnEk/s320/DSC02240.JPG" /></div><div>One of the best things about the trip was getting to spend time with our good friends Lailah and Ryan! They took us on the best sightseeing tours! On one of our trips we stopped off at a Maze, which were lost in for a good 30 minutes!</div><div> </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378438499780497074" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQNUcGzjrI/AAAAAAAAAxU/ZKXd6U7G8RM/s320/DSC02249.JPG" /> The Beach at Half Moon Bay!<br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378438378778361186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQNNZVpfWI/AAAAAAAAAxM/dLuO88CQ0zk/s320/DSC02273.JPG" /> Playing in the Ocean!</div><div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378438098038251810" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQM9Df_YSI/AAAAAAAAAxE/yq3DyYhDmUg/s320/DSC02269.JPG" /> Racing the waves....<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437914685550962" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQMyYdTMXI/AAAAAAAAAw8/rLVX4TAIryc/s320/DSC02280.JPG" /></div><div>The first weekend we were there, Matt, my mom, my grandpa, and I went to San Francisco for the afternoon to visit Fisherman's Wharf and the Golden Gate Bridge!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437796134415922" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQMre0gbjI/AAAAAAAAAw0/6Pdq2t_eRsk/s320/DSC02284.JPG" /></div><div>We were having a great time eating seafood and walking the streets of San Francisco.... until we got back to our car..... We soon found out that someone liked our car so much that they decided to break in and steal Matt's backpack...</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437571634083186" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQMeafdNXI/AAAAAAAAAws/UqRDqLZ89w0/s320/DSC02291.JPG" /></div><div>Of course that didn't stop of from having fun! </div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378436345078120674" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQLXBNugOI/AAAAAAAAAwE/5gIrQ3YIZrE/s320/DSC02344.JPG" /></div><div>Having a picnic at the park...</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378440360860704562" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQPAxK53zI/AAAAAAAAAx8/_AWCdOyjv3I/s320/DSC02349.JPG" /> Watching the Black Swan at the Stanford Theater!<br /><div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378436677153735250" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQLqWSuQlI/AAAAAAAAAwM/9drbAcHcjG4/s320/DSC02355.JPG" /></div><div>During the day, while I was working hard at the hospital, my mom, Matt, and grandpa would head to the beach to look for sea glass.....</div><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQMK65VmrI/AAAAAAAAAwk/8gO_xwu4PA8/s1600-h/DSC02311.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378437236735187634" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQMK65VmrI/AAAAAAAAAwk/8gO_xwu4PA8/s320/DSC02311.JPG" /></a> Matt and I talked about how fun it would be to live out here, but we decided that this is probably the only house we could afford...<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378063387212651490" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK4KA5YG-I/AAAAAAAAAvc/Hra4HbCixn8/s320/DSC02443.JPG" /></div><div>Eating dinner at haunted restaurant on the coast of Half Moon Bay...</div><div><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQL3PeSp8I/AAAAAAAAAwU/mWuwYN5kNnQ/s1600-h/DSC02336.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378436898661509058" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQL3PeSp8I/AAAAAAAAAwU/mWuwYN5kNnQ/s320/DSC02336.JPG" /></a> Playing in tide pools at the beach in Monterey......<br /><br /><div><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQLJnZHmyI/AAAAAAAAAv8/5z_zFe4vdSo/s1600-h/DSC02370.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378436114808281890" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqQLJnZHmyI/AAAAAAAAAv8/5z_zFe4vdSo/s320/DSC02370.JPG" /></a><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378062766491077442" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK3l4h0i0I/AAAAAAAAAvM/-ygVJZ3otHY/s320/DSC02469.JPG" /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK49ve_wXI/AAAAAAAAAv0/jUDNjDZTAZ4/s1600-h/DSC02402.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378064275891798386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK49ve_wXI/AAAAAAAAAv0/jUDNjDZTAZ4/s320/DSC02402.JPG" /></a> The second time we went to San Francisco Lailah and Ryan took us.... We had a blast visiting Union Square, Golden Gate Park, and Haight Ashbury...<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378063912205369234" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK4okpZP5I/AAAAAAAAAvk/7lvyAdyi64s/s320/DSC02414.JPG" /></div><div>Although it got a little chilly....<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK4zHNeTPI/AAAAAAAAAvs/w95sio8hAEQ/s1600-h/DSC02417.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378064093282192626" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK4zHNeTPI/AAAAAAAAAvs/w95sio8hAEQ/s320/DSC02417.JPG" /></a></div><div><div><div>Another evening spent at the Stanford Theater watching William Holden in Picnic and Sunset Boulevard.....<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK332hIq7I/AAAAAAAAAvU/p0r6_geIro8/s1600-h/DSC02453.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378063075188976562" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK332hIq7I/AAAAAAAAAvU/p0r6_geIro8/s320/DSC02453.JPG" /></a> Our last weekend was spent at Monterey playing in the ocean....<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK3dBDl3-I/AAAAAAAAAvE/G0uQutU_I20/s1600-h/DSC02471.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378062614161383394" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK3dBDl3-I/AAAAAAAAAvE/G0uQutU_I20/s320/DSC02471.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK3TADITjI/AAAAAAAAAu8/1aiTdtV7I_s/s1600-h/DSC02485.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378062442092318258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK3TADITjI/AAAAAAAAAu8/1aiTdtV7I_s/s320/DSC02485.JPG" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2-MJvr-I/AAAAAAAAAus/cHntCLt58Xc/s1600-h/DSC02477.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378062084564037602" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2-MJvr-I/AAAAAAAAAus/cHntCLt58Xc/s320/DSC02477.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2u-PnANI/AAAAAAAAAuk/bDsBprKXgt4/s1600-h/DSC02493.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378061823132500178" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2u-PnANI/AAAAAAAAAuk/bDsBprKXgt4/s320/DSC02493.JPG" /></a>Melissa, Mom, and I on Cannery Row<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2kwPOeLI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-eiwiTtEmxg/s1600-h/DSC02500.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378061647574104242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2kwPOeLI/AAAAAAAAAuc/-eiwiTtEmxg/s320/DSC02500.JPG" /></a> Watching the sunset...<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2bz3EfrI/AAAAAAAAAuU/EtSRQnS1BLA/s1600-h/DSC02505.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378061493927706290" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2bz3EfrI/AAAAAAAAAuU/EtSRQnS1BLA/s320/DSC02505.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2TpAqPBI/AAAAAAAAAuM/LrYRaZEF3AM/s1600-h/DSC02517.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378061353576184850" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2TpAqPBI/AAAAAAAAAuM/LrYRaZEF3AM/s320/DSC02517.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2KsgRbaI/AAAAAAAAAuE/PFFyOCWLUZM/s1600-h/DSC02523.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378061199895260578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqK2KsgRbaI/AAAAAAAAAuE/PFFyOCWLUZM/s320/DSC02523.JPG" /></a>It was an awesome trip and we are so thankful to have this experience!<br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-36231945331872517122009-08-13T19:40:00.009-05:002009-09-07T16:59:04.760-05:00It has finally come full circle.....<span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><em>February 15, 2000- Tuesday</em></span><br /><em></em><br /><em>" Today I checked into the hospital. I was greeted by my team of physicians. They all seem very nice. Tonight will be my first official night in the hospital, luckily my room is not too bad. I have a nice enough view from my window of the front entrance of the hospital and a small garden, which is littered with flowers....but I still don't want to stay.... the food is gross, I have to share a shower with the entire unit, and it SMELLS like a hospital! I pray for strength and an open mind to help me make it through....."</em><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">My first hospital room</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378549829581441602" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRykr7wikI/AAAAAAAAAyY/j5YxYVcX2S8/s320/DSC02227.JPG" /><br /><em>February 23, 2000- Wednesday</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>" Today was a crazy day! At 2pm I left for a nerve block procedure. First they wheeled me to the OR at Stanford hospital, then back to the OR at Children's hospital. When I finally got back to my room it was 6pm- with the medication I received before the procedure though, I didn't care what was going on...."</em><br /><em></em><br /><div align="center">After a nerve block procedure- I actually feel okay in this picture, but my dad and I thought it would be funny if I pretended to look very sick.... (I still was a little out of from the anesthesia) <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378549989866465010" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRyuBCr5vI/AAAAAAAAAyg/IVtHVTAq8w4/s320/DSC02230.JPG" /></div><div align="left"><em>March 21, 2000- Tuesday</em></div><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left"><em>" ....During physical therapy today we set some <strong>very</strong> hard goals (well more like the physical therapist): 1. To walk heel-toe <strong>all</strong> of the time 2. Range of Motion goal of 5 degree dorsiflexion 3. While walking on the treadmill reach the speed of 3 mph in 1 minute 4. Walk up and down stairs alternating feet....."</em></div><div align="left"></div><div align="center">My second hospital room- Spring Break when Melissa and Bryan came out for a visit. Bryan immediately climbed right up in bed with me.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRzHYwaV9I/AAAAAAAAAyo/sLPyxajlp_M/s1600-h/DSC02234.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378550425728997330" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRzHYwaV9I/AAAAAAAAAyo/sLPyxajlp_M/s320/DSC02234.JPG" /></a><br /><div align="left"><em>April 3, 2000- Monday</em></div><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>" Today is my first day to be outpatient. They still want me to meet at the hospital at 8 am to begin a full day of activities including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and of course school. I took the courtesy van from the McDonald house to the hospital this morning, but they informed me that they want me to start walking to the hospital in the morning as part of my physical therapy..... I am not sure how I feel about this...."</em><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center">The Ronald McDonald House</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRyZ2Y7r0I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/NjrUq7wn9f8/s1600-h/DSC02233.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378549643409600322" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRyZ2Y7r0I/AAAAAAAAAyQ/NjrUq7wn9f8/s320/DSC02233.JPG" /></a> Lucile Packard Children's Hospital<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRyG66uS-I/AAAAAAAAAyI/FNMJm_APrT0/s1600-h/DSC02546.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378549318207556578" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SqRyG66uS-I/AAAAAAAAAyI/FNMJm_APrT0/s320/DSC02546.JPG" /></a><br /><div>For those of you who don't know, it will be 10 years ago in November that I was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy or CPRS (<a href="http://www.rsds.org/">http://www.rsds.org/</a>). It is a chronic debilitating painful nerve disorder resulting from a previous injury causing nerves to misfire and send constant pain signals to the brain. The sympathetic nerves become overactive causing intense burning pain along with swelling, changes in skin color and temperature. I was diagnosed November 7, 1999 and was given a poor prognosis. Although RSD usually begins in an extremity, eventually it will spread throughout the body. I was told that I would be crippled and in pain the rest of my life and there was nothing that could be done. My mom did not care for that answer and began doing intensive research to find a place that has had success in treating children with RSD. She found Stanford Medical Center. In February 2000, after multiple treatments in Oklahoma City, we headed to Palo Alto, California. What I thought would be a two week stay ended up being a ten week stay. Although this was not an easy road I am very thankful for the path that was taken and the support I received along the way, as I have been in remission for a little over 8 years! In a few days I will be returning to this hospital for a clinical rotation for school, to work with the same medical staff who took care of me nine years ago. I am excited to return and learn as a provider and not as a patient. My hope is that I will be to come away with the ability to provide hope to those in pain as they provided hope to me so many years ago.....</div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-5050484030415608422009-08-10T08:37:00.017-05:002009-08-12T23:10:12.203-05:00A Girl's Weekend........<div align="center"> Growing up my grandmother would spend her summers in the Branson area. She has very fond memories of those summers and has decided to share that experience with us girls! Every summer for the past 14 years my grandmother (or Grammy as I call her) takes all of her granddaughters to Branson for a weekend of shopping and shows! These trips are undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year!!!<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369291408923148930" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOOFrRrwoI/AAAAAAAAAtM/D28Y23LBdB8/s320/DSC02155.JPG" /> Every summer one of our first stops is lunch at College of the Ozarks. It is where Grammy's mom went to school...... (They also have the best food!)<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369291249523890114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoON8Zd8F8I/AAAAAAAAAtE/ErHM-DBlxfM/s320/DSC02158.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369291006720910162" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoONuQ9Mo1I/AAAAAAAAAs8/Gmv6To184UE/s320/DSC02161.JPG" /> Shopping is always a must on these trips! We hit the shops at the crack of dawn and don't stop until it is dark..........<br /></div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369290825435114290" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoONjtnS6zI/AAAAAAAAAs0/g56m41hQBA8/s320/DSC02173.JPG" /> Of course we love our shoes!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369290625534344258" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoONYE7PPEI/AAAAAAAAAss/09cD4E8n7gw/s320/DSC02172.JPG" />Success!!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369290449811078514" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoONN2Ti_XI/AAAAAAAAAsk/pEykAAUl01Y/s320/DSC02174.JPG" />Every evening we see a show. The first night we saw the 12 Irish Tenors. An absolute must!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369290260282720242" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoONC0Qdv_I/AAAAAAAAAsc/4Q79vHXiSrs/s320/DSC02175.JPG" /><br /><div> We also always visit Taneyville, where grammy's grandpa's (my great-great-grandfather) old general store is. It is currently an antique store!<br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369290100852881730" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOM5iVbeUI/AAAAAAAAAsU/wto1mJyDgW8/s320/DSC02193.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369294350601151650" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOQw54X5KI/AAAAAAAAAtU/tTs1hdScmOg/s320/DSC02188.JPG" /> From there we head to one of the old farms......<br /><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMnxCTsVI/AAAAAAAAAsE/g-oPcrfkMcI/s1600-h/DSC02199.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369289795561566546" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMnxCTsVI/AAAAAAAAAsE/g-oPcrfkMcI/s320/DSC02199.JPG" /></a> Lunch at the tea room....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMeCMBlrI/AAAAAAAAAr8/oa2U8TJxa4Y/s1600-h/DSC02204.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369289628367034034" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMeCMBlrI/AAAAAAAAAr8/oa2U8TJxa4Y/s320/DSC02204.JPG" /></a>The second show we saw was Peter Pan....<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMTruIbhI/AAAAAAAAAr0/6qNxMVEwfyc/s1600-h/DSC02207.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369289450537381394" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMTruIbhI/AAAAAAAAAr0/6qNxMVEwfyc/s320/DSC02207.JPG" /></a>After a successful trip we head home with a full car load eager to return next year!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMH5yHKxI/AAAAAAAAArs/vu8Iz0wXBug/s1600-h/DSC02222.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369289248153742098" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOMH5yHKxI/AAAAAAAAArs/vu8Iz0wXBug/s320/DSC02222.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-37054207403912053732009-08-10T08:36:00.022-05:002009-08-12T22:42:41.805-05:005 semesters down 1 to go......<div align="center">After completing and passing my final exams (for the summer), Matt and I decided to celebrate by spending a couple days in Seattle! First stop, Matt's Mecca also known as the REI home store!</div><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369280978342504578" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOEmiVd6II/AAAAAAAAAp8/eUhxhk6pLb4/s320/DSC02027.JPG" /><br /><div align="center">The next stop... The Farmer's Market.......</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOIVGtbQ3I/AAAAAAAAArk/XB0Nn0zzyVE/s1600-h/DSC02049.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369285076915536754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOIVGtbQ3I/AAAAAAAAArk/XB0Nn0zzyVE/s320/DSC02049.JPG" /></a> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div><div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369281378654407618" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOE91nQy8I/AAAAAAAAAqE/jdOIUbJT5l8/s320/DSC02044.JPG" /></div><div align="center">Yum!</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369281716144736770" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOFRe3OigI/AAAAAAAAAqU/43m0y7vEkmQ/s320/DSC02041.JPG" /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369282000835063522" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOFiDasLuI/AAAAAAAAAqc/Qxw7XkBUPKg/s320/DSC02072.JPG" /> Day two we headed to "Little Norway"......</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369282637352111650" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOGHGoLjiI/AAAAAAAAAqs/TxHXtEwWG50/s320/DSC02104.JPG" /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369282520078591618" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOGARv_poI/AAAAAAAAAqk/YBEB0nB-NjU/s320/DSC02099.JPG" /></div><div align="center">from there we headed to Olympic National Park!</div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369282796546079234" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOGQXq-ugI/AAAAAAAAAq0/YssXf6nrcsc/s320/DSC02115.JPG" /> We ended the weekend watching the sunset on the beach! A perfect ending to an almost perfect weekend, (If only Seattle had not set the record high temp of 103, while we were there!).</div><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369283523167791746" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOG6qjGKoI/AAAAAAAAAq8/lgqxz1W9_lY/s320/DSC02126.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369283675559106114" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOHDiQBFkI/AAAAAAAAArE/WMUcdREkJgA/s320/DSC02133.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369284016068336258" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SoOHXWvvmoI/AAAAAAAAArU/et3eqedcQ7k/s320/DSC02129.JPG" /> <div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div> </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-5614203081861291172009-07-14T21:48:00.003-05:002009-07-14T21:53:27.539-05:00Vital Signs<div align="center">We are still alive....I promise!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">We will post more about our last trip to Spokane, the 4th of July, and fun around Apt. C very soon.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Until then....stay cool and be very thankful if you live in a place where the temperature is under 105!</div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-87345535395151404002009-07-05T21:09:00.021-05:002009-08-12T22:04:35.344-05:00The 4th of July Celebration<div align="center">The Stangeland family Loves the 4th of July, and every year we celebrate not just one day but several days! This year our celebration started with a "friendly" wiffle ball game!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355163848966670530" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFdJdOsCMI/AAAAAAAAAm8/mfmQG3nbf6Q/s320/DSC01922.JPG" /> Day two consisted an afternoon at Sun N Fun (the local water park) followed by a "friendly" game of laser tag.......<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355164153042687282" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFdbKAD1TI/AAAAAAAAAnM/UbC07Z5vEeo/s320/DSC01931.JPG" />Talking strategy.....<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355164504825846658" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFdvofs24I/AAAAAAAAAnc/lZx-FGkx9io/s320/DSC01943.JPG" /></div><br /><div>The Players.......</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355164908970016242" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFeHKDLffI/AAAAAAAAAns/8plgdsTpN8s/s320/DSC01954.JPG" /></div><br /><div>The cousins.....</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355165437793884482" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFel8EnWUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/8ev7TnM71WI/s320/DSC01959.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Our nightly gatherings at Braums!</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355165725784505506" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFe2s67fKI/AAAAAAAAAoM/VuN7KDflkyQ/s320/DSC01962.JPG" /></div><br /><div>Day three started with a trip to the original homestead....</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166401771041170" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFfeDKrcZI/AAAAAAAAAos/cxnCEVM_PIc/s320/DSC01983.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166609594840466" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFfqJXu9ZI/AAAAAAAAAo0/r_NdgsDCMiI/s320/DSC01984.JPG" /></div><br /><div>The rain could not keep us away.......</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355165917146147842" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFfB1zGbAI/AAAAAAAAAoU/2mw_oe-o96U/s320/DSC01973.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166200221063890" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFfSUVa2tI/AAAAAAAAAok/smRBxXk_2pg/s320/DSC01982.JPG" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166047002562114" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFfJZjSDkI/AAAAAAAAAoc/p9CYWyrBSJY/s320/DSC01980.JPG" /></div><br /><div>The evening of the 4th was celebrated with Matt's family with a game of home run derby and fireworks! (Matt was the champion!)</div><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355166985703868370" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SlFgACfHR9I/AAAAAAAAApE/ZZA48hHMHdk/s320/DSC01985.JPG" /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-44142921223428216382009-06-07T17:29:00.013-05:002009-06-08T10:03:01.232-05:00Series Premiere<div align="center">If you read our blog with any regularity you realize that we live in what some people would call a bad part of town. Others might use the word "sketchy" to describe our particular neighborhood. While some might even say that we live in "the hood". Despite all these lovely adjectives describing our place of residence, Carol and I both love living in this area (midtown OKC) and we feel safe and secure in our lovely little apartment. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344720398118833538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 168px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SixC4nGoTYI/AAAAAAAAAkc/u5LLbsCHs98/s320/midtown+okc.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">We have, however, noticed and experienced many things during our almost two years living here and these experiences and events have led us to begin this new blog series called...</p><p align="center">Oh wait...I don't really have a title for this new series. I need help coming up with some kind of catchy title. For now we will go with<em>...<strong>"You know you live in 'the hood' when..."</strong></em><br /></p><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">...A homeless man uses the telephone pole outside your apartment as his own personal bathroom.</span></strong></div>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-40218858079827538872009-05-26T08:37:00.007-05:002009-06-07T17:26:51.292-05:00A House Concert to Remember.....<div align="center">Carol and I both love music and we like finding new, unknown artists to listen to and follow. Well awhile back, Bryan (Carol's brother) and I were looking through random music on iTunes and came across this guy named Chris O'Brien. He is a singer/songwriter from the Boston area and we immediately fell in love with his music. We downloaded his one, and only album, from iTunes and listened to it all the time. I joined his online mailing list and always hoped that one day he would play a show somewhere even remotely close to Oklahoma.</div><div align="center">The great news is...not only did he play close to Oklahoma...he played in our friend's (Lisa and Jay) living room!! Chris had sent out an email to fans asking if anyone was interested in hosting a house concert in the Texas, Arkansas, area. Bryan and Carol convinced me to go ahead and send an email even though it didn't specifically ask for shows in Oklahoma. To my utter shock and surprise I got a call the next day from none other than Chris O'Brien! He said he would love to play here and we proceeded to set up a date and time. I couldn't believe this was actually going to happen.</div><div align="center">Anyway, the day of the concert came and Chris showed up just as we had planned. He was a super nice guy and we had a great time getting to know him and listening to some amazing music. He is amazingly talented and we loved every minute of his concert!</div><div align="center">You can check out part of Carol's favorite song below and hear more of his music at <a href="http://www.chrisobrienmusic.com/">www.chrisobrienmusic.com</a></div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Siw5RwwSInI/AAAAAAAAAkU/U0Q3ruKhxao/s1600-h/Carol%27s+Cam6-7-09+007.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344709835089912434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Siw5RwwSInI/AAAAAAAAAkU/U0Q3ruKhxao/s320/Carol%27s+Cam6-7-09+007.jpg" border="0" /></a> Lisa, Chris, and Carol</div><div align="center"><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Siw5RkjgV8I/AAAAAAAAAkM/yx0Te241UP4/s1600-h/Carol%27s+Cam6-7-09+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344709831815092162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/Siw5RkjgV8I/AAAAAAAAAkM/yx0Te241UP4/s320/Carol%27s+Cam6-7-09+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> Chris playing in Lisa's living room!<br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='390' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzt3YsmfvYublMTIbJ8IUQlUWnOu6V3hruNWcCnMlJaImxRkEnxdO60h9to8HNvWYaVOVMdZlsvSvGFXrCaNQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2843206887517588492.post-49879777363785069222009-05-06T08:33:00.018-05:002009-05-06T09:05:28.782-05:00Two Years...<div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGXFYs4zeI/AAAAAAAAAkA/UbVkpKEMkO0/s1600-h/Our+Wedding+Pics+CD2+006.jpg"></a> <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332706239403195890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGUEiMi_fI/AAAAAAAAAjI/f7U-IgmWlh8/s320/Anna%27s+Pics+of+the+Wedding+052.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332705133044895298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGTEIsLDkI/AAAAAAAAAio/52lBWr9NWlA/s320/Bridal+Portraits+004.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332704008231815122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGSCqb1h9I/AAAAAAAAAiA/BAeunlXNkNI/s320/Our+Wedding+Pics+CD2+071.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332704401186180530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGSZiTdTbI/AAAAAAAAAiQ/-FeuLXOZjZs/s320/Our+Wedding+Pics+CD2+117.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332704617252667730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGSmHNuQVI/AAAAAAAAAiY/NVHDz97m6vk/s320/Our+Wedding+Pics+CD2+173.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332705319861502514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGTPAouQjI/AAAAAAAAAiw/mwQJ2HaPSeI/s320/Our+Wedding+Pics+CD3+023.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332706316940553730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGUJDC5LgI/AAAAAAAAAjQ/W0amvLrOkiE/s320/Anna%27s+Pics+of+the+Wedding+053.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332707012508118562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGUxiPH7iI/AAAAAAAAAjg/pWkiq5KFLrA/s320/Our+Wedding+Pics+CD3+050.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332707544074385874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGVQeeZedI/AAAAAAAAAjw/8h1HdBIF42w/s320/Anna%27s+Pics+of+the+Wedding+038.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332706102226276498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGT8jLBUJI/AAAAAAAAAjA/lFTkgmDa5lM/s320/Anna%27s+Pics+of+the+Wedding+054.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332707681683058210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Mh1vpAUdrWA/SgGVYfG3LiI/AAAAAAAAAj4/iPLH3uYMfi4/s320/Anna%27s+Pics+of+the+Wedding+050.jpg" border="0" /></div><p align="center">I still can't believe it has been two years.....time has flown by so fast......</p>Matt & Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01188635097408726255noreply@blogger.com2