tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16068135134376377932024-03-19T07:16:45.166-04:00The McCarty FamilyTarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.comBlogger534125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-77379440964212530622013-05-27T21:27:00.000-04:002013-05-27T21:41:56.133-04:00Memorial Day 2013I know, the blog has been neglected for some time now...my major excuse is that our house got hit by lightening and burned to the ground...but only the first part of that is the truth. Our house, or somewhere very near our house, got hit by lightening and the it took out 2 tvs, the desk top computer and the under-the-ground dog fence. All, but the desk top, have been replaced...but the desk top is where I did 99% of my blogging because it's just easier there...but I've also fallen in deep love with Instagram & I've taken to posting there much more frequently...follow me at tarammcarty1978<br />
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Back to the topic...Memorial Day<br />
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This weekend I've had long days filled with the laughter of children and time spent with some of my closest friends. I'm finishing this weekend feeling blessed and thankful for all the fun times and looking forward to a really fun Summer 2013 since Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to Summer...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8848769496/" title="The adults successfully reclaimed the island @brantleyclark @the1stofmay @lakemurraybum @jbrownsc2001 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="The adults successfully reclaimed the island @brantleyclark @the1stofmay @lakemurraybum @jbrownsc2001" height="612" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/8848769496_5e29722b55_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8848767136/" title="No matter how young or old...a girl has to have good girl friends...and if your momma's are friends too it makes life even better! @the1stofmay by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="No matter how young or old...a girl has to have good girl friends...and if your momma's are friends too it makes life even better! @the1stofmay" height="612" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7381/8848767136_5584d0bf5c_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8848765184/" title="The product of what happens when the children are permitted to take over... by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="The product of what happens when the children are permitted to take over..." height="612" src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/8848765184_7d8b095e89_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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But over the last two days I've been thinking about what Memorial Day is OFFICIALLY all about...remembering our fallen veterans. This year I have just felt sad...we, myself included, have made this weekend all about a enjoy a long weekend with friends & family and looking forward to summer and hopefully relaxing somewhere in the water...whether it's fresh water at the lake or salt water at the ocean. It becomes easy to forget the men and women who gave the ultimate price for our freedom...and that's something I'm not sure we all really understand. Would I lay down my life for my babies...absolutely. Would I lay down my life for a stranger living in the middle of no where USA...probably not. And I'm sure most reading these words would feel the same way. But every service man and woman is willing to lay down their life for me whether they know me or not...and thankfully, they aren't the first to feel that way. <br />
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We live in a time where it's very easy to publicly criticize anyone who doesn't have beliefs matching our own...but if you are criticizing our military, do you realize you're tearing down the same person who is protecting your right to be critical in the first place? We don't fight wars on our own soil or in our own backyards...and that's because of our presence abroad...I'm not sure what I would do if I could see or hear fighting from my back porch...think about that the next time you hear someone speaking poorly of our military.<br />
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I don't have a friend or family member who has lost their life serving our country...but one of my best friends did. Amanda, my friend, met Nic and her husband Doug while living in Columbus, GA. Doug was sent to Iraq and Nic and their young son were living in Germany while Doug was serving our country. Two weeks prior to finishing his deployment he lost his life in the line of duty. While I don't know what it's like to have a member of my family killed in the line of duty, I do know very well what it feels to bury a family member many, many years too early. As I think about Nic and her son this weekend I keep finding it hard to enjoy the good times I'm having knowing she and her family are only being reminded of what they've lost. Amanda's husband posted today on Facebook about this not being a Happy Memorial Day...he's right, this day isn't about being happy...it's about being grateful...grateful for our family, grateful for our freedom and most importantly, grateful for the men and women who have fought and died protecting that freedom.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8848996851/" title="photo by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="photo" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8118/8848996851_ca6b80dbbf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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(Doug is in the yellow shirt)<br />
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Freedom isn't free...it's come at a very high cost and a cost most of us will never understand. So, tonight when you said a blessing before eating your hamburger or hotdog...I hope you said a prayer for those defending our freedom and those who are remembering the loved ones they lost or for the ones that are fighting to keep wars off of our soil.<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-80294877249038334162013-02-11T15:08:00.001-05:002013-02-11T15:08:14.629-05:00Spring Soccer 2013So our soccer star has returned to the field...and in Arch's own words "She picked right up where she left off."<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8465141141/" title="Picture day! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Picture day!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8383/8465141141_5dfcc3b5db_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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I was happy to see she seems to have remembered what she learned last season...like which direction to kick the ball in...but she's also gotten better at trying to keep the ball in bounds. I was also VERY happy about the color of our team uniforms...blue is Ruth Ann's signature color.<br />
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She did score a few goals this week...I managed to get a quick picture of one, but her back is turned. I had to beg, borrow and steal to get her to wear a bow for the team & individuals picture before the game...and then I didn't remind her she was still wearing it when the game started. She's been very clear she DOES NOT want to wear a bow during her games...but what she didn't know didn't hurt her...she's the blond with the black bow pictured below...Arch said since she played so well she has to wear it every week...but I'm sure that won't be happening!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8466235332/" title="Goal!! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Goal!!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8243/8466235332_2757fd9463_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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A few of my favorite moments were...<br />
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1~When I went to the end of the field to take this picture I looked up and happened to see the ball coming towards me with Ruth Ann hot in pursuit...the look on her face was fierce! The parents next to me, not knowing she was my baby, said "We'll win a lot of games with her on our team." Her goal count was 4 this week...but she was headed for a 5th when her coach forgot which goal was ours and redirected her...luckily it was just about the end of the quarter so she didn't have time to score in the wrong goal accidentally!<br />
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2~Shortly after the start of the game there was a little scrabble over the ball and several kids, Ruth Ann included, got knocked down and out of bounds...some of the others stood up crying...but Ruth Ann had the meanest scowl on her face directly squarely at the person she felt was responsible for knocking her to the ground. I've been told before I can be mean as a snake...this little apple didn't fall from her momma's tree...she's got a mean streak in her too, which both her daddy and I are pretty proud of!<br />
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I'm looking forward getting know the other kids on our team this spring...so far it looks like a great group of kids and nice parents. Since our team practices are 1hr -1 1/2 hours long once a week it's a good thing the other families are nice because we get to spent a good amount of time together 2 times a week!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-67539895651398658472013-02-05T17:12:00.002-05:002013-02-05T17:20:32.051-05:00I've bought it...you should too...I've told several of my friends that I talk to in real life about one of my favorite blogs...Big Momma...she's hilarious, I love the way she writes and I'm pretty sure her husband and mine are long lost brothers or in the very least, could be really good friends. About a year and half ago she announced she was writing a book which I knew instantly I would be buying...I pre-ordered it and it hasn't arrived yet, but some of her other famous blogging friends are all talking about it and one posted a video promo for it today...mommas out there, I dare you to watch it and not tear up and want to go buy yourself a copy too....<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/55148272" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="500"></iframe><br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/55148272">SparklyGreenEarings4</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user324343">Big Mama</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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My whole life I've struggled with not wanting to grow up...I think I've never been a fan of time passing quickly & seeing my children grow up so fast makes me even less of a fan. My favorite line from the video is "It's as if we were living our lives in black and white & you brought the color."...what momma among us doesn't feel this way about their babies??<br />
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Since my copy hasn't arrived yet I haven't read the first page, but after years of reading her blog I promise it's going to be FABULOUS!! Now go buy yours...
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-72382618224906076592013-01-29T15:31:00.003-05:002013-01-29T15:31:31.211-05:00My BabiesAlmost as quick as Tripp's wheezing began...it's gone. Yesterday was the first day we didn't do a breezing treatment and I haven't heard a single wheeze so I'm hoping he'll be healthy for at least the next week or 2...is it Spring yet??<br />
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In the last month it's amazing how much Tripp has changed. He's vocabulary has taken off from 1-2 word sentences to 5-6 word sentence full of adjectives and verbs, correct tenses (for the most part) and possessive nouns. Ruth Ann was a talker very early on but I never expected Tripp to have the same vocabulary skills...boys aren't usually early talkers...he has proved me wrong. As fun as it is to chat with my sweet little boy...it has me feeling like my babies aren't babies anymore...and that makes me sad.<br />
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When I look at this sweet face...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8283211788/" title="Since having children I have always feared one of them would attempt cutting their own hair...I just assumed the child to do this would be Ruth Ann...I was wrong... by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Since having children I have always feared one of them would attempt cutting their own hair...I just assumed the child to do this would be Ruth Ann...I was wrong..." height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8283211788_d074ec3bcf_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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of course I still see my baby boy...but he's dropping his baby chubbiness and lots of his baby ways by what seems like the minute...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8310792503/" title="Thank goodness there are no peanut allergies in this house...this little peanut with never survive without his peanut butter jelly samich! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Thank goodness there are no peanut allergies in this house...this little peanut with never survive without his peanut butter jelly samich!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8310792503_f05cb522b4_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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He doesn't use his high chair anymore and loves sitting up at the bar with his big sister to eat his favorite meal...peanut butter & jelly sandwich.<br />
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And this is the chair I rocked him in during those nights when he was still tiny and not sleeping through the night...now he looks at books in this chair...by himself...without his momma...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8390827648/" title="This big green incredibly comfy chair has been in both my kids room's while they were in cribs. As Tripp's crib days are coming to an end, I've wondered what we would do with it next...looks like it's going to be the new reading hot spot! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="This big green incredibly comfy chair has been in both my kids room's while they were in cribs. As Tripp's crib days are coming to an end, I've wondered what we would do with it next...looks like it's going to be the new reading hot spot!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8053/8390827648_e3e145a212_z.jpg" width="612" /></a><br />
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tear...<br />
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By the time Ruth Ann was this age I was days away from having Tripp...so I think her metamorphosis from baby to toddler was less noticeable...she also has NEVER wanted to be the baby..she's always had an independent streak running through her...I'm not sure where that came from...<br />
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Tripp is perfectly happy to tell anyone "I'm not a baby, I'm mommy's baby."...more truer words were never spoken...he's going to be my baby for the rest of my days!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-56649301176672836932013-01-23T17:47:00.000-05:002013-01-23T17:47:51.446-05:00It was too much to askWhen I was pregnant with Ruth Ann I was convinced I would be a mother who would breast feed...I wanted the weight loss benefits but I was also convinced it would make my baby more healthy and add a few extra IQ points...and can't we all use a few extra IQ points. Anyway, Ruth Ann arrived and the images I had of how easy breast feeding would be went right out the window with a lazy little eater. Even when she would take a bottle it would take her FOREVER to eat. <br />
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Needless to say, breast feeding didn't work and I was really upset & disappointed in myself. I called a friend who I consider to be one of the best moms ever and as it turned out, she couldn't breast feed her babies either. She listened to me cry about my fears of making my baby stupid and possibly chronically sick and then said once I made my decision to either keep at it or give it up then I would feel much better...so at 5 weeks, I gave up and Ruth Ann was officially a formula fed baby. And she's been very healthy...she didn't need an antibiotic until she was 2 years old and I think she's a pretty smart little girl so far. <br />
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So when Tripp was born I knew I wasn't going to give myself a hard time about breast feeding...I tried it again, he was a much better than Ruth Ann...had he been my first I could have gone a lot longer, but having a newborn and a 2 year old was time consuming to say the least, so once more I gave up at 8 weeks. I'd gone longer than I had with Ruth Ann so surely he was going to be just as healthy as Ruth Ann....
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I was wrong...this is how we have spent our winter months so far...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8408507054/" title="I'm ready for Spring & warmer temps for more than one reason...but using this thing less is reason #1 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="I'm ready for Spring & warmer temps for more than one reason...but using this thing less is reason #1" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8512/8408507054_80850dbffa_z.jpg" height="612" width="612" /></a>
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We've been the proud owners of a nebulizer since the Fall...and every time he's gotten a cough since then it turns into wheezing quickly. It was clearly too much to ask to have 2 healthy children...I'm praying Spring comes quickly because this momma is tired of cough & cold season!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-53554778661695714492013-01-22T20:47:00.001-05:002013-01-22T21:09:16.974-05:00Just call her "Bubble Girl"So I've recently decided I'm going to begin construction on a bubble for Ruth Ann to live in during her years spent in middle and high school. I want her to always be protected and stay as sweet and innocent as she is...or was since it was taken year ago...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8260181418/" title="080 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="080" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8260181418_da05b17189_z.jpg" width="478" /></a>
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I know this is a super random thought...but here's why it's been consuming my thoughts recently...
Before I ever had 2 biological children of my very own...I claimed these two as the first children I participated in raising...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8407319090/" title="Untitled by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8407319090_024021134c_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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The oldest in now a freshman in high school and the youngest (KB)has just entered the wild, wild world of middle school...KB was a little photo bomber before photo bombing was made popular...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8406227741/" title="Untitled by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Untitled" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8513/8406227741_2bd5a6165f_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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I don't get to see these sweet faces as much as I once did during my childless and single days...but thanks to social media, I still get to keep up with the younger of the two. The older has always been wise beyond her years and she has very wisely decided to stay off of Facebook.
I've had my feelings hurt on Facebook and it was somewhat responsible for the end of a friendship...although as it turned out that friendship was super shallow anyway, so I can't completely blame social media. But because of that experience, I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook.
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I've discovered Instagram in the last year...and since looking at people's pictures are what I really love most about Facebook, it's been a lot of fun...but I can see how it too can turn ugly very quickly.
KB is my friend on Instagram and for several months my heart has broken when I read & see her pictures. <br />
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She talks about wanting a boyfriend...but she's at the age where girls are interested in boys, but boys aren't interested in girls...yet.
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She posts the prettiest pictures of herself and then requests people to "like" her picture if they think she's pretty...I've told her before I think she's so much more than just pretty...and she most definitely is! But I remember these days of wanting to look good for others more than wanting to look good for myself.<br />
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This past week she posted about a "she said, you said" drama she's going through with girls she thought were her good friends and as I read her comments I'm pulled back to the dark, dark days of middle school. I read them and I'm equal parts wanting to hug her silly but also wanting to beat up the mean girls who are making her life so hard right now. Oh, and I also want to start fashioning that bubble for Ruth Ann to live in to avoid these same awful years. <br />
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Last week she wrote "We're in 6th grade, there shouldn't be this much drama...". I seriously wanted to laugh out loud...not because I don't believe what she says, but I know just how true that statement is when you grow up in this town.
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I love having a little girl...but I hate the thought of any other girl being mean to her...and because I'm a girl, I know it's coming...why do girls gotta be so mean?? Last year my cousin's daughter was a junior in high school and she was going through mean girl drama. I told her then...life is so much better after high school...for me, my college years were the best of my life...it's clearly the reward for surviving high school! Had I thought of it earlier, I would have had this bubble ready for KB when she started middle school too!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-76388491174223959902013-01-06T16:10:00.001-05:002013-01-06T16:10:13.393-05:00He's a 2 Year OldWell, it happened...my baby boy turned 2...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8302666234/" title="Tonight I held a very sweet 1 day old baby boy...and I just can't believe that 2 very short years ago my baby boy was the very same size...I'm going to sit in my crying corner now... by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Tonight I held a very sweet 1 day old baby boy...and I just can't believe that 2 very short years ago my baby boy was the very same size...I'm going to sit in my crying corner now..." height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8219/8302666234_1c902576ff_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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No matter how many times I've begged for time to "SLOW DOWN ALREADY!!"...it simply hasn't...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/6223258189/" title="006 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="006" height="428" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6048/6223258189_fd0d839233_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Thankfully, those cheeks are just as chubby and those lips are just as plumb as they've always been...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/6040122590/" title="279 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="279" height="428" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6200/6040122590_b6b6e94935_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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But those sweet little rings that lined his arms and legs...they just about disappeared now... <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/6039338395/" title="026 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="026" height="428" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6196/6039338395_22bd25eb95_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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He's just as happy and sweet as he's always been...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5985113214/" title="011 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="011" height="640" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6138/5985113214_cefb04eaac_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And even though it took him a few months to appreciate his pacie...he still loves it more than any other thing in his possession...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5962814144/" title="059 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="059" height="428" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6124/5962814144_56aaf096e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5816391575/" title="040 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="040" height="428" src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3646/5816391575_5f4813504c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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He still wears smocking because his momma is in control of his attire...but I fear this may be my last summer to dress him in a jon-jon...I'm sure to shed a tear or two at the end of the summer when the jon-jon era comes to an end...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5675455665/" title="007 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="007" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5264/5675455665_d3ce8e8159_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5601945158/" title="059 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="059" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5102/5601945158_70b69e9341_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5558893991/" title="069 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="069" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5055/5558893991_b87d9b1cfc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5540584014/" title="012 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="012" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5298/5540584014_e16914bae1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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(I love the picture above...even though Tripp isn't smiling & looks like he wants to punch someone...he looks so much like a "Becker" in this picture and my Papaw use to always say he was going to give us a "knuckle sandwich"...this was Tripp's first knuckle sandwich)<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5474705226/" title="017 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="017" height="640" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5134/5474705226_920dfc1e52_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5431210815/" title="034 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="034" height="640" src="http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4128/5431210815_33914674be_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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It hurts my heart to look back at these pictures and realize how much time has gone by and how much I've already forgotten...like how tiny newborn feet are...now they're extra wide feet that I can't seem to wedge into his red Keds no matter how hard I try.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5408191432/" title="013 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="013" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5214/5408191432_5ac3f32505_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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And only 2 years have gone by...I'm telling you I will be a complete basket case when or if my babies ever leave the nest...and I'll probably be the WORST mother-in-law in history to the sweet girl who marries this boy...because when I look at him I'm taken back to this moment...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5316277702/" title="710 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="710" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5167/5316277702_1639116f1f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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And I'm not sure I'll ever believe someone will be good enough for my baby boy!
Who still makes this face...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/5315684853/" title="720 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="720" height="428" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5125/5315684853_3985325234_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Oh sweet Tripp-man, I know time is going to continue to fly by right before my eyes...it's my goal to treasure and enjoy each moment because I know you have great things ahead of you. I love you more than you will ever know and I'm so thankful that you were given to us to make our family complete. Happy 2nd Birthday buddy!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-47056750471186503622013-01-03T22:54:00.001-05:002013-01-05T18:03:56.918-05:00Smocked SaleEvery time I clean out Ruth Ann's closet I find myself feeling super sad for several different reasons...first, because it's a reminder of how quickly time is passing & since it's socially unacceptable for my 2 year old son to wear his sister's dresses I won't get to see these sweet dresses worn by one of my babies again...second, I'm disgusted by how many of Ruth Ann's dresses still have tags or that I didn't dress her in some of these sweet things often enough...clearly I need to move farther south than South Carolina to fully enjoy Spring & Summer smocking!
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The silver lining to a closet clean-out...SELLING! I'm linking up today with Kelly's Korner to try to sell a few...or all...of Ruth Ann's 3T smocked clothing...everything is a 3T (well, almost everything...there is one 2T dress that's perfect for beach pictures & could be worn by a small 3 year old, some are new with tags, or gently used, all is stain free. We do have a cat in our home for those who want to know...but we don't let her wear our clothes :)
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Prices</span></strong>: Everything is $20 each. Shipping is $3, but if you purchase more than one the max shipping cost is $5.
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">$20 each...</span></strong>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8343609495/" title="155 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="155" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8491/8343609495_535e04434e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8343611307/" title="156 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="156" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8357/8343611307_ac9b0d8437_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8343620053/" title="161 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="161" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8075/8343620053_6b55e4d548_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8343621527/" title="162 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="162" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8498/8343621527_67e11348f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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(#23-pending payment)<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8344717450/" title="184 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="184" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8492/8344717450_2eca02f7f2_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8343659687/" title="185 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="185" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8220/8343659687_2815fc2284_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Comment below to let me know which items you would like and include your PayPal address. Once I receive your payment I'll mail your picks using USPS.
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-47492962752982037572012-12-21T09:26:00.001-05:002012-12-21T09:26:58.504-05:00Figures...If you're a mom of 2 or more children...you may have already learned this lesson...but if you're the mom of 1 or are planning to start a family...let this be a cautionary tale...
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Since Ruth Ann was born I've lived in fear that she would one day cut her lovely blond locks of hair. Since the play room doubles as my sewing room she has seen me use scissors often...and I have found small cuts in fabric and projects I was working on in the past...but never her hair. When she was in 2 year old preschool her teachers commented on how she didn't use scissors well...and I thought "Well of course she can't, she's not permitted to come within 5 feet of them at home.". Eventually she picked up good scissors skills at school and I did buy some child appropriate scissors for home.
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But all this time when I was keeping my eye on Ruth Ann, Tripp saw an opportunity and decided to give himself a hair cut this week while I was taking a shower...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8283211788/" title="Since having children I have always feared one of them would attempt cutting their own hair...I just assumed the child to do this would be Ruth Ann...I was wrong... by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Since having children I have always feared one of them would attempt cutting their own hair...I just assumed the child to do this would be Ruth Ann...I was wrong..." height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8501/8283211788_d074ec3bcf_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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While he is very cute...he cut several inches of hair from the area around his part. And I realize it could be much worse...he turns 2 in a week and I wanted to have 2 year pictures taken & we had pictures with Santa yesterday...so this hair style he selected for himself will be forever remembered in our Christmas 2012 pictures...Merry Christmas!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-83776944954001372072012-12-11T17:03:00.000-05:002012-12-11T17:13:54.078-05:00Disney Cruisin'If I had a nickel for every time Ruth Ann has said she wished we were back on Mickey's Big Boat...I'd have plenty of money for Christmas shopping this year. We were spoiled...and even the 3 (almost 4) year old knew it. Tripp still talks about Mickey's Big Boat so even the almost 2 year old was won over. We had The.Best.Time! Hands down, best vacation ever! EVER! Allow me to overload you with pictures now...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185807749/" title="470 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="470" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8185807749_55a3156350_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Oh Mickey, you have no idea how much we have looked forward to seeing you!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185808679/" title="475 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="475" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8185808679_3327937b55_z.jpg" width="429" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185810151/" title="478 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="478" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8065/8185810151_e87f7c2906_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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They announce your family as you walk onto the ship...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185851480/" title="480 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="480" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8185851480_a748577b02_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And the characters are EVERYWHERE...we got to see everyone we wanted to see multiple times...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185813483/" title="486 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="486" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8185813483_19c278d47b_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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We suited up and hit the pool...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185816709/" title="495 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="495" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8185816709_ebb781928a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Tripp was prohibited from getting into the pool due to an "anti-swim diaper" policy...which I'm in agreement with. Thankfully they had a great splash area for little ones...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185814933/" title="491 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="491" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8185814933_3096041c26_z.jpg" width="493" /></a><br />
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Then we down stairs for our safety drill...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185857876/" title="496 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="496" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8185857876_f1fd464387_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Rotten 1 and Rotten 2 looked like cruising pros before we even left the port!
Tripp fell asleep during the safety drill...I would have been responsible for him in case of an emergency so I took notes for him. Then we headed back up stairs and Tripp nearly missed our big exit from port...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185819651/" title="503 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="503" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8185819651_39e2baba26_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And we're off!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185820973/" title="504 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="504" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8185820973_9ea5a1b2d1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185861732/" title="519 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="519" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8185861732_55d958827b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185863238/" title="527 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="527" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8185863238_fbf004592c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185864098/" title="530 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="530" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8185864098_6b5cdd5e06_z.jpg" width="408" /></a><br />
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We got dressed for dinner and I enjoyed my Mickey themed dessert...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185865748/" title="534 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="534" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8185865748_4629c145ec_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We got back to our room to find our first towel animal...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185830009/" title="536 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="536" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8185830009_1dca614902_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And Ruth Ann discovered her bed that came out of the ceiling...she thought she was big stuff sleeping up top...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185831681/" title="538 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="538" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8185831681_a1a3c81b96_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Someone else wanted to climb up and down the ladder...repeatedly...this made Grammy really nervous...I've excepted this child will always be just inches from needing stitches...so I wasn't as bothered by it...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185873042/" title="540 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="540" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8477/8185873042_4f145be45f_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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We fell asleep and woke up the next morning in the Bahamas...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185874402/" title="543 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="543" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8185874402_0a4646b1ce_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185841127/" title="556 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="556" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8185841127_2615de1224_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185875704/" title="547 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="547" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8185875704_2574be83d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Someone became quite the little hugger...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185838001/" title="548 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="548" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8185838001_75a2ebce28_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185839801/" title="552 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="552" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8185839801_05558eafc6_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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We were a little afraid to get on the boat alone, so we just stayed on the boat and played all day...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185883072/" title="564 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="564" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8185883072_019fd04bd7_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185842299/" title="561 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="561" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8185842299_45c54c3f95_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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My favorite...watching The Little Mermaid on a giant screen while sitting at the pool...there may have also been an adult beverage in my hand...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185884356/" title="570 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="570" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8185884356_b6da62f949_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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My little pirate loved driving this ship in the interactive painting...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185886338/" title="574 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="574" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8347/8185886338_aae74feb0b_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And both the kids loved the never ending supply of food on the 11th floor deck...they could have sat with a bowl of grapes all.day.long!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185887798/" title="578 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="578" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8185887798_0371965125_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We returned from dinner to find another towel animal...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185889914/" title="584 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="584" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8185889914_f60100b082_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And then woke up the next morning at Disney's private island...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185856699/" title="605 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="605" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8350/8185856699_e814e586c6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185854439/" title="600 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="600" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8185854439_41d0f620c6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185891920/" title="596 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="596" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8185891920_4cb3aea708_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185858999/" title="606 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="606" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8485/8185858999_ece029c1d5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185859989/" title="614 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="614" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8185859989_ee2a0e324b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185861991/" title="625 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="625" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8185861991_61789427e1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I'm using this picture to show Arch how much he would enjoy spending time on the island...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185906728/" title="632 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="632" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8185906728_c609e2e687_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185875531/" title="656 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="656" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8185875531_110f5de273_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185919080/" title="669 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="669" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8185919080_a0bd17e90f_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185920402/" title="672 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="672" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8185920402_3445d29c09_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185883201/" title="678 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="678" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8338/8185883201_b312a1fa1b_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185926802/" title="689 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="689" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8185926802_e4bfc5aeb3_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185890815/" title="691 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="691" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8185890815_ed0c4effe8_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185893319/" title="692 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="692" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8185893319_2606cc0e76_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And just one more...because I can't get enough of that face!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185934138/" title="693 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="693" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8185934138_83b3177d79_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Oh how I miss that blue water...and our sweet home away from home...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185935918/" title="702 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="702" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8185935918_3342f70520_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185937552/" title="705 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="705" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8185937552_194fbc3dd5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185899795/" title="708 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="708" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8185899795_7542f72cdd_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Back to the boat...and back to the pool...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185903057/" title="723 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="723" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8185903057_10b1dd7d23_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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This was the night of the Presidential election...we had hoped our towel animal was a prediction for who the winner would be...<br />
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Sadly, it was not...
This same night was pirate night. Since my kids were pirates for Halloween we redressed in our Halloween clothes from the evening. After a show with Capt. Jack Sparrow on the 11th floor there were fireworks from the boat...Disney is the only cruise ship that has permission to shoot fireworks...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185947424/" title="731 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="731" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8185947424_e2c968e182_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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The hugger returned when she spotted one of her favorite characters...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185911391/" title="748 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="748" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8185911391_ceb9a206a7_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Here's what the kids pool looked like without water...it had to be drained because of a #2 accident in the pool...more evidence why swim diapers are a no no!<br />
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This was our day at sea, so we spent a lot of time at the pool...<br />
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I'm not sure what set Tripp off...but he's just so funny when he's mad...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185923083/" title="785 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="785" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8185923083_202cf34a9e_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Wait, it gets better...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185924381/" title="786 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="786" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8185924381_f553b98d85_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Tripp and I headed up stairs to get a good view...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185925849/" title="789 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="789" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8185925849_3ca6e4d68f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185966750/" title="792 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="792" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8185966750_e4922f8ef3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And look who cheered up...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185967784/" title="804 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="804" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8185967784_f64c991b84_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185976754/" title="819 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="819" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8185976754_26df498814_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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We met the captain of our ship...Captain Henry...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185979768/" title="823 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="823" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8198/8185979768_1aa01889f5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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By day 3, Rotten #1 could have given out lessons on cruise attire...doesn't she look like a pro??!!<br />
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We got dressed for dinner...I'm posting a picture of this dress because I was sewing the buttons on the night before we boarded the ship...this was a dress I started working on months ago...and kinda lost interest. But I was determined to see her wear it...and she did!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185981728/" title="837 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="837" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8185981728_951a9e1d88_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186003592/" title="885 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="885" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8186003592_e9dda7f2c2_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And someone fell asleep again as we were waiting in line to see Capt. Hook & Mr. Smee...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186006196/" title="887 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="887" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8186006196_9ca34803ae_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Mr. Smee didn't make him happy when he woke up...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186015852/" title="896 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="896" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8186015852_455f2a42b0_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And look who met her favorite pirate...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186019104/" title="898 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="898" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8186019104_4ae9440eb0_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186025454/" title="906 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="906" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8060/8186025454_2465c414c5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Then I left the kiddos with my mom so I could go play the final Bingo game on the cruise...it came highly recommended by Andrea, who has won money there in the past...it wasn't worth the investment in tickets for me...I should have stayed and napped!<br />
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I think I love them the most when they're sleeping soundly like this...they just look so sweet!
We headed to dinner and met Captain Mickey...<br />
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And visited with a few other characters too...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186037540/" title="920 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="920" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8186037540_81d9c2c3cb_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186040382/" title="934 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="934" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8186040382_e13c428a88_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Then we, very sadly, had to leave the ship bright and early...like 7am early...the next morning.
The end of a vacation is never fun...the end of a Disney vacation is never EVER fun...and the end of a Disney cruise is about the saddest event ever...EVER! Thankfully my 2 Disney addicts slept or watched movies all the way so that helped with the depression of coming off our Disney high...I felt like it took me a week to fully re-adjust back to society.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8186049810/" title="952 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="952" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8063/8186049810_2500320e00_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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It helps me to know we WILL be going back...BEST.VACATION.EVER!!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-75296687525383618962012-12-10T10:21:00.003-05:002012-12-10T10:21:22.675-05:00Disney 2012So for those that see me on a regular basis, you know that last Christmas (2011), my mom gifted me and my kids a cruise on the Disney Dream. My best friend Andrea, another Disney nut & lover of all things Disney, started cruising with Disney a few years ago and has told me repeatedly how the cruises surpass the fabulous service you receive at Disney World...she didn't lie, it's FANTASTIC!<br />
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Anyway, I knew the wait for Christmas 2011 until our departure date early in November would be a long wait...but the wait was totally worth it! We had the best vacation because on the boat you don't worry about a thing...you show up for dinner and they feed you, you go to the pool and watch movies on the giant jumbo-tron screen above the pool, you go to bed and your bed is pulled down for you...I knew 1 hour after setting foot on the boat that my family would be returning for a future!<br />
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We started our trip with a few days at Disney World...we are physically unable to be that close to the Magic Kingdom without making a stop. We spent Halloween trick or treating at the Magic Kingdom followed by 2 days split between Magic Kingdom and Hollywood Studios.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185705211/" title="148 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="148" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/8185705211_d2ccbb28a4_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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If you know Ruth Ann...one guess who decided the theme for this year's costumes...<br />
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She's more a "pirate" girl than a "princess" girl...and when asked who her favorite pirate is her response "Captain Hook"...I hope she doesn't always have a soft spot for a bad boy...that could make for long & stressful teen years...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185747728/" title="157 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="157" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8343/8185747728_c55f72b1d8_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Here is Tripp on his very first trip to Disney on his very first ride...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185750524/" title="170 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="170" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8483/8185750524_04ab866119_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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He wasn't quite as thrilled with the tea cups...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185712331/" title="174 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="174" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8185712331_5dee85535c_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185753832/" title="182 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="182" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8486/8185753832_767d88e18c_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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Tripp's fave...dinner...clearly it takes a lot of eating to keep those cheeks so kissably plumb!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185715483/" title="186 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="186" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8185715483_7b538d7683_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185756896/" title="189 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="189" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8479/8185756896_c60ef8ca1c_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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We stopped to watch the first of the 2 Halloween parades and I tried to get a picture of my 2 little pirates...but they put on a show for all those around to watch...at least the spectators thought it was funny...I failed to see the humor...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185719541/" title="196 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="196" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8185719541_3ec1aeae54_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Tripp was crawling around on the dirty, filthy ground...he was removed in the hopes Ruth Ann would cooperate...she didn't...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185760718/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="198 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="198" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8185760718_720059ba48_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185721479/" title="199 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="199" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8058/8185721479_64e54ee27f_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185760718/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="198 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr">
</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185762626/" title="197 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"></a><br />
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The parade got closer to starting so my mom offered to let Ruth Ann sit on her shoulders...Ruth Ann was a little nervous...<br />
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My mom very nearly lost an eye with that hook of hers...but she eventually relaxed and appreciated the view...<br />
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This is a terrible picture...but she got to see her favorite pirate...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185727101/" title="211 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="211" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8185727101_59f92214da_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Spooky castle at night with a nearly full moon...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185728975/" title="219 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="219" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8185728975_5c791e6f8b_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Since this was Tripp's first trip to Disney he had to learn the valuable lesson of waiting patiently...he wasn't a fan...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185731827/" title="228 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="228" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8185731827_b181285a35_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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It may be cruel to take pictures of your crying children...but what I love and think is so funny about this picture, is this looks almost identical to the way he cried on the day he was born...and I think he's precious even when he's crying!
His mood improved...and declined...and improved through out the trip...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185773374/" title="234 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="234" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8208/8185773374_080c5ac3f9_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185776074/" title="244 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="244" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8345/8185776074_9b4a911d01_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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We kinda felt like we were in the company of a celeb with Hollywood here...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185737193/" title="249 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="249" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8209/8185737193_fd0ff83ef1_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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We dined with some characters on Thursday morning. Cape May Bay at Beach Club resort is our favorite breakfast...we gone there 3 years running...Tripp had not warmed up to the characters year...eventually Goofy was his favorite, although he was not a fan just yet...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185738489/" title="252 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="252" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8185738489_b22135e482_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185780218/" title="254 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="254" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8185780218_ee141842dd_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185781668/" title="253 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="253" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8067/8185781668_1849200509_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185743177/" title="258 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="258" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8185743177_7a0324e1c1_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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Waiting on our boat ride to take us back to Hollywood Studios...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185785038/" title="261 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="261" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8185785038_efb5a2fecc_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185746403/" title="268 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="268" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8185746403_54235e2d9d_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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We visited another pirate we enjoy...although he appears to be man handling my baby...Jake just thought Cpt. Hook was a bad guy...had he made my baby cry he would have had to tangle with me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185789592/" title="282 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="282" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8185789592_00d3e82f94_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Watched Disney Jr. Live...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185791306/" title="289 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="289" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8185791306_a1c83fcbe1_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185793020/" title="292 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="292" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8204/8185793020_5b24d7a891_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185794700/" title="310 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="310" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8185794700_0560b72d7d_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Ummm...unimpressed...Tripp out!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185796430/" title="325 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="325" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8349/8185796430_ba834b064d_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185758207/" title="326 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="326" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8185758207_bc3cc97332_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185799960/" title="327 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="327" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8207/8185799960_958db89a9f_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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I always let Ruth Ann pick 1 stuffed animal while were at Disney...without having seen Toy Story 3, Ruth Ann picked Lots-O on our trip last year...again with the bad guys...anyway, I thought it was so sweet how he looked like he was waving to her here...she has since seen the movie many times, she still likes him anyway.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185801606/" title="335 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="335" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8185801606_c77f0b58b5_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Face painting is always a must for Ruth Ann...I managed to talk her into something sweet this year...last year she picked a pirate face complete with a black patched that looked more like a huge black eye by the end of the day...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185803218/" title="340 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="340" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8185803218_df84202fca_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185804684/" title="339 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="339" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8341/8185804684_d4bf944b90_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185766221/" title="344 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="344" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8068/8185766221_c437d37415_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Tripp wasn't sure what to think about his sister's makeup...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185768181/" title="349 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="349" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8478/8185768181_42c7e83b68_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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You have to know, when we do Disney, we DO Disney...for us to be gone from our room from 9am-9pm is not uncommon...this meant Tirpp did a lot of napping on the go...I could fill a whole post up with "Places Tripp Slept"...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185809736/" title="351 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="351" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8185809736_2a2e1a1ab1_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185811300/" title="350 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="350" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8202/8185811300_c6df394b43_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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The rest of us enjoyed Beauty and the Beast...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185773431/" title="357 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="357" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8185773431_17de681764_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Then headed over to watch Fantasmic...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185814550/" title="360 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="360" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8185814550_0fe12ba7eb_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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The next day we went back to Magic Kingdom and were joined by Andrea, Anna & Dee (Andrea's mom)...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185778131/" title="392 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="392" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8337/8185778131_127ef86242_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Ruth Ann, Anna, Andrea and I rode Splash Mountain together...this was Ruth Ann's first real Big Kid ride...she wasn't super excited about, but she made it through and had a lot of fun...but she kept telling me it made her tummy tickle!<br />
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After riding Buzz Lightyear I told the kids this was Disney Jail...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185779465/" title="397 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="397" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8185779465_bca8075d29_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185781007/" title="410 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="410" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8185781007_fb86528a5c_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185822050/" title="411 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="411" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8185822050_45672f84f4_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Here's our hotel, Bay Lake Towers, from the ride Ruth Ann & I were spinning around on...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185783591/" title="415 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="415" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8348/8185783591_a202d38593_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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And Tripp fell asleep again...<br />
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This time Aunt Andrea was there to happily hold this sleeping heavy weight...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185784875/" title="418 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="418" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8185784875_9ecc7964d2_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Ruth Ann was inducted as pirate by Capt. Jack Sparrow...and here's the paper work to prove it...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185827232/" title="437 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="437" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/8185827232_2a2b538755_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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We walked and shopped a little bit longer to enjoy every last minute of our last day at Disney...it's never fun leaving...but clearly I couldn't get any more fun out of my kids...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185832016/" title="443 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="443" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8342/8185832016_49fa81bb84_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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I let the both sleep as my mom and I made our way to dinner with Cinderella, the step mother and the step sisters. Luckily Ruth Ann woke up and got to enjoy our last dinner at Disney...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185795081/" title="450 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="450" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8200/8185795081_27cf6a7b33_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><br />
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This is the most cooperative Ruth Ann has ever been for a picture...I think she may have had a crush on Prince Charming...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185836620/" title="451 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="451" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8185836620_3da2ef963e_z.jpg" height="428" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185838188/" title="456 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="456" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8199/8185838188_fcd5cf3a95_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185839710/" title="458 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="458" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8185839710_d6c17f5856_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185841420/" title="462 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="462" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8481/8185841420_b917e6ebb9_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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But Tripp continued to sleep...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185843000/" title="464 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="464" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8339/8185843000_b511110d59_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185844628/" title="463 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="463" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8344/8185844628_0f9f582494_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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But Grammy & Ruth Ann enjoyed the show...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185846156/" title="468 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="468" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8185846156_e8d738996f_z.jpg" height="640" width="428" /></a><br />
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Then we headed back to our room, packed up and headed out the next morning...Part 2 of our vacation was just 1 day away...<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-31543442807857692222012-11-21T23:18:00.000-05:002012-11-21T23:18:32.182-05:00Ground ZeroBefore I post about our vacation to Florida, I wanted to make sure I finished posting about my trip to NYC.
Before we left Brantley had asked us each what we wanted to do while in New York. One of her requests was to visit the memorial at ground zero. Her husband's little brother in his fraternity died in one of the towers on 9-11. She had previously visited ground zero on a trip to NYC but it was before the memorial was open so she wanted us to visit it to find his name after we made a stop at St. Paul's Chapel.
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I had heard about the church at Ground Zero that was left essentially untouched following the towers coming down on 9-11, which is remarkable to hear about, but when you stand in the church and you see the proximity to where the towers stood...it's amazing and a visible testament to power of the God we serve. Evil may have tried to reign that day, but God's house stood up to the evil forces at work reminding all believers the real war against evil has already been fought for each believer in Christ...and we know who wins!
This is the view of the new tower from the grave yard behind St. Paul's...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091033617/" title="262 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="262" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8091033617_26993a6c1d_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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If that gives you any idea how close the church is to where the towers once stood.
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In the days and weeks after the attack the church was used as a headquarters for the search & recovery efforts. Then it was an alter for all the well wishes sent from all over the country. When Brantley was there she said it was filled with memorials for all over the country. They've removed most of it, but there are still small reminders around the perimeter of the interior of the church...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8187922399/" title="249 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="249" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8059/8187922399_af6951f87d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I had no connection to anyone who was lost on 9-11...I was a graduate student in Auburn, Alabama, watching it all unfold from a small tv in the Auburn Speech and Hearing Clinic. But even though I was a very safe distance away from any of the attacks that day...I wanted to cry walking through St. Paul's as I was reminded of that day.
We left the church and started the walk to the memorial.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091035539/" title="267 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="267" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8091035539_866a67dbc2_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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The 2 reflecting pools are in the footprints of where the towers once stood...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091041197/" title="274 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="274" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8091041197_38311dfe4f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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And the names of all the victims are around each...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091048890/" title="277 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="277" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8091048890_6949930fd2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Thanks to the iPhones on hand Brantley was able to find the name she was looking for...
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Standing there looking at name upon name upon name makes you feel just a tiny bit of the loss that those who lost loved ones must have felt...and continue to feel.<br />
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I think about how united our country felt in those weeks and months after this attack...and am saddened by how divided we are now. I know I have friends who are not fans of Abraham Lincoln, but I read a quote last week where he said our country would not fall from outside forces, but that we would fall from within...I think the events in the past 15 years make that point for Honest Abe.
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-16370399354131426452012-11-14T20:59:00.000-05:002012-11-14T20:59:34.840-05:00Brown's Halloween Party 2012Every year our family looks forward to the Brown's Halloween/pumpkin carving party. Sally's request is that we come in costume...which we've all done as a family in the past...but this year Arch and I went in our regular clothes and because I wasn't quite sure how Tripp's costume would wash if it got dirty the Friday before he would need to wear it at Disney World on Wednesday so Ruth Ann was the only one who went in costume...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8185726686/" title="098 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="098" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8185726686_bd5ff455fc_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Before we got to the party we had to go by Mt. Hebron to pick up a pumpkin...
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And get a few cute costume pictures...
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And while we picked out a pumpkin...Tripp did a little pickin' of his own...
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-55847520442537779002012-11-11T21:46:00.002-05:002012-11-11T21:55:14.122-05:00Pros and Cons of a Disney Cruising...About 16 months ago my mom decided to gift me and my kids a Disney Cruise for Christmas 2011. We would set sail in November, 2012...which meant I had very few gifts to open on Christmas day...I think I just got a pair of pjs. But after much anticipation, our departure date arrived and we finally got to see Mickey and his big boat...<br />
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Let me start by listing the "Cons" to sailing with Mickey...there are NONE! This was by far my favorite of all my favorite vacations of my whole life! I knew 1 hour after stepping foot on the decks of Disney Dream that my family and I would be back in the future...the future being once Tripp is potty trained since Mickey doesn't allow children in swim diapers in his pool...can't say I blame him, I've seen the inside of a dirty swim diaper, it's disgusting.
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Anyway, I took roughly 700 pictures during our week at Disney & our time on the Dream...as I sort through the ones I want to post I'll leave you with these...
We got on the boat a week ago today...and all day I've been reliving our fun days in the sun...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8177381353/" title="606 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="606" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8177381353_8a0a0c9563_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I'd like to say they played this well together all week thanks to the Disney fairy dust we inhaled all week long...but that would be a big fat lie!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8177413930/" title="672 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="672" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8482/8177413930_987226abfb_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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I hope Tripp hurries up and decides to be potty trained soon because I would give anything to be back on these shores asap!!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8177384333/" title="653 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="653" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8177384333_5f0f9cbe86_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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The Pros to Disney cruising are countless...I can not say enough nice things about the boat, the service, the activities, the food...I could go on and on...<br />
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If you've been thinking about a Disney cruise but haven't pulled the trigger yet...go directly to your nearest travel agent or to the Disney website and book now! If you love the customer service Disney provides...I promise, the cruise is 10x better. Or if you just value excellent customer service...Disney does NOT disappoint!
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Thanks Grammy for a fun week and a Christmas gift that was worth every minute we spent waiting!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-81226152019129413662012-10-29T12:31:00.001-04:002012-10-29T13:46:57.695-04:00New York...Day 3At the end of Day 2 the 4th member of our girls trip arrived around 10 pm. I knew all their husbands were fraternity brothers, but for some reason I had been thinking all these girls were friends in college too. While on the trip I discovered none of them attended college together, but became friends through their husbands keeping in touch with each other after graduation. Ashley and Dianna's husbands have a bet of a "bro-mance" that goes back to high school, but there is a fairly large group of guys from their fraternity that still stay in touch...I didn't do the Greek thing in college, but this makes me a bit of an advocate for Greek life...I love keeping in touch with my friends and it makes me happy that these guys are still friends years after graduating and living in states up and down the East coast!<br />
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Anyway, Dianna was excited to join us and we were excited to have her. We got up bright and early once more to head down to Battery Park to hop on the ferry to meet Lady Liberty and then tour Ellis island...but this time we decided to navigate our way to Battery Park via the subway. Brantley had been to New York several times before so thankfully she arrived having a good understanding of how the subways run. After a day or so I felt like I had it figured out too and I found to be like solving a logic problem to figure out how to get from point A to point B in the fastest way possible via the subways. If I lived in NYC I would totally be a subway rider!<br />
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We arrived at Battery Park thinking we had a jump on the crowds getting onto the ferry...we were wrong...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091105588/" title="418 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="418" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8091105588_fdf4a0b483_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091101403/" title="419 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="419" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8091101403_fc7b634391_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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When we got in the end of the line that seemed to have no end we were told the wait time would be 1 hour...however, they are not nearly as accurate at predicting wait times as Disney World...by the time I took these pictures we had been in line for 2 hours. We discovered around this same point in line that you can purchase tickets in advance through Statuetours.com...which I highly recommend. The people in front of us also discovered around this point that they had purchased advance tickets and had waited in line for nothing...oh well, at least I learned something from their mistake.
We were finally on board and headed over to see the big lady herself...the ferry ride over also offers great views of NYC...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091113626/" title="431 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="431" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8091113626_38c77a342a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091108853/" title="434 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="434" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8473/8091108853_0e56592453_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I love pictures that offer perspective...the tiny little people along the ground are standing maybe a hundred feet from the base of the statue...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091117022/" title="443 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="443" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8091117022_12b4578e51_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Here's our party of four...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091113769/" title="447 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="447" height="507" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8326/8091113769_1f59fefc30_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Brantley, Dianna, Ashley & me<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091117443/" title="463 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="463" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8091117443_da2f119d3a_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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A audio tour via a headset is part of the ticket price. We all picked one up but I don't think anyone listened from start to finish. We were all enjoying each others company and the headset just got in the way. We did listen to a few minutes and here are some things I learned...
Because I knew you could go up into the statue in the past, I knew it wasn't a solid statue...but did you know the thickness of the metal you are seeing is equal to the thickness of two pennies stacked on top of each other??<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091115491/" title="461 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="461" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8091115491_1f4cdd633c_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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The metal is draped over metal scaffolding that was designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel...the same person responsible for the design of a certain tower in Paris. Because the statue would be in the harbor it had to be static to withstand the wind. The metal used on the statue is copper and due to exposure to natural elements has taken on the green patina appearance it has today.
Standing next to the statue and looking up is really a neat experience. My grandmother's mother immigrated to the US during the days when Ellis Island was in operation so she would have been greeted by this statue...here I was, 3 generations later, standing there in the harbor.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091119115/" title="471 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="471" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8091119115_83b0403279_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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The Barbie collector in me found a great souvenir in the gift shop...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091129580/" title="472 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="472" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8091129580_59f64b586c_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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But priced at nearly $50, it was more than I wanted to spend on a Barbie doll.<br />
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We had planned on getting back on the ferry to then tour Ellis island, but decided instead to stay on the ferry and just view Ellis island from the boat...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091127692/" title="473 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="473" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8091127692_4807e8722d_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Time was slipping away and we were some hungry girls...its was 2ish by this point. On the bus tour the previous day we saw Katz Deli...where Meg Ryan had a very loud reaction to a sandwich in a scene of "When Harry Met Sally". We weren't very far away, so again, we hopped on the subway and navigated our way there...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091136770/" title="484 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="484" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8091136770_4b5e1d8dc6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091138890/" title="485 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="485" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8091138890_9c35336663_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091141322/" title="487 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="487" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8091141322_fbde77f549_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091142732/" title="486 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="486" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8465/8091142732_9434214af8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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For anyone who has ever shared a meal with me you know I love a pickle and am known to ask for extra pickles...I was so happy to see these beauties waiting to be piled on my plate...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091144984/" title="489 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="489" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8091144984_e83706f88f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Ordering took some getting use to...it was kinda chaotic in here, but once you got to the counter to order, your food was prepared in front of you and while you waited you got a little sampling of the meat...yum!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091146746/" title="490 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="490" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8091146746_16ef2c8c06_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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There were 3 pieces there, but I had already helped myself to 2 of them before I thought to take a picture!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091142337/" title="492 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="492" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8091142337_b746cf0ee9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091151466/" title="494 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="494" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8091151466_500d021e8e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Brantley and I split a Reuben add pastrami...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091147125/" title="497 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="497" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8183/8091147125_6acecb2356_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Do you think I enjoyed it??<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091148775/" title="498 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="498" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8091148775_9e60e5b7d8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Of all the places we ate, this may have been my favorite...I plan on taking my mom here when we go in the Spring...she enjoys a Reuben and this is like no other sandwich I've had...kinda pricey for a sandwich, but when you read about how they cook the meat...the time and effort makes up for the cost!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091160072/" title="502 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="502" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8324/8091160072_174dd71bff_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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When then got back on the subway to return to our hotel to get ready for another requesting planned outing. Brantley had read about a bar called the Mason Jar where fans of USC go to watch the Gamecocks play on Saturday night. On this particular Saturday USC was playing LSU at LSU...it was a highly anticipated game so we knew this would be a great place to show our support of the Gamecocks...Brantley is an alum, the rest of us are all married to alums.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091176032/" title="515 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="515" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8091176032_3a9543f07d_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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I'll stop here to say that 99% of the people we encountered in NYC were nothing like the stereotype I had in my head...which was negative. They were all friendly and helpful at every turn...however, the 1% that lived up to my stereotype was hanging out in this bar.<br />
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Having attended a school, Auburn, that has a tradition of embracing each other...when we find ourselves on foreign soil far away from our beloved "Plains of Dixie" we enjoy greeting each other with a heart felt "WAR EAGLE"...I kinda expected we would have the same reaction to a bar filled with Carolina fans since I live 20 minutes from the campus. Brantley knew the bar filled up quickly from her research...but it was more crowded than expected a full hour before kick off. I wanted to take a picture to show my husband, the USC alum, and after taking the picture a j***a$$ 3 feet from me started making fun of me and referring to me as a Japanese tourist. I was mad...I walked into his little group of guys and told him that actually we were from Columbia and wanted to show our friends back home how neat it was to see all these people supporting the Gamecocks. He responded by telling me to "Just relax." which made me want to in turn respond by living up to a few Southern redneck stereotypes by punching him in the teeth...allow me now to insert one of my favorite quotes from Brantley's husband, Graem, "It felt like good fightin' weather."...but I held back and just called him an ugly name from a distance where he could easily hear me.<br />
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We headed up stairs, away from the b-hole, found a table and discovered much nicer people there.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091172235/" title="521 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="521" height="429" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8091172235_cd4285f5b7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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My husband loves a cooler & he's known to love an occasional beer...so I had to get a picture of the portable cooler keg-a-rator...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091170881/" title="520 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="520" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/8091170881_b36a5aaf84_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Although it was a close game and enjoyable to watch...it didn't go Carolina's way. We left and got back on the subway and managed to fit in one more requested stop on our way back to the hotel...Grand Central Station.
It was kinda neat being there at night because it wasn't crowded at all...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091174771/" title="527 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="527" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8091174771_d7d5c37503_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Yes, the time on the clock is correct, it was 12:20am...and we had to leave the hotel at 8am to make our flights home...I was thankful to have taken Monday off after I got home...that was all that was getting me through the wee hours of the morning!
Ticket windows...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091177155/" title="529 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="529" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8091177155_417a0195fd_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091182597/" title="532 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="532" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8091182597_ac4a30c8b5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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Wouldn't it have been nice if this passage way was a quicker way home??<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091185035/" title="534 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="534" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8091185035_034197e9ce_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We made it home and to bed...after a lengthy political discussion lasting until 3:30ish..Then I channeled the Granny within me and told the girls it was time to be quite and go to sleep...the next day, when we were all exhausted, Brantley told me she wished I had channeled Granny earlier, but she just didn't want the weekend to end by going to sleep!<br />
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It was a really fun weekend...and although I was glad to be heading home to my family, I've been missing the big city ever since we left. Going back posting these pictures has made me miss that weekend even more. Although I wasn't nervous about this girl's weekend because I knew 2 of the 3 girls I would be spending it with and I was confident we would travel well together...it can be scary traveling with people for the first time...but we had the best little group! The key to traveling with anyone in my opinion is to plan ahead, but to be flexible if plans change. I'm known to be an anal planner...but there is just so much to do in NYC, you have to pick a few highlights and then look forward to future trips! I appreciated that we all had one or two things we wanted to do and we all tried to make each of those happen...but when it didn't work out for one day, we made it work the next day. You can't find that in all your friends, but I we definitely had that in our group and now I'm looking forward to many more trips in the future. Thanks for the invite ladies! And thanks to Brantley for being so calm and relaxed as I was driving like a mad woman towards Charlotte and getting a speeding ticket in Rock Hill. She admitted later she didn't think we would make our flight, but she never let me know that...she remained calm and that helped me focus on getting us there ASAP! We were meant to enjoy a fun filled weekend...and we did just that!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-30341179144065031852012-10-25T21:13:00.003-04:002012-10-25T21:39:17.954-04:00New York...Day 2We set out on our trip determined to make the most of our 2 1/2 days in the city. As Brantley and I were flying towards New York we browsed through some of her tour guides she had from previous visits. One thing we read suggested a bus tour of the city. My best friend, Andrea, had recommended the same so we wanted to try to get on a tour Thursday afternoon to get an idea of where we wanted to head out for the remainder of the trip. The tour company we used had 3 routes; Uptown, Downtown, and Brooklyn. Fortunately for us the starting point for the Uptown and Downtown tour was just a few blocks from our hotel...unfortunately we couldn't get a tour in before dark...but fortunately they sold us a ticket for 2 1/2 days for the price of just 1 day! We decided to get up bright and early Friday morning to do the Downtown tour which included a stop at the World Trade Center Memorial.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090990584/" title="128 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="128" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8090990584_f09bae9dcd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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(Me, Ashley & Brantley)<br />
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The bus tour was great and I, like Andrea, also highly recommend it. You sit on top of the bus so you can look up and around all during the ride...you can also get off at any stop and then hop on another bus following the same route when you are ready to finish the trip. I had my camera up and shooting for the majority of the ride...
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Time Square
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090995318/" title="133 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="133" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8090995318_ff6a66af9f_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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I didn't realize the ball stayed up all year long...but now I know...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090993847/" title="137 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="137" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8090993847_c465b976ae_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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The Garment District
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090995791/" title="140 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="140" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8470/8090995791_be01432632_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Parson's was another highlight on my tour of all things "Project Runway"
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091004052/" title="144 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="144" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8332/8091004052_af9ca9fa3e_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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These are the office buildings in the Garment District where, as our tour guide pointed out, shirts are designed and made for $5 and sold up the street for $100. If you look in the second to last window in the bottom left corner you can see one of those shirts hanging in the window.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091006222/" title="146 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="146" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8056/8091006222_f875533ca7_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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More designer clothes hanging in office windows.
This clothes eventually end up here...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091002429/" title="149 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="149" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8091002429_0aaa79aa71_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Former co-owner, Isidor Straus, and his wife, Ida, both died in the sinking of the Titanic. This monument outside of Macy's is in their honor and the clock stays at the time the Titanic went down.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091010256/" title="162 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="162" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8091010256_2140f45e59_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Macy's original founder, R.H. Macy, had a star tattoo from his previous employment on a whaling ship. The iconic Macy's star is from R.H. Macy's tattoo...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091006395/" title="163 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="163" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8091006395_8291212b59_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Try not to think about that the next time you see the Macy's star...as a brief aside I just have to point out what a great example this is of free enterprise which our country was founded on...a former seaman on a whaling ship started Macy's department store! (I've watched my fair share of fishing shows thanks to my husband's love of reality TV so I know this was pretty hard work and also had to be very nasty job).
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Here's the first location of Macy's in New York...there have been 7 locations...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091023075/" title="189 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="189" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8186/8091023075_242f1eb483_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091009559/" title="169 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="169" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8091009559_2638b0fb10_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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I got pretty obsessed with taking pictures of the Empire State building. Did you know this building was at one point owned by a dog after the owner died leaving her entire estate to her dog? Lawyers stepped in and that all changed, but it shows the super rich can be super crazy! However, being the iconic New York building that it is, I took tons of pictures...but I'll only post a few of my favorites.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091013676/" title="161 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="161" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8091013676_c5f9c328a3_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091011343/" title="173 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="173" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8091011343_fe27761856_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091013005/" title="176 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="176" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8091013005_f0dfb26776_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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This the Flat Iron building...named because of the shape of the building if you were looking down at it from the top...in the distance you can see the construction at Ground Zero.
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091014051/" title="179 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="179" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8187/8091014051_cce38406b3_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Two buildings with gold plated tops...bucks deluxe...I think Donald Trump owns one of these buildings...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091016259/" title="180 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="180" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8183/8091016259_4ddb6ff042_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091023612/" title="182 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="182" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8476/8091023612_94e8d7cec5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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As we rode through SOHO and NOHO we learned why these different areas of Manhattan were given these names. One of the major streets is Houston Street...not pronounced like the city in Texas...it's a Dutch name, so the pronunciation is different. At one point SOHO (before it was given this name) was a run down and crime filled neighborhood...but there where lots of cheap lofts that artists began moving into because of the spacious high ceilings. Then the rich customers had to travel to these lofts and realtors saw an opportunity...but in order to get the rich to consider moving to this area they need to rename it...SOHO stands for SOuth of HOuston & NOHO stands for NOrth of HOuston...creative. Now celebs like Kelly Ripa & Jennifer Anniston call SOHO home...neither of which we saw on our ride through their hood!
What we did see a lot of and what I was impressed with, was the the details in all the buildings. Some even had decorative iron facings...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091019561/" title="185 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="185" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8189/8091019561_4e8ab37b8c_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091021387/" title="187 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="187" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8091021387_b0c3f75816_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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These buildings are so beautiful...and not like the boring building you see in downtown Columbia...craftsmen took time making these unique and took pride in making them timeless and beautiful.
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We got off the tour at Ground Zero, which I want to do a separate post about, but while were were off the bus we wandered down to the ferry pick up for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We had hoped to do that tour on Friday, but we thought the line was too long on Friday...little did we know what the line was going to be like on Saturday...but we still took a few pictures with the crazy dressed up person out front. We learned a lesson, these pictures are NOT FREE! After you start taking pictures with them they whisper in your ear "These pictures are $5."...even though your taking the pictures with your own camera. Luckily, these pictures turned out great...and were worth the $5!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091055933/" title="299 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="299" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8046/8091055933_99b984b2c5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Then we hopped back on the bus to finish our tour of downtown. We drove by the Brooklyn bridge and got a great view of Brooklyn...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091069384/" title="315 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="315" height="312" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8091069384_a6033ed243_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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My maternal grandmother, Ruth...who Ruth Ann is named after, lived in Brooklyn. I don't remember her talking a lot about growing up here, I just remember knowing this was where she was from. I do know that my grandmother was a working woman before it was the popular thing for woman and I have some really great framed pictures of her in her best clothes ready to head into the city. She was the secretary for the Vice President of Chase Manhattan bank...and commuted from Brooklyn. My grandmother passed away 5 years ago and I miss her all the time...but never more so as I was looking across the river at the city where she lived and wishing I had made this trip with her so she could tell me about and show me her city. My mom and I are going back to NYC in the Spring and I plan on exploring Brooklyn with my mom and remembering the grandmother I love.
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Here's the Manhattan Bridge...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091071574/" title="331 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="331" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8329/8091071574_b67595e3ca_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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And continuing my theme of reality TV hot spots, Zarin Fabrics...as in Jill Zarin from the Real Housewives of NYC...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091067309/" title="337 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="337" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8091067309_f63da612de_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I would have loved to stop and shop here, but thanks to my speeding ticket on the way to the airport I had to be more fiscally responsible...which is never fun...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091071001/" title="362 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="362" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8091071001_72e5f8f321_z.jpg" width="446" /></a>
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Then we got of the bus close to our hotel to explore Rockefeller Center...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091081588/" title="373 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="373" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8091081588_d040961050_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091083586/" title="376 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="376" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8327/8091083586_c72e19c472_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091085828/" title="378 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="378" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8472/8091085828_76fcd326a0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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And inside the NBC store they had a whole section of tshirts with Friends quotes...this was my favorite...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091082195/" title="383 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="383" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8044/8091082195_9e34c345cb_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Then we headed back to our hotel to get ready for dinner and show...we ate dinner at Sardis and then went to Mary Poppins...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091084065/" title="387 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="387" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8196/8091084065_31a38cbfd7_z.jpg" width="323" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091090233/" title="399 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="399" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8091090233_7009ea2431_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091094555/" title="404 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="404" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8328/8091094555_c3d01be3ab_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091092613/" title="400 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="400" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8191/8091092613_43ee414544_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091102694/" title="407 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="407" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8091102694_0827e4eb9d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8091098057/" title="410 - Copy by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="410 - Copy" height="433" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8091098057_d7fef3dfd2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Such a fun day...and we still had one more day ahead of us!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-39169352346561448232012-10-21T10:33:00.000-04:002012-10-21T10:42:22.483-04:00New York...Day 1So our 11:33am flight from Charlotte had us to New York by early afternoon so we could enjoy at least 1/2 day in the city. Brantley also got us dinner reservations at 9:30 at Lupa, which meant we would be dining like true New Yorkers...and not like the exhausted mommas we all were and feeling way out of our element eating dinner at a time typically reserved for pjs followed by bedtime...but when in Rome, right!
We checked into our hotel and then hit the streets. We were all really hungry for lunch since it was at least 3:00pm by this point. Brantley and I listen to a radio show on Sirus XM radio that's broadcasted from NYC. They often time mention Shake Shack and when our concierge said it was just down the road we knew immediately that was where we wanted to eat...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090982983/" title="123 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="123" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8194/8090982983_bb77fac8f5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090965864/" title="106 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="106" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8195/8090965864_0af45d31f2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Best.Burger.Ever. I'm not a huge fan of burgers or really any ground beef for that matter...but this was the best tasting burger I've ever had...we wanted to look into franchise info and bring one to Lexington!<br />
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When this trip was in the planning phase we all submitted things we wanted to try to do while we were in NYC. I, being a long time viewer of "Project Runway", wanted to go to Mood...and I assumed everyone knew what I was talking about...but I was wrong...none of my travel buddies knew what Mood was, but all were good sports and entertained my idea and let me browse. Brantley even gave me a gift certificate so I could shop freely too!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090964499/" title="111 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="111" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8471/8090964499_90ca6293a8_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090968453/" title="115 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="115" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8323/8090968453_a68a92fef4_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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For those of you who also share my love of this show, or if you share my love of sewing, it really was a great stop. It looks exactly the same in person on the inside, but on the outside of the building it took a little bit of searching and asking locals to find it. Thank goodness for iPhones and nice New Yorkers! The staff was super friendly and even though my garment making skills are limited to "kids only", I didn't feel the least bit out of place or insecure while shopping...I could have been elbow to elbow with a future big time designer! I could have spent all day looking around, but I had a gift certificate in hand...and a plenty of ways to spend it...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090966411/" title="114 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="114" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8184/8090966411_206e883f1a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090970471/" title="117 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="117" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8464/8090970471_824c29aaf1_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090972781/" title="120 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="120" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8468/8090972781_3fc050efe5_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Here are a few of my picks. I went in thinking most of the fabric would be more appropriate for adult garments...but everything I bought was for my kids...however, I did pick up a t-shirt for me and my mom. As a member of the staff was cutting my fabric she asked what I would be making...I explained that I was from SC and would be making some smocked bishop dresses for my daughter and jon-jons for my son. Even though these are VERY Southern items, she still invited me to take pictures and send them in...they like posting pictures of garments made from their fabric...I may just do this...it may be the first bishop ever posted on their website!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090974901/" title="121 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="121" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8334/8090974901_8e456d1d93_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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I left a happy girl...Thank You Mood!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8090982800/" title="122 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="122" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8090982800_2d3c3f3b00_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-70238307952993073372012-10-19T21:22:00.001-04:002012-10-19T21:25:15.279-04:00Big Apple or BustA week ago yesterday I left my husband and babies behind bound for New York City...every time I say "New York City" I say it in my head the same as the Pace commercials from when I was a kid...and if you grew up in the late 80's/early 90's I'm sure you do too!
Anyway, back in the summer my sweet friend Brantley invited me to join her and a few of her friends on a girls only trip to NYC...which I gladly excepted! However, due to some very poor planning on departing Lexington on my part we almost missed our flight. But after getting a late start out of the door, followed by locking my keys in the car (which required Arch to make a mad dash back home), one speeding ticket and one curb side valet bill later...we were the last 2 to board our flight...but first or last, we were still on board and ready to get our fun filled weekend started!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8077187784/" title="Happy, NYC bound, Girls! After locking my keys in car & getting speeding ticket, we made it onto the mane by the skin of our teeth! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Happy, NYC bound, Girls! After locking my keys in car & getting speeding ticket, we made it onto the mane by the skin of our teeth!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8335/8077187784_68591c1cd6_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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My grandmother (and who Ruth Ann is named after) grew up in Brooklyn and worked in NYC as a career girl before it was popular...but this was my very first trip...I was filled with regret having never taken this trip with my Grandma before she passed away, but I'll talk more about that later. Anyway, as we rode in the taxi towards our hotel I was already starting to take pictures with my phone like a touristy fool!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8077750436/" title="Views from a taxi... by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="Views from a taxi..." height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8333/8077750436_fc7e53c589_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8077761348/" title="We aren't even at the hotel yet...I'm in love! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="We aren't even at the hotel yet...I'm in love!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8051/8077761348_2bf8a87b09_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8077779821/" title="We arrived! Just kidding...maybe on a future trip...which there will be! by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="We arrived! Just kidding...maybe on a future trip...which there will be!" height="612" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8048/8077779821_12a685bb00_z.jpg" width="612" /></a>
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Fear not, I have plans of blowing the blog up with pictures from our weekend...I took 500+ pictures...I'll try not to bore you with all of them...but I'm not making any promises!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-30409491184551754362012-09-27T15:35:00.002-04:002012-09-27T15:35:33.177-04:00Birthday DinnerI think every birthday calls for a delish dinner with friends...but when Amanda said she was coming to town I wanted to pick something special. We met my friends Brantley & Sally (with her hubs and new baby girl) at Cola's...Brantley's husband was missed, but dinner was yummy for sure! But the company was even better!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012561327/" title="019 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="019" height="416" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/8012561327_6137d3850d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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It was so much fun to see one of my closest friends from my past have fun getting to know some of my closest friends from my present...but I'm only friends with the most fabulous people so I knew they would all get along great!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-59081827352559562072012-09-26T22:11:00.001-04:002012-09-26T22:47:58.348-04:00My Friend's KidsSo as happy I was about spending time with one of my best friends, Amanda, I was also very excited to spend some time with her kids...and meet this sweet girl...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012568418/" title="030 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="030" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8169/8012568418_ff1a7cbfd7_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Sweet Selah. I've seen lots of pictures of this sweet pea, heard lots of good things about her...but I couldn't wait to get my hands on her! And thanks to Amanda's broken ankle, I got to get her out of her crib each morning, dress her and get plenty of snuggle time in. Selah's bag containing all her clothes for the weekend was accidentally forgotten...but since I haven't consigned Ruth Ann's summer clothes in size 6mth-9mths, I got to play dress-up with a baby girl for just a few more days...I loved it!! She is just about the sweetest baby girl I've ever known!
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Ruth Ann also got to hang out with Amanda's oldest...Asher. He's a year older than Ruth Ann and I have big plans of him watching out for Ruth Ann when she's a freshman at Auburn...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012572847/" title="072 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="072" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8012572847_c585b923ef_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Even though I don't get to see these kids as often as I would like, I love them because they belong to Amanda. I feel the same way about all of my good friends kids...but Asher needed confirmation...<br />
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During his visit he had a rough night on Thursday night...he slept very little and when I woke up I found him on the couch in the living room. He told me he was keeping his parents up all night and they kicked him out of the bedroom. Amanda was positive he had and ear infection because he only sleeps like that...or rather doesn't sleep...when he has an ear infection. I needed to go by the ENT practice where I work anyway to pick up something from a co-worker so I told her I would check his ears. Turns out he did have fluid and one of the doctors I work for...who always restores my faith in where I work and reminds me that I work for & with really fabulous people...checked him out, confirmed he had an ear infection and wrote him a prescription. Amanda's husband had finished his work at Michelin, so he was back at my house waiting on us...when dropped off the kids for naps and then Amanda and I enjoyed a kid free afternoon. We picked his prescription up and headed home for Asher to take it and then Ruth Ann had soccer practice. Asher was dying to join her...but Amanda was really exhausted at this point so I offered to just take both of them...it was just soccer practice, I could handle this solo...ha!!
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Practice went smoothly and when they were finished I passed out bottles of water and loaded up Ruth Ann and Asher. A little over half way home I heard Asher start to cry, I looked up just in time to see him begin to throw up in the 3rd row of my car...Ruth Ann looked over to Asher sitting next to her just in time to get a front row seat...and she began crying like he had thrown up on her...oh, and keep in mind this is all happening on my birthday...and the Friday night before Tripp threw up all over me forcing me to take my clothes off in the back yard and hose them down.
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Amanda and I have laughed about this...which is why we're friends. I told her I felt positive that I love Asher just like I love my own kids because while seeing him throw up and and then be forced to ride 5 more minutes home with it in my vehicle, I never got the urge to do the same...clearly, it's love. Asher just needed to make sure it was true. Amanda and I feel like this is the real test you should put anyone you're thinking of raising your children if something were to happen to you. I hope watching Asher vomit and not doing the same put me on the short list of who the Newmans would trust with their kids!
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I tried hard to get a good picture of the whole group of hooligans...here's a few cute ones...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012571013/" title="063 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="063" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8171/8012571013_314b999287_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012574506/" title="059 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="059" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8295/8012574506_2b26778a34_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012570390/" title="046 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="046" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8444/8012570390_b546b0e6ee_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Even those this group of kids won't be seeing each other as much as I would like...you know, like at least once a week...I have high hopes that the strength of my friendship with Amanda is going to be an example to them & no matter what the distance, they'll always pick right back up where they left off and enjoy the time they get to be together!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-85845229919821972522012-09-22T17:17:00.000-04:002012-09-22T18:58:36.128-04:00Thirty-what??So for those of you who don't know me in real life or maybe you do but didn't realize it, yesterday was my 34th birthday. I'm posting this the day after my birthday since I didn't want to be all "It's my birthday!!"...but also because my hands were very full...more on that later. And as previously mentioned...I turned 34...blah...after I exited my 20's I've not been super excited about each birthday. But as this birthday got closer one of my best friends from college, Amanda, called to tell my husband had to make a business trip to my area and she wanted to tag along with her 2 kids...and it would be the week of my birthday! Also, in the weeks prior, her husband ended up with a giant infected wound on his shoulder which required surgery and is currently using a wound vac. Then, not to be out done, Amanda fell 2 weeks ago and broke her right ankle which has required a cast and the use of super cool...and very heavy...scooter in order to allow her any kind of mobility. Did I mention they are bound for Africa with a church mission trip in 2 weeks...they could use serious prayers so if you wouldn't mind pausing now to pray for some real life miracles for the Newman family I know they would appreciate it!
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The Newmans arrived just after lunch on Wednesday and we had two and half days of FUN! My next post will be more about the fun with the kids, but right now I want to talk about the fun I had with my friend.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/8012565320/" title="016 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="016" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/8012565320_94410d6f97_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Amanda and I met when I was 17 years old at Camp War Eagle...which is college orientation for Auburn. I didn't realize this math until I was thinking about this post, but that means as I sit here typing these words as a 34 year old, Amanda and I have officially been friends for 1/2 of my life...I guess officially it wouldn't be until the summer of 2013...but it's pretty close. I can't explain to you just how nervous I was about leaving SC to move to Alabama to start college. But as I've said in past blog posts, God has always provided me with some of the greatest people to befriend me...and although Amanda will tell you she thought I was a bit freaky looking with my highlighted short hair cut and cartilage piercing in one ear...on our first day of classes in the Fall of 1996 we were both looking for familiar faces and in our freshman math class our friendship got started. I still spent weeks calling my mom crying about not having any friends like I had at home, but by the time I graduated from Auburn I had gained some of the best friends in my life.
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So turning 34 doesn't feel any different from being 33...but the numbers don't match up with how I feel...I still feel 21. But this year, on my 34th birthday, I discovered the perfect way to celebrate any birthday...spend it with someone who knew you well at the age you actually feel! I had so much fun during my visit with Amanda...on her first night here I went to bed WAY after my usual bedtime...because when one of your best friends is in your house you just don't want to waste your time with silly things like sleeping...I guess girls are always that way when having a friend spend the night! And although I still feel like we were just at Auburn together, there were a few sobering reminders this week that we are now mommas in our mid 30's...like leaving dinner to come home and pay the babysitter or cleaning a child's vomit out of the backseat of my car...but all those things show how our friendship has evolved...from two scared teenagers starting college to confident college graduates, being in each others weddings to sharing in the excitement of welcoming our babies into the world. I can't imagine my last 17 years without Amanda in my circle of friends and I'm looking forward to the next 70 years!
Thanks for the birthday visit Newmans! I loved every last eventful moment of your visit and can't wait to do it again soon!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-39863017849485723962012-09-13T19:49:00.000-04:002012-09-13T19:49:09.789-04:00Grandparent's DaySo I think technically Grandparent's Day was last Sunday...but today they celebrated Grandparent's Day in Ruth Ann's class...Grammy was the only one who could make it...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7983837436/" title="003 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="003" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/7983837436_83958a21a0_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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I was surprised to find I was the only parent there...last year there were parents & grandparents...apparently "the cord" gets cut at Mt. Hebron Day School between the 2 & 3 year old class. Each child was called up one at a time to introduce their grandparent(s) and then tell everyone what they liked to do with them. There were 2 kids who didn't have a grandparent there...one looked heartbroken, I wanted to go hug her neck. After living in Auburn for 6 years I could have easily moved anywhere else and probably been just fine...I'd gotten over the initial feelings of homesickness years earlier. But I decided to move home because after an entire childhood of living 4 hours away from my grandparents and only seeing them about 4 times a year, I really wanted to live in the same town as my parents so my kids could see their grandparents often. Then I married a local guy and I'm lucky to provide my children with lots of time with both sets of grandparents. Ruth Ann doesn't know how lucky she is right now...she thinks everyone gets to see their grandparents on almost a daily basis and is confused when she finds out not everyone does the same thing. When those 2 kids didn't get to introduce their grandparents today I was never more happy about my decision to move home...and for a mom who was willing to go into work late so Ruth Ann could have a grandparent there today...thanks for coming to school today Grammy!
Ruth Ann showed Grammy her favorite center to play in....
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7983834255/" title="009 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="009" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7983834255_62e00ffe34_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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And showed her who her best friend is...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7983832793/" title="007 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="007" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8318/7983832793_78a8ce7bb2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Then we looked at some of Ruth Ann's latest art work...the eyes were made from the tops of pill bottles which Grammy...the pharmacist...noticed right away...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7983836229/" title="012 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="012" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/7983836229_0ea5a43db6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Then we picked up Tripp-man and got a quick picture before Grammy headed back to work...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7983837613/" title="015 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="015" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7983837613_8006a554fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-53843788305060676842012-09-10T11:03:00.002-04:002012-09-10T11:17:31.482-04:00Soccer...Game 1Sunday afternoon we got our first soccer game under our belts. Overall I think Ruth Ann had a good time. The coaches wife, Rachel, had a blanket for the team to sit on and she stayed there when it wasn't her turn to play...for the most part. She did randomly run over to me to hand me her water bottle during the game, only to return a few moments later to retrieve her water bottle...I'm not sure what that was about, maybe it was first game nerves and she wasn't quite sure where her water bottle should go. As she ran back to the team my mom told her she was doing a good job which she replied to by saying "Yeah, I know!"...I was told later she responded in the same manner when Rachel praised her for doing a good job...clearly not lacking in the confidence department around here...her older brother was always the same way, so it's a McCarty trait. They're all born feeling like they're bound for greatness!
Here are a few pictures of the highlights of the game...
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Pre-game warm-up...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965398206/" title="007 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="007" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8033/7965398206_44386922d3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965394732/" title="005 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="005" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/7965394732_6a08bb423f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Pre-game pep talk...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965400704/" title="008 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="008" height="488" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8455/7965400704_41776a8835_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I think Coach Drew was reminding them the #1 rule was to not touch the ball...which everyone followed...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965411118/" title="010 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="010" height="450" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7965411118_4ace961e2d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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But when Ruth Ann turned around the coach may have also reminded the team to kick the ball in the goal...although Ruth Ann got really close 2 or 3 times...she didn't get a goal...this time!<br />
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There are 8 players and they take turns playing each quarter...Ruth Ann was up with the first group of 4...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965420178/" title="014 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="014" height="484" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7965420178_9ed6f4df16_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965436528/" title="020 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="020" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8175/7965436528_cf02b5acd0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I know it looks like she's about to score...but she just barely missed the goal. My friend Brantley said she thinks they should make the goals just a little bit bigger for this age...I agree!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965452586/" title="025 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="025" height="403" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/7965452586_03f250e80f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965472592/" title="034 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="034" height="363" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/7965472592_3eba4f368b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Again, so close...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965477726/" title="035 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="035" height="412" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/7965477726_88bf63df8f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here she is getting pushed down...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965481738/" title="037 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="037" height="464" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8312/7965481738_7a67f4ed16_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I love her expression here...and even though she got right back up and never shed a tear...we had a long talk about not letting anyone push her around. I know there are rules about contact in the soccer, but it's full contact at this age...we told her to stop letting those boy knock her down! I'm hoping the tough little girl I know and love will take the field next week!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965547356/" title="086 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="086" height="437" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/7965547356_03dd149c69_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965554370/" title="089 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="089" height="448" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8441/7965554370_b30acc989b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965563022/" title="092 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="092" height="429" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7965563022_aab79fba0e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We ended up playing against the team our friend Mary Beth is on...here she is showing off her skills...let me tell you, this girl didn't let anyone push her around. She was in the middle pushing right back...Ruth Ann needs lessons from Mary Beth!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965485030/" title="044 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="044" height="513" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8450/7965485030_c3f8fc977e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965488696/" title="046 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="046" height="420" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8039/7965488696_c4caef8948_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965499416/" title="061 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="061" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8041/7965499416_5f76f747cc_z.jpg" width="429" /></a><br />
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Our friend Roper scored 2 goals...one for our team and one for the other team! In his defense, he was very close to the other team's goal when he got the ball all to himself...that net was just too close to resist kicking the ball right at it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965492950/" title="047 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="047" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8310/7965492950_3dc9ddbaea_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965572044/" title="103 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="103" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8435/7965572044_8db54a93f8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965575882/" title="114 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="114" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7965575882_7aaa2fda05_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I love this picture because it kinda sums up the whole 3 year old children playing a sport...Ruth Ann is #5 (if you couldn't tell by the blond head)...she has the ball, but her team mate who is just a few feet away on the left is more concerned about the condition of his finger nail. The field we played on was just a few feet from the play ground...and at one point during the game one of our players took off for the playground!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965544366/" title="081 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="081" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8457/7965544366_9952669b80_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And this was my favorite moment of the game...Ruth Ann had the ball, but someone on the other team got tangled up in the mass of preschoolers and fell down. Our player, Trey (#9), stopped and helped him back to his feet...so sweet! I told him and his parents after the game that this was my favorite part of the whole game!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965557690/" title="090 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="090" height="439" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8445/7965557690_133e6f3795_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965565426/" title="094 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="094" height="425" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8181/7965565426_5f2ddf99fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Then the game was over and then parents and friends lined up to cheer for both teams!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965589580/" title="117 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="117" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8314/7965589580_2ac9f7edb2_z.jpg" width="476" /></a><br />
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And I managed to get a picture of the cutest 2 little blonds playing U4 soccer!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965594812/" title="124 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="124" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8438/7965594812_72ca6bce5a_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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And poor little Tripp-man hung in there...game time was close to nap time...and he's in the middle of battling a cold...it helped that Pa-paw was there but he really was kinda miserable...but still cute!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7965581380/" title="115 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="115" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8461/7965581380_065cf64883_z.jpg" width="428" /></a><br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-71064052791376432362012-09-08T11:44:00.000-04:002012-09-08T11:44:18.061-04:00Organized Sports??So Arch thinks I'm crazy for doing this...but I decided to sign Ruth Ann up for soccer for the Fall 2012 Under 4 league. He's always bothered by little kids playing organized sports...but if you know my husband then you know he's often bothered by lots of crazy things. My expectations of this season are low because I'm not going to pretend this is the path that will set Ruth Ann off onto a life time of superior soccer skills. I've always said I wanted her to play soccer, not because I ever did, but because those kids run their behinds off...and while she still finds running to be fun (and not a huge obstacle like her mother) I want to help foster that fun and maybe she'll keep wanting to run forever...we'll see.
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We discovered at the first practice that Ruth Ann is the only girl on her team. I requested this team for 2 reasons...our friend Roper is on the team and the coach is married to a friend I grew up with and she was a great soccer player so I knew Ruth Ann stood a chance of learning a thing or two about soccer. For those who read this blog and went to Lexington, Rachel Peter's husband is coaching...so it's been fun watching our kids play together too. <br />
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We finished our 2nd practice last night...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952800064/" title="120 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="120" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/7952800064_8027f3fe9e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952809456/" title="132 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="132" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8182/7952809456_b7d214c94f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Here's the team. Coach Drew is so patient with these kids...they all seem to listen and do exactly what he asks of them...I would feel like I was herding cats!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952801866/" title="124 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="124" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8458/7952801866_6dee0f9bc2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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This girl is competitive...I have no idea where she gets it! She was so funny the first night of practice...every time she would kick the soccer ball into the goal she would discreetly do a small fist pump and say "Yesss!" very softly. One problem, she seems to think everyone is going to have their own soccer ball when they play Sunday...she's in for a big surprise!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952812562/" title="139 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="139" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8436/7952812562_0cedcb5840_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952815692/" title="147 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="147" height="427" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8322/7952815692_86682f2768_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952819234/" title="153 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="153" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8443/7952819234_b68c866af6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Roper watched Mason play last year...and now he's ready to have his turn!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952828380/" title="174 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="174" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8173/7952828380_c1b32f33da_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Ruth Ann, like her daddy, loves a bottle of water. Here she is enjoying a water break...my little blond girl gets very red cheeck when she's hot...unlike her momma, she just keeps going & going!
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952824950/" title="169 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="169" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/7952824950_6ec17b986c_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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And what do little brothers do while big sisters practice...they get hot & sweaty...and a little dirty...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7952833976/" title="198 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="198" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8031/7952833976_bf608de3ca_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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Arch thinks it's going to be chaotic tomorrow...and I'm sure it will be...but I can't wait to see my little competitive girl take the field!
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1606813513437637793.post-41812014173069476072012-09-07T14:49:00.000-04:002012-09-07T15:02:16.110-04:00Too fabulous not to share...Today is my best friend Andrea's birthday. She lives in God's Country...Auburn, Al...and due to the office I work in launching Electronic Medical Records (EMR) this week I wasn't able to take time off this week to go spend her birthday with her. So since me and my little ones couldn't be with her, I decided to post a picture on Facebook wishing her a Happy Birthday.<br />
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I've seen my favorite photographer, Heidi Graves, use a solid black canvas before and then add text to it later...so I thought I try my hand at this too. I had painted and framed this canvas for the 1st day of school and the spray paint was suppose to be chalkboard paint, but I don't think writing on this with chalk would work out well. But I thought it would work perfect for this little project...
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Step one, take a cute picture...which is very often the hardest step of all...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7949848766/" title="009 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="009" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8453/7949848766_721f755036_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7949852754/" title="005 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="005" height="640" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/7949852754_bf964af667_z.jpg" width="428" /></a>
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If you known my dad, my Papaw, or one of my uncles you'll agree with me when I say Tripp's face is a Becker face if ever I've seen one!<br />
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But eventually, I got an acceptable picture...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7949856524/" title="003 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="003" height="428" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/7949856524_3b84408c4f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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First I tried to use the editing software that came with my computer...but I couldn't figure out how to add text.
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Then I tried to edit the picture with Flickr and add text, but there were zero options for different fonts...or at least I couldn't find any more...so I started searching the Internet.
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I found <a href="http://www.befunky.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Be Funky</span></a>. I have this app on my phone, but I use Instagram as my go to photo phone app. However, I may have discovered a brand new site to edit my pictures...it was fabulous...and FREE!
I used one of the finishes & added text...which there were lots more to pick from compared to Flickr...and here is the finished product...
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/37585222@N04/7950890516/" title="BeFunky_003 by taramccarty1978, on Flickr"><img alt="BeFunky_003" height="429" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8318/7950890516_2418577d0c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>
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Now go enjoy Be Funky...you're welcome!<br />
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<img alt="post signature" class="centered" src="http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r208/jennisajoy/OUAB/tarasig2copy.png" />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17069382684200116750noreply@blogger.com1