tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-351119813504012692024-02-21T05:28:19.862-05:00See More SeymoursLife moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it. - Ferris BuellerElizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.comBlogger927125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-74589328090440469792024-01-03T17:12:00.000-05:002024-01-06T12:13:10.773-05:00Our Third Teenager <img id="id_e196_84f2_75e0_441" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQgcT5nDyKjfPXd22BUXdMecofOeXU3_xkg08o-QojOQWxNTHb85pwaqoW1oCfm3H2s6FSR7WyFFbuyU67Sth9eQisFTA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Laura had the audacity to turn 13 this year - kicking off a year of milestone birthdays for all five of us! </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_159c_32e6_b422_d8f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQVxo6awl1fkpXbhZXp_qq1ww7uVTKCDdp6UeWvKumHPUFkFSRoB4qNA-8bpNz0b6KK2jQJhWRINJ4C5Q2wiAJyG1zM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2fc1_e5a3_9774_917f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTKBQF-55dqKeY4-FikhJNOrGigNP7PumBWJNZAk00WSJ7ev5LVfxmQLP0SLaq5ua4Fploie6HyFZKXeMFYeHp6yqac_Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Much like the age, her birthday had its ups and downs. After ringing in the New Year with a stomach bug, she was recovered on her actual birthday and spent the day - as always - with Meghan. I took them and Clare to get manis and pedis and then lunched at Tropical Smoothie (Laura’s choice). </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_e48e_e814_2b36_bab4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYShBvBUbFvMUvlPhJD0fWRlozBlKPEBK5ocu2ln9QsVE61ES8wzR-Wm_xp8-njnkTdbILyK8mVwq5-IwqyR-4uYjQfF" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;">Later in the afternoon I took them ice skating, as they had greatly enjoyed their visit a few weeks earlier. Unfortunately, it being the last day of Christmas break for the vast majority of the city, the place was packed, so they didn’t last too long. We cut our losses and headed home for hot apple cider and gifts! Then the girls gamed while I made dinner (flank steak, crescent rolls, and Laura’s favorite salad). We finished the day with cake, at which point Tim, Danny and Clare were all home and around to enjoy.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_2daf_fbb_30a7_3250" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSSTfd6SSCPmqIXeMwhaHVJZvldMHTFgoaWT1a7bZ9OMK6bItlyU3YisJ5U6e1A_e9Z6pqwWVPohK9ohan45Xg4LKfIjg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Unfortunately, it seems Laura overdid the food on her big day, because she woke up and got sick once again. Thankfully it was a one-time occurrence, but we still had to reschedule the lunch outing we had planned with her friends from school. She was understandably devastated about this, but thankfully perked up by the end of the day. Silver lining: It will simply extend the celebration!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For a girl who was known as The Menace in her toddler years, she’s come a long way, and we all love our new teenager dearly!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-3907263300742099022023-12-31T15:01:00.000-05:002024-01-04T15:02:27.657-05:00Disney Soccer Showcase<img id="id_4b0a_3481_e4ff_e3e3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYR7BAtYCneMMPas1_fZ-mzs4ojbfqxqhC4b5RE1EnCiJRKcAuBIo_mZ2SnD1IDsyCdWc2hrai9MVndaB8gYD_i7atd5dA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As the time drew near for the Disney Soccer Showcase, and the chaos of the holidays intensified, many of us started to regret the decision to participate in this event. While we love the Disney parks, I started to wonder if we’d even be able to enjoy them due to the anticipated crowds. And with a limited roster, we worried the games would be tough and, frankly, not fun for the guys.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_65fc_b8f5_91ae_95a4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQtQf-musmoc6NJdze9uzt6UqvLgLWPi8PB1yftamd6m1u-uk1UpDS28cvNxnzDVq-CVqD09VC0MKNadivCQn0Xisu7MA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Turns out that we had a fantastic time, and while we were exhausted (and broke!) by the end and ready to head home, we were all really glad we went. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_2756_c816_4524_7df4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRyKqBKtPNLmX1MgIm5PMECcSxisaH85FhiY7u2s2umVpHVDkXw3a_AeQbx-5ashvuhyFdl9fFuVThqg-2im8fXkfE7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Danny’s team had a magical run, making it to the semifinals despite having just 12 players. “Twelve guys and a dream” was the phrase coined by one of the dads, and it was perfect.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6de4_92ee_11d6_3aa0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRi37rMZzvlO1TRg_P1Gv6cmXygapjAPlTSyu2YzQjdRMlpVcNcqWkCp-ICkafDUcnGSHkg41c630cjIPuomAFFKhVy" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ca4e_71c6_700f_6a6a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTMBaAuSchbvMG8ItWJNHru0-OHXf-TLPsYLhQWj0PePzKg9PYzrZFVeHEwSOKcRgn5Uk58gHHJq6VvevxEYXJeirD-Dw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Meanwhile, the girls and I had a blast at the parks, especially our first day at Magic Kingdom. We rode everything we wanted to - TRON two times, loved the fun Christmas version of Space Mountain, and had a delicious dinner at the Lady & the Tramp restaurant, too. EPCOT and Animal Kingdom had their highlights, too. After dinner in Morocco in EPCOT, we persuaded Tim to return to Magic Kingdom with us</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span> <span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">on Thursday night (Danny was with his boys). I think Tim reached his fill of crowds before we did, but we’re glad he joined us!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_66a3_c625_c974_8ed9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSq1ZVzkO-JgMuQ3xtgRNjjlI9IYJ703ZHPBrYvYnFRHptf7iOnHNNmzWOj7oML-60BccVKD5WijwD2UK2RgfIzR7UU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1db0_a16c_75a0_61f3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYR7eLdAPAai-UX4xs4YxKtmEeT8NWiNTzl7K99egQThN-shve2FTfmcUSeW1RSxOoLX98WVTanoBj8bcipvlSKvNDHY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We were really impressed with the Coronado Springs Resort as well. A huge property that featured several restaurants, a great pool and hot tub, and some lovely views.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b1e0_c547_82dc_b9ff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ7pfaDKesN0rI2cTTLOs9-ieCzL5J743Qey9HfdlvaQmIn3Yrs2lhyNA3bjp2NZzgd0AcZShnVPJ8yyr6KuAss1y4N" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We’re blessed that Danny’s team is comprised of some really lovely families. While I was off at the parks for the most part with the girls, Tim enjoyed meals and drinks at the resort bar with many of the parents. As always, who you’re with is the most important part!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_46c9_2ac3_5c9a_5b86" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTHB8UmTY5qVvBr7Ew61CYIHJjYUTUm4dPtQvgi0paAScXBTXfeLlQ8_3GfgjIvSspr_WwG03IC8U6kGcIJGvVJb6I3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-6535915574043224212023-12-26T11:20:00.000-05:002024-01-04T11:21:09.480-05:00Christmas 2023<img id="id_346a_a414_afbc_7f2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQSAdsgsnAUICgWFOjZlEtn3ZchIi4MgVm4zWLF8dA3cmIC6bhuszGUQlCpFYh8ee1Vs5ey9ZCiv1hNB2fyRI8cmhPXYQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It was a very Florida Christmas this year, thanks to needing to be in Orlando by the evening of 12/26 for the Disney Boys Soccer Showcase. Karen, Brian and Ryan came down from DC, and we all descended on Donna and Larry’s generous hospitality for a few days! </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_196d_4256_9023_404f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTgf1I33JKQkwynEYT5i8taUcEh16EDcSZkHVNUxLFjoxNID5lJcOyH8TiN_jrcIbCgyNZBYDebNbaQiksdOsAxrXd4Mg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6ee9_63dd_7213_60b7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ-lxxifXIRHsSWcbSJHq2kdYeCOBVOPYQhaykF6D9OO5i4_i7nQP8tsZC7ZmJRgA717WfAePjPdOrRR8VJIXt90qy_1w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We enjoyed warmer weather, walks in the rain, MANY rounds of Uno, and a round of golf for the guys…plus so much delicious food. A Merry Christmas indeed!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_ce86_3431_1cf3_1a64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYToZPMmUPPZTdxnu6dq0PpgmARKAkZ_rkOr9adhIG2YNQJalnGXECw4Gsz1-xOpJTDZwcCSt-R3qEM4FMVTdHukPQwmGg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-43542081283389059342023-12-03T10:59:00.000-05:002023-12-19T15:00:00.088-05:00The Great Tree<img id="id_ad6e_49fb_8b0_a6e7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSCfvXyXxq1FBwXE8Dsqiw8KrJfE71VVUFhlrCsm2brpgh1JmO2g4gjLzHIchrL-3Y4kPykKMz70X8fUjqcsib-oaSIfQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I made no bones about the fact that I was disappointed with last year’s Christmas tree. It was simply not big enough for our high ceilings - this room demands a BIG tree. While we usually try to go together to choose the tree (from Home Depot, of course), our schedules didn’t really permit that this year. So, Tim gave his blessing for me and Laura to select one.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_cab8_4b99_e97b_3763" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTgXUMO9wQPTotDGirP8rSlr-KIZcxj__mAf-xglEg1WneannY2ZIjd10ZjDiYnan4cwt50dPj7YCTm0_AkCgagZa_new" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It took us maybe 5 minutes to zero in on the behemoth that we now behold. It took a lot longer for the one-man show to get us checked out and loaded, but soon enough we were on our way home, where Danny helped me bring it straight into the living room and into the stand. Where it immediately fell over. Oops. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_396d_81b7_f8e2_fc9b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRzgEdEJrOarcBkg7ssRo8d5bwY0xIKE3LEn_RYdLbXEfZ91YMkDcpzFz5o1SJeA_tNPAofMu8FZvErKR5pyWnu-6v5" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">To his credit, when he got home, Tim skipped over the “what were you thinking?” line of questions and went into “let’s make this work” mode. While it turns out that Danny and I had not put the tree into the stand straight, he also decided to anchor it to the wall to be certain it would hold. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_3d25_e48f_18b4_484a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTHsBOVOHWZZREEAjlHaSfIKHJvaZe0-6rs0dp2hM9NBYKPG0nU-afDduiu3E2AaCnGmy8Oe99UPaUcuev02gXwfyF2TA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And in an act of true love, he and Danny put the lights on the tree after I went to bed - a chore I had been dreading. They’re the best!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We had Grammy & Grampy over to help us trim it, along with our usual feast. We had college football on in the background, the combination of which Danny declared to be his favorite day of the year.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e395_b978_108d_b6d7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSMqKFnR8fnvBU_frRQSo5G0cBmu_VFObQ8jfe7vPbu_V0xawtKk9wx7Qma3M6ckkPyiNz5A_A_ZrUgakxA--2dT6vp0g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It’s definitely our biggest tree ever, and I might go so far as to say it’s our best, too!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-25786697352552353192023-11-27T09:44:00.000-05:002023-12-18T10:44:47.344-05:00Seymours in Santiago: Part 3<img id="id_1544_89d_fea5_dbf4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSERzHRLjFDraYgnpeN2c-6PAVpZisDs25fwHk4bJdzn22uXh6ukQnczOYKLzBc9NxMJwmKDh07kMHItc7qPh-Rk96uTQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Our final day in Chile was also our departure day, since we flew out on an 11:30 p.m. flight. We wanted to take advantage of the time, but we were also getting a bit weary of being on the go!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_431_5a3c_88ba_8b9c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRHjS3S4T93MnzK4LlrcnzkrfCkQGnMI1gTQWaOZuxCfx7imHI9EHiCH_UArskijVnRy5S7R4xjCV__ebcBgI_fr89DLA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We started off with brunch, heading to a restaurant that Clare’s host brother had recommended and that she and her friend Alyssa (who joined us) were eager to try. We took the metro to yet another new (to us) area, and it was cool to see some of the main thoroughfares blocked off for bikers and walkers (it being Sunday). When we got to the restaurant, it looked that we would be out of luck, not having a reservation. But, our luck held out, because a reservation of our size failed to show up, so we snagged their table out on the charming patio. We enjoyed a delicious brunch, and then it was time to part ways with Clare, who needed to go study.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_c0e1_e229_2593_2c76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYR8hwdwGOtHIBqCGCNDgtKwk1wPXGnAAkKOz0i9QNcZb3Cjg15cLOOXyaXqRGlK0I_2J0SOtUULmXwQB-Q2qtdknNiSyQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The four of us made our way to Cerro San Cristobal, a popular tourist site known for its gondola to the top, as well as a zoo, etc. Let’s just say that Sunday afternoon in November is NOT the time to attempt this. It was hot, the lines were long, and we just were not feeling it. So, we made our way back to our apartment to chillax. With its airy living room and a balcony porch the length of the apartment, this was not a bad place to hang out!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_ed96_b79e_1dbe_22cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQML8WLvevT5i66nhcEpTLIcCeYHpqI2v1ELEuID1ecKW80FbJ_VDHiB_ka7yBsTE_t4DFOP0m90IRaDpefcrPfnp6u" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We eventually walked to the nearby mall for a late lunch/early dinner at PF Chang’s (so many American chains at these malls!), and ultimately packed up and headed to the airport. We thankfully had smooth, uninterrupted travels and arrived home safe and sound early on Monday morning. We were ready to be home, but what a wonderful trip!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-56629472284107689012023-11-26T14:42:00.000-05:002023-12-15T16:43:36.477-05:00Seymours in Chile: Day Trip to Valparaiso <img id="id_3ca0_20a3_745f_a153" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRSgZ_lUwLemElak0sPoinBR10oVQzS8d7Lb0GrLk9m_ZWWjsn0VYcXsoZ_ZoIkeYS6GzoTtnFImPL71FfxqKnxGWSszw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Based on both Clare’s suggestion as well as the prospect of seeking cooler temps, we opted to spend our Saturday along the coast, in the city of Valparaiso. It was a very easy 90-minute ride on a very nice, two-story bus. The bus stop in Valparaiso wasn’t in the nicest part of town, but we quickly navigated to the local metro and ultimately the more touristy (and interesting) part of the city. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_ba92_7f38_ed1a_c84e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRzq6Qgpf_G_2mpBpql72Wq2WV7V0xFFs5Mm7EBGxYrkdP8s1ZE5req1FLnR0LR7vpnZZzZDZssKPiWnPrwktvKHwhHBw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1721_9654_f183_810d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTVtCT6fs24mlHnOhl2sCKQOAcbRMbwrHNRlj5XgSoBCY9KEh60jgFtQYPEmdGRCQwcgT9FHMT69An_jAZYm1rs5NdH" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">One of the first orders of business, once we had arrived, was to find some lunch. We took one of the cool funiculars up the steep hills and found an Italian restaurant that faced the coast. It didn’t have the advertised pizza, but we managed to get a good meal anyway.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_619a_2e07_bf67_c957" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRMyAg5_koJGEF2Apvq7l7AP9mGJxRJ1CBYDB531QeXXT6RJ3qcogNHHUUK4WUbGuFFzgUTO-VxeD7geb45Hhzn8cHtAA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_686_608d_590b_79f5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYR0g0IpWDPhW5dJifQgszMHhKxhcIkRWZCPqINwfZYhGw8sLRsjOcOTsaJypxPIsv8VJ_Qg6Ek75FbkFOPhB5MABGFi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">After lunch, we made our way back down to the city square where the walking tour that Clare recommended congregated. The tours are offered without paid tickets, relying solely on tips that we pay at the end. For a two-and-a-half hour tour, that’s a pretty interesting premise - but it was one that paid off!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_2d9f_11c4_e518_ac67" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRD6mdec_9_PjazUh36YV3E-JHNFA7SXnSOPm2Zg2yhplJxT7HIUrwR6q2BP2_svnnnkBI3cL6YRiNV3WHfQqPa6rCnPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Our guide was engaging, charismatic, and knowledgeable. We learned about the history of the port in Valparaiso (which is a very big city, by the way); some of the political history; and a fascinating focus on the extensive amount of murals. All five of us really enjoyed it - it was unlike anything we’d done thus far.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_f071_67_6074_caeb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQTeoWvNshavXR9qA-BhB2aP9lvmSMoZq2cBCdZRPGQ5tGGH_dS5KkzYx-C5TE25TBpepOpV18qvfQgviWsfjFgvrD3QA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d2d1_78e9_a145_cbd0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTFmRmqFy4DMS_5jE7bjb3o6-IEq5S0oYn_QsilD8aBrZoyXDLyIKsViiA1ascyeNx9GrlpwiTtEzMhUcdy3cNtWiueGg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We treated ourselves to some of the delicious gelato offered throughout the touristy area, and then boarded the bus back to Santiago. We might have missed our original stop, but navigated our way pretty easily and concluded the day with a delicious pizza dinner at a bustling restaurant. A full, great day!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_f470_628c_6d8d_409d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRxyT1Rqv7862obFGca-tf4ed0QFlqb7tbehiyC8UbxrNIzeEEwXF0sqzjXURaxascmgCGRkoqIG1oX3JojXT-8r32c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-16977748450257095282023-11-25T16:28:00.000-05:002023-12-14T16:29:11.068-05:00Seymours in Chile: Santiago Part 2<img id="id_5f33_7900_2574_a0a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQUKxYGblB-ViDfVKeGUGXPrONmMRUnHuoJ8QCaYOjIEGWXnsZZvDjbuvRlyRHHOiJyS2NkKz9D10pIQiOtMMnMkiG10g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The day after Thanksgiving, Clare had school, so it was a great opportunity to meet her there and see where she spends so much of her time. It was also a great opportunity to sleep in and start the day a bit more slowly than we’d been able to do thus far.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_800c_dd6a_44f9_5df4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYR25QZ3LWZd9J4bqeiwn8L5PWh3GcmdwWQ3mRI-3sc3qDDECIobh_o147UfAtrw2tCE4__zNKTnP-LiYOmUSZ1mPwSw2g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We successfully navigated our way via the metro to the San Joaquin campus of Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. (It was helpful that the metro stop was right across the street from the school.) We timed it perfectly, and Clare came to find us and showed us around. Just like seeing her host family’s home, it was so great to get a visual of her school life. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_c718_827_9415_b6e0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYR2idEd81elvKrQqRlYSdx59j1nEPFAWT6_SxUBz4jfSxvyLDiNky8gZgvmsCYpIa2ovVewMYQoRUgqeimaYsLGsafG5w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">From here, we split into boys and girls. The girls, directed largely by Laura’s interest, headed to have lunch at Wonderland Cafe. Clare had been once already, and raved about the delicious tea and the incredible decor, all inspired by Alice in Wonderland. We had a great time.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d15e_3e2b_a335_927" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQzZ64fx8jf3an-AVYK6kGqgGjsiRdnHWmjzoc_PG5Ow6lt1zrM6LRtshaZ4XGSi5fOdMjB9VF9JNRhMuidzI8rzbfO9A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_2747_e035_5823_3ca" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRCrpYkqNlMGkr5u8FwxW3TZh4uClISc-XJZasoA9RFBvBACnTkrkiQHs_dJ_78EHnRbunzMonuYDmK55xC9-aZvND6oQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a4e5_11f0_634_93" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ7ukB9ZtI6wKeDdDuVAEBPbHowvJH_cYJ8EDCWErtbkhs2alMp4hrEE9ksp-mpyx5v32qHQAtFsAOP06RyS1eQ0s8Ezw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_685e_ae8c_8630_a3d2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTKgD1gPhm_FHZlm0rmYgwEj6N5IMyJ7IqRaRW32lerAMIuKw5SlMIaYxR4A1M9FwAGpJcZ7Gqdt45e_Qx7jpQV7lzrLw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The cafe was located a short walk to Cerro Santa Lucia, which combines park, panoramic vistas of the city, and historic buildings, so we headed there after lunch. MANY stairs were involved, but they were worth the views!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5ce8_9d52_6e04_8e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSWObvIhzGCiGHeDrEtLt5OBNsJI1LWw5yINhjJsK9GNaIqSvl-pRUT4uyJgifZrbfJwBM1kQU9dMsuWY1ph9nvSTygPQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_bacb_75c4_f918_f65c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSoPTviPBVQiiI46D55LfrpkJzeWta8kiZ3TvkZQOJCvkcqSQBXhGYbVa34-9k6oPj5o_0M8kG-2AONS6QE1E9O79Nd7Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">From here we headed back to our respective home bases so that Clare could get some clothes and catch up on some work.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_7fba_6662_640c_3d37" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTmIa2sa-7O707YgwoF3eFiM9l0MIF6sOx2driQoZ2qFBMv1ZJYAC-W3s9SQoHKW7LCFpno_d4UHop42pv3zEZkZ4Ubrw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Meanwhile, the guys covered an impressive amount of city sights throughout Santiago. Not everything was open, but they did manage to take an official tour of Pablo Neruda’s home, which earned Danny some brownie points with his AP Lit teacher. They also found their way to Cerro Santa Lucia!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b2e4_93db_7c9_d1d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRJWUiX9ZXEJ5E3EHCVJ-rfKm1_HaOJ2T7hPnLeL-AmNTiuRnR_jh0GLAXvtsROzDv4lB0yRYr31pXAQOZVw5XcY9PwTw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_440f_3fc6_9b78_386b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTLxbTiCPD7Cs91yuHgj9uua9lNyQ5RPXEliBPvHdNGqJJeoA61iHg5FstOIBHNo8CDatQ8f7m8ZA-H1qHF2xwfHahD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f01f_abd1_1a5d_79ab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTz77hsIajXaBefN5HcFriKqYpjuFWfvLXW2wF0E02pld8248LDlI4Wq_vDVM8Ntx1h29byvV_2Cz5g1QVb4haKJyxA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_cf5_88d7_f3af_a3c9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTAwjTIFIe_vH9uFLWUohSl1GjRBqBOTzCH4sm_ldWwctWN_IYB-9-bWMpjKU-2dSIwKGxYmwfuWhm-V9gHev_3lOuH" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We ended the day together with a delicious, if slightly quirky, dinner in an as-yet-unexplored (for us) part of the city. Although we thought we had reserved a table at this restaurant’s acclaimed outside patio, we wound up with a table that placed us on display for the indoor patrons. While it was a bit odd, it led to a lot of laughs, too!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_367d_738a_699a_19d4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQQ1j5moX6A-roMnkaryzsV4p4GqqQSucaB0WS8ZbKKsgS58GeZ5jU8XmxSexfjmBba6UvApEFii_8ORpZVmt3DCH_B" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_24d6_ef4e_949_dd7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTYIYBXHpFfHeuXiDFXc514paQ1O0dZX7BW-K73Fgu0daT5yXyOy1KgkMTqe9I4EEbWTgWjr3jp7TjOL1r1gRe6nAIQfw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-11309281838079120022023-11-24T17:32:00.000-05:002023-12-13T17:33:04.661-05:00Seymours in Chile: Thanksgiving<img id="id_20fe_248c_5c66_3d5d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQIpt8cIuMZqOw5B6N_VYy8NvGOOX-MJx9toLrvvHW7zIjTB38j1TzAefLPYLr3tNwGXPnUb9jWZJrWyjGlavwTsKt7SQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We returned to Santiago the morning of Thanksgiving, just in time to celebrate with Clare and her ND classmates at her host family’s house. Although we had anticipated that our Thanksgiving in Chile would be far from traditional, it turns out the ND kids planned and executed a classic - and delicious - feast!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_1f0f_ca29_924a_9197" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYRIApQcbt754ChaHD6j8xn8NMWN0Qj3NHEOX4a4kWqMMe6BNg60AT80mNwv1C5x5hDRFgGYsvOAP4P-TJhAFiwNQ3a0eA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Since they had school that day, we gathered that evening. The weather was sunny and lovely, so the outdoor space was the perfect place to party. Nearly all of the students came, plus Felipe, the liaison between ND and Pontificia Universidad who was tremendously helpful as Clare navigated the engineering courses. It was a very merry group!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_fb63_8bd3_be5f_b693" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSPZZCx-oXmJ9bBblk6Xbs54mDL4YHLHaZ5CMqfbuRCyZKTaAcnM703sf6pBmQFHaRL9umR3sqrQd2bRnpO-SW5kz-yHw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Pancho (Clare’s host brother) was determined to spend more time talking to us, which was nice but also challenged my Spanish speaking skills. Fortunately he was happy to do most of the talking!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We ended the evening with full hearts (and stomachs), grateful for the experience of both family and new friends.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-68429540935121354662023-11-23T14:34:00.000-05:002023-12-11T14:35:25.564-05:00Seymours in Chile: Patagonia <img id="id_7973_66f2_5508_9bb7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCxa_exdvV-GdW77Oar0KyjTDs2OHZ0nq8ZhjKlXcxmrEypYgKP_4FB-R0bjgpgaVuB5Xbc-iwDn2lDOF6E-0z66cEwqw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Bright and early on Monday morning, the four of us headed to the airport to fly to Puerto Natales in Patagonia. Chile is fascinating in that it has such a wide variety of terrains, and although it doesn’t seem like a huge country, it was a 3-hour flight from Santiago to Puerto Natales.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">You could nearly see our resort from the Puerto Natales airport, so that was a blissfully short drive once we arrived. The Singular was a five-star experience in every aspect, and a really interesting facility, too: It’s a converted factory from the 1800s, and the architect was careful to preserve as much of the original footprint as possible. Lots of glass with views of the brick and antique equipment beyond. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_2c88_82a2_430c_5dbf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBcMLgOkJmHGsFYfnrmJlE4oyg6XWK68bAtxQot1hSea-VLYADL2X5JmJIPEzsdQWq3Bv4lzsGSqEszwQZ6VvGxVhlO-g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">And our rooms! Each had a picture window overlooking the Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope) Sound. Breathtaking. However, our rooms weren’t ready for us when we arrived, so left our bags and took a taxi into the town to get some lunch and wander around. We had a delicious pizza lunch, based on the recommendation of the concierge at The Singular, and then we poked around the various shops - at least, the ones that were open. Turns out they embrace the siesta concept I’ve always associated with Spain. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_bc3d_bfae_2626_92e5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAmiDfo55A1jyFZ-L-3ycyROgD5bTwLaC_0K0l6x7UjT2PR3vQShkIiOl9sC_Chshh0vhQ25MLd9NyQlmNCevHM-YAllw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_944e_f62e_ef00_9f28" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAeAEuv-4mY6WLQ4DgIbW94k7f855zuvd-DgmOd7zvbxAysktWP28LemxKAetBRWJdnqJYcBzD0PEKUw3Wi5mpeWlHT4A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Eventually we opted to walk back to the hotel, which took about 45 minutes. It was a lovely day, and a nice way to get some fresh air. We then indulged in the fabulous showers that each room offered, and ultimately made our way to the fireside lounge and dinner.</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4429_bd5f_9822_bd37" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaD3zXvy8GYSeTmicFnvyNdE-WmfzeulPssMCKaJ-xEar473-knKitR3x5QFA6I10VlgUtooh-UNTnkKSF1kDx_z-r3JJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The next day we set out on our first of two excursion days, this one with all four of us. The plan was that a guide and driver from the hotel would take us on two short hikes in the Torres del Paine Park, with an alfresco lunch in between. The park was about a 90-minute drive from the hotel, but it was very picturesque, and we saw wildlife including condors and guanacos (a native Chilean llama). </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_42b4_212b_1d03_de17" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB0DVpSf6JET9Fjb7a4RL3kqak61CfnMTvu9E02ZqMhYMM8QYduO_05sNT3ylbnGas-Cgj8tAt-wtJFPK-s_88i_gcsJw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We quickly navigated the first hike, and Nico (our guide) told us we walked about twice as fast as his groups normally do. This is probably a good time to mention that we were definitely the youngest residents of the hotel! Since we weren’t quite ready for lunch (which they had already set up for us picnic style), they swiftly packed it up and we headed to our next hiking destination, about 30 minutes away.</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_c93e_de42_22c1_627a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCEjc71G2JIv1nYhmHMR8wGZJRQ4ZT-JnBUtN9ei8xbh7vBODrrfs_aDU0rAGbvEf0OlO7M9fcrznDUfHaJCZUZUj3gbw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7da8_5293_7952_8093" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB-WBjJjAYG_sd2stbkdvWjGbBO8jBM8_iJGFiHSMPkkFC-4AsT4qG4m8bGrgjraDJSxWOagqOsP5rOlaQkyaOA0TZ5NA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It turns out this was far enough away to have different weather - the wind had really kicked in, and Laura was not a fan. In fact, it was so windy that they park rangers shut down the trail, so we weren’t able to do our second hike. We walked a few minutes to see a beautiful waterfall, but it was VERY windy and chilly, so we did not linger. We made our way back to the hotel, stopping for a couple of scenic views along the way.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_8193_7dd8_5f48_43b8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC5ExGsm-z_CyV_q1YWmZ6gmbDkkPWzhyfvXg0fP6kC4vnFq5LskeZPPlklQpSc648fjVuMx6zTMSwagjV3oCRON-i9" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Since we returned early, Laura and I headed to the spa pool, which was really cool. It was set along a window overlooking the sound, and there was an indoor/outdoor component that we both took advantage of. From there we had another luxurious evening in the fireside lounge and dining room.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_a8d_45c0_93ef_131e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCsUYMuJMWx5fygNaWJmX7Df-nRaczyAh4hi2-tZ0Ixz35RbI88odXu3abQyAgnmy9ci4nl7QZM1b8Vl7LcNLQ7-SZF4w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For our second day of excursions, we split up. Tim and Danny set out on an ambitious 16-mile hike in the Torres del Paine Park, on a quest to conquer the base towers. Laura and I, meanwhile, set off of a catamaran to sail through the fjord and see glaciers - with a barbecue lunch on a ranch (or estancia) on the way back.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_308b_70a4_237f_686c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC0Vz7edkRXbqkzl9JbVnNF2mZ4BlSYiCik8mGsSp3qu9BxGBAkwpIIFhhW_pdcPWan7MaOIvPNCNvUh-tdv36comuU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Thankfully, Tim and Danny got a gorgeous day for their hike, and while it was extremely rigorous, they did it and were rewarded with some stunning views. This hike was a portion of the W Trek that Clare and her friends did on their spring break back in October, and it gave us all much more appreciation for the intensity of her experience. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e6d3_7a86_dd8f_e70b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB_jGh8R4YUBwF3gJnm1F74R17hDH2oulOLxWTOMWjChx9KNfUYzgWojB60qeP8TfJTpqMclpAfuJ138wH7mBgl33r3fQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d966_bd10_318f_b48f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBjDqBxAOHiTaG3IUQ4j7yvloGvA65srcxinjWOnidhxZQZN3GSBpv4_FTTSHJHJYOKbqvojGqJLi-14O5aCPrSadRQqA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_c7e2_bc34_b37_8d3f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAwLEqVasfZgFCMqSKagFL2zEY8d6msN-d78H5L3Nmx8Iz2r17AdiJC4tHSO31H-wNfsafoUymD50yIyLQ-g9sEEgYvEg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Laura and I also really enjoyed our day, making friends from our hotel on the boat, getting up close to a pretty incredible glacier. The barbecue on the way back was absolutely delicious, too - Laura gobbled 4 lamb chops along with a chorizo, much to the amusement of our hotel friends/table mates.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_c8f9_7cce_f50e_3713" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDWRUKkoA0Shu6nPlqCkVeaLp-qWZsr3GLCMu9yK5Fdjiu7pU4rbwDd-nScf7Gi_ODh9RwFjhZ2mgDUB2iamq3V23AW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3eaf_8078_5e25_1367" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCcbGxbZBKzfy_D9KX74qYKhC1ctUa40rYwvmXyiyJdmFgsj5zhRqc14MXoOJ3TKSSDnV9_Yds1Df1RmvKP6d4pBcM-" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We enjoyed one final evening of dining at The Singular - and Laura enjoyed some celebrity as our table mates came up to meet the guys and to thank Laura for alerting them that they could, in fact, order lamb chops despite them not being listed on the menu. (We got that tip from our first guide.) We all agreed that Patagonia was a pretty spectacular place!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-44259161945013424892023-11-20T14:36:00.000-05:002023-11-29T14:36:42.616-05:00Seymours in Chile: Santiago Part 1<img id="id_5712_c923_54fc_6370" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCL_l95xOIw5uGfEtoFQl9OWUjUZho68bMHe6ILLHUu35-MB9DskRz2n-tEay7w1ceSVTTVtPsslrT2Loi0XGcnZsbRqw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As soon as Clare committed to spending the fall semester of her junior year in Santiago, Chile, we decided we would visit her for our Thanksgiving break. Partly because this is a good time to go as far as Danny’s and Laura’s schedules are concerned, and partly because Tim has fond memories of his parents visiting him for Thanksgiving during our semester abroad.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Given that Chileans don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, we knew Clare would have limited time to spend with us during the school week. So we chose to break our visit into three parts: A weekend in Santiago, a trip to Patagonia for a few days, and then a few more days (including Thanksgiving itself) back in Santiago. </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We departed Atlanta on Friday night, and arrived in Santiago bright and early Saturday morning (it’s about a 9-hour flight). We went straight to our Airbnb, a condo on the 12th floor of a building overlooking Araucano Park. Clare met us here, and we walked to the nearby (and very nice) mall for some food. After that, we hopped on the metro and explored some of our surrounding Las Condes area.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We returned to the condo for much-needed naps (or homework, in Clare’s case), and then ventured out again. This time we wandered to an artisan market and then grabbed drinks and a snack at another mall. Santiago takes their malls pretty seriously! We enjoyed beautiful views of the Andes while we sipped and chatted. From there Clare went to a friend’s birthday party, and the four of us returned to the mall near our condo for an alfresco dinner. </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Sunday morning we met up with Clare for a great breakfast in a swanky part of town (El Golf), and then headed out for more sightseeing. We had some time constraints, as we would be heading to have a late lunch with Clare’s host family at their house, so we quickly realized we didn’t have time for Clare’s proposed outing. We hopped back on the metro to explore something closer…and that’s when Tim’s wallet got stolen. Thankfully he still had his phone, so a few quick phone calls/app visits canceled the cards. Overall it wasn’t that disruptive, but it did rattle us for a bit. Nevertheless, we rallied in order to be in good spirits for the big meeting with Clare’s host family (and we had to go buy wine!).</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_9f8f_21df_a9fc_7e0a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAj-zXffoPT0qkyscsyszrzG0KaqQJ2KvapYb5AozifRKh_9z2y9O4XCKPFMbcq9IwkDp3vEE0YVekarKz0W-MGblku" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Clare wasn’t certain how this meeting would go, since language had the potential be a big barrier. Turns out more of her extended family speak English than she realized - and Danny and I made good efforts with our Spanish, too! We met Carmen, her host mom, and Pancho, her host brother who lives with Carmen; Francisco, the dad (and Carmen’s ex-husband); Mida (?) and Martina, the host granddaughters; Teri, host daughter, and her husband (can’t recall his name); and a random neighbor! We sat outside in the enclosed patio area and had a great time getting to know everyone a bit. We also got to see Clare’s room, etc. - it’s always nice to get a visual on where people live!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_9d26_8e7d_4ff_7e23" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCKbCFCoyCUCCV0HUcFbFkcKKfxLch-r75pB_iORy_SylE7oanA7LhIXov4k7PA0sPFqd0wp9xQ13Jcl0sg_KZCsIc4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c24_4350_c84b_3743" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBiQ4UAItE9gZkDVNVmRFfAiSFV1iWklm8FM5TCf2va6k4h9cOCNsjkFpa1Xn6m228IG_isxsVXVq7WAqeXV2wclYcW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Things eventually wound down, and we made our way to Sky Costanera, the largest building in South America! We headed to the top for some pretty incredible 360-degree views. Several of Clare’s fellow ND students decided to check it out as well, so many photo shoots ensued. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_63b7_45e2_6e24_cbe9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDa1o_IiqWupbuyQ1iUXIYJWyns0Pr8M0MR6lvZQA2FskgCwmzSwLJ7CHDYZsq2bBGOJnz9AMMSpwpmyFVvnteD_y_4Yg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ba52_85a4_878f_5b43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBH8gI32yxxONJkisJeZgaRGR6Jab79P9Rh7MVenxmVUUs7gYS3vHPYNTLRkY-SrqJ4P3YMc3Jrz9uMiUAuKSQ41YNxHg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Eventually, the five of us made our way to a nearby French restaurant for a delicious dinner (and record-breaking dessert consumption). From there we parted ways until we returned from our Patagonian adventure!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-38873330701974791272023-11-06T09:16:00.001-05:002023-11-06T09:16:12.053-05:00Danny’s Junior Year HOCO<img id="id_33a9_5b7_e7aa_5a40" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDuCNmT3nyJk_hno4ZhC5H4mXJa1ozWdaRDxAvWqgANknsxbImwwdXUlLIgN_s3Wk-_A4IVJzqARgIzgGS7pDXhsi5l" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">While this year’s picture party before the Homecoming dance was at a different house, it was overall a very similar experience to the past two years. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The common thread throughout the years is this group of terrific guys and close friends:</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_7c1f_41a0_66a1_4a7e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCRS6yQ9nbV0g75vjgCrlhbjWuUnWEFmL7arQSL4abVK2Z1dY4_GHq3VaFxwe5_Jx3Q8hrDKX6yqUJAlopKshRPEo8qSQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>Danny took his friend Kiley as his date:</p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e4a3_3010_4689_8a89" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCynuGdK02nQfrRCuathslAK7OeUUHc2liIsXAnybOCPnSLik7frDPlp2kS5qmrSma86WoWZ8YIJLBjcyJRfiY3zDogrA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br>And humored his mom for a photo as well:</p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_fc42_e99c_622e_df23" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAkTEJngnC4QDRyhPz7TnElTYflo8iSuHkC4g2LhwKi_z-zepdFWzXLScIg4_a-oVBbPSYycD7THJ3DeHtDbJ3f_omZ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Danny had a great time all night, reporting good music and fun with friends. Hard to believe he just has one more!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-17769015993717308022023-10-31T22:48:00.000-04:002023-11-15T14:48:37.830-05:00Halloween 2023<img id="id_9c1e_18da_c42e_dc93" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCBaaMvYxX9JQ62hXlj1YNp6sIBrfOgYgCWdghnFR_cZZ4OxAQnh9CVPTzmCff68640C3zn1HEKLd8AvgTnGHi17DTLgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>It was a somewhat quiet Halloween this year, falling on a Tuesday, but a good time (and gigantic candy haul) was still had! Laura chose to be a Minion to complement Meghan’s Vector costume, and Steve Miller rounded them out as the perfect Gru. Fortunately the weather was chilly, so her cozy costume was perfect!<div><img id="id_ada3_14cd_e3d4_41e3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCXREeukdL71qyV-PzPGfhdsoXIxjT84xjkRqTPR-GXOmApOMwSXxhfL4gSe7ZFbg9t7E7-As6veSnyeh03tLg5wX9F" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>As usual, I carved a cat-o-lantern into our pumpkin (procured at our local Home Depot a few weeks earlier).</div><div><img id="id_9c00_b44c_63a2_6323" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC5FiBuBb708hwdoePZp8ii7wCzkcQQ83qvpWNGmmK0mVcm7bsGKzugtceuTIHpNQysJBedwH7SMCZPVT-pWA2BZBCuLA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4af3_fd4c_92_b30b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCkLW3PkHsOiSbBcNBFbT39ZAEVxCeWOyO_Nkp9PZYqpe1N_iWRblZdpJoiAoVjywTapb4fAl3WqmsyJO7mz-lbm8A2Hg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-62548442553918813002023-10-06T14:09:00.000-04:002023-10-13T14:09:43.043-04:00Laura the Volleyball War Eagle<img id="id_5473_68f2_1aec_aac5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDJnzar6PvWfVm8whrvumxxUgOlsljD97XD3NDBqOhCnbMM0sl3zQArZd_3MvQjhNpGXEZDqdzV7-DpLONm1kEKNgVJiA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Although Laura had not played on a volleyball team since the fall of 5th grade, the threat of running cross country at Marist proved enough motivation to secure a spot on the Marist MS Volleyball team! Okay, perhaps some raw talent helped as well, because a number of girls did not make the cut. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_4993_3674_67ad_2007" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDu9ZbN4c3PObK6vDww4ECZDDsS444GKRE44wa3PUZ5Zb7PnjXCob7wJNj3QNI75v9tiJrZSIDwEH5A5lsoK6f_LyTYbA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">She was one of the least experienced girls on the team, but as the season progressed, so did she. She went from a less than 40% serving accuracy to greater than 80%, and her confidence on the court grew in equal measure. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_db37_c0fc_47d4_a7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC-AfmYW90FY6LFJFJQw_w6nQCy154obnnfoYC_VLJNVCuM29mRZN0VKQr6myzRZt4U6SMfS5vkO5JnNK40vvcCNbps" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">She balanced all of this with her somewhat significant soccer commitment, all while adapting to a new, definitely more rigorous school. We are really proud of her, and had fun watching, too!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_3cdf_4e84_5814_2e21" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAb7-cpYmEQNnlItzcNqDcJoryumZh_0ABjD01n9_AV7Q4tRHXyxXCQnUfFdy_2CzpqDa9DI6xFa1YiITZlyQGzidx5lg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-45531195792736183042023-09-19T10:56:00.000-04:002023-09-29T10:57:31.119-04:00ND Weekend Minus One, Plus One<img id="id_cf14_49ed_c8bf_15bf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaD_dZsimY3cQAqsG_9XWSOLAYgxjU7N_MPIZsBLdmnznNiy5CsFxFulgM1PfXK8WJ-AZne9JZhDCqjMz7hkUnE24qMi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When we first knew that Clare would spend her fall semester in Santiago, I dismissed the idea of going to a football game. Laura, however, quickly put a stop to such a notion. After the last two years, she is a fan and didn’t want to miss out. Didn’t take too long to rally last year’s troops (minus the grandparents, who will hopefully reconvene for the senior year blowout). We also added a buddy for Danny - his friend Cam.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_76d9_de05_1208_4079" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCmxKyRQAacM3EaQLC9f9o4mIPgCas7y90dpXL_7zBQMPDGkJwN0A609lneov0sH0HzOToqVlV9phiVZxCX2PBOZ5iIMg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8f3c_e4e9_5998_24ca" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAgCE0JdXHpucn1qq_kJQXapwXizvx12F9d3Zd_UeksBGqq32UORW_W0K1OODBiuRy2z0CvOepls-Ddjk81JEM1vma1bg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_dfe0_7400_42da_c314" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBDm9DwZiRQBKkSR1quHEhblJk2jOk1hdLgUfMM45pxzUgZDXIaJjSFnROLkgXZqVbXar0brVvLAZzA3OS4_t_MyN_b1w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Danny and Cam met up with their Marist soccer friend Fligg and crashed with him Saturday night, which was a good change of pace for them.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_ef44_d2_e894_f88d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCfahYgxxnMvBfiuwqt5cNvDLlA0DuoGbkIPNGslFc1SEnUq2ITvsQClwiDaoiZuTOYW0a0XM_Jer7HvuoX6xthqnG7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_133e_9243_c1e5_1708" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaD_G75tSXp1WViU3VgxwVzMCRCGAJAVK2s5rpjXoC8CBHvmkTnnqWhcCpM5x9hOc3FpmJagIVPLnBYgeBPK52IAtOqEJQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_804f_b5fe_f574_e5dd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaD84J_woxdDCaiY_44s6lZg-Q7zJPH1nwoXfdiVd90NlkWyCYtiyKaqZXfvS20aHIW3D1dIQNa5x286HHEDOqFtqJpS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_c17d_8021_678b_c62d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAfa3zan_hdzVk7Ka6BJK_Q-cqw3cMYya8vfw-LU4g0EaS7Z3Ker-62W0rsN0RmboM5Xs6tsRWE8n823J0bLl0_3EXh5w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Meanwhile, adding Mallie’s daughter Sarah to the mix was fun for Laura and Quinn.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5b4c_dc3b_e48d_49c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCXAVGPxsaPdWx-DEAKLFylaj42cmM5YWGfr4nDm2Vs42qBgBa7oTs_yL-NEaDy_09N9_CcWycpMCUElgBGloqkov5e" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_729f_2fa2_308b_f85a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBz8-m4YvsaD0uVtcIZy_l6u1HoySArG85k91SyahtmwAHy7_481fvZOnWfR-cI9wmz3yjsDkeJdEKlluEyqWYjig6S" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Since Marist had no classes on Monday, we took this opportunity to stay so that the boys could take prospective student tours. This made for a lovely and leisurely Sunday (a.k.a. my birthday). We went to mass at the Basilica, lunch, bookstore, napped (we moved to The Morris Inn for Sunday night), and then had a delicious dinner at Rohr’s. My kind of celebration!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_81b0_f367_faf5_7671" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCl21T98xiDAbKuN5XV1pSJ8BNecuLQTAkMAsRVvL6lqUIwssxmnvZq4vz2m7rrk0WrKusYVgJYpRBh2ZwP8JN2s7VZHQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Monday was a picture-perfect early autumn day, absolutely ideal for a tour. After an alfresco on-campus lunch, we made our way back to the airport and flew home. In the end, it might have been a bit too much ND exposure for Cam, but I think the rest of us thought it was just </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-39842066928998235282023-09-06T07:43:00.001-04:002023-09-06T07:43:39.989-04:00Labor Day Weekend in HHI<img id="id_1d1c_32cc_3196_62a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xA2N1PcVWXdXKOiPre4QEVfc06LWO3SGFjCwCjndPr5UIqhX5OG0TEhsZWC45khUCosYDAX9JTF_TcKAd2DEG13CENjA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">After a summer with an unusual lack of travel for our family, most notably for Laura, Tim and I decided a quick trip to the beach was warranted for our Labor Day Weekend. The kids only had Monday off, so we chose Hilton Head as the closest option. While the water is never our favorite, much like in July 2020, the destination fit the bill perfectly. (But seriously, the jellyfish situation is the worst.)</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_a704_1888_97c0_c65e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zdkd_y4Ckm9m4TqZtyAknKbIaGjoUHXUBL_OmHaHJr9bab5iebJyk7s1LbL_1euz8r5Vg5wTpq15Az5p798T4um5lK-A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_48ee_160d_8af3_d591" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yQKxHTRscv0fbJNA17RViKhLEirCFnNCuWGYR9Z-L6Zlod4LqkQ--dRXqHJ6TUDOMCiIO9EvhI3ourPgsv8ATVMdKIgA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Danny brought Luke, Laura brought Meghan, and we set off after school on Friday. As usual, Tim found us a great place to stay, this one a condo on the top floor of a five-story complex. The views were gorgeous, the walk to the beach brief, and the pool even closer. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_54e0_230c_b832_8a45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-z67W37j48FSAiOqtcHP0gzAOSx3hdMH5QWoDbNGEyzjoTAVDv_3Xz3gYZxxuXO1fl7ZXFzeTKd7yvhv_J9gLU87gEHwA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f816_7799_278d_8019" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yA7dhmhRUDS2X-i6cL8uy6MsGYL-L2iBZI5Ynd32AxxrfO4uBt9INTti9m1a7RAXRjlO6KGNFpQNf5sFKXFNihWse3ag" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We beached, we pooled, we watched football and soccer, we ate, we played board games. The guys golfed on Sunday, so the I took the girls to a mini golf and arcade place just down the road from us - and we topped it off with giant ice cream cones.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b557_e537_69d1_f01b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zgZrylVcMwA6JQz-O7HYZo2n4X1AGrLgf-Viku4KsYDhgA4iIYcN_E6Yg9iTg5vr-oynjNfgjYgyTrxdnvcpQG05ge" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8af1_17c6_9825_c5dd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xCJeOeZdburoAJswoAC9TmgG6TimQWSBs5IvNwfPPFd2DFdqS-y2urF8pOIEuK1Qo2dxc6oFmqFiY5VRKmniIeJrMw-Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ffb7_194a_ca2_3759" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-y-q505scYMFIbwlfF6MaKu0i0J1VC9zKinJICzuRtjvQBd8kRjgpRGlKmx9xvtcLFzZdpv6Q2cN7En9ZUNhIN8EsDCIQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Monday morning came quickly, but I think we all felt as though we had truly gotten away from home and relaxed.</span></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-25071262959025299532023-08-18T11:26:00.000-04:002023-08-23T09:26:39.601-04:00First Day TOGETHER at Marist<img id="id_67d4_66ca_3fb0_adf2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yhOfWHY_xIsHMBeipramiEvjfk-folSCDAVj52OBk5p_x8g-6v0sJhQVlbyI1VzY2-NHpZP5p5QcvZbFW0iVjg9XuxqQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As Danny begins his Junior year and Laura embarks on 7th grade, it’s a new era of me having very few carpool duties. It’s glorious!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Danny is busy and ambitious as he heads into a pretty important year of high school. And Laura is more relaxed and confident than we could have hoped, which is wonderful. Her time with the volleyball team has proven to be a good entry point, and I also just think she was READY.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">To celebrate this momentous first day, Danny woke himself up early and went and got them Chick Fil A for breakfast. That’s a pretty sweet brother!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_d1df_6384_ff65_f89c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zMmdPCaxre10h3zs3c3S5aqM7Jj7urFb--XyBW0UflEc3I7N1m1dV09NXwaypd12nb2g4EApYj4XnDR4M2kLft9Ew5GQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Here’s to a great year, you two!</span></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-25278241006094336212023-08-09T11:11:00.001-04:002023-08-09T11:11:21.142-04:00Summer Swim Team 2023<img id="id_e5c2_c5cf_3548_a31" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wkrAXPYRoOj0Inq6kdZBeVJmnu0SaURQYKoqWDoKocKbh_TlV3hW0blXUVjv8nHZ5Dpo-D1qlmBD5B4FQXnB0tcCN3mQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Yet another season of the Byrnwyck Blue Dolphins is in the books for Laura! This one was award-winning, too, as she came away as the Runner Up for High Points Scorer in her age group - and the first place gal is a year-round swimmer. If Laura put her mind to it, I’m pretty sure she’d be a pretty terrific swimmer!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_90f9_d162_9334_82c5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w0Por7n_-ZxVQbv1PyNe5v2i_uwNJezve4b9-iLakVYZ-o-tpMLfSVz9WXXuCS8rcgxdW656p3ZvHCFjp1zqrxeq3O6A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">But the important thing is that, despite the annual objection that kicks off every season, she and Meghan once again had a great time and made poolside memories with neighbors. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-70086739985289289012023-07-31T14:41:00.000-04:002023-12-19T14:42:04.145-05:00Christmas in July Returns to July<img id="id_ed5c_2fa4_a554_8d96" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTZe0lirZPM3f16ETwQ1zpeox20FBGr0c8wpsoooQyaMFkI1Ljr9cP9MqAVicJIm-k4LK6dF8tn0Ef4qfioaGSpJwrsyQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I’ve lost track of how many summers Laura and Meghan have celebrated Christmas in July, but I do know that we managed to work it into the actual month of July this year!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_bba5_f7c6_32b4_f90d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSzfEB36ng8lSarhfLO4ouQdVDlN597NsaqAWndS-UPEWi66S4dZUCs5WLaSoQZg0aXTLQv7ZD3v1m8TqwrTHrpElXQPQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I kept it a bit simpler this year, with in-home crafts and a new frozen hot chocolate recipe that was a crowd-pleaser. I’ve learned that the girls delight in anything, they just like being surprised!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_f5dc_f27b_f700_a979" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYQ8L0JsEsnX3PYqxYajhmi2kS9WLcno5MFmUIrrCn6TT4T0poKtoi-oMtxJ6QCDNJ88SapWyrhuj_koP4EjtpmnYqqO8g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Of course the traditional gift exchange, watching of Elf, and (now-traditional) fondue dessert made reappearances. Holiday or not, these two are pretty talented at making life fun!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-32731098618400257142023-07-01T11:00:00.000-04:002023-08-09T11:03:42.680-04:00Liz Finally Gets to Guatemala <img id="id_d7f3_2b4b_e7_a7f0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xQPNh5fCxmK2tZ8em2pOwD_1pP3m1ZCjxKuBCSfyAhAkzn8NW2p23li_IfbTpXSxk3SQeatj_F2wNQud_jQVir29RMGw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">This trip was 5 years in the making. Back in 2018, I was booked and practically packed for my artisan trip to Guatemala with Noonday when a volcanic eruption necessitated the trip’s cancellation. </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The following year, I opted to head to Ecuador, because I wasn’t sure how many times that destination would be offered - and Guatemala is a Noonday constant.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We all know what the next few years looked like as far as worldwide travel, so 2023 was evidently the time the stars aligned and I finally made it to this beautiful land.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_d5eb_acc2_413d_c758" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w4nClVZ87SI5epAG-J4fepKvt-TlmwDoltPj8lCliockBuNZLworEIG14NxML1ZVyyPX8-LERkE2OGyCxdDtI9hrWB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d159_9cb_9c35_cb1b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xLxNVN-Y05rUoXBRtgT_lBQqkyMHH_EC1d_mzNxw6c9duSfWocNQwg3cDFOmTFOC2gbLUs-tKFJGSlHDXFUM9-B9Lz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Honestly, the beauty is what took me most by surprise. Yes, there is poverty and crime. Show me a nation without those things. But there is so much incredible scenery, and geography - and of course the people.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_bde9_da64_602c_9ff3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wx2OOv5xbHJDbW2KedG3_JnepAGCWdMiaStxODu_lhPSxvEt8Zcjl4FGT-xBrsAjVzl_NFwXn2szzKvRzd7QACnWe6GQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_65ee_9a34_d48f_5246" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yfBny5DuKgv5Q510FPILaVTsG6IQ4-dhKgZCfvkTI48qthctSlRhARS_kpSEH3lBSVjZKOgwMVM7slK6i1Vk8Uf_mSgA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_cadf_3b7f_a292_1fca" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zeR_7G5qaC9Q2bsv3jzqV-zElY68GCiCzHLaSMPRkr4JV0Oayavck-aoevoDArLbpT0TsUW7WuZTMAL0BmCBwQic7M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a406_2da5_1cf2_4f16" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w7_Rw6uMU65iqZZPXITi7A5gdsag40KJP0ha5YOIR2dvZrH_MDK4a_x1Ele298t5hNIQPns4WrnhozkuaGxy-IxmQobw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e222_2a27_811a_fac0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wzmSYQMRsr6uWG6EdRy3bE-7ws5kfw044OZ6uZNsuWaeb7nOyztc8__iN1Uq8eIhyV6aA1nEnR2ewOHyKokvrfq2U1Gw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_503c_7188_af90_8ef9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zdBSMtYwGrTDzRBSt6UhxQyF59mrhtbqsINUgvq5d64_w3-3vDlv3IRR-z1zFXa4iO7WTM49coKcZu8IMqBHXq41gJuQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Between my fellow Noonday Ambassadors and the artisan partners we met with - along with all of the other natives we encountered throughout our stay, I was constantly surrounded by warmth and joy.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">On our first full day, we convened as a group after breakfast to get centered on what was ahead of us, as well as get to know each other better. We then boated from our hotel in Panajachel across Lake Atitlan to Santiago, where we were warmly greeted by Rosario and Alvaro, the brother and sister duo whose company produces so much of our beaded and huipil pieces. Our group divided into two, and we visited two artisan homes where much of the beading work is done. It was a treasure to see them in their home environments, and to see so many kids around, too (they were off school for an election-related holiday). It was also humbling to see how simply they live, and how grateful they are for what they have. We also got a look at new fall pieces being made!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_6a19_2079_a4ea_f853" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wpZH8d3c-5cpSeJbuZ01pCR5cJO8QnkW6UrVDc512-rM1bjTLtIUmE3RAHzYF3SVTT79CI4i9ny4mRku5rWpuy-V78-A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7b0_ad60_fcaa_742f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wf_-_CvkEo8lcKWVg-3uXdgvBdeAyVnWrQfLRSPZKR1gN1msgkJDPemO2Knk0zs1qBy_MhOF3_UISdOA8vX3eMMvWALw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5b7e_e73b_79e7_db79" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yjxq5g97DbqJaKYMzw-jg-zLTRNWITOZL-yz8IGqs6qxLL-XOytlEklRHnQlpNRQF_0snczJdLBiziCBW5kCjjuXFiQg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">After we returned to Panajachel, I lounged by the pool with a couple other ambassadors who I enjoyed getting to know, and then we were off to dinner.</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_b23f_5b87_5bc4_3f1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-ybsKUQqaTFyB5fvf558PgSzJvGG5YH2tl0FwxFmJlYZujUJqrQ7G_SNWN9XOD_dxxSzg6SgBRSFLBbf9K2nMWoKmSi7Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The next day started very similarly to the previous, with a group debrief session and then another glorious boat ride across the lake, this time to San Juan La Lago, which was absolutely charming. We had a line of tuk-tuks waiting to ferry us to Ana’s workshop, which Noonday helped her to complete just a couple of years ago. It features a lovely retail space as well as rooms for weaving, sewing, etc. While Ana’s story was not new to me, it never gets old to hear from her. She also demonstrated some of the techniques they use for deriving natural dyes from surrounding plants, and spoke about their processes as well as her hopes for the future.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_32d8_92b2_a54c_bc65" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-ydE2WYuIF651Y1s3iaTHJ3ZMTAGT2AgJ8j5UoqEgptO09-irTzvEBxsQNZcV7rIjcMDTu6ekXHCttPbgF3TDLHwmyE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b94f_15cf_c9a0_301d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-y4ltjeIDCK5GchbRr44WlaLqU4xY-HBbdtCS2PS78Di-Q1INWtUNUkcZCB8Gqv4oIw2LrOeqJM1LbPwrZL-3p-3ZzoUQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8d43_e012_5d8_f006" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yOqJYJ9ckHg7xM4CAAP5TWdtsCGASHTDioL44Gbzrvw7I8caNuRuDX-4EdavVVQK5Mjajcas0x5NFkk3njmnBZsVAG5Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1ae_9276_1c04_ddf1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xFT5wjUz4LhZzbQgzfvJkawI-uz_dxFr0ezA5yA2370Oz1it59IkCdfLAnNoRZztvOCglclYKshrVOJfhOlEwMNf_W" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">After shopping, we meandered our way to lunch. I discovered a fellow Catholic among our group, and she and I enjoyed checking out the church that we passed by on our way to the workshop - and just generally chatting. Lunch was in a renowned coffee shop famous among Noonday ambassadors, and after we had time to explore San Juan a bit more. From there we took our final boat ride across the lake. It was a bit choppy, which many of us found quite fun, and an impromptu sing-a-long broke out among us, featuring many 80s hits. We obviously sounded terrific.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We did some shopping, or in my case hanging at a darling cafe with afternoon cocktails! We then finished our final evening in Panajachel with dinner on the rooftop of an Indian restaurant, followed by a viewing of the new fall line back at our hotel. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_a013_9953_22b7_78bf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zQdq7Nupg5xcMKYl_0EFe4dzAcoIwcFZTySFGmYsnPm8z9n1iqMOQi6Rj6fGVcwb9sEaZONJVPG7wKJAnCuDyRHRSa" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9181_a30e_68a7_74e8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xDPoVRDvPvfpakvWIpRETooLIjeMkCx3A0RaJZtTB7veuGBR6idb_g6ajMF7GPsjvUIGTJ1nKp4njNiLW_AdkBmZ7XxA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The next morning we hit the road for Antigua. I was sorry to bid farewell to our gorgeous lake views, but Antigua was so charming! Our hotel was darling, with a gorgeous courtyard in the center of our rooms, and a rooftop that made for some stunning views of the surrounding volcanoes. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_b3f0_1a80_586f_8134" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wP-gaDPCLusI9p3fbOFBPeg4MdEAbIVLMO0DMCehn-weCN16byc-5Fq1dNpeb1Pt35GB8xf6y5Fxx1wxcUEcjXfLyQ8A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_11a6_fa0f_a601_b1bf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yFKHvhBkdibvieKhJ-Dgv8UVDLdn_e9Lg3PPho-BvxtHn27WSMl6KKrA98IwiWWufwP3YvWv8f2TrSZX1HR-wHQUHv1g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_87fe_9b71_f8e_13f3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w9Qys9A07Ws5PnA6JR7OXOUefLxLNOFu1k_qcqF08DCjt1MPSJeLqHRG6OBMqb4ls1azP7ZtAjnMZA-ekdHzDMtqU6Bw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Our time in Antigua was marked by shopping and connection. Sarah Z (fellow Catholic friend) and I explored the ruins of a nearby cathedral that were fascinating, and then she took me to the hotel where she stayed prior to the Noonday trip’s start. It’s set among the ruins of another church, and was so special. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_c543_7dac_e321_357c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xdcan8Pbw4nxBYt4ILCkjLKvCnKETH2yCHCu7qB1H7Xg9T2iYdlTpTJ1j8_ZUyNpiL5XDKpLvvp9aRCHgwUKrnAHDDEQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5a1e_9187_43ad_3a43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xZ6fnjFjfKnRDSoa4xxR87J64qOjBMOEQLjxHq6g_0c9g53e8TEcSxDtZWIS1MdA7QwK7XQoc7xEYdK4KMFp7G0xBD6Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c553_7523_82d3_f6e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xJ5465LXFm4lShOWDx8bySt20CVCQzp7kZ3Pvjn69SPWf6HBk4A_eeGeuO9xrwY2ik4nbrC765JDX6uDnFt2eOoT8ZPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">On our last full day, we were given our choice of three different excursions, and I opted for zip lining. It was spectacular! It was way more relaxing than I expected (with the exception of one terrifyingly steep and narrow ladder). The final stretch some of us opted to go “super man style,” and that was definitely the right choice. I’ve always said that flying is the super power I would choose, and this is probably as close as I’ll ever get!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_de5e_12bc_beb8_3dfc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-z_v5F2I_fol_h9_YyXdYJO0rNSgJt_WKsO2rXtIchD1PK1x15MvHjpKUFbpt478xm7Gr5FlyOC-mSFehPC3MBNEplcTA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b207_68b2_d3ed_e79f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zaPhUabYd3a2Iez-dEM-JGDy0ZxxR4iB4GbAPowPIi7vUA7ir1vxjH9LnFinzSWG9vKJAmPy3Wjgz_vgRYepj9ArzLFw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7e31_d527_806_d029" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-y019S1Cn5YsqkFqgj93o3FgvkoT-ns7x3KjVyzNuAKhqLBfYzXFPhPp33AxFvHbxCH6J3FJqZTwV6QejvLXH5lYigXcg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5e2a_75d9_3fba_dc95" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xnqPaAVV1qE6hT_ITp6lTGzN8x5v_HVYJzc9ar7FY158lZ4jWi5wAh5H33cNzGg7BbDwrmj1dpV2hjOcegSi7UKOpC-g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7b01_121c_c33_4745" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zHU7WS87Dw8Rlhz0RHCrDBWf4rJNbE-BK83XGgvbwwAlp7WNjZugpzv-VxVEnYtV50AMJ6ed52rcQELH3YZp_ptVMMEQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We had a fun photo shoot near the famed yellow arch, and a gorgeous final dinner at a nearby estate. A few of us opted for one more glass of wine after at a cute, tiny wine bar across from our hotel. I think we were all reluctant to end our time together - it certainly flew by!</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">While I went into the week with relatively high expectations, I would say it completely surpassed them. The country, the time spent with our artisan partners, and the ambassadors I met were all even better than I hoped. A trip of a lifetime, truly. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-81506542956424169302023-05-25T09:35:00.000-04:002023-05-29T09:35:56.861-04:00Another season, another sweet team<img id="id_1e94_676f_9f24_235a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pqjY9BqMLBFffEXFRrmVHBqwphgnguHMXRgJW2tkehDssJotCc-r7KxKZXYwzoyBJS47Q4MXJUQDy3aTI_PNVx2Aig" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I want to be very clear: club soccer comes with a LOT of drama. Like, novels could be written. But we have really been blessed with the families on Laura’s teams, and for that we remain very grateful. The past two years with Coach Mason have also been terrific, and we’ll miss him.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_db80_6ae4_1053_37f5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qHCUhLI3JOFUfK-Z6EFJBc0PCRd9bdxX_e4HJ3rz7pDeufWec9_EeM4_xYj4I48LrAvZhJAze3aBbOCeiu4CezPZyOqg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a25d_8b9c_e3da_92aa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pM31f-D4JZqG7yAcZ0ieWZqcPooP2dWbda3SRmORisyil5FMXOGmOogwSSuIFakFWPlgSi1OInGHpBCT1JA0HrT5W4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Every year shuffles the groups a bit, and we know next season will look a little different, and a little bit the same. Hopefully the memories and friendships will remain steady.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-27017495646865410502023-05-07T17:20:00.000-04:002023-05-15T17:21:10.080-04:00Danny Turns 17<img id="id_60c6_d4a8_3f4b_7c30" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81opnIvXBmfLLtxBBLKaZcaFAuxazjo02zNj5YajkrPYmK9KSOqmESRg7YP78WqNUQRZNeFILfq8WnhPzylGrWhJOB2NCw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When you’re a high school student, May 1 isn’t the easiest of birthdays. (Won’t be much better in college, either.) Exams, end-of-season this, that and the other thing make it tough to find time to celebrate. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Fortunately, Danny’s friends managed to find a Saturday night to get together at one of his favorite spots, Eclipse di Luna. While Tim sat at the bar and managed things from afar, Danny enjoyed ordering dishes for the lads to try - all to great acclaim. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_8de9_12b3_c10a_9627" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qGRvd_cgLTTV34Tmw2Ti8gZhetVwtt9X0RwN1c0U73hjekydKKhn6MuRxfX86_bpJATR_SadqDNszDfwrPZXrJTlSJuw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Afterwards, they came over to hang in the back yard. It was a lovely evening and they enjoyed dessert and conversation around the fire pit.</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The gift of friendship is the best one can ask for, and in that Danny is richly blessed. As are we in him!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_1495_8812_5504_27b4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q6KgSihAuNDd28TLIG86qyrGRZdU0aNbnl8skpdOTLin0nXIYq3TVzM1Q9mPxxG-7Tz17D-NJ2dyaf0e9p2d8kw6WZrw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">(Ted Lasso-inspired cake was served on his actual birthday.)</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-27669990628591229082023-05-01T05:13:00.000-04:002023-05-15T17:14:14.636-04:00Taylor Swift, a.k.a. Laura’s First Concert<img id="id_c4b0_a353_6dd8_1ee9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oLZ1MMnCJ7PuP-174u1GA1uYb-ZoYkivh32-GshuA_dUWxU4yPE7Zf094MbrbkbzQUPqh9N7VoCknAQHckjyWGgA3X9Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When all of the chaos went down surrounding the acquisition of tickets to Taylor Swift, I chose to stay far away from the fray. I remain very disenchanted with the cost of tickets to big concerts, and it felt like a whole lot of money to spend on something for Laura. It seemed an impossible task anyway.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_5540_dbda_edf9_bafa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rbMGGVQZQ4PxFse-n5kN2NrvaRAUDcTaY9rPqmd7RI3l63LLPXTTpNOWp6DZ-qv8ZfSCIINnkarug-e4eJ9CwguhgNgA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">About 10 days prior to her final Atlanta show, Luis reached out to Tim with 2 extra tickets, offering them to us before anyone else. We knew Laura wanted to go, and there was definitely a lot of hype that had us curious. The prospect of going with Deanna and her girls was enough to sway me, although I was admittedly uncertain about dealing with the crowds, the parking, etc.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_de83_7e75_bc78_d648" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rIeGXrL_LUWgRxFwToAoExJ3uHDEbIFYPme2UGOVDlYcVq4giGbmuAoGI9ilv8Tvu2JnrcLK8vFlxieEP5I4CXrELxAg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">It. Was. So. Worth. It. Not just because of Laura’s absolute rapture when she found out we were going. The show was truly epic, and lived up to every bit of hype.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_7563_d61f_5efc_1d8a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ot7oKPsKGiPHQWmAP4E7YEK5rWN8Go_iRxXoccwt4oF0yv67baoy08q2wl0FupSbD_7j8dtIz7Vxfzz6O3DVS_knhF-g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Turns out we had some pretty sweet seats that included a VIP, all-inclusive food and drink area. But I think what I will most remember is the joy of experiencing the performance with Laura, who sang her heart out. The light-up wrist bands, the packed house, the wildly enthusiastic crowd…As Taylor would say, this night was flawless.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-71290603593741886312023-04-23T07:30:00.000-04:002023-04-26T07:30:45.122-04:00Danny’s Confirmation <img id="id_70d0_5898_bbfb_60a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pKDMY7YaTAPdIL99smGMi9WYMeTPALEH8m2kPBY0mHBDaHPjYvyAKGcohZtjKf4CHHDDrUs-ZYHjGILfQBMLV3QySe7Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Life continues apace, and so do the major milestones! We celebrated Danny’s Confirmation in a lovely evening mass. Luis Franco was his sponsor (Danny actually picked up the phone to call and ask him!), and we were fortunate to have Grammy and Grampy join us for the occasion as well. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_4808_8a24_b3ad_3738" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oazcSmkbhzoWrSZW8MWQCFUxDjQPwbtEvFdGCcxvuCAOIERGp8ZI1tMIW3JUzdZjZJ4_Ba8pTEKZ4xxOI5rE59L78R" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9c40_94d6_f0f0_1d4d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qh7EbB1CNYxnkdjk-9ziBoolyk--MDE56RNJTQxSe51iJkkUt3hTgsQArfZoTkRFcINArSzIjSDDCQyXc5Apk-8OlIIg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Not pictured: the feast of ribs and cornbread we enjoyed the following evening, when we had more time. It was a lovely weekend, and another opportunity to give thanks for our many blessings.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-52363703041569414622023-04-09T17:31:00.000-04:002023-04-25T17:33:32.667-04:00One Last Spring Break with Laura & Meghan<img id="id_ce70_2556_d964_579c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81opOI6ZMp1qRqwa-yLCz8c1EXQGLQKXmyGNToV-XA99vwY-xulXN8Qgmf7ak85_meW-g57o2_NIKciOeY0ggIXl_l8PJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">As one last hurrah before Laura and Meghan’s spring break schedules diverged, we opted to go bigger: A few days in Sarasota, and a few days in Disney. I’m happy to say it did not disappoint!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">First things first, we had to log in and make sure Laura was, indeed, accepted to Marist. A resounding yes!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We then grabbed Meghan and hit the road…for a very long time, as everyone else seemed to be headed that way as well. But eventually we passed the gate into Stoneybrook and began a fabulous week of fun in the sun. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_3303_1ab2_f447_b2ff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qQP9nrgC_Vb-F3p8SvYtyzn4k2VwdxaCYgoZRnh3HfofsIUo5V9TkplFwfrOWAx9UqTqjCFfl2Dqfnb15aCl09Z-C5" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_190f_34ec_851c_763" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oaVzkX1QTUc6kLWUbo3FHMVM1Y7JucRdsfXcUpfqOCipqCZ79aT3ZkL1DqYJu56J9gwe6o2v3l4AEKlxWyaT8i859Ljg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We kicked off the break very similarly to last year, with mass, brunch and swimming on Sunday, and a repeat visit to the tea house the girls so enjoyed on Monday.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_1dc8_5c71_a0f5_2401" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qIFaEPHZ6CJui7iQMiwLoJcc84KULn9LU_wA2D4adu5bCHcidx7heUVqZNm9sIkHl77P_DytQciE9HbE0sN_wXowOnSg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_eed6_3514_36ef_1529" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pNEJZVmCBukZLtbv98Uq1pPX6imOzNzLN7BoIWPreHmkqM8RCefn_qUngEzHroSLsAcsMytXv9cDLOcPJaI58z6Fqa" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b78d_b677_311_232b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pNVP0H24qSnBg1wV9UuS9CMgXaDCthOGpNED0E-ZxBSfg7maScqrapGNy51DKmF9NR4JlueR2MSdIcCn-u7HAflMiebw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d333_6c78_4e4c_59b1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p63NSjhd5y1ip9kaHS55bqTV9p8utLy_v46R5Xi1dDoNGombRsXV1cHePaFfZTn98Lh4L94BdVubqdHPzx5Dx_3gfD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Tuesday morning we left bright and early for the Happiest Place on Earth. We went straight to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, where we left our bags and the van and hopped the shuttle to the Magic Kingdom.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d27e_1890_b006_5d7d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qsV2QYX3RSVqmlwuTrWy3iXytT4xcR92i1PVcPIjkDcA6_xpiqre6GGiSCVkENH6fxcHMfBA7tpLxrXy2tTwikq_wzjg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The weather was definitely warmer than I would have preferred, but the advantage to staying on property is that we could hop a shuttle back to the hotel for some R&R in the room or by the pool, and then head back in the evening. Which is exactly what we did.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_f873_af1a_3434_6064" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81ogtOrZ5CqkCCD4FhA_6xC-SI6ymI773p2P07BS0fAly0XWDzSn21y4AwEv-DPuvUPIRXq72fSLJZ8SnL4eyiB4mj3-ew" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_85a9_ff5d_3ffa_6e9b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p7TXZCMgWLxueTL-Jgacpkak3qx8FCUV0QV8mUjyGCeLUXvVuvXL9-IQSrlh_lWMla4J4TTnsLAEUXkDe9s_05KJ7How" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We had Genie Pass reservations for rides like the Seven Dwarf Mine Train, and in between made our way to Pirates of the Caribbean…where we had *quite* the adventure when the ride stopped for 50 minutes. We wound up having to make emergency exits from our boats, and getting escorted behind the scenes and out the back of the building. We were also given a freebie reservation to be used any time of day on a variety of rides.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b582_7d9_be65_6266" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rtBAsuzNAFCHr6DSNABl06v7S0dztXFnonUKN9mYD2s8DRHSPQjqiOARo6uoQHD1dMHJgXc6p86nlHkXwHZdmPQa10_A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_235_d65a_bd10_4a67" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pUsJm7zf4pxp6Jb29vH68WwMF1RhONVTHFgc3Y4WWy97xsXg2LuRDvV9qRz-WdEk9n0-6qXy7T3rFhYW37CjRsuok-pg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br>Our hotel had pretty fabulous views of animals, like giraffes, and zebras, which we enjoyed every time we looked out of our window!</p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4d33_b758_b532_e204" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qNTIcciGP-ttb5MEFB3wUHeBIx_vk9wpk9Bu4DzWP2tRMG1FTwEjb-gaaDMgawafXrftLhSDiB2A61SEggMxxvRhzg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">I think that first evening might have been my favorite chunk of time at Disney. We had dinner at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, which is in the heart of Main Street and modeled after Lady & the Tramp. All three of us ordered the spaghetti and meatballs, which were way more delicious than I expected them to be. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_9730_67bf_255b_1fb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qTDu2a0AjKODA3q4IPeNHl5UVTAjgsz910nXmrl7rl-lPYgIzrwKrR9rSf5m6KasI2Wg7GW4oMu2RDs1cXt2zAtHSSgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_735a_7e6_aa30_7e2e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oBAoxSzOQsOG_JFm1p2lzFyPEtCyivbYSbLkZZpqjbwEPho8s7BASdphOLb3hFP9IgBkyNOPAGNbdJOG_d6K8h5Gt-Ng" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_9a7f_8a7e_baa0_aea4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rN40qCma9KObeXAQOuCGK2phj6OAd7nPeOA7wlZt1l0rzlyA6XN62C_1T9NZAKNPwxMGhmr3U5XTwqgJFQqsS0wgwHWg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_94ae_288f_1778_37ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oOT7guQvurPcfzUO_3YA_Rl_iLDnubqGWQqe_UPRQrtdK6pdAJwyPYIsMkKxHw1KyYx-6lJYpVz234OoSkyaiAS9Rhvw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">When night falls, that’s really when the magic comes alive as the parks light up. We enjoyed a round of Buzz Lightyear, then made our way to Space Mountain for a rousing ride that had both girls smitten and ready for an immediate repeat…except that we were once again stopped! At least we made it all the way through the ride, but we did have to make another unusual exit!</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We then decided to give the high-flying rockets a ride, which was absolutely gorgeous at night. The fireworks got going just as we finished, and we watched for a while before making our way to end the evening on Thunder Mountain with our freebie passes. That also afforded some lovely views of the Magic Kingdom. We capped off the evening with churros, and left as the park was closing.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_30ce_36f2_8c6b_d959" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oaRoK8OTomtE-CC4kmsJxzobw16oA8beu0d-_ee-zXKsE9cNbyTGNuOtwQ3QqB0QGiRsOpX8c2SpgkJHOPYFwl44rePA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The next day we enjoyed a leisurely morning and hotel breakfast before we headed to Epcot, and it was so fun to see the girls’ reaction to Soarin’ - a ride somewhat difficult to explain, so I didn’t try very hard. “This is blowing my mind!” was Meghan’s repeated refrain.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_1b38_a11d_c06b_a9ee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qN_yjKohS8gsrozGOVxB86hqbBBwWfUg8SKPlRZ4lDTAbU1ef5nS5rPGLAnQyTLIxLQnrX-6NqE1eHogd0eAhK6CzJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_db05_1e44_5986_5a46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pMcF4l1XV5kpo63uMXKD6101RQbNXfhQA0AphvtvlK6efIm188Fm0J-e8XZdm844LTGaYWl3gDqMsmocKX_89OdKuevA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Epcot felt even more hot than MK, so we headed back to the hotel and took advantage of the phone app to order some lunch to eat in our room while we relaxed for a while. We made another visit to the pool, and then it was time to return to Epcot for the girls’ ride on Guardians of the Galaxy (I opted to sit this one out). They LOVED it, which was a relief because many people exited that ride somewhat terrified! From there it was time to head to Germany for our dinner reservation. I figured it would be a good choice because my research indicated that they served schnitzel. The buffet meal offered all kinds of great German fare, and we also enjoyed the live entertainment! I was so pleased to see the girls enjoying the band, clapping along. We all agreed it was just the right amount of volume and length of performance - i.e. not too long!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_42f6_770d_ae62_2d52" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q6U9opl-aQWoi7x4qwk1O1QPNF3jE0SWqNtnuYkvSg94Of06YbNFU7rc39SMJjiGGwCbbWdUh-pC8-Xu8w2TGlHdJbyQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">After dinner we shopped, specifically searching for Ratatouille ears, which it turns out are only available in Epcot’s France. Many of the rides in Epcot still had crazy long lines, but we did manage to ride Soarin’ one more time before watching the fireworks and heading back to the hotel.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_709d_77a3_ce4e_2e74" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81quSw5tCj-0eH73Pw0H8es5AtZm0BQSjaWePIjBOSPxeUb3Bs5tc4XikPeGYc_hap1m9VPKqdCBQ-SlkVhr-04KI-D6dg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">For our third and final Disney day, which wasn’t really a full day because we needed to drive back to Sarasota, we returned to the Magic Kingdom. The girls twinned in the matching shirts they grabbed the day before, along with the Ratatouille Ears. Space Mountain was a priority, as was getting a complete ride on Pirates of the Caribbean. I also made them ride Dumbo, which was a throwback to my favorite ride as a child! And you can’t skip the carousel!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d8c8_1bdf_aa05_3624" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oYsj9TaeAAOVIJggIpP16_E5h1niem_lDvO0qukkQNXRE_fW7sq154w9pvvzbiHT-hZwQR29tInU6upvxD00j8ebUw-g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b9c8_ba91_923f_3d8c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qRS2qzMxoMQ7qMcsD0HqsVeEfm_Typ75Xdd6x-YsBa0XROTScgpSSL6mfZY2lYlRuUSOyTtuC8CtmKzm3SlC4sJwmrYA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5155_3490_8494_685b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pg5NXo2HrnuSeL4SRoNGU9UeakG0X5vFA1aScxN71akznA23DWwaO7up8B6TQMhbWm6Mc2Xp5HAkZt6EVOEFucERe4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">The crowds were huge, and the weather was warm, so we killed some time on the Carousel of Progress (quite vintage, shall we say), rode Thunder Mountain one final time, and then decided it was time to head back to Sarasota. As Meghan said while we walked back to the shuttle one final time, “That was SO FUN…but I’m ready to leave.” </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_35a_2df8_5e42_7da0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qi2bnH6Km-GpTs9Vgo-MziX1t_CQqb4T6p4kLdL525bS42zOTTxwh1EKmbrcRAgBuynXa-jZnkBqUoqopypniXsof81Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 418px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Our final day we hit Siesta Key in the late morning, with prime access thanks to Donna’s friend who lives on the island. The girls and I are all like-minded in that 90 minutes at the beach is plenty. The water was great and we enjoyed our time, but we were more than happy to get some lunch back at the condo.</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 22px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_c87_f2b9_4bdc_b2b4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rOOYPyaqt-EDkBjppBiw_ym4Sn0eQI1yCI_kyP0ex6d2k29BqFcVNvUfVOdgFRjPsE0bvCLOgVlVKmHcBBsSmKvB4bOQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3898_9fe2_e75a_1470" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rhF2NpL7QZYJGJTY4IYMOQo1gNBJdDEVyGM78kafPPVBt2ipfEwchLkPffRhu8P0KvjAjLdv2tcNMVunhSe7NkDHp7Gg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">We finished with dinner at Phillippi Creek, where we lucked out and were seated right away! It was a gorgeous evening to dine al fresco, and felt like a fitting end to another special week. </span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35111981350401269.post-49113931966980390732023-04-01T13:41:00.000-04:002023-04-20T13:41:31.608-04:00Danny’s Sophomore Soccer Season<img id="id_4fd5_a2a4_5307_8699" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rmHYMOszNTbkWHhGU5NRuzeKnzQRA-kGrPCtFfJM5rUS5Yim52FlRyebCsFpqDuV9Mi4INTEb5bhpgGKRRbGSbmt8VfA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Danny rolled into his second year as a Marist Varsity soccer player with high hopes and a new head coach. This coach sees him in a different position from what he typically plays for his club team, so there was a learning curve involved. But once again, he learned a lot and made new friends, too.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><img id="id_9e02_32cc_5863_590f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oetz65qlVNABMugqyCHR_xdLPWxT2G6QASYK68j2bSee9VdTY9R_HwqO7k1f66z9zwFtg4p0t3OT24BZJreLCc6vxpsQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b3f_e2f2_bc1c_35f0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r7VpuDZsobmVtc1zlz0OhUWygeqo1a9zkd89ZR0UddHwpkWMW6yqij_yqmfea8jAmyQyonXFrXLdTYVyZdFRGmiCETNg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2bb4_731f_40ad_2b32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r6CHT3X73PX6Bt_qLDYNRywcUP1cCtb91LcKuYZ17s244RqMjpARR5I_Vw4XMWaU11HzKqauxe80FALPUcEtFTrBVw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">Many of his usual crew of Boyz joined him on the roster this year, and they fondly dubbed themselves Bench FC. They may not have gotten the playing time they would have liked, but memories were made - and the future looks bright for the next two years of Marist Boys Soccer!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><img id="id_4c25_f2c7_6b3a_9602" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oKUiyRSY7127lpgjq4UGUZ7CwkvAeNsVwKHTp14KozyPJeQEnS-lH1n6WfmFaNshbE7qmPVVRn7bSdmb5IZyhM3iYDQw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 392px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p> Elizabeth Seymourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10835046997559931526noreply@blogger.com0