tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52170819181068273212024-02-20T09:43:25.048-06:00McCain Macarismmacarism is defined as: the act of taking pleasure in another's joy.
We hope our joy is contagious as we share some of our life with you.
Grace and Peace,
Amanda & CodyCody McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13965556069996299676noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-33041300943305228302011-02-17T10:26:00.000-06:002011-02-17T10:26:21.038-06:00Mom QuotesBeing a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love.<br />
-Mildred B. VermontAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-66055779105391618812011-01-12T21:54:00.000-06:002011-01-12T21:54:14.050-06:00One Day A Mother RealizesOne day a mother realizes that while she rocks her sweet baby son, he will grow up,<br />
grow up into a man that no longer wants to be rocked because he's too big and grown up. <br />
<br />
One day a mother realizes that she has to enjoy every moment with her sweet baby son,<br />
as he will grow up,<br />
<br />
grow up into a man, a man that she hopes will have wonderful, sweet memories of his momma, memories that will last a lifetime.<br />
<br />
One day a mother realizes that her sweet baby boy will grow up, and hopes that all the training she gave him as a baby boy will grow up to be<br />
<br />
a young Christian man,<br />
who will be strong and faithful in the Lord.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-13944721294807714212011-01-06T19:38:00.000-06:002011-01-06T19:38:09.424-06:00Cheap, Delicious, AND Easy Tomato Soup<span style="font-size: small;">Okay, so it's not Campbell's canned soup, it's better than that. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I've had many friends ask for this recipe.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I originally got the recipe from my book called, <u>Dining on a Dime</u>. Of course, no great recipe is a really great one without making a few changes, right? I don't always make changes to recipes, just those I see would taste better adding something different than what the original calls for.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">So here's my version of the Cheap, Delicious, AND Easy Tomato Soup:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">2 Tbsp. Flour<br />
1 Tbsp. sugar<br />
1 Tbsp. Butter<br />
2 cups of milk, divided<br />
4 cups of <span class="il">Tomato</span> Juice, heated<br />
---I put dried basil in my <span class="il">soup</span>. This recipe calls for Parsley, but I use the Basil instead.<br />
<br />
1. In a large saucepan, combine four, sugar and 1/4 cup milk; stir until smooth. Add remaining milk and butter. <br />
<br />
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. <br />
<br />
3. I also add cream to mine too, if I have it, and i just guess until it gets a little lighter colored. Or you can do 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of cream.</span> <span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
<br />
4. Cook for 2 minutes until thickened. Slowly stir in <span class="il">Tomato</span> juice, until well blended. I never heat my <span class="il">Tomato</span> juice, as it's just an extra step, but it may help the flour sugar mixture from curdling.<br />
<br />
I also put pepper, and a little salt to taste. I usually serve with Parmesan cheese and Oyster crackers.</span> <span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">Enjoy!! </span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-85452848750849591612011-01-06T19:16:00.000-06:002011-01-06T19:16:29.882-06:00Cooking Something New, Perhaps....PizzaYesterday I was thinking, hummm, what can I cook for dinner? My husband's favorite is Pizza, so I thought, I'm going to try and make homemade pizza from the dough to the sauce, and all the delicious toppings included. I thought, it can't be too hard right? Surely it's got to be easier than I think....and you know, it really was.<br />
<br />
I went online to what used to be: www.recipezaar.com, and now is, www.food.com.<br />
<br />
Here is the recipe I used for a thin crust pizza, which is our favorite.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-thin-crust-pizza-crispy-dough-and-sweet-balsamic-sauce-312979">http://www.food.com/recipe/homemade-thin-crust-pizza-crispy-dough-and-sweet-balsamic-sauce-312979</a><br />
<br />
<br />
The toppings I used were pepperoni, hamburger (with a little salt and pepper), red onion, sliced tomatoes, banana peppers, and Kalamata olives. Yummy! You can really put whatever you like.<br />
<br />
<br />
The sauce on this recipe was really too sweet for my taste, and calls for 4Tbsp. of white sugar, and 2Tbsp. of brown sugar. WOW!! It was really sweet!! Next time, I'm only going to use 1Tbsp. of sugar.<br />
<br />
Although, my husband bit into the pizza and said, "I like the sauce!" and also commented "this is the best pizza I've ever eaten!" <br />
<br />
If you want something simple and not too difficult to prepare for a quick and fun dinner to get the kids involved, this is the one.<br />
<br />
Thanks food.com! I'll be visiting again to find another yummy recipe from your endless possibilities of cooking ideas.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-46746135111072419012010-12-29T21:47:00.000-06:002010-12-29T21:47:20.807-06:00A Few Things Close to My Heart<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">There is always hope. Faith is believing without seeing. Love. How wonderful to love, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">to</span><span style="font-size: large;"> love the friends and family you have,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">and be loved, </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">by the friends and family you have. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Loved by the Father in Heaven,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> the ONE who loves you more than any other.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Thank you Father!</span></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-41434933904922714222010-12-07T22:58:00.001-06:002010-12-12T19:56:06.498-06:00'Lil' Drummer, Kelton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzukYWPhK1x2KgjalstP-lA4ZBDFM-B0KE2TjXQlBSrArh5a5ZQjU2rM2enzCsgIvIuKuD3T9FT1F_LAJeZ6w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-4391663521702362362010-12-06T08:00:00.004-06:002010-12-06T21:18:41.682-06:00Zoo Day in October<div style="text-align: center;">The weather got cooler, and we went to the zoo in October. What a fun day we had!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112195747_n6xmV-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3150/1112195747_n6xmV-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Kelton got a little nap in there too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112192723_dRdve-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3104/1112192723_dRdve-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So here are a few photos of the animals......</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112194606_niKvY-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3146/1112194606_niKvY-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112193106_gB5Qt-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3106/1112193106_gB5Qt-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112196180_VzcVh-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3154/1112196180_VzcVh-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112196542_kU2D3-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3167/1112196542_kU2D3-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112192414_DunLg-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3089/1112192414_DunLg-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And Cody feeding the birds. This was the most interactive part of the zoo!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112193494_dNnrm-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3125/1112193494_dNnrm-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/14899732_vPr7f#1112194165_pR9Qp-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Zoo-Day-in-October/IMG3130/1112194165_pR9Qp-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What a fun adventurous day! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-30662732959179584432010-12-03T08:00:00.006-06:002010-12-03T17:24:01.050-06:00Photo Friday<div style="text-align: center;">I love playing with my BLOCKS.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111739986_Pv7va-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3310/1111739986_Pv7va-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111740473_Znmb4-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3311/1111740473_Znmb4-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111740803_Mp9EY-A-LB"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3312/1111740803_Mp9EY-M.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111741601_MA3Ja-A-LB"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3314/1111741601_MA3Ja-M.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111741877_JaXoN-A-LB"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3315/1111741877_JaXoN-M.jpg" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-49593077713123563302010-12-01T22:21:00.003-06:002010-12-01T22:26:39.708-06:00<div style="text-align: center;">Our little guy is getting so big. He enjoyed trying some new finger foods today at lunch.<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111739505_EJJz7-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3309/1111739505_EJJz7-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br />What you see on his plate are the following foods: avocado, pear, tomato, and chicken fingers. He wasn't too fond of the chicken fingers. I can't say I blame the little guy. He loves the tomatoes. I think they are his favorite finger food at the moment.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/14894990_scyQv#1111738781_64YHQ-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton-9-months/IMG3307/1111738781_64YHQ-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-697735668718531472010-11-25T17:55:00.004-06:002010-11-25T18:10:46.665-06:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP6e29qeiByLVHCF6pCqLp1QEptoqhODZerRlRk0iqznDi4FsInT-CJzEglDUh3BjuzoZN0g7lhL7isySDZicU-8FXU118sWCsyYWTfYO8kdHRr_AJh09HlE4y2SSnXKcu3gQ_FVW-cQ/s1600/IMG_5350thanksgiving.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543644178506381650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnP6e29qeiByLVHCF6pCqLp1QEptoqhODZerRlRk0iqznDi4FsInT-CJzEglDUh3BjuzoZN0g7lhL7isySDZicU-8FXU118sWCsyYWTfYO8kdHRr_AJh09HlE4y2SSnXKcu3gQ_FVW-cQ/s400/IMG_5350thanksgiving.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE4mlG0izlEU35u-GnxT1gpNyVcQ7fZiR6kYYDRDxg5GqYPS2NmNNg45LLCGX2c4risP40zYpR7MkpjUZZwCQJY6y5yqrJSWoumG8BczEPDtf1e3ntbD-QmeKaH6re-cEggaRyWJOV8bI/s1600/IMG_5350thanksgiving.jpg"></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqN33_TQozt0uR5Rka3V8_PZWOpL4KLR23QhMT4fCz6VXpAQMBmrdDWlJwWlKs4vBZsBwn3b-2AJGhslHF5KdgEQ7hR-esLfqjFGiO4_4EfK7q6DP1i0XCRhxCTf7UJFjnQUqxZULePiI/s1600/IMG_5350thanksgiving.jpg"></a></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-22510636806320478552010-08-10T08:00:00.001-05:002010-08-10T08:00:10.929-05:00Knitting TuesdaysMy first knitting project is finally complete. It took me a little while to finish this one, although it was quite easy. <div><br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Arts-and-Crafts/Knitting/13235560_ZKAPf#961000351_ksASo-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/961000351_ksASo-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a><br /><br /></div><div>For all you beginners like me, may I suggest using thicker yarn and larger needles to really learn the techniques, then the smaller yarn with smaller needles isn't so overwhelming. This was my first attempt at cable stitches and it turned out great. There are mistakes in this, but who can tell??? To me, it's all part of the learning process. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also made a scarf for my mother before completing this project, just to learn the stitches as well. I had to try out my book of knitting patterns and not let it go unused.</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-26411444129163293732010-08-08T07:00:00.000-05:002010-08-08T07:00:04.240-05:00Movin' and a Groovin'<div style="text-align: center;">Kelton is just growing so quickly, that I can't believe he was five months old on Sunday a week ago,<br />August 1st, 2010.<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-5-Months/13169004_Sdzaz#955510918_cpfS8-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955510918_cpfS8-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br /><br />Rub a dub dub, splashin' in the tub<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-5-Months/13169004_Sdzaz#960975994_Ab9aj-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/960975994_Ab9aj-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br /><br />discovering his toes, my little explorer,<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-5-Months/13169004_Sdzaz#960974682_DsAxP-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/960974682_DsAxP-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br /><br />on my tummy,<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-5-Months/13169004_Sdzaz#955513556_R9Sx5-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955513556_R9Sx5-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br />enjoying my delicious cereal and loving it,<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-5-Months/13169004_Sdzaz#960984656_gx4n9-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/960984656_gx4n9-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br />Ready for bed with night cap and all!! G'night everybody, don't let the bed bugs bite!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-66855360150867738592010-08-06T22:23:00.000-05:002010-08-06T22:23:49.747-05:00A Few Four Month Photos<div style="text-align: center;">Photo Friday!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-4-Months/13171564_TbM49#955794214_RcC5y-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955794214_RcC5y-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-4-Months/13171564_TbM49#955802083_Z5gdM-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955802083_Z5gdM-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />Visiting our friends, Megan and Silas<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-4-Months/13171564_TbM49#955803231_vtrNR-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955803231_vtrNR-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />Momma and Kelton<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-4-Months/13171564_TbM49#955808354_r6oRE-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955808354_r6oRE-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-4-Months/13171564_TbM49#955769764_gRmsi-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955769764_gRmsi-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />At the Grace Museum in Abilene, Texas<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Other/Kelton-4-Months/13171564_TbM49#955807523_6RYKC-A-LB" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/photos/955807523_6RYKC-M.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />That's all folks!<br /><br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-49864669595916500642010-06-12T10:36:00.000-05:002010-08-07T11:16:47.885-05:00A Few Firsts<div style="text-align: center;">We passed Kelton's 3 month birthday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Happy Birthday Kelton!! </span><br /><br />Today is another milestone in his little life as he turns 3 months old,<br /><br /><br />rolls over on his own for the very first time,<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwmdmI3PMgphJgV_t6U5pwwtLB4viuyHjSs7mug_ImkuTCE0H3uITcSkpWonwNq_XxYddB87ikdpcRCwEwNMHHfKlLflmJkMSgqJzrOWrdH24YLb5uafoeUhpfCfKdJ8hUCgSp6IULyE/s1600/IMG_0192.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwmdmI3PMgphJgV_t6U5pwwtLB4viuyHjSs7mug_ImkuTCE0H3uITcSkpWonwNq_XxYddB87ikdpcRCwEwNMHHfKlLflmJkMSgqJzrOWrdH24YLb5uafoeUhpfCfKdJ8hUCgSp6IULyE/s320/IMG_0192.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495696925172139842" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">and sits in his Bumbo chair all by himself, holding his head high.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">What can I say, I 'm a little proud momma.<br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-10602423062001844392010-05-26T08:00:00.001-05:002010-05-26T08:00:07.860-05:00Here I am at Two Months<div style="text-align: center;">Here I am at 2 Months Old...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubslLAjpPxmZC7-jZNk2l728fSO9ZF_dhQh9VMCOI_vPiYL1oeRSjRrakSnOobWV54Rs1q0Bp_FgUqKIiwSZH1WMgy_JGlMfZq4UFxTwLUHKlJ7OFnbg88Ii6EOZpN69qOGsKUoYnFJc/s1600/Kelton+2+mths.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgubslLAjpPxmZC7-jZNk2l728fSO9ZF_dhQh9VMCOI_vPiYL1oeRSjRrakSnOobWV54Rs1q0Bp_FgUqKIiwSZH1WMgy_JGlMfZq4UFxTwLUHKlJ7OFnbg88Ii6EOZpN69qOGsKUoYnFJc/s320/Kelton+2+mths.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475139699100771010" border="0" /></a>...thinking really hard...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlUPwWz_XCFYH_s18D0GIAsMxSWS21RnfXpIfUO2MlraM8SpnCmwLC9FXpVNERa0dEXEs66MpiKkI8aZqx8xfiBnkZ9ykekZEvC-CyqWgl4WzImwiI4_sSKOApVIK3GJ06RPu3ZCsjpw/s1600/Kelton+3+2+mths.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlUPwWz_XCFYH_s18D0GIAsMxSWS21RnfXpIfUO2MlraM8SpnCmwLC9FXpVNERa0dEXEs66MpiKkI8aZqx8xfiBnkZ9ykekZEvC-CyqWgl4WzImwiI4_sSKOApVIK3GJ06RPu3ZCsjpw/s320/Kelton+3+2+mths.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475139907272993378" border="0" /></a>...enjoying my new swing and so happy...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHuzsv67I52yZer1WcSD-IXNgfiEDY4w_rCOmTIjvp1MF29_hXjq3628fFKMyEzD7y7T-rwtDnPXnvc0YL9FvWWYrkLg0PSS087AfdBYSaIGCfviwvrx4RLm-QrWk-0EEJE0vBzOj3Ik/s1600/Kelton+4+2mths.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipHuzsv67I52yZer1WcSD-IXNgfiEDY4w_rCOmTIjvp1MF29_hXjq3628fFKMyEzD7y7T-rwtDnPXnvc0YL9FvWWYrkLg0PSS087AfdBYSaIGCfviwvrx4RLm-QrWk-0EEJE0vBzOj3Ik/s320/Kelton+4+2mths.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475140251913386978" border="0" /></a>...about to cry really loudly.<br /><br />He was really beginning to do many things at this special time. He was beginning to hit his animals on his playmat, balancing his head more, and smiling at momma in the morning. He has grown so much. Our little guy turned 2 mths. on April 26, 2010.<br />Momma and Daddy Love you!<br /><br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-70708103863791799012010-05-25T08:00:00.002-05:002010-05-25T08:00:10.851-05:001 Month Old<div style="text-align: center;">Our adorable little boy was one month old on, March 29th, 2010. He is laughing, smiling, kicking, holding his head up high, and can lift his shoulders up when he is on his stomach, along with his head. He did his first "push up" just a few days ago, while on his tummy. He is very strong and is losing his baby<img src="file:///tmp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /> hair. We'll see if he's a true red head soon enough. Enjoy these little snap shots of our Kelton.<br /><br /><img src="file:///tmp/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aGONNPSlUJshL26_5yf0BeG8qe23bHq2WfcByIqac1NUawJY-mpo_SLjYveu6tWeFmBUCE3I-xCbXaKLF7b0Bqn0w8y38npFCP4rosSfnqDgHAqDTa_OS-d51KOaxOIJQd8E0jItPP0/s1600/Kelton+1+month.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2aGONNPSlUJshL26_5yf0BeG8qe23bHq2WfcByIqac1NUawJY-mpo_SLjYveu6tWeFmBUCE3I-xCbXaKLF7b0Bqn0w8y38npFCP4rosSfnqDgHAqDTa_OS-d51KOaxOIJQd8E0jItPP0/s320/Kelton+1+month.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134104208237586" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Yes, that is baby acne you see on his face. One of our friends' son from church, who is a sweet 8 year old boy, asked us if he had the chicken pox. I told him no, it was baby acne. He gave us a laugh.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdeTz3GPqsHN2uo8lpNypu1DfiLhwrgqRxX1NfKjccMCHgDS6Cf336eDQnyEzv__kW306cNAWfLgS7SYNHy0zC2COk_o-Ikz8r-TzAmB1u97Ar3STbjlvxhWheZXhuewIRHZQ58bANh8/s1600/Kelton+1+month.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmdeTz3GPqsHN2uo8lpNypu1DfiLhwrgqRxX1NfKjccMCHgDS6Cf336eDQnyEzv__kW306cNAWfLgS7SYNHy0zC2COk_o-Ikz8r-TzAmB1u97Ar3STbjlvxhWheZXhuewIRHZQ58bANh8/s320/Kelton+1+month.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475134112300061586" border="0" /></a><br />ANd he keeps on growing....more to follow soon.<br />I know I'm a little behind, but hope to catch up soon.<br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-18330121344616702812010-03-17T00:08:00.003-05:002010-03-17T14:35:18.334-05:00Our Little McCutieHappy St. Patrick's Day from our little McCutie.<br /><br /><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton/Kelton-McCutie/11536000_A4FWT#812336191_uQJNc-A-LB"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton/Kelton-McCutie/IMG1337/812336236_Li3iP-S.jpg" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-63132392384972985662010-03-02T18:45:00.001-06:002010-03-02T18:48:55.572-06:00Kelton's 0th BirthdayHolding true to my computer science grounding, I'm proud to announce the zeroth birthday (since we all know counting really starts at zero) of our precious new boy, Kelton Marshall McCain. Kelton came into this world at 4:55 P.M. on Monday, March 1, 2010. He weighed 7 pounds and 15 ounces and was 20 inches in length. As long as everyone stays fed, has a clean bottom, and gets some sleep, there will be boundless joy to go around.<br />
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We are currently at HEB Harris Methodist in Hurst in room 117 if you are interested in seeing Kelton. We welcome visitors and can't wait for all of you to meet our son; just make sure and call before you come because we are planning on going home on Wednesday.<br />
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If you are interested in following Kelton's progress, you can view our family photos at <a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/">http://media.mccainfamily.net</a>.<br />
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Also, Amanda's sister Becky has posted some pictures on her blog (she is a much better photographer than me) at <a href="http://www.casitadealaniz.blogspot.com/">http://www.casitadealaniz.blogspot.com/</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton/Keltons-Birth/11398143_9FYAo#801182542_byavf-A-LB"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton/Keltons-Birth/IMG1185/801182542_byavf-S.jpg" /></a><a href="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton/Keltons-Birth/11398143_9FYAo#801181339_wMNsS-A-LB"><img src="http://media.mccainfamily.net/Children/Kelton/Keltons-Birth/IMG1167/801181339_wMNsS-S.jpg" /></a><br />
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Finally, several have asked about bringing food. A friend of ours from class is coordinating this effort. Instead of posting her address here, send me an email at <a href="mailto://codeman@codymccain.net">codeman@codymccain.net</a> and I'll send you her contact details.<br />
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Grace and Peace,<br />
Cody & AmandaCody McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13965556069996299676noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-19982280243402928882010-01-01T15:14:00.000-06:002010-01-02T23:19:50.437-06:00Learning to KnitI took a class in knitting and this seems more challenging to me than crocheting, but I am determined to learn how to do this successfully. I learned the basics and I am diligently practicing to get it correct. Stay tuned for the completed project for knitting.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-38611240541278421002009-10-23T18:45:00.000-05:002009-10-24T10:51:55.370-05:00Two Days in the Sinking City<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Venice, Italy</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> September 4, 2009<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWk4rf2mBdLlFD66Z13F36Aq4wENkUDwRF_isHuEXXk7wXXp-AYyYxhyphenhyphencUy1ZWZTVwxQ92iF7QK0HErqSclwNcuZ5MDUksorkveNLasn1wa1DiSNlt54Kzf1Aio3fTtOa3844Za8BKr4/s1600-h/IMG_0360.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWk4rf2mBdLlFD66Z13F36Aq4wENkUDwRF_isHuEXXk7wXXp-AYyYxhyphenhyphencUy1ZWZTVwxQ92iF7QK0HErqSclwNcuZ5MDUksorkveNLasn1wa1DiSNlt54Kzf1Aio3fTtOa3844Za8BKr4/s320/IMG_0360.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394806841886063186" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />When we arrived in Venice, it was very early in the morning. The sun wasn't up quite yet and it was a little chilly. We waited for the tourist information booth to open up so we could begin planning out our days. We got a guide from the information booth that stated the events day by day. Cody saw the concert for the Love Duets and signed us up for it.<br /><br />After we purchased the tickets for the Duetti d' Amore, we went to San Marco Square and enjoyed a light lunch followed by a specialty dessert. Here is Cody's dessert and you can tell he was enjoying it very much.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hh-UwC0JTZR8s5Qs6CvgspPqgGScAPHXZYHBkDp883METGcL6db7of0zSYK-yWU6xBpVEzpneBum9PUdzqs9W-JdaViRDa0XeTpljc9glp_OaFhsFU1XLSFKj6os30vY2ify6ho6p94/s1600-h/IMG_0312.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Hh-UwC0JTZR8s5Qs6CvgspPqgGScAPHXZYHBkDp883METGcL6db7of0zSYK-yWU6xBpVEzpneBum9PUdzqs9W-JdaViRDa0XeTpljc9glp_OaFhsFU1XLSFKj6os30vY2ify6ho6p94/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394806856217241058" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXuuuR_1eX8Lndd78k7jU0yRcHsYRjToJTiiGvdy_U1Bo9L1jf0tpgJdv4oTHd5fz4pt-yRO80Wmq5rJQSfM0HhrtUyOy5Yhmh0Z9x1yW38LjjgcOgnTdro1yV6RkGiN6BBCg5pMBGO4/s1600-h/IMG_0314.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZXuuuR_1eX8Lndd78k7jU0yRcHsYRjToJTiiGvdy_U1Bo9L1jf0tpgJdv4oTHd5fz4pt-yRO80Wmq5rJQSfM0HhrtUyOy5Yhmh0Z9x1yW38LjjgcOgnTdro1yV6RkGiN6BBCg5pMBGO4/s320/IMG_0314.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394806863857015938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRuUnDREqA9WDaYgJeQayuiYWp2k0XaB4DCJi1oud2E9qQFwgzrn564V0Q6fUzi7M7OK2wEbemhUMAHSvZscyPSz4O-OFcN-ieEEXqIc-IKBUhABicKfKh65N3dnmAIq58xuKaPbOGoE/s1600-h/IMG_0309.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRuUnDREqA9WDaYgJeQayuiYWp2k0XaB4DCJi1oud2E9qQFwgzrn564V0Q6fUzi7M7OK2wEbemhUMAHSvZscyPSz4O-OFcN-ieEEXqIc-IKBUhABicKfKh65N3dnmAIq58xuKaPbOGoE/s320/IMG_0309.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394809302258088482" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Enjoying the live music and dessert.</span><br /></div><br />That evening we went to see, Duetti d' Amore (Love Duets) in a palace. It was so great! This was my favorite event in Venice. We didn't take a Gondola ride and yes, I turned down that to go to this once in a lifetime event.<br /><br />Imagine an evening in a wealthy rich home filled with antique furnishings, drapes, and, frescoes on the ceiling. Then imagine, two people who are singing and acting out the duets of love all sung in Italian. It was a beautiful evening with much anticipation from one scene and song to the next. Allow me to let the amazing photos tell of the magnificence we experienced.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmydpw99QFUwSOs6h5ubGGMrnFgUXfrZOA_kkwYRCdBHYsZ9OrX4jAvXU1jNIQgX-5CghG3XTh-9huA3FDSLsiEn-Vbbof9ZTKb2dPHHLtvwi0EgsefM5nBr1ljH0deD6XVvm-jzeWU3Q/s1600-h/IMG_0321.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmydpw99QFUwSOs6h5ubGGMrnFgUXfrZOA_kkwYRCdBHYsZ9OrX4jAvXU1jNIQgX-5CghG3XTh-9huA3FDSLsiEn-Vbbof9ZTKb2dPHHLtvwi0EgsefM5nBr1ljH0deD6XVvm-jzeWU3Q/s320/IMG_0321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394809314344646370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn90kXWVQoZzvDGwhZjiymgxTNZ_-gumStan9n3GsIRm-899l4Qx1nYb-0n2w2xWB6_dKM9BvzeT8I_zSnM3AkJh-VrzJW7BIeGQphABfGzg4Xmw6nygbaEI1s_e81B40x1vx58wdwGI/s1600-h/IMG_0334.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLn90kXWVQoZzvDGwhZjiymgxTNZ_-gumStan9n3GsIRm-899l4Qx1nYb-0n2w2xWB6_dKM9BvzeT8I_zSnM3AkJh-VrzJW7BIeGQphABfGzg4Xmw6nygbaEI1s_e81B40x1vx58wdwGI/s320/IMG_0334.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394811076721786050" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">These were the entertainers for the evening.<br /></span></span></div><br />From the window of the palace, Cody took this amazing photo of the Venice Canal. He is a wonderful photographer and learned a lot from our trip with the new camera. Oh and I can't wait to get a larger print of this photo and hang this on our travel wall.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGPuLynxMklsHH8rfMAavI4ZdJ0k5Kt0FspyFsmYdNRV6f7QpOCHDZOJl5Tpglh9IQ5BtVodQFRwA1bj3IXmqerlX8-yGjShCPrOLMICABDWbTNRwMzyV4bCik7TLoFaJzR97Gm-S6Qs/s1600-h/IMG_0325.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGPuLynxMklsHH8rfMAavI4ZdJ0k5Kt0FspyFsmYdNRV6f7QpOCHDZOJl5Tpglh9IQ5BtVodQFRwA1bj3IXmqerlX8-yGjShCPrOLMICABDWbTNRwMzyV4bCik7TLoFaJzR97Gm-S6Qs/s320/IMG_0325.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394809325141003890" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlJVqIKu0HL9GtxDAvfwiJ3Y2SPUJSOWP-PRUnOurgM0bH8gnfCjTP7H-j9JDikvcOZO00cQRfc8THU9wceGi7mKfVgO-4WujQqMEr0f-_01ZMOUJiGlKKcc0RoUPkgq5JEtx5An6LlI/s1600-h/IMG_0330.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlJVqIKu0HL9GtxDAvfwiJ3Y2SPUJSOWP-PRUnOurgM0bH8gnfCjTP7H-j9JDikvcOZO00cQRfc8THU9wceGi7mKfVgO-4WujQqMEr0f-_01ZMOUJiGlKKcc0RoUPkgq5JEtx5An6LlI/s320/IMG_0330.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394815882806153858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Standing inside the palace by the window.<br /></span></span></div><br /><br />You know the fashion in Italy........I'll let the pictures do the talking. They are so intricately done and I loved the one with the paper sculpture. Enjoy!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlFBs3NXUTBkwO2IflZUQk6z1cz-dyM065T0uWUPpgJ6ZVrzPVRM-AmbaDtLHtmT89qNmR6ucHP9rCmmNkJSdQkTVCMmmQz9H9ogO2zs6NmZkah3e3PVv5oHIyPW7FNeJC2wnrJ21b_g/s1600-h/IMG_0300.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPlFBs3NXUTBkwO2IflZUQk6z1cz-dyM065T0uWUPpgJ6ZVrzPVRM-AmbaDtLHtmT89qNmR6ucHP9rCmmNkJSdQkTVCMmmQz9H9ogO2zs6NmZkah3e3PVv5oHIyPW7FNeJC2wnrJ21b_g/s320/IMG_0300.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394813590872325890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I took this picture because it was in the window for a clothing company and I loved the sculpted flowers.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJCAS9mWDyPT3sD56jrP3IBO6bhuQOW6aEFc4KB0TerUGd7qG2SSI2-fDa0mdNwMN85bhFpginagzZiEqiy_WiYX8i68sAQvP7Ownmng6NnfUEcR-Sw0SaESikUxwTUN_bYh3zzqx8S0/s1600-h/IMG_0339.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAJCAS9mWDyPT3sD56jrP3IBO6bhuQOW6aEFc4KB0TerUGd7qG2SSI2-fDa0mdNwMN85bhFpginagzZiEqiy_WiYX8i68sAQvP7Ownmng6NnfUEcR-Sw0SaESikUxwTUN_bYh3zzqx8S0/s320/IMG_0339.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394813608662790386" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCveMJGmkFP4w2A0F3pvLME9CACKV01dZwaDG610faua6Gth2LspQFI7vtebtDq5HwQbcQOfpQEjjo-US74vMhydu-BblLw5DjkPvqD7HwSo7fkPw24kmNu2Pgj5ix9Vtp3QbvzLOQ-o/s1600-h/IMG_0344.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVCveMJGmkFP4w2A0F3pvLME9CACKV01dZwaDG610faua6Gth2LspQFI7vtebtDq5HwQbcQOfpQEjjo-US74vMhydu-BblLw5DjkPvqD7HwSo7fkPw24kmNu2Pgj5ix9Vtp3QbvzLOQ-o/s320/IMG_0344.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394815906683072578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39-jnWqRECfiyZ2YUjAV2Q6VrNYEDwQHTIcYON2NqlEmgEWhmhpnAOVGx2RUKxPOMvKkM8_2rtQMetJ2zYJmBGFv2by_8LOO5vFDkuPU2HtIVTlP2BcyQOxsm2pvHGEOUpAi9v90cxjo/s1600-h/IMG_0341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39-jnWqRECfiyZ2YUjAV2Q6VrNYEDwQHTIcYON2NqlEmgEWhmhpnAOVGx2RUKxPOMvKkM8_2rtQMetJ2zYJmBGFv2by_8LOO5vFDkuPU2HtIVTlP2BcyQOxsm2pvHGEOUpAi9v90cxjo/s320/IMG_0341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394815894478018322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />The next day we walked around Venice and went to a couple of museums. On the way, we ate some lunch and took lots of photos.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjmHFljQaHXb9iUxrNuBkafNj12fKi5Vv8QUCxfXWHotgOdL_Fh0NN2aZJrb007t0IyMrZBkvaRRIdpRbymrDyZhbrLWNF_ZP_5C8fqzjF3jBaR1k5IXgx5ZLoigRc-dTsu-ebRyXOII/s1600-h/IMG_0353.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkjmHFljQaHXb9iUxrNuBkafNj12fKi5Vv8QUCxfXWHotgOdL_Fh0NN2aZJrb007t0IyMrZBkvaRRIdpRbymrDyZhbrLWNF_ZP_5C8fqzjF3jBaR1k5IXgx5ZLoigRc-dTsu-ebRyXOII/s320/IMG_0353.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394819747754910962" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Eating lunch.</span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixekeSXoIicycoeVgHF8DYPwGKQ1TyQXL6lZz1vsd7fYaeUuwhnyHcHRm8bE6wMuflDxAjMtMr1CXUTWorZvnMjO6XMUL1ODqcbDgYHMhx_YkY3JlqpP1eGqiDDy6YUvrR5RHcRfYE27o/s1600-h/IMG_0352.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixekeSXoIicycoeVgHF8DYPwGKQ1TyQXL6lZz1vsd7fYaeUuwhnyHcHRm8bE6wMuflDxAjMtMr1CXUTWorZvnMjO6XMUL1ODqcbDgYHMhx_YkY3JlqpP1eGqiDDy6YUvrR5RHcRfYE27o/s320/IMG_0352.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394819760498315826" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-size:85%;">These may look like flowers, but they are peppers. I loved the bright colors and the way it looked like flower bunches.<br /><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yud3I39xS4CDH7dMzNtdnKBBiiHvusV8TnvFY5ADZ6Y2bOgFC7dy9nQWrBoPj7OkiyTLcl2_sMPUXi2PQ7kXkcKPVPO1TDXuwP0WNGUIwjx3KsGtspTgAh2XC2gvbNyC6H8VfvTKSaU/s1600-h/IMG_0358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yud3I39xS4CDH7dMzNtdnKBBiiHvusV8TnvFY5ADZ6Y2bOgFC7dy9nQWrBoPj7OkiyTLcl2_sMPUXi2PQ7kXkcKPVPO1TDXuwP0WNGUIwjx3KsGtspTgAh2XC2gvbNyC6H8VfvTKSaU/s320/IMG_0358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394819771934270898" border="0" /></a><br /></div></div></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-50403154239630688102009-10-09T19:30:00.012-05:002009-10-20T16:54:59.835-05:00Dachau Concentration Camp<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dachau Concentration Camp, September 2</span></span><br /><div><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">[Amanda</span>] Sorry it has been a while since we have blogged. We have been out of Internet range, so now we are submitting another blog today as we wait for our flight back to DFW. We have a 5 hr. layover here. So plenty of time to catch up on a few blogs. :-)<br /><br />We arrived in Munich, Germany on Tuesday evening after leaving Berchtesgarden. On Wednesday we decided to take a tour of The Dachau Concentration Camp which was promoted by the hostel we stayed at. We got some food for the trip at the train station in a hurry, then met up with the group to leave. Our tour guide, Gordon, took care of all our tickets and we just paid our money for the entire tour. It was nice not having to figure out the bus and train schedule to Dachau as well as when the tours began once we arrived at the Memorial site.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdX1IvJITCmoIKfhqzE5izvGEcjehX-M0xK2oocn2BP7IWUyR-WoFrp_0fducMqayu2y0o076dgz6KztUFlBkuMRYTn41ocUBENqDj_ZzMj519w3SVZqJdoJiDN6mD2V9XGAzKHk7F4A/s1600-h/IMG_0168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYdX1IvJITCmoIKfhqzE5izvGEcjehX-M0xK2oocn2BP7IWUyR-WoFrp_0fducMqayu2y0o076dgz6KztUFlBkuMRYTn41ocUBENqDj_ZzMj519w3SVZqJdoJiDN6mD2V9XGAzKHk7F4A/s200/IMG_0168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394789847580746770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gordon explained to us that the only people who are allowed to give the tours are certified by the Dachau committee. Upon arriving, we walked along a gravel laid walking area with several new trees planted to hide the Bavarian Riot Police Headquarters, which are now in the former SS training buildings. They have also built a library there as well, which was off to the left. Then we walked down the road where the prisoners were initially lead into the camp, by foot. When I came here in 1996, this was not visible. Instead, we entered the camp through a side gate, by a guard tower. These changes along with the museum's presentations reflect the committee's ideas of being more focused on the prisoners and survivors, rather than the process of the prisoners, with the focus on the SS guards.<br /><br /><br />As we are standing outside the gate, it reads, "Arbeit macht frei", which means, work brings freedom. This was an ironic statement, as many who came here never saw their freedom again. Some did, moved away, and immigrated to a new country to begin a new life and start over. The reason Dachau is such a well-known name is because it was one of the first camps that was set up and later became the model camp for many, countless other camps and subcamps throughout Europe.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG_DGu2iay8G1NBPU0osnHwV_tPoDBIU7rIC62wXM-2UBSu8rT62MMHb5Tl2ISWJMaTrTclLwG-X4WXxe5SKidlyGU7KlJLMkg8duleDYbDS_AaFAxANK_893Y43zh7-v8gyxmI3pAwE/s1600-h/IMG_0172.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 104px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKG_DGu2iay8G1NBPU0osnHwV_tPoDBIU7rIC62wXM-2UBSu8rT62MMHb5Tl2ISWJMaTrTclLwG-X4WXxe5SKidlyGU7KlJLMkg8duleDYbDS_AaFAxANK_893Y43zh7-v8gyxmI3pAwE/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394799325917301330" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuVN8RvXwRVCCAYDADwgdg08L9Bb2tSsoqR3ZIFG8LpGs6bR7yvlFIvzTwtVdh7Ux5W7kEQNsiRmWo15BDJy57XBekZd6k_bjyLwweGMZhe6-mPMSGehgzs1fAJCmD8bwwIFDBAGiq6w/s1600-h/IMG_0175.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 110px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCuVN8RvXwRVCCAYDADwgdg08L9Bb2tSsoqR3ZIFG8LpGs6bR7yvlFIvzTwtVdh7Ux5W7kEQNsiRmWo15BDJy57XBekZd6k_bjyLwweGMZhe6-mPMSGehgzs1fAJCmD8bwwIFDBAGiq6w/s320/IMG_0175.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394791642338431442" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We also learned from Gordon that the gas chambers at Dachau were used on prisoners who were transported there from other camps. Those who were at Dachau were never put in the gas chamber there, only those who arrived at Dachau from other camps. The prisoners were constantly on the move. The creamatoriums were used so much that the original three were not enough for the many prisoners, so another, more efficient one was built. These burned at much higher temperatures. There were also spies who were hung on the rafters and then burned in the ovens.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrKNUC76VUgCNUMk3mQMupeuP_7y0FM_SFnFYGPY7L6uqLDMezaLrJOGdhJ85uC2W2Fmm58edfrtpyWdic4hQkXt8aWP4qjudljfFljoXouXdisTF0c_XezVxW1wfT83wU5DBhyl3VcI/s1600-h/IMG_0198.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwrKNUC76VUgCNUMk3mQMupeuP_7y0FM_SFnFYGPY7L6uqLDMezaLrJOGdhJ85uC2W2Fmm58edfrtpyWdic4hQkXt8aWP4qjudljfFljoXouXdisTF0c_XezVxW1wfT83wU5DBhyl3VcI/s320/IMG_0198.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394793542136147922" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDFj1QQzFeGR5zGM1q1tK2f8ntLzFLZSIaJSscrTe_94xIPP77sE8Ve3plK80PrrS9TjC4LpRzHtQZw8xeQmUWnz42KcvN4rnP3ti7UAiDDuR2jHNU0hclt3fehWapFXiGF-f-EFkw8I/s1600-h/IMG_0206.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDFj1QQzFeGR5zGM1q1tK2f8ntLzFLZSIaJSscrTe_94xIPP77sE8Ve3plK80PrrS9TjC4LpRzHtQZw8xeQmUWnz42KcvN4rnP3ti7UAiDDuR2jHNU0hclt3fehWapFXiGF-f-EFkw8I/s320/IMG_0206.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394794167535986146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb-wEl22wpud7YN7xJY1Q3zbNk_UTzciWsZMlUx8WTEN7Rvtzu869pF6j97s22Kl7gcnYqieKQ1XUxRQAaC3hm5pjJG8qoEK6HpnwnBmDrEZyMOvsb7PzsbSLYJ5mRXYJLAw8wKPJ9y0/s1600-h/IMG_0199.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwb-wEl22wpud7YN7xJY1Q3zbNk_UTzciWsZMlUx8WTEN7Rvtzu869pF6j97s22Kl7gcnYqieKQ1XUxRQAaC3hm5pjJG8qoEK6HpnwnBmDrEZyMOvsb7PzsbSLYJ5mRXYJLAw8wKPJ9y0/s320/IMG_0199.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394794865134391410" border="0" /></a><br />The camp had prisoners of different nationalities, social classes, social, as well as religious and political beliefs, to name a few. The memorial site is a special place for us to remember, to remember the survivors, to remember what happened, to remember the courage of the men, women, and children, to remember that freedom did come to those who were left, to remember a past that must not be forgotten.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6XVgbOQ5zzZWfrHyDnZxNXPUXeydWvaH8mNQTaWtseBwk2SKZ3US9BHj42FIUiMgbZIVI-nhkOc_Ru2hc9Ce9vFaJYJmPKLN5ZGNkJTs8K3_6Qe8vI-MzGb7FIqzHqWNVp-v2UP9zD0/s1600-h/IMG_0228.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6XVgbOQ5zzZWfrHyDnZxNXPUXeydWvaH8mNQTaWtseBwk2SKZ3US9BHj42FIUiMgbZIVI-nhkOc_Ru2hc9Ce9vFaJYJmPKLN5ZGNkJTs8K3_6Qe8vI-MzGb7FIqzHqWNVp-v2UP9zD0/s320/IMG_0228.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394796743582123922" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqpEO2FeH32KS_w1DfJ2MbR7Zb8MC1wrO2-hzHq0S670blbASvonsvMlh2ETmwbCGOkedO_9JPlaplscsfVXcDcVt9aPWzwd09EmqrGVaVrwCImjExebc9UgMUKul7aGcRKQKaGbnAZU/s1600-h/IMG_0211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqpEO2FeH32KS_w1DfJ2MbR7Zb8MC1wrO2-hzHq0S670blbASvonsvMlh2ETmwbCGOkedO_9JPlaplscsfVXcDcVt9aPWzwd09EmqrGVaVrwCImjExebc9UgMUKul7aGcRKQKaGbnAZU/s320/IMG_0211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394801385604563954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-7564590218166924312009-09-24T14:53:00.008-05:002010-07-20T23:37:30.251-05:00My Granny Tot and my Crocheted Scarf<div style="text-align: center;">The first time I knew about crochet, I was probably around 8 or 9, sitting by my Granny Tot on her couch watching her make some pink-flowered, green-leafed, and white-squared granny squares for an afghan. I told her I wanted to learn how to do what she was doing, so she taught me how to make a chain stitch and then tried to show me something else she did to make those neat looking squares. I didn't understand what she was doing, but I sure could make those chain stitches and they looked like little worms through my young eyes of 8yrs old. I even glued on wiggly eyes, and put it on the Christmas tree that year.<br /><br />Well, many years later, I still had that desire to learn how to crochet and make scarves, afghans, and other items. I took my first class to learn the basics of crochet at Joann fabric stores. I made my very first scarf out of a double chain crochet. It was so much fun.<br /><br />Here is my very first project after one crochet class. I can't wait to make more items as it is very rewarding.<br /><br /></div><br /><img src="file:///Users/amandamccain/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///Users/amandamccain/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2844psWJ9I7a2wXTe2XMBbcoWv2cZMzdCtvVWNmgwJXNMDKxjJH6zeAgnLhlsm6zBDeNHupEo9ybE6JPgStDxfulUjEqlG86FBDD2WfmRiKH72P8UahSlVmIDE0gAch55vunnTMXWAs/s1600/IMG_1527.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz2844psWJ9I7a2wXTe2XMBbcoWv2cZMzdCtvVWNmgwJXNMDKxjJH6zeAgnLhlsm6zBDeNHupEo9ybE6JPgStDxfulUjEqlG86FBDD2WfmRiKH72P8UahSlVmIDE0gAch55vunnTMXWAs/s320/IMG_1527.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496212815488207826" border="0" /></a>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07558803631257945653noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-77929577288970232892009-09-06T18:18:00.000-05:002009-09-06T18:18:24.038-05:00Berchtesgaden and the Kehlsteinhaus (Eagle's Nest)<center><br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/Berchtesgaden?feat=embedwebsite">Berchtesgaden</a></td></tr>
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<i>Cody</i> Amanda and I were able to slow down and start off our week and vacation on a relaxing note with a little help from the people and scenary of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berchtesgaden">Berchtesgarden</a>. This small sporting and resort community sits just outside Salzburg, Austria on the German side of the border in the wonderful Berchtesgaden National Park. After sleeping in to catch up on some much needed rest from our traveling marathon, we headed out to get a better view of the mountains surrounding us.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Monday, August 31 - Kehlsteinhaus (Hitler's Eagle's Nest)</span><br />
<i>Cody</i> After just missing a city bus, Amanda and I grabbed a taxi and headed for Obersalzberg to begin our journey up to <a href="http://www.eagles-nest.de/en/kehlsteinhaus.php?navid=1">Kehlsteinhaus</a>. If I had a couple accelerometers on hand, a recording device, and a multi-million dollar buget, I believe I could create the next great ride at Six Flags. As our driver zigged and zagged up the winding mountain rode in his little four-banger diesel engine, I wished the gang from work was with me so I could display proof that I'm not the world's worst driver! At least they don't have to pay for my amusement rides.<br />
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Not only does the Kehlsteinhaus hold <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kehlsteinhaus">historical significance</a>, but it is also an amazing engineering feat considering the time in which the different stages were completed. The rode from Obersalzberg up to the top of the mountain gave me time to reflect on the terrain on which we fought the World Wars and what it took to overtake such posts.<br />
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<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/Kehlsteinhaus02?feat=embedwebsite">Kehlsteinhaus</a></td></tr>
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With Amanda being in her second trimester, we decided to take the elevator up to the top. The egineering in the tunnel and elevator shaft is incredible considering the majority of the work was pulled off in a year. I wished I had rubbed a little deorderant above my upper lip after crowding onto an elevator with 40 other smelly travelers. At least no one was talking on their cell phone considering we were in the middle of a mountain.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AYcLhqXRgF2Nklv3rUHUCg?authkey=Gv1sRgCJrr0p-FmbbhqQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlP_A4gbB_fkNR6O0IDW9HOstvEJWGVf0DnbEuKNSg0fHeOHazWjNYx2a9Gm_N9-egYA-TSx_v1v_CI1ILfWwyKEsHdxXWd4zJ3OTPtIMHrqOXaKAEwlghJb4uRxEsgHQZ1XS3Imxpclg/s144/IMG_0109.JPG" /></a></td> <td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0MyUGShgVHNDgfgPTFRP1w?authkey=Gv1sRgCJrr0p-FmbbhqQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiCVPIOVWZlodYSR-tIcgBIgethbOPVfsO5xTSoAOTaukua0YoEnuTaf6ld5TQ_7_Ikd7Y2Nu96Qk82Oa3CoxD96uOqWy6xozuo9h1pDSfb4QB6vWr0_kCRHmxBfDMa_tMCd_f6pIbvsi/s288/IMG_0080.JPG" /></a></td> </tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/Kehlsteinhaus?authkey=Gv1sRgCJrr0p-FmbbhqQE&feat=embedwebsite">Kehlsteinhaus</a></td></tr>
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At the top, we hiked the trail up to a viewing area and took in an indescribable panaroma of the Bavarian Alps. I was hoping for some fresh air but it seems just about every other person in Germany can't live without their cigarrettes.<br />
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The actual Kehlsteinhaus is now operated as a restaurant and we took the opportunity to try some new German dishes. I ordered Sulze, hausgemacht mit Essig, Ok, Zweibelringen und Bratkartoffeln. It was good, but a weird texture. Just imagine jello filled with meat, mushrooms, and vegetables soaked in vinegar.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/H7mtSvkHSjgLdmKJg3xrdQ?authkey=Gv1sRgCJrr0p-FmbbhqQE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfz3nC38mo5B1SMmw8klZeb8KQLnYYBTbPQMLB1qkOtS7hZnA7E5J7Ely5ZOWWo-Tf9q6KBjMMUbu9wefBEIg32mKY7djQsbzQqlJpjqp7Cwr8pN9G3DljEXUbOSl-c4vMjNFnzVIFHNw/s288/IMG_0110.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/Kehlsteinhaus?authkey=Gv1sRgCJrr0p-FmbbhqQE&feat=embedwebsite">Kehlsteinhaus</a></td></tr>
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After lunch we toured the other rooms of the house and headed back down to see what the night life had to offer.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Downtown Beer Gardens, Berchtesgaden, Germany<br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/Berchtesgaden?feat=embedwebsite">Berchtesgaden</a></td></tr>
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<i>Cody</i> While Amanda took a short nap, I headed downtown to see what was stirring. I found several bands playing and a crowd beginning together, so I went back to stir Amanda. Monday night really cooled off as we headed down to the center of the market area. We found a great place to grab some dinner and then headed for the gelato. This started a trend that will continue the rest of the trip. Braum's has met its match.<br />
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The highlight of the night was a great American cover band playing tunes spanning several decades. When they started "Proud Mary", Amanda and I started swing dancing (alone nonetheless) and before long several others had joined us in creating a makeshift dancefloor in front of the stage.<br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/Berchtesgaden?feat=embedwebsite">Berchtesgaden</a></td></tr>
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For those following our trip, we have had a harder time finding Internet connections than expected and will be catching up the rest of our entries very soon. Stay tuned.Cody McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13965556069996299676noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5217081918106827321.post-25667316567482633262009-09-03T12:35:00.002-05:002009-09-03T12:40:29.437-05:00Plains, trains, and a heavy backpack: Cody's transformation into a pack mule<span style="font-size: large;">Saturday, August 29 - En route to Berchtesgaden, Germany via Philadelphia, Zurich, and Salzburg</span><br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/ArrivalInZurich?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzMxpT28LylTQ&feat=embedwebsite">Arrival in Zurich</a></td></tr>
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<i>Amanda</i> My parents took us to the airport and my dad had some English Muffins with egg and Canadian Bacon ready for us to eat when we got to their house. Thanks Dad! These were delicious.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We checked in and went right to our gate. We flew to Philadelphia and had a short layover there. We stopped to get some Chik-fil-a, one of my favorite places. I was so hungry. I got a chicken sandwich and fries and my all time favorite Homemade Lemonade with easy ice. It's my favorite because it's so tart and sweet at the same time. Cody had chicken nuggets with fries and a coke. I was feeling kind of sick before we landed in Philadelphia; a headache and a little nausea. We both felt much better and enjoyed it. I had to pack up mine and take it with me to the terminal as we were about to leave shortly. When we walked up the the terminal, they were boarding, so we made it just in time. Yeah!! Once on the plane, I was finishing my snack and it began to rain.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Cody</i> A myriad of thunder and lightening began what became a 4 hour wait on the tarmac. Just as we began to taxi out, the captain informed us that the entire airport was being turned around and to expect a 2 hour delay. Just as the captain came over the PA to let us know we were now first in line to take off, Amanda leaned over and said, "It would be just our luck that they will turn the airport around again before we take off." Sure enough, Amanda jinxed us (<i>thanks Amanda</i>) and the captain told us all the planes had to take off in the other direction. One more two-hour do-si-do and we were finally Switzerland bound.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><i>Amanda</i> He was definitely stressed out that we weren't going to leave when we had originally thought, and listening to the crying child didn't help either. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">At one point, I got up, stretched my legs, and walked around. I was so glad I had gotten something to eat before boarding as I wouldn't have made it that long. Eventually we ate dinner while watching a movie. Cody was smooth sailing after that and ready to catch some Zs as he said. I slept too after the movie was over and quite well for an airplane ride.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Cody missed it as he was brushing his teeth in the bathroom. When I woke up, I was trying to see as my eyesight was blurry. I used one of the masks you put over your eyes, like you always see in the movies, and I guess it pressed my eyes a little too much. This was the first time I've ever used one of these and it may be my last. I also think they were dry because of the air here. I can see just fine now; 5 hrs. later.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">As we were coming in to the Zurich airport, we saw a wonderful view of the Matterhorn. Cody missed it as he was brushing his teeth in the bathroom. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We took off to find our luggage which didn't take long at all to get from the plane. We headed to get something to eat and ate lunch a very relaxing delicatessen at the airport train station. We had tasty sandwiches. We called my friend Stefanie to let her know we made it okay. We validated our Eurail passes, headed to the Hauptbahnhof, the main station, and on our way stopped at our first restroom or water closet where we had to pay money to go in. There were turn styles and everything. It was like entering and exiting the Metro in Paris. It was called Mc Clean. They also offered showers and the like. You can see it below in the picture where Cody stood. I have to say they were really clean. There are people working there to keep them clean all the time.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/ArrivalInZurich?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzMxpT28LylTQ&feat=embedwebsite">Arrival in Zurich</a></td></tr>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">We got on the train for Salzburg, our first destination. We got on the train in 1<sup>st</sup> class even though we didn''t have a reservation. Some didn't have any reservations so, we stayed in the car and took naps. The seats pull out from the walls. We also enjoyed the scenery when got on as you can see from the lake and photos we took. What fun and what beauty God has created for us to see. Pictures cannot do justice for places like this. The best of all, is to see it for yourself. Just click on the photo above and you can see all the photos from the countryside while on the train. I am blogging as we are still on our way to Bertchesgaden, Germany.<br />
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<tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/ArrivalInZurich?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzMxpT28LylTQ&feat=embedwebsite">Arrival in Zurich</a></td></tr>
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Oh, mom, thanks so much for the mini hand sanitizing wipes, these have already come in handy many times and it's only the 2<sup>nd</sup> day of travel. These are so great!! Thanks again. We are doing well and can't wait to get out and see the countryside, take a nice hopefully hot shower, eat some great German food, and take a nice/hike and walk in Bertchesgaden.<br />
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<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/codymccain/ArrivalInZurich?authkey=Gv1sRgCJzMxpT28LylTQ&feat=directlink">Album: Arrival in Zurich</a> </div>Cody McCainhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13965556069996299676noreply@blogger.com5