tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24032921624150426532024-02-07T13:49:12.863-08:00Marlett Family AdventuresCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.comBlogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-13948814013414687842011-08-24T14:57:00.001-07:002011-08-26T20:14:47.785-07:00Happy 6th Birthday, Ava!<p>I have already told you about Ava's party...but this was actually Ava's BIRTHDAY. That's right, my baby is officially 6. Ava spent the night with my mom the night before her birthday, which kind of altered some of my birthday plans. I knew she had been dying to spend the night with her Mema, so we made the most of it. </p><p>I had found an idea on pinterest to fill up the room with balloons the night before your child's birthday (while they are sleeping), so that when they wake up in the morning, they have a birthday surprise. Well, since she was gone, it didn't go quite according to plan, but she did come back first thing in the morning and was greeted by her birthday balloons. Ava's response: "What the heck?!?" That's my Ava. She loved them. It was actually even better than I thought it would be. She played in her room with all of her balloons all morning. We had to drag her away when it was time for church. We had told Ava that we had a surprise for her on her big day, and she thought it was the balloons. Wrong. There was even more!!
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<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh03JeM1doj27nM5wFd9P3T9BrBx2Jzgvy63tk2WaqhsyhOxjvsuEwHPP0hLA-v36pNfiR4_bfOJMOS9Qv9Z7fiRYAQImaiegwivtnzO4OBeOaDCHymwvVIGplnq7I_SMtwhhqSqnnYSNbu/" /></div>
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<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjJ-3Npmn5dAuOxgjwKMbDsfnaiTUyKnx42kXv2zLcAGBBBKwxLc_phN1Pll786zR8saRwDXnXI-lZvyjGZE8sjVvl7pCygVYO8vFYY0C37T0UAqymA25ddrUzenxvsE31195d8NobZSA/" /></div>After church, we took Ava out for her FAVORITE lunch (Taco Bueno), and THEN to Build-a-Bear. She really loves to put all of her little animal friends in clothes, so we thought it would be perfect to let her build another bear and pick out some clothes. We must have picked a great day, because they were having a big sale. Needless to say, we are suckers, (especially on birthdays) and we ended up coming out of the store with TWO bears and TWO outfits. (She was quite adamant that her bear needed a "morning outfit" and a "nighttime outfit". Yeah, I know, it was overkill, but it made her really happy...and she only turns 6 once!!
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<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69aosY7ZTtMBXEROW5oVPTnLnHvu6qPnvWy1_qTyMb0in0iKZOD3SmXo_7i-QjY-XZkKuqFKsipyHK4gu6KvlWUZoV-cJaAiYIUL5ggIpNMpqa8yAJ6mUVUHf93gqx9AQdDVuKgFoLGd2/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">We had a great day with our li'l princess. It was a day of birthday surprises and I am very thankful for this day to spend with her. :)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-39667210378211585392011-08-24T14:18:00.001-07:002011-08-26T20:00:25.021-07:00Last Bit of Summer Fun<p> We went to the zoo a couple days before school started. Call it one last attempt to make summer last just a little bit longer. It's been a really great summer. I have basked in this time with my kids. Could we just have two more weeks? Sigh. </p><p>I feel bad that the zoo hasn't really been part of our summer routine this year. I suppose over 50 days of over 100 degree heat dampens zoo plans. This was a fairly nice day, though. I'm glad we got to squeeze in one trip to the zoo before school. We do have a zoo pass now, so hopefully, it will get to be part of our fall routine. I'm waiting ever so (im)patiently for those 70 degree days! Here are a couple of pictures from our trip to the zoo.</p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZgxkPe1cYoAt3q3aS0gqea2thrA93cQ1RhC4YbzmU3eqld83WQ3kjiStwsfJ1refYMo2puSR96FZT3xNmlM8GsZgvuDvlOiZfMlh_2jfNL6xUV1k9YnED_1sf6px_5SQJBfGSMhYV0Qp/" /></div>
<br />I know this is not an animal (or my children), but I thought this sunflower was beautiful. I loved the way the sun was shining through the trees. It looked like it was just there to highlight this little sunflower. So pretty.
<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRF-GoLtZPGK8aid3q748_RDk22UdNo6DEvxMvnPcmcw6v9bT-M57M5rio_-SbikeD2xD_QsGhX0dlZF2KD9GoJ6a7U97JkZQZvP3bN_TAGIrbvlPwoGbnwpGuOhilyfX-d7ughF4M9K_u/" /></div>This, by far, was the highlight of the day! The baby elephant!!!!! I have been dying to see this little sweetie for a few months now. I was secretly terrified that she would already be all grown up. Luckily for me, it takes elephants a long time to grow. I. Love. This. Elephant. So much so, I'm contemplating a way to have a baby elephant in my own backyard. Think that will work? No?!? Well, I love her. I literally could have stayed right there and watched her all day.
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<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWQXDUlZpZ-imuWLinF53LzRpnG0t1YCb0wYAhsxWC2V1C3UHncGrBhfpZRL76pxum9SVrWk4VL1g2G-KyPHLUjNR-76TOfGV8Jkh35Ze0EXkP0jDSSqo3E-WmRSm5C3OidlaqySkHZOU/" /></div>
<br />I'm not entirely sure why this picture of the sea lion is four times bigger than all of my other pictures, but I am way too lazy to figure out what is wrong. Just go with it. This was the other highlight of the day. We never go to the sea lion show, but we definitely should. I don't think my kids have EVER been to the show, but they loved it. This was a really slow zoo day and there were not too many people in the auditorium. We got to sit on the very front row and she came right up to us. We literally could have touched her. The kids thought it was a blast to be so close.
<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMhLWE_FuefvBa0U4_kZoZ7cUGJkjndkMC8DWsxDin1l3Q5z4VkusFiOiPlNflophqLY3BLlzpHH2mw_2AK_kiUIhhAILhYHjca826zSnDx0BOfrsrBi16cpEZ_SdPYKmD97b9sT9Q4g5/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">See Chance's face? That is is "super happy" look. I love that look. I adore how much Chance loves animals. The trainers warned us before the show began that the audience needed to be quiet when the sea lions were out so they would not break their concentration. At one point, Chance thought the kids around us were being too loud, and he politely warned them that they needed to tone it down. I love his protective nature. No one ever has to worry about Chance hurting an animal. Not ever. :)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-81646806028530482692011-08-10T11:44:00.001-07:002011-08-26T19:37:23.792-07:00How is it Possible...<p> ...that my kids are this old now? I snapped these pics of them the other night at dinner.</p><p>Here is Ava, my little first grader. I can't believe she is going to be gone from me ALL DAY for the first time EVER!</p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0yrFVkoapk70mbDSYvPmoZoS7P0H74PBAOB5TAsPWQAPs9-2m82WRHhiPzsXMa1fSEtuvfBJLEzwwUeDAmsp7mZilGNx7O3mHRHg0fs77oCWaE5jLj0K16HnKhrp9bmGB04HLSlt36fl/" /></div>
<br /><p>And Chance...UGH! This one. I don't even know if I can talk about the fact that he is going to be in the FOURTH GRADE! Lots of changes this year: "big kid" hall, changing classes, etc. This is making me emotional. Whatever am I going to do when he goes to junior high??</p><p>High school??
<br /></p><p>College??</p><p>Stop! I can't even begin to think about it. I will probably never survive if just the mere mention of fourth grade is tough on me. I know it's crazy, but it's true. ;)</p>
<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC_RK7MwQV6GSNoDN3gzKr81KVFtFCq1skdhcuMGo0TDL8fltdLDryklKGQUzKsqBH9OA1aoGGS15zuAZ13CxnGgmrkN0QAOgo64UF4OZ1gvEB7KGXv_yGJyLm08THfLTtnOYwUm_c_sx/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I'm so blessed to be their mom. I just wanted to share these little snapshots from my little corner of the universe. While you enjoy these, I'm going to try to find out a way to slow time down. Way down.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-18058673970251831812011-08-10T11:41:00.001-07:002011-08-26T19:29:50.754-07:00Canoin' on the River<p>Hello, blog world. Sorry for my slacking. To say I've been crazy busy lately is an understatement. Nothing like a (well-deserved) video game night for the hubby (no tv for me!) to get me back on track. </p><p>This will probably border on the most uninspiring post ever, but I had saved this as a draft some time ago and thought I might as well finish it. I have to go in order. Always. It's a disease.
<br /></p><p>I had the wonderful opportunity to go on a float trip down the Illinois River with my hubby and some great people from the college. (Work trip for him...fun for me!) It's been years since I've been on such a trip and I must say, it was great!</p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2MakMVb7EWroLNTA5d6slWKyHC1MOFeF60w7YcYSyxSxlTisHr1N2vhdVYNdtGa7aAc2qpF-O0cPUjbSNBB-HixwhyoL9We_xxme78mA15-42iP8rxQiOaIRsZVhaYR3RdufqH3xHgyuK/" /></div>
<br /><p>If you use your imagination, you can see the river in the distance in the above pic. Sorry for the pure lack of exciting photography. On this particular trip, I was busy having fun and snapped a couple of pics on my way to get in the van on our way home.</p><p>
<br /></p><p align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVnM6pfySaS4v_w4WehtK5zhgKnhlTekbktRg_UTx2iQs7dS6TLE0QrFIbFim0b26r_382XmvlQsNuq4MkybLUhu0_kpZqNqTBLh1R_Fe2GlnUaba_SeZgdxG5J5VDKjLJqVkebmk6tbp/" /></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Our cabin. Home of the most uncomfortable beds known to man and a swarm of killer bees.
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<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">In a nutshell... </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Highlights:</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ Getting to meet (and hang out with) an amazing group of college students. I loved getting to know all of them better. As I've said before, it's been a long time since I've gotten to bond with a group of people on in a trip setting and I've really missed this.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ some R&R. We had been REALLY busy with the responsibilities of the looming school year, Ava's birthday, and just the general day to day. It was nice to get away for a bit.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ Of course, hanging out with Brian is always a highlight. We got to share a canoe for our 12 miles down the river. It was great quality time. Always a plus. This should probably count as another entry, but we did not tip our canoe once. Yeah, that's right...we have awesome teamwork. (Perhaps we could compete in Amazing Race together after all!?!)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~The beautiful scenery. This was when I most wanted my camera...however, that would have been a terrible idea because the only camera I have right now is my phone, and I assure you that my phone should NOT be floating down the river. I forgot how breathtaking it all can be. I really enjoyed those little moments when it was just Brian and I in the middle of the river and it was so quiet. We would just quit paddling for a few minutes and sit in silence and take it all in. We saw a TON of fish. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ I was also quite pleased that we didn't have to carry our canoe for miles at a time due to NO water. This has been the case with every other canoe trip I have been on (one of which I was 4 months pregnant...LOTS of fun!) There were only a couple of times we got stuck, and it was quite brief. All in all...a success!</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Lowlights:</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ Did I mention those killer bees? Yeah, well one of them stung me. That's right. I haven't been stung by anything for a good 25 years and I'm not in a big hurry to have that happen again. In case you were wondering, it hurts. Super bad. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ The beds were terrible...And the air conditioning worked. (I know the second seems like it should be in the "plus" column, but it was about 50 degrees in our room and I was on the top bunk (also interesting), so I was freezing and quite uncomfortable all night. The bed also made a terrible sound every time I moved and I was certain that it was going to break and I was going to plummet on top of the poor soul sleeping beneath me. Yeah. Not a good night at all.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~ At one point, I completely lost my husband because he went to help a "drunk guy find his cabin". There ended up being a lot more to this story and Brian ended up being very helpful to this man in need, but for awhile, I didn't know what was going on. Where did he go?!? </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">All in all, it was a great trip and I am so thankful that I was given the opportunity to tag along. Thanks, guys!</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center">
<br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-43551241231883313982011-08-10T11:39:00.001-07:002011-08-15T09:06:29.763-07:00Birthday Celebration #1
<br />We decided to split up the family and friend birthday celebration for Ava this year. She desperately wants to have her school friends come (which I still don't know parents), so we have to wait for school to start for that one. We couldn't have her family celebration on her actual birthday because that is the start of move in time on campus and one of Brian's craziest weeks of the year. <div>
<br /></div><div>We didn't think all this out when Ava was born, we should have really asked her to be born another week....lol.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>We decided to have her family party a week early. This works out great for Ava, anyway. It means she gets to have a family party one week, we will still do something for her actual birthday with just us the next week, and she has her friend party the following week. Not too shabby, actually.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>Here are some of the shots I got from her family party. In attendance were:</div><div>~The Ryans: Aunt Keli, Uncle Chris, Haleigh and Fiona</div><div>~The Hix: Aunt Sessy and Parker</div><div>~Mema and Papa</div><div>~Grandma and Grandpa</div><div>~Bryan and Amanda</div><div>~Nevan</div><div>~of course: US!</div><div>
<br /></div><div>She had cake batter rice krispie treats (recipe from pinterest), drinks, and lots of presents that included about a thousand squinkies, pandas, and more. Needless to say, she was a very happy girl. Here are a few of the pictures I took that day:
<br /><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left"></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AIKeQTmBjbjHTvLcNyAwW6urn53ZHy3Zpbb_HJF3_tT_BbpHa7g492pluIUNapbnd6PH-bq6leqcfesf-tC9Xpw16Pnh94JUC-o6hhAb65nKMfKpfrxZ75nKMZw4kCl6Cnb3ej2KUSTb/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbZSS7WBPvjnSNQHyUHfwuJxu8_wttP1-Eewqm3gfsa2YuRClhNhmdzJMx4UfYe8TckonYzYdcldzZBM8sL9u_CYU1nICpWqri8gcWqPuRPDS3-LOoSbfskRHkE119a-turCGT7T1c3AT/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4m2dwmWH_n9LeLm7Liv08on8c7mB3V3bfrqpTtidBrCEcTf4tfhzgOpfE2xEqyPfKaZ0e3hYSB0RWsJo1ZlYBKBjtaD0mhItIuSgD_G1KGIWtOOHNnRtdN5tOOnZgyG1j2UKHjTFDL4w/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp5n02AuB_Cc0nBFgsJLCcjKxmXuO3Hr7y6v45Do30iVmcsdh204eQI3OKK7xfsAKhdtcWit-PFwVkgxwwwEaFeXCUO10GVrg3zs6ynFrlxEVFi0d_EHkAdWkZFFGiYMHO8e4V-KPvZtiR/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-voEXQt4BOvrPWBZquk9ihZaeZiPJwUQ3Pp7wFAKHWnYoE83wL5wVBvWBmwZ6vjd27ilSKHspjdCuCyaOnJ6T8dQehkyZM_tRu4OnMxJ6T8TxzWrlKt62S4X8R6EvZTjKyUwyoe5ygZuk/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzJd8jqmak0ZYTxPN0jjExkJwsAPGKSgKWpan_WbGtDpGeC9b7UXQ9d9U_CbLDBCuhHjIqNCsD6WKIHC6fjPOkeMgOC7v6QIWxrRlm-FCgmBOXAiD4WsE3TEy6FaAcMYCnQefwhazMci6/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzXkTdTKSyA6CSyOMUvddkL6x4wtpUeyenCrpbdlnTfWAZT0GlC5tHQqMonqL5iKJgiSvCMKadmwi3D47v_grXZbEOjEWwSFs1xgNkZvueDFAQfYqNcrVCSJGxuF0QYRw6pX0q-tVx-Mk/" /></div><p></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijh6SvguE8_Grx79XDHV6ULPVH4wvJAIWudFRXM78jJHqB7lMjdD_4IdUGVxSe9iY2s8GameTS6L_Mq51XSo9xLK4jdr-3uRYsFZsPK_s-vXRvU0WpDErfTI0vqHRu1ux8eHlGgo975Y6i/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center" style="text-align: left;">Happy birthday, Ava...with more celebrations to come...</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center" style="text-align: left;">~Crystal</div><p></p></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-10577361678984100582011-08-10T11:35:00.001-07:002011-08-15T08:52:54.312-07:00...And the Crazy Day Got WorseYou have already heard about Ava's crazy hair story...<div>
<br /></div><div>Well, when we got home and I was trying to find a way to make her look presentable, I got my flat iron out for reinforcement. In the process, Alice (resident wienie dog) started running everywhere like the crazy puppy she is... I didn't want her to get burned, so I asked Chance to put her outside for a minute. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>In the process of all the commotion with Ava's hair and me running around getting ready for my hot date, I accidentally left her outside for thirty minutes. During this time, she did not have water (which I know sounds TERRIBLE...I would like to make a disclaimer that I do NOT leave my dog outside without food and water EVER. The reason she didn't have her food and water outside with her in the first place is because I have been keeping her inside because it's been so flippin' hot...I just wanted all of you animal lovers out there to know that I do not endorse that kind of behavior...not at all.)</div><div>
<br /></div><div>In the midst of all the chaos, (Alice was already in by this time), the pound showed up at my door! What?!? I can assure everyone, THAT has never happened before. Alice shot out of the house when I opened the door forcing me to bolt out and catch her. In the process, I almost knocked the animal control man over...Whoops! He said that he had received a call saying that I had my dog outside with no food, water or shelter...(what?!? again) I explained that I had accidentally left her out for 30 minutes, but otherwise, she had been in the entire day and more often than not for the last two weeks. He laughed and said she looked perfectly healthy. He explained that they have to check the validity of all calls. That's great and all, but as someone who prides themselves on being a rule-abiding citizen, I was absolutely mortified. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Furthermore, am I the only one who finds it a little insane that animal control has a far better response time than DHS or anyone else who deals on the human side of things? Seriously, these people should take a cue from the animal lovers of the world. My dog can't even go out to the bathroom without a formal investigation. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>Now, the people-pleasing side of me who doesn't feel like anyone should ever be unhappy enough with me to take any kind of formal action is completely obsessed with needing to know who the heck called the pound??? At first, I thought it may be the people behind me. They have a ton of dogs and are really the only ones who know where we keep Alice's water and that it was missing. There is one other option, a busy-body neighbor who walks her dog around our street everyday and is always stopping to make little comments every time we are outside. (sometimes nice, sometimes not so much). </div><div>
<br /></div><div>I made her angry the other day when she came by to borrow a Walmart sack because HER dog pooped in MY yard and I didn't have one because I had accidentally thrown them all away. Vendetta, perhaps?!? I don't know, but I'm watching her. Lesson learned: I'm going to start keeping a GIANT bowl of water on my back porch at all times. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>We made this little sign for Alice to commemorate our run in with the law:
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<br /><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left"></p><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIpFqh0qQuKUy01w4Z5XBOrciLcQOO_eGePvu9IY95CJhlQ17Bhs05UcieA7n-EXQ5zZspOoxivmvSM4x5LbyBXHDOLT4ZN9lbGTjMHcjRTbCwlpoo1aXYSX06sRM-FCEwiO66gJcztyPJ/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center" style="text-align: left;">We do love our dog and would never put her in harm's way on purpose. Thank you to all concerned neighbors.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center" style="text-align: left;">~Crystal</div><p></p></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-24561105231429627252011-08-10T11:34:00.001-07:002011-08-11T09:34:15.311-07:00Haircut Debacle<p> Well, it's been quite a busy week at the Marlett house, hence the silence lately. Brian's parents have been in all week, we had an early birthday party for Ava, I went on a float trip with Brian and some people from the college (his work trip)...did I mention one last trip to the pool, school supply shopping, and haircuts?!? Oh haircuts...right...the point of this post. </p><p>Well, I took Chance to get his haircut a couple weeks ago, pretty uneventful. (Besides the fact that you can now see his face, which is always super awesome!) Let's just say that Ava's haircut did not follow the same pattern.
<br /></p><p>ohmygosh</p><p>It all started when my normal hairdresser called to say that she had a last minute emergency and would not be able to cut Ava's hair. She asked if someone else in her shop could take her place. Well, of course! I am by no means picky about who cuts Ava's hair. They are all trained professionals, right?!? WRONG! This was her before picture. (I was actually beginning to like her hair and had almost talked myself out of cutting it in the first place...all I wanted to do was to make her bangs that she was growing out be even with the rest of her hair....sigh).
<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVohWbXTXv8oL6bRPjmq-7mheLUvbukD3dTPTnk0v-bquegURHBR_u-7S_nqwOojHSBSUEQLk-TDwaYEstWrfY9jMovfihAuIUdIJ46QKOlDIQ-XOmgwWc5vN4mtyO8l4Kc9SiliFr4kNj/" /></div><p>Well, my friends, this is where the whole thing starts to get a little shady. Her "new" hairdresser seemed very nice, but things started to go a little south when she started cutting. I was struck by the fact that she didn't really brush her hair out (or even wet it?!?), there was no cutting in sections, or whatever everyone else usually does. She simply took her scissors and started cutting it ALL AT ONCE. What?!? I tried not to freak out at the beginning, after all I mentioned that part about her being a TRAINED PROFESSIONAL. </p><p> Well, it started becoming really uneven, so she started at the same side and began "making it even" which meant another inch came off Ava's hair. I was really starting to worry at this point, but thought to myself that everyone has a different way of doing things, just be chill. However, I began to panic when the hairdresser started to look flustered and told me I didn't have to pay. Never really what you want to hear. </p><p> It was the most jagged, crazy hair I have ever seen...and the real kicker?!? By the time we left, the side with the bangs was still a good inch shorter than the rest of her hair. (Did I mention that the ENTIRE reason we went in for a cut was to make it even?) She offered to keep trying to fix it, but Ava's hair was getting shorter by the second, so I figured we should cut our losses. </p><p> I thought I could take her home and work some magic with the flat iron and all would be better...right?? Wrong again! It just kept looking worse the more I tried to fix it. UGH! I wish this picture could actually show the atrocity of this haircut, but it really doesn't... (my personal favorite is the little chunk on the right that is completely longer than the rest of her hair.) It's very probable that I could have done a better job if I would have had the scissors myself...EEK!</p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGIm5zzP-EjWVWjRNXH1BCsFr1KyEuJ01Y3rE5Hjyic-S8Swz7RQu0u4K040o6P3ZY5s0I4SU_MzH-aGFRYppEnOPixI_9mNPHZjJIePYHDGCpenwJmBDNaeFOAUIiM2oT7NykZ-UrJRN/" /></div>
<br /><p>Well, we all know that the idea of me with a pair of scissors is a very bad idea, so I finally admitted defeat and called my hairdresser and asked for help.
<br /></p><p>Please let me emphasize, I did not want to get the other lady in any kind of trouble. (Okay, there was a small part of me that wanted to shake her and ask her what the heck she was thinking...) But seriously, it was clear that she was a little flustered and having a bad day, I really wasn't trying to make it worse for her...I just wanted Ava to have presentable hair. Did I mention that school and her birthday are both this week?? </p><p>Melissa (the normal hairdresser) came to the rescue. She was quite apologetic and worked her magic and I am happy to say that it looks MUCH better. Relief! Lesson learned...when it comes to hair, stick to normal. From now on, I will wait! :)
<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmR7Dr9eJTzgj0aocDTk5bTCMqOV5_GJ3rT-QSxMJUN2UplqFuGrLpaUZxG5NjP2gC4Z0S_hjRPk1ej-fub2XRwpm9bI5lzf4EfkWC3X4G18B2ywHJQt6UQQ0bjm6hrKyr5684GNQu6QdW/" /></div>~Crystal
<br />Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-3592152492540821982011-08-03T10:49:00.001-07:002011-08-03T11:09:50.347-07:00Happiness<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOcqHmzzRCwoC32_4t4n3Zu6BmxqwS-pPzeqD5KjRtr1b_uMVSSAW1R7WoIyp8htX2G4kMwv5UC5xQVqFWQZ8ZUKCdk91CfFHq_xrMeem0zUkwh4kCKctefDtjYQaSNtXhAGaJJMgiavy5/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Hello all. You're going to have to bear with me on this one, but today I would like to talk about one of my simple, happy things in life: cleaning supplies. I love the days when I peer into my cabinet and realize that I am out of everything at about the same time...that means that I get to go shopping and try out some new products! I'm always on the search for something that has a better smell than the one before. For instance, I was so happy when windex came out with the rain scent instead of just boring, old windex...stuff like that. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Even better, a <strong>BRAND NEW TARGET</strong> recently opened up by our house. That's right, LESS THAN 5 MILES AWAY!! *Side note: this has the potential to be quite dangerous for me. (Back to the story)... I was actually going to Target to pick up some new sheets for Ava today (when I was changing hers this morning, I realized that they had a giant hole in them), they were super on sale, by the way (**BONUS**). While I was there, I remembered that I needed laundry and dish detergent. While I was looking for that, I also remembered that I was out of most everything else as well. Oh happy day to remember this while I was at Target instead of Walmart because I have always wanted to try their METHOD brand. There is something about it: I'm not sure if it is the sleek look or all of the fabulous smells, but it always makes me happy. I actually can't believe that I haven't tried it until now. Rest assured, if it works well, it is what I will be using from now on... with a Target this close to my house, there is no reason to not use it. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">So there you go, I choose to be happy by the simple things in life, and today that is my brand new cleaning supplies. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">If you must know, there are also things I am not so happy about...like trying to use my brand new cleaning supplies with a house full of kids (mine, plus two others) and a wienie dog (because it is hotter than the sun's very core today). So, let's just say that the cleaning is not going quite as smoothly as usual, but I am quite enjoying all of my new scents. :) </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-8364535339419388082011-08-01T13:05:00.001-07:002011-08-01T13:17:21.236-07:00Seriously Cute<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbWKcPvw-AeDTHXhiIjsTVhOTwXXiVxW5Kv8YV5a81ML396FWyb9IsvXMpDGx7O9wTYCCRKMTnzOU5RwW3t6xjQGl3jhVlXHzSiqXhgtHDaE-dXZ1YloritvNSNsEQmdZKDqlvkEweGXU/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">This is what I found the other day when I walked by Ava's room. She always has all of her little friends on her bed...this is nothing new...what I loved here was how she had them all grouped together. All of her dolls and animals had a doll or animal of their own. I have always appreciated her ability to make her own bed (and quite well, I might add) at a very young age, but she just gets more creative with it as she goes along. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3rOcP_z4gGV2ITXV5UvwIYBF6qowYKG2YEYex_Ekex_OTsS3nn4TyilFrvTylyyujFI2bZPgipqta_OZeJUDyoDsnq6s50cuhlUHje2Dgdte8K-BdKxZtXdv59WFmCQIR3lhM3nhC7WA8/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">My other favorite thing Ava does is dress all of her animals. You would think she would love build-a-bear with her affinity for animal clothes, but she really prefers to find random clothes from around her room that used to belong to dolls, etc. She has recently added bows to her animal's ears (which I also think is adorable.) She usually spends more time figuring what bows will look best for her bears than she does with her own hair. They are very well-loved.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTT_LgJuWI0bJUnwzsWX1f-hGiJhwUkUL9cHQPThNi3C5QU1zr3YPIf_VTsuTZUN0EifZexMP1hf-sk_SZWTd6qu4uplOmoAc7fjhmnEnl2solYhygRX5JcRMuLAuyICUYjYt3C6RiL044/" /></div><br />In case you were wondering, this is not only a morning routine, she has a strict night-time routine as well. Even if it's just a matter of shuffling everyone's clothes around, (ie- one bear gets the elephant's shirt, etc.) all of her beloved animals must change clothes at LEAST twice a day. (Sometimes more if there is a special occasion.)<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="center"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilet0MV2OrmG6lJUXeyxeDIUhpJ_hDw8HVZb_P-fKX_qvtF4PNuGOR5GGrxXHuzVeu8e8Yf50NmAQM09thOZZjv5TWI_jPEXltQaY4mqxRijXeGxmtLUJZBEB7mt74HYBL7Oe-gQsyvusu/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I just wanted to share these pictures with you. I thought they were too cute. :)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"> </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-82234900979108926362011-08-01T11:55:00.000-07:002011-08-01T12:23:26.115-07:00My Newest Addiction<p>I know I'm probably super late to the game. Let's face it, I'm rarely cutting edge. In case there is anyone out there that is like me, I wanted to introduce to you it, too. What is it, you ask?!? <a href="http://www.pinterest.com">Pinterest. </a> Basically, it is a website where you can take any image you find on the web and "pin" the image to a peg board on your personal page. It doesn't sound like much when you say it like that, but I assure you that it is completely addictive. My own personal black hole. Even worse, there is an app for my phone. AAAHHH. I should have never discovered this website!</p><p>For those such as myself who don't consider themselves to be proficient web surfers, every time someone "pins" something, it goes to a main page that you can scroll through and you can "repin" other's images. Even better, it it's a do-it-yourself project or a recipe, it takes you directly to the website so you can see how to make it yourself. Brilliant. I can't even tell you how many great ideas I've gotten in the last few days. (Which I suppose is a good thing considering that I haven't gotten much else done since I've discovered it...lol). </p><p>Things I've tried in the last week...a new hairstyle for Ava, glitter toenail polish, blue jello in a fishbowl with gummy fish (the kids LOVED this one)...I've also gotten lots of inspiration for my house. Still aren't sold? Look at this very cute lunch idea I plan on making for my kids very soon... <br /><div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/84311284/" target="_blank"><img src="http://d30opm7hsgivgh.cloudfront.net/upload/84311284_6Nj3Iwsa_c.jpg" border="0" width="554 height =" /></a></div><div style="float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><p style="font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;">Source: <a style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;" href="http://www.google.com/reader/view/?hl=en&tab=wy">google.com</a> via <a style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;" href="http://pinterest.com/crys2201/" target="_blank">Crystal</a> on <a style="text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;" href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p></div><p><br />I mean, come on, how cute is that? Ava is very excited about eating this little friend for lunch... (and I'm excited about THAT because the girl only eats peanut butter and jelly)! If you haven't given this a try yet, hop on over. Just do it when you have some free time on your hands, because next thing you know, two hours of your life will have passed and your children may be buried under a pile of laundry somewhere. (What?? No! That has NOT happened to me!) If you want to check out my boards, you can do that <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/crys2201">here</a>. </p><p>*Side note: For those of you who discovered this months ago, please don't laugh at me. :)</p><p>~Crystal</p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-35490140084882826622011-07-29T14:31:00.001-07:002011-08-01T12:24:38.891-07:00Ava Conquers Her Fear<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UadOTIMQYAp-lJCN9z1TZl1AwVnp1PSww_MDY_UF0olHMscBIgRV9zF2yR6OaC-iziHzR7haU53g36VReZE_CU14Mehv3PO6jCf4l4b6czdKIPL7zYPv__MGL4A3uYMAEf389helHpR5/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Ugh! I've been trying to pull myself away from <a href="http://www.pinterest.com">pinterest</a> for the last hour(more on that later) to work on my blog post. I've got entirely too many things to distract myself on the computer lately (including this blog). Okay...moving on to distraction #2...</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I realize that there have been way too many pool posts lately, but I guess that's just to be expected when one has a season pass to the pool. I swore that I would not post anymore about the pool this season (I mean, seriously, haven't we ALL heard enough?), but then, silly Ava had to go off and do something cool and now I have to blog about it. More pool. So sorry. Feel free to skip it, but if you do, you're going to miss out on hearing all about Ava jumping off the HIGH DIVE! That's right, can you believe it?!? I mean, come on, the kid is only five years old. I think she is kind of a rock star. :)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Of course, it wasn't necessarily all that easy. I would never even encourage her to do this. What mother really wants to watch her child dangling perilously 20 feet in the air crying that she made a mistake and then have to tell small child that it's too late...she HAS to jump? I wasn't really looking forward to that little scenario, so I've been begging Ava NOT to jump for two weeks now, but it's like she just had this little magnet attached to her...pulling her towards the high dive, and we were all powerless to stop it. I pretty much captured how the whole thing went down in a series (don't be scared) of about four videos, so, I'm just going to let those speak for me. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Video #1...Bear with me, this is the longest (don't worry, that's just a little over a minute). I would like a couple things to be noted here: I encouraged her NOT to go and she was WARNED it was going to be high... At this point, I still think we have dodged the bullet and she will talk herself out of it completely</div><br /><p><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wUC2WxBCRbo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>Video #2...I know I'm in trouble when she is sizing up the ladder as Chance does his dive. Hmmm..I think she is really going to do it. Note her little sigh as she walks by me. That cracks me up every time. </p><p><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AMj_JJvucxg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>Video #3...Yep, she's gonna do it. My worst fear is coming true. She is going to be that kid that gets to the top of the diving board and has to be forced to jump. Ugh! I realized as all of this was going through my head, I should probably stop taping because that makes me look like an even WORSE mother. I'm "making" my kid jump, she's crying AND I'm taping it. </p><p><br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LObQIJ6XfsE?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>Oh, how I really wish you could have seen what happened AFTER this video. I turned it off when she was crying up the ladder (just helping you remember). She continued to cry as she walked across the board and stood on the edge of the board and cried some more. (I was quite thankful there were only five people at the pool at the time or else I would have felt like an EVEN WORSE mother.) Then, a calm came over her and a strange look of determination and it was then that I knew everything would be okay. She jumped...and when she came up, she was laughing hysterically. I guess it was a success?!? ;) I just wish I would have ignored the crying and continued filming the whole process. It was hilarious. </p><p>Video #4...I wanted to include another video of her jumping and having fun so that there is documentation that she really DOES like it now. Yay, Ava! I'm so proud of you for knowing what you want and GOING FOR IT! </p><p> <br /><iframe width="560" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vxD_EQ58210?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />~Crystal</p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-72450749386667423782011-07-28T07:46:00.001-07:002011-07-28T09:25:29.118-07:00They Wanna Do What??<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyeYDC6x9sgrM-BMBkIRx8qhzjClR4zIO5zHTu0-p9KwUGSD0CrVYhsNmU2B1uytQIO3tRImUyB0l-Z1-o3Xy9KNmzV8J15NE0H1n9hyphenhyphenwohDLYnI_SXHFudFw1CJ-ep7a4Hv4vSl-1dbLU/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Well, it's official. I must be boring because when the kids found out Brian was going to work this morning, (what?!? He doesn't do that everyday?!?) they practically fell over trying to get out the door to go with him. Yeah right, I didn't really figure THAT was going to happen today, anyway...so imagine my surprise when Brian said he was up for it. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I can definitely go for a little of that action, because I have all of my extra kids today, which means I won't be leaving the house entirely too much anyway...and let's face it, that makes us ALL a little crazy. The way I see it, it's a win-win: the kids get out of the house via a far-away trip to the student center and THIS mommy gets a little R&R when visiting kids <strong>ONE </strong>and <strong>TWO </strong>go down for their afternoon nap. (We won't talk about how the plan will go a little south when MY kids decide they are bored and want to come home right in the middle of said nap time.)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">One of the visiting kids was down for his nap for an entire hour before the second little visitor arrived, so I even got a bonus hour to myself this morning. *Just a tasty little preview of my life when school starts when BOTH of my kids will be in school all say for the first time EVER and I am down to watching only ONE kid three days a week. I have two entirely free days <strong>TWO WHOLE DAYS A WEEK</strong>. DO YOU HEAR ME?!?! It's gonna be incredible!! (*sorry, my post got a little off track, can you tell I'm excited?)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Well, I'm off to Sonic...I'm pretty sure a vanilla diet coke is calling my name (and while I'm at it, I should probably put on something that's not my pajamas...it's almost noon! SHEESH!)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-83094475680703066782011-07-27T09:02:00.000-07:002011-07-27T09:10:39.954-07:00High Dive VideoI finally figured out how to get my video on you tube. Turns out, I was using the wrong user name. I have the same user name for most things, but apparently I got creative with my you tube account. Good to know, especially when I haven't even looked at it in over a year. How am I even supposed to have a fighting chance?? Oh well, it's better now. <br /><br />The other problem I discovered, is that I didn't film in landscape mode, so I have giant black boxes on either side of the video. I'll have to fix that in the future, but it will have to work for now.<br /><br />The first video is one I took without Chance knowing I was filming. The let out a little scream on the way down, and when he found out was on video, he told me I had to erase it and do another "non-screaming" video. I told him, of course I would. Okay, how about a compromise? I put BOTH videos up instead?? Yeah, that sounds better. Sorry, Chance. :)<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/5VwJbwG0pkg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br /><br />And here is the "Chance-approved" video:<br /><br /><iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0v_zMhZ0PeE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />Now, if I can just remember to film things the right way...<br /><br />~CrystalCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-62029955576589901672011-07-23T13:16:00.001-07:002011-07-26T12:57:04.763-07:00Flashback to Memorial Day...This is completely random...pictures from the beginning of summer, but I couldn't help but put them on here. A friend of mine took them at a cookout and just gave them to me the other day. I thought they were so good. Enjoy.
<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Bu4gsa_lskjeVidExTg99o9MeDC3q6qbwvJTDWPIJ_1dQlQdd6_9ioU2u08oEQjwnV4Q2HA_Faq75RXoCHCHld3nw7poID2SbBcw6eVc113ZkJmBU1TpZV_tYqh_m89RJuT6nGVeQ4tD/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRCCXVnczdhtcbZOPizng5z368ktjklca6CNDI9-iwgFckn5CEdQJsHYCbYYkWdSzdHzRfk_WDXAl9TrA1gXMFsyKBsM-e5C5LbYFynpzv2D7tDDf30ameb9wbCVNEGLFLjat97nvnNf38/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RjAKWtv1tb7NQwZemLyJYO36X3ksz8bLgerBE1nOmLQ7eZvDbh-poad2pvJZblJhyzSwd4DUJca57nhc5OMDWcPXh0B_7-kpXyGBaWZhmHKK5IiUGvSrxoZNsDN7LxdmImvIzDnG4M8d/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S6xkxuRdkgmcQ8KDJmFlEcv65VWUVnR8EzQm-Va5UWORuN0Wx-lTFOu9bYPmjWcf1eHks6cSn94AoFDGn_GotZ0rVi0PGL_KBgLXwF-xhw22JftJbWF8ecdyRCkIeRI-SsegIoLsNZfk/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWCrtXfZ0toffoqHPTCqDgZ9sf7v-US6Qqz9Tibod8WNipWSrgr5Y-D0SqR9vi2KhuVcjnJzTWiQxov42bnf0Nrzdb9pB7utfiicfpNQr5Rz50bz2DZ5-8bl77Up178iXK9m9vjDvyKr4/" /></div></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQiNYHTKIkePDuwGzVCPalj6CFCHoLR3hsvMzX7WELkVroTxX59lueOjSOewaRysu67ia8Ycx4YzcQMeRd-m4xLPoiAjHchd4yTBEVGYNvV4qicUcTVX49tYBvhkLmT-3q0DHBPoQTVsCi/" /></div>
<br />~CrystalCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-87968848793887723682011-07-23T13:13:00.001-07:002011-07-26T12:51:25.714-07:00Free Friday<p> Fridays are special at the Marlett house this summer because it is the only day I don't have extra kids around so the kids and I have fun on Fridays. I have been trying to take them to the pool, but we have to be sure to go when it opens because buses and buses of daycare children start rolling between 12:30 and 1. </p><p>This Friday, it was just Chance and I because Ava has swimmer's ear (poor baby) and can't swim until she is finished with her meds. Never fear, she spent the day with Daddy at the office. She LOVES being up there with her Daddy...and Chance loved that he got to swim even though I didn't think we were going to be able to go because of Ava. </p><p>I know everyone is probably getting tired of all of my pictures from the pool, but I just can't help myself. Here are some more:<br /><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"><br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4OHk1tM3U12ejyBa1aYsZtVRaWViJyXH0KSxsOsnTw3iWK5GgPwfd9e0nhKlVgUCLWtkYiXMvcDRz-c3koSoX8Ix8vuwmxaaDxtPKWutpECfeJfhHaLZYGHOWth4y7BP7RNKRQRp92rQ/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKWKi9ubCNLNNOabq4rSRUigw76F_8gFqKrzP6p6psXojS0vR5OlIfW4bwPLwQPuzZsj6Oyf-aQHyByxhoPCawubRrR6k0AhTEyeTLX40Z3oX0B4KlnmMy6WjR1LzjCLSlJXxN4LaSsCl/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2_oxWvdITlntG84teNEHKKazR67a7_L13AawHjz_Zq4eRqVbEaCBwz746JePgn2z28IrJTUaQe6ucgZSI94zImM1MWfM4jf96nZdc8zN6Lv1zRJ3hLhQAcOLOvS0wUW_CxIjK7D1Ft7b/" /></div><p class="bloggerplus_image_section"><br />Nevan met us at the pool because she had a couple hours off at work. After the pool, we got some pizza at a somewhat questionable pizza joint. By "somewhat questionable", I mean that the pizza was downright disgusting. Sad, but true. I will say that the cinnamon rolls were amazing, though. Is that enough to make me ever go back?? No. That's okay, it was an adventure. <br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPiCIRnLnV9V7afbp4VErn_kII_rxz16KCLdoY9rNkSm-o9ni78URWkPY21IYN3UtFlDLE9ne-_99kCF5Qlcno1Y4x50KCqfqqUZFG9geMw8cuz1LseWTzWXx0YHtiWRHTJOoE3lRPj-Sn/" /></div><p>I thought I should put a picture of Ava in here to document what she was doing on Free Friday. When I walked into Brian's office, she was rolling across the room in an office chair. Only Ava. Needless to say, she was having fun. She would also like everyone to take time out of their day to see Captain America. (or maybe that's Brian, but either way...)</p><p>*side note: I have a really great video of Chance going off the high dive that I would really like to put on here, but I am having trouble loading it onto youtube. Check back for it later. I'm sure it will be stuck between a couple random posts that have nothing to do with the pool, but I WILL figure it out...eventually. <br /></p><p>~Crystal</p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-3666097638986908902011-07-23T13:10:00.001-07:002011-08-01T12:25:53.431-07:00I Have a Problem<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdnbZail0jHlmmf2LGQFHZrzHHQR-lEWIWR88pHkXlU3JIWhH9hAoATbim-XZ7ztw-aY3C_xfRO09hhPmbuQzwOO-LQhHZyHJCMZkPcoryGVSkk4haGZd_Kxi22XPNBdOYGPDJDdPhz3ro/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I would like all of my blog readers to know that I have a problem.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">There, I said it.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">They say admitting you have a problem is half the battle, right??</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Here's to hoping...</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">My problem: <strong>cupcakes</strong>. Not just any cupcake, mind you. No, unfortunately, I am addicted to the new cupcake place that is just a mere mile and a half from my house. See my problem? This does not bode well for my weight loss. Perhaps I should quit being their "friend" on facebook so I am not bombarded by all of their delicious, new flavors <strong>every single day</strong>. Although, I think I can quit my search...I have found my favorite: chocolate mint. ("mint to be"...sigh). It's a chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing (have I mentioned the icing is to DIE for??) with andes mints crumbled and sprinkled on top. Delicious. I think I can quit my search for the best flavor because I definitely found it. Now, I just wish I could quit eating it. That's where the "I have a problem" part comes in to play.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I used to justify my little trips once every couple weeks because I happen to know the owner and just wanted to be "supportive". However, my one trip every couple of weeks has turned in to two trips <strong>every</strong> week. Yeah, like I said, I have a problem.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">So, for those of you that are in the Oklahoma City/Moore area and haven't tried them out, why don't you head on over to <a href="http://www.thecupcakeloungeok.com">The Cupcake Lounge</a> and check it out for yourself. No one likes to sin alone. ;) You won't be sorry, they're delicious. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Anyone else out there have any "problems"?? ;)</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-39708455801063068252011-07-23T13:09:00.001-07:002011-07-26T11:55:38.841-07:00Haircut DayFriday was a long awaited, much anticipated day in the Marlett house: <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;"><strong>HAIRCUT DAY</strong></span>!! Why is haircut day so amazingly exciting, you ask?? Well, when you have strangers remarking that your son has crazy hair, it puts a little motivation behind the action. ;) You be the judge:<br /><br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6vi-1RjiSJmyA1zblKOfpv7UhvX9SWkYqzjJrwo3srWzTulVTWKcozYJ6ePpcT0ocpHoIOWQYv7m0ubTpOFSwi465hBqnV10c-hFrmuiyFn9MP00LB43NPrIRU61Bo5Ovq5Jf5dScEmh/" /><br />I told you...it's a bit scary. I have a son that desperately wants long hair. I, on the other hand, am a control-freak mommy that would just as soon give him a buzz cut to keep things neat and tidy. </div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I think I have exercised super great skills here in letting go of my control-freakiness in hopes of giving my son what he wants. He is nine, after all, I know I should let him make some of the smaller decisions in life. I'm sure that his hair is one of them. However, in this quest to let him to what he wants with his hair, I think I have just had to make myself turn a blind eye to it completely so I can resist the urge to cut it the second it even LOOKS like it is going to get in his eyes. (Just so you know, that's exactly where he wants it.) My blind eye lets his hair go completely wild at times.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">That is...until strangers mention it.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">That is not fun.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">Then, you can guess what happens....</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">HAIRCUT DAY!<br /><br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqef00TP188LqsKNxkSM_DWEn_FQUM_q3g4-BKrjzqDq1akrNFI9Ct9y-aoE6Cibnw_B6HJBGIVHfACVb-dU4e-YxOIPgDihTp0oZqkUxwXFVkmT6BT-Ob-RlKEtl0TYZdDRmrLWkjyjhm/" /></div><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left">And, doesn't it look so much better. Mommy can rest now. At least for a week or two. ;)<br /><br />This is a random side note that has nothing whatsoever to do with haircut day (except that it happened to be on the same day)...<br /></p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left">My Shutterfly photo book came in the mail today. I am so excited. One thing off my list and a little bit closer to getting my photo goals accomplished. Granted, this is the 2006 book and we are in 2011, but it still IS progress. Actually, I think my kids enjoy looking at them even more when they are from years ago because they have forgotten (or don't even remember) what was going on in the first place. They looked at my book for HOURS. It even resulted in getting all my scrapbooks down for them to look at as well. (I still stand by the fact that my scrapbooks are MUCH better, but who has time for that anymore??)</p><p class="bloggerplus_text_section" align="left">Anyway, all that to say, I snapped this picture while they were looking at my book after it came in the mail. I thought it was precious and had to share. :)</p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyJP6z6wOmnLyGiRbnXQ3gytGIEy6WHRLfJusN9UcdwIIQDBlSsTx9ng0zhrjOIH28T6vBW3U4PSoz4wNJTM0gM6ohyHs_l-N-zykOD64IqhYG3d5pHwSivFez7bhpTfQjWdhtTplVlbt/" /><br />~Crystal<br /></div></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-25669291954286732832011-07-20T09:38:00.001-07:002011-07-20T09:40:38.106-07:00Fill in the Blanks<object name="Slideshow" id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" align="middle" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000"><embed id="Slideshow" width="425" height="425" name="Slideshow" align="middle" quality="high" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" flashvars="configurl=http%3A%2F%2Fws.shutterfly.com%2Fshare%2Fexternal_slideshow_config%3Fsid%3D0BZMmTVu5asWOt" pluginspage="http://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#869ca7" src="http://www.shutterfly.com/flashapps/flashslideshow/Slideshow.swf"></embed></object><p style="width:425px;margin-top:0;text-align:center;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0BZMmTVu5asWOt&eid=115">Click here to view these pictures larger</a><img width="1" height="1" border="0" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=pictures&c2=blogger" /></p><p>Since I was on a blog hiatus from January to May, I thought I would add some of the pictures I would have put on my blog during this time. It's not perfect, but it will have to do. ;)</p><p>~Crystal<br /></p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-74338823942206730402011-07-19T19:50:00.001-07:002011-07-22T08:25:22.812-07:00Unexpected Family FunHere are some pictures I took from the park the other night. We took the kids to see <strong>Winnie the Pooh</strong> and then we took them to play at their elementary school playground. It was a really good evening. I think the best part was that we weren't expecting to do anything. Brian just came home from work and said that we should go to the movie. The movie was super short and we still had daylight hours after it was over, so we took the kids to play. I think they are both really ready for school to start, so they liked the idea of visiting their playground. It was fun to have them lead us around and tell us stories about things they do when they play out there at school. I got some really cute pictures that night...here are a few of them.<br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikgGMUh6hvSTzLcZToJifeajLdFo01H2f8vaEM4LwJV0zZlvUZfIR5aCdLWJIWhoyVv5rt7vT6BmCDdUQhyr8725x8K2BOUsoqaY0S_Gsx6rk34iAYyCLWrtxtfzk8wffYU6irXDgD6Ftn/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2j1xJx21isCXjuZsZlyIIDT0TAfM6D6SwM828Hn_nqCh3-4192vg5JBiWTKqZ5OJ0h1ejy0gr0NrUDpNPtE-J3zisdEK4c1kWTVhyphenhyphenHR28B1k5xjtVjL87pzxwR9lsoINPe0yY1ZZt1SVo/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBDH512AcGeRBn-96Kb6Zjk6Npsu6go_GbpexlKV2H0ZiBNTb0NNpv1lO7thJzBFw-EN2q-FPcWfrwdJe2zU9HRuVsTC0yEAxvzFfZpCKWuZEtoRll8Z-ZxfHDEz9ThsPhtxWfSLx1o4Sw/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXYPOIjPbsxOMKtGkA7ajB9spPkyM90CjmAC9n5zg51L7PkRA13HJ7URM4hWMnntZh4dCwS3t2AC626OoqyZbwaR1Dxzn33dhgSrH_Tqqv_ePjlU_ZLV2pyM9EQFSdT9STN8fNivjDDLlQ/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB1kk_F4jt2BP-6RvF_6kr06JNAj9kmHWpoIDx_ExmBlQ7QvKc85FTncIpF5U8a16FP-u7vkCua8Xy9_QItNmZH0YJ5KTl8SE9Pd-Grda9as8GhlYWTDdAw8S7ztna2RwNQljq93eR73C/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4NL5i5Q1aVcPA-IyIxuZc00PoQHTa_o1kL-BfZ7rlRkM6PMhCLJbVga6xhdXbJMxhp-gKXoserzGsqVXFUxjr8SOAjuj8VrMRIh6yo0yQF78ailEzCcX3c1caCFpZd1NfqOLSnpTgNzt/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMbmKrzOi7yls5iazrTXODW3ZnMVcLxcCZIw1WlO5ltMo_a7bsNUOxFXR4O3lYxcHTikuGm2ls1aWXXC1yytAzJjo5GvvT3v63oThL1AZoC4ODeECM-qeIPGipoYCmPYFhaaEwKWhY472W/" /></div><br /><br />~CrystalCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-53643001870430075832011-07-19T14:10:00.001-07:002011-07-22T08:11:38.635-07:00A Trip Down Memory Lane<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilUL2wXYLUW-5SGVNE8LLT-tWZgAGQEdQ5CwhobwrUUrHBITvfBQu5KjZwL5jPb79p-1BlFSp6tqXZUj348Odckq_9UWtcm2kcmNOrXL84IK7CA2T6R-pHTIBzRGX0Vdc93ppnvIEMesBD/" /></div><p>I've noticed every time we go to Mississippi, Brian takes the kids around to see different things we did as a kid: his school, playground, places where he used to work, etc. This made me think... I don't really do that with the things <strong>I</strong> used to do. I just kind of take those things for granted. I think that happens more when the kids grow up in the same state as you. We're not going on any sort of vacation, it's just always there. <p>I have already mentioned that I've been a little nostalgic lately. That, coupled with the thinking I've been doing when we go to Mississippi has led me to exposing the kids to more of the things I experienced when I was growing up. The more I show them, the more interested they seem to be. I've showed them parks, my library, (we currently have a season pass to the pool I went to, and so on...).</p><p>My parents were doing some work at my old house the other day (I haven't been there in YEARS) and I asked the kids if they would like to see the house where I grew up. I figured that wouldn't be THAT big of a deal, but they seemed really excited about it. I threw them (plus an extra baby) in the car and took them to Del City.<br /></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjv6YnVrSUBCO6qVZ0ExX14Tx5cZf_qmMQiNjsvaNus2OMc8imiQOk6KmRGVTq5bQK92KtA239m1tCaZZ5nGvs_iaSa7RTteGiZqUA9AnWolqBRSD7gCSGtyvw3_jDH8gDIyxp6BykmoFR/" /></div><p>When my mom got remarried and we moved to Moore, she didn't need a lot of her old furniture. Her friend ended up renting our house and said she could use it, so quite a few things from my childhood are still there. The kids loved looking at the house. Ava was quite impressed when I told her my old room used to have panda wallpaper on one wall. (Don't get any ideas, Ava...I like your room just the way it is.) They spent quite a bit of time going through the rooms while I told them stories of things that happened when I was a kid. It was a neat experience to have them there and get to share my stories with them. <p> I told Chance he should be thankful that he and Ava don't have to share a room like my sister and I did growing up. He told me he wouldn't mind if it was a baby brother. Yeah, right. That would be over in about a week. ;) <br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6WXIwlxteYoS1U-WzHKzeod7GQg0ADG3HMa_jsSnNoMm2py5_jOo8C4JiWnALpBIxxZayRqO5BM7HRvXdm59nj-066enp9WY8cJSiNG8URQKPn1NKqQhU0TlCrKTBv0s_1DqOwN6SzN-/" /></div><p>Even though it was about 105 degrees outside, they wanted to play in the yard for awhile. It was fun to watch them run around in the exact same places I did as a child. My Mom played track ball with Chance. He's been dying to have someone (that's not Ava...she doesn't throw the ball high enough) play with him. <br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4zcWcTcermj3xwS5MMizq_VvckMS3WTq02EDOXyzOGMb5XQPtJa5UUMBriCI8PWvtuMHfEdTQ8zoakShgPFrjxUqdfuRxwjAg3q-vueRjEg3onzyy8Xm5Coh_mG_Bm_xOtNPRrRFY0mi2/" /></div><p>I know this may seem somewhat weird that it is so exciting for me to involve my kids in my "growing up" memories as much as I do. I admit, our house now is much bigger and I love Moore. It's far nicer (and arguably more safe) than Del City. I think the real issue here stems from missing my Dad and I feel like when I show the kids these things, he's maybe just a little bit closer, even if it's just for a few minutes. I mean, where else can they sit on the exact couch that my dad used to lay on? Twenty five years have passed and there is not too much that is the same. That's why I enjoy it so much. I'm glad they humor me (and really even seem to have fun) on our little outings. It's been a fun little gift for us to enjoy together. <br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHqP7I8u8RvutmzjXfKwttJsvJzuHeJa2FTgpBFWrlAX7xu5SLZcP6hQRI6FjIah0Y4v06PQhT1XWcjIM6MsoW8_VeHaAW23yj66rO0mihJQM9tYKx1WyMkQ2z-oC6YEFVwV_eHqjIWIkA/" /></div><br />~CrystalCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-80330495802239189682011-07-19T12:30:00.001-07:002011-07-19T13:15:26.467-07:00Cruise Facts<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_VawLKc7worqc-qEUMwugjwBkaZ6bu4WbCniq_tOSd1Y6bY7QdYk9m6NHZfY5WNl8XUi4pLV1-bm_pMdHV3HFR5aRwfGsCixkXeL8L2plx6BKi2Opvg2_8RoWWhWA7pKIOPtne2_nJ95/s1600/192.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="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_VawLKc7worqc-qEUMwugjwBkaZ6bu4WbCniq_tOSd1Y6bY7QdYk9m6NHZfY5WNl8XUi4pLV1-bm_pMdHV3HFR5aRwfGsCixkXeL8L2plx6BKi2Opvg2_8RoWWhWA7pKIOPtne2_nJ95/s320/192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631148440217410978" /></a><br /></p><p>I meant to write this earlier to go along with all my cruise pictures, but I got a little overwhelmed with trying to get the rest of my blog caught up. Everything is a little wacky and out of order, anyway. ;) I wanted to do a top 10 of some of our favorite cruise moments. I thought it would be a fun way of recording some memories, but not too wordy to bore everyone with the details. As I started working on my list, it became a little longer (thanks, Brian). So, I changed it from a top ten, to a list of random cruise facts (in no particular order). If you're looking for actual pictures from the cruise, keep scrolling...they're down there somewhere. </p><p>So, here you go, random cruise facts from the 2011 Marlett Family Vacation:</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>If Ava is anywhere near chocolate milk, she can and will get it all over her entire outfit. (Nothing like ruining her entire summer wardrobe before it actually even starts).</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Every time we introduce our kids to a new beach city, Chance announces that it will be where he lives when he "grows up". (Since Cozumel was our last stop, that is his current city of choice).</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>6-10 ice cream cones a day is perfectly acceptable.</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>With unlimited food options to dazzle the taste buds, Peanut butter & Jelly and potato chips was Chance's dinner request EVERY SINGLE NIGHT! (and you should have seen how his eyes lit up every time they brought it to him.)</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Nothing is quite as exciting for the kids as little white towels folded into animals. It was Chance and Ava's nightly highlight to see what little creature was waiting in their room to bid them goodnight. </p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Even though stingrays should be safe because they have been "de-barbed", don't be fooled by the "safety" of a ravenous stingray. Ava's giant stingray hickey on her leg (5 minutes into our excursion) proved that they are, in fact, bad news and not to be messed with. </p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Luchador<strong> </strong>masks are a matter of ship security and are not to be worn on-board at any time. (Just ask Chance who was given a strict warning by ship security).</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Why spend good money on an excursion to the beach if there is a perfectly good kiddie pool nearby? The kids are easily entertained with creature comforts. Oceans are perfectly great to look at, but not to swim in. </p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>All cruise cabin doors must be unlocked twice to gain entry. At least, that's what Chance and Ava thought as both of them ALWAYS had to place their key in the door before we could enter the room.</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact~ </strong>Even if you warn the kids that the street entertainer pretending to be a statue is going to try to scare them, it still scares them every time.</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>A dollar flute may seem like a cheap souvenir, but it is really just the street vendors way of playing an evil joke on you for the long drive home.</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>When you are in port, and certain bars are "closed" the attendants don't even have to acknowledge your presence, much less serve you a coke. No matter how long you stand there and wait. In case you're wondering, they also don't feel compelled to tell you that the bar is closed in the first place. </p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Comedians on the ship are not funny. They are just placed there for "entertainment" because you are in the middle of a giant ocean and out of options. Give Ava 45 minutes and a microphone, and I assure you, she will be far more funny.</p><p><strong>Cruise Fact~ </strong>When your wife tells you to stay somewhere, she will be right back, that does not mean wonder off in search of drinks. She will not think the following 45 minutes of looking up to see you on the 10th floor of the floor of the ship (while she is on the 2nd) is a very fun game. Word to the wise. ;)</p><p>And finally, </p><p><strong>Cruise Fact ~ </strong>Even though there are times that parents will think family cruising is exhausting and secretly wish for the days of their solo cruises and long for uninterrupted hours of reading, the family time and memories are awesome and irreplaceable. I wouldn't trade them for the world. </p><p>~Crystal</p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-57265811145667295382011-07-18T21:41:00.001-07:002011-07-19T12:25:57.970-07:004th of July<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jLT8fXMnExMpbPKs_MLLWXQaHltoUV5my-XoTBp3qS0Def9x0IGHqfkjcz0W6TahpbIZhnIJOeiqmKAKAuwTgE1roYVwghEWkw88Cqe8QILUEJEPaAuK7Rn2uFTmcbsWNp9Nn3p8Opxa/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">We had an amazing Fourth of July this year. Brian and I were talking about it later and both agreed that while this particular holiday is always fun, this had to go on the books as one of the most enjoyable EVER. The day before the 4th, we went to the carnival at our local park. It's funny that I have lived in the same town all of my life and never went once. It was way too hot to stay for long, but it was fun while it lasted. We got the kids wristbands for unlimited use of the inflatables. <br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLPsMDNnyj19wciUHvhbk1tMzw76Wxpcp8KccCWo17-CNHx0MxmAnwMs1RSTOzVnLxpEA103QY3PBGXTpdzuZSqxlg5-Sddv7r57KvagkN-F19Gkp9AXJL_3wsrJaxU4OQyNj_QC0Va20/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJQBfcmRfMLDjDdnmoy3hl3hsAYbFhpNVTFw7NqFl6vFJoVksLiwBGZSHFlJ2sXsAsfWLvV5Hb-yyE1naQiIfFfFkz5Lq4ElimyCwRpIgU9S_OKWHDhzX2Lv9nsqNxyQViW6U4qXtJ-Gr/" /><br />July Fourth was crammed full of activities. We took the kids swimming with Nevan in the morning (right after a stop by Dunkin' Donuts). This was followed by some resting and cooking at home. That evening, we went to our friend's house for some 4th of July fun. We started this tradition last year. Their house is right by our local park where the fireworks happen, and let me tell you, there is not a better seat in the house! Before last year, I didn't think it mattered what distance you saw the fireworks from as long as they could be seen. This was far from the truth! Having fireworks go off right above your head makes them about a million times better. I was like a little kid in a candy store.</div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">I got a little ahead of myself there. BEFORE the fireworks, we had time to hang out with our awesome friends. They set up the waterslide and sprinkler in the yard, so there was plenty for the kids to do. Combine this with delicious food and some bocce ball and we had a super awesome evening. All of this followed by fireworks, which I'm sure you've already guessed was my favorite part of the evening. It was a great day!<br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHsKxW5-oBpCfHCoXVqEDnfyne3jSZdoPZKpJnWH0vzUHyazKSYPIQWmvTaToRKhIWLQHqWN1jz326XnQOsijn9hsiN7gqYrQYyhNaGnkOFM6EfVZKT1ACMAhLeYWFZmWwnw30KqOTZxTa/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NgQx5XzqDizVt0LH3Ym3y37LwvvcCH_Qjcpj86rdRasyAfbgWAcUArPbnwEnWeRuLWZUHU1ARCjotT7_QsQ4hE5w09ATExG2aM7AwVsdX32qYzNLICTCrKplvj-rTVwYeCBDZc2BfWR0/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JpmKZPky1ibMKTwN8febBIb1EuKGDdgFBAPYTxwefzz7HfJwI5gGhNaYChk0slOFezYPk1LOpx6O7b_LbPT-EZIhP5T1CIuyelrwJqFvOZZrXKKBcTkNwU_khvpkpmBJqvs4k4eLmAFm/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SiS0YIjk88Ixs4WYO0zn8jF6TPCK6Ur-RggwEPNgVsY3FCnka6w6Wh64l_IT98wzZKofTLVIdKwTIG8gU53IWo3Lyme-NABwHoQv-TsMI8Qum9ChkwT-u7Zs-Fz9UlVinr-gQaT2Pthj/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4XZOuXj62fkp06QXNG5Cdnu9gUIF-pFwa76qKmRei4OTGLXsDuKQlYBTbD4tBjW8P9l0nGJLx6_Zzx501KE9vX0lKdYcKVZ0YMAhHxbtqbKCMhixKgMO_DVyOQ7Ml0ybo71coqfw2TdD/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ2d6SCPsH-7Naq84UjZmZlIsYRX-YVXiWpV9nbz-1C11zjxq8b2XcYNTMTrq_CPmrWZx8CUTmOfK3fA5P6c0CcXX16CLB0WEb-BgKrzzTe4O0uwHxPaIz1I-R3UC-2y7u6V51n06B06D/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left">~Crystal<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><br /></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-19940268729938937062011-07-18T21:37:00.001-07:002011-07-19T12:25:40.206-07:00RAIN...Finally!!!<p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQzieszR2efIkak7clTFSE0rad2rHC3RXMXFVNr7iKBduO2jIWuzIbE-xQPXcEB82yeX6cVq6EMYMoX8aMWYlzUX8m-F7_sbs1VqzxFNYJ-S3beG8zMMoIF_Aj1jeGwB3uFecKrdEbqnJ/" /></div><p>After a brutally hot summer, we finally got some relief the other day. I had no idea that rain was even in the forecast, so imagine my surprise when the kids came in from playing outside to inform me that it was raining. What?!? It was so awesome! It went from super hot and sunny to an absolute downpour in less than 20 minutes. I love a good summer storm. </p><p>There was no lightning, so I told the kids they could play outside for awhile. If was funny, they were actually a little hesitant at first, but it didn't take them long to get in the spirit of things. They played outside (and had so much fun!) until it started raining so hard that it began to hurt. Needless to say, that cut playtime short and they were done with the rain. It was a great day and wonderful reprieve from the constant 100 plus degree weather we have been having ALL SUMMER! </p><p>It stayed cool even after the rain moved out, it stayed cooler all day. At one point, it was even in the 70's. Oh, how I wish it could have stayed!<br /></p><br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrtI4ArwRFHpWsWR5FzJgndcY1n4J73z-h1ACD5wneHKre_vBVyHlOTXpqv1lRNTElwN2fFDiwoei23CEj5fFUV6UEJ9yu3GdH_nztZNVq-qPbmWhU5OMpSnkqXLv_753HEbH9YJX8iv5/" /></div><br /><br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwFREOlKS2cMFeIN03B5XRdA3Qm69rWJtU8Ufa3n6jc-aTyNDzNcaO1GdYNxCMmwCVpSzNiyWVYfBDcEOcc1mZ4gp0uQSezMKssCjkrosQ7VuNvBqdDhGmDxruBTkLyA3cbIs4Kuejp6b/" /></div><br /><br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZrCNt__y4x2YW1MPJXg346iU92vSzfTEhlob335XMoDyNpOFg-JYTcV_lRq6mVb1LvEEiyv58H7KMPjbze8YTqQolcbR4c66hJoCcjeJztiPr276tPlxuI8XsRVkNWT8i72EgMzQoZTEx/" /></div><br />~CrystalCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-14337852790524594172011-07-18T21:33:00.001-07:002011-07-19T12:12:27.010-07:00Bonding with the CousinsI mentioned that Stef watched Ava for us on Friday...well, on Saturday, it was our turn to watch Parker. What did we do? Go to the pool, of course. The kids have been dying to have Daddy go to the pool with them, and our pass gets in a +1, so it was the perfect. We even let cousin Alex tag along, too. I thought it may be a little crazy having so many people to keep up with at the pool, but there were no problems aside from the fact that it was a little crowded. Everyone had a great time. We didn't stay more than a couple hours, though because the kids were so exhausted from all of their fun the night before. <p>What's the kids' least favorite thing about the pool? Adult swim. Twice a day, they make all the kids get out of the pool for fifteen minutes. You would think it was an eternity. Unfortunately, that was what was happening when we arrived at the pool. It passed quickly, though and there was much cousin fun to be had after that. <br /><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIrbwl2YXytX1DxUXauCnUBBJKo22DjNsyvZJygzKYw6wneo0OBlP377YaPM1GmVpMJna1tzhKQFRUuV4gk2LDbfyTVUEgo8UItvSrmmDxSxPtuUnXZ-PweR1ZKafJLzPKv0ME7R9FgMP/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQQ4nYRQPPXiiNBsbp03SQ0txxYQsC9EViYQ6IYALXRxQ40vznQAqQ8JFkUpKuGkNY0oXj7ax0qINY4J8y8b65ZC3sZpMzDjO3O3Mwc7QXFRLVXDOHpIzNFDLlO6SkDzZnNF0Dyx0_u6t/" /><br />What did we do after the pool? Get snow cones, of course. The kids love snow cones. It was the perfect ending to a hot day at the pool.<br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikpIAP4w_grEyi5eDQ_RHO1BfRiJ3PfvL9JazFN5QZTWjZ_4G_DbUztYzG7a8iKiXIhyphenhyphenuFZbDslQISOoBdy2VbrjjaF5NYQQ3qndJsUHJVbJ3eXR9aMdlfD3FntXLuYdAD13-7lKQrXse3/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-KimBFlaj16Xybpix6JgqDPQcZc66uz3p3_vLVgPDBXiYKIv197JUgOPu6M98h6kQRFLDIbfaAI60JGgP50SuUh8XexRCnrCAbdzCm56pfbFo1xXfIDxM4bu6T1YpVaonm22KvSwYm47d/" /></div><br /><p>Unfortunately, Parker didn't end up spending the night with us on Saturday. He got sick and went home early. Don't worry, we still owe you one, Stef. ;)</p><p>~Crystal<br /></p>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2403292162415042653.post-52747086511054339882011-07-18T21:31:00.001-07:002011-07-19T11:58:29.252-07:00Date Night<div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisUCURnIKHZw9zz1RS_1imHO9l9iKiMNxzOsZb5x7DDAkfIzxGVav7uvoUZh35FSB6eToT3swxbQfrrHegO9dbQEcZVuwW7HAzr3Knd_unLQ_oIXBcPUnnKu-r3Obg0Slg9fWy4ZtOpb7O/" /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9GqfapK0TNO6-Z3Q0s1bGZK1q7PcD90zzYZqI6l7hMlz8zPYLs7YiDgFGDy88Fbsesxa7uWc5Qet4ZriYNFo_wfFxxfAlYr9ztH0u3oJqH_BvFciWIZR9jQ40vigBceKMYBq5TrWXoQBH/" /></div><p>I've mentioned before that Brian and I place a high priority of spending quality time together. We try to have date nights at least a couple times a month (when finances and babysitters allow). Well, we had a fabulous date the other night. Brian took me to Mama Rojas on Lake Hefner. I always tell Brian that I think that it's strange that with my fascination with all bodies of water that we don't spend more time at Lake Hefner. Well, he decided to remedy that on Friday. I must say, that we will definitely be back (especially when it's not 110 degrees outside!) I loved the restaurant. Delicious. Bonus: We had a fabulous view overlooking the lake. After dinner, we attempted to walk around outside for a bit, but it was so stinkin' hot that we only lasted about 30 minutes. It was so beautiful, though. </p><p>Sometimes, on our dates, we are a little rushed to make a movie or get back so we don't keep the sitter too long, but Friday was so relaxed. Chance spent the night at a friend's house for a birthday party and my sister watched Ava, so we had the night all to ourselves. It was great. After dinner and a walk we did a little shopping and went back home for awhile. We did end up catching a movie later on, but we definitely didn't have to rush for it. There may have even been a little ice cream after our movie got out at midnight. Totally healthy, I know. Great date and we're ready for another. <br /><br /><br /></p><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0-Is-dKPxFTm16OHtrUY9zR5hkIVqBn1u8vx8XhJ59Yllgsky7v1PHCit_SO2Lz0h6IkfsYcxfSk5Ew7Ksntdgd382YOVKQm-ahAO4oVWWBzly4OFcFyj0ZyJtUb9iKNzJC9EaqoXl0j/" /><br /><br /></div><div class="bloggerplus_image_section" align="left"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9MTN5wTXr3FPOimXYd-D6ROc9mNZ58DMcZtnn-smwf8H1kfu85fxlWNC_PY9qrWyg5TijD1N7agx5uc9gTzCyqqo2aePctPixXvg65dphn5qfMdhkyhJ6vJIpoN8bYzFBWDrxYck7pHSv/" /></div><br />~CrystalCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16567143984598279977noreply@blogger.com0