tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-169027442024-03-13T11:45:29.937-05:00still:livingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comBlogger2194125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-20169744115311613282015-11-14T20:51:00.002-06:002015-11-14T20:51:20.311-06:00Marlow's Birth DayI never thought I'd get to write this story. I never hoped, that after three somewhat crazy births, I'd experience a birth for the story books. And never in my wildest dreams did I dare expect to deliver a pink baby girl into my arms. I never thought I'd get to write a story like this. It is the very best story.<br />
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Each of my pregnancies has gone longer than the last. <a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2010/09/cannons-birth-story.html">Cannon</a> was five days early. <a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/03/casons-birth-story.html">Cason</a> was born on his due date, and <a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/01/colts-birth-story.html">Colt</a> arrived two days past 40 weeks. While I didn't want this pregnancy to go late, the trend had me fully expecting to see my due date still pregnant. So, when June 18, 2015 came and went I wasn't surprised. I was miserable, yes, but not surprised.<br />
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However, when week 41 rolled around and I was STILL pregnant, I was surprised. I experienced my first non-stress test (NST) which oddly made me feel stressed and my first stripping of the membranes. I was doing my best to take each day as it came, but hormones and emotions run high when you're ten months pregnant. Some days I felt calm and patient, enjoying yet another quiet day with my three boys before we added a newborn to the mix. Then some days I felt agitated, huge, and incredibly uncomfortable. Every night I showered, re-packed my labor and delivery bag and hoped I'd wake up in labor. Every morning I woke up still pregnant. I spent each day mentally gearing up for labor and mustering courage to face another delivery. It was very draining. I felt like I had the capacity to be a mom to my sweet boys or I had the capacity to be so incredibly pregnant, but I didn't have the energy for both. I knew in my head that babies come when they are ready but my heart was ready to meet my little one. And the closer we got to 42 weeks and the deadline of induction (ie: breaking my water) the harder it became to not be a big ball of nerves.<br />
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At 41 weeks and 4 days I had a second NST scheduled. Surely, I would go in to labor before that Saturday. SURELY! Well, Saturday morning rolled around and my Mom graciously (or out of pity) took me to get a pedicure and then for a fabulous lunch at Brio. I tried to relax, enjoy the girl time and enjoy those little baby kicks on the inside. As usual, the waitress asked when I was due. And, as expected, she gave me the shocked look of pity when I told her, "Oh, over a week ago." Some people would even worry that I was going to have the baby right then and there, as if labor started instantly in the middle of transition. Some asked why I hadn't been induced yet. I "loved" having these conversations about my pregnancy with complete strangers.<br />
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So after a morning of pampering, I headed up to the birth center for my check up. Three births were/had happened that morning already. Three births that had all be due AFTER me, and yet there they were laboring away and meeting their babies. And there I was, still pregnant. It was hard to not be irrationally discouraged. Everything looked great on the NST. The baby was moving fine and had a great heartbeat. Leslie checked me and said she easily stretched me to four centimeters with a bulging bag of waters. So, my body was gearing up. She also told me, after feeling my belly, that I was not carrying a 10, or even a 9 pound, baby. That was music to my ears. I knew that on my due date this baby was smaller than Colt, but with each day that passed the fear that I was growing another 9 lb 9 oz baby increased.<br />
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I went home from that appointment with a bottle of Start Up, which is a natural tincture that can help get labor going. I was mentally preparing to take it the following Monday. I spent the afternoon sweeping and mopping the floor while the boys finished up their naps. I had a few crampy contractions while I mopped by nothing terribly hard, intense, unusual or consistent.<br />
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My mother-in-law had been in town for over a week waiting on sweet baby's arrival. She was picking up dinner and after naps we were loading up the boys to go to her apartment for Jimmy Johns. Around 6:30 pm, during the five minute drive to Watters Creek I had a hard contraction and all of a sudden my mood shifted. I was uncomfortable. I had this intense desire to go back home. I didn't want to go in to labor at my mother-in-law's apartment with all the boys there. So, we called her and told her we were turning around. We picked up our sandwiches from her and headed home. I had another contraction in the parking lot and just knew in my gut things were getting started. We called my parents on the way home to come and pick up the boys. It was around 7:00 pm when we got home. I had had three significant contractions.<br />
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My parents picked up the boys and I laid on the couch. I tried to watch Netflix and relax through each contraction, but they were already too strong to focus on tv. Contractions were 10-12 minutes apart and Danny was already on the phone calling the midwife, the doula and the photographer to tell them tonight was probably the night.<br />
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Around 8:00 pm, while Danny was on the phone with Leslie, the midwife, I told him that I'd probably want to go to the birthing center within the hour. I could tell things were picking up speed. Leslie, very wisely said she'd just get ready and head that way and be there by 9:00 pm. I'm so thankful she just knew to go because by 8:30 pm I was ready to head that way. Contractions were increasing in intensity faster than even I was use to. I would have one or two contractions at one level and then the third contraction would be harder. I felt like I was on a runaway train. We kept passing these stations and I wanted to slow down and rest for a minute, but the train kept plowing on at break neck speed.<br />
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By 8:45 pm we were in the car and to the birthing center by 8:55 pm. It was dusk and the sun was going down. Leslie was not there yet, so I labored on the porch of the birthing center. On my hands and knees, I remember the fresh air and the births chirping. I remember the rough wood of the porch under my hands. I remember when the neighbor across the street came out of her house to get into her car. "How many crazy laboring women has she seen on this porch?" I wondered. I moaned through two or three contractions before Leslie arrived and escorted us upstairs.<br />
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Danny and Leslie scurried about getting things ready. I had another two or three contractions before our doula, Stephanie, arrived. I remember her squeezing my hips through one contraction. I was very quickly disappearing down the labor hole, going to the place where the world fades away and it's just me and my baby. I also remember going to the bathroom at some point. I had a contraction on the toilet and had an instant need to hold Danny's hand. Usually Danny's job during labor is to squeeze my hips, and while that felt good this time, I had a more pressing need for him to be in my face, so I could look him in the eyes and hold his hand during each contractions.<br />
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After just a few contractions on the floor, I was ready to get in the water. In God's gracious provision the tub was already filled and warm. It had been filled earlier in the day for one of the laboring mamas and she hadn't used it. I felt in that moment that God showed me that he cared about the little things for this baby's delivery.<br />
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I had a few contractions in the tub and Monica, our photographer, walked in. I remember have two or three strong contractions leaning on the outside of the tub before I wanted to turn over. Remember the runaway train? I didn't stay in one position for more than two contractions I don't think. Things were progressing so quickly.<br />
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I had several prayers and hopes for this labor and delivery. One of my prayers leading up to this birth was that it would be quick and gentle. I know that those things don't usually go hand-in-hand for birth, but I had so much anxiety anticipating childbirth, that asking God for a swift and easy labor was comforting. I also wanted to be more "present" during this birth. In my previous births I felt like once I hit transition and pushing I was very frantic, out of control and just "out of it." I had my eyes closed for the birth of all three boys. With Cason and Colt, the midwives told me to reach down and catch my baby as they were being born and I was so paralyzed with pain and fear that I couldn't move. I didn't want that for this birth. I wanted to open my eyes. I wanted to see my baby being born. I wanted to catch my baby in the water. I wanted to see it all so I could remember it. I didn't want fear and pain to be my last memory of being pregnant.<br />
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It was during this time laboring in the tub that I opened my eyes. I saw the dim lights. I saw Leslie listening to the baby with the doppler. I saw Danny's arm supporting mine. I saw my knees bent, sticking up out of the water. I noticed shadows on the walls. I reminded myself when I felt like I was splitting in two, that I wasn't dying. Nothing was breaking. God was giving us a baby! And as crazy as it sounds, I talked to our baby. I told Marlow I'd deliver her as gently as possible. I asked her to be gentle with me. "Come gently baby. Come gently," was a phase I repeated to myself. Later on Danny said he noticed that there was a point right before I started pushing that I calmed myself down. My moans didn't turn to screams like usual.<br />
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<a href="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-vMmKqrF/A"><img alt="View More: http://asacredproject.pass.us/thebirthofmarlow" src="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-vMmKqrF/0/M/marlow-5-M.jpg" /></a>
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After I turned over in the tub, I had one or two contractions sitting, leaning against the side and my water broke with a pop. I knew instantly. I also asked Leslie if I pooped in the tub because my water breaking felt so explosive. She kindly replied that my body was doing what it was suppose to do to deliver my baby. Danny later told me I did indeed poop in that tub! Ha! my worst fear when I was pregnant with Cannon happened, but in all honesty it wasn't a big deal and I didn't even care. The very next contraction after my water broke was a pushing contraction.<br />
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Another hope for this birth was that I would let my body tell me when to push. I usually start pushing simply because I'm so tired of the pain that I want to get the baby out. I've never started pushing because I just can't stop, which is what I've heard other mom's describe as the "pushing contractions." Well, this time I waited. I let the contraction start after my water broke and suddenly it was there. The pushing contraction. It was like every muscle in my body was bearing down and pressing the baby out. I pushed. She crowned. And her head was born, just like that.<br />
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The contraction ended and I was going to take a breath and a rest and deliver her body when the next contraction started. However, Leslie told me to push and birth my baby. "Now?" I asked. "Yes." She replied. And so I pushed. At first I felt like I wasn't going to make any progress or get her out, when suddenly that wonderful slippery relief of delivering the shoulders happened and Marlow was born. My eyes were open. I saw her underwater and I grabbed her. Danny reached down and helped lift her to my chest.<br />
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<img alt="View More: http://asacredproject.pass.us/thebirthofmarlow" src="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-qv6TNQj/0/M/marlow-16-M.jpg" />
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Fifty minutes after we arrived at the birthing center, our baby had arrived. Three hours of labor. It was swift. And while it felt fast, it also felt calm. I know that sounds odd, but I felt like God answered my prayer with a quick and gentle birth.<a href="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-qv6TNQj/A"><br />
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<a href="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-8DfLLDB/A"><img alt="View More: http://asacredproject.pass.us/thebirthofmarlow" src="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-8DfLLDB/0/M/marlow-89-M.jpg" /></a><a href="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-LCXkvk6/A"><img alt="View More: http://asacredproject.pass.us/thebirthofmarlow" src="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-LCXkvk6/0/M/marlow-62-M.jpg" /></a>
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And then someone asked if it was a boy or a girl. We checked and my heart exploded and my world went upside down. It was a girl. A beautiful, sweet, pink baby girl. Marlow Gracen had arrived earthside at 9:50 pm on Saturday, June 27, 2015. She weighed in at 8 pounds and 10 ounces and was 20 1/2 inches long. She was perfect.<br />
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<a href="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-GT68CDg/A"><img alt="View More: http://asacredproject.pass.us/thebirthofmarlow" src="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-GT68CDg/0/M/marlow-134-M.jpg" /></a>
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Leslie took fabulous care of me to insure I didn't hemorrhage again. I got a shot of pitocin in my thigh to help my uterus contract back down and my bleeding was monitored closely. My parents brought the boys up to the birthing center and they met their sister. I'm pretty sure Cannon gave me a look that said, "I knew it was a girl. I told you so." He had waited for her and she was here. And yet again, sitting on that bed with Danny, my arms full of children, my heart exploded in my chest. What a beautiful gift.<br />
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<a href="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-BcLTjgX/A"><img alt="View More: http://asacredproject.pass.us/thebirthofmarlow" src="https://lstiller.smugmug.com/Children/Baby-4/Marlows-Birth-Day/i-BcLTjgX/0/M/marlow-97-M.jpg" /></a>
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The boys left with my parents and Stephanie brought Danny and I burgers from In-n-Out around midnight. We ate as our wonderful birth team trickled home and then settled in for a little nap. Somewhere around 2 am, I couldn't sleep, so we packed up. We loaded our daughter in to the car and in the dark of the night, about the time I'm usually going in to labor, we drove home. Home to write the most beautiful songs we could ever write with out new little family of six.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-64320559688274420722014-12-25T08:06:00.000-06:002014-12-26T08:09:46.278-06:00Merry Christmas from the Stillers 2014<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/12-December-2014/i-w49Vvr7/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/12-December-2014/i-w49Vvr7/0/L/Christmas%20Picture%202014-L.png" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Friends and Family - </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s another Stiller Family Christmas letter. This one is actually full of information NOT found on the blog, because I have three small children and blogging has taken a backseat to real life. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -18pt; margin-right: -18pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After more than four years working at Cigna, Danny took a new job this fall. He’s an account manager at Speech Privacy Systems. He’s selling Sound Masking and we’re hoping this will be a great, new opportunity for our family. Sound Masking is an engineered sound that sounds like whooshing air to render speech unintelligible in order to reduce conversational distractions and increase privacy in open office areas. It’s eerily similar to the white noise I play for the boys at nap time. Danny also became a certified Crossfit coach this year and works part time at a local gym in Plano coaching classes. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -18pt; margin-right: -18pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m still enjoying being a stay-at-home mom with the boys. We fill our days with trips to the Perot Museum, the Dallas Arboretum, the library and the park. I still enjoy meeting up with the Lens Baby group for photo shoots with our kiddos. I’ve been in this group since Cannon was six months old and it’s been fun to watch the kiddos grow. The boys and I also love going to Bible Study Fellowship each week. We all learn the same Bible story and it’s a nice break for me to enjoy a discussion and lecture with other moms. Photography has been busy and growing this year. I enjoy the creative outlet and appreciate the opportunity to hone a skill other than keeping children alive. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -18pt; margin-right: -18pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cannon is four years old and growing like a weed. He still loves all sports, particularly baseball, and anything involving outdoor play. He and Cason could dig in the dirt, beat trees with sticks and jump on the trampoline wielding swords all day if they didn’t need food and rest. He’s a great big brother. He simultaneously toughens his brothers up with daily wrestling matches and also looks out for them and includes them in his daily activities/play. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -18pt; margin-right: -18pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cason will be three years old in January and thinks he can do everything Cannon does. He repeats every question and statement Cannon says, which makes my days full of talking. He has really grown this year and I love watching him play and imagine every day with Cannon. Cason’s favorite activity at the park is swinging. He also loves book and is a fabulous cuddle buddy during reading time. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colt is quickly finding his place with his brothers. He loves to be in the middle of things and is the quickest of all of them to make his voice heard. His favorite activity is taking lids on and off containers or putting clothespins into a soda bottle. He can empty a cupboard faster than I can fold a dish towel and we’re trying to figure out how to put that skill to good use. Colt is learning new signs and a few verbal words every week. He will take a step or two on his own and push his walker all over the house, but crawling is still his preferred mode of getting around. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: -18pt; margin-right: -18pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aside from Danny getting a new job, the biggest news for the Stiller Family in 2014 is that we’ll be adding a new little one to the gang. Baby #4 is expected June 18, 2015 and while Cannon maintains that he’s getting a sister, we already call the little one “him.” So 2014 has been an exciting year for us, and 2015 is shaping up to be full of new adventures as well. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-19329511750104784932014-11-30T15:03:00.000-06:002014-11-30T16:18:13.623-06:00Just a little video for your Thanksgiving weekend<div style="text-align: left;">
As we come out of a weekend of giving thanks and enter a season of Advent, there's this . . . where God pours out His beautiful blessings upon us. </div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="587" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/112421056" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="800"></iframe> </div>
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<a href="http://vimeo.com/112421056">hello baby</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user989776">Laura Stiller</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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And in case you weren't around for our other chalk videos, here they are:</div>
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<a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/04/just-another-chalk-video.html">Colt's Chalk Video</a></div>
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<a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/06/oh-baby-baby.html">Cason's Chalk Video</a></div>
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<a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2010/01/big-news-for-new-year.html">Cannon's Chalk Video</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-15650058067644062692014-08-31T20:31:00.000-05:002014-11-11T20:39:23.800-06:00Duck Commander in West Monroe, Lousiana (Florida 2014 Trip Itinerary)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-g76KhQR/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-g76KhQR/0/L/20140831_0039-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><br />
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One of Danny's few requests for our travels home was to stop at Duck Commander in West Monroe, LA. It was Sunday evening, so everything was closed, but the place was still buzzing with tourists. I think he secretly wanted to compare beards. Thank goodness we're quite a ways away from duck commander status. </div>
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By this point in our trip we were all DONE riding in the car, so it was nice to get out, stretch our legs and grab some dinner. Our full travel itinerary is below in case anyone is planning a road trip across the south and looking for ideas of places to stop!</div>
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-XH6F7sK/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-XH6F7sK/0/L/20140831_0042-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-642HxrK/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-642HxrK/0/L/20140831_0047-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9rWdWs5/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9rWdWs5/0/L/20140831_0051-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-CP8F8pC/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-CP8F8pC/0/L/20140831_0055-L.jpg" title="" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>For the drive home our itinerary was:</b></div>
</div>
<br />
<b>Friday afternoon</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Drive 5 hours from Fort Lauderdale to Jacksonville, FL</li>
<li>Stay at the Hampton in</li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<b>Saturday</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Wake up and explore/hikea the Fort Caroline Nature Preserve (within the Timucuan Preserve)</li>
<li>Eat lunch</li>
<li>Drive 6 hours from Jacksonville, FL to Foley, AL</li>
<li>Eat dinner at Lambert's Cafe (which turned in to Chick-fil-a b/c the two hour wait at Lamberts was TOO LONG for us)</li>
<li>Drive 4.5 hours from Foley, AL to Baton Rouge, LA (yes, this was a late nigh)</li>
<li>Stay at Courtyard Marriot (Originally we were going to stay at Tunica Hills Campgrounds in their new cabins - in St. Francisville, LA - but we decided that we were getting in too late to deal with cabins in the dark woods.)</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Sunday</b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Wake up and hike at Clark Creek Nature Area in Tunica Hills State Park</li>
<li>Eat lunch</li>
<li>Drive 3 hours from St. Francisville, MS to West Monroe, LA</li>
<li>Visit Duck Commander</li>
<li>Eat dinner</li>
<li>Drive 4 hours home</li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-72854343033765541092014-08-31T20:24:00.000-05:002014-11-11T20:28:57.970-06:00Clark Creek Natura Area (Florida 2014 Itinerary)<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-rvc2wMj/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-rvc2wMj/0/L/20140831_0004-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So, our third day of travel and our second stop was at <a href="http://www.mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/ms-state-parks/clark-creek.aspx">Clark Creek Nature Area</a> in Mississippi. Did you know there's gorgeous hiking is Mississippi? I didn't either. This place was magical. We picked on of the shortest trails because we had little legs trekking through the forest, but we could have explored here for days!<br />
<br />
The boys really were in their element on these hikes. They rarely complained; we allowed them tons of freedom in exploring, picking up all the rocks and sticks they wanted, and climbing on everything; we packed in plenty of snacks; and we all had a fabulous time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-6sfVXG8/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-6sfVXG8/0/L/20140831_0012-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-DZDGphN/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-DZDGphN/0/L/20140831_0019-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-8zDbZNW/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-8zDbZNW/0/L/20140831_0021-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-BLdCCh4/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-BLdCCh4/0/L/20140831_0023-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9nWZPWM/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9nWZPWM/0/L/20140831_0028-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-74563582086241030112014-08-30T20:13:00.000-05:002014-11-11T20:13:30.239-06:00America's Rest Stops<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Nf3jr4N/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Nf3jr4N/0/L/20140830_0111-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My boys decided it was way to sunny to smile for a photo. We never stopped long at rest stops, but I really wanted to do a "rest stop" photoshoot. I know that sounds crazy and germ-infested, but really, rest stops are a little like time capsules. You pull over on the side of the road and it's like you've stepped back in time 30 years. I'm pretty sure the picnic tables and coverings are the exact same ones my family stopped at while driving from Texas to Arizona 20 years ago. I think the angular, geometric tables and awnings would make an awesome photo shoot backdrop.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There are also pay phones at rest stops! PAY PHONES! The boys were like, what is this awesome thing? I figured I should document them at a pay phone, because when would we be near a pay phone again?!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-gZRvWDr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-gZRvWDr/0/L/20140830_0112-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Colt is trying to figure out if a crazy beard is in his future because he has obviously inherited his dad's voluminous curly hair.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-hCNdtfz/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-hCNdtfz/0/L/20140830_0115-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-42694995030314485332014-08-30T20:05:00.000-05:002014-11-11T20:26:52.071-06:00Fort Caroline at the Timucuan Preserve (Florida 2014 Trip Itinerary)We made the decision to drive straight through to Fort Lauderdale in order to get to the beach. We figured we'd be motivated to get there faster and we were right. It took 24 hours and we were both exhausted but it was so nice to get to our destination.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On our way home, we thought we'd try taking our time and enjoy the travel. We planned to play all morning, then put the boys in the car after lunch and drive through their nap time until dinner. This turned out to be so fun because we stopped and hiked and saw amazing parts of the south. We were very ready to be out of the car and home by the third day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Our first day traveling home we drove to Jacksonville and stayed the night. The next morning we woke up and spent the morning traveling around <a href="http://www.nps.gov/timu/planyourvisit/upload/timu_day_in_park_feb23_07.pdf">Fort Caroline on the Timucuan Preserve</a>. There was a one-mile hiking loop which was the perfect length for the boys. We all enjoyed exploring, stretching our legs and getting outside.<br />
<br />
I don't know why but I feel like state and national parks are hidden gems. They are usually deserted, have a nominal entrance fee (if one at all) and are a gold mine of outdoor adventure and historical education. So, here's my public service announcement, find a state/national park today and go explore!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-9320153172458277202014-08-29T19:54:00.000-05:002014-11-11T19:57:57.063-06:00One last morning soaking up sun and sand<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-28625815230673259962014-08-27T19:35:00.000-05:002014-11-11T19:39:23.383-06:00My Boys<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-rvvNvhZ/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-rvvNvhZ/0/L/20140828_0154-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-fRbH8Mw/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-fRbH8Mw/0/L/20140828_0163-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-KcBMJGs/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-KcBMJGs/0/L/20140828_0195-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-hhpWG6h/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-hhpWG6h/0/L/20140828_0214-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And, I was trying really hard to pick my absolute favorite photos and just one of each little man, but Cason asked for his photo on this shuffleboard court and then posed like this. He is just too much.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-76925351440289809482014-08-27T19:32:00.000-05:002014-11-11T19:35:37.655-06:00The Best White Noise<div style="text-align: left;">
On one of our last days on the beach we decided to just park it on the sand all day and soak up the sand, sun and water. Danny and Cannon spent time bonding in their boat while the little boys and I rested under the canopy. For the first time all vacation I read a book for ten uninterrupted minutes!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-89950325832534372842014-08-26T21:13:00.000-05:002014-10-07T21:21:38.536-05:00Life on the Beach<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
The beach . . . with three small children . . . is so much work. This is pretty much what we did at least once, if not twice a day. We dragged stuff to the beach, back to the condo, to the beach, to the car, back to the condo and on and on and on.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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It took us several days to find our groove, to figure out a rhythm of getting to the beach and enjoying the beach. We tried going out after breakfast, packing lunch and enjoying the beach until naptime. That was fun until the strong winds collapsed our canopy and only shade. Then we tried eating breakfast on the beach and playing until the sun was too intense, only to return later in the evening at sunset. Finally, on one of the last days we pitched our warped canopy and spend the ENTIRE day on the beach. We ate meals out there, napped out there and played until we were worn out from fresh air, salt water and sunshine. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-23974131610750631212014-08-25T21:08:00.000-05:002014-10-07T21:10:59.470-05:00The wind in our face and the sand in our toes . . .<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Walks on the beach at sunset, hugs that ended in a wrestling match, babywearing, the sound of the ocean and sand in our toes was just what our little family needed. We played hard every day and the boys slept good every night. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-KkC65rs/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-KkC65rs/0/L/20140825_0308-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-nWRbdLb/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-nWRbdLb/0/L/20140825_0309-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-ChtWtRN/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-ChtWtRN/0/L/20140825_0310-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-bTdpX7r/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-bTdpX7r/0/L/20140825_0313-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-cG9nJdC/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-cG9nJdC/0/L/20140825_0317-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-ccRJ62S/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-ccRJ62S/0/L/20140825_0319-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-17292795527450617112014-08-24T20:56:00.000-05:002014-10-07T21:06:23.809-05:00First Family Roadtrip<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-S3pFLFr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-S3pFLFr/0/L/20140824%20-%20Florida01-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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After our impromptu, but successful, trip to South Padre in May, Danny and I got the crazy idea to road trip to the family condo in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. That's 20 hours away (non-stop) folks. We have three children ages four years old and under. We are either crazy or just desperate for a little vacation. </div>
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We decided to drive straight through the night to get there in one day, and then take three days to come home. We figured that our excitement to see the beach would motivate our drive there and that breaking up the long drive home would make the ride more bearable. It was easier driving out there than I expected, although it took Danny a good day to recoup and I think we'd probably road trip that way again in the future. </div>
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These photos are from our first day on the beach. The boys were still timid of the water, unsure of the sand sticking to their hands and overall overjoyed to be out of the car.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-R2D5Bb4/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-R2D5Bb4/0/L/20140824%20-%20Florida02-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-ZbjSvMT/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-ZbjSvMT/0/L/20140824%20-%20Florida03-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-4pcnb3d/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-4pcnb3d/0/L/20140824%20-%20Florida04-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-88283902752790615392014-08-20T20:51:00.000-05:002014-10-07T20:55:48.510-05:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-PTmG94K/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-PTmG94K/0/L/20140820_0002-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-6gsQXB4/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-6gsQXB4/0/L/20140820_0005-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<h1 style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #383838; letter-spacing: -0.01em; line-height: 28px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-shadow: rgb(247, 247, 244) 0px 1px 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I've been blessed to have<br />A brother like you,<br />You're my pal, my buddy<br />And my best friend too.<br />And it means a lot<br />Having a brother like you.</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">- author unknown</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-kWKhHwb/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-kWKhHwb/0/L/20140820_0008-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-55599272750538526652014-08-19T20:33:00.000-05:002014-10-07T20:45:05.206-05:00Waking the Baby Beast<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Nskx6Wm/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Nskx6Wm/0/L/20140819_0017-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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If ever you wanted to see just how starkly different my boys are, be here when they are all waking up in the morning (or from nap time). </div>
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Cannon literally bounds out of bed the minute his eyes open. Seriously, I don't think he's blinked once before his feet hit the floor. He LOVES the morning and is always raring to go. He has five things on his mind and a list of activities he wants to do before I've even thought about breakfast. </div>
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Cason is our slow stirrer. He rustles, burrows in the covers and then just lays in bed waking up. He would sleep later if Cannon didn't wake him with the energy of a thousand suns. He comes into the kitchen every morning blinking away the light, still groggy and half asleep. </div>
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Colt, well, he is just Colt. He wakes up loud and angry at the world. If I don't arrive in his room before he's finished his first wail then the whole house knows I have failed him miserably as a mother. As soon as his brothers and I walk him he's glad to see us, but then does not fail to let me know if I take two seconds too long to lift him out of his crib. Look at the passion just radiating from that little furrowed brow. </div>
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Life with these three is such a wild ride and I have a feeling it's only going to get crazier as more of their little personalities emerge.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tbNzDJV/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tbNzDJV/0/L/20140819_0018-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tVBjzZ8/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tVBjzZ8/0/L/20140819_0020-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-34713383918341238602014-08-16T20:29:00.000-05:002014-10-07T20:31:41.982-05:00All the mud!<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-nptpP57/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-nptpP57/0/L/20140816_0007-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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I have boys. I am learning to embrace the dirt, the constant grime on my floor and the relentless stickiness of my children's hands.</div>
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Daddy cleaned out the gutters this weekend the boys were in backyard heaven. All the mud, water and dirt they could possible want was at their disposal. Colt was clearly unimpressed, so he and I enjoyed watching their delight from the grass. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Jkk58Hm/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Jkk58Hm/0/L/20140816_0011-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-WQpB6Xr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-WQpB6Xr/0/L/20140816_0015-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9CsstCZ/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9CsstCZ/0/L/20140816_0018-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-s7WLgv4/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-s7WLgv4/0/L/20140816_0021-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-61269491739297779662014-08-15T20:08:00.000-05:002014-09-23T20:17:18.378-05:00Lens Baby: Back to School<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tdk2KFw/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tdk2KFw/0/L/20140815_School01-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-PRNK23T/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-PRNK23T/0/L/20140815_School03-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Well, we aren't going to school, but we thought we'd hang out with Lens Baby and pretend we were going back to school. How Cannon knew to roll his eyes the minute he sat down in a school desk I will never know, but he looks like the teacher just assigned weekend homework or something ridiculous. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-xL2g3wz/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-xL2g3wz/0/L/20140815_School04-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-DBH5MQ7/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-DBH5MQ7/0/L/20140815_School06-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Cason was having a Nana play date on this day, so this photoshoot was mainly for Cannon, but I did sneak Colt in for a picture.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-k7fbp2M/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-k7fbp2M/0/L/20140815_School11-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-nTfqV2h/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-nTfqV2h/0/L/20140815_School12-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Previous Lens Baby Photoshoots:</span></span></div>
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<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 12px 30px; text-align: justify;">
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/03/beaches-at-fairview.html" style="color: #aadf62;"><span style="color: black;">The Beaches</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/04/lensbaby-little-gardeners.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Little Gardener</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/04/lensbaby-pinwheels-in-field.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Pinwheels in a Field</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/03/lensbaby-boys-train-tracks.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Boys & Train Tracks</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/08/thats-what-little-boys-are-made-of.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">That's What Little Boys Are Made Of</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/05/dress-up-day.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Dress Up Day at the Park</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/05/sidewalk-chalk.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Sidewalk Chalk</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/09/lensbaby-fire-station-field-trip.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Fire Station Tour</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/10/lensbaby-halloween-carnival.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Halloween Carnival</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/11/lensbaby-urban-shoot.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Urban Shoot</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/11/lensbaby-holiday-village.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Holiday Village</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/05/lensbaby-splish-splash.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Splish Splash</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/07/lensbaby-summer-baseball.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Summer Baseball</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/08/lens-baby-mess.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">The Mess</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/09/lens-baby-little-nerds.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Little Nerds</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/09/lens-baby-heritage-farmstead.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Heritage Farmstead</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/10/lens-baby-tunnel.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">The Tunnel</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/04/lensbaby-mommy-me-photoshoot.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Mommy & Me</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/05/lensbaby-dallas-zoo.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Dallas Zoo</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/06/lensbaby-windmill-park-splashpad.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Windmill Park & Splashpad</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/07/lens-baby-birthday-celebration.html" style="color: #aadf62;">A Birthday Celebration</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/07/lens-baby-sno-cones.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Sno Cones</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/08/lens-baby-arboretum-picnic.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Arboretum Picnic</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/08/lens-baby-fire-station-visit.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Fire Station Visit</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/09/lens-baby-lemonade-stand.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Lemonade Stand</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/10/lens-baby-hot-air-balloon.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Hot Air Balloon</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/11/lens-baby-christmas-in-chestnut-square.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Christmas in Chestnut Square</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/03/dallas-arboretum-spring-2014.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Dallas Arboretum</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/04/lens-baby-mommy-me.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Mommy & Me</a> (Babywearing Edition)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/04/lens-baby-my-little-cowboys.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Little Cowboys</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/05/lens-baby-tents-in-field.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Tents in a Field</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/06/lens-baby-little-red-white-blue.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Red White & Blue</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/07/lens-baby-watermelon.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Watermelon</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/08/lens-baby-blue-marble-splashpad.html">Blue Marble Splashpad</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-11428706374892363442014-08-14T19:59:00.000-05:002014-09-23T20:06:02.146-05:00Just a little Colt<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-PNRzsFZ/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-PNRzsFZ/0/L/20140814_0089-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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Colty Colt is making this face to show you all of his little teeth that have been busy popping through lately.</div>
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If you can't tell, these photos are from Colt's weekly photos (which are taking place, but are way behind in hitting the blog) on his weekly yard of fabric. Some weeks this is the only time I've picked up the camera to capture my beautiful third son, so often I just get up close and personal to freeze all of his curls, his slowly changing eyes and his sweet and crazy facial expressions. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-z2ZmNCV/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-z2ZmNCV/0/L/20140814_0090-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-g5jWnBQ/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-g5jWnBQ/0/L/20140814_0091-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-RxTbpCR/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-RxTbpCR/0/L/20140814_0092-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-x2M8XPh/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-x2M8XPh/0/L/20140814_0094-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-51800111264562901052014-08-08T06:59:00.000-05:002014-09-23T19:24:29.594-05:00Letters to Colt: The One Where You Are My Little Blue-Eyed Spitfire<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-wZLVWBX/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-wZLVWBX/0/L/20140730_0010-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-Jmscwc4/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-Jmscwc4/0/L/20140730_0011-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-MpPTJJh/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-MpPTJJh/0/L/20140730_0015-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Colt, </div>
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Really. What are we going to do with you? You are my little bundle of energy (and opinions, already, well before a year). You know what you want and what you like and what you need and when you need it and you have a big voice in our little family. </div>
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I partly wonder if God have you tenacity because He knew you'd need it to keep up with your big brothers. You already love playing with and tagging along after your big brothers. Most days I will realize the house is WAY too quiet, only to find all three of you elbow deep in toys, cars or dinosaurs in the back bedroom. When I open the door your brothers don't even glance my way, but you grin at my from ear-to-ear like you have won the lottery. I think you love your brothers and love that you can finally crawl to where they are and sit and play in their midst. </div>
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Colt, my baby but not for long. I love your scrunched up nose and your baby tooth grin and I'm so glad you are the one that wakes me up at 5 am every morning. I would prefer to sleep later, but if I have to have a reason to get up before the alarm, then you're the best one. No one else would get a smile out of me that early, but your snuggles are worth a middle-of-the-night trek to the nursery. </div>
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Love you always!</div>
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<br /></div>
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Mama</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-kvMtPDn/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-kvMtPDn/0/L/20140730_0019-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-tBJ5bC7/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-tBJ5bC7/0/L/20140730_0025-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-csSQQ6L/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-csSQQ6L/0/L/20140730_0027-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-37435870548373387122014-08-07T19:45:00.000-05:002014-09-23T19:52:24.928-05:00My Construction Crew<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-D7pF9Z6/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-D7pF9Z6/0/L/20140807_Construction%20Site01-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-j35ZL7S/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-j35ZL7S/0/L/20140807_Construction%20Site02-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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My photographer friend, <a href="http://ryanodowd.com/">Ryan</a>, did this fabulous construction site photoshoot with his son and I knew the instant I saw his photos that my boys needed photos with big machinery. We drove by a construction site one day and it was perfect. We went back after dinner, and my boys thought I was the best mom ever. They bulldozed rocks, kicked dirt, climbed on big trucks and jumped over gravel piles. I think they would do a photoshoot like this every day. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-jjT3LFw/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-jjT3LFw/0/L/20140807_Construction%20Site05-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-CLCsjv2/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-CLCsjv2/0/L/20140807_Construction%20Site08-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-bDwDhCz/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-bDwDhCz/0/L/20140807_Construction%20Site09-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tT7bVhX/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-tT7bVhX/0/L/20140807_Construction%20Site14-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-59627565126604307332014-08-05T19:39:00.000-05:002014-09-23T19:40:40.174-05:00Lens Baby: Blue Marble Splashpad<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
My boys are wild in front of the camera. It takes crazy antics and a quick shutter to freeze them in time, but boy am I loving their cute little preschool/toddler/infant stage right now. How many more years will they tolerate me plopping them in front of a fabulous blue marble wall and tell them to hug? I am so thankful for my Lens Baby meetup friends who give me the nudge to get out and capture my boys.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Cvr5VfZ/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Cvr5VfZ/0/L/20140805_BlueWall06-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9hSJVvd/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-9hSJVvd/0/L/20140805_BlueWall09-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-SVrssZR/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-SVrssZR/0/L/20140805_BlueWall10-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-SLw9B4w/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-SLw9B4w/0/L/20140805_BlueWall11-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Pr26rfJ/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-Pr26rfJ/0/L/20140805_BlueWall14-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-3gb85wh/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-3gb85wh/0/L/20140805_BlueWall15-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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<div style="font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.7333335876465px;">
<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Previous Lens Baby Photoshoots:</span></span></div>
</div>
<ul style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 12px 0px 12px 30px; text-align: justify;">
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/03/beaches-at-fairview.html" style="color: #aadf62;"><span style="color: black;">The Beaches</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/04/lensbaby-little-gardeners.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Little Gardener</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/04/lensbaby-pinwheels-in-field.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">Pinwheels in a Field</a></span></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/03/lensbaby-boys-train-tracks.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Boys & Train Tracks</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/08/thats-what-little-boys-are-made-of.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.6em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">That's What Little Boys Are Made Of</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/05/dress-up-day.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Dress Up Day at the Park</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/05/sidewalk-chalk.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Sidewalk Chalk</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/09/lensbaby-fire-station-field-trip.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: black;">Fire Station Tour</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/10/lensbaby-halloween-carnival.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Halloween Carnival</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/11/lensbaby-urban-shoot.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Urban Shoot</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/11/lensbaby-holiday-village.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Holiday Village</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/05/lensbaby-splish-splash.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Splish Splash</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/07/lensbaby-summer-baseball.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Summer Baseball</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/08/lens-baby-mess.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">The Mess</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/09/lens-baby-little-nerds.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Little Nerds</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/09/lens-baby-heritage-farmstead.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Heritage Farmstead</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2012/10/lens-baby-tunnel.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">The Tunnel</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/04/lensbaby-mommy-me-photoshoot.html" style="color: #aadf62; line-height: 1.6em; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black;">Mommy & Me</span></a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/05/lensbaby-dallas-zoo.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Dallas Zoo</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/06/lensbaby-windmill-park-splashpad.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Windmill Park & Splashpad</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/07/lens-baby-birthday-celebration.html" style="color: #aadf62;">A Birthday Celebration</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/07/lens-baby-sno-cones.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Sno Cones</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/08/lens-baby-arboretum-picnic.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Arboretum Picnic</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/08/lens-baby-fire-station-visit.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Fire Station Visit</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/09/lens-baby-lemonade-stand.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Lemonade Stand</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/10/lens-baby-hot-air-balloon.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Hot Air Balloon</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2013/11/lens-baby-christmas-in-chestnut-square.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Christmas in Chestnut Square</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/03/dallas-arboretum-spring-2014.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Dallas Arboretum</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/04/lens-baby-mommy-me.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Mommy & Me</a> (Babywearing Edition)</li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/04/lens-baby-my-little-cowboys.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Little Cowboys</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/05/lens-baby-tents-in-field.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Tents in a Field</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/06/lens-baby-little-red-white-blue.html" style="color: #aadf62;">Red White & Blue</a></li>
<li style="line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: left;"><a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2014/07/lens-baby-watermelon.html">Watermelon</a></li>
</ul>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-55155071693553944032014-08-04T20:23:00.000-05:002014-09-23T20:25:04.114-05:00The Cuteness of Colt<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-4G3Kk4b/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-4G3Kk4b/0/L/20140804_0212-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There was a day that Colt woke up from his nap earlier than his brothers and I stopped everything to photograph his slowly changing eyes, his curls and his fierce little opinion.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-MmLDF5d/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-MmLDF5d/0/L/20140804_0214-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-8MshSLW/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-8MshSLW/0/L/20140804_0217-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-M4nbXvs/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/08-August-2014/i-M4nbXvs/0/L/20140804_0218-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-28063619659742472292014-07-30T06:39:00.000-05:002014-09-22T06:43:52.939-05:00The Best Days<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-RBvzPkd/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-RBvzPkd/0/L/20140730_0001-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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Sometimes our best days are the days when I get out of the way, stop trying to orchestrate activities or plan events and just the boys do their thing. I say "Yes!" to their play and "Absolutely!" to however dirty or wet they want to get. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-3L5PXg6/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-3L5PXg6/0/L/20140730_0002-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-NrmfKCz/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-NrmfKCz/0/L/20140730_0006-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-WwggfLv/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-WwggfLv/0/L/20140730_0009-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-41560194556255226822014-07-27T06:31:00.000-05:002014-09-22T06:32:04.873-05:00Daddy's Little Helper<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-MfDFGMg/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-MfDFGMg/0/L/20140727%20-%20Lawnmower02-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://thestillers.blogspot.com/2011/07/cannons-sixth-chore-lawn-mowing.html">Where did this little guy go with his little birthday push mower</a>? </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-znrNnZh/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-znrNnZh/0/L/20140727%20-%20Lawnmower08-L.jpg" title="" /></a><a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-z4mC7fH/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-z4mC7fH/0/L/20140727%20-%20Lawnmower11-L.jpg" title="" /></a>
<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-5nR9RDB/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-5nR9RDB/0/L/20140727%20-%20Lawnmower09-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16902744.post-63414330949684507172014-07-23T06:26:00.000-05:002014-09-22T06:27:43.628-05:00A Series of Melodramatic & Gold-fishy Events<div style="text-align: left;">
First off, this child has discovered the wonder of playing peekaboo and his take on the game is hilariously cute. He's hiding, in case you didn't catch that. ;-)</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-BcpCWfw/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-BcpCWfw/0/L/20140722%20-%20Peekaboo-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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With three children it's harder and harder to pick up my camera during the every day moments of life, but sometimes when I do I capture it helps me stop and appreciate my children's antics instead of getting frustrated by them. </div>
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Let me walk you through this series of melodramatic. Keep in mind that this happens almost daily, usually accompanied by shrill shrieks and desperate screams. </div>
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Cannon is obviously not sharing well enough, according to Cason's standards. So Cason gives me the appropriate level of dejected facial expressions to try to communicate his disapproval. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-RfdTZ5k/A" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"><img alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-RfdTZ5k/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish01-L.jpg" title="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug" /></a></div>
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I obviously do not handle things well enough or quick enough, so Cason takes matters into his own hands and does what is logical to every two-year-old. He steals the goldfish. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-xdBzwxD/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-xdBzwxD/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish02-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Cason then proceeds to expound upon his terms and conditions for sharing the goldfish with Cannon. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-pR2xrfS/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-pR2xrfS/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish03-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Cannon rebuttals with a monologue worthy of any first-born, type-A personality and lectures Cason on the ground rules of the appropriate placement of the goldfish bag. Cason attempts to wait his turn for Cannon to finish laying down the law.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-fJQqks7/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-fJQqks7/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish04-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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But alas, Cason does not love Cannon's well-versed rules of sharing and in true melodramatic style gives his most oppressed-second-child look of unfairness.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-zxHDmvx/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-zxHDmvx/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish05-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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But fear not! Cason is not totally beaten. Once again, he decides it's just easier to take matters into his own hands, meanwhile it's Cannon's turn to give me his look of incredulity. What is he suppose to do when all reason is lost on Cason's sticky goldfish fingers?</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-zZ7qsK3/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-zZ7qsK3/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish06-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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And then it happens. Cason flashes me the grin of all grins that says he knows exactly what he's doing and is more than pleased with himself at working things out to his advantage. </div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-SfPmrHp/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-SfPmrHp/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish08-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Cannon once again tries to explain the logic of sharing the goldfish bag and placing it equal distances between them, but Cason is not sold that that is going to assure him his fair share of cheesy treats.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-Tzgs5SC/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-Tzgs5SC/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish09-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Finally, some sort of agreement is reached upon which Cason relents only under the assumption that one of his hands will never leave the bag of snacks.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-L3HXJFr/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-L3HXJFr/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish10-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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Cason then feels quite pleased with himself, as if he invented the concept of sharing in the first place.</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-8GSGH7H/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-8GSGH7H/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish11-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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And Cannon gives me the knowing look of, "We'll just let Cason think he arranged this whole deal, but between you and me, we all know who the real mastermind was."</div>
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<a href="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-JDptVXz/A" title=""><img alt="" src="http://lstiller.smugmug.com/Family/2014/07-July-2014/i-JDptVXz/0/L/20140723%20-%20Goldfish12-L.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
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And so two brothers lived to see another day. I cannot say so much for a single goldfish.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17506208467941555619noreply@blogger.com