tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65991262842734786742024-02-07T12:39:33.052-07:00: things we swear happened :Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.comBlogger315125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-81624432834578184602015-09-07T00:20:00.002-06:002015-09-18T09:24:22.855-06:00Mt. Neva / Jasper Long Loop Trip Report - 9.4.15<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Fourth of July Trailhead > Arapahoe Pass > Quarter to Five Peak > Dorothy Lake > Mt. Neva (North Ridge) > Mt. Jasper > Jasper Lake > Diamond Lake > Trailhead</b></span></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Photos are on my Facebook trip report <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10100978965274474.1073741831.193303838&type=1&l=f4147d6cb3" target="_blank">here. </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Google Earth route recreation below. I consider this rough, since I recreated the waypoints after the fact. But I took the time to follow trails and ridge lines I know I travelled, so it's not far off. One friend plugged in my data and Google Earth spit out 5,949 feet of gain, while mine got 5,455 ft. Not sure which one is closer to the truth. GPS also estimated 15.4 miles, but with all the route finding, I figure that's a bit conservative.</span><br />
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRybIEaAWyFzHVlc9nWtnWi1PXbD1J3ZtHZ8acSclJb5O0pD7gzrjeeKBu0sp8FT8b2SXvIZn3Bp9A0xcCf3rcfoNALj0JSZuSDF2s3VWJN-ycB22gTMwOGRXyzLK2-iLDFgG6n8SgOiQ/s1600/Neva%253AJasper+Long+Loop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRybIEaAWyFzHVlc9nWtnWi1PXbD1J3ZtHZ8acSclJb5O0pD7gzrjeeKBu0sp8FT8b2SXvIZn3Bp9A0xcCf3rcfoNALj0JSZuSDF2s3VWJN-ycB22gTMwOGRXyzLK2-iLDFgG6n8SgOiQ/s640/Neva%253AJasper+Long+Loop.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEv4JoRjViCtqOHrYMVDxY7ctg4VN-R9m8Wpm_odFspK1kOJsJKactXfN5uAfLq-rBNXn7WBpnhgT5r_S8HR90PdBSir9FjMVu8iKnz8UlazYujgpPnXFGalZm2wARlPBlSrVxWo-_IE/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-05+at+9.41.04+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEv4JoRjViCtqOHrYMVDxY7ctg4VN-R9m8Wpm_odFspK1kOJsJKactXfN5uAfLq-rBNXn7WBpnhgT5r_S8HR90PdBSir9FjMVu8iKnz8UlazYujgpPnXFGalZm2wARlPBlSrVxWo-_IE/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-09-05+at+9.41.04+PM.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are just for fun. What my iPhone split out comparing last week's Chicago Basin (San Juans) hikes and Torreys / Grays Peak climbs (14ers) vs. the distance and elevation gain on this IPW day. I don't completely trust the accelerometer in my iPhone, but it does give a good sense of relative effort on Sep 4th vs. two other hikes/climbs last week:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #222222; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOsRpHU6FtizKDclP8hLAy-T__HZletGsvP2Y7-Hl8cQ8-xuk-CgtNe7M5PnwEJvk8ZJV1hGVP01VofBXomgN7kea9EyRHAoL_GohDKeDGJ4im5B3PTODfrD45TaNbA3YPbFZzx9Vldc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-09-06+at+10.51.46+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiOsRpHU6FtizKDclP8hLAy-T__HZletGsvP2Y7-Hl8cQ8-xuk-CgtNe7M5PnwEJvk8ZJV1hGVP01VofBXomgN7kea9EyRHAoL_GohDKeDGJ4im5B3PTODfrD45TaNbA3YPbFZzx9Vldc/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-09-06+at+10.51.46+PM.png" width="397" /></span></a></div>
<div style="color: #222222;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #222222;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #222222;"><br /></a></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Early morning drive up past Nederland and Eldora to the Fourth of July trailhead. Only 2 hours of sleep after discovering late the night before that my AC unit has been leaking water in my basement for possibly 2 weeks or more. I digress...</span></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #222222;"></a><b><u>6:13am -</u></b> <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">Trailhead </span></span><br />
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>~6:40am -</u></b> Reached the Fourth of July Mine relics</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>7:17am -</u></b> Sunrise hit my back while on the Arapahoe Pass Trail.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>7:23am -</u></b> Reached Arapahoe Pass, turned right to scramble Quarter to Five Peak instead of left to Lake Dorothy and Mt. Neva's North Ridge.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>8:15am -</u></b> Climbed to the top of Quarter to Five Peak, exploring past the summit just a bit before turning around. ~12,300 ft.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>8:40 - </u></b>Back to the top of Arapahoe Pass junction and continued on to Lake Dorothy. Still haven't seen a soul, tuned my phone to Band of Horses since there was no one else's wilderness experience to ruin with my tunes. Feeling grateful for the solitude.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>9am -</u></b> Depart Lake Dorothy with iodine dissolving on my hydration bladder I topped off, even though it wasn't near empty. Started climbing up the Mt. Neva North Ridge, class 4, really fun stuff, and a short low class 5 wall with great exposure. That's when I started thinking about my solitude again. Tons of great features though, not a problem.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>10am -</u></b> emerged back on top of the Neva North Ridge line after prematurely dropping west to get around a deep notch just after the crux wall. By the time I felt committed to stay west I also realized I was probably off the best route, which must have gone around the notch to the east side of the ridge. Probably scarier exposure and loose rock on the west side at that point. If I fell on the west side of the ridge nobody will be down that steep ravine to the west, whereas traversing east of the ridge at least puts you in the view of anybody that may come up Arapahoe Pass and Lake Dorothy. Navigated it safely, but was glad to be back on the top of the ridge with it's beautiful view. Right when I got back to the spine of the ridge I saw I got there just in time to drop west again to a rough trail that I was clearly supposed to take. So I dropped west again, this time much easier, low class 3 stuff until quickly back up top within view of the real summit. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listening to Covenhoven's very apropos lyrics from <a href="http://covenhoven.com/track/504257/young-at-heart" style="color: #1155cc;">"Young at Heart"</a> on my phone (my friend Joel Van Horne): "I've been abandoning safe bets for fleeting highs....lost is my own kind of found, and silence my favorite sound..."</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>10:15am -</u></b> Neva Summit at 10:15. 12,821 feet. Later than I planned. Signed the summit register in a duct-tape wrapped mason jar. Started a clif bar. The sky is overcast now, but no gnarly looking systems on the horizon. Down the saddle quickly and on to Mt. Jasper. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>11:26am -</u></b> Mt. Jasper, summit. 12,923 feet (Google Earth GPS elevation profile I uploaded is approximate, so showing the wrong max elevation)</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From there, I continued down from the summit along the south ridge, away from Mt. Neva. Reviewing Topo and Google earth images I saved on my phone. Snow levels and lake levels are a bit different. I opted for the longer route south to Diamond Lake vs. back to the Arapahoe Pass Trail. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>1:13 pm -</u></b> I used a weak cell signal to pull up Google maps and immediately realized I've been following the sounds of Jasper Creek, not the North Fork of Middle Boulder Creek, or one of the others in the canyons that split down from Mt. Jasper's snow melt. Because this canyon was off my topo maps I brought (and cell reception wasn't strong enough for a better live map from Google or another site), I was worried that it led somewhere that won't link up to Diamond Lake and ultimately the Fourth of July trailhead again, so I stay in one place and look up the USFS Boulder district ranger phone number I emailed Jaime with my itinerary for the day. Had a nice short chat in the phone confirming Jasper Creek and Jasper Lake below me do indeed link up to Diamond Lake and the Fourth of July trailhead. I figured, but it was reassuring to hear. It'll be a longer day now. How much longer I didn't ask. I committed to the longer loop, chalking it up to a more unique Neva/Jasper loop that I imagine far fewer people will be able to say they've done. I have iodine tablets for water and in a worst case scenario, I even have a puffy jacket compressed in my pack, first aid kit and my headlamp I started the day with, though I know it won't come even close to needing those. Ready for anything, but at least I now know for sure where I am and heading down to Jasper Lake instead of backtracking all the way back up Mt. Jasper summit to take a different way off the mountain.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In hindsight, I realize that I slightly misread the topo and satellite images I had stored on my phone when deciding where to drop down off Mt. Jasper. I chalked it up to the varying late season snow conditions and lake levels you can see from up there, always casting a sliver of doubt on what exactly you're looking at. That's an unacceptable excuse, and now I know better. Hindsight is 20/20. Next time I'm up there, I'll have irreplaceable benefit of personal experience to guide decision making. There are about three different ridge lines and therefor four canyons you can drop into. This time I erred one canyon too far south when I dropped down, since I wanted the longer loop to Diamond Lake. What I didn't realize until I was halfway down Jasper Creek was that I was signing up for an even longer loop than that.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safe route finding along the north side of Jasper Creek proved annoying at times. Nothing even remotely resembling a trail, which can normally be fun, but large elevation drops meant I had to pick my lines carefully. Continued bushwhacking it and losing elevation over an hour toward Jasper Jake, which I can see below me in he distance. (Fun fact: Jasper Lake is also a reservoir, with water rights owned by Caribou Ranch, so water levels are syphoned off at strategic times of the year. At this time, it looked low with an uglier, muddy shoreline compared to the other natural little alpine lakes that dotted my day so far.)</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><u>1:23pm -</u></b> Approaching Jasper Lake, I reach the first rough trail (looks more like a goat trail over trampled grass) I've seen since just before the Neva summit. Been navigating cross country for a while. I pass what looked liked a pretty well-used rebel fire pit at a backcountry campsite above the lake off the goat trail (I don't think fires are allowed up there).</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the east end of Jasper Lake I see the first people I've seen all day. They point me in the direction of the trail to Diamond Lake, where they just came from. They ask where I was coming from and seemed surprised at the answer.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Felt like a long hike/jog back to Diamond Lake, mostly because I knew my dog was waiting patiently for me at home and I was supposed to meet the HVAC technician at my house around 4pm. It's days like this when I wish I had a doggy door to the backyard. Feet started feeling the burn in my lightweight Scarpa Crux approach shoes, with which I'm otherwise happy. This is only the third time I've taking them out. Eventually I get to familiar Diamond Lake sometime after 3pm (I've been there 3-4 times before on short day hikes since moving to the Boulder area in 2007). Didn't check the time and plowed right by it, but snapped a picture.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It started raining good at <b><u>3:15pm</u></b>. I recognized a dog that was approaching on the trail as "Dutch", my co-worker Grant's Dutch Shepard, on their way to Diamond Lake that afternoon. Chatted quickly with Grant and his friend on the trail, but had to keep moving.</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3:49pm - Sipped the last drop of brown iodine-stained Lake Dorothy water from my hydration pack, but I've been on this trail many times and knew exactly how far away I was from my car. Reached my car (and Gatorade/water) at the Fourth of July trailhead at 3:55pm. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All in all, a great day, in part because it was a great learning and navigational experience and put a lot of varying alpine experience to use. Ironically, including the decision to <i>not </i>glissade down a particularly steep couloir on the other side of the ridge where I dropped down from Mt. Jasper. Although I feel good about that decision, that side of the ridge would have eventually led me back to Diamond Lake without the Jasper Lake detour (assuming I endured all the self-arresting that grade of snow would have required).</span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm glad I have this long loop under my belt, but next time, I'm looking forward to a simpler, faster Neva North Ridge climb, and a glissade down one of the Neva/Jasper saddle couloirs to an old airplane wreck, then quickly bushwhack back to the Arapahoe Pass Trail and back to Fourth of July. No getting sidetracked, just the quick highlights in what will then be much more familiar terrain. </span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gotta love the IPW.</span></div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-67426548604786357312014-02-14T00:27:00.000-07:002014-02-14T07:13:19.364-07:00In fairness, a response. And an invitation for pizza.<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">Required reading to understand this post: a blog post </span><a href="http://marklovefurniture.com/blog/2014/02/06/7-ways-im-better-off-without-religious-certainty/" style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">here</a><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">, I read after my lovely cousin posted it on Facebook. I love her dearly and I'm glad I got to read this. I thought I'd write down my thoughts in the form of an open response. These days I just email myself my thoughts, but in the spirit of awakening this dormant blog - what the heck - I'll share these ramblings publicly this time.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: italic;">
<em style="border: 0px; color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></em></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the authors article, he gently slams the religious culture he describes as <em style="border: 0px; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">"religious certainty</em><span style="font-size: 15px;"><i>. A sense of surety that I know all about God."</i></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">The undertone of the article is that all, or at least most practicing Christians (and maybe even all religious people) subscribe to that culture. Here's the thing I can't reconcile: As a card-carrying church-goer myself, I don't know anyone, of any religion, that feels so confident in their understanding of God. I certainly don't. I can imagine that if I did, I'd be pretty arrogant and also highly at risk of a huge landslide life crisis if I ever, heaven forbid, heard a logical argument that countered my "religious certainty" of "having all the answers." Yet, he paints a picture of Christians as people who walk around with a fake sense of "religious certainty," "having all the answers." The entire premise of his article is based on a bizarre caricature that anyone who would have been glued to my side for any significant portion of the last 30 years would know is simply unfair. Subsequently,</span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;"> </span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">his attempt to illustrate the contrast between his supposed Christian upbringing and his current freedom of mind and spirit is only applicable to his own unfortunate </span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">prior circumstances. Not broadly applicable, and not an accurate label of Christians I know.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">Yes, I know there are many who read his article and think "Wow! he's really articulating my experience and thoughts. I can really relate to this." I know and love many of these people. I hope they are open to the </span><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">possibly</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> that the author's funhouse mirror reflection if Christianity isn't an accurate biopsy of millions of happy and critically thinking Christians. I'll explain where I (and millions I just mentioned) are coming from:</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">I've never heard the phrase "religious certainty" or even the notion that we/I/anyone knows "all about God" at my church attendance over 31 years and across four time zones. Because to preach that or believe it would be foolish. On the contrary, I hear the opposite sermon at church. One of uncertainty, trials, confusion, the need for charity (to give and received peer support) and the journey of faith. </span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">Perhaps this "religious certainty" exists out there in arrogant, close-minded-conservative-Christian-land, but I've never seen it myself, certainly not in my church. The bottom line is, it's an </span><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">inaccurate</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">caricature</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> to oversimplify an entire religious category (let alone all religious people) as dim-witted, close-minded brainwashees that are too fearful to embrace the larger truth: that there's a lot we don't know.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">Well, here I am, openly acknowledging, as I have many times before this article was written: there's a whole lot I don't know. Just like everyone else, I don't even <i>know </i>what I don't know. I'm surrounded by mind boggling mystery. And I love that. </span></span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">This acknowledgment doesn't contradict my religious faith. Anyone who thinks it does knows nothing of my faith. Perhaps they have mis-caricatured all of us in a </span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">subconscious</span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> effort to simplify their judgements and rationalize their new ethos. I happen to like the author's new ethos. It doesn't need an enemy to be true. His yin is not proved undeniably awesome only by fabricating a universal yang in Christian culture. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">As I continued to read the entire article, I realized that although I identify as a Christian, I cannot identify with <i>any</i> of the teachings the author was burdened with before he gave up his supposedly Christian religion. Although I am a Christian, my religion couldn't be further from whatever religion he was brought up in. On the contrary, as I read his article I found my religion to actually be very compatible, and even totally in line with his new, more enlightened, less-burdened mentality he's found sans his childhood theology. Take his #4 point, for example (<a href="http://marklovefurniture.com/blog/2014/02/06/7-ways-im-better-off-without-religious-certainty/" target="_blank">read that </a>before reading on if you haven't already).<i> Of course</i> if you can't figure out <i>why </i>something is wrong, then whatever religious "wrong" you're being taught is not going to fly for a critically thinking adult. Yet here I am, a critically thinking, church-going adult. Could it be that his current philosophy actually doesn't contradict my religion? In fact, could it be that his new-found religionless philosophy is actually - gasp - a doctrine of my Christian religion? Fancy that. He had to give up his childhood religion to get that particular point of #4, while here I am, agreeing whole heartedly with him and discussing that principle with friends at church on Sunday. Everyone has their own path. Happy for you! </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">Several of his </span><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">recollections</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> of his unfortunate Christian education start with "I was taught that..." or "I grew up learning..." or "In my youth..." He was obviously taught a dumbed down, somewhat skewed, steeped in cultural tradition version of what "Christianity" supposedly is. In some instances, I was too. Here's the difference: What I know now, as an adult, is that I had to figure out the real, adult version of my faith. That kid version wouldn't/couldn't sustain me through the questions, challenges and free-agency of adulthood. It's not supposed to. I believe it's simply supposed to carry us to the edge of the woods where we are dropped off, having been taught a bunch of fundamentals, and we need to figure out how to actually survive. If you're lucky and you do it right, you don't just learn to live with those childhood fundamentals, you learn a lot more to augment and clarify them, and you do more than survive - you thrive. The religion I practice puts a great individual, personal responsibility on us to seek God ourselves, as adults. Not rest on the laurels of Sunday school teachers we had when we were 7, or 12, or even 17. </span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></span></div>
<div><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-size: small; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">A theory. To be offended that you weren't handed the God-given faith of an adult without putting in the man hours of faithful testing is to not understand what it takes to be a Christian adult. Nobody could or should rest alone on the Christianity they were taught as a kid. Especially if it was some sad version the author seems to have been taught. What they may not want to admit is that it takes more than just doubting, uncertainty and walking away. It takes investment and testing to learn how to believe as an adult. I'm still working on it myself. We call it "enduring to the end" sometimes, but it's not as uncomfortable as is sounds.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">I'm not done reading, but so far, I just feel bad that this guy was subjected to such an unfortunate interpretation of Christianity as he grew up. That's all he knew, and it's a shame if he thinks whatever his bubble used to be is what all other Christians are also being taught. It certainly isn't. No wonder I, a Christian, sometimes identify more with my Jewish and morally </span><span style="font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">courageous</span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> agnostic friends than some defensive, narrow-minded "Christians." </span></span><br>
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"><br></span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">Okay, I finished reading his post. As I nodded along to his seventh and final point, it sealed it up and tied a bow on top: My religion sounds way more like his newer non-religion and almost nothing like the supposed religion he left behind. Just goes to show that there's truth everywhere. But it also goes to show that there's stark fallacy in his underlying assumption that you have to leave religion to find those truths in life.</span></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span></div>
<div style="color: #222222; font-size: small;">
<span style="color: #373737;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">What's left? In conclusion, I am bummed that people think Christianity is as he described it. It's not the version I know. As a result of my faith, I have what he has, but so much more. That doesn't make me better, just stupid lucky, I guess. If you'd ever like to learn more about why I'm so happy in my church - even with some unashamed uncertainty on some topics - I'd love to have you to dinner. I'm glad to just answer any questions you have - I don't want to impose anything on you. Open invite to those that are sincerely curious and respectful. </span></span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;">And I make a good pizza.</span><span style="color: #373737; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24.375px;"> </span><span style="color: #373737; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15.454545021057129px; line-height: 24.375px;">As much as I love pizza leftovers, it's more satisfying to know more of it was enjoyed at the first serving, by more folks. Hot off the stone. Come get it.</span></div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-87706081683008215372013-07-10T14:47:00.001-06:002013-07-10T14:53:01.091-06:00Help kick me? <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/677482441/forsyth-and-gee-make-a-record-just-for-you">Forsyth & Gee</a> are making a harmonic folk-pop EP for your heart, mind, soul and your ears. Yes, your ears will love this. Pre-order now and share around, wohntcha?</span><br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="380" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/677482441/forsyth-and-gee-make-a-record-just-for-you/widget/card.html" width="220"></iframe><br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/677482441/forsyth-and-gee-make-a-record-just-for-you/widget/video.html" width="640"> </iframe>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-54014123989019667212013-05-03T01:08:00.000-06:002013-05-03T01:17:14.317-06:00New Music: Forsyth & Gee<div dir="ltr">
<div style="color: black; font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
<div>
I'm thrilled to formally announce my new duo Forsyth & Gee. We now have demos streaming on <a href="http://forsythandgee.com/">our website</a>, and even more on <a href="http://facebook.com/forsythandgee">our Facebook page</a> (via <a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/forsythandgee">reverbnation</a>). Give us a "like" and stay in touch. If you're interested in hosting a fantastic house concert, let me know and we'll talk.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYnWYGnfW9vBAKIvJ96gMLewaLSNOzhNU5nCI62xk2AO0LnXCbT-EYwTITukjccv_zn_GW60_wOcnSgYx43qLRMWk9sHgYw9WDULu_UJc4HA66vaBLnG7QK7glOXWv_ZAxTjXiGIKZ1g/s1600/ForsythGee-93_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlYnWYGnfW9vBAKIvJ96gMLewaLSNOzhNU5nCI62xk2AO0LnXCbT-EYwTITukjccv_zn_GW60_wOcnSgYx43qLRMWk9sHgYw9WDULu_UJc4HA66vaBLnG7QK7glOXWv_ZAxTjXiGIKZ1g/s640/ForsythGee-93_smaller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sF-snlHLI_vnJB5tuOsj45F-0soOd1jxczQ7lWXSK5YpmiKzBEc2I3Z3y8nfd3K6182jcMCz_zbLW5maM0KFlZ2i2gGjYsdZHLIECBwjhmUsy_JvxFHWCJ6bAWq8seIHcYTnPpsYsE/s1600/ForsythGee-2_smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh83sF-snlHLI_vnJB5tuOsj45F-0soOd1jxczQ7lWXSK5YpmiKzBEc2I3Z3y8nfd3K6182jcMCz_zbLW5maM0KFlZ2i2gGjYsdZHLIECBwjhmUsy_JvxFHWCJ6bAWq8seIHcYTnPpsYsE/s640/ForsythGee-2_smaller.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra">
<br /></div>
</div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-2051852126056497592013-04-19T20:28:00.001-06:002013-04-19T20:28:32.208-06:00There. Is. No. Escape.<div dir="ltr"><a href="https://vine.co/v/bUHuL6UO90H">https://vine.co/v/bUHuL6UO90H</a><br><div class="gmail_extra"><br></div></div> erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-84266604970743452902013-02-21T22:17:00.001-07:002013-02-23T21:11:03.644-07:00Changes.<div class="posterous_autopost">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Just an update for friends and family.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I made a move on Feb 7, 2013. I left the big beloved/hated/well-at -least-we're-known place of my employment of 6.5 years to pitch in at a little startup where even the locals who should know about it say "<em>where?</em>" I travelled internationally and managed multi-million dollar global ad campaigns at my last job. I load and unload the dishwasher and park in a gravel lot three blocks away at my new job.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
So far, so rad.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I wasn't actively looking for a new gig, but life has a way of telling you what's next. You can either jump on board or tell life to mind its own business and stop tapping you on the shoulder. I've often dreamed about getting in on the ground floor of something small and special. This is not the first opportunity I've had to move on, but I'm sure glad I waited for this one.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
6.5 years may not seem like that long to some, but CP+B years are like dog years. I don't know the exact multiplier, but I can tell you that I lived in three cities, moved four times, worked on several large, iconic accounts, a few smaller niche accounts and grew from an assistant content (account) manager to a supervisor. I was not once, ever, ever bored. At times it felt like struggling through and eventually earning a few MBAs in marketing, creative project management, dynamic workload juggling, tenacity-maintaining, and the largely abused and mistreated but paramount skill of human communication (aka storytelling, also sometimes as simple and common as the modern art of "email."). In short, it was my school where I studied and eventually felt like I became an assistant professor. My salary slowly and steadily grew over 6.5 years and I never felt a sense of entitlement. That said, I felt I worked hard and smart for every pre-tax penny. I left happy, on my terms and I was able to hold my head high and thank many people there for blessing my work life with their inspiring partnership. I was a bit nervous about leaving the familiar culture where I "grew up" in my professional life, but I was very much surprised at how liberating and comfortable it was when I resigned.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
I started my new job the very next day, 8:30am sharp. I'm a <a _mce_href="http://grenadierco.com/#/about/what" href="http://grenadierco.com/#/about/what">Grenadier</a> now. #10. An elite nimble clan of brand strategy, management and creativity warriors, all happy to be doing the dishes and taking out the trash. ("Passing the savings on to YOU.") We grill every Friday and we treat each other well. We don't tolerate slacking and we tell it like we see it. I'm proud to be associated with these guys and gals. I wouldn't have made this move if I didn't think it was built on principles that kept me up at night with excitement.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
In the meantime, my life outside of work is also evolving, as per usual. Henry's growing fast, we traded in our Jetta lease for new TDI and I'm really excited about my new duo project with Sarah Gee - NY Broadway performer turned recent Coloradan who nails harmonies like it's her job. 'Cause it was her job. But now it's <em>Forsyth & Gee.</em> More to come on that. Just you wait. First gig this weekend, then a house concert on 3/1. Then a few more. Then a record.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
</div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">
A'ight, then.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/changes">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </div>
<br /></div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-34333594381380061522013-01-16T23:23:00.001-07:002013-01-16T23:44:29.946-07:00All the photos of Henry's first year on my phone<div class="posterous_autopost">
<div class="p_embed p_video_embed">
<br /></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="417" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ihedDRdRwb4?wmode=transparent" width="500"></iframe><br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/all-the-photos-of-henrys-first-year-on-my-pho">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </div>
</div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-10682598982372177692013-01-08T01:56:00.001-07:002013-01-08T01:56:14.008-07:00This kid is pretty fun.<div class='posterous_autopost'><object height="281" width="500"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="movie" value="https://www.facebook.com/v/10100167099240514" /><embed allowfullscreen="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/v/10100167099240514" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" height="281" width="500"></embed></object> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/this-kid-is-pretty-fun">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </p> </div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-81316638231578246322012-12-21T01:19:00.001-07:002012-12-21T11:48:33.425-07:00The obligatory thoughts-on-guns post (sorry.)<div class="posterous_autopost">
<span style="color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">(Author's caveat: This post contains just a couple stupid, but well-intended bits of esoteric humor I'm naively leaving in. It is in no way intended to reflect a light-minded treatment of recent tragedies.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="gmail_quote" style="color: #500050; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">
<div class="gmail_quote">
<span style="color: black;">Just an estimation: It takes about 500 hours of well-rounded research and experience to have a valid 60-second opinion on most topics. Most people don't want to put in the work, but they want to take part in the discussion. This is why the discussion is nauseating to those who at least realize that they don't know what they don't know, and why those that don't realize that they don't know what they don't know also don't realize they are a part of the downward spiral.</span> <br />
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;">If I didn't just lose you with that last sentence, thanks for sticking with me. </span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;">I know a young man with a blog titled "The Experience-Free Opinion." I like the name of his blog even if I don't have time to read it most of the time, because he caveats his right to rhetoric with a healthy dosage of self-awareness. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">I'm building up the courage to post some thoughts and I think I'll start it with: <em>I have no idea what I'm talking about because I don't know what I don't know. That said...</em></span></div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Point:</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">It is possible to <em>not</em> support a ban on "assault weapons" or "high-capacity magazines" in America, but at the same time to wish that they were never desired or easily provided for purchase by just anyone in the first place. (I write this with the understanding that the modern legislation defining what constitutes an "assault weapon" and "high-capacity magazine" was largely based on emotion and hollywood and mostly a symbolic gesture, not practical. More on that in a link below.*)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">Just as it's possible to not support the prohibition, but not be a drinker myself and wish that others could find a more uplifting way of unwinding before they get into their car, or get angry at their spouse, or neglect their responsibilities and inconvenience others, or pickle their liver and cause their family and friends distress. (Not that all drinking results in these things, just all excessive drinking.)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">And just as it's possible to not support </span><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/new-york-approves-soda-ban-big-sugary-drinks_n_1880868.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">large soda bans</a>, <span style="color: black;">but to certainly regret that far too many of our fellow country(wo)men are passing along bad health habits to children in their care; Children who already think that a sedentary lifestyle is "normal" and obesity-caused illness is probably just genes wreaking havoc.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">Just as you wouldn't as an adult steal lunch money from a child, but you are baffled and saddened that s/he chose to spend that money on a "Black Eyed Peas" CD instead of eating. And then s/he sits through a live London Symphony Orchestra performance wearing noise-canceling headphones, listening to the CD over and over and over again.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">People become exposed to, attracted to, and then dependent on unhealthy things, be it assault rifles or Coke. It seems as though they reach a state where they would be unhappy without those things and they tend to surround themselves with like-minded peers that enable and support their habits. Ideally, the goal should be to A) never reach that state or B) advocate self-awareness and replace the bad with something that is good/better for you and those around you. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">I will assume that you know stealing is wrong, bullies are bad, and people need to make their own choices until such time as they try to illegally take choice away from others. But if we ever have a chance to prevent something bad from becoming popular or "good" in the first place, let's give it a shot. Because once the people fall in love with it, then you're just the bully taking away their freedom of choice. Don't ban what you disagree with, however tempting as it may be. Rather, lobby and educate against what you disagree with lest it ever be widely perceived as desirable. If you care, and if you have a good case, make your case for a change of will, not a ban on choice. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">None of this will change the fact that using your choices to steal freedom from another (e.g. ending another's life via murder, or loudly singing along to the Black Eyed peas during the middle of a beautiful LSO performance for which people paid to hear the LSO and not you) is wrong, and rightfully illegal.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">That's what makes a great society: People who have a choice, but make good choices. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Counterpoint:</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">All that said, some places have reasonable preventative laws/restrictions/bans that are in place to prevent bad things from happening on accident: i.e. mandatory gun safes, trigger locks, speed limits in bad weather, school and construction zones, fire bans in public high fire danger lands, or FAA regulations for who is allowed to pilot a charter of children through the air. I just made that last one up, but it's probably real. You get it. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">Where do you draw the line? Can you own a functioning tank in a downtown area? An RPG Launcher? Are you allowed to take it anywhere? Should adults be able to do whatever they want as long as it only potentially harms him/herself? Okay, but not children, right? Minors need to be protected from some choices for optimal development, right? Who decides who are children? Who decided that 18 years old is "adult?" Yet drinking age is 21, so for three years you're an adult, but not completely? (I guess there's an argument for gradual, tiered freedom granting, like in parenting.) Should there be exceptions to some freedoms for adults that act like or are stupider than some children 1/4 their age? What about adults with mental illness? What about mental illness that isn't easily detectable, but latently dangerous? Where do you draw the line, and is a 51% majority the only thing required to define the placement of the line?</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">Here's a question that requires more self-awareness, personal responsibility and civility, so it's appealing to me: </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">What outlier "rights" are worth voluntarily sacrificing because it will make it harder for those less responsible than you to access the same "right" and abuse it to the detriment of innocents? Military-style assault rifles and high-capacity magazines easily fall into that category for me, the same way that I am not offended that I need a special government issued license to purchase or make C4 explosives. I am not offended that the Safe Explosives Act of 2002 and laws that existed before it make it very difficult for me to possess and use explosive tools. So why would I feel like a tyrannical government was infringing on my civil liberties if they made it equally as difficult to legally possess an assault rifle and high-capacity magazines? I'll tell you why: Because by now many people are used to being able to own them easily and freely. They've grown accustomed to the freedom. They ostensibly stand under the protective banner of the 2nd Amendment even while they are not equally offended that the 2nd Amendment doesn't grant them the right to stock up on regulated explosives. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">It's clear to me that the 2nd Amendment was inspired and should be protected at some level. I mean, just watch </span>"<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_I4WgBfETc" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Red Dawn</a>."<span style="color: black;"> (To be clear, was a joke...kind of.) What is not clear is why many tools intended for taking massive amounts of life in a very short time should be allowed to any adult. In my "experience-free opinion" there is little room for that argument in this country. Some make a solid case that James Madison's 2nd Amendment was written for a different time, different circumstances and different</span> <a href="http://yhoo.it/RI30jU" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">weapons</a>.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">Now, for those that are somehow still reading, in addition to the link in the previous sentence, here is my recommended weekend editorial reading on the topic. A range of differing positions and opinions on both sides of the issue. I've collected these all in one place for your study and pondering:</span><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">A non-paranoid, level-headed, somewhat libertarian view. <a href="http://bit.ly/RHOgkR" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/RHOgkR</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">The conservative case for an assault weapon ban, by the Republican-appointed federal judge that just sentenced Rep. Gabbi Gifford's shooter. <a href="http://lat.ms/RHNg0k" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://lat.ms/RHNg0k</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">*A long, not very expertly substantiated editorial, but if most of it is true, still interesting read from a leftist that claims to also be a gun enthusiast. He ends his article with some food for thought. <a href="http://bit.ly/RHUhy1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/RHUhy1</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">What at first seams like a radical suggestion by Seattle's former police chief - repealing the 2nd Amendment - explains itself to be a fairly level-headed segue into simply regulating and registering the guns that people can and do own. <a href="http://huff.to/RHVSE1" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://huff.to/RHVSE1</a></li>
<li style="margin-left: 15px;">And the first informative, data-centric set of facts I read after the Newtown school shooting: <a href="http://wapo.st/XSDipM" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">http://wapo.st/XSDipM</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;">From the last link we see a clear link between gun control and drop in gun crime. Nobody is arguing that stiffer gun restrictions would eliminate 100% of premeditated gun violence, or even 50% of premeditated gun violence, but all the other developed countries in the world have already proven this is true: Stricter gun restrictions severely diminish the amount of gun violence. The only argument against it is that those countries may be "less free." That is likely a valid argument, but it's a broader argument.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">That said, this is the USofA, and nobody is pretending that UK-esque laws would go over well here. (But we do love us some London Symphony Orchestra. Especially with an</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGsbKZnaT8E" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">American</a> <span style="color: black;">at the helm.)</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">You may or may not be interested enough to study the data objectively. If you do, then there can be a discussion about measuring "free" vs. "not as free" societies and what the price of freedom is (the unit of measurement sometimes being liters of children's blood).</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: black;">In closing, I acknowledge that this is largely a societal mental and moral health issue, more so than a gun issue. That doesn't mean there isn't a gun issue, it just means I believe underlying mental and moral health issues are what exacerbate what would otherwise be a smaller gun issue. </span></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: black;">This is all I currently know. <em>I have no idea what I'm talking about because I don't know what I don't know. </em>Then again, neither do you.</span></div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/sorry-thoughts-on-guns-sorry">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </div>
</div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-7968738865356139752012-12-05T19:13:00.001-07:002012-12-05T19:46:20.166-07:00Remembering Dave Brubeck and crying just a little.<div class="posterous_autopost">
<span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
</span><br />
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm from Concord, CA.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tom Hanks is from Concord, CA. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meh, he's still alive.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">D<span _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff;">ave Brubeck is from Concord, CA.</span></span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...*sniffle*</span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I feel like crying a little. I'm so grateful for recorded music, for it will be like he never left. I have so many stories to tell about how Brubeck's music enlightened, inspired and soothed my mind and soul, but I can't bring myself to write them now. For now, just turn off the light and listen to <a _mce_href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSGm2x7DEB8" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSGm2x7DEB8">this</a> with headphones. In the dark. Then move on to Blue Ronda a la Turk, and the rest of "Time Out." Do it.</span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Dave Brubeck has long served as proof that creative jazz and popular success can go together. Thank heaven. </span></div>
<div>
<span _mce_style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 18px; background-color: #ffffff;" style="background-color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span _mce_style="line-height: 18px;" style="background-color: #cccccc; line-height: 18px;">Syncopated rest in peace.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/remembering-dave-brubeck-and-crying-just-a-li">eric forsyth's posting place</a></div>
</div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-11892917254806619552012-11-05T03:08:00.001-07:002012-11-05T10:46:38.309-07:00Don't vote (for just anyone), it only encourages them.<div class="posterous_autopost">
<div>
This post should only be read if you have nothing better to do. It is not intended to convince anyone of better ways. It is only intended to organize my thoughts and record them for posterity. If anything is learned or better understood in the reading of my clumsy words, that's a bonus. </div>
<div>
---</div>
Before you get too worried that I'm wasting away my right and responsibility to vote, yes, I'm voting. But I'm not voting for the Republican or Democratic Party nominee. And not because they are Republican or Democrat. Unlike many partisan slap-happy citizens, the label alone doesn't automatically mean "evil" to me. It's individual rhetoric and actions that win me over or repel me.<br />
<br />
<div>
That said, Obama, having been president for four years already has the disadvantage by default. He's had more opportunity in the spotlight to say things and do things that turn me off, and that's not quite fair to him vs. Romney. But then I remember his over-confident promises and realize he made his disadvantage even worse by signing up for one term proposition back in the first month of his presidency.</div>
<br />
<div>
I mean, really. If you're going to walk into office making large promises about your presidency, at least leave it open ended so you have the flexibility to say you need a second term to fully execute them. No, this president said, (paraphrased) "if I don't do <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6jJvkkNmR_8">this</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CCN5-ovvFL0">this</a>, within four years, it's one term for me." (Both links are to non-partisan mainstream journalistic sources for you to hear and see his words for yourself. No Rush, no Hannity, no Tea Party, Obama-hating spin.)</div>
<br />
<div>
This isn't a matter of his adversaries catching him in nuances of his word choice. Even his most loyal supporters should be upset that he would be foolish (read: overconfident and/or naive) enough to say make such absolute promises. And he didn't even come close to realizing them. <a href="http://factcheck.org/2012/09/obamas-deficit-dodge/">Not even close.</a></div>
<br />
<div>
Harry S. Truman, another Democrat who made tough decisions to drop bombs, differed in one significant way. He had a sign on his desk in the Oval Office that read "The buck stops here!"</div>
<br />
<div>
I lose respect and trust for President Obama when he digs for excuses and passes along the blame for things he himself said his administration would do. Even if it wasn't reasonable for him to make those promises, he should at least own up to his former over-confidence. Instead, he digs a deeper pit.</div>
<br />
<div>
These broken promises don't even take into account other justifiable reasons why even a hopeful democrat would not vote for him again. Violations of morality and concerning foreign policy such as <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/09/why-i-refuse-to-vote-for-barack-obama/262861/">these</a>.</div>
<br />
<div>
Not voting for Romney is a little less fair of me, since I'm obviously making judgements on what I'm afraid he <i>would </i>do, instead of anything he actually hasn't even had a chance to do as president. But there are a lot of people who haven't had a chance to be president yet and that doesn't mean I'm going to vote to give them a chance. My main issue with Romney is one of association, and in that sense, it might not seem fair, but it's fair enough for me, because my main concern is for the future, and if the GOP goes along thinking registered Republican are okay with what they are doing, they've got another thing coming. In that sense, Romney shouldn't take it personally, but the GOP as a whole should take it <i>very</i> personally. My current feelings are that casting a vote, my own personal stamp of approval, for the Republican National Party - its advertising, its congressional candidates, its loudest, most popular partisan cheerleaders, its embarrassing primary season and its treatment of the Ron Paul delegates at the Convention - would be disingenuous of me.</div>
<br />
<div>
I am not one to reward bad behavior. I am often much harder on my own people than I am of those of other flocks. Just ask my Republican friends on facebook.</div>
<br />
<div>
I'm also not a big fan of the face that Romney felt he had to put on to appeal to the base and win the nomination. I am more of a fan of the Romney that got some stuff done in liberal Massachusetts, and made a bunch of money being fiscally strategic and conservatively selective at Bain, and helping shape up and lead the 2002 Winter Olympics. I might vote for that moderate and savvy Mitt, but he wouldn't have been the GOP candidate if he stayed that guy. He barely squeaked by as is. It's not his fault that his party has become such a mess, considering he himself is actually not very representational of the mess (i.e. Romney is not Akin or Palin). But it is his fault he decided to become the guy who could get the nomination. </div>
<br />
<div>
So in a nutshell, I'm more frustrated with the evolving GOP than I am with their presidential nominee that's made a choice to work hard to appeal to the GOP. But I'm not comforted by Romney's foreign policy sound bites either.</div>
<br />
<div>
I changed my voter registration to Independent about a year ago, then changed it to Republican when I learned that registered Independents can't vote in the Colorado Republican Primary caucus. As one who believes that Republcianism at its finest can actually be something admirable and inclusive and functional, I wanted to do my small part to help put rational voices at the head of the party. To no avail, yet.</div>
<br />
<div>
I'm a moderate libertarian. Hardcare libertarians will tell you there's no such thing. I like bike paths, maintained hiking trails, and well-paved roads. I like National Parks (though I'd be okay with handing them all over to the states in a pinch). I'm a product of public schools (but private University). I don't mind paying taxes for improved shared quality of life, as long as waste is minimized. But I've come to learn that the Constitution makes it very clear that most all of those tax-funded quality of life perks are actually locally organized anyway. Or if they aren't currently, they could and should be. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">Very few things</a> ought to be controlled by the federal government. The founding fathers realized that the federal government should be very limited in its power and plenty of rational people today still think so. These are not all people that own guns and vote straight ticket Republican. These are people like me. And people in your family. And your neighbors and friends. And maybe you. Rational philosophies held by normal, educated, thinking people with whom I bet you wouldn't be ashamed to associate.</div>
<br />
<div>
May I make a very strong suggestion? Read the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights and other amendments. Read them every single year. Really. This is not an exhortation that you should take lightly and think in the back of your mind "yeah, yeah, I know, the Constitution." <a href="http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution.html">Literally read it.</a> Take a Sunday afternoon, sit down with a nice cup of your favorite beverage and read it earnestly. Take notes. While you're at it, read the Declaration of Independence. </div>
<br />
<div>
Within the walls of my home (or church) I likely look like a social conservative. When I'm in a voting booth, or at work, or anywhere else, I'm a moderate libertarian that doesn't feel the slightest temptation to legislate my personal beliefs on the coast-to-coast public. This is not two-faced. This is one thinking person who believes that we should not be coerced by laws to do the right thing, and my right thing may not be your right thing, but usually it is. I believe most people are really good. I believe we need to be kind to each other and look out for one another. I believe we should be accepting of each other, so long as we don't infringe upon each other's rights. </div>
<br />
<div>
And because I believe that our big problems require tough solutions, and I don't see either the GOP or Democratic nominees laying down plans for real change (though they want you to think there's a big difference between them), I'm not giving either of them a stamp of approval (aka a vote), as I feel that would be disingenuous of me.</div>
<br />
<div>
There are many this election with the "lesser of two evils" rationale. This rationale takes no longer term strategy into account of showing the two party system that there are are other parties. Or at least showing them that both of the two main parties should adopt more classic, American libertarian policies. Libertarian policies actually meld really well with Republican and Democratic core philosophies already, so it's not a radical request. Republicans should be drooling over Libertarian fiscal policy and smaller federal government. Democrats should be drooling over Libertarian civil liberties policy. Unfortunately neither main party voluntarily follows these philosophies as they should, because doing so would require them to give up one major perk: Power: The audacious assumption that their personal preferences should become national law.</div>
<br />
<div>
George Washington didn't want power. He just wanted to faithfully fulfill his elected duty, do no unnecessary harm, and then retire quietly. To his disappointment, two parties were developing by the end of his first term. Wearied of politics, feeling old, he retired at the end of his second. In his Farewell Address, he urged his countrymen to forswear excessive party spirit and geographical distinctions. In foreign affairs, he warned against long-term alliances. I want George Washington back.</div>
<br />
<div>
Abraham Lincoln was a Republican that campaigned for national unity and civil liberties. I want Abraham Lincoln back. </div>
<br />
<div>
The way Romney talks about foreign policy and Constitutional Amendments that many feel would infringe upon the civil liberties of others, he's no Washington or Lincoln. </div>
<br />
<div>
The way Obama seems smug in his election and eager to pass the buck, he's no Washington or Truman.</div>
<br />
<div>
I'm voting for Gary Johnson, who will not win, of course. But me and maybe 6 million other people will be voting for him because we know we should vote, but that doesn't mean the options the two major parties are providing are in line with our principles. And we hope that both parties will get the message that they should do a much better job of applying libertarian principles to their existing platforms. At least that's my message. </div>
<br />
<div>
Call it a protest vote if you want. Call it a wasted vote if you want. But it certainly isn't as wasted as a vote for a candidate that scares me or disappoints me. Voting against your conscience is a truly wasted vote, wouldn't you say?</div>
<br />
<div>
The economy is picking up. It's going to continue to get better at a snail's pace over the next several years regardless of who is elected on Tuesday. The two main parties don't want you to believe that, but I recon it's a very safe bet. Safer even than a Bain Capital investment and certainly safer than a Solyndra investment.</div>
<br />
<div>
So, I am voting. But not for the establishment. Not this time. It only encourages them.</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/dont-vote-for-just-anyone-it-only-encourages">eric forsyth's posting place</a></div>
</div>
erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-35222409555704923562012-10-12T17:49:00.002-06:002012-10-15T10:26:29.528-06:00Bonus Paternity LeaveA few months after Henry was born, Eric's work came up with a new
policy giving new fathers an extra week of paternity leave - which he
took two weeks ago.<br />
<br />
We started off the weekend in Breckenridge. We just relaxed, ate some delicious pizza, saw some beautiful colors, and went on an amazing hike with Henry and Annie.<br />
<br />
I'll let the pictures do most of the talking:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ihruwE8k5d8TCkuz_6YyxY7JQ88fva_NNvIRZfOB3m9kIRQlkrSeIR0hcXKk8taAE_9ABOL8TftiReNLaO1LlqVghyphenhyphenBBC6HJJ8DWqydbyLbEqewWvD3CPCe9orRZDOruTcF77hDidSVi/s1600/Breck+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ihruwE8k5d8TCkuz_6YyxY7JQ88fva_NNvIRZfOB3m9kIRQlkrSeIR0hcXKk8taAE_9ABOL8TftiReNLaO1LlqVghyphenhyphenBBC6HJJ8DWqydbyLbEqewWvD3CPCe9orRZDOruTcF77hDidSVi/s640/Breck+leaves.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJPKIDyJREmRg5jfXYmo_BmlQcI9omqpcH0_n3M6VD2ihEseFb2OlWtnZFiu5Z-iH2Tszs30L3OeRKAkyzYD-MGAeBxxCeVaRfrvX1rjPtCckxRf4dNHdWwSHZl0kCdGr4YpRf2nqxiKE/s1600/Breck+mountain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJPKIDyJREmRg5jfXYmo_BmlQcI9omqpcH0_n3M6VD2ihEseFb2OlWtnZFiu5Z-iH2Tszs30L3OeRKAkyzYD-MGAeBxxCeVaRfrvX1rjPtCckxRf4dNHdWwSHZl0kCdGr4YpRf2nqxiKE/s640/Breck+mountain.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXWxCBKgXJjGOtUB0vvlZJn8nkYzebBsCY8srLQ3BiuaIORJ8iHsCtCCGsKtkqQvmbImzPicjKp2_lu930nmRFF3lVMAvWjUHM77JmEldrCIkVN4TmbvXkvZrw9-5SEYMFL2KEdNnV7RY/s1600/Breck+Hike+Fam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlXWxCBKgXJjGOtUB0vvlZJn8nkYzebBsCY8srLQ3BiuaIORJ8iHsCtCCGsKtkqQvmbImzPicjKp2_lu930nmRFF3lVMAvWjUHM77JmEldrCIkVN4TmbvXkvZrw9-5SEYMFL2KEdNnV7RY/s640/Breck+Hike+Fam.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lady who took this said this was going to be our Christmas card - Merry Christmas Everyone!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEElSG_bumRI4pVVnJMPyuJiWbazm9n5JVamyaD-FpXgIMtusyJbYE0OLh2fHb7tEeEHgWzNz0ED1s1Xd_f-U_Bl2LXf1Gyc6D50hsFHKsfvw2XTjq82Q0hbtMqwn5KxZdGNWaYMUqS2Up/s1600/Breck+Hike+Annie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEElSG_bumRI4pVVnJMPyuJiWbazm9n5JVamyaD-FpXgIMtusyJbYE0OLh2fHb7tEeEHgWzNz0ED1s1Xd_f-U_Bl2LXf1Gyc6D50hsFHKsfvw2XTjq82Q0hbtMqwn5KxZdGNWaYMUqS2Up/s640/Breck+Hike+Annie.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wow! Hey Annie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jOG8xOpAbKtSk2KfAmw5l9tSyVtwK5nvgpfbwIpE5N6woa2jwWOoZp3S0kwou4g9LaJaaRaAkF-tkXGxQqwEez2mjpGxVG6yJlhaNJoZcF_HtHAWp9dm7kLPJKIpbTPy8IjmcSu3t1NJ/s1600/Breck+Hike+Jaime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6jOG8xOpAbKtSk2KfAmw5l9tSyVtwK5nvgpfbwIpE5N6woa2jwWOoZp3S0kwou4g9LaJaaRaAkF-tkXGxQqwEez2mjpGxVG6yJlhaNJoZcF_HtHAWp9dm7kLPJKIpbTPy8IjmcSu3t1NJ/s640/Breck+Hike+Jaime.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv78YMRoNNdbyc5s6Ld3E8r1BiFuENjL5lIVWcLAruO0cn-MMy2nSUYbOw1XFPyHeQ2RH9WytS9dgyvOZBkBRhQ4-ASNoxz4TJyeefvnlS2l5EM8uxx1lcwDF01As4PS2g60gnSnFULG-/s1600/Breck+Hike+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFv78YMRoNNdbyc5s6Ld3E8r1BiFuENjL5lIVWcLAruO0cn-MMy2nSUYbOw1XFPyHeQ2RH9WytS9dgyvOZBkBRhQ4-ASNoxz4TJyeefvnlS2l5EM8uxx1lcwDF01As4PS2g60gnSnFULG-/s640/Breck+Hike+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here starts the pictures of during-the-week paternity leave:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfYKDmJI_U1AEvk-AUrCLe3usEROMfd4lqeXT0NIG8aHvUjOcN7IFVC2ZZUPeGvYZ9RjRLqoZyp63VDVV4Ro1KvIGo6O9H85l-dSSARy2D8KnAJfApnWvJYmKdiJ1OQkqnxmKTLsWePe8/s1600/Butterfly+Cacoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfYKDmJI_U1AEvk-AUrCLe3usEROMfd4lqeXT0NIG8aHvUjOcN7IFVC2ZZUPeGvYZ9RjRLqoZyp63VDVV4Ro1KvIGo6O9H85l-dSSARy2D8KnAJfApnWvJYmKdiJ1OQkqnxmKTLsWePe8/s640/Butterfly+Cacoon.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Butterfly Pavilion!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyHUFsLxJyBfz5VIfCH1lz3xpd9rvyww5ZZJ5AwLNQdJOGHgWNzNvrea0QrpSl3uIGTg0Qm1QbSWXfst7R-3cxmmbiCJe9RGY96netvnkljbVRtu7asyVo7TZ9WTlqJl0QYrNuIJAnzb4/s1600/Butterfly+release.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyHUFsLxJyBfz5VIfCH1lz3xpd9rvyww5ZZJ5AwLNQdJOGHgWNzNvrea0QrpSl3uIGTg0Qm1QbSWXfst7R-3cxmmbiCJe9RGY96netvnkljbVRtu7asyVo7TZ9WTlqJl0QYrNuIJAnzb4/s640/Butterfly+release.jpg" width="473" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Release of the butterflies</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1csOkkzTvq1gYDEwYXMX1fbPfoyawRh5s4AEWu76xpu5X4qT6Le4Scpd4IWvN9d4QT7qzfVUXJ27cbTWZ8Td5evzrnytDxZEan7OPYKxGvSORjoRZOefxHYQlVG1-v9zZniEnwMC4tV4/s1600/Butterfly+flip+flop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1csOkkzTvq1gYDEwYXMX1fbPfoyawRh5s4AEWu76xpu5X4qT6Le4Scpd4IWvN9d4QT7qzfVUXJ27cbTWZ8Td5evzrnytDxZEan7OPYKxGvSORjoRZOefxHYQlVG1-v9zZniEnwMC4tV4/s640/Butterfly+flip+flop.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blurry, but a butterfly landed on Eric's shoe!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZjAZkz-Mea-d8s-37QPNG0mMjPElyc-waDme-Lw5PM49O_2zy-lqlMySpD8cKhf32QSePhFiybEISDnytoZN4JmsusyhIXm9mAgXu_wMevwgWeCldMXhwr37MhTrRXJWn87LUqLwSSii/s1600/Butterfly+stroller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZjAZkz-Mea-d8s-37QPNG0mMjPElyc-waDme-Lw5PM49O_2zy-lqlMySpD8cKhf32QSePhFiybEISDnytoZN4JmsusyhIXm9mAgXu_wMevwgWeCldMXhwr37MhTrRXJWn87LUqLwSSii/s640/Butterfly+stroller.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good thing Henry didn't notice that butterfly, he would have squished it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwLFo8mcyXgSm8TW3VpJVle-P7X5h8YSoNRPTGUT3fHkC0skmppQQjw0TuYBpHKpGNYzrgzE9a_69SnTRyvD-SLc9VDYgQwCXkEWLnGqCvuSoBrfHMfB0IlHyE0OVWBzakGvzrfDKvQ7G/s1600/Diamond+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwLFo8mcyXgSm8TW3VpJVle-P7X5h8YSoNRPTGUT3fHkC0skmppQQjw0TuYBpHKpGNYzrgzE9a_69SnTRyvD-SLc9VDYgQwCXkEWLnGqCvuSoBrfHMfB0IlHyE0OVWBzakGvzrfDKvQ7G/s640/Diamond+Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our hike to the beautiful Diamond Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Eric made some yummy yummy chimmuritos one night. We also ate at the lunch buffet at Taj Mahal (in Louisville) and Henry made a mess on the floor. All in all, I'd say it was a pretty good week. Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-72301536024290358062012-10-12T10:16:00.001-06:002012-10-12T10:16:42.330-06:00Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of SummerI looked at our blog today for the first time in a while, obviously. At
first I felt bad that neither of us had blogged for a while; but then as
I was perusing though others' blogs, I noticed that everyone else had
not reached their full blogging potential this summer either. So there,
grandparents. <br />
<br />
At the end of August, Eric went out to Michigan for a backpacking
trip with his brothers - I'll let him blog that later. Meanwhile,
instead of being at home by ourselves for a week, Henry and I made our
way out to Ohio to see Mimi and Opa. It was so nice to be able to get
away from the mundane every day and spend time in the woodsey haven that
is Mimi and Opa's house. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvT62S2g0p2iSeB9MxFGzFkWwklCqj9K8VFsd7XIrKt4RPWFctH5cZBCq4TeKzmpDOOkzJuFwjinq-utOXo_jTAGF8OW3fpQAQ1YcxaAg-z-xRCXth1ajPH9ZyuckcH3EA8cJ9tYnssWr/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
Opa kept the garden nice for us alllll summer long. With hungry deer
and not much rain, this was a very appreciated feat. Henry loved being
in the back yard. He found some great basil leaves and sticks to chew
on, and we even got to see some deer - up close and personal. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfebIZv2oY44TGnly8QpCAbPHzF-GxMcAm6ggw18-7__42aV9XzKfci0D21Rb-C6fPxHwwb5nPWY0HdC51z-EuGAVhtTWBB8TAwksH27TM9CHDSZihIPKkUpl4CsN6wC3AeozBicKKw2T/s1600/IMG_1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNfebIZv2oY44TGnly8QpCAbPHzF-GxMcAm6ggw18-7__42aV9XzKfci0D21Rb-C6fPxHwwb5nPWY0HdC51z-EuGAVhtTWBB8TAwksH27TM9CHDSZihIPKkUpl4CsN6wC3AeozBicKKw2T/s400/IMG_1009.JPG" width="297" /></a></div>
<br />
We went out to lunch with Mimi and our friend, Deb. This is when
Henry had his first (and definitely not last) experience with a dill
pickle. Let me tell you, this kid was talking, being kind of fussy, and
generally unsatisfied with the amount of attention he was receiving, but
when we gave him his first dill pickle spear, he was a whole new (much
more content) baby. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovcEEegrvqnyAVSH8TImVS7v53p-rrai7aQ-90QTYp96DX36OBt6hsC_5no4OgLuv5x0GkbXu4z7uXphLO01JxF39o0aGS2aRf30ooZz9bQ25BpWAVDLtUz66YGqZ2unhZcjTMHr1ZCL/s1600/IMG_1025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ovcEEegrvqnyAVSH8TImVS7v53p-rrai7aQ-90QTYp96DX36OBt6hsC_5no4OgLuv5x0GkbXu4z7uXphLO01JxF39o0aGS2aRf30ooZz9bQ25BpWAVDLtUz66YGqZ2unhZcjTMHr1ZCL/s400/IMG_1025.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mmmm Pickles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The same thing happened again a few nights later when we were eating
dinner with Opa. Speaking of that night....Henry also got his first
taste of chocolate ice cream. Mimi and I were just sitting on a bench
and Opa took Henry somewhere to get some ice cream (supposedly for Opa).
After quite a while we started to wonder where they were. We looked
around this giant bush next to us, and, "DAD!!!!" There was ice cream
all over little Henry's face. The minute I took Henry away from the ice
cream was the first minute of true sadness in Henry's life.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfo0bj-pN9qKlHO9HPpSa0o2ndJn_uIxjxAAKuvbc2-XHkoD5gMTahRiE-oi4VKk2DV6juohDX7SJTEhDMgxLWMxEw-kZY6hpNI9Nqf4upVaY9TJGQPXOpx2S9tHX4DvhTEvXFWUkjoQu/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkfo0bj-pN9qKlHO9HPpSa0o2ndJn_uIxjxAAKuvbc2-XHkoD5gMTahRiE-oi4VKk2DV6juohDX7SJTEhDMgxLWMxEw-kZY6hpNI9Nqf4upVaY9TJGQPXOpx2S9tHX4DvhTEvXFWUkjoQu/s400/photo+4.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is it just me, or does this photo like like two pics stuck together?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Later in the week, we drove out to Michigan to pick up our Eric. He
was staying at his brother, Daniel's house, so Henry got to see two of
his cousins, an aunt, two uncles, and Gammie. We had an excellent
breakfast and lots of fun with the fam. (I feel like there should have been pictures of more people though - we'll get them during Christmas.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06DtApghbJFJwwIK7eHjj3EhZqOJBh22G-7yYZtNM7Wg19eZmTlWB9YJUF88a-cDodVxF32k-JXZU29AL8Z2f6jjJ5RxSOMSQMllkcb-RWrAR2bn_jVupAYlMoj6_7JXR-PTHkum7Ktil/s1600/Michigan+henry+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg06DtApghbJFJwwIK7eHjj3EhZqOJBh22G-7yYZtNM7Wg19eZmTlWB9YJUF88a-cDodVxF32k-JXZU29AL8Z2f6jjJ5RxSOMSQMllkcb-RWrAR2bn_jVupAYlMoj6_7JXR-PTHkum7Ktil/s400/Michigan+henry+3.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegq5gJG_5ren3VLfJ0jj8s96cVrbleqtI3ZzYOlbBnelzq0H4PYv4EHvpNDPgSI38aSKNZ_fYw6nLvJg_dJinvXNpArbHxqwZfOVSpB4j0yyeHWYe4W79LFVU5RCV-LEEtH56w8BEMOHg/s1600/Michigan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjegq5gJG_5ren3VLfJ0jj8s96cVrbleqtI3ZzYOlbBnelzq0H4PYv4EHvpNDPgSI38aSKNZ_fYw6nLvJg_dJinvXNpArbHxqwZfOVSpB4j0yyeHWYe4W79LFVU5RCV-LEEtH56w8BEMOHg/s400/Michigan3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVPgp1I5iHh7sNt3wePjw4Qj_rh2zyOf9f88e_mzUhilD8MWjbwEkgttXnTNM0KaeEdosr1l9oakcLTF1BgND1elohuv6mNJ_u0zvx-iuTjPNGF_Do7tR8z4x8RUUGgediolpfRKsN67o/s1600/Michigan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVPgp1I5iHh7sNt3wePjw4Qj_rh2zyOf9f88e_mzUhilD8MWjbwEkgttXnTNM0KaeEdosr1l9oakcLTF1BgND1elohuv6mNJ_u0zvx-iuTjPNGF_Do7tR8z4x8RUUGgediolpfRKsN67o/s400/Michigan4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't worry, Henry's just punching cousin Ray - toughening him up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This trip being Eric's first trip to Ohio with me, we had to do some
fun stuff. We spent the whole Labor Day in Cleveland visiting the Rock
Hall (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for those not in the know). It was
really fun, especially for Eric - it was like his Disneyland. Plus he
got in for free because he's a super talented musician who has an
amazingly awesome CD. It just so happened that there was also an air
show right next to the Rock Hall, so we got to see a whole bunch of
airplanes doing crazy tricks. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRpXEyptZcpymzL3HqCOPv7RBBW-RuCyGMImNYV0S0Bj090nM7Psx_UJTB_bRhtvTthDT6OG3Zr8iKXIWK7_OsZFfVMiqxiozAfDT5JzXXWK0QVfAdA3UzFCHP3eCfR-60MHR3JRbgh1L/s1600/IMG_5841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRpXEyptZcpymzL3HqCOPv7RBBW-RuCyGMImNYV0S0Bj090nM7Psx_UJTB_bRhtvTthDT6OG3Zr8iKXIWK7_OsZFfVMiqxiozAfDT5JzXXWK0QVfAdA3UzFCHP3eCfR-60MHR3JRbgh1L/s400/IMG_5841.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFUobkKaPckZVcRLamqhwN56ZqSJyUURFH_zmKDIoZ__4niSIhEmzerv5b1YmeBxye56UxT8OuOUO5-ssbqiO9MG9t3NIopCA3t4t2vPCZPwjKPuzZ6aXRVeFmI6I5qv_hz1VItpW4CDI/s1600/IMG_5836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeFUobkKaPckZVcRLamqhwN56ZqSJyUURFH_zmKDIoZ__4niSIhEmzerv5b1YmeBxye56UxT8OuOUO5-ssbqiO9MG9t3NIopCA3t4t2vPCZPwjKPuzZ6aXRVeFmI6I5qv_hz1VItpW4CDI/s400/IMG_5836.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBqn0t5JhnSlZOys75PCMS84oxyMtEAYmX3ol_RIadux7AX15lF2daIf6JmgUdg9WwWGym_nqyMaY71Wh2kXlT64zJ17VZitqFX0XyqmhyIU9lc4CPFAVDfOnp7n-cpE7bU87DV60soZy/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBqn0t5JhnSlZOys75PCMS84oxyMtEAYmX3ol_RIadux7AX15lF2daIf6JmgUdg9WwWGym_nqyMaY71Wh2kXlT64zJ17VZitqFX0XyqmhyIU9lc4CPFAVDfOnp7n-cpE7bU87DV60soZy/s400/photo+5.JPG" width="298" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In other summer news: We hung out a lot, went on some hikes, to farmer's markets, cooked some delicious food, and Annie says, "Hi!!!!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2brV0uhWppUjBqbkbBj5LUHHtaGNG1GSTh8xU-8kLsLowWUliupeK3D8lrU26J8P1NkmvP3mgYUUHNcNl5etDg9Ztp5D8xC5_VT-vTfP0LmTPB8PvJ7Id09RHGsoBhifmnfIsIn3wNMw/s1600/IMG_1050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT2brV0uhWppUjBqbkbBj5LUHHtaGNG1GSTh8xU-8kLsLowWUliupeK3D8lrU26J8P1NkmvP3mgYUUHNcNl5etDg9Ztp5D8xC5_VT-vTfP0LmTPB8PvJ7Id09RHGsoBhifmnfIsIn3wNMw/s400/IMG_1050.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWgtyDqqyLv_z7qlaPe2ACD0Hn83ZKruaFjhACKq6gYH7lzx6EfgMCUODgrHzhyphenhyphenyHuGUHqFXeesn-P11vrfssUX9DEqffOXa31Eza7grC1Crrnk1gfcy2zKOkOS-SO_COTT91obmTKaC5/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-20068688534808166252012-10-10T19:08:00.001-06:002012-10-10T19:08:44.806-06:00Do something awesome & be nice to people.<div class='posterous_autopost'>I haven't blogged in a while, and I'm okay with that.<p /><div>Sometimes I wonder what my loving, wisdom-imparting, encouraging Dad phrase will be when I say goodbye to my kids at the beginning of the day, or when they go out at night, or whenever we part ways.</div> <p /><div>Some parents say "Remember who you are!"</div><p /><div>Some simply say "Be good" or "I love you."</div><p /><div>Jaime had a friend growing up whose dad used to say "No touching each other's privates or poking each other in the eye with sticks."</div> <p /><div>I just found myself saying to Jaime as she walked out the door to some event: "Do something awesome and be nice to people." Which could be understood as one thing (Being nice to people = doing something awesome), but I mean it as two different admonitions. </div> <p /><div>Maybe that'll be my phrase.</div><p /><div>We'll see if this evolves.</div><p /><div>In the meantime, do something awesome & be nice to people.</div><p /><div> The ampersand helps.</div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/do-something-awesome-be-nice-to-people">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </p> </div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-618106054779160702012-07-31T21:40:00.001-06:002012-07-31T21:40:21.992-06:006 Month Photo ShootI had to document the first 6 months of my little cutie's life. As of today, Baby H has two teeth on the bottom and can sit up all by himself for at least a minute. He has also tried the following foods: Bananas, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, carrots, peaches, and avocado. He (obviously) enjoys all food.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnLZI3kS43OQLrwNxheNLs8mge3zTnwnHZ2VWcI11ekEjWZZBsXYXBIVMG_HQCG8BbZUGjvSUlzvAvVejgr7RtB7hznIU5P-RGCcvcECsk5a4806aEJSevgJCNEFcxSFPbcRhvPu8W7AB/s1600/blocks+verticle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghnLZI3kS43OQLrwNxheNLs8mge3zTnwnHZ2VWcI11ekEjWZZBsXYXBIVMG_HQCG8BbZUGjvSUlzvAvVejgr7RtB7hznIU5P-RGCcvcECsk5a4806aEJSevgJCNEFcxSFPbcRhvPu8W7AB/s400/blocks+verticle.jpg" width="266" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJxnHfr3EDjV8UPFGVHKE8T-X0QUf4Aa4lmwPROCDUmIRIbsL-kEzIZRnqTsOSboTVti5IodUgAG5iSWUDXDzZEGvA3VlFVc5_7IgbS3t3R_lrvlhLOsd_OePqM9lsJgp3NGcOIZIirsl/s1600/play+with+ball.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJxnHfr3EDjV8UPFGVHKE8T-X0QUf4Aa4lmwPROCDUmIRIbsL-kEzIZRnqTsOSboTVti5IodUgAG5iSWUDXDzZEGvA3VlFVc5_7IgbS3t3R_lrvlhLOsd_OePqM9lsJgp3NGcOIZIirsl/s400/play+with+ball.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSva-8ly-77p18M1UIyHQWBXUuOokHYBLdgEYcVZeRzRWul4DPKOjunZ9n-3EoKtrjiYAYTFT1CJdUVHyF8zH-CX1r0s6vyw-b7GrOzN5qZZ_vrHTThmAf_N7zsWNMqbWaH5LGkRGI8XT/s1600/blocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSva-8ly-77p18M1UIyHQWBXUuOokHYBLdgEYcVZeRzRWul4DPKOjunZ9n-3EoKtrjiYAYTFT1CJdUVHyF8zH-CX1r0s6vyw-b7GrOzN5qZZ_vrHTThmAf_N7zsWNMqbWaH5LGkRGI8XT/s400/blocks.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49ptk9pchPUdPWtSxL58Hvl_8ggFfU8z4-DSucxK7o2jqE4H0Ptw-x17dzwP5wrrOgP87hw63OYw-v-FEque_kYcjn2o1XP6iYzxZk8P8Wtqq0kmkUQvTbx07FM6oaShMduJwUYPN1uzl/s1600/book.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49ptk9pchPUdPWtSxL58Hvl_8ggFfU8z4-DSucxK7o2jqE4H0Ptw-x17dzwP5wrrOgP87hw63OYw-v-FEque_kYcjn2o1XP6iYzxZk8P8Wtqq0kmkUQvTbx07FM6oaShMduJwUYPN1uzl/s400/book.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFto_myPaOSu7weUL8jCwhD5x6rGr5UvdfVSDYh_hWt2sWVsaaNBAWLr7WOTcoi2Fle5fTCMEE0CTLgxfX_Gsb6FLLuZEnDA7c-N7v9ov_wtL0rN-omKeLTIyCJolQo59OW2Bwb3bP9yeW/s1600/grimace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFto_myPaOSu7weUL8jCwhD5x6rGr5UvdfVSDYh_hWt2sWVsaaNBAWLr7WOTcoi2Fle5fTCMEE0CTLgxfX_Gsb6FLLuZEnDA7c-N7v9ov_wtL0rN-omKeLTIyCJolQo59OW2Bwb3bP9yeW/s400/grimace.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7WByyeZf3o0etjavHOkvih75bU3JTgJkL2CMX3HI_KUjwm9neRg7RUrMLc7fwxW3Mzl0B07iRCWWKO5Hnbh0172sjDhuTHwMIlY18DtfJAfY62qG4kDIzt9HLOQScArlkNZWAUr-1Spx/s1600/henry+tie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr7WByyeZf3o0etjavHOkvih75bU3JTgJkL2CMX3HI_KUjwm9neRg7RUrMLc7fwxW3Mzl0B07iRCWWKO5Hnbh0172sjDhuTHwMIlY18DtfJAfY62qG4kDIzt9HLOQScArlkNZWAUr-1Spx/s400/henry+tie.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2Fe_XnF40RrnFdoGTX4b83dU1b3TNeCBf5df2KF-W5E0lnO7Rz61sEZdGnb27bfWnWW_RvsuGjHRbl9DTHrkunU9PQP2PS_hyphenhyphenUvFcaLPjWHrWslWiQEhsDLo3RB9yNo4vKJQM5lsZ1kW/s1600/hey+there.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2Fe_XnF40RrnFdoGTX4b83dU1b3TNeCBf5df2KF-W5E0lnO7Rz61sEZdGnb27bfWnWW_RvsuGjHRbl9DTHrkunU9PQP2PS_hyphenhyphenUvFcaLPjWHrWslWiQEhsDLo3RB9yNo4vKJQM5lsZ1kW/s400/hey+there.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OjqahuNXBhDQBMi9VOwPmahU3LTxGAuxvrP2v_eHEVJgrWCtus6NKAxVPLx8_VOn3mloMIl8n4g3oFNbwGVEtEoKg_9nOyP9ewG9A4FmJQhcaqAVpCTK-UwGstiLmUI7RXtyjATsHI1e/s1600/roll+over.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8OjqahuNXBhDQBMi9VOwPmahU3LTxGAuxvrP2v_eHEVJgrWCtus6NKAxVPLx8_VOn3mloMIl8n4g3oFNbwGVEtEoKg_9nOyP9ewG9A4FmJQhcaqAVpCTK-UwGstiLmUI7RXtyjATsHI1e/s400/roll+over.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq8jAvmWSVMH9EDBgDPLj0Jp_mBAOxuxMCka40HxATFMR2eCK5eUub9aXuph4mtuT8KI7zmi6Ldqo0H6XfCvJG-ytfGRH8xw8jIcMdPARZxv5Vf4BJ4NzqViiUVTuj2jRwtBxBFewOef1/s1600/stripey+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiq8jAvmWSVMH9EDBgDPLj0Jp_mBAOxuxMCka40HxATFMR2eCK5eUub9aXuph4mtuT8KI7zmi6Ldqo0H6XfCvJG-ytfGRH8xw8jIcMdPARZxv5Vf4BJ4NzqViiUVTuj2jRwtBxBFewOef1/s400/stripey+smile.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQnIOFhdsuiRuKh-HOi_NEA6eZlQVEEiWrU-800gqtxeU87jnVeuVmF04QjDjSP_DZXljGoOGm9Ks6vjj-MCX5HP_6FcWlZ76Y61IhK6r2Xa9wN-lWIOmIjXnH4KaVLLu_RtoUJQUj6zv/s1600/timber.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQnIOFhdsuiRuKh-HOi_NEA6eZlQVEEiWrU-800gqtxeU87jnVeuVmF04QjDjSP_DZXljGoOGm9Ks6vjj-MCX5HP_6FcWlZ76Y61IhK6r2Xa9wN-lWIOmIjXnH4KaVLLu_RtoUJQUj6zv/s400/timber.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr94dbVZk0k4Y8V6GY-7wfyOnp-Z3utVUcwzTjXFJQA50LFEjsX9Oxl-1za02VEOn7tBMXpfsLhnOOfeggA7506BkTp_ouGaKxxFhhoSJkSI6nlPjX7Rf28GRvpytQaTsScDXPBWhbdMDc/s400/tongue.jpg" width="266" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He's so sassy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-22387253635388841752012-07-16T03:00:00.001-06:002012-07-16T03:00:39.459-06:00"Oh My Sweet Carolina" Toilet Seat Cover<div class='posterous_autopost'><p>Didn't want the weekend to pass before laying this down. (Headphones recommended.)</p> <div><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/chmAmXgG_Jk?wmode=transparent" allowfullscreen frameborder="0" height="417" width="500"></iframe></div> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/oh-my-sweet-carolina-toilet-seat-cover-ep-5">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </p> </div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-18684813256735268212012-07-08T22:48:00.001-06:002012-07-08T22:53:38.525-06:00"Sea of Love" Toilet Seat Cover, Episode 4<div class="posterous_autopost">
I learned several cool songs that were requested for weddings I've played this summer and they've inspired me to bring my "Toilet Seat Covers" series back to life. A couple of friends have been asking about it.<br />
<br />
Here's "Sea of Love." Use headphones.<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="417" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XJUk1-Al-rA?wmode=transparent" width="500"></iframe><br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/sea-of-love-toilet-seat-cover-episode-4">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </div>
</div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-71568411544140214712012-07-04T15:53:00.002-06:002012-07-04T15:53:35.518-06:00Happy Independence Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just having a photo shoot on the new quilt that I made.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761433837697753330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFEbax7doHkZkykisiX27fVKfWZpKr9fQ1z6T4pkZCM2nIjU0IcVlFC-ALiWaxrFtAxIBy4_LISgSEUKJG_rSwfc90PR1DwHhx-S3AlJ9uWh3PutgPohIYe-Zju_YjcLV5ZNU-56oeG4I/s640/photo+1-747762.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="478" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least Annie looks interested.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVGiqbuVGxzbG7PRophISHe68rnrDr-MRjBMDcCON7ahyphenhyphenG4geeRcUZ7AWfMovE2wDnXBI8IkGfAYrBdzE-LieuDJPZMeGuVX3_L77k1-trFobvYt92n1L9VEM5YxJ6OgFu-Khlr0SCHkg/s1600/photo+2-750710.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761433847999005586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVGiqbuVGxzbG7PRophISHe68rnrDr-MRjBMDcCON7ahyphenhyphenG4geeRcUZ7AWfMovE2wDnXBI8IkGfAYrBdzE-LieuDJPZMeGuVX3_L77k1-trFobvYt92n1L9VEM5YxJ6OgFu-Khlr0SCHkg/s640/photo+2-750710.JPG" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now everyone look right...Good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFecP3gnm6PWL6oq6ViGqVeStRFIqG48rV73THewsLeHemqz_Bc1pCcT7k_22pkwcBWoE0aPwTrHsAs5_hlnhMF4o_6lI7r88Vej-7JCHOcLiLn1eg6UeaAnAEJRx4F2ELMPfZG9JJE5mS/s1600/photo+3-753186.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5761433856886888210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFecP3gnm6PWL6oq6ViGqVeStRFIqG48rV73THewsLeHemqz_Bc1pCcT7k_22pkwcBWoE0aPwTrHsAs5_hlnhMF4o_6lI7r88Vej-7JCHOcLiLn1eg6UeaAnAEJRx4F2ELMPfZG9JJE5mS/s640/photo+3-753186.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My two favorite boys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-48359846806303940962012-06-30T19:27:00.001-06:002012-07-04T15:51:22.455-06:00Who wants to go halfsies on a Westy?<div class="posterous_autopost">
This Westy ('93 VW Eurovan MV Westfalia Weekender) is sitting in a driveway just a short walk from my house. If it is in good condition and drives well, that seems like a great price compared to the listings I've seen online, but I'd try to get him down to $8.5k.<br />
<br />
<div>
It occurred to me that car sharing is a really good idea for this type of car. As an RV it won't be needed everyday, or even every week, but is still small enough to shuttle the family around town as needed. So going halfsies on a car like this would be fun. I'm not sure how the titling works in that case, but it sure makes it a cheap buy (half the price, all the benefits).<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.590835904884.2140742.193303838&l=ce3e71c2bc">Here </a>are some pictures from when Jaime and I rented an even older, manual version of these pop-tops and had the vacation of a lifetime driving around Maui in 2009. Just imagine having one in beautiful Colorado. Drooling yet?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="p_embed p_image_embed">
<a href="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/ericforsyth/1Eny9UYzOecROxZHQKvKJaH91YAxReP9fOswtBxmNhKZAPyweqRTDYVmqYd3/WP_000800.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Wp_000800" height="375" src="http://getfile6.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/ericforsyth/fusKOLGoC33nY9mYDdqr77KNC6njOZGJ4XiKiFKuxj4vLvRfgK6PMH9OSG4h/WP_000800.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://getfile5.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/ericforsyth/9N2OoGmVgyEwwIQJYIjxvodsArMUTBHC49fnloj328FaVdLVoCYLJruWkAlP/WP_000801.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Wp_000801" height="375" src="http://getfile3.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/ericforsyth/F3G8HeEPObaZs7rqpnC57Klla3nST2VhKRZPEGRXhmuOJ8DcZBo6eH4JXOQU/WP_000801.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <a href="http://getfile1.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/ericforsyth/rgxplNkwYrPwlM2iq7khO9q8PtMnf6tGhjN8CBJhlDw4IdNQdwZmNQnzhzF4/WP_000802.jpg.scaled.1000.jpg"><img alt="Wp_000802" height="375" src="http://getfile9.posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/ericforsyth/0GPRRXrRbBOIWPcQCNAQ3SSxFImdOxNW2hv7C7BPz5JeuTsMMljZRH5BQfTz/WP_000802.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" width="500" /></a> <br />
<div class="p_see_full_gallery">
<a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/who-wants-to-go-halfsies-on-a-westy">See the full gallery on Posterous</a></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/who-wants-to-go-halfsies-on-a-westy">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </div>
</div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-32307912568895708922012-06-28T15:17:00.000-06:002012-06-28T15:17:37.033-06:00Henry's First Camping TripFriday, June 1 - we took Henry on his first camping trip to Flatiron Reservoir. We went up Friday morning, took a big 6 mile hike, had hotdogs for dinner, and smores (of course), then hit the sack. Henry slept great; however, being a mom, I woke up to every sound he made. Overall, it was a good trip.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6kHT2o2wvST4edm4k5YlrI_Cbym16wf4lcFoJeie3BAZO6a3qhG7vL3rlYKDPXxi92MkQ6aGQRKCmcScwrMSFY6jb1MzT_Zh3Yie7GUSBaJcyjRJOSXI806W5UA9YPhJ6q-bzl0Dzx8e/s1600/The+Site.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6kHT2o2wvST4edm4k5YlrI_Cbym16wf4lcFoJeie3BAZO6a3qhG7vL3rlYKDPXxi92MkQ6aGQRKCmcScwrMSFY6jb1MzT_Zh3Yie7GUSBaJcyjRJOSXI806W5UA9YPhJ6q-bzl0Dzx8e/s640/The+Site.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our site</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1i-Q-QXejXSlnOvI6glte4IvqOAUn5-xnKlTu-BI0SBlekwXqoqMtD_PyBR7LDbmgah_MlLCCNXX_zm567uC9kjLFa1jgYM5sRZpTjDww51l3gCPS9GYauk5B6MEUpQV_4duTBhzqWEz/s1600/Tent+eric+annie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA1i-Q-QXejXSlnOvI6glte4IvqOAUn5-xnKlTu-BI0SBlekwXqoqMtD_PyBR7LDbmgah_MlLCCNXX_zm567uC9kjLFa1jgYM5sRZpTjDww51l3gCPS9GYauk5B6MEUpQV_4duTBhzqWEz/s640/Tent+eric+annie.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eric by the tent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ3ZkTo_QOEEzbQtfGovPmUlnNJSdqBkNAyXDs9A2qrYdSDBG-Dlsfk_uIujMytQCQpH1h_jZ_2nP4iUb5YK-qAnmIdNg7lSFmcIiQ-Gw6eIlzVUqh9g4RcSXXdjtWIHSkZvH9dSXrrFv/s1600/Tent+Jaime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijQ3ZkTo_QOEEzbQtfGovPmUlnNJSdqBkNAyXDs9A2qrYdSDBG-Dlsfk_uIujMytQCQpH1h_jZ_2nP4iUb5YK-qAnmIdNg7lSFmcIiQ-Gw6eIlzVUqh9g4RcSXXdjtWIHSkZvH9dSXrrFv/s640/Tent+Jaime.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jaime by the tent</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXmbLvHk-BGLi5DgU5L7pa-mTiernAivM_-QHunZSK5IVT2YI3GqbGz09achT4cOHhN8sDg7-VwKN8GjeTc6qzGsZhclXWFeCd_OkXgjrirSm2tsh29YkU_7S0N1bli2IDagW1DiMBX_8/s1600/Henry+Naptime.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXmbLvHk-BGLi5DgU5L7pa-mTiernAivM_-QHunZSK5IVT2YI3GqbGz09achT4cOHhN8sDg7-VwKN8GjeTc6qzGsZhclXWFeCd_OkXgjrirSm2tsh29YkU_7S0N1bli2IDagW1DiMBX_8/s640/Henry+Naptime.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry's tent - don't worry, he slept inside our tent, this was just nap time. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5LOBo2vIQfI1oQ67_yQmWRpDSt6Walzvh0chZLyeCECz56W1hh4-MKYsVb-gmLqjrwh2Q1Ovb9_yK7tDkCuBnDIaZdfssTjhnJr3l708-UZ-_h9z6Tza3zbS37d9Y1qMxL9wzW0sxmk0/s1600/Annie+sniffing+henry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5LOBo2vIQfI1oQ67_yQmWRpDSt6Walzvh0chZLyeCECz56W1hh4-MKYsVb-gmLqjrwh2Q1Ovb9_yK7tDkCuBnDIaZdfssTjhnJr3l708-UZ-_h9z6Tza3zbS37d9Y1qMxL9wzW0sxmk0/s640/Annie+sniffing+henry.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie wanting to eat Henry's head.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHwoiSGu7G2rZ2Ekj6PmewbDsNorzxkobYMIGIZx0-HmurSn73w2Ota0GpG68Qp5QIW_daute5HKl1ML8ai1cLxSGK25xkjfJBNinAqS2s_eGu_te8S2i1HG4oJ7cxdhMXALMUm8ruzV2/s1600/annie+inquisitive.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyHwoiSGu7G2rZ2Ekj6PmewbDsNorzxkobYMIGIZx0-HmurSn73w2Ota0GpG68Qp5QIW_daute5HKl1ML8ai1cLxSGK25xkjfJBNinAqS2s_eGu_te8S2i1HG4oJ7cxdhMXALMUm8ruzV2/s640/annie+inquisitive.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squirrel!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwrSrSjNuIWjPJNb9gCObOiATGFRIH17Z5yMcrwALb2911ptezONqC-CQLBeiay2x6Uty6G99mWRZGOiWAjin8VBoUwt0QVKKDC_Asz-rnq2ro5gxobT97gvcAO-4bwxEnGJwiwlvso-_/s1600/Henry+Chiar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigwrSrSjNuIWjPJNb9gCObOiATGFRIH17Z5yMcrwALb2911ptezONqC-CQLBeiay2x6Uty6G99mWRZGOiWAjin8VBoUwt0QVKKDC_Asz-rnq2ro5gxobT97gvcAO-4bwxEnGJwiwlvso-_/s640/Henry+Chiar.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little lounger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdu_UO3oaYSUulE2uB015MxhFqESX-RNbHJ7p4e1NdylCxx91JfBt5gsioav_ErkQ_vhljUmrseD-7HyvdNRVi82roI-IpaA3f1HM9tk87uk5KireQ0cshcaaRPXfEwBMIjzvbNIxY9-8A/s1600/Dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdu_UO3oaYSUulE2uB015MxhFqESX-RNbHJ7p4e1NdylCxx91JfBt5gsioav_ErkQ_vhljUmrseD-7HyvdNRVi82roI-IpaA3f1HM9tk87uk5KireQ0cshcaaRPXfEwBMIjzvbNIxY9-8A/s640/Dinner.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EPPfSvdnc08op8UBKQXkSiPe2DDW8oGcFbqSRw6ntWUPowTPJAhQF4ahAGMSRjTOvSHROn7p-2KijesriglAdw6yQao8r-N0uhMW-0pKcEvbB9oS-_Yo5T1q1yGHGywNxUyKhqey9Qdq/s1600/Morning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2EPPfSvdnc08op8UBKQXkSiPe2DDW8oGcFbqSRw6ntWUPowTPJAhQF4ahAGMSRjTOvSHROn7p-2KijesriglAdw6yQao8r-N0uhMW-0pKcEvbB9oS-_Yo5T1q1yGHGywNxUyKhqey9Qdq/s640/Morning.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everyone in their morning faces.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-56699652716591216742012-06-22T01:39:00.001-06:002012-06-24T16:00:37.218-06:00Things I want to teach my kid, #9<div class="posterous_autopost">
Not if, but <i>when </i>given the choice between being mildly adventurous and what some may consider disturbingly or uncomfortably adventurous, choose disturbingly and uncomfortably adventurous. You'll have better stories, more vivid memories and always at least one person who will do them with you (me). You will be faced with this choice not just every now and then, but every summer, winter, fall and spring. At least every weekend. Sometimes multiple times a day. Recognize the choice you have when others only see one option. <br />
<div style="font-size: 10px;">
<a href="http://posterous.com/">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/thing-i-want-to-teach-my-kid-9">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </div>
</div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-3595790334207543932012-06-01T14:33:00.000-06:002012-06-01T14:33:44.157-06:00Gap Pose<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<div class="mobile-photo">
</div>
<br />
Finally, a real "Gap Pose." This one's for you, mom...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHlIrDfxWp-4DpgJadCXi5SfFW48gNP9Qp8Nm31QjjF-Zunh5NtoP-L6JGaZvkxG3fAaLaM7_jmoo-t_vks0vFazJwH8bl0qdIs7vsYyczapi4WoAnWP5vkC1Jgguam1qUnD8J_S7zM2g/s1600/photo-747191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5749168695698651122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHlIrDfxWp-4DpgJadCXi5SfFW48gNP9Qp8Nm31QjjF-Zunh5NtoP-L6JGaZvkxG3fAaLaM7_jmoo-t_vks0vFazJwH8bl0qdIs7vsYyczapi4WoAnWP5vkC1Jgguam1qUnD8J_S7zM2g/s320/photo-747191.JPG" /></a></div>Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-15476436123755593832012-05-19T10:11:00.001-06:002012-05-19T10:22:47.227-06:00Henry's First Real FoodHenry got his first taste of real food this week: Rice Cereal. Now, if that were my first taste of food, I don't know that I would veer from my regular milk diet; but seeing that Uncle Bradley gave Henry a taste of pineapple last week, the kid has to know there are more and better foods to come. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7FwQtvMhRS82buR5JcbrzGpzRBdFO8X_du_mlwHL7iPEE-y_xTXhjWZgy6iSvZsF5se_V1P51mEYL_EMp2V3Sl4TvrRrIa6UXpiBsooxZdA5iMIgdzckQfZXxGVpAAl7c8tkY57XFrg/s1600/the+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKk7FwQtvMhRS82buR5JcbrzGpzRBdFO8X_du_mlwHL7iPEE-y_xTXhjWZgy6iSvZsF5se_V1P51mEYL_EMp2V3Sl4TvrRrIa6UXpiBsooxZdA5iMIgdzckQfZXxGVpAAl7c8tkY57XFrg/s640/the+food.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we have the food.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnXxVl0xWJdKXCZi_3SbW0A2Lo0FqEtrjLdezd7TndzJeCfjYCvvIWVAlMzzdwbcduHPSAkxApQUskC5ZCRuedCtPSfjmDUOHBd-hDjpYYaNR1SMbhpTvl_YU8PhWK3IPOxzYzZT-CxC4/s1600/Hummm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtnXxVl0xWJdKXCZi_3SbW0A2Lo0FqEtrjLdezd7TndzJeCfjYCvvIWVAlMzzdwbcduHPSAkxApQUskC5ZCRuedCtPSfjmDUOHBd-hDjpYYaNR1SMbhpTvl_YU8PhWK3IPOxzYzZT-CxC4/s640/Hummm.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry, after his first few bites.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Y9aKNyjm70otjDZ1sqbJkh7DcbL5f_1oSNVZlrq4lS3oBd1A9O3NBkxORJj47UnbnUqwPQO7VaJnYX0gJF3CHL_2nX5VeI6Dj2Ai6aM6tmv4LAEYjEyqqEv5ZY1ObZCddxRRSSSg3MhL/s640/Happy+chubby+baby.jpg" width="425" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The happy, chubby baby.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ailAaIyg5G0" width="420"></iframe></div>
<br />
So, in the first part of the video, I'm more focused on Henry than the camera, so we miss a bit. But, watch in the very last part where he is helping to shovel the food into his mouth with both hands...haha.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-8248604646550015402012-05-11T21:53:00.001-06:002012-05-14T12:12:28.335-06:00Elevenses<div class='posterous_autopost'><span style="font-family: lucida grande,tahoma,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);">Jaime and I are foolishly planning to open a breakfast and lunch cafe/diner called "Elevenses." We may start out as a food truck, or add a food truck appendage to the brick and mortar, but I'm pretty sure it's happening. It's going to be the kind of place that's featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives." Open at 6:30. Close at 3pm. Spending the next 10 years planning the menu and vibe. Plenty of time to tweak the draft business plan. Who wants in?</span> <p style="font-size: 10px;"> <a href="http://posterous.com">Posted via email</a> from <a href="http://ericforsyth.posterous.com/elevensies">eric forsyth's posting place</a> </p> </div>erichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08757730964526611385noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6599126284273478674.post-4071048408543206832012-04-23T16:24:00.001-06:002012-04-23T16:24:11.798-06:00Life is GoodFor reals. Life is good. Henry has progressively been sleeping longer and longer at nights (knock on wood); and he giggles and smiles all the time. I have a wonderful husband who buys me flowers and earrings and gives me kisses. It has been in the 70's and sunny for the last month. We have flowers and tomatoes growing outside. Henry likes to help me cook in the kitchen.<br />
<br />
Here are some visuals from what has been making my life so great lately. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XJueV2rykj8" width="420"></iframe></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pojkqwJQp-4IEodtTyoOwQTnhClQFERBIUtQc_K2FRxfMF8AA9gb4pohhycIB8jrmQrrQw5L8vgDZ6mwt_iAVb6Pz1qeqJ42uZtTpou0hRq5Y0gCUwmzoUbYpjUO4uNOieAaXA6EnhhW/s1600/DJ+smile.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pojkqwJQp-4IEodtTyoOwQTnhClQFERBIUtQc_K2FRxfMF8AA9gb4pohhycIB8jrmQrrQw5L8vgDZ6mwt_iAVb6Pz1qeqJ42uZtTpou0hRq5Y0gCUwmzoUbYpjUO4uNOieAaXA6EnhhW/s400/DJ+smile.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">DJ Baby H</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrGb87eXuRZz_93tEFlHhyphenhyphen_U8ZZRii7nG-8l3tgRocnP4YB2Lyg8LHyYeuG0soAYBH9Tl_8EAt518-X0-vfV8fNGKzSlSSydsIXU6ItDtCjjZlfCwl_c-aMOjg5ChlOPn9gRx0cm189D0/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrGb87eXuRZz_93tEFlHhyphenhyphen_U8ZZRii7nG-8l3tgRocnP4YB2Lyg8LHyYeuG0soAYBH9Tl_8EAt518-X0-vfV8fNGKzSlSSydsIXU6ItDtCjjZlfCwl_c-aMOjg5ChlOPn9gRx0cm189D0/s400/photo+2.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers from Eric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVolasgudJ9S8NzmPr8lBc7sOsc0n8oweIa3WLYalJH6GVkST36hOrvCq2u49bOsVrzM5rzg1tb8eGlxe1p_ebW8JhCKv5un-gDpMQ0iP5hTmnVX4j5oeqUB8P87SwwVor9gEkAW5YvPEP/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVolasgudJ9S8NzmPr8lBc7sOsc0n8oweIa3WLYalJH6GVkST36hOrvCq2u49bOsVrzM5rzg1tb8eGlxe1p_ebW8JhCKv5un-gDpMQ0iP5hTmnVX4j5oeqUB8P87SwwVor9gEkAW5YvPEP/s400/photo+1.JPG" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Earrings from Eric</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QbaU4L2Ms6LPyYyBQxZNtq2Ch9zX1TouA7doDqXEkwzqpITaRUyOv2fnDQEd-4wLFsl7Y8tDbDM6PUYpnO4-EsyOEowXfJw7XPElY1A74VYMEfvoqKsW6CS73JWKKdOS7t0CrXMg79uj/s1600/tickle+dad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QbaU4L2Ms6LPyYyBQxZNtq2Ch9zX1TouA7doDqXEkwzqpITaRUyOv2fnDQEd-4wLFsl7Y8tDbDM6PUYpnO4-EsyOEowXfJw7XPElY1A74VYMEfvoqKsW6CS73JWKKdOS7t0CrXMg79uj/s400/tickle+dad.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goochie goochie goo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC9Kcyrl1hnJtzjMfsTsX1NHOAmufO_01UWH02krCv2hzq2bLEGRlZgurQScjGO9SvaZtpQ-4QhBlhqaWky4uxq1OaSsT2A3Dk5O2wYm-LFdu_IiX4F_qA18ZC-0jiiIlUqSeWBmGjNmp/s1600/close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhC9Kcyrl1hnJtzjMfsTsX1NHOAmufO_01UWH02krCv2hzq2bLEGRlZgurQScjGO9SvaZtpQ-4QhBlhqaWky4uxq1OaSsT2A3Dk5O2wYm-LFdu_IiX4F_qA18ZC-0jiiIlUqSeWBmGjNmp/s400/close+up.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our precious little guy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj4WgQYaQaetid92YHOkDMVkYJjHpOPb_35sxoqXEkSfoxGM-Hh2ywQ0KcWGzrhdpdu5_x7v-HuoQ1rsl_LCSOIlaVRNoCsdiCW4FRMbOSX3JVS8dONzpOAGzfqGOMWzgd2QUGEZqUkG3/s1600/long+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj4WgQYaQaetid92YHOkDMVkYJjHpOPb_35sxoqXEkSfoxGM-Hh2ywQ0KcWGzrhdpdu5_x7v-HuoQ1rsl_LCSOIlaVRNoCsdiCW4FRMbOSX3JVS8dONzpOAGzfqGOMWzgd2QUGEZqUkG3/s400/long+pic.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mama and Henry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQdRGxuEc9HowyMfRF4G4RizoX1_v-8ft9y869ggk4h7bVteV2SbZQZaDC6Aib6ow0ZttJG6wmRHwkOVTkc5lLDFk5GspTUVIJZ9UeFCQPM3IQ1k3imTpeCjbkBU_bWK2-iK0MyieiN-y/s1600/pensive+dad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRQdRGxuEc9HowyMfRF4G4RizoX1_v-8ft9y869ggk4h7bVteV2SbZQZaDC6Aib6ow0ZttJG6wmRHwkOVTkc5lLDFk5GspTUVIJZ9UeFCQPM3IQ1k3imTpeCjbkBU_bWK2-iK0MyieiN-y/s400/pensive+dad.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and Henry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXj4sjQgdxvQslpTw7dWOpMznrW-sdf129zVdr2wB3xIOz_LM-QvQCBLp6x7qPWd_KejXI2fleCOuyWlA_TWOHsZTBs1FKpce8H1AqcHTVVghQQNsvd6dL9vw1NCSzIsumTESmtDHaUQY/s1600/throw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimXj4sjQgdxvQslpTw7dWOpMznrW-sdf129zVdr2wB3xIOz_LM-QvQCBLp6x7qPWd_KejXI2fleCOuyWlA_TWOHsZTBs1FKpce8H1AqcHTVVghQQNsvd6dL9vw1NCSzIsumTESmtDHaUQY/s400/throw.JPG" width="268" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woo hoo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuF4nRJJMoH81AXwsKimivim1xQ_0tmslKWMtJbZmioIvbvvc1T1reo3fzgqCTJMIYv3_1cc1n1gQHWeWhIs_qY4rOJh3AS2L9iXnMMC3X47Qfmom7jNRHkakZXK30xpvUux17sdxB0IE/s1600/background.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuF4nRJJMoH81AXwsKimivim1xQ_0tmslKWMtJbZmioIvbvvc1T1reo3fzgqCTJMIYv3_1cc1n1gQHWeWhIs_qY4rOJh3AS2L9iXnMMC3X47Qfmom7jNRHkakZXK30xpvUux17sdxB0IE/s400/background.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie: photo-bombing the pictures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU3G_fvNLIcvfToSRVq4VqBGvQgjVKwnkyVRBGL78Bd4rTC6R9Y_Q2_llSQfF64hF8YnD99dvDXTfs4GgI6W49Mn-gX2XNmDu2h9q963rSrNj086OtO9hnIiEDGuB4Nc0q-_D1dMvSKOS/s1600/annie+back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaU3G_fvNLIcvfToSRVq4VqBGvQgjVKwnkyVRBGL78Bd4rTC6R9Y_Q2_llSQfF64hF8YnD99dvDXTfs4GgI6W49Mn-gX2XNmDu2h9q963rSrNj086OtO9hnIiEDGuB4Nc0q-_D1dMvSKOS/s400/annie+back.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annie is lovin' the park - Henry thinks it's weird.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We are all loving spending a lot of time outside on these nice days. Eric and I spend our evenings inside watching movies or catching up on sleep. I feel lucky and blessed that my family is so awesome and fun and handsome/cute/crazy/shows me so much love.Jaimehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04480143028239679172noreply@blogger.com0