tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32341651526580768272024-03-13T05:55:30.986-07:00Los SorensensRyan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-71022493235891740302011-06-29T21:45:00.000-07:002011-06-29T21:48:30.666-07:00Who's the bigger kid.....<div style="text-align: center;">....Elena or her grandpa?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRwXHEjcaRI/Tgv_s2qI83I/AAAAAAAACmU/mWmgJKZlpwo/s1600/grandpa%2Bsquirts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jRwXHEjcaRI/Tgv_s2qI83I/AAAAAAAACmU/mWmgJKZlpwo/s400/grandpa%2Bsquirts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623869705753785202" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-10561231091844411902011-06-19T14:05:00.000-07:002011-06-27T21:31:08.863-07:00On the Go<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Please excuse the silence from this blog. We've had a full few months since BBS's graduation in April. Here is a recap of the highlights:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>We were able to see <b>family</b> in the NW in May. Some highlights were time with siblings & parents, good coffee, trees (clean air!), hiking, meeting our sweet nephew Ethan, a little free time for us while the grandparents took care of Elena, a trip to Fred Meyers (I know that sounds really weird but So.Cal doesn't have Freddy's and I've never found any store quite like it...where else can you get Nancy's yogurt and a pair of Levis on sale?), and a visit with friends from Tijuana (now living in Tacoma) Miguel & Shawna.</div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cGziGhkdbtA/TglVPkJkJFI/AAAAAAAACl0/RgjbhcFW7g8/s320/e%2526e.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623119335638967378" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Elena showing Ethan (5mos) how to properly look at books</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lWgUWblcEq8/TglVP5P79-I/AAAAAAAACl8/T_DC88QKcHI/s320/sor%2526sant.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623119341302839266" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From Tijuana to Tacoma....it had been a year since our dear friends left Tijuana so we were delighted to meet up with them in Portland. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Elena turned <b>TWO</b>. Has it really been two years since that incredible and long labor experience? That 3 month blur of not freaking out at every new newborn sound, figuring out how to nurse in public, and hearing many sweet Mexican women chant "¡aye, que linda bebe....que bonitos ojos....mira la princesa!"? And has it already been a year since she started walking (and falling)? Since she first said "favor" (as in "por favor"--please)? Yep. She is now a little girl who is just as busy, sweet, and inquisitive as the first time we laid eyes on her.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tk0zumYic2M/Tf5rv3HiHgI/AAAAAAAAClU/dPDjvCy6oLU/s400/e%2526richell.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620047854998527490" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Elena and Richell at a jungle-like fruit/taco stand in Tijuana....what else would a 2 year old want for her birthday than a fresh veggie-fruit juice? Okay, maybe its just a Sorensen thing</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that you've traveled with me down Elena memory lane, I'm pleased to announce that Mike and Melissa are the proud parents of <b>Thomas Joseph</b> <b>Lenard</b> (better known as Tommy) born June 7. Something I discovered after experiencing the process of birth with Elena is how much I love it. Okay, labor is labor and hard work <i>but</i> it is also an amazing, fascinating, and inspiring process. I have been honored to be beside both my sisters as they gave birth. So quite recently I've spent a lot of time at Mike and Melissa's. Elena and I spent a week with M&M awaiting Tommy's arrival. He was cozy where he had been all 9+ months so we went back to Tijuana for a few days until he was ready to leave the comfort of his mommy's womb. I was able to travel back without Elena (Super Dad took great care of her for 4 days) to more fully support Liss during labor, delivery and after. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-herDXAiEZUw/TglSqrFhMoI/AAAAAAAAClk/HEx8eFOT4mM/s320/T%2B%2526%2BGrandmaB.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623116502822630018" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Stephs' mom with Tommy (2wks) and Elena</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjXyu0bEfoM/Tf5qOkT8qZI/AAAAAAAAClE/z5vL_FQ2oCM/s400/sisters%2526kids.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620046183503014290" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My sisters and our kids (from left: Erika & Addie, Melissa & Tommy, Me & Elena). </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div>We were blessed with a trip to <b>Big Bear Lake</b> in June. Some friends of BBS gave us a few nights at a time share so we thoroughly enjoyed exploring this place new to us. Another benefit was that Mike and Melissa's is on the way so we got to see them and my mom and sister who were visiting. </div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SO7Sg2Et_XY/Tf5pEBKDHZI/AAAAAAAACk8/an7LVvmRAG8/s400/dirty%2Bface.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620044902755933586" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hiking near the Lake...Elena was in heaven with the endless dirt (she's not that unevenly tan), large pinecones, sticks, and streams. </span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6QSXfiMsDEQ/TglUQARaozI/AAAAAAAACls/rV7BaJFObVs/s1600/swimming.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6QSXfiMsDEQ/TglUQARaozI/AAAAAAAACls/rV7BaJFObVs/s320/swimming.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623118243676463922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We discovered that Elena loves the swimming pool. She asked to go to "swimming time" each day. </span></div></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-8068833251752217592011-04-14T08:35:00.001-07:002011-04-14T09:02:48.964-07:00Sisters, Showers and Joshua Tree<div style="text-align: center;">What could be better for this mamma's soul....time with my sisters, a baby shower celebrating Tommy's arrival in May, and a day to hike around Joshua Tree Nat'l Park.</div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMO1qyGW0lg/TacXuNY0tdI/AAAAAAAACkQ/a1R6jwVm9l0/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMO1qyGW0lg/TacXuNY0tdI/AAAAAAAACkQ/a1R6jwVm9l0/s320/IMG_3974.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595467144666330578" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGYoExv8wGw/TacXtXJH5hI/AAAAAAAACkI/ZvF5cJYQH4g/s1600/IMG_3987.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hGYoExv8wGw/TacXtXJH5hI/AAAAAAAACkI/ZvF5cJYQH4g/s320/IMG_3987.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595467130104964626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A mountain named after my beloved husband (No big deal that is almost kicked our out of shape rear ends!) </span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZQLRc2WCVw/TacXtV1LOGI/AAAAAAAACkA/qMpxLO8vG6A/s1600/IMG_3992.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9ZQLRc2WCVw/TacXtV1LOGI/AAAAAAAACkA/qMpxLO8vG6A/s320/IMG_3992.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595467129752860770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Apparently she couldn't handle the length of the hike</span></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3J6yYY4MLrA/TacXsyxagSI/AAAAAAAACj4/t2WeCtPaNqM/s1600/IMG_4009.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3J6yYY4MLrA/TacXsyxagSI/AAAAAAAACj4/t2WeCtPaNqM/s320/IMG_4009.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595467120341844258" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkNpz3YyZtU/TacXsdU3yzI/AAAAAAAACjw/yk-cIh2GekE/s1600/IMG_3999.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dkNpz3YyZtU/TacXsdU3yzI/AAAAAAAACjw/yk-cIh2GekE/s320/IMG_3999.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595467114584984370" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Elena was thrilled to be let loose to explore the sand, rocks, sticks, bugs, etc.</span></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_D1eVOTOeg/TacW__m3R-I/AAAAAAAACjo/4_BLGSHD9ow/s1600/IMG_3963.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X_D1eVOTOeg/TacW__m3R-I/AAAAAAAACjo/4_BLGSHD9ow/s320/IMG_3963.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595466350693140450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Liss and Mike are very loved by their church. They threw a shower for her and over 30 ladies attended....Tommy has a big extended family excited to meet him!</span></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhh7wvxHAbs/TacW_xzwGTI/AAAAAAAACjg/b6kEmumJYqk/s1600/IMG_3903.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bhh7wvxHAbs/TacW_xzwGTI/AAAAAAAACjg/b6kEmumJYqk/s320/IMG_3903.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595466346989099314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Crossing paths in California...we had a few precious hours between our arrival at Mike and Melissa's and Erika's return to Oregon</span></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zpNJ0YwbDU/TacW_kPG_wI/AAAAAAAACjY/twj6dl2IDxE/s1600/IMG_3889.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4zpNJ0YwbDU/TacW_kPG_wI/AAAAAAAACjY/twj6dl2IDxE/s320/IMG_3889.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595466343345749762" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Addie (one year old) and Elena (almost two years old)</span></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-38804830310908956812011-03-21T08:35:00.001-07:002011-03-21T08:37:28.865-07:00At her finest<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhnJt3Ko4E0/TYdwUAK_20I/AAAAAAAACiY/wsbfLjklV3k/s1600/happy%2Bshopper.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PhnJt3Ko4E0/TYdwUAK_20I/AAAAAAAACiY/wsbfLjklV3k/s400/happy%2Bshopper.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586557351722212162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This sums up some of the things that Elena enjoys right now: food, hanging out with mom, being outside and not just stuck in her car seat doing errands all day long. Hmmm, I like all these things, too. </span></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-26358921926615211452011-02-06T09:08:00.001-08:002011-02-09T19:57:30.463-08:00NOT a Box<div style="text-align: center;">I suppose one test of the quality of a children's author is how a book they've written effects the little reader. Well, Elena has been inspired by Antionette Portis' book "Not a Box". We've recently discovered the treasure that the Chula Vista library is for children's books. Elena, like most children, has always been a fan of boxes. Right after reading this book, which is about a bunny who uses an ordinary box for extraordinary adventures, she went for the closest empty box-looking object she could find (in this case, a laundry basket). She sat in it and proudly looked through her new book. I suppose she was not <i>actually</i> in a box, she was <span style="font-style:italic;">really</span> in a boat or spaceship. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TU7VoqjCVHI/AAAAAAAAChA/zSClBHaboLM/s1600/IMG_3769.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TU7VoqjCVHI/AAAAAAAAChA/zSClBHaboLM/s320/IMG_3769.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570624683696608370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TU7VoYeXa5I/AAAAAAAACg4/1Hr2ead0_KI/s1600/IMG_3770.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TU7VoYeXa5I/AAAAAAAACg4/1Hr2ead0_KI/s320/IMG_3770.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570624678845180818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">"Its my Not-a-Box!"</span></i></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-86667539956709683402011-01-31T07:48:00.000-08:002011-01-31T18:32:28.344-08:00Come unto Me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TUbdDgLIK1I/AAAAAAAACgs/QW6qkog8ebk/s1600/IMG_3539.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TUbdDgLIK1I/AAAAAAAACgs/QW6qkog8ebk/s400/IMG_3539.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568381041536150354" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div>I've been very encouraged by this short message from Amy Carmichael. As I reflect on it, I realize that the Lord has placed many of these souls (compassionate, caring souls) in my life. My life has been enriched by you so I post this hoping it serve as an encouragement to you in return. You know who you are if these words resound within you.<div><br /></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Sometimes we think of the invitation of Matthew 11:28 as if it had been spoken to sinners burdened by their sin. It is to them, of course, but not only (perhaps not chiefly) to them. That is why the words over the door of the House of Prayer are "Come to Me." Those dear words are to us all, and each time we cross the threshold of that House, our Lord says to each one--calling him or her by name--Come to Me. </span></i></div><div><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>In the Aramaic it is "Come unto Me all you who are tired out and carrying burdens." Perhaps the burden that is tiring you out is not your sin (for that has been forgiven) but the sin of another, a soul dear to you. Sometimes it s the weariness of illness, or the tiredness after pain. Sometimes it is the inability to help others as you long to do; the burden of a loving heart can be a heavy burden. The words come fresh as dew to us every morning, "Come unto Me, all you who are tired out and carrying burdens, and I will give you rest."</span></i> </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><i>Edges of His Ways</i><i>, January 18</i></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you for being examples to Ryan and me and showing Christ to us through your lives. May this rich piece of truth spurn us on to share with and pray for those yet to know a Savior who is waiting to carry their burdens, too. </div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-25337550840895983222011-01-17T14:00:00.001-08:002011-01-17T15:37:31.569-08:00Highlights from the Holidays<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFq2SfMsI/AAAAAAAACec/A4kwbg4ahZs/s1600/Sub%2Bin%2BSnow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFq2SfMsI/AAAAAAAACec/A4kwbg4ahZs/s400/Sub%2Bin%2BSnow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563288779627639490" /></a><div>1. The Subaru (affectionately called "the subie") finally experienced snow in Payson, AZ.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFqVEFGgI/AAAAAAAACeU/A_6L1ZKiUvE/s1600/ry-ry.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 381px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFqVEFGgI/AAAAAAAACeU/A_6L1ZKiUvE/s400/ry-ry.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563288770708838914" /></a>2. Mike and Melissa are having a boy! I've named him Ry-Ry after my dear husband but they have some other ideas. We'll let you know his real name in May when he arrives.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTBGZ3mOeI/AAAAAAAACd8/mA87HZ0XQek/s1600/Grandpa%2Btime.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTBGZ3mOeI/AAAAAAAACd8/mA87HZ0XQek/s400/Grandpa%2Btime.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563283755476859362" /></a></div>3. The Castillo experienced (and survived) all Steph's immediate family and their spouses over Christmas weekend. We also spent time at Mike & Melissa's. I love watching Elena with her family and especially her grandparents. <div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFqPYMZeI/AAAAAAAACeE/uo5j4vWWMYA/s1600/little%2Bgirls.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFqPYMZeI/AAAAAAAACeE/uo5j4vWWMYA/s400/little%2Bgirls.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563288769182590434" /></a><div>4. Elena loves her baby cousin Addie. When she first saw her she exclaimed, "baby" and tried to pick her up. Don't let this picture fool you, she played well with Addie & enjoyed patting her and giving her hugs. </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFqFwefOI/AAAAAAAACeM/EPTHG2hIVM8/s1600/Luis%2527.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTFqFwefOI/AAAAAAAACeM/EPTHG2hIVM8/s400/Luis%2527.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563288766600084706" /></a><div>4. We enjoyed Christmas eve in Tijuana with our friends Luis & Aide, and much of their extended family. And somehow we managed to sleep that night even with all the fireworks and loud music.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTBGG-JJzI/AAAAAAAACd0/uaQxsvjZbfo/s1600/beach%2Bgirl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TTTBGG-JJzI/AAAAAAAACd0/uaQxsvjZbfo/s400/beach%2Bgirl.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563283750404040498" /></a>5. The first week of January we resumed classes at the beach. Yep, tough life. BBS was given a weeks stay at a resort in <a href="http://www.bajaandbeyond.blogspot.com/">Rosarito</a> so thats where we held classes. It took Elena awhile to be okay with walking in the sand but strangely enough she didn't cry when she fell in the ocean (I'm not <i>that</i> horrible of a mom...I was watching closely, I just didn't expect her lose her balance when the water came to her toes).</div></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-67363887587164483192010-12-24T09:28:00.000-08:002010-12-24T10:32:28.591-08:00Payson, Arizona<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">We were given a generous gift by some friends from the NW--a weeks stay anywhere we wanted using their timeshare. We decided on a place we'd never been but fit a few requirements: 1. It was less than one full day's drive from Tijuana and 2. It was in the mountains where we could step out our door and be surrounded by fresh air and hiking. What we came up with was a lodge about 20 minutes outside of Payson, AZ. Payson has a small town feel, similar to where each of us grew up. It boasted a Starbucks in the Safeway and had a great park with a lake that Elena couldn't get enough of (she is quite enamored with ducks). We were 20 minutes the other direction from the Mongollon Rim. I'd never heard of it either--think Columbia Gorge without the River. What it meant for us was beautiful vistas, few people, hiking and snow. </span> </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZF6ATFSI/AAAAAAAACc0/CSSlJ2nsxtc/s1600/IMG_3701.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZF6ATFSI/AAAAAAAACc0/CSSlJ2nsxtc/s320/IMG_3701.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302935947744546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Our very own cabin</span></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZFYXh6eI/AAAAAAAACcc/eOqoNM8uL90/s1600/IMG_3688.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZFYXh6eI/AAAAAAAACcc/eOqoNM8uL90/s320/IMG_3688.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302926918380002" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The week started sunny and ended with snow. This was Elena's first experience with snow--she wasn't too sure about it but did like our snowball fight.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYqe3ZsGI/AAAAAAAACcU/bHg6Vytn4UM/s1600/IMG_3681.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYqe3ZsGI/AAAAAAAACcU/bHg6Vytn4UM/s320/IMG_3681.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302464806203490" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYqSVNKhI/AAAAAAAACcM/PwNGUYzwshY/s1600/IMG_3675.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYqSVNKhI/AAAAAAAACcM/PwNGUYzwshY/s320/IMG_3675.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302461441550866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A view of the Rim from below.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYqNZoM3I/AAAAAAAACcE/4jt0Qxbsq_4/s1600/IMG_3641.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYqNZoM3I/AAAAAAAACcE/4jt0Qxbsq_4/s320/IMG_3641.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302460117922674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A view of below from the Rim.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZFqvcB2I/AAAAAAAACcs/DP7f2DLyEDc/s1600/IMG_3664.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZFqvcB2I/AAAAAAAACcs/DP7f2DLyEDc/s320/IMG_3664.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302931850495842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So this is where vacation with a toddler looks different than before. We found the local library and came back the next day </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">because</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> of its play room and toddler story time. I've not found this type of thing in TJ so we were pretty excited. Oh how life changes. </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZFYEwHcI/AAAAAAAACck/C8XDm2p--Mw/s1600/IMG_3665.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTZFYEwHcI/AAAAAAAACck/C8XDm2p--Mw/s320/IMG_3665.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302926839619010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYp5G21oI/AAAAAAAACb8/8tjvb93vgY4/s1600/IMG_3624.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTYp5G21oI/AAAAAAAACb8/8tjvb93vgY4/s320/IMG_3624.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554302454670481026" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;">Another experience with Elena that I am grateful for--slowing down to enjoy the scenery. We spent a lot of time gathering leaves, sticks and rocks and throwing them into the creek. We also spent a lot of time sitting by the creek (ok, I was holding her jacket so she wouldn't nose dive into it) watching things float down and listening to the water. It was a sort of forced peacefulness that I wouldn't have enjoyed the same without her.</div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTbpx1dYTI/AAAAAAAACc8/RRyqnf5fE_w/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TRTbpx1dYTI/AAAAAAAACc8/RRyqnf5fE_w/s320/IMG_3623.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554305751253344562" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Below is a video of Elena's fascination with ducks. You can tell its contagious</span>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxlqs-9Jo-NAPzBwP559OeZhL5HoRx7Otxk532EqFoRsmweORt-i_fddFrt83yt5nVYHJBrq8-uAYPAAmXB7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-41157752377221501762010-12-07T17:47:00.001-08:002010-12-07T17:50:38.258-08:00Las Playas con Amiguitos<div style="text-align: center; ">Here are a few photos of a recent visit with our friends Drew, Bibi and their son, Micah. He and Elena seem to get along pretty well.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7ixIFYFVI/AAAAAAAACbo/eUQ09Nq0G3s/s1600/IMG_3580.JPG"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7ixIFYFVI/AAAAAAAACbo/eUQ09Nq0G3s/s400/IMG_3580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548121124578530642" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7imNmOkHI/AAAAAAAACbg/52oYQ8weWM4/s1600/IMG_3581.JPG"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7imNmOkHI/AAAAAAAACbg/52oYQ8weWM4/s320/IMG_3581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548120937079935090" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7iloidBII/AAAAAAAACbY/daZtXKxGVFc/s1600/IMG_3585.JPG"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7iloidBII/AAAAAAAACbY/daZtXKxGVFc/s320/IMG_3585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548120927131993218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7ilEe55AI/AAAAAAAACbQ/LnjKrFrsQCM/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7ilEe55AI/AAAAAAAACbQ/LnjKrFrsQCM/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7ilEe55AI/AAAAAAAACbQ/LnjKrFrsQCM/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7kM-xao4I/AAAAAAAACbw/ZhM_LqTNBsM/s1600/IMG_3588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TP7kM-xao4I/AAAAAAAACbw/ZhM_LqTNBsM/s320/IMG_3588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548122702626857858" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-58213781761265135582010-11-21T09:18:00.000-08:002010-11-22T09:12:44.977-08:00Coloring!<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyofbdJfjPQNLCTjQoKTX4SI7AkLe_63cmCvkrVIayJCYtU5i4wyYtismeAeOctH5IOpP_wXXiVEBsFUj_Gyw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-2079085069977960212010-11-11T17:05:00.000-08:002010-11-14T15:35:40.080-08:00San Diego Zoo<div style="text-align: center;">I've lived next door to San Diego for over 5 years now and this is my first time visiting the infamous San Diego Zoo. Liss and I took Elena last week. Elena's reaction, before she saw any animals, was "oohhh". Then she saw the ducks, turtles, and fish (near the entrance) and could hardly stand it. She chattered for the first 20 minutes straight.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVoASFDkI/AAAAAAAACaw/V7Q2Ssh3emk/s1600/IMG_3638.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVoASFDkI/AAAAAAAACaw/V7Q2Ssh3emk/s320/IMG_3638.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538466156262002242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVoBTE80I/AAAAAAAACao/5JrppDO8xjw/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVoBTE80I/AAAAAAAACao/5JrppDO8xjw/s320/IMG_3634.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538466156534625090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVn9nXqcI/AAAAAAAACag/QxjhHGfKDtM/s1600/IMG_3635.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVn9nXqcI/AAAAAAAACag/QxjhHGfKDtM/s320/IMG_3635.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5538466155545995714" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TNyVnv2VvPI/AAAAAAAACaY/92yCENqD3-Y/s1600/IMG_3633.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"><br /></span></div></a><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwszere4265R8Bm1oPKNntzZR_LjWA-UObl0ScwD7zJjIlK0iHliml3FORMLOt0MVwLMLG9MZtkuxGVc9CZXQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-39010918095378395792010-10-23T15:53:00.000-07:002010-10-23T15:58:15.126-07:003 Amigas<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TMNnpN_ejZI/AAAAAAAACaQ/FgTmXh4F_fU/s1600/IMG_3535.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TMNnpN_ejZI/AAAAAAAACaQ/FgTmXh4F_fU/s400/IMG_3535.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531378725169302930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These twins have become Elena's buddies at our friend's <span style="font-style:italic;">casa hogar</span>. They're about a year and a half older than her. When we visit, they come running to the gate saying, "Nena, Nena" and Elena squeals with delight. It's good to be known and appreciated regardless of your age.</div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-48896282505700629992010-10-13T12:54:00.001-07:002010-10-13T13:01:18.133-07:00Fall on the PorchFall, as in the weather. The porch has proved to be a great place for Elena to play. Each month something new and exciting shows up for her to enjoy. Lately its been the dried leaves that gather in the corner. There are also brooms that are left outside which she enjoys dragging behind her. And then last week Jonny (a student this year) purchased a skateboard. Who needs to spend money on new toys when these things provide so much fun! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOuAqI5dI/AAAAAAAACYg/u5hrq0mBRBs/s1600/IMG_3521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOuAqI5dI/AAAAAAAACYg/u5hrq0mBRBs/s320/IMG_3521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527621776257377746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOt5dAOZI/AAAAAAAACYY/hC_gt2RTRK8/s1600/IMG_3522.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOt5dAOZI/AAAAAAAACYY/hC_gt2RTRK8/s320/IMG_3522.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527621774323235218" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOtk2TQzI/AAAAAAAACYQ/51tr2G6wFN8/s1600/IMG_3524.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOtk2TQzI/AAAAAAAACYQ/51tr2G6wFN8/s320/IMG_3524.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527621768792195890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOtfumXNI/AAAAAAAACYI/fLsq-YYNcgk/s1600/IMG_3572.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TLYOtfumXNI/AAAAAAAACYI/fLsq-YYNcgk/s320/IMG_3572.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527621767417715922" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-84913003940179410192010-10-03T16:21:00.000-07:002010-10-03T16:40:45.101-07:00Primer Piñata<div style="text-align: center;">This week Elena attended her first kid's birthday party in Mexico (referred to as a <i>piñata</i>). She was thoroughly entertained watching the other kids and exploring the grounds. They had rented two jump houses--one for big kids and another for little kids. She wanted to join the big kids but settled for rolling around in the smaller one. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera handy to catch those shots. Below you can see her on the left in the pink skirt eagerly watching the bigger kids play.</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5pZdaKI/AAAAAAAACYA/63K1QA2pUx4/s1600/IMG_3520.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5pZdaKI/AAAAAAAACYA/63K1QA2pUx4/s320/IMG_3520.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967199521106082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Elena was completely enthralled with the Mario <i>piñata</i>. She didn't take a swing at him but as you can see from the sequence of events following, she did manage to get a <i>paleta</i> (sucker) out of the deal. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5k9UJ0I/AAAAAAAACX4/ufIPIvJujl4/s1600/IMG_3521.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5k9UJ0I/AAAAAAAACX4/ufIPIvJujl4/s320/IMG_3521.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967198329317186" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5cBDo3I/AAAAAAAACXw/ehMvFvxHGjo/s1600/IMG_3524.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5cBDo3I/AAAAAAAACXw/ehMvFvxHGjo/s1600/IMG_3524.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5cBDo3I/AAAAAAAACXw/ehMvFvxHGjo/s320/IMG_3524.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967195929092978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5GKQAiI/AAAAAAAACXo/JBgTEt1cRpM/s1600/IMG_3525.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5GKQAiI/AAAAAAAACXo/JBgTEt1cRpM/s320/IMG_3525.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967190062072354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5KiLq9I/AAAAAAAACXg/g-g_LFDesJ0/s1600/IMG_3526.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TKkS5KiLq9I/AAAAAAAACXg/g-g_LFDesJ0/s320/IMG_3526.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523967191236193234" /></a><br /><br /></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-64526874993705879032010-09-16T16:15:00.000-07:002010-09-17T14:02:17.846-07:00Staff Retreat<div style="text-align: center;">Summer has come to an end. Where we live in Tijuana, this is notable when you wake to a morning marine layer, the border lines are longer with students in school uniforms, jackets become more common as we gather for dinner on the porch, and you see millions of Mexican flags preparing for today's celebration (Independence Day...<span style="font-style:italic;">vive México</span>!).</div><div style="text-align: center;">Before we arrived at this particular week, our first week back in classes at BBS, we spent a week as a staff in Rosarito beach preparing our hearts and minds for this upcoming year. A generous couple from Seaside, OR donated a week of their timeshare so that we could stay at a beautiful condo/resort on the beach. They've allowed us to stay there before and its become a favorite of our staff because of the beautifully landscaped grounds, quiet nooks, easy access to the beach, and rustic bungalos overlooking the ocean. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnvmxjQxI/AAAAAAAACWA/9j4h4kFd-VI/s1600/IMG_3677.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnvmxjQxI/AAAAAAAACWA/9j4h4kFd-VI/s320/IMG_3677.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656929786348306" /></a><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnt7fPdwI/AAAAAAAACVg/56KRCHF8PwY/s320/IMG_3627.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656900986959618" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnvMt62tI/AAAAAAAACV4/GrgB8gJgtXw/s1600/IMG_3630.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnvMt62tI/AAAAAAAACV4/GrgB8gJgtXw/s320/IMG_3630.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656922791795410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i>one of our evening activities was decorating muffins to look like the person whose name was drawn; if you look carefully, you'll notice elena under the table. she likes to be where the action is. </i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnumWOXxI/AAAAAAAACVw/3eikpixU2-U/s1600/IMG_3638.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnumWOXxI/AAAAAAAACVw/3eikpixU2-U/s320/IMG_3638.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656912491863826" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>from left: ryan, dan, kim, richell, heid</i>i</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnuH7boTI/AAAAAAAACVo/1csltRzY02A/s1600/IMG_3640.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnuH7boTI/AAAAAAAACVo/1csltRzY02A/s320/IMG_3640.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656904326422834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">kim made ryan with an avocado helmet and motorcycle. heidi made dan with extra long fingernails from dried orange peels to signify his guitar-playing hand. when lyndsay (dan's wife) saw his likeness in muffin from she said, "that is disgusting"</span></i>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnGKFpR0I/AAAAAAAACVY/QY8PB65MFjY/s1600/IMG_3642.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnGKFpR0I/AAAAAAAACVY/QY8PB65MFjY/s320/IMG_3642.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656217711363906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnFXZM7mI/AAAAAAAACVQ/C4tdn3rD11E/s1600/IMG_3657.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnFXZM7mI/AAAAAAAACVQ/C4tdn3rD11E/s320/IMG_3657.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656204103183970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnExb5VvI/AAAAAAAACVI/63pu9y_Yz0M/s1600/IMG_3659.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnExb5VvI/AAAAAAAACVI/63pu9y_Yz0M/s320/IMG_3659.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656193913935602" /></a><i><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:small;">one evening we had some friends from tijuana visit. the Davis family have a son about two years older than elena. she and rhys really enjoy playing with each other. they're funny to watch because they like to imitate one another. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div></i><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnEYQ4BAI/AAAAAAAACVA/Kv_XbTj_Q18/s1600/IMG_3679.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKnEYQ4BAI/AAAAAAAACVA/Kv_XbTj_Q18/s320/IMG_3679.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517656187156825090" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKlsPQkmaI/AAAAAAAACUw/8grP5tXnn_c/s1600/IMG_3609.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 293px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKlsPQkmaI/AAAAAAAACUw/8grP5tXnn_c/s320/IMG_3609.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517654672911145378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKlrghxF_I/AAAAAAAACUo/Klm0HFLF5Hc/s1600/IMG_3604.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKlrghxF_I/AAAAAAAACUo/Klm0HFLF5Hc/s320/IMG_3604.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517654660366800882" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKlrUzkVaI/AAAAAAAACUg/UZ9hyu_ixBw/s1600/IMG_3602.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TJKlrUzkVaI/AAAAAAAACUg/UZ9hyu_ixBw/s320/IMG_3602.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517654657220236706" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-45189655104289021392010-08-24T16:21:00.001-07:002010-08-24T16:51:22.888-07:00A Little Family Vacation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRaBSOQOBI/AAAAAAAACTg/lRIF8e04POM/s1600/IMG_8199.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRaBSOQOBI/AAAAAAAACTg/lRIF8e04POM/s400/IMG_8199.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509127222298949650" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We've now experienced a new way of camping as a family...van camping! Its awesome. The van doesn't belong to us, it is Mike and Melissa's but we all got to enjoy the 1970s something Dodge conversion van on our family camping trip.</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRWMscCNwI/AAAAAAAACSY/9qpZ2dIeSMk/s320/IMG_8054.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123020268123906" /><div style="text-align: center;">[note the map of the USA plastered to the side of the van]</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRWN7Aqc3I/AAAAAAAACSo/AgTDD5X5r0Y/s320/IMG_8060.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123041359721330" /><div style="text-align: center;">this has been Melissa's dream van for years</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRWNEPb9TI/AAAAAAAACSg/SOjevHUBQYI/s320/IMG_8063.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123026657735986" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRXC9cHBeI/AAAAAAAACTY/XeopAis83pw/s1600/IMG_8228.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRXC9cHBeI/AAAAAAAACTY/XeopAis83pw/s320/IMG_8228.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123952544777698" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">we camped at Rock Creek Lake with a spot right by the creek</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRXCYYvT4I/AAAAAAAACTQ/IPkmQb26h5g/s1600/IMG_8224.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRXCYYvT4I/AAAAAAAACTQ/IPkmQb26h5g/s320/IMG_8224.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123942598528898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">[I didn't actually let her eat it]</div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRXB_Z34NI/AAAAAAAACTI/Fohax6EoAz0/s1600/IMG_8184.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRXB_Z34NI/AAAAAAAACTI/Fohax6EoAz0/s320/IMG_8184.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123935892398290" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">the most beautiful hike we've been on in years</div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRWO66-hKI/AAAAAAAACS4/H8nZpBjW-Ns/s320/IMG_0889.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123058515739810" /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRWOYDiCOI/AAAAAAAACSw/GnW5lIvJVrc/s1600/IMG_8204.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRWOYDiCOI/AAAAAAAACSw/GnW5lIvJVrc/s320/IMG_8204.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509123049156380898" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUX3t-Q-I/AAAAAAAACSI/CJ9QLsj2hVM/s320/IMG_0808.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509121013251458018" /><div style="text-align: center;">the best piece of advice <i>ever</i> for camping with a toddler....an inflatable container! thank you Cuellars for the tip!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUYXh9l6I/AAAAAAAACSQ/-qXBvxA-w5o/s1600/IMG_0815.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUYXh9l6I/AAAAAAAACSQ/-qXBvxA-w5o/s1600/IMG_0815.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUYXh9l6I/AAAAAAAACSQ/-qXBvxA-w5o/s320/IMG_0815.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509121021791016866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">needless to say, she enjoyed the bouncy effect</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUXYen1LI/AAAAAAAACSA/vIEfA9EiNOM/s1600/IMG_8153.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUXYen1LI/AAAAAAAACSA/vIEfA9EiNOM/s320/IMG_8153.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509121004865574066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">another good use of an old conversion van....a place to bathe out of the wind</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUWyGpkTI/AAAAAAAACR4/LR3Vj8EvzXs/s1600/IMG_8126.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/THRUWyGpkTI/AAAAAAAACR4/LR3Vj8EvzXs/s320/IMG_8126.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509120994564477234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">note Mike's propped leg...yep, a hatchet accident. no joke. we even went to the ER to get it stapled. </div></div></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-34473011679029130032010-07-29T20:51:00.001-07:002010-07-29T21:11:55.623-07:00Elena and the Nanny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TFJMURtTTZI/AAAAAAAACRo/hYCqoM4MPcM/s1600/37816_10150232827115580_817610579_13708984_2556233_n.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TFJMURtTTZI/AAAAAAAACRo/hYCqoM4MPcM/s320/37816_10150232827115580_817610579_13708984_2556233_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499542006207303058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Did you say Nanny? What in the world are Ryan and Steph doing with a Nanny? Well, we've moved up in society. Just kidding. Actually, Jae has been a huge blessing to us these last several weeks since I (Steph) have been keeping books for the school over the summer. So here's what happened and how gracious the Lord is. There was a gap in office staffing that needed to be filled for a few months, which I am happy to do. Happy to do but have a hard time doing with an active baby toddling around. Ryan's got plenty to keep him busy so after a few weeks of frustration at what I wasn't able to get done, we left for vacation. While in WA we got an email from Jae, who has spent time in Tijuana both on the BBS campus and with Caravan ministries. She wanted to spend some time in TJ this summer and was looking for a place to serve. In her email she mentioned even being willing to help with Elena. Bingo!!! I would never have thought to ask anyone to specifically come down to babysit but she mentioned it and it was a no-brainer. Elena & I have both loved being with Jae and the help has been invaluable. The photos below were taken today with Jae's camera at Luis' boy's home. (I stole them from her facebook). Sadly, next week is her last week with us. Maybe she'd consider being a full-time nanny?! :)</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TFJMUGlk7eI/AAAAAAAACRg/PsmHF_FbKp8/s1600/37816_10150232827110580_817610579_13708983_285828_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TFJMUGlk7eI/AAAAAAAACRg/PsmHF_FbKp8/s320/37816_10150232827110580_817610579_13708983_285828_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499542003222113762" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-15108184066825407702010-07-10T23:03:00.001-07:002010-07-10T23:25:51.814-07:00amiguitos (little friends)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlhhA39wEI/AAAAAAAACQw/_eOuW4ChiNU/s1600/IMG_3357.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlhhA39wEI/AAAAAAAACQw/_eOuW4ChiNU/s320/IMG_3357.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492528440353341506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Elena (left) & Annette (right)</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">This afternoon we had a BBQ at the Castillo. Elena is</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> 1</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> now and just began walking in the last week or so. She made friends with two little kids both 8 months older than her. They were both so sweet to her and she enjoyed mimicking things they did. The following photos are pretty funny as you watch their gestures and facial expressions. </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlhgfB57tI/AAAAAAAACQo/CdN4GOjY_dU/s1600/IMG_3366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlhgfB57tI/AAAAAAAACQo/CdN4GOjY_dU/s320/IMG_3366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492528431268228818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgM7FpMCI/AAAAAAAACQg/SOpMaIR-cBE/s1600/IMG_3367.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgM7FpMCI/AAAAAAAACQg/SOpMaIR-cBE/s320/IMG_3367.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492526995691089954" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgMWQagjI/AAAAAAAACQY/_sLyr-hpqMo/s1600/IMG_3368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgMWQagjI/AAAAAAAACQY/_sLyr-hpqMo/s320/IMG_3368.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492526985804153394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgLx1dn0I/AAAAAAAACQQ/UFX7hWuS2wQ/s1600/IMG_3370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgLx1dn0I/AAAAAAAACQQ/UFX7hWuS2wQ/s320/IMG_3370.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492526976027434818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgLK9xyuI/AAAAAAAACQI/5vrr3HSxHak/s1600/IMG_3371.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgLK9xyuI/AAAAAAAACQI/5vrr3HSxHak/s320/IMG_3371.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492526965593328354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgKl10_2I/AAAAAAAACQA/hXhTrou3Lvw/s1600/IMG_3372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TDlgKl10_2I/AAAAAAAACQA/hXhTrou3Lvw/s320/IMG_3372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492526955627872098" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-69784461663425479762010-06-23T21:20:00.001-07:002010-06-23T21:34:27.941-07:00Nostalgia<div style="text-align: center;">How strange is it that we were once as little as Elena? Not so strange when I see how she's grown in a year. Then year upon year...and you have a person our size. Incredible. Here's a post to me being nostalgic as I find photos of her in her first few weeks and compare them to now. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLdoDTgIqI/AAAAAAAACPI/aaAu5x3RfD8/s320/IMG_0210_4.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486190976242295458" /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">one week old</span></span></i></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLdo81T4rI/AAAAAAAACPQ/iHDDD4ZkFMM/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLdo81T4rI/AAAAAAAACPQ/iHDDD4ZkFMM/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 298px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLdo81T4rI/AAAAAAAACPQ/iHDDD4ZkFMM/s320/IMG_3260.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486190991684919986" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-style: italic; "></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLdo81T4rI/AAAAAAAACPQ/iHDDD4ZkFMM/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLdo81T4rI/AAAAAAAACPQ/iHDDD4ZkFMM/s1600/IMG_3260.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">one year old</span></span></i></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLe7OFAXRI/AAAAAAAACPY/W_-mvWRw0uA/s320/IMG_0720.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486192405063425298" /><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">2 months old</span></span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TCLe75UYYcI/AAAAAAAACPg/C7cKmIQH6_M/s320/IMG_3256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486192416670638530" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">o</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ne year old</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-size:small;">It seems like she's really grown taller the last few weeks. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-style: italic; font-size:small;">By the way, the infant seat will be retired soon. :)</span></div></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-7842470573182242262010-06-17T11:20:00.000-07:002010-06-17T19:44:07.619-07:00Cousins<div style="text-align: center;">I'm so thankful for the opportunities we've had to spend time with my new niece. While in OR we stayed with Mike and Erika so the girls (me and my sister and the two cousins) had lots of time together. Here's a little glimpse of how they "interact".</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCoF9QauuRGyJNcQxl9OoLfaBZ4FYQuB_GXG2wDzVyvHEct2dzxPSgLOvqsCRcX3cQRyg2SCy9UiRJ9Z-bFQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-91340817617357980952010-06-13T15:55:00.000-07:002010-06-13T16:44:57.165-07:00Birthday BBQ<div style="text-align: center;">Some photos of the events surrounding Elena's first birthday cake experience. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm8egiK6I/AAAAAAAACPA/X8Hc4y1OSh0/s1600/IMG_3123_2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm8egiK6I/AAAAAAAACPA/X8Hc4y1OSh0/s320/IMG_3123_2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482401310561151906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Uncle TJ helping Elena out--she stands on her own and has taken some tiny steps but hasn't ventured beyond that yet</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm7354uAI/AAAAAAAACO4/VmrqvDets-c/s1600/IMG_3119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm7354uAI/AAAAAAAACO4/VmrqvDets-c/s320/IMG_3119.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482401300198504450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Nothing like a summer BBQ with friends and family--there's not a whole lot of grass like this in Tijuana</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm7H-aHvI/AAAAAAAACOw/06M0Fs-O3Hg/s1600/IMG_3165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm7H-aHvI/AAAAAAAACOw/06M0Fs-O3Hg/s320/IMG_3165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482401287332568818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Elena really got into opening gifts--now when she sees a gift bag she wants to get into it</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm6vHVC5I/AAAAAAAACOo/DzvPhMiNj7w/s1600/IMG_3141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm6vHVC5I/AAAAAAAACOo/DzvPhMiNj7w/s320/IMG_3141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482401280659098514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Steph, her mom, & little sister with their babies</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm5xeEs7I/AAAAAAAACOg/8TI2DcxC1k4/s1600/IMG_3136.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVm5xeEs7I/AAAAAAAACOg/8TI2DcxC1k4/s320/IMG_3136.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482401264111498162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Colton was loving the free access to juice :)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVklvFeZHI/AAAAAAAACOY/LPkoCt0VdHo/s1600/IMG_3179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVklvFeZHI/AAAAAAAACOY/LPkoCt0VdHo/s320/IMG_3179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482398720850814066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVklCR8NJI/AAAAAAAACOQ/bRUjvdEYkfA/s1600/IMG_3182.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVklCR8NJI/AAAAAAAACOQ/bRUjvdEYkfA/s320/IMG_3182.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482398708823504018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Boys on the farm</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVkk6xf9gI/AAAAAAAACOI/yfC9dRwmFrU/s1600/IMG_3134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVkk6xf9gI/AAAAAAAACOI/yfC9dRwmFrU/s320/IMG_3134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482398706808387074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVkkRQzn8I/AAAAAAAACOA/P4hLcReTzTo/s1600/IMG_3138.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVkkRQzn8I/AAAAAAAACOA/P4hLcReTzTo/s320/IMG_3138.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482398695665409986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Steph and Katy</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVkjnURVVI/AAAAAAAACN4/Hsk2Rb0EdFQ/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 202px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/TBVkjnURVVI/AAAAAAAACN4/Hsk2Rb0EdFQ/s320/IMG_2504.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482398684405650770" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Elena's cousin--little Addison, 2 1/2 mos old</div>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-11016105270090382342010-06-10T21:08:00.000-07:002010-06-11T08:24:24.381-07:00First Birthday Cake<div style="text-align: center;">While in Oregon visiting family, we celebrated Elena's first birthday a little early. (She'll actually be one on June 12). We had a simple get together at my sister and her husband's place out in the country. It was the ONE sunny day during our whole visit, so we were thankful. As nearly all parents will remark, we can hardly believe our little baby is almost one. The growth and changes she's made are incredible. We look forward to another year full of more!</div><div><br /></div><div><div></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwVLldzoqaAeImWuZtf92EA9v7kay1T14wLx3WX2nkkF3NPyyrcVJJnttOCJ30D4NzbYRvT6TToAysvOqScig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-76063855561200390572010-05-23T14:39:00.000-07:002010-05-31T08:30:06.771-07:00Family Kayaking TripWe've had the opportunity to spend some time in the NW this month. Our journey started in Washington and moved south to Oregon. While in Seattle we were able to get in a little kayaking with our good friend (and NOLS kayaking instructor) John Guppy. He provided us with the gear and took us out on Lake Washington. What a day! Thanks, John!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg9j8uOAI/AAAAAAAACM4/9jtIJ0kSApo/s1600/IMG_2909.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg9j8uOAI/AAAAAAAACM4/9jtIJ0kSApo/s320/IMG_2909.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474583801527941122" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg_KJGPVI/AAAAAAAACNY/tN4xnmE4RSs/s1600/IMG_2894.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg_KJGPVI/AAAAAAAACNY/tN4xnmE4RSs/s320/IMG_2894.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474583828960263506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg-6pLf0I/AAAAAAAACNQ/pH2_Gs9XICA/s1600/IMG_2907.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg-6pLf0I/AAAAAAAACNQ/pH2_Gs9XICA/s320/IMG_2907.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474583824799858498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg-cAqPLI/AAAAAAAACNI/D1qYX8OZZJY/s1600/IMG_2877.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg-cAqPLI/AAAAAAAACNI/D1qYX8OZZJY/s320/IMG_2877.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474583816576842930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg-B_bHRI/AAAAAAAACNA/hr4YBuBn8Mw/s1600/IMG_2888.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mg-B_bHRI/AAAAAAAACNA/hr4YBuBn8Mw/s320/IMG_2888.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474583809592335634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mh3_yFzlI/AAAAAAAACNw/rTewO21nKq8/s1600/IMG_2898.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mh3_yFzlI/AAAAAAAACNw/rTewO21nKq8/s320/IMG_2898.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474584805431955026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mh3fm2aoI/AAAAAAAACNo/NulOKQSbLXU/s1600/IMG_2880.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mh3fm2aoI/AAAAAAAACNo/NulOKQSbLXU/s320/IMG_2880.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474584796794874498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mh2_I6aLI/AAAAAAAACNg/tcPrEIkgtYQ/s1600/IMG_2878.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S_mh2_I6aLI/AAAAAAAACNg/tcPrEIkgtYQ/s320/IMG_2878.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474584788079372466" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-65472784521010497302010-05-01T09:30:00.000-07:002010-05-02T21:17:28.290-07:00Little Pink MonsterOur sweet little girl is 10 months old now. She's not quite walking but loves to cruise around the room holding on to furniture or anything she thinks is substantial. She likes to look at books and will often chat while looking at the pictures. She really likes animals and especially dogs; she learned to say the word "dog" while we were visiting my sister in Oregon last month. She spends her free time bouncing in her crib teething on the railings. <br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz7P_6y9NuaVcZXxU3IoKJlo8HjSRnlyghN0H97h0F0WXeGSqKPwMe_pZVYLxAewjzbW7DLCw1hgiiXgAJ8hw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3234165152658076827.post-52231961678257028482010-04-13T13:18:00.000-07:002010-04-14T16:07:48.454-07:00Just Being....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TSJJwP6kI/AAAAAAAACLI/Cl9HLPRXgdI/s1600/photo-28.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TSJJwP6kI/AAAAAAAACLI/Cl9HLPRXgdI/s320/photo-28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459719702958828098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I (this is Steph) must confess something that I recently read from Theresa of Avila that resounded within me. She talks of people plagued with a restless soul, unable to keep their thoughts from wandering. They are sidetracked and distracted, yearning for inner peace but lacking it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I used to see my task-orientedness as good and maybe even desired but I’ve come to realize that really I am plagued by busyness. Not that I’m physically always on the go but my mind is. This is compounded by living where I work. I love where we live, on the campus of BBS, but for me, it is hard to stop and be still. I love being a mom but it is equally as hard to take quiet moments when Elena is napping, set aside household chores, and be with my Father.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Last Sunday Ryan and I decided to go and be. We visited a State Park just 40 miles east of San Diego. It’s a well known spot that we have embarrassingly never taken advantage of. As people who grew up enjoying hiking and camping in the NW, being away from the city is refreshing to both of us. It’s a place to regroup and commune with the One we serve. To set aside tasks, ideas, thoughts, and plans, and to take a moment to clear our heads and get lost in wonder of His creation. </div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TTELHeGRI/AAAAAAAACLg/1ymqJ1rP9QY/s1600/photo-32.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TTELHeGRI/AAAAAAAACLg/1ymqJ1rP9QY/s320/photo-32.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459720716936943890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Elena seems to be equally enthralled with the outdoors</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TSJxYIJQI/AAAAAAAACLY/cr_ZaXh_PXg/s1600/photo-33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TSJxYIJQI/AAAAAAAACLY/cr_ZaXh_PXg/s320/photo-33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459719713595073794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">This was the expression on her face the whole time we were near the waterfalls</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TSJRyHYDI/AAAAAAAACLQ/EnmL1Yw1JgQ/s1600/photo-30.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0FEu7s0MB4M/S8TSJRyHYDI/AAAAAAAACLQ/EnmL1Yw1JgQ/s320/photo-30.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459719705114140722" /></a>Ryan and Stephaniehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15777800534329699102noreply@blogger.com0