tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48043122534727683682024-03-20T01:35:12.910-07:00West Coast Cronin ClanStories and photos of our family adventures.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-16665577867288983202019-01-06T13:20:00.001-08:002019-01-06T13:24:41.915-08:00All is Love & Sports: Reflecting On My Misfortunes and the Oregon Ducks<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The year 2018 has been a rough year for me and my beloved Oregon Ducks. Starting in 2017, Darcy told me on a few occasions that she wanted to separate after 15 years of marriage and 18 years of a loving relationship. January 1, 2018 she emailed a separation letter officially putting to rest any doubt that we were staying together as husband and wife. Ironically, my love affair with the Ducks began at the same time. Darcy, now my ex-wife, was a senior and I a first year graduate student. We met at the University of Oregon during Fall Term in November 1999. It was love at first sight. Sounds corny and pathetic, right? It’s the god honest truth. I never fell for someone so hard and fast before. I noticed her on campus and began doing intense research as any good student is trained to do. She was a picture of grace, poise, and beauty and still has a spirit and presence about her that is mesmerizing and intoxicating to this day. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In 1999, my Oregon Ducks were on the cusp of something special. Joey Harrington and Coach Belotti </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were taking the football team to new heights and Coach Ernie Kent was preparing his basketball team </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for March Madness. It was a harbinger to come for us a couple and my Ducks as we both enjoyed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">unparalleled successful seasons. Yes, Chip Kelly you are still a God! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Fast forward to 2017-18 and my separation mirrors the misfortunes of the Ducks football and basketball </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">seasons. Three years removed from a National Championship appearance, the Ducks had a losing season</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in 2016 and clawed their way to a winning season in 2017 before being completely embarrassed in a bowl game by Boise State in 2018. The humiliation of this experience is not unlike the feeling of being told that your wife wants to leave you. In fact, Coach Willie Taggart separated after one season and left for greener pastures for Florida State. (Coach Cristobal is finally righting the ship and creating a winning culture.)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The basketball team has had a similar trajectory. A glorious Final Four team in 2016, the current team is</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">struggling to find the right combination of five players on the court who will listen to Coach Altman and work </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">together as one cohesive unit. It’s not pretty to watch either team as they struggle to make an impact on their respective fields of play. I cringed at the thought of our friends and family watching my relationship disintegrate with Darcy in the same way. Despite lots of drama, twists and turns, long talks in the middle of the night, and two stints of marriage counseling, this was a very big loss in the win - loss column.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sports Culture: An Acquired Taste</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I have been an avid sports nut growing up in the sports crazed Philadelphia area. Darcy, on the other </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">hand, is clueless about sports, pop culture, and doesn’t buy into sports culture. This one aspect of our lives </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and the different approach to life and recreation should have been a tell tale sign that we weren’t meant to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">be together long term. Having different tastes in music and food is one thing, but if you have two people </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">who don’t enjoy a good game on TV let alone attend a game or two, then that’s an issue. Darcy actually </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">played sports in high school so I had high hopes that this would translate into more interest in sports. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Darcy played along for the first few years, but the last five years it was apparent her interested was fake at</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">best and she wanted nothing to do with it unless our kids were playing in the game. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Box Out & Rebound! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">If you’ve watched the Ducks basketball team there is one blatant deficiency: rebounding. Basketball teams</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that can’t rebound are doomed to fail. I need to take this lesson to heart and rebound myself from a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">devastating period of my life. In so many ways, I need to reboot my life with a new purpose and passion. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I turned 49 this month and I’m going to start my life over. I’m making plans to visit New Zealand for my 50th</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">birthday to hike the Milford Track and visit Hobbiton among many other thing s to see and do in this </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">beautiful island country. I'm creating a new life around my personal goals. It’s time to follow my heart and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">make decisions based on passion and life purpose and everything else will follow suit. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Love is not a Spectator Sport</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I love watching sports just like the next guy but I like it on so many other levels. It teaches a lot of life </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">lessons about perseverance, teamwork, shared sacrifice, and competing at your best even if you’re not at </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">your best. It’s why I choose to coach and volunteer in youth sports and youth development. Darcy and I </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">forgot that we were on the same team. Heck, we weren’t even playing on the same field in the same sport.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">We had competing priorities, didn’t share the same vision of success, and couldn’t agree on how to parent </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">our wonderful kids. Add Darcy’s interest in a polyamorous lifestyle and you can see the future clearly even </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">if it’s staring you in the face and don’t want to call a desperate timeout to change the outcome of the game.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">One of my favorite sayings is there is no “I” in team, but there is an “E” in We. Darcy was clearly playing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">for a different team - or I hate to admit this - playing for herself. My team included the kids, Darcy, and our</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">extended families. I hope to one day I can find someone who understands the concept to teamwork and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">doesn’t mind watching a few games from time to time. It's the kind of drama I can get behind in my new life. </span></div>
Kevin Adams Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332584827856875711noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-36590719448103455962017-12-08T16:00:00.002-08:002017-12-08T16:00:44.459-08:002017 Holiday Greetings from the Cronin Clan<div style="text-align: right;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">December 3rd, 2017</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Happy New Year!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Today marks the first day of new year in the episcopal calendar, and the first day of advent. It's not a day that I've celebrated my whole life, but between the sunshine and gratitude I feel here at the Gemini super full moon, I feel gloriously happy and want to share and reflect about the past year with you, my friends and family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This past year has been a tumultuous one for me personally, and for our family. Usually we start our family newsletter by sharing about the kiddos first, but in this new year, I want to turn everything upside down and continue to learn from the new perspective that a new vantage brings.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyE8XJODnc2ITe5IKIW2Q5NsczcXnYxFkXSGQrcuP-hd4zN6ZEGsKp44MXhbX6N09mCCfttojhNKxcs0v5eoE9vP0xO3dufy2clWRQw498mQZ2CufhyM26tFjIwyu2foxP4ouQYLIpHg/s1600/0817171944c_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyE8XJODnc2ITe5IKIW2Q5NsczcXnYxFkXSGQrcuP-hd4zN6ZEGsKp44MXhbX6N09mCCfttojhNKxcs0v5eoE9vP0xO3dufy2clWRQw498mQZ2CufhyM26tFjIwyu2foxP4ouQYLIpHg/s400/0817171944c_HDR.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blissful at Baked Alaska for our 15th wedding anniversary.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br />I started this new year feeling trapped and spiritually lost. In the year prior I had set about "finding myself" and what I discovered had brought me further and further away from Kevin. I had fallen divinely in love with myself and awakened to the fact that I had been giving him my power (plus, my sister, mother, and kids...). Add to that my sense that Kevin feared my desire to become spiritually enlightened. Add to that the feeling that I wasn't in a professional position to be able to fulfill my dharma, and felt isolated in my community. Kevin and I went through counseling, and despite a valiant effort, we both became further disillusioned, especially as I became happy through my work and poured my energy there. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Without sharing my midlife memoir, I can now say that I understand why my favorite astrologer/guru calls this year "The end of Illusion." At the beginning of this new year, I feel grateful to have a loving husband and three amazing children, who are growing faster than I can fathom. I also am blessed to be working and serving our community. My official title is Juvenile Prevention Specialist for Clatsop County, but I'm really the coordinator for Northwest Parenting, and hope to be known as a "Family Education & Empowerment Specialist." The last exciting news that I would like to share is that I've become certified in Imagination Yoga, and I am thrilled to have a vision for bringing this playful practice to the children and families in our community, region, state and beyond... </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Kevin's run and my sunrise stride across the mighty Columbia River.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I usually try not to speak for Kevin, but as he's out hiking on this beautiful day, I'll do my best to give a brief synopsis from my point of view. I know our marriage struggles took a grate deal of energy from both of us, but thankfully, since our celebrating our fifteenth wedding anniversary, we've been focused on sharing our love and rebuilding our foundation. Despite having his "dream job," the luster of serving as Community Development Director wore off, and in September Kevin chose to take a tremendous leap by leaving his salaried position. I am proud to share the new name of his business is West Coast Cronin Clan Co. and despite not even having a web presence yet, he just billed his first three clients and has some very exciting development projects he'll be working to help create. Kevin's new journey includes taking up running, meditation and yoga, on top prioritizing of lots of long walks and hikes. He was happy to compete in three races this year, check out his post entitled (Yes, after ten years of having a family blog, Kevin decided on his own volition to write a post...it goes to show that old dogs can learn new tricks! ;-) I selfishly hope that he'll be inspired to write more, as I know he enjoys creative writing... Kevin has also been fulfilled by serving as the President of the Lower Columbia Youth Soccer Association, and is excited to have his first paid coaching gig and is also planning to start refereeing, as part of his life/career transition. Needless to say, he's a different person than he was just a year ago, and I'm proud of his ongoing transformation.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran giving Teagan a ride on our trip back East for Gram's 80th birthday.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This year has been a year of huge growth for Kieran as well, as he will likely be taller than me by his twelfth birthday, next month. Kieran was eager to enter middle school, and now enjoys the freedom of going to Friday night skate nights with one of his best friends, Noah, who he got to know by participating in the Columbia River Maritime Museum's first ROV Club. Their fifth grade team competed in the Seattle area, after five months of working together, and got Rookie of the Year. The competition included an oral defense, and even though he sweat bullets through it, Kieran was clearly the oratory leader. He also had the chance to serve as Treasurer, and good at ordering meals for the club. Lastly, Kieran enjoyed a great season of pitching, and looks forward to playing in the spring. He experienced his first soccer injury this summer, and sat out the fall, but is back to playing on a winter North Coast United team. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6PDgOp6CoWg9Gs_K__3jhjehhvA6njGfjZ-S4jKC2qyAihy78uWr2HVgEvfk4kRadsVNZVYHW61JoXKFLWWuEohTI5yuSpegyFfiSIXZzXlVaUOtL3Yv20W4B_DGAEAT2dQFPLaK9zs/s1600/1015170810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge6PDgOp6CoWg9Gs_K__3jhjehhvA6njGfjZ-S4jKC2qyAihy78uWr2HVgEvfk4kRadsVNZVYHW61JoXKFLWWuEohTI5yuSpegyFfiSIXZzXlVaUOtL3Yv20W4B_DGAEAT2dQFPLaK9zs/s640/1015170810.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thumbs up before Makenna's big 10k walk/run. :-)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Makenna also happily transitioned schools, and is now at Lewis & Clark Elementary. She enjoys having lots of friends, and is quickly getting up to grade level with her reading. She's also loves playing soccer, and is quite the natural, according to Kevin. She still loves making art, and is banging away at the piano as I write. She's had fun in gymnastics and really wants to get back into swimming more. And here's a cute photo from her second walking race, the Great Columbia Crossing (she came in after her Dad, but in a few years, she'll surely be lapping him). Makenna's also more and more interested in "screens" and really wants an tablet l</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">ike her friends who have started messaging me...she even</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> coaxed her sister into asking Santa for an Apple watch yesterday...Teagan: "<i>I want a talking unicorn, who can fly, and play and do anything I want! Oh, and an Apple watch!</i>" ...I think he saw right through her. ;-) As a middle child, Makenna savors her rare alone time with Kevin and I, and most of all, loves being a Big Sis to Teagan. She dreams and talks a lot about growing up and living in Paris. Her dream of having a small white dog came true when we got a new puppy...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbON0e-O2YPo-Pph0AwuJTJt6HVagzP7jGFSqwWLIeiVFiFyGhkK9BsRTb5atBNvrPfLA2wy7EnyrtxDobu4npIPikX99paRxoLhNLSmdZt93DnFF1ZKYFxrYWUxDl97UMMbWXhI4ufA/s1600/0916171320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbON0e-O2YPo-Pph0AwuJTJt6HVagzP7jGFSqwWLIeiVFiFyGhkK9BsRTb5atBNvrPfLA2wy7EnyrtxDobu4npIPikX99paRxoLhNLSmdZt93DnFF1ZKYFxrYWUxDl97UMMbWXhI4ufA/s400/0916171320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first hellos to Lulu, who is part sweet, part crazy dog. Lulu fits her. ;-)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Teagan's birthday wishes came true when we welcomed our four-legged family member, Lulu, a Schnoodle (mix between a miniature schnauzer and poodle). Lulu has tripled in size since she came home three months ago, and is getting closer to being "potty trained." Lulu adores Teagan, who loves her puppy kisses. Teagan also loves preschool, and according to Makenna, she is an "awesome artist." She certainly is proud of her expanding coloring and tracing skills. She remains a very emotionally sensitive and intuitive person who often seems ahead of her four years...precocious doesn't describe her entirely though, as she has a wicked sense of humor. New neighbors described her well after meeting once at the park..."Teagan. (thoughtful pause) She's a riot!!" She certainly has a riot of curls to match.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If all our personal lives weren't busy enough, we had a full year as a family. We finished turning our Theater into an Airbnb suite, and with the income from our first rentals, we renovated the basement. We've had some fantastic short term renters who were all young professionals, and super kind and respectful (our first longer term renter had the sweetest dogs, Zeno and Maggie, who inspired us to get a puppy!) I was surprised to just check out stats to see that we'll have hosts over thirty sets of guests this year! I actually earned far more from our rental income than from my day job, and it's only because of our rental income that Kevin was able to make his career leap ahead of his intended schedule. Our historic home still remains a truly expensive labor of love, and it's great to be able to share it with guests from near and far (we had the sweetest young lady stay for a week with her infant son and mother, and our last longer term renter was from Maine :-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OK, I know this is way longer than practically anyone actually reads these days, but the sums up the true highlights of 2017 for us. It feels so incredible to have made it through the darkness of the great eclipse, and to be gearing up for a truly beautiful new year. Today was simply amazing in so many ways, and blue skies in December didn't hurt. We've got so many fun advent plans, and are looking forward to making special memories with family and friends. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lastly, even though I've always enjoyed sending my love in the form of a holiday card to our loved ones, I used to feel awkward and apologetic for writing a "brag" newsletter. But this year it feels like we have so much to authentically brag about, and we are indeed so very grateful to have family and friends to care enough about us to share our lives virtually. As always, we would love to plan a visit or camping trip for the new year, and we hope that our paths will cross in person, rather than just online.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">As Teagan is going to share as the Star in her preschool Christmas pageant: "For Mary and for Joseph, the would be a special night. For Jesus would be born, and bring the world hope, joy and light." No matter your beliefs, we wish you a season of beauty, wonder, and believing in magic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Peace be with you,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Darcy and family</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">PS I don't want to post our personal info here, but feel free to reach out to Kevin or I by Facebook.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family pic after our big walk/run in September. Kieran was still out of commission with his knee.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More first Lulu kisses!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of school: 6th, 3rd and preschool.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBC3yo54ERDQn5Vt0ZemmA-kjHGe2-BWrkikxwuyab5uh30aWXMrFXJRZJgzUW9Ex__aVEhRkZ04iUBOuhCmo1cUDc92Etfd9_GExc55qLlKMfPIywBlEjPyzZtDg3jfiH7yT_Q8WC_A/s1600/WestCoastCroninClanNov2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1600" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBC3yo54ERDQn5Vt0ZemmA-kjHGe2-BWrkikxwuyab5uh30aWXMrFXJRZJgzUW9Ex__aVEhRkZ04iUBOuhCmo1cUDc92Etfd9_GExc55qLlKMfPIywBlEjPyzZtDg3jfiH7yT_Q8WC_A/s640/WestCoastCroninClanNov2017.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sunny fall day at McClure Park, where next year we'll be celebrating the new hillside slide...wahoo!!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-16535579920325366772017-11-07T13:00:00.001-08:002017-11-07T13:00:06.028-08:00Cronin Co-Housing<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We haven't shared about it much with family/friends, but our family has been happily co-housing since the spring. We started off by building a Murphy bed in our Theater and turning it into a <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/11321424?s=51">Private Theater Suite on #Airbnb</a>, and we've been happy to host lots of weekend guests who love exploring Astoria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But we also quickly got inquiries for more long term rentals from people who have temporary jobs here on the North Coast and who need a temporary furnished space to call home. So we renovated the basement into a monthly rental, and we'll soon be wishing our second renter farewell. We've also had two guests in the Theater who have stayed for over a month, and we've been so happy that we are ready to start officially advertising our "Cronin Co-Housing."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe it's because I spent my early years living on my parents' hippie commune, but I've always had a fascination with co-housing. I even did a qualitative research project in graduate school interviewing people living in co-housing. As a kid, I remember touring by mansions in Southern California and thinking to myself that I would only want to live in them if I could live there with lots of friends and family. So, now that I'm living in my own "mini-mansion," it felt natural for me to want to share our home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So far we've given our guests space to explore Astoria, but we also enjoy hosting dinner parties and the kids actually love getting to know guests. So, as we've rethought what we want to offer and attract, that we really do want the opportunity to get to know our guests. We've decided to include two family meals per week for guests who are living with us. It could be dinner, lunch or breakfasts, depending on our schedules. For us co-housing doesn't mean that we'll talk with or even see our guests every day, but that a few times a week we'll have a chance to connect and share our lives along with food and drink. We hope that by welcoming guests into our family that it will give a unique opportunity to experience Astoria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's our <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vRoO92glf7qno_5PhD2zLVJZtGFSTn2zYY_FarNo2O1ZHabG_B45iBkdCAT88G7UFxvm31Lc_Mz8wPb/pub">first flyer</a> that we just posted around Astoria, and here's more photos:</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEoIBLTmlzij9qdiRRxMukMKC81LXaRw1Zm9a_FTNMQ03HLcW1jjaihZYTFwwOtA0Ei0pTFjypT5Up-FnVeIIKFav5OSQGu13SsVLEmNx6NYD_6DW6Oq2wau_RSe4CCoKo3FZ9V5v82c/s1600/1105171426a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbEoIBLTmlzij9qdiRRxMukMKC81LXaRw1Zm9a_FTNMQ03HLcW1jjaihZYTFwwOtA0Ei0pTFjypT5Up-FnVeIIKFav5OSQGu13SsVLEmNx6NYD_6DW6Oq2wau_RSe4CCoKo3FZ9V5v82c/s320/1105171426a.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Private entrance, south facing.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_upIz5wGp8TR6UJ8nlSRqhT0EkHF9Ylwx8oy3knKPeoGYINHFXOlufLlkGwkepWfqfa6sAwNt6H5vuKqa0Wn3UDEGN7e2l6LKlxdBqYWaD2bI-fK5t8dvuZPa-TYW8UGHL0F3dyynycs/s1600/1105171426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_upIz5wGp8TR6UJ8nlSRqhT0EkHF9Ylwx8oy3knKPeoGYINHFXOlufLlkGwkepWfqfa6sAwNt6H5vuKqa0Wn3UDEGN7e2l6LKlxdBqYWaD2bI-fK5t8dvuZPa-TYW8UGHL0F3dyynycs/s320/1105171426.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">New mini-fridge, dining table and La-Z-Boy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98WSAWVLfGvZTEzgK_XiH0tX2K3dKF3dzIrG82rZrdTsm6C5BhfKViY2co-U6uyGded9aJ_zVPbR7Ts-3ZTOwpg-SvtUzSyuGlBo414iPzfBImW85irHBClHLtXABsV4bPYgLvZbVKas/s1600/1105171425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg98WSAWVLfGvZTEzgK_XiH0tX2K3dKF3dzIrG82rZrdTsm6C5BhfKViY2co-U6uyGded9aJ_zVPbR7Ts-3ZTOwpg-SvtUzSyuGlBo414iPzfBImW85irHBClHLtXABsV4bPYgLvZbVKas/s320/1105171425.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Extra twin bed for any guests.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmbqKq3mcOCg3_dtyFWBn1OxvIpTFo4s1liVSD_6Eqm_5zbZ-ZCoVlsJkaRxhbIlxrTm5Pr5vmy9JnyEgBg1mmCMKVu34WM0GPllOn0FQ4B7s6te1dNsgvxF7a_bkpcmi87WeDeWleO8/s1600/1105171421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilmbqKq3mcOCg3_dtyFWBn1OxvIpTFo4s1liVSD_6Eqm_5zbZ-ZCoVlsJkaRxhbIlxrTm5Pr5vmy9JnyEgBg1mmCMKVu34WM0GPllOn0FQ4B7s6te1dNsgvxF7a_bkpcmi87WeDeWleO8/s320/1105171421.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Comfy Queen bed, open shelf dresser, plus two closets (one big enough for a bike/gear).</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDdiCLZ93BvIW5ock6RH_QnxTlnmgBYwes9XwKHfJlRPNX1d-lhY1ic7GmtJ4uUtORb9srDqPUUdla4NP_oWDkFPISa213GKXxbosa2dLk5Gv2eqp9dNR6ApnHv-DYKTCd4NzSIUgOQA/s1600/1105171346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDdiCLZ93BvIW5ock6RH_QnxTlnmgBYwes9XwKHfJlRPNX1d-lhY1ic7GmtJ4uUtORb9srDqPUUdla4NP_oWDkFPISa213GKXxbosa2dLk5Gv2eqp9dNR6ApnHv-DYKTCd4NzSIUgOQA/s320/1105171346.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another view, the bathroom door is hiding behind the pillar.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMQifMHfcNsvhX46Np6wxLlnUfwSiFOSxICR3yCB_a2jYsYwws82h5ce9TiBWNDWRWnRjUiVqYLHnpD_65L65VejdKJOE3ycBwxC2bzY8fYrfRHAF9FKY3zcVsEWxrsAuRBvDLZ9H3m8/s1600/1105171345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMQifMHfcNsvhX46Np6wxLlnUfwSiFOSxICR3yCB_a2jYsYwws82h5ce9TiBWNDWRWnRjUiVqYLHnpD_65L65VejdKJOE3ycBwxC2bzY8fYrfRHAF9FKY3zcVsEWxrsAuRBvDLZ9H3m8/s320/1105171345.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One more view of dining/living area.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7fNeUYplrdOHSAM49uMOM7krjkwUSOBOr-2VTd7l42mZHaot9RySbqyCbhpBjdiSw8R2hHLmuqROv3pTPjm_gm2Egn3ARZL7sWbL35W20nxcLbGBXbqs3VO3WKJFzP-nwM0ovQR8eTM/s1600/1105171359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7fNeUYplrdOHSAM49uMOM7krjkwUSOBOr-2VTd7l42mZHaot9RySbqyCbhpBjdiSw8R2hHLmuqROv3pTPjm_gm2Egn3ARZL7sWbL35W20nxcLbGBXbqs3VO3WKJFzP-nwM0ovQR8eTM/s320/1105171359.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Private bathroom with new toilet and handheld shower head, plus plenty of storage.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGaH28xNoTHgYFG1RLFokcnEEGB49r7SEfLlUw70JFmnVKIhPjUc779d83MQUsfP8HOdr5Zjw1ORncgQgN6oMaETqugngX7tLQo1YDpheQrPNhmQ0h1VCxGv1Ol_Y_Kp07dueiLE0r5A/s1600/1105171415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGaH28xNoTHgYFG1RLFokcnEEGB49r7SEfLlUw70JFmnVKIhPjUc779d83MQUsfP8HOdr5Zjw1ORncgQgN6oMaETqugngX7tLQo1YDpheQrPNhmQ0h1VCxGv1Ol_Y_Kp07dueiLE0r5A/s320/1105171415.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Shared laundry room with new high capacity machines. Feel free to use our eco-friendly detergent and cleaning supplies.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHqGd2Uv5Pak3S66TfNfDUFdt-jmJgTGDGWw0FAqKaWLqLJoU_oGwUBnjGsEZ3BSaYd06iatBS_hOrT3zaGVgG0zKtpazuw8TmO0r-OxdPeFzey-wqF5ucr0qyicCbylH_qOES_SNqE8/s1600/1005170831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHqGd2Uv5Pak3S66TfNfDUFdt-jmJgTGDGWw0FAqKaWLqLJoU_oGwUBnjGsEZ3BSaYd06iatBS_hOrT3zaGVgG0zKtpazuw8TmO0r-OxdPeFzey-wqF5ucr0qyicCbylH_qOES_SNqE8/s320/1005170831.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">McClure Park is across the street (soon the 30 ft hillside slide will be done!!) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lastly, a little more about our family:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kevin - East Coaster at heart. Starting up a private consulting planning/development business. Loves running and yoga. Coaches youth soccer and serves as President of the local soccer club.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darcy - Oregonian at heart. Has the world's best commute, walking just two blocks downhill to work for Clatsop County coordinating Northwest Parenting. Blogger and community volunteer.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kieran - Tween who soon will be going to his first dance. He loves talking about sports, history and world politics (socialist in the making). Learning to play the french horn.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Makenna - Loves making art, playing with friends, her puppy and little sister.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Teagan - Preschooler who loves her new puppy, and playing outside and dancing/signing.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6pK3KT_TKJOcY9pypxGqwJ9oqdlI5p4ECfpyPo02KK-oRPAeDLwiqwTPlki51WIjHXA9UXTmCb4xiYBP9gjjcItkrwPV6Ls3kuw6MfIv6iXWzUzoIAdD5KFkfSdhPlwRlj6D6xQSQNI/s1600/WestCoastCroninClanNov2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="1600" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6pK3KT_TKJOcY9pypxGqwJ9oqdlI5p4ECfpyPo02KK-oRPAeDLwiqwTPlki51WIjHXA9UXTmCb4xiYBP9gjjcItkrwPV6Ls3kuw6MfIv6iXWzUzoIAdD5KFkfSdhPlwRlj6D6xQSQNI/s320/WestCoastCroninClanNov2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As we mention on our Airbnb listing, and which has worked well for our guests so far, we are up early on the weekdays. We have breakfast on school/work days at 7, and are usually out of the house by 7:45. Kevin works from home and Darcy usually walks home for lunch. We tend to have dinner on the earlier side, around 6...if we don't have sports or a community meeting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We look forward to meeting with prospective co-housing guests soon...we would love to welcome you to Astoria and share our little piece of paradise.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Peace,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Darcy</span><br />
<br />Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-86347474873557612532017-11-06T10:12:00.002-08:002017-11-07T09:33:29.674-08:00Running for My Life<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy8pt3_2DUtDz8xG-FEZIi9KvjMOwPH5wACeLZE86Blg1H9oLSnxgBnVQZhvgbTozafK1Mj9J-Y-_YdkDDn-D_FYm3v3-gMGQvRwW-kHVtRSf8K2nZvz6a2PXbH1usaEKP7tAwG6XR3o/s1600/1021171055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPy8pt3_2DUtDz8xG-FEZIi9KvjMOwPH5wACeLZE86Blg1H9oLSnxgBnVQZhvgbTozafK1Mj9J-Y-_YdkDDn-D_FYm3v3-gMGQvRwW-kHVtRSf8K2nZvz6a2PXbH1usaEKP7tAwG6XR3o/s320/1021171055.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cold, wet, beautiful run in Vancouver B.C.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love hiking. I enjoy mountain biking and long rides on country roads. I do not like running...or at least not up until last year. I decided on a whim to run my first 5K in May 2016 as part of the Astoria Parks & Recreation Foundation’s <a href="http://www.astoriaparks.com/Run%20on%20the%20River%202017">“Run on the River”</a> event. I thought this was a great way to get involved in the community by volunteering and why not run a 5K for the heck of if while I’m at it. I didn’t train whatsoever. Mistake, right? Darcy thought I went bonkers. I just showed up at the start line on the 6th Street Pier in my most presentable pair of soccer shorts and Adidas running shoes I had stashed in the bedroom closet and just went for it. How hard could it be to run 3.2 miles along flat terrain with a fantastic view of the Big River? As it turned out, very hard, but a lot of fun too! </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-086daf84-926e-1949-25a3-26cb9edf80b2" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was full of piss and vinegar at the start running on sheer excitement and adrenaline. At the turnaround near Smith Point, I briefly stopped and doused myself with water and then pushed on drafting behind a woman who looked like she was in much better shape than I was and coasted until I turned on the jets for a final kick. As I crossed the finish line I let out a cathartic yell, but didn’t have a clue how I finished the race. I picked up some water, a snack, gently bowed to receive a medal from my daughter Makenna (who was volunteering with Darcy) and waited patiently at the runner’s tent to collect my race time. I couldn’t believe it...I did a double take at the printout...I finished first in my age group (45-49) and placed 8th overall with time of 28 minutes! In addition to a cool t-shirt that I still love and wear religiously, a glass blown medal from <a href="http://www.fernhillglass.com/">Fernhill Glass Studios</a>, and a tasty free pint of cream ale from <a href="https://www.buoybeer.com/">Buoy Beer,</a> I received a fancy water bottle for my placement and a lot of pats on the back. The best part was my confidence level skyrocketed and seemed to be floating on a cloud for the rest of the week, knowing that I could accomplish anything. A priceless feeling that was worth the registration a couple times over.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Although the runner's high of my first race was undeniable, I didn’t run another race until I entered the same event in May 2017. This time I actually warmed up with a few runs on the Riverwalk in April, and a handful of long hikes to crosstrain, and finished with a time of 24 minutes! I didn’t win my age group and placed 15th overall, but I felt great about shaving 4 minutes off and setting a new personal best...a PB in the running world. Faced with the results, I knew something good was happening and decided to sign up for my first 10K in Vancouver, BC for October. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Throughout the summer, I had Vancouver on my mind keeping me motivated and focused. I filled my summer weeks with more hikes than runs, but I followed up with another race in August at the Lower Hospice's <a href="http://www.racetothebar.com/">"Race to the Bar" </a>at Fort Stevens State Park with a 5K run on the beach. This was an excruciating experience because the weather was terrible and the wind was brutal. After the turnaround, it felt like ten people pushing against me as I methodically jogged back to the finish line in a meditative state. As it turns out, I placed 2nd in my age group falling to the overall winner with a time of 25 minutes which was pretty good considering the cruddy conditions.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">With continued training in September and October I signed up for a 10K at the <a href="http://www.greatcolumbiacrossing.com/">Great Columbia Crossing</a>, knowing this could be a trial run for the following weekend at the James Cunningham Seawall Race in Stanley Park. Talk about two amazing views in the Pacific Northwest! The Columbia Crossing event developed into a beautiful fall day and had to be one of the coolest things I've ever done; running across the Astoria Megler Bridge from Dismal Nitch on the Washington side to the <a href="http://www.theredbuildingloft.com/">Red Building Loft </a>underneath the bridge with stunning scenery. Thankfully, Dave Feeney, a local Coastie, ended up being a great, impromptu running partner which I never had even with all of my training runs. It was a great strategy to have someone set the pace and chit chat along the way and before I knew it I was on the down slope of the bridge heading for the final stretch. Dave took off as we quickly approached the bridgehead, but I used a final leg kick to cross the finish line in 50 minutes! I didn’t purchase the extra chip timer, but I did the check the race results online and found out I would’ve placed in the top 10 of my age group among a group of 500+ runners. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I honestly can’t tell you why I wanted to run at age 47 or what I’m running to or from in life. I can tell you that I’m in the best shape of my life, doing daily yoga and meditation, in addition to my running and hiking schedule. Darcy has noticed the positive changes from my new physique, new attitude toward life, goal setting and results, and putting myself out there to meet new people and experience life on my terms. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This last year has been my most challenging year in life. Darcy and I struggled as a couple up until my transformation in August and then I left my job in early October. Running has been more than a diversion from the daily grind, it’s been a great tool to clear my head, think more clearly, live in the present, and demonstrate to myself and the family that I’m still kicking ass! I don’t know if I’ll ever figure my life out, but I do know that running has been a great way to help with the process of sorting out the next steps. </span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where am I running next?</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I haven’t scheduled any race events for 2018. If you have any suggestions or ideas I’d love to hear them. Everywhere I turn there is another 5/10K race on the calendar. In years past the family has done the <a href="https://www.motivrunning.com/shamrock-run-portland/">Shamrock 5K Walk </a>in downtown Portland so I may have to do the 10K Race. Trail running really appeals to me as well and <a href="http://www.silverfallsmarathon.com/">Silver Falls State Park</a> has got to be up there. There are so many other beautiful places that beckon my inner calling to keep searching and running for my life until I find what it is I’m looking for. I’ll let you know when I find it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cheers,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Kevin</span></div>
Kevin Adams Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12332584827856875711noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-76260108148798206922016-12-31T23:59:00.004-08:002017-01-04T16:56:09.406-08:00Farewell 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfBLtpMBTGF-YAIlh-kvhejpz4cg1nTswXRDovq7y_GIRTDsUx_gSW2mQ6l7m42OhsnDPCwkOS6K_GwLE3tczClKf9Bo0s9X8gcqvTzy-2I9naWoSxlfHmuHUOhE_ZGaIxJ4jx2W1v7E/s1600/1204161453c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGfBLtpMBTGF-YAIlh-kvhejpz4cg1nTswXRDovq7y_GIRTDsUx_gSW2mQ6l7m42OhsnDPCwkOS6K_GwLE3tczClKf9Bo0s9X8gcqvTzy-2I9naWoSxlfHmuHUOhE_ZGaIxJ4jx2W1v7E/s400/1204161453c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Dear Friends and Family,<br />
<br />
It's already 2017 for our East Coast family, so it's about time that we publish our annual holiday "family newsletter." This is the first year that we haven't diligently mailed out a hard copy. It's partly because this year it harder to put into words. But as the year quickly comes to a close, I can't help but want to reflect and capture the highlights for the family history blog. We especially want to remember our epic <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2016/12/summer-family-road-trip-oregon-coast.html">Oregon National Parks road trip</a>.<br />
<br />
After moving to Astoria the previous summer, we are finally feeling settled and love our beautiful little city. It was only after we had past the one year mark and enrolled the kids back in school that I really realized how stressful the moving transition had been for us all. It feels so much more relaxing to know our way around our own life without all the unknowns.<br />
<br />
The kids have grown tremendously since we moved, and Kieran passed the five foot mark not long after <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2017/01/kieran-turns-double-digits.html">turning 10</a> (he's a solid 115 pounds too!). It sure won't be too many years until he's taller than us. Kieran is still big into soccer and played in a competitive league that required us to travel to the Portland area nearly every weekend in the fall. He especially loves playing goalie and made some great friends. Since soccer ended, he's joined a ROV team through the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and they'll be competing in April. He's the team's CFO and he's enjoying learning in new ways. Probably the most memorable part of the year was going to L.A. for the Airbnb Open. After having read all one million words of Harry Potter, I really wanted to take him to the new Harry Potter World before he was "too old." It's hard to believe that he'll be in middle school by the fall...<br />
<br />
Makenna is blossoming as well and loves her second grade teacher, Ms. Olson. Makenna had a great soccer season and scored several of the best goals. Over the winter break she remembered how much she loves swimming. Makenna is still very social and loves listening to pop music, especially Katy Perry. Makenna is a fantastic big sister (and becoming a better middle sister). She still loves art and just recently started drawing the cutest owls. Makenna is still a fashionista and loves her owl dresses. She has a eagerness and joy that we hope won't ever fade.<br />
<br />
Teagan is still a joy as well, even though she's certainly insisting on her independence since turning three. She and Makenna are the best of sisters and play really well together. Teagan loves her preschools and since September has split her time between Peace Learning Center and Grace Episcopal. Teagan has learned some social skills from her sister and has made some great friends who she clearly adores. Teagan looooves playing with puzzles and already counts past ten and recognizes most of her letters. She got a baby doll for Christmas that fits perfectly in her arms and has a diaper bag with accessories, and it's so much fun watching her be a mama. Makenna quickly offered to serve as the Nanny and loves the doll just as much. It's so much fun that they have each other.<br />
<br />
Kevin finally feels at home career-wise and loves his role as Community Development Director for the City of Astoria. After a year and a half, it's fun to start to see his work making a difference and there is much is progress, with a new economic development strategy dubbed <i>Advance Astoria</i>, that is sure to create positive changes in the community. The most memorable event of the year was when Kevin dressed up in drag for the Jane Barnes Review, where he prowled down the catwalk to Katy Perry's <i>Roar. </i>He earned the most dollars thrown at him for the fundraiser for the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, and it was hilarious to see him as never before. Kevin was also won an award from the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association for his leadership of the Parks Master Plan.<br />
<br />
This past year is hard to put into words for me personally, as I've struggled to redefine myself/my career and have gone through a serious I'm-turning-40 phase. I've had more ideas than I can even manage, haven't wanted to limit my possibilities, but have still felt limited/overwhelmed about how to make all my dreams a reality. It's been a year of tremendous spiritual growth. My year of searching was an adventurous one, which led me to launch <a href="http://yippiechicks.com/">Yippie Chicks</a> with Miel, road trip to the Wallowas for the five year anniversary of Wally's death to scatter his and our Grandpa Ellis' ashes (we still have a tiny bit left to bring to Wales someday...), our annual pilgrimage to the Oregon Country Fair, serving as Miel's <a href="http://yippiechicks.com/a-toast-to-miel-adam/">Best Twin</a> at her wedding, driving the <a href="http://yippiechicks.com/our-california-coast-road-trip-to-blogher-l-a/">whole California coast together</a> to go to <a href="http://yippiechicks.com/blogher-meta-story/">BlogHer</a>, traveling to the Airbnb Open in L.A. again in November (we actually hadn't taken a trip together college, which the exception of me visiting Miel in Peace Corps, so we used 2016 to make up for lost time). I also did an online training called Mindful Youtube University and a teacher training to teach Imagination Yoga to kids, both which were truly inspiring and I look forward to incorporating into my work. As I plan for 2017, I'm eager to finally hone in on how I want to serve my new community (and I have a few applications in the works and an interview next week...wish me luck).<br />
<br />
With all my big dreams that have often seemed incompatible with Kevin, we've been going through marriage counseling. After feeling pretty hopeless, I'm grateful to feel progress and I'm beginning to feel hopeful that we can both accept and appreciate each other in the new year and beyond.<br />
<br />
OK, with five minutes left in the year, it's time to wrap up this year end reflection. I truly hope that this new year brings you peace, love and prosperity. I also hope to meet/host many of you in Astoria in 2017.<br />
<br />
Wishing you Peace,<br />
<br />
Darcy<br />
West Coast Cronin Clan<br />
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-90544592412491089482016-12-30T00:03:00.000-08:002017-01-01T00:06:02.917-08:00Summer Family Road Trip: Oregon Coast & National ParksOur family just returned from our biggest Oregon road trip yet, traveling just under 1200 miles in 10 days together.<br />
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There were lots of "firsts" for our family on this trip, as we traveled down the entire Oregon Coast, spent the weekend in the gorgeous California Redwoods, visited the spectacular Oregon Caves National Monument, reminisced in Ashland, delighted in the wonder of Crater Lake National Park, basked in the beauty of Bend, and savored the scenic miles on final trek home along the Columbia River.<br />
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It's not the miles that feel impressive though, it's the fact that I truly feel so much more connected to my family, and in awe of the beautiful nature that surrounds us. You would think that we would be sick of each other, instead I'm feeling inspired by my vision for our family, which includes experiencing as much as possible of this amazing state.<br />
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Don't get me wrong, there was plenty of natural sibling rivalry along the way, but true fights were intercepted and many lessons were learned along the way. The best part of the whole trip was seeing the big kids work together as a team to become Junior Rangers. Teagan's focus was on building excitement for her upcoming 3rd birthday, showing nearly every stranger her three proud fingers.<br />
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As we prepared for the trip, I was feeling testy and disconnected from Kevin after a summer apart (I had already been traveling for nearly five weeks). Thankfully, by the end of the trip, we were both feeling rejuvenated and reconnected.<br />
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Aside from our own "reservation" at Olivia Beach, we actually did the entire trip without any reservations. This was a first for our family, as Kevin usually plans a tight itinerary, down to the menu and activities. Yet, after traveling with Miel on our Yippie Chicks adventure down the entire California coast, I was convinced that we would be less stressed to not be beholden to a set schedule. Even though I knew that it was a risk, I wanted to create room for family adventure. As it turns out, we experienced "camping magic" more than once. :-)<br />
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Day 1<br />
We packed up to leave after Kevin was done with his City Council meeting, little did we know that it wouldn't let out until past 10.<br />
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Day 2<br />
We had arrived at Olivia Beach past midnight, which made for a tired first day, where I worked and everyone else watched more than their share of the Rio Olympics. Plus a much-anticipated family dip in the outdoor heated pool next door.<br />
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We celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary early, and I should get some cred for finding a great babysitter who lives in walking distance to Olivia Beach. (I've always envisioned finding a babysitter that we could recommend to our guests, and thankfully now I can!) We spent our "date night" with dinner at Kyllo's, our favorite fine dining place. Dinner at Kyllo's was wonderful, complete with grilled artichokes, crab cakes and a bottle of Willakenzie Pinot Gris. I was a very windy and cold beach walk. It was hard to believe that the rest of state was having an extreme 100+ heat wave, as we braced ourselves against the wind on our frigid walk back along the beach.<br />
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Day 3<br />
Our big family excursion was hiking Cascade Head Nature Preserve, which was marvelous. We hadn't hiked the trail since before kids, and it was even more beautiful than I remembered. It's absolutely the most beautiful hike along the Oregon Coast! The kids did fantastic, and the weather was perfect.<br />
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It turned out that we had more family business that I had hoped for (sadly I had promised the family that I wouldn't work, but it was unavoidable. I was reasonable and only put in 4-5 hour days, not like our typical beach business trips, where we put in long hours of sweat equity). We had just hired a new cleaning company, so we needed to meet our new vendor/partner to make sure our mutual expectations are clear. We are also trying to schedule a remodel of the lofts to build a dormer and exterior stairs, so I needed to meet with our contractor. Plus, the typically trip to Ace for batteries and to Bi-Mart for supplies (we used to purchase on Amazon and will go back to that as we as we can...) Back when we built our beach cabins, I had envisioned relaxing the pool. Instead, we poured cocktails and weeded together as the kids splashed nearby. Thankfully, we had celebrated our the night before. I had spent most of our last visit weeding as well, and I'm more than ready to clear up my weeding karma. (we are committed to not using herbicides, which has made for lots of work). Still, I felt grateful, having accomplished our beach cabin dream so much sooner than we ever thought possible. My goal is that by next year we'll finally have the weeds under control and still be keeping vendors and guests happy.<br />
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Day 4<br />
We packed up, wrapped up the final business and managed to hit the road by 10. The kids had been on their best behavior with the promise of going to the Oregon Coast Aquarium. As a kid I was truly fascinated by marine life, and did a distance class through the OSU in high school, and then focused a year of studying marine biology and ecology at Denmark's International Studies Program. So, it was a big deal for me to show the kids the aquarium.<br />
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There was a bit of line, and next time I would pre-purchase tickets online. We missed the otter feeding and got there just in time for the seal/sea lion feeding. The animals were a lot of fun to watch, and way more entertaining than the wild sea lions the kids see on the docks of Astoria on a regular basis. The best part was when the kids had a chance to get a sticker by answering questions about what they had learned about the difference between seals and sea lions. Kieran was asked which animal is louder, and he easily knew that sea lions bark loud enough to be heard at our home, six blocks from the river! Makenna was craving negative attention and kept filling my sandals with pebbles, after a frustrating/embarrassing time out, we were able to enjoy the rest of our aquarium visit. There was plenty to see and I only wish that we had more than two hours explore.<br />
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We were on a travel timeline though, and needed to get down to Sunset Bay to get a campsite. Thankfully the kids were tired after a parking lot picnic lunch, and Teagan napped nearly the whole drive. We put on our "camping magic" as we round the curvy coastal bends, and arrived just after four to find the dreaded "Campground Full" sign. Miraculously, they still had an RV site left between to the fish cleaning station and the woodshed. We all jumped for joy and quickly pitched our tents. My meal plan included driving back up the road to the roadside fish and chips place that I spotted on our way (check out my Google Local Guide review of Oceanside Beachfront RV Resort). It turned out to happily fill everyone's bellies, and I would highly recommend it (review to be posted soon!)<br />
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We got back to camp in time to go meet Smokey the Bear. Makenna had met Smokey in her first grade class, and Teagan was very excited to meet him for the first time. Kieran was given a book by his great grandparents called Saving Li'l Smokey when Makenna was a baby, so all the kids have heard many times about the danger of wildfires to animals.<br />
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We enjoyed a safe campfire and tucked ourselves into bed to read around 9. :-)<br />
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Day 5<br />
We got up early the next morning to go on a ranger-led tour of the tide pools as Cape Arago. It was at these same tidepools that my fascination for sea life first began, and it was a pure pleasure to explore with the kids. It had been a full moon the night before, so the low tide was extra low. I somehow managed to keep Teagan balanced on my hip through most of adventure. We saw plenty of Oregon tidepool favorites, including lots of sea anemones and sea stars. I remember finding a lot more sea stars as a kid, but I didn't spoil the experience by comparing the time that I found a rare nudribranch. We trekked all the way out to the sea urchin beds, near the sea kelp forest. Once again, I was only a little sad that we didn't have all day linger and explore (this trip easily could have lasted twice as long...if only Kevin had more time off!).<br />
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We headed south toward Bandon, picked up grocery supplies at the local IGA, and found our way to <a href="http://cranberrysweets.com/">Cranberry Sweets</a>, the candy store we visited nearly every trip as kids. They have lots of samples of their unique jellied candied. While I love sampling them, I knew that the rest of the family wouldn't really eat them. So, instead we stocked up on salt water taffy and an assortment of gummies. The kids were delighted, and it was fun to "play Mom" and remember my own inner child. We had forgotten bread at the store, so we stopped by the Bandon Baking Company. It was a pretty traditional American-style bakery, and since I'm more of a European bakery lover, it kept me on task to just buy bread. We picked up a few really quality bagels and a round loaf of cheese and chive bread. I only wished that I would have bought a few more bagels for the road. They were very decadent with cheese and artichoke and cheese and bacon, so it was probably a good thing. ;-)<br />
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We coasted south past Face Rock, where my family spent several spring breaks with close family friends. It definitely inspired me to plan a reunion with families who I have so many fond beach memories. Bandon is indeed a beautiful beach town, and once again, I would have loved to stay for a full weekend.<br />
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Yet, the California was calling our name. The drive down the coast was absolutely beautiful, easily as gorgeous as Big Sur, which I had just traveled earlier in the summer. This particular section of the coast feels like you are on the edge of the world. Wonder fills you as the waves crash against the coastline. I don't know if the kids appreciated the drive enough, but we parents didn't take it granted. Kevin was only disappointed that we didn't have time to hike <a href="http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=40">Humbug Mountain</a>, which we had hiked at our first winter holidays together. Instead, we sufficed with a picnic lunch in the parking lot.<br />
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I had been wanting to camp just north of Crescent City, at the <a href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=430">Tolowa Dunes State Park</a>, but we couldn't find the campground (it turns out the campground that I had researched was at a whole different park, but I couldn't get online to find more details). We had just passed the turn off to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State and National Park. Truthfully, I had only not planned to go there because I was afraid of not getting a campsite. We arrived around four and once again found a "campground full" sign. Our camping magic worked though, and we managed to get a cancellation for the next two nights.<br />
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This put our traveling minds at ease, as we headed down for a swim in the lovely Smith River. I had swam upfront from here with Miel earlier in the summer, and this was by far a superior swimming hole. Perfect in all regards. There was a warm "kiddie pool," deep green pools and nice rocks for jumping and diving. The current was very calm, and the temperature perfect after a refreshing moment. <br />
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Day 6<br />
Once we settled into our campsite, suddenly lots of memories camp flooding back: camping during spring break with our new puppy, going on a 4th grade field where a few brave kids joined the "banana slug club" by kissing one, and rafting down the Smith's emerald and aquamarine pools in college with the UO Outdoor Program. There were lots of Oregonians at the campground, most in RVs with week long reservations. The evening ranger programs were really interesting (I think we all had a crush on Ranger ??). The kids earned both a Junior Ranger pin and a special "EdVenture" badge for following the nature trail clues and reading/learning along the way. Kevin lucked out at managed to snag the last spot on a kayak tour led by Ranger ??. I was jealous, but swimming as they paddled by, I couldn't really complain. Hilariously, but not so surprisingly, spunky Teagan gave the whole kayak tour a show, having stripped naked and smacking her bootie vigorously as they paddled past!<br />
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We also went for a beautiful day hike. After the short crowded loop of Stout Grove Memorial trail (<a href="https://www.nps.gov/redw/planyourvisit/hiking-trails-north.htm">National Parks' Trail Site</a>), the connecting Mill Creek trail was virtually empty. I was really surprised to find such a quite trail. It was kid friendly, but not stroller friendly.<br />
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We could have easily stayed a week at this site. The sites were really spacious, and felt so secluded that we had to repeatedly remind our kiddos to use their "inside voices". The showers are coin operated, unlike Oregon's "free" campground showers. Best of all, our campsite was really dark and the view of the stars through the tree canopy was worth every mile of the drive.<br />
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Day 7<br />
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After a beautiful drive, we said goodbye to California and headed toward the <b>Oregon Caves National Monument</b>. I had forgotten what a long windy drive up the mountain it is from Cave Junction. We had to go slow so that Makenna wouldn't get nauseous. I remember my Mom telling us stories about driving the school bus up there on class field trips.<br />
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Once we got there, I was reminded of what a hidden treasure this park feels like. Between the historic chalet and chateau, it feels like rustic village in the wilderness. Kevin told us about how it's listed as one of the <a href="http://restoreoregon.org/oregon-caves-chateau/">most endangered historic buildings</a>, in need of restoration. We were happy that the timing worked out to take a ranger led tour of the chateau, where we learned all about it's unique history. It's definitely on our bucket list to come back to stay.<br />
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The cold dark cave peaking out of the mountain gave it's own adventure. We all had wanted to go on the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/orca/planyourvisit/index.htm#GeneralCaveTour">cave tour</a>, but Teagan was too young, you have to be five years old. So, we sufficed by exploring the visitor's center, which included a mini cave, which she loved crawling through. The big kids were all smiles when they were done with their cave tour and worked together to earn their Junior Ranger badges. They were extra happy because they were made of carved wood, instead of the typical plastic badges.<br />
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It was the end of a heat wave, so were glad to enjoy the cool mountain air, before we headed on to steamy Ashland. As hoped for, we got to Ashland just in time for a happy hour dinner at <a href="http://www.standingstonebrewing.com/">Standing Stone Brewing Company</a>. I used to work there as a part time hostess, so it was fun/weird to go back with our family. The food was delicious, and I'll be doing a full review. :-)<br />
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We booked a last minute night at the Ashland Springs Hotel through Hotels.com and I was pleased to remember that this was the same place that had sponsored the Forest Activist Conference that I used to coordinate for Headwaters. The place had a new retro vibe that was very hip and fun. After almost a week of camping, the kids were eager to swim in the pool and watch a movie...while we parents washed laundry!<br />
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Day 8<br />
We took the kids by our old apartment, the place where we were married, and on an obligatory visit to Lithia Park, but then it was time to head to Crater Lake.<br />
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We were too anxious about getting a camping spot to stop at the Natural Bridge as I had planned, but we did get a great campsite at Crater Lake. They have just 25% of the sites on a first-come basis, so we were happy to not have to find a campsite outside the park.<br />
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The kids were indeed in awe of the amazing blue water of Crater Lake. They were also quick to start working on earning their third Junior Ranger badge of the trip. Meanwhile, I head over to the lodge to book the last five spots on the boat tour of Crater Lake for the next morning.<br />
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Day 9<br />
We had a VERY cold night, huddling in the tent, and rallied the kids out of their sleeping bags to head for the boat tour. I had gotten the time wrong for catching the shuttle, so we ran to catch it (without brushing our teeth or eating breakfast as planned...thankfully I had packed some snacks for the excursion!).<br />
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Our morning hike down to the water's edge increased our level of anticipation, as the water became more and more beautiful the closer we came to it. The boat tour was absolutely the highlight of our entire trip, and I would go again in a heartbeat. I had hiked down to the boat docks and even jumped off the short cliffs on a previous anniversary trip, but it was amazing to be out on the water itself. Next time hopefully they'll be offering visits to Wizard Island.<br />
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While we had planned to stay at Crater Lake longer, we unanimously agreed that we didn't want to freeze another night, so we headed north to Bend.<br />
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We arrived in Bend at happy hour and found our way to <a href="https://www.cruxfermentation.com/">Crux Fermentation Project</a>. We had been once before in the fall without the kids, and they were amazed by the party-like atmosphere. In fact, Teagan lit up asking "We're going to a party?!" It took us a long time to get a table inside, but we enjoyed a sampler and games outside. By the time we left it was getting dark, so we crossed our fingers as we headed toward <a href="http://oregonstateparks.org/index.cfm?do=parkPage.dsp_parkPage&parkId=34">Tumalo State Park</a>. Blessedly, we got the very last campsite (again, there was a campground full sign up, but after sweet talking the host, it turned out that there was a single handicapped space left, and as it was 9, we could have it). We opted to put up a single tent and cozy together (especially after freezing!), but in the process snapped a tent pole (thank goodness REI does repairs!).<br />
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Day 10<br />
With a broken tent pole and a decent night's sleep, we woke up in the morning ready to head to Black Bear Diner and make the trek home to Astoria. It was a glorious day, and even though we had a long drive ahead, we savored it, knowing that our trip would soon end. We went a route that we had never driven before, up toward The Dalles. It was wonderful to see the Mighty Columbia River again.<br />
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We celebrated the end of our road trip with some frozen yogurt in Hood River, and were ready to head home to Astoria.Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-1802257706580718692016-08-29T00:41:00.002-07:002016-08-29T08:19:33.350-07:00Teagan Turns 3!!!Teagan's third birthday was nothing short of fun-filled, just like our vivacious little girl.<br />
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She woke up on her birthday cuddling her new unicorn, Pinky, which her Aunt Jade had given to her the day before, as we began her festivities. Yes, we did stretch out her celebration over the whole weekend, but nothing too elaborate, setting a pace that she led...which means it was jam packed with more memories than I'll even have the time to share.<br />
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My sister, Jade and her family came to visit the day before, which was extra special because her step daughter, Kiana, and Teagan share the same birthday. :-) :-) Teagan was spoiled with lots of awesome presents from her Aunt Jade (who knows by now that we don't go overboard on toys, and is always very thoughtful and generous). Thank you Aunt Jade!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b6p4ExbeCHSE6uzKD8AEPmDcXLCbj80yhF7XWVp9oLck1oHAybIXeiaPEAYLTnu7uqb2kEBXmQZs8riNfCzjP2fz_tiWEJa52W2Sr0VSPhoj-Dc6mAx1Roy-yUG7Z4yMTaoWtIkbG5k/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0b6p4ExbeCHSE6uzKD8AEPmDcXLCbj80yhF7XWVp9oLck1oHAybIXeiaPEAYLTnu7uqb2kEBXmQZs8riNfCzjP2fz_tiWEJa52W2Sr0VSPhoj-Dc6mAx1Roy-yUG7Z4yMTaoWtIkbG5k/s640/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="328" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">This is my favorite new pic that Jade took, which captures just how sweet Teagan is, especially with her beloved chickens. She's fearless with them, just like the meaning of her middle name, Brenna.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin gets lots of Daddy cred for baking a frosting Teagan's birthday cake with her and her big sibs. It was exactly what she wanted, chocolate with purple frosting and sprinkles. Kevin chose to do it as a bunt cake, which made it look like a big Voodoo Donut. Needless to say, she loved it! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGsTqk23j_CJcYjHA2QsTrxDcAT4fHPar73mYXLBdmcIR4UA0bcOLLS2ubNTjPdyCdB0AqaCeARddHCJZZ37Sya2OLZQO60pSb1REsDeoYard-fVI1_o3Sj0f53hyqNSrjxd6mXq1Pbs/s1600/0828161056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGsTqk23j_CJcYjHA2QsTrxDcAT4fHPar73mYXLBdmcIR4UA0bcOLLS2ubNTjPdyCdB0AqaCeARddHCJZZ37Sya2OLZQO60pSb1REsDeoYard-fVI1_o3Sj0f53hyqNSrjxd6mXq1Pbs/s400/0828161056.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">After a waffle breakfast, we walked to Grace Episcopal, where Kieran was an acolyte and held Teagan as eagerly stood up in front of the whole church and put up her three proud fingers (as she has been show nearly every strangers for a few weeks). </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc86c_xnT_HqmKfLlaKX1XhZLUVRfKN_BMumVtO7IXO9sLC72cA12WRQYJt4Jqg925jIqACXZk7ONPtamM4jUvCuz1oetBW1metPXBsz4uQYDTZU0xszeepGFlKpwaH23RMhTmiLdIE4/s1600/0828161129a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjc86c_xnT_HqmKfLlaKX1XhZLUVRfKN_BMumVtO7IXO9sLC72cA12WRQYJt4Jqg925jIqACXZk7ONPtamM4jUvCuz1oetBW1metPXBsz4uQYDTZU0xszeepGFlKpwaH23RMhTmiLdIE4/s400/0828161129a.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At coffee hour, Father Lance's daughter, Grace decided to give Teagan on of her old American Girl dolls that she doesn't play with any longer, as a generous eighth grader. We appropriately named the doll Grace. Thank you Grace!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teagan thought of this photo opp at the Astoria Sunday Market.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">Teagan opening Gram and Pop Pop's birthday card (Sorry we didn't manage to call, Teagan was resisting a nap during the window of time when we should have called...She was grateful for her card, and her checking account thanks you!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought myself a beautiful bouquet at the Astoria Sunday Market to celebrate three years as Teagan's Mommy. <br />
Here's a lengthy reflection that I shared on my Darcy's Utopia blog entitled <a href="http://darcysutopia.com/life-is-better-with-teagan/">Life is Better with Teagan</a>.</td></tr>
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Thanks for sharing your life and birthday with us Teagan!<br />
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Love,<br />
Mommy<br />
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PS For those of you, like me, who can't help but take a trip down memory lane, here's a link to the photo shoot that we did when Teagan was just a two months old. Plus, here are my top three favorite posts from her first three years: <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2014/12/kissin-cousins.html">Kissin' Cousins</a>, <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2014/03/lucky-first-shamrock-stride.html">First Shamrock Stride</a>, and <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2013/11/ms-teagan3-months-already.html">Teagan, Three Months Already!!!</a>Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-60374600088023514482016-01-31T22:37:00.000-08:002017-01-04T10:38:29.803-08:00Kieran Turns Double DigitsIt feels pretty incredible that I've been a Mama for ten years today.<br />
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At church today, Kieran was asked how he felt about turning 10. He said that he was excited about turning double digits, but he'd have a wait a while before he turns triple digits. Always the mathematician with a witty sense of humor.<br />
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Kieran has been a unique spirit since day one, even <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2014/02/kieran-adams-cronins-birth-story.html">his birth</a> was easy going and joyful. I feel like my job as his mother from here on out is to cherish his unique spirit and help give him the space to grow. When we moved to Astoria Kieran decided that it was time for him to start volunteering and he decided to help out at the library one afternoon a week after school. They admiringly teased us that he's like he's really closer to 19 at heart. I've always felt that he was an old soul, especially when he was a newborn. It's hard to believe that he's a tween already, and I'm preparing myself to help guide him through the next big chapter of growth and hope that the world embraces him as I do. <br />
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-54086860625019272682015-12-23T16:58:00.001-08:002015-12-23T16:58:16.940-08:00Merry Christmas from the Cronin's...and a Very Happy New Year!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWKsrtXmOubjNvlJLmZwuve-gR9ykXt1gDvuoukVnR9jvNd-I2Fc0WNAJLfXaMLzF-xNoGskBNUKuai6s7WAkDutc8vHnwdNmMFiKaSnD3mI3ZaTHWuRa25rbm73XHiW8GyfLHUa-WQc/s1600/1223151423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWKsrtXmOubjNvlJLmZwuve-gR9ykXt1gDvuoukVnR9jvNd-I2Fc0WNAJLfXaMLzF-xNoGskBNUKuai6s7WAkDutc8vHnwdNmMFiKaSnD3mI3ZaTHWuRa25rbm73XHiW8GyfLHUa-WQc/s640/1223151423.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A holiday photo greeting from a hike to Cathedral Tree on the day after Thanksgiving with Aunt Carol.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dearest Family and Friends,</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On behalf of the West Coast Cronin Clan, we wish you the warmest of virtual holiday greetings!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This has been a pretty monumental year for us, with our recent move to beautiful Astoria, Oregon. There's so much to share, and life has been happening faster than I can blog about it. I'll try my best to give a quick replay that will do it justice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kieran has matured tremendously with the move, and sometimes we forget that he's just about to turn 10 in January. He greeted the news of our move with extraordinary optimism, and was instantly excited about all the possibilities (it didn't hurt that he had been on a "Man Camp" to Fort Stevens with stops at Fort Clatsop and Fort George). Interestingly, it opened up a new entrepreneurial spirit, and we're curious to see what comes of that. Kieran decided that he wanted to volunteer at the library and has been consistently walking himself to the library every Tuesday to help on various project (the library ladies love him and he was honored to get a card and gift). Kieran has been quick to make friends with boys from school and playing on a new soccer team that had a great season. He was excited to get into an advanced math class, and loves learning online with Khan Academy in his spare/screen time. Kieran is very excited about his new school, Lewis and Clark and Mrs. Bergman; he became a mini-celebrity when we broke off a third of his front tooth just before winter break, slipping on the rainy blacktop while racing to line up after lunch recess.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makenna has had quite the year of growth herself. She lost the last of her baby face as she grew out her bangs, and is as girly as ever. She bought herself a pair of thrift store patent leather heels with some of her first money, and never misses an opportunity to dress up. She took the move in stride, while pushing Darcy's buttons when she got bored and frustrated with the tedious unpacking process. Thankfully, she snapped right out of it once school started and she could get her energy out on the soccer field. Makenna beams excitement as she plays, clearly in her element...all except the wickedly wet games in October. Makenna is practicing reading aloud any chance we can get, and really loves her teacher, Mrs. Brewington. She's still very socially motivated and loves attention as much as the next almost seven year old.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Teagan is our littlest live wire and full of personality. She's got us wrapped around her little curls, and we all work to help her meet her temperamental toddler needs. Teagan still brings us endless joy and laughter. She definitely has a fun sense of humor, and is whip smart. She can be known to use her sweet looks to satisfy her sweet tooth, and I think we'll have to wean her in more ways than one come the New Year (yes, she's a nursing addict and can't seem to get enough either). Teagan surprises us with new words every day and I know it will be astonishing to see how much she'll grow in 2016. I don't know if we're ready to give up our baby, and she'll always keep the status to some extent (or try to work it as long as she can ;-). She's actually surprisingly independent for her age, wanting to dress herself and fully potty training not long after we moved. Teagan has been attending Peace Learning Center most weekdays, which we love because we can walk there and she loves to socialize with her preschool friends. Darcy and Teagan have special time on Wednesdays, and have been doing Kindermusick together. She also really loves pastry play dates at Blue Scorcher, library visits and being able to surprise Kevin by popping in his office.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kevin surely does love his new work, for the City of Astoria. Accepting the position of Community Development Director has really been like a dream come true, and it has been wonderful to see him so exceptionally satisfied in his work. It worked out really well that Kevin moved out in July and month before us, and it gave him a chance to get his bearings without the chaos of family and boxes. Plus, he got to hike/bike/explore Astoria as a "bachelor." His new work has really exceeded his expectations and we can hardly wait to see how he and his team will shape Astoria over time. It's also helped that Kevin has found a new coaching niche, and even decided to help lead up the futsal league, which is a must with the rainy weather. Kevin has been dreaming Hawaii as we approach the darkest days, but soon enough it'll be camping/hiking season again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for me, this year really revolved around our epic move, which required a tremendous amount of work to sell, buy and settle in. I started out the year dreaming of a new home, feeling like we were on the verge of outgrowing our home, only to realize that we were ready to create a whole new life. Once I really thought through the possibilities for our family, I was instantly elated at the prospect of moving to Astoria. We found an amazing historic Arts & Crafts home built in 1915 just blocks from downtown. Although it has its share of old house issues, it has felt like home since we first walked in the door. The town and people have really exceeded my highest hopes, and I truly appreciate the warm welcome that we received. I felt overcome with joy at our house warming party, and deeply appreciate all our new friends and neighbors. It's exciting to start creating our new community, and I'll be serving on the board of Friends of McClure Park, which is our lovely neighborhood park that we love to watch from our kitchen window. I ended up putting my life coaching on the back burner and beach cabins on simmer while in the midst of our enormous move, and I'm looking forward to putting more energy into blogging and other community projects. In many ways, it feels like we are really beginning new chapters in 2016.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As far as travels, it was a light year given our migration to the Mighty Columbia. However, we did managed two couple's trips to Seattle and Bend for long weekends where Kevin attended conferences, I got to do yoga and play, and the kids got extra time with Grandma and Aunt Miel. Our biggest trip was to visit Kevin's family back in Pennsylvania to celebrate his Dad, Neil's 80th birthday. It was a marvelous fall weekend of festivities and family. So wonderful to be able to share more than a virtual update. ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We would love to host as many family and friends as we can manage in 2016, and Astoria truly a fabulous town to explore...and drink with four breweries and a distillery. Please let us know if you're planning a trip this way...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wishing you and yours a Happy Solstice, Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Love from Astoria, Oregon!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Darcy, Kevin, Kieran, Makenna & Teagan</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-37436025147497252672015-09-15T15:37:00.000-07:002015-09-15T15:39:11.178-07:00Moving West to Astoria<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a month in our new home and town of Astoria, I'm feeling the desire to reflect, share and reconnect with friends and family from afar. When I logged in, I could hardly believe that I hadn't posted since last December. (I shared the news about the move on my <a href="http://www.sustainablefamilyfinances.com/2015/06/astoria-or-bust.html">Sustainable Family Finances blog</a> back in June). </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, I could just post sporadically or incessantly post adorable kid photos on Facebook, but it feels too curated</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to share my life via captions. They don't actually share the depth and context of our life. Our lives are continually changing as the kids grow, with new learning curves to grow through.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This move has been a big one for our family. Fifteen years into our relationship Kevin and I are finally feeling "all grown up," but we've also been working through our interpersonal ruts. It can be all to easy to predict each other's behaviors, push buttons and take each other for granted. This move has forced us to refocus on what we really want for ourselves and our family. We're still settling into our new life here, but I'm really glad that we've been open about our needs to grow in our relationship. So, the move for us feels like more than just a physical one...it's really about taking our life together to a whole new level.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our move has definitely been the right move for Kevin's career. Even with all the public night meetings, I can tell that he truly loves his work again. Despite his best effort, he had gone way too long without feeling respected in his career. It's wonderful to see his light shining again and to feel the warm welcome of a community that truly appreciates his leadership and dedication to the greater good.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With a napping toddler, and leaving our beloved nanny back in Portland, I've simple been busy getting our household unpacked over the past month. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I haven't had the capacity to coach at all, although with the big kids back in school, I'm itching to refocus on my career. I've just barely had enough time to manage the beach cabin rentals, but after a few months of summer/moving, I'm anxious to reengage with my business goals. I am indeed more thankful than ever that I've been able to create flexible businesses, and that I can do them from virtually anywhere. Definitely a blessing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The kiddos are acclimating well (even though Kieran insisted on leaving without a jacket, and I'm curious if he's been caught in a downpour...more natural consequences). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kieran likes his new school, even if he thinks it's too easy (the same thing would have happened at Irvington...he's a kid who needs to be challenged...kind of like his parents). He's playing soccer, and it's obvious that we wants to coach when he grows up...either that or be a sports commentator. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Makenna is a social butterfly and a speed demon on the soccer field. It feels and looks like she's matured a few years over the summer...not all for the best. She has been challenging me constantly since the move. She needs a ton of attention and isn't nice when she doesn't get it (or ODs on screen time), plus she thrives on routine, so moving wasn't easy for her. I'm hopeful that settling into our new school routines will even out her premature hormones, and once I'm not so busy with unpacking we'll be able to have more fun together again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Teagan has been taking a blissful nap (while the roofers put on a new roof). She is both precious and precocious. She's signing constantly and obviously listens to every word and body language. She's still nursing (much to Kevin's chagrin) and has regressed with potty training. At the moment I'm trying to decide what to do with her for childcare, and have two options I'm considering. She is such a sponge that I want to make sure I choose the right fit for her to help her continue to excel and delight in life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lastly, our new home feels like a fairy tale. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Settling in has certainly been a big task, but it's starting to feel like home. We bought most of the furnishings from the previous owner, which has helped a ton for making it feel homey, but it still feels new to us. Plus, we're getting a new roof and new appliances this week. (I need to do a whole post with just photos!!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Need to write a whole post on Astoria next...loving this town!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kids on Day 1. Hard to believe, but it feels like they've already grown since this pic!</td></tr>
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-86836604004128709382014-12-18T14:13:00.003-08:002016-08-29T00:54:48.361-07:00Kissin' Cousins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Teagan and Clark are the cutest kissing cousins ever. </div>
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At ten months older, Teagan is like a big sis/mama to Clark. She loves hugging and kissing on him. She tries to put his pacifier in his mouth and shares toys. At just six months he's started to lean in toward her, and clearly knows that he has an admirer. They are pretty darn adorable together, and I'm so happy that they spend so much time together.</div>
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These pics were taken by our shared nanny, Kensey. She is amazing and the kids are so lucky have her expert care and fun loving nature. Thanks Kensey!Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-10880388890781855482014-12-17T20:43:00.000-08:002014-12-23T17:34:49.759-08:00Annual Holiday Newsletter 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">West Coast Cronin Clan – Annual
Holiday Newsletter 2014<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Welcome to another
rendition of our annual newsletter. We’ve finally surrendered to the digital
revolution and are posting this to our family blog (which has now been running intermittently for six years!). It pains us to do it, but
it is SO much easier to post photos and save on paper. Plus, now family and friends beyond our core snail mail list will be able to read this greeting! </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In many ways 2014 has been about building a firmer family
foundation while trying to find the right balance managing the hectic schedules
of three kids, working parents, and community commitments. Looking back, it’s also been another
life-packed year of new experiences and learning for each of us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Teagan is
enjoying her youngest sibling status raking in the adoration and attention. Her amazing smile and array of facial expressions has all of us enamored with her
personality. Although not sleeping through the night on a regular basis, she
surprised us by starting to use the potty a few times a day before she turned a year. As with her
brother and sister, Teagan is learning sign language and loves communicating
with us (check out her adorable video!). It’s a lot of fun teaching her and she gets so much back in return.
Teagan has a voracious appetite for books so each time you think you’re sitting
down to relax to read the paper she scoots in next to you with her latest collection
from the library, gives an eager wistful smile, and expects you to read all
afternoon. The highlight of our Memorial Day weekend was celebrating Teagan’s
baptism at Grace Memorial, where she was a pure angel. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makenna leading the Grace Art Camp song :-)</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Makenna is thriving
in her Kindergarten class at Irvington School with Ms. Robyn - the same teacher
Kieran had – in her last year of teaching. She adjusted (almost!) seamlessly from a
social standpoint making new friends, getting lots of sleep, and loving homework.
Her daily reports at the dinner table are filled with accounts of classroom projects,
field trips, exploits on the playground, and after school yoga and belly
dancing classes. Makenna also completed her first year of soccer playing for
our local club. Unfortunately, Saturday games overlapped with Kieran’s creating
a split household, but thankfully Darcy’s loves biking with girls in tow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran at the beach in November.</td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kieran is a
3<sup>rd</sup> grader in Ms. Cheri and Ms. Jennifer’s class. Over the summer,
Kieran was a very reluctant reader, but when Darcy started reading Harry Potter
to him, he suddenly got excited about reading (They’re currently devouring the fourth
years’ adventure in the Goblet of Fire...snuggie time is now "Potter Time"). Now he’s competing with friends to
read the whole “Magic Tree House” series, plus several other graphic novel
series. Kieran continues to excel in
math, but is really excited about a new program “<a href="http://ierg.ca/LID/">Learning in Depth</a>” that
empowers him to research and explore a randomly selected subject: writing
systems. Kieran finished another fun filled season of baseball and soccer.
Kieran played catcher, first time goalie and is blossoming into an on field
leader. Kieran is in his second year of the Chess/Go Club, helping his school
take 1<sup>st</sup> place in both at a recent tournament. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teagan and Darcy at Edgefield concert</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Darcy has
been one busy mama, essentially creating several part time gigs for herself. She
went through Mama Bliss Coaching School last spring, and has loved honing her
new craft and serving bliss-seeking mamas (Watch out 2015!). After barely two
years in business with the family beach cabins, she and Miel have taken over
the management together. She’s almost reached her fifth year of blogging for
Sustainable Family Finances, and added on a new gig as a monthly columnist for <a href="http://www.metro-parent.com/issues/sep14/sep14.pdf">Metro Parent</a>. Darcy and Miel’s
connection is legendary, so when Miel's family decided to
relocate to Portland in September Darcy was beyond thrilled to have her soul
sister a 15 minute walk away. They are sharing a nanny (Kensey who is like a
welcomed new family member) and supporting each
other every step of the way. </span><span style="line-height: 16.1000003814697px;">It’s apparent that juggling the needs of start-up ventures and keeping our ankle biters at bay requires infinite energy and ambition.</span><span style="line-height: 16.1000003814697px;"> </span><span style="line-height: 16.1000003814697px;">Throw in volunteering to organize a second annual street painting, hosting a Olivia Beach HOA picnic, celebrating sculpture installations at <a href="http://pittmanaddition.blogspot.com/">Pittman Addition</a>, and serving through Rotary...the days go by way too fast.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Kevin with colleagues working in Lents.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kevin is
still working at PDC helping to revitalize local neighborhood business
districts. One highlight was opening a new, all weather youth soccer field in North
Portland through a partnership with the Timbers Army. His coaching habit has
been hard to kick, managing a 14 player U9 team, but it’s been one of the most rewarding
experiences imaginable. However, any high from youth coaching has been
counteracted by this old house projects: a new roof, basement waterproofing for
a man cave, two industrious and madly in love squirrels in the crawlspace doing
the tango every night, yard & garden fever, and various other inexhaustible
honey do list items. Needless to say, another hobby is desperately in order. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Our family travels started at spring break this year, with an <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2014/04/full-tilt-spring-break.html">epic east coast adventure</a> for our nephew's bar mitzvah and Miel's baby shower. The top
highlight of our summer camping season was spending two weeks in British
Columbia in August with the Higgs Family and friends. We experienced incredible
weather, Canadian hospitality, explored Tolfino on the West Coast and Pacific
Rim National Park, and stayed a few nights in Vancouver visiting Granville
Market, Stanley Park, multiple breweries, and the coolest city in Cascadia. Kieran and Kevin were stationed at Fort Stevens
State Park for Man Camp 2014: camping, biking, kayaking, swimming, hiking,
beach combing, exploring WWII batteries, concrete bunkers, and Fort Clatsop, all
topped off with World Cup soccer in Astoria at Fort George Brewery with a platoon
of Sweeney boys visiting for the day. Meanwhile Darcy took the girls to an
amazing Michael Franti/Brett Dennen concert with yoga at Edgefield and camping
at Dodge Park.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Family road
trips included a gorgeous 4<sup>th</sup> of July weekend at Olivia Beach to
“check on the cabins,” a reunion of former AmeriCorps members outside Eugene,
our favorite camp spot on the Central Oregon coast at Tillicum Beach for Labor
Day weekend, and an overnight stay at Mazama Lodge on Mount Hood. Finally,
Kevin was able to fly solo in October to visit the East Coast Clan for Pop Pop’s
79<sup>th</sup> surprise birthday bash. The clan was all present and accounted
for with bells on and bottles in hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the most
part, our summer was spent in Portland attending street festivals, riding our bikes at Sunday Parkways, and
enjoying outdoor cinema under the stars at our local city park. In the fall we made hiking our priority, and went on a long family hike every weekend. Yet, spending
this holiday season hunkered down at home is always an end of the year
tradition we look forward to and reminds us of just how blessed we are with our
family, friends and community. Thank you for being in our lives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We hope you enjoyed our 2014 rewind and that you get a chance
to see our clan in 2015. </span><b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a healthy
and prosperous New Year.</span></b><span style="font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Keep in
touch with us, ideally over dinner, drinks, or a weekend at Olivia Beach, but
you can intermittently keep tabs via our family blog. Despite its recent hiatus,
it’s still the best way to find the latest photos and family stories throughout
the year. Here’s to planning for a fantastic 2015!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-63361440683266911682014-11-01T14:46:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:55:27.401-07:00Cronin Halloween Fun <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We all had a blast for Halloween this year. The kids had the day off from school and Kevin's workplace had a family friendly pizza lunch. Kieran dressed up as the intrepid Harry Potter, Makenna was naturally Elsa and Teagan was a perfect almost toddling on her own blossom fairy. Makenna belted out "Let it go...." in front of Kevin's whole office, and was a bold performer!</div>
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Since I had spent the last two Halloween's laid up on the couch, I was ready to have some fun. Makenna had a play date with close friends and we dressed together and had pizza before trick or treating and hitting a few haunted houses. Makenna was pretty brave and Teagan had a blast. Kevin took Kieran and his buddy trick or treating and they had their own fun...</div>
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<br />Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-55833193099612470752014-08-29T14:58:00.000-07:002016-08-29T00:54:23.578-07:00Makenna's smiling face<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This photo was taken at Grace Art Camp, which our kids adore. Makenna's orange group is leading the camp song, and I just love how lit up her face it. She truly loves signing/dancing in front of people. We definitely have a little performer in the family...<br />
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<br />Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-62990465632128917312014-04-08T10:38:00.001-07:002016-08-29T00:58:38.267-07:00Full Tilt Spring BreakOur spring break was the definition of the Vernal Equinox, full tilt!<br />
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Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos from Jakey's Bar Mitzvah (I'll post as soon as the photographer sends us the best shots of the whole Cronin Clan!)<br />
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In eleven days, we stayed in NY for three nights, then NJ for three nights jammin' with Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mike with day trips to visit Gram and Pop Pop in PA (so sorry not to get photos of them...it was so nice to see them). Then we spent our last four nights in Washington D.C. visit Aunt Kelly's family and playing tourist with Aunt Miel. Since Kieran learned all his states, capital's and biggest cities last fall, he was really excited to add to his state count...six states total!<br />
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Thanks everyone who hosted us...we had a truly fantastic visit.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first day in NY we headed up to FDR's Presidential Library, Hyde Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyde Park was truly inspiring, and we all loved learning more about the Roosevelt Family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin really wanted to visit Gifford Pinchot's home, Grey Towers. It turns out that it was closed, very cold and icy, but we still made the most of it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y55GNMt-1_0/Uz8VlJR-qXI/AAAAAAAAY-0/ijJAG2ZL6sQ/s1600/P1040148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y55GNMt-1_0/Uz8VlJR-qXI/AAAAAAAAY-0/ijJAG2ZL6sQ/s400/P1040148.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drove two hours out of our way to visit Grey Towers, and the kids thought it was all part of the adventure.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting Aunt Kathy and Uncle Mike was a blast. The kids loved jamming in Mike's music studio...Makenna got a hold of a microphone for the first time...watch out world!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran truly loves the drums...dropping ukulele class and would love a drum set of his own...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twfPQLHob0o/Uz8ZYtPyjxI/AAAAAAAAY-E/zuYgkper2qQ/s1600/P1040175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-twfPQLHob0o/Uz8ZYtPyjxI/AAAAAAAAY-E/zuYgkper2qQ/s400/P1040175.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cronin Kid fan club...Kieran is dreaming of a Cronin Band with his cousins and Aunts/Uncles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_InrlVLDuCc/Uz8Z3OuT3TI/AAAAAAAAY-o/_NrINBDeTyk/s1600/P1040180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_InrlVLDuCc/Uz8Z3OuT3TI/AAAAAAAAY-o/_NrINBDeTyk/s400/P1040180.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makenna danced while she sang :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQaMrBKI0MA/Uz8ZxC8YugI/AAAAAAAAY-Y/Jcm5NgwmALc/s1600/P1040179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HQaMrBKI0MA/Uz8ZxC8YugI/AAAAAAAAY-Y/Jcm5NgwmALc/s400/P1040179.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In her element :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsIpi6cLuYE/Uz8bZ6WmLgI/AAAAAAAAY-k/NgmWYYp3dK0/s1600/P1040181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UsIpi6cLuYE/Uz8bZ6WmLgI/AAAAAAAAY-k/NgmWYYp3dK0/s400/P1040181.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pajama rock star is born!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhdwicWI0as/Uz8Z_KDN_nI/AAAAAAAAY-s/h4ZqA44P-Aw/s1600/P1040182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YhdwicWI0as/Uz8Z_KDN_nI/AAAAAAAAY-s/h4ZqA44P-Aw/s400/P1040182.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Kathy and the girls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HicpCSSvIm0/Uz8dlm6SiJI/AAAAAAAAYyY/d7WhIi-0Huc/s1600/P1040190-MOTION.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HicpCSSvIm0/Uz8dlm6SiJI/AAAAAAAAYyY/d7WhIi-0Huc/s400/P1040190-MOTION.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teagan got a turn on the piano!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJc4Ps2B6o0/Uz8Z_3oThCI/AAAAAAAAYvk/Sd9IwZjaa6s/s1600/P1040187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cJc4Ps2B6o0/Uz8Z_3oThCI/AAAAAAAAYvk/Sd9IwZjaa6s/s400/P1040187.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was literally Teagan's second day of sitting on her own...she looks like a natural. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYJrdhAK74E/Uz8aAhThB2I/AAAAAAAAYvw/IkxvL9GjFgA/s1600/P1040187.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CYJrdhAK74E/Uz8aAhThB2I/AAAAAAAAYvw/IkxvL9GjFgA/s400/P1040187.MOV" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loven' it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVGBA1NdQK8/Uz8a-GMWkGI/AAAAAAAAY_8/URy_AIIwPSE/s1600/P1040194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gVGBA1NdQK8/Uz8a-GMWkGI/AAAAAAAAY_8/URy_AIIwPSE/s400/P1040194.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love the blurry hand!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ-e1NcUJUM/Uz8beh9Di8I/AAAAAAAAY_U/PRn6I4JWHgM/s1600/P1040198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CQ-e1NcUJUM/Uz8beh9Di8I/AAAAAAAAY_U/PRn6I4JWHgM/s400/P1040198.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loving her cousin Jacky!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2j1fB76XX8/Uz8cUmywtyI/AAAAAAAAY_k/mLsuLcyh_04/s1600/P1040202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F2j1fB76XX8/Uz8cUmywtyI/AAAAAAAAY_k/mLsuLcyh_04/s400/P1040202.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No blossoms on the Mall, but still a great visit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxN8cqTX9Ms/Uz8ctulqdAI/AAAAAAAAY_o/cJUukpY54PM/s1600/P1040203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vxN8cqTX9Ms/Uz8ctulqdAI/AAAAAAAAY_o/cJUukpY54PM/s400/P1040203.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out Miel's baby bump!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs2j5fbOTZc/Uz8gWIfhT1I/AAAAAAAAY_4/OxTjCmapb8g/s1600/P1040207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Cs2j5fbOTZc/Uz8gWIfhT1I/AAAAAAAAY_4/OxTjCmapb8g/s400/P1040207.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice to visit after just going to Hyde Park.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUwRQRmoD_Q/Uz8ew9v7LkI/AAAAAAAAZAA/FipfUS6bAVM/s1600/P1040210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HUwRQRmoD_Q/Uz8ew9v7LkI/AAAAAAAAZAA/FipfUS6bAVM/s400/P1040210.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marin Luther King's memorial in the background...it was very moving.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YI79CAqfK5k/Uz8fBZagaJI/AAAAAAAAZAM/BWfJyMJGbsw/s1600/P1040212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YI79CAqfK5k/Uz8fBZagaJI/AAAAAAAAZAM/BWfJyMJGbsw/s400/P1040212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rain, rain...go away!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still LOVED DC!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5UswzL5JetQ/Uz8fX_OJwvI/AAAAAAAAZAQ/3jg4D6H6_yE/s1600/P1040216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5UswzL5JetQ/Uz8fX_OJwvI/AAAAAAAAZAQ/3jg4D6H6_yE/s400/P1040216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No blossoms...but still beautiful.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjz_IRpUBbg/Uz8fgc03qII/AAAAAAAAZAg/gmEEKu8OvYw/s1600/P1040217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vjz_IRpUBbg/Uz8fgc03qII/AAAAAAAAZAg/gmEEKu8OvYw/s400/P1040217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best part of the trip was seeing Makenna with her cousins, Maddy and Jacky!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMjpXQ_GJC4/Uz8f5t3YwtI/AAAAAAAAZAo/zkEzNLD3qeQ/s1600/P1040220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mMjpXQ_GJC4/Uz8f5t3YwtI/AAAAAAAAZAo/zkEzNLD3qeQ/s400/P1040220.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Kelly and Uncle Greg live just a block from the zoo.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cZWcn65kRE/Uz8hCzNoW0I/AAAAAAAAZBI/PTw8rzPIy-0/s1600/P1040230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2cZWcn65kRE/Uz8hCzNoW0I/AAAAAAAAZBI/PTw8rzPIy-0/s400/P1040230.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We even got to check out the pandas!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8S2drPgWZ50/Uz8hkAB6J-I/AAAAAAAAZCA/wFtMP63u6qA/s1600/P1040234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8S2drPgWZ50/Uz8hkAB6J-I/AAAAAAAAZCA/wFtMP63u6qA/s400/P1040234.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miel's little baby bump...looking great at 30 weeks!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SG90Btcb3jg/Uz8h4tmHdwI/AAAAAAAAZCM/sXRtt6Ic7Qw/s1600/P1040237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SG90Btcb3jg/Uz8h4tmHdwI/AAAAAAAAZCM/sXRtt6Ic7Qw/s400/P1040237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls loved playing in the rain on the balcony!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcKwy2wqUS8/Uz8hwbctgrI/AAAAAAAAZCE/esYy0R3bEFE/s1600/P1040236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dcKwy2wqUS8/Uz8hwbctgrI/AAAAAAAAZCE/esYy0R3bEFE/s400/P1040236.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They got soaked!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nLVox_6eYDU/Uz8h_eaQX5I/AAAAAAAAZCI/epoOXPeWD0Q/s1600/P1040238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nLVox_6eYDU/Uz8h_eaQX5I/AAAAAAAAZCI/epoOXPeWD0Q/s400/P1040238.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But still had fun.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNItbRRW7BQ/Uz8ikpFoAiI/AAAAAAAAZDk/1DOU-4EKmDc/s1600/P1040242.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cNItbRRW7BQ/Uz8ikpFoAiI/AAAAAAAAZDk/1DOU-4EKmDc/s400/P1040242.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hosted a little shower of our own inside Miel's condo. :-) A great group of women!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZbNecZtvGc/Uz8j91-CieI/AAAAAAAAZBc/SWC4Ri1udbk/s1600/P1040243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hZbNecZtvGc/Uz8j91-CieI/AAAAAAAAZBc/SWC4Ri1udbk/s400/P1040243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of awesome baby stuff...thanks everyone!!</td></tr>
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-83623166772437568412014-03-17T11:05:00.003-07:002014-03-17T11:05:56.020-07:00Lucky First Shamrock StrideWe had a fantastic time on our family's first Shamrock Stride, and definitely agree that it will be a tradition.<br />
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Kevin made it a goal at the new year, wanting to get us walking more regularly. We've been on several big walks/hikes, and yesterday was the perfect weather for a misty spring walk. We walked downtown and back, so in total it was just under seven miles (Makenna only had a piggy back ride for about a half mile up Broadway :-). Teagan was a natural and snoozed for a good long stretch. The kids loved the party atmosphere and we agreed that next year we'll have to get tutus. :-)<br />
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Lastly, the kids absolutely love Irish folktales and our favorite new book this season is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fine-St-Patricks-Day/dp/B0099QZKRO">A Fine St Patrick's Day</a>.<br />
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Happy St Patty's Day!Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-28189202568985505762014-03-16T20:51:00.002-07:002016-08-29T00:59:23.025-07:00Totally Awesome 80s Night to Benefit Irvington School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a serious blast from the past for Friday's Irvington School Auction. It was truly hilarious to see everyone dressed up, and we had a fantastic time. The kids loved our outfits and it was awesome to have a few hours to live it up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My shirt got lots of comments...it said "I liked unicorns before unicorns were cool!"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The photo booth captured it pretty well!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Makenna's preK BFF Mamas...now my friends too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teagan woke up from her nap to discover that Daddy had grown a mullet...she was very perplexed.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTDnaHWcUB0QPnt8EyXOX9BCSMJ3cGOwF6PvOFzcoYAAFrvpiDT3vX060HuM0c-vvLgAnQKg0sAfkBxmFoz3Mo_sDV5K_GO4CvytJZxnjDUSzYWLIIZ2nRVDQ0n2aAQg9fwLU0VxYwF0/s1600/P1040070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkTDnaHWcUB0QPnt8EyXOX9BCSMJ3cGOwF6PvOFzcoYAAFrvpiDT3vX060HuM0c-vvLgAnQKg0sAfkBxmFoz3Mo_sDV5K_GO4CvytJZxnjDUSzYWLIIZ2nRVDQ0n2aAQg9fwLU0VxYwF0/s400/P1040070.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PreK Daddies!</td></tr>
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<br />Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-72367903437227952882014-03-05T13:31:00.001-08:002014-03-05T13:31:13.289-08:00Drift Creek Falls - First blog posts for our Camp Cabins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We lucked out with decent weather for our January hike...check out the link to see pics from our hike there three years ago...Makenna was in a backpack! </div>
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Check our my description of Drift Creek Falls for guests at cabins:<br />
<a href="http://oliviabeachcampcabins.com/blog">http://oliviabeachcampcabins.com/blog</a>Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-92071728388236492212014-02-18T12:59:00.000-08:002014-02-18T12:59:15.024-08:00Kieran Adams Cronin’s Birth Story<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIg6i20bQv-sX0l-sIxA0ra2WZW24lMNFcJgdt25rAd_IXmyw79a48O_r_jcoEiZWlrtiNLxb3x0raVaKSD5I2Il7XHyZBwrljCeyscIo4dmw7liq90AKLhNjRJNGKleG7I1qzzI3X3s/s1600/Kieran+birth+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kieran Adams Cronin - photo at birth" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUIg6i20bQv-sX0l-sIxA0ra2WZW24lMNFcJgdt25rAd_IXmyw79a48O_r_jcoEiZWlrtiNLxb3x0raVaKSD5I2Il7XHyZBwrljCeyscIo4dmw7liq90AKLhNjRJNGKleG7I1qzzI3X3s/s1600/Kieran+birth+photo.jpg" height="240" title="Kieran Adams Cronin - photo at birth" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First photo with Kieran...such a perfect baby and birth.</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wrote Kieran's birth story long before our family blog, but since I was asked to give a testimonial for Vivante Midwifery, I thought it was time to share his birth story too...since his sisters' stories are here for the world already: <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2009/03/home-birth.html">Makenna's</a> & <a href="http://westcoastcroninclan.blogspot.com/2013/10/teagans-birth-story-beautiful-home.html">Teagan's</a> Birth Stories</span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Kieran Adams
Cronin’s Birth Story <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">by
Darcy Cronin<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I started having some Braxton-Hicks contractions for a couple of days in
mid-January at 38 weeks. I was certain
that the baby would come early and asked my mom to come up for the weekend…no
baby…but we ended up having fun nesting instead. I wasn’t entirely surprised to find that I
was 2 cm dilated at my weekly midwife check-up. By the next week I was 3 cm dilated, but not
having any regular contractions. I guess
that we expected a prompt baby, because Kevin had planned to start his
paternity leave the Monday after my due date, and that’s when his parents, Neil
and Mary Ellen, arrived from </span><st1:state style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;" w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">
to “help take care of the baby.” Well,
we had a great visit together waiting for baby to come. We went on lots of walks and enjoyed eating at some delicious Portland restaurants. I went to water
aerobics daily, but still no baby. After a week of waiting, they pushed back their flight a few days. Thankfully, they were there to greet him, even if they had to fly out the next morning.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So,
once I was 8 days past the due date, we were very ready to meet our
baby. That night I woke up at <st1:time hour="3" minute="0" w:st="on">3 a.m.</st1:time> as usual to go to the bathroom,
and thought to myself that I really didn’t want to go back upstairs until my
water had broken. As I got up from the
toilet my water broke! I was so excited! I ran upstairs to tell Kevin the good news. Then called the midwife and was told to try
to get some sleep and call again once the midwives changed shift at <st1:time hour="6" minute="0" w:st="on">6 a.m.</st1:time> Then I called my mom, and she told me that she had just woken up before
I called, and she was ready for the four hour drive north. When I came back to bed Kevin told me that he
was certain that we were going to have a boy…we had already picked out the name
many years before, Kieran Adams Cronin.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
managed to get a few hours sleep, but was up early to greet my mom, and tell my
in-laws that I was finally in labor! I
called the clinic again, and they suggested that we go on a neighborhood walk,
and if labor hadn’t progressed by the afternoon to come in for a check up. Despite the cold blustery weather, we bundled
up and walked a mile and a half along the Willamette Bluff...it was so windy that my large umbrella turned into out several times! I had a few small contractions, but nothing
to truly stop me. I was only really
surprised by how much fluid I was leaking, since they always make it sound like
your water breaking is a single event…not a constant flow. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">By
mid-afternoon I wasn’t feeling any stronger contractions, but Kevin and I went
into the clinic with the intention that we would head to the hospital from there. The baby’s vital were
good, and I was feeling good and mentally ready start labor. At that point my water had already
broken 12 hours before, and they agreed that
we could be admitted into the hospital that evening, and suggested that we
should get an early dinner and go on another walk on our way. We had a few slices of pizza next door and
then went on another 40 minute walk until dusk. It was only later that I realized how lucky I was to have such patient midwives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once
we were in the hospital the plan was that we would try to get some sleep (they
prescribed a low dose sleep aid) and if labor hadn’t started in full by the
morning, then they would start me on some Pitocin. We were both excited, but the Ambien helped me sleep through the
night.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When
I woke up in the morning I was feeling some mild contractions, but they still
weren’t very intense or regular. I hoped
that I would start labor without the Pitocin and not need an IV, but I was very
ready for labor to begin. It had then been 29 hours since my water had broken, it felt like I needed some help to bring me into labor. So around <st1:time hour="8" minute="0" w:st="on">8 a.m.</st1:time> they started me on the lowest
dose of Pitocin, and within about twenty minutes of sitting on a yoga ball I
could feel regular contractions. They
were painful, but entirely manageable. I
stuck to the yoga ball and a little bit of walking before the maternity tub was
available at <st1:time hour="10" minute="0" w:st="on">10 a.m.</st1:time> I was starting to have some intense
contractions going down the hall and remember noting to myself that I was going
to have to make it back down the hall myself (they didn't allow tub births and I was only scheduled to soak for an hour).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
water was hot, really too hot. I
submerged myself for only a few minutes before I started asking for water and
ice cubes. I kept on having Kevin pour
cold water over me, but I was worried about becoming too lethargic. So I sat half out of the water, and enjoyed
the hot and cold water. It reminded me of sitting in a steamy Finnish sauna until I was ready to leap into the Baltic...and then repeat, the hotter and colder, the better. :-) I could tell
that I was progressing though, and before my hour was up I headed back on the
seemingly long walk to my room.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My
midwife Lisa examined me once I returned, and we were all thrilled to learn
that I was 7 cm dilated already…less than three hours after starting the Pitocin. I continued to sit in the same
very upright position that had felt so stable and comforting in the tub, only
now I requested that they start playing music, a most memorable CD from our
wedding that I had them play over and over again. For the next few hours I sat and listened to
the music and held Kevin’s hand. He
rested his hand in mine and focused on staying calm through the most intense
contractions. It felt so good to have
him as a grounding place, and to be able to have an entirely relaxed hand in
his even though the rest of my body was contracting intensely at it’s own
pace. I only got upset when he wanted to
go get food, and I insisted that his mom get him a sandwich…but I needed him
to stay put! He didn't get that I was already feeling like I was getting close to transition and wanted his hand as a steady anchor. After a few hours like this
I was at 9 cm, and my midwife suggested that I try some other positions to help
move things along. I had thought that lying
on my side would be good from what I read before the birth, but it really
didn’t feel right. I sat on the birthing
ball more, the toilet for a little while, and tried squatting too. Although this movement wasn’t exactly
comfortable it did help move me along and before long I was fully dilated and
ready to start pushing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It
took me a few positions of pushing to figure out what was going to work for me,
and Lisa felt inside me while I was pushing to feel how/where I was
pushing. She suggested that I try a
“birthing bar” that was attached to the bed like a big loop where they could
tie a sheet for me to pull on. This
allowed me to curve in a C better, since before I had been pushing him straight
into my pelvic bone instead of around it. I could tell the difference immediately and feel the baby moving
down. I kept listening to the music, and
began to get very excited about meeting the baby so soon. In between contractions and pushes I rested
and just smiled. After about 45 minutes
of pushing and smiling we got to meet our little boy! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><st1:date day="31" month="1" w:st="on" year="2006"><br /></st1:date></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><st1:date day="31" month="1" w:st="on" year="2006">January 31<sup>st</sup>, 2006</st1:date> at <st1:time hour="15" minute="37" w:st="on">3:37 p.m.</st1:time> Lisa put him up on my chest
immediately, yet he was water logged after such a long time in the womb, and
had fluid in his lungs. I wasn’t worried
though, because he was already wide-eyed and within a moment of them suctioning
him out he was crying. He was all
wrinkly like a wise old soul, and his bald head was perfectly formed, even with the head plates slightly visible.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lisa
helped me deliver the placenta, and gave me a few stitches for a small tear,
which really didn’t hurt much with all the euphoric feelings. I was certainly sore for a few days, but it
was all worth it. My back hurt from all
the curving, but after some ibuprofen and a few hot water bottles it felt just
fine. Thankfully, nursing came naturally
for us both.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I
was so excited to have a baby boy and to be a mom. Before the birth I had told Kevin that there
were no photos to be taken either during labor or right after the birth. I had seen too many photos of exhausted
post-labor moms to want that image memorialized. However, I felt differently once I had Kieran
in my arms. After a brief moment to take him in, I asked him
to grab the camera! He was so wide-eyed
and beautiful, and then peaceful and sleepy…I couldn’t get enough. Kieran was certainly worth the wait!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">Lastly, I feel like I need to give thanks for the excellent care that I received from <a href="http://oregon.providence.org/location-directory/p/providence-maternal-care-clinic/">Providence Maternal Care Clinic</a>. Even though I ended up choosing to have home births with <a href="http://www.vivantemidwifery.com/">Vivante Midwifery</a> for my next two births, I couldn't have been happier with their services. Only later did I learn from my mom that while I labored my widwife, <a href="http://oregon.providence.org/physician-directory/c/chickadonz-lisa/">Lisa Chickadonz</a>, quietly stood behind the curtain in the doorway listening but not intervening until she felt she should check in. She had a very quiet and secure way about her, not wanting to get in the way of my laboring, but feeling comfortable to give me guidance and support.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px;">As it was, I had Kevin, my mother-in-law and my mother there to cheerlead for me, so I didn't really need an overbearing midwife/doctor. It also turned out that there were nurses doing shadowing to become labor nurses, so I had two nurses there the whole time and when Kieran was born there was a shift change, so two more nurses came into the room to watch the birth...so four nurses total, who were all very sweet and congratulatory, thanking me for giving birth before they went home (or just came on shift). I had never pictured eight people being present in my "birth plan," but I felt very well cared for and elated to have not needed more medical support. While I had some Pitocin to give my body a nudge, I felt lucky to have had a very natural birth in a hospital setting.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNSgZ0qj3NauHO9GpS8_L1GBfcqh4sa5goUyn8k6AHg_UfUhpfj1mUyCSPncMzqY2aR2c1Rcg57f4o4gMa97fZBnqG7-Nlocu9yRQj02BNe-Fp3hnGqiTLk-GOcpDrbAE_wYqW0Rb6c0/s1600/Kieran+weigh+in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kieran getting weighed on baby scale" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghNSgZ0qj3NauHO9GpS8_L1GBfcqh4sa5goUyn8k6AHg_UfUhpfj1mUyCSPncMzqY2aR2c1Rcg57f4o4gMa97fZBnqG7-Nlocu9yRQj02BNe-Fp3hnGqiTLk-GOcpDrbAE_wYqW0Rb6c0/s1600/Kieran+weigh+in.jpg" height="240" title="Kieran getting weighed on baby scale" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran weighed in at 8 pounds 1 ounce (rounded up). If you look closely, you can see the head plates still shaped from coming through the birth canal just moments before. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInWik6bEhXordwOJRDr3KHDwL8IIWs58Ql_1pD06lz47a_cqucl7f4DZWjJQ9Y8eDMGKc6cLQJq4eLOzZAIldhCEg0GHdlcO4y_BBtaKuQMnDyoCvbbZj8ijVJEQmECKhAmtIVzrP_gQ/s1600/Kieran+bith+day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Kieran Adams Cronin - Go Ducks!" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiInWik6bEhXordwOJRDr3KHDwL8IIWs58Ql_1pD06lz47a_cqucl7f4DZWjJQ9Y8eDMGKc6cLQJq4eLOzZAIldhCEg0GHdlcO4y_BBtaKuQMnDyoCvbbZj8ijVJEQmECKhAmtIVzrP_gQ/s1600/Kieran+bith+day.jpg" height="240" title="Kieran Adams Cronin - Go Ducks!" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran taking his first snooze out in the world...he was a very peaceful baby.</td></tr>
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-23786275366362745482014-02-09T16:04:00.000-08:002014-02-09T16:04:02.381-08:00Snow Day x3!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We had a rare long snow weekend and enjoyed the surprise (even if other fun plans did get cancelled). Our last big snow storm in Portland was five years ago when I was pregnant with Makenna. Before that was ten years ago when Miel and us live a block from each other in NW. This snow was super fluffy and it took three days until I could even pack a snow ball.</div>
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Here's the weekend in captions:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB7kXiTdScYG46k98k-sUt65-okU-Bhwin8jRc8U3ozrDxIK_9Z-3l35fhO9qfi-NfZB7al7zU8ZbbMaBr1xOlBTWa_CQ2cCBCCpz6f-IEaW0YQDgKb-daUwRHLMZ4HPAZDDjzLaz8O0/s1600/P1030966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhB7kXiTdScYG46k98k-sUt65-okU-Bhwin8jRc8U3ozrDxIK_9Z-3l35fhO9qfi-NfZB7al7zU8ZbbMaBr1xOlBTWa_CQ2cCBCCpz6f-IEaW0YQDgKb-daUwRHLMZ4HPAZDDjzLaz8O0/s1600/P1030966.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow...a foreign substance for these rain-loving Oregonians!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ9MK4AA4fbG8gb8hy15rE5TBVepR5QvC4Nl7vMmNbb9-DPfSsw3iSzy0IR8VdWF02skKm-eO5bF_RR1cLD4ykCut29WDsdgbfOSMsaAmHMuAxzPr-eBVl9ZsR-Fvo3W7QYaiYpIhNMI/s1600/P1030981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrQ9MK4AA4fbG8gb8hy15rE5TBVepR5QvC4Nl7vMmNbb9-DPfSsw3iSzy0IR8VdWF02skKm-eO5bF_RR1cLD4ykCut29WDsdgbfOSMsaAmHMuAxzPr-eBVl9ZsR-Fvo3W7QYaiYpIhNMI/s1600/P1030981.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We finally had a chance to try our Grandpa Wally's Silverstreak sled that he used as a boy. <br />Kieran was surprised: "I can't believe this old sled is beating all the new ones!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVrwZqHHicnthCixtUfUjCq2MKwimuvrTGw8dkd53Ut5ccz9vruqNoeMf2hyef2ltnr2aAf9645MnnLP067Ns6RdJX9DbO3NRfjqCiDXCG60l6RdByXYwIbt0ezzI1mJTkURAMI2gqdg/s1600/P1030983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPVrwZqHHicnthCixtUfUjCq2MKwimuvrTGw8dkd53Ut5ccz9vruqNoeMf2hyef2ltnr2aAf9645MnnLP067Ns6RdJX9DbO3NRfjqCiDXCG60l6RdByXYwIbt0ezzI1mJTkURAMI2gqdg/s1600/P1030983.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect size for sharing a sled ride together :-) :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxCuEUV3d-NxN4MDBfv1usE2MbNcZpzDVIFlwbufxeQVgWRM1vL-sARFvfnWYrKeRJt1fjpN5bfzp9yRJe62GjLEfeBMcu2m3MyA7CLOyBtAkN0ZOLporcK0UC4hr4e4MJ5KXp5IEOKk/s1600/P1030984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxCuEUV3d-NxN4MDBfv1usE2MbNcZpzDVIFlwbufxeQVgWRM1vL-sARFvfnWYrKeRJt1fjpN5bfzp9yRJe62GjLEfeBMcu2m3MyA7CLOyBtAkN0ZOLporcK0UC4hr4e4MJ5KXp5IEOKk/s1600/P1030984.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teagan wasn't ready to glide down the hill, but she did enjoy the view...no fussing for this little snow bunny!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTbyhWUjbxW4wA8WC17vRlhVLiCZjZTMC3L0SnkLKXVnw01BNDuS2Q8H0PVpDE3_9UWSdeKDWqlZlOH1d3f2GYndAjZnvO8MiYXdg6JpxsVyCnqt3Iq8tTpEZ8dnRzwRRBwyji9u_qrg/s1600/P1030995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTbyhWUjbxW4wA8WC17vRlhVLiCZjZTMC3L0SnkLKXVnw01BNDuS2Q8H0PVpDE3_9UWSdeKDWqlZlOH1d3f2GYndAjZnvO8MiYXdg6JpxsVyCnqt3Iq8tTpEZ8dnRzwRRBwyji9u_qrg/s1600/P1030995.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Special snow playdate with her preK BFF, Audrey KS...they even went to play dress afterward.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmJ-webX6BaSXrF79cPw8NArz2qQGM2Li3z3tPdDP7aSKLgVWrqGHcSTpQbaOUIHKeBf7pEfZ1Cd7hxYP09_vvikx6ArK69ZvumxwzVeC_YiKXMCk2zUc7G_SUeO6e5AFwIsCjuwhOOE/s1600/P1040009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmJ-webX6BaSXrF79cPw8NArz2qQGM2Li3z3tPdDP7aSKLgVWrqGHcSTpQbaOUIHKeBf7pEfZ1Cd7hxYP09_vvikx6ArK69ZvumxwzVeC_YiKXMCk2zUc7G_SUeO6e5AFwIsCjuwhOOE/s1600/P1040009.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Staying warm by snuggling...it didn't take too long before Makenna feet got cold, but she was a good sport.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3XXLgaJChQ6CWLtksv6H8TJFGUuNqsWigmvkdygzJFXW8UflfbV-id4YEDDmThsOVB5F2sQVIboaaOakWQEuw_loUhL4JR9lV5lUK8KfDCAN2BXV0wqTK9Mf4RQ28BuMrrlfhmtR99Y/s1600/P1040018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ3XXLgaJChQ6CWLtksv6H8TJFGUuNqsWigmvkdygzJFXW8UflfbV-id4YEDDmThsOVB5F2sQVIboaaOakWQEuw_loUhL4JR9lV5lUK8KfDCAN2BXV0wqTK9Mf4RQ28BuMrrlfhmtR99Y/s1600/P1040018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out the backyard...can't believe Teagan was born here just five months ago!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjismiGcW3eRcqwfyTpqssXcVkwVnvDxkePjMO-BPPJEAG6DZ0JxhhBUB_mXFEv6sIX-2j7W92jo8i5hOcemeiGm-7XsoVcTuW1pf3CDCLsDsvFSfqScHQ4vpReKxyLSRUmcCrkc5sDflQ/s1600/P1040019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjismiGcW3eRcqwfyTpqssXcVkwVnvDxkePjMO-BPPJEAG6DZ0JxhhBUB_mXFEv6sIX-2j7W92jo8i5hOcemeiGm-7XsoVcTuW1pf3CDCLsDsvFSfqScHQ4vpReKxyLSRUmcCrkc5sDflQ/s1600/P1040019.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My snow angel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QVrqNbzNcVGEe9Q-VScZLTLMvk9VCQ1cVFKhZMf87quATfnFGs1UDoY_xfqwdUOL8UkKZ_XvdPmm8QqwY4FOiRjHObzLib7odxPmQ4oKZ4SIVNcyIfeyJ9QC2LeJTPOTtQGv9ibXo1s/s1600/P1040029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0QVrqNbzNcVGEe9Q-VScZLTLMvk9VCQ1cVFKhZMf87quATfnFGs1UDoY_xfqwdUOL8UkKZ_XvdPmm8QqwY4FOiRjHObzLib7odxPmQ4oKZ4SIVNcyIfeyJ9QC2LeJTPOTtQGv9ibXo1s/s1600/P1040029.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 1904 house fared pretty well, we only lost one shingle.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqroBuv2v5wijXfiks8f32OELZRZ_ko9A-CLgYiv5M73NZvY5YaJmuHADK_jK1LhY-esQ8Msjad-EycBIHBwVJ5jcd74dXDNxMOc9IQRr-LeDTdLwnLaflq2BoZguIJGb3hOEwtqXPdEc/s1600/P1040035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqroBuv2v5wijXfiks8f32OELZRZ_ko9A-CLgYiv5M73NZvY5YaJmuHADK_jK1LhY-esQ8Msjad-EycBIHBwVJ5jcd74dXDNxMOc9IQRr-LeDTdLwnLaflq2BoZguIJGb3hOEwtqXPdEc/s1600/P1040035.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Silver Streak was perfect for towing...we headed up to New Seasons for some chili fixings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCnUi9TEVHu2Aabcxhfs6IFAQjl1tb2yJuOfnC1oJYXktgIaRjSzJ5r5YI_VcsK5p883g1pCM4KytJfiAM5cwviTMEn7qzX8DlrF-nU8iEhL6TrevCrd8jJnF32-2yxzBm1dt89h0qIM/s1600/P1040034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeCnUi9TEVHu2Aabcxhfs6IFAQjl1tb2yJuOfnC1oJYXktgIaRjSzJ5r5YI_VcsK5p883g1pCM4KytJfiAM5cwviTMEn7qzX8DlrF-nU8iEhL6TrevCrd8jJnF32-2yxzBm1dt89h0qIM/s1600/P1040034.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teagan snoozed in her Zooper. Kevin tested out his snowshoes. Kieran took turns pulling Makenna.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDCQrztFmM_QY6TimQU-_cVZURkQhOWFpS1uWNR6s4E1Ark7OxX8PZ8O_MeoveB035S6BFgvFoyMIOwkcDoTxdb4NPxbmgH_-9uRtPjHGQCwZMpvJagIGTdSavBsR4DqOnb-HEycTSHM/s1600/P1040028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDCQrztFmM_QY6TimQU-_cVZURkQhOWFpS1uWNR6s4E1Ark7OxX8PZ8O_MeoveB035S6BFgvFoyMIOwkcDoTxdb4NPxbmgH_-9uRtPjHGQCwZMpvJagIGTdSavBsR4DqOnb-HEycTSHM/s1600/P1040028.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The enthusiasm didn't wane until after our second sledding day, once Makenna got too cold she was ready to head home for some hot cocoa. She must have repeated "I don't EVER want to go out in the snow again!" a dozen times...that is until she was out for a few more hours today. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBL49htRmK_vKI1WFbHoAicyYtOSJG7aMdFCZ756xnqpX4wiJaLA-zS2TAsIcYQ2ACriNrVjVaGiEwdDwYRnoAmaVlzewiDU6VqV1ebQE20wcJAuaBpl0Yo5DOxWEzNXkIKIv4AJeN5AM/s1600/P1040040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBL49htRmK_vKI1WFbHoAicyYtOSJG7aMdFCZ756xnqpX4wiJaLA-zS2TAsIcYQ2ACriNrVjVaGiEwdDwYRnoAmaVlzewiDU6VqV1ebQE20wcJAuaBpl0Yo5DOxWEzNXkIKIv4AJeN5AM/s1600/P1040040.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Snow Baby in her little REI jacket!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMrjhGzSivxscM3B9F05O0vzo7BYJc8SLIQ9JI9uEjBMmjpaN-x6WyC3CFIpm9GqfhrvAd8QWYWBGBFw9rzW-Vggfuue4f5evbf2gTE3PAJeZ2w4DLziOelzxDB5oE9P9OOoa9E0fAjg/s1600/P1040041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMrjhGzSivxscM3B9F05O0vzo7BYJc8SLIQ9JI9uEjBMmjpaN-x6WyC3CFIpm9GqfhrvAd8QWYWBGBFw9rzW-Vggfuue4f5evbf2gTE3PAJeZ2w4DLziOelzxDB5oE9P9OOoa9E0fAjg/s1600/P1040041.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Sisters!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjKvI2jm2FA3fTKjQS_VAL8UPX2Bz5mtZ62xie4yUqR_uWPP0KvnhN-PwwJCPS19NspwJwvEPqurd7XjevFdF819YdiB9KL-MnD0rrudHsfbLz4AKExzb_OrWbEtHd9v3Yh84YpTgteQ/s1600/P1040044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjKvI2jm2FA3fTKjQS_VAL8UPX2Bz5mtZ62xie4yUqR_uWPP0KvnhN-PwwJCPS19NspwJwvEPqurd7XjevFdF819YdiB9KL-MnD0rrudHsfbLz4AKExzb_OrWbEtHd9v3Yh84YpTgteQ/s1600/P1040044.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow Siblings!!!</td></tr>
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All this plus baking and making Valentine's made for a perfect winter weekend...thanks Mother Nature!<br />
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-47069267522053784762014-01-31T22:05:00.000-08:002014-03-09T22:05:46.753-07:00Kieran's 8th Birthday - Slumber Party Success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My favorite birthday moment every time is when the kids' blow out their candles...Kieran sure had fun with his buddies. They watched the Hobbit, went to bed at a decent hour and were pretty well behaved for a bunch of rambunctious boys. ;-)</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwAFYtZ-mtI1QYR4O_PdiAZFJ-l-54rTe4SFG06EMh6h3pG_gu6eW9vw-7n6JkA6JHGHaE9_nyVoxqkFYDHbg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Happy 8th Birthday Kieran!!Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-25488469301328525022014-01-25T22:37:00.002-08:002014-01-25T22:37:45.560-08:00Makenna's 5th Birthday - A beautiful day for a beautiful girl<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy 5th Birthday Makenna!!!!!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ2Phrrzl2eId1eM9raKvSf5MNaiYa9B9gtfNcHxomKUtL8G0H6cDCYdI-tJP65Es0uq_1CtNACMhyphenhyphenUmaKCf-rSgbnUc9sKjeB6rpb-zdFDDrNG4rwIYMaGEJJN8xvsnxjXBQV7YaA1k/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQ2Phrrzl2eId1eM9raKvSf5MNaiYa9B9gtfNcHxomKUtL8G0H6cDCYdI-tJP65Es0uq_1CtNACMhyphenhyphenUmaKCf-rSgbnUc9sKjeB6rpb-zdFDDrNG4rwIYMaGEJJN8xvsnxjXBQV7YaA1k/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+1.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makenna's BFF from PreK, Audrey V, has her b-day on the 26th, so we hosted a joint party at Playdate PDX. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof9_6mTtyXJQPoV7TtiGEZUACa48V2CacSIXlos4_oukxkp6qUMAxRC3kUYeagVwmPkuU4bB60w69m71eWCR2f04tc7I1cbXFoKgy96EvmPMSha8p4U6WmTvjTEbm_vP0G6aMTa-CnbQ/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjof9_6mTtyXJQPoV7TtiGEZUACa48V2CacSIXlos4_oukxkp6qUMAxRC3kUYeagVwmPkuU4bB60w69m71eWCR2f04tc7I1cbXFoKgy96EvmPMSha8p4U6WmTvjTEbm_vP0G6aMTa-CnbQ/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+2.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Audrey V with Teagan...everyone's favorite live baby doll.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTTmft2h8HxLG0DSCF6YYTBTVGe2yupkNiMtub0UD-CSip4AHWIa0KmBzpQbAfIb45GiQpItGhA6oAnpRiwXElqbafA5jl4gomjG0Op-IXf4v55rmCS34PBXOOPBrGasWher0lWvTeAU/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimTTmft2h8HxLG0DSCF6YYTBTVGe2yupkNiMtub0UD-CSip4AHWIa0KmBzpQbAfIb45GiQpItGhA6oAnpRiwXElqbafA5jl4gomjG0Op-IXf4v55rmCS34PBXOOPBrGasWher0lWvTeAU/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+3.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">5 candles each!!!!!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszeHwFjEgWhRDqBNXjJEkNpcO_gVJGzrOepRmHDjp3t8gCNlKjAv1PpcEPWZGDyVKm37rpcA-Vq0Qe47BaZEAL987_fTpy6_kCuTlqeKFgDh2gje1-lLAcA6Y1vxjAd8QaaQ8J1ddaE/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuszeHwFjEgWhRDqBNXjJEkNpcO_gVJGzrOepRmHDjp3t8gCNlKjAv1PpcEPWZGDyVKm37rpcA-Vq0Qe47BaZEAL987_fTpy6_kCuTlqeKFgDh2gje1-lLAcA6Y1vxjAd8QaaQ8J1ddaE/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+4.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After a much-needed nap, Makenna was surprised to find a fairy house and play places!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD859Bz8SFaxzDhuEs-mir6a5zNFGHsiN9GFxXCgL7nyZzuo-OAR2-IJhPHaGlI3fN-kbxwf7nwHFMOZ00o4gFxCFiRaliaxiUdETY5LhrbIGbrkbUOhe-1wDlJkiKkHPms_BDw6WqUk8/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD859Bz8SFaxzDhuEs-mir6a5zNFGHsiN9GFxXCgL7nyZzuo-OAR2-IJhPHaGlI3fN-kbxwf7nwHFMOZ00o4gFxCFiRaliaxiUdETY5LhrbIGbrkbUOhe-1wDlJkiKkHPms_BDw6WqUk8/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+5.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fairy basket (moss inside)</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW86ANxRbnSAjRb4OcUheeg8zKcc_XU8jC5ziZH-x78nUjpNH5fHbYtIvHceGPMUrEzNuFDpj8hB7nf2nUpQgo15cVivEUt2b6ZGWFgdnfDTkzlips7xJip0UBhDC2rUt5BllUQRS4UJ0/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW86ANxRbnSAjRb4OcUheeg8zKcc_XU8jC5ziZH-x78nUjpNH5fHbYtIvHceGPMUrEzNuFDpj8hB7nf2nUpQgo15cVivEUt2b6ZGWFgdnfDTkzlips7xJip0UBhDC2rUt5BllUQRS4UJ0/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+6.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy play house</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hAY_ioQExAxVI8YK0fwXFnYbLdwwUPqPMG0btOuKlD-nRI5DVZ780HrR2LIvlL5KorKIJ1v32IWf2wdaCm3F3Z-EeDOQ4DkITd69_KCOsj9B9EZGHcwRENj9iS51o8iXXV9r_l9fCNE/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hAY_ioQExAxVI8YK0fwXFnYbLdwwUPqPMG0btOuKlD-nRI5DVZ780HrR2LIvlL5KorKIJ1v32IWf2wdaCm3F3Z-EeDOQ4DkITd69_KCOsj9B9EZGHcwRENj9iS51o8iXXV9r_l9fCNE/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+7.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy play space</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZOU1hZvrfw3u8EFR5URrGIua5pmoPKM1bliRpHXvEgMkKQzN9v3PNG5dOE-DOw6Ojnoqg8ADilMWIuCpYNVbZqsiF_SamSz82Sy5r66-2fs47cjNenkwxRwGemNCvF_mzF0R01XXTuA/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZOU1hZvrfw3u8EFR5URrGIua5pmoPKM1bliRpHXvEgMkKQzN9v3PNG5dOE-DOw6Ojnoqg8ADilMWIuCpYNVbZqsiF_SamSz82Sy5r66-2fs47cjNenkwxRwGemNCvF_mzF0R01XXTuA/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+8.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful walk across the Steel Bridge.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-FuSKD4t-gAAKyGI8JlSns3aHRcJfrKk4NcesDDqUUw9v2eud0HpXGK_y-j3arjIzJQRezPmerSUy86OPH1xLjTlLwfzAaMHkT5fauaLpQ1pfh92PQNMAJ8JART68td6n23f8GdMgTo/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG-FuSKD4t-gAAKyGI8JlSns3aHRcJfrKk4NcesDDqUUw9v2eud0HpXGK_y-j3arjIzJQRezPmerSUy86OPH1xLjTlLwfzAaMHkT5fauaLpQ1pfh92PQNMAJ8JART68td6n23f8GdMgTo/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+9.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud big brother!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoyJQz8ugMv4hNrXeJ9fdpW-9xl12jdohk-T18S0_deN0BNsF3Wf-b5bFnmEfBacoVNryQLCqeQbaD-x0FJJf4uj5Ju2kWKE9DthjAT2xNGk26_M0BnPRNXDpYsmB95LnWANGLdoqkFg/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoyJQz8ugMv4hNrXeJ9fdpW-9xl12jdohk-T18S0_deN0BNsF3Wf-b5bFnmEfBacoVNryQLCqeQbaD-x0FJJf4uj5Ju2kWKE9DthjAT2xNGk26_M0BnPRNXDpYsmB95LnWANGLdoqkFg/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+10.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rare hug...Kieran's gift was five hugs throughout the day :-) </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfpqyVb0AeZdxHIss77P8Jg_hmi1wt6kQkABmq0kSgWjbs4na4ZM2IqlFcEmpNiEcewtp4MzUo_E_UJLiGqqfaXwa_zFKohG3cW-QTpsZsczLkhOrxb7S8cg4_PwKwr9Kq4DrvcaBWe0/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+walk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfpqyVb0AeZdxHIss77P8Jg_hmi1wt6kQkABmq0kSgWjbs4na4ZM2IqlFcEmpNiEcewtp4MzUo_E_UJLiGqqfaXwa_zFKohG3cW-QTpsZsczLkhOrxb7S8cg4_PwKwr9Kq4DrvcaBWe0/s1600/Makennas+5th+Bday+walk.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles, and she didn't even know that we were planning to walk to Burgerville and then home to watch her favorite, Angelina Ballerina.</td></tr>
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A beautiful day for a beautiful girl....we love you Makenna!<br />
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Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-32196230120435130392013-12-09T12:45:00.000-08:002013-12-09T13:07:02.684-08:00Dear Child Journal Entries<div style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', 'Bitstream Charter', Times, serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 18.99147605895996px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vbsvBvbj5WYeaIkm0XZLBoocVCeULR2V-ny37oOxRcJ4zZxiNwQZKq5aPj_I_iQQgdQu1j8_P2gY_S07xp4Tk8ZKCcE1zosTdaZI2LmJ7GI7ZL3Lfx09czpu92WvMDkeZtlRtjsXD9g/s1600/Where+Did+the+BABY+Go+Little+Golden+Book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vbsvBvbj5WYeaIkm0XZLBoocVCeULR2V-ny37oOxRcJ4zZxiNwQZKq5aPj_I_iQQgdQu1j8_P2gY_S07xp4Tk8ZKCcE1zosTdaZI2LmJ7GI7ZL3Lfx09czpu92WvMDkeZtlRtjsXD9g/s320/Where+Did+the+BABY+Go+Little+Golden+Book.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My journal...I loved this book as a child</td></tr>
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<i>As explained further on my <a href="http://darcysutopia.com/dear-child/">Darcy's Utopia blog</a>, I've decided to post the previous journal entries to begin sharing more regular reflections about my children/motherhood/life. </i><br />
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January 31, 2009</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 18.99147605895996px;">Today is Kieran's 3rd Birthday, and tomorrow Makenna will be one week old. I feel very blessed by such wonderful children. As I've said about Kieran for some time now, Kieran is as beautiful on the inside as he is on the outside. I can already tell that I will feel the same way as she grows into a little girl and eventually a woman.</span></div>
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Kieran is so excited to have a little sister, and gives her kisses at every opportunity. He is mostly very gentle, although we do have to remind him to be more like Pooh and less like Tigger. We can already tell that he will be a protective big brother. During Makenna's first bath she let out one of her first big cries, and he literally burst into tears crying along with her. Then suddenly he remembered the advice that we gave him so that he won't cry in the bath, and he started telling her "I close my eyes! I close my eyes!" It was just so sweet that I couldn't help but laugh and smile even though they were both crying.</div>
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Kevin, or shall I say "Daddy" is also quite enamored by his new baby girl. He immediately took to calling Makenna "Sweets" and "Sweetie" and of course Kieran now loves to call her that too. He makes googly eyes at her any time she is awake, which isn't much still.</div>
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Naturally, I am in awe too. It is simply amazing that just last week I had this little person growing inside me. She is absolutely perfect, and I am so happy to be the mother of such beautiful children.</div>
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2/3/2009</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 18.99147605895996px;">I'm snuggling with Makenna this morning, and her soft little body is nestled warmly in my arm. Kevin and Kieran went back to work and school. Thus in some ways it feels as though this is the when my true maternity leave is here, and I can spend time just caring for Makenna. We also had fun showing her off at Kieran's school, and I'll be visiting Kevin's office and perhaps mine today.</span></div>
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Beyond snuggling with my baby girl, I have three main goals during my leave. First, I want to plan our summer camping trips and other family activities. Second, I want to develop a better system for meal planning to help making dinners easier once I'm back to work. Third, I would like to start our garden, begin a permaculture plan, and revive our compost pile. OK, maybe that's more that 3...</div>
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4/18/2009</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 18.99147605895996px;">Makenna is 12 weeks old today. She is growing fast already, and I find myself savoring her freshness. She is no longer a true newborn, and becoming more aware of the world around her each day, and she likes it. :-) Makenna is a very smiley baby, amazingly so really. Kieran was too, but its wonderful to witness the pure grins and giggles anew.</span></div>
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Kieran is also growing fast, it seems to be the trend in our household lately. His vocabulary is exploding, and he is genuinely polite. He's been at Grandma and Papa Roger's for the past week, and they agreed that they haven't laughed so much in a very long time. He is certainly an entertainer.</div>
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Kevin and I sure enjoyed a few days with just Makenna. Being with her just makes like feel so peaceful and easy going, because that's just how she is. She's likely to be a talker like her brother, but for now we enjoy the peace and coos.</div>
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5/10/2009</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 18.99147605895996px;">Today was Mother's Day, and while I've had three as a mom already, this one felt more special than ever. Makenna woke up at six like clockwork, but Kieran let us fall back asleep until after 6:30. He was especially lovey-dovey to Makenna and I as Kevin showered. Then the boys headed downstairs to make breakfast. Watching them sift flour and pour buttermilk together was just too precious.</span></div>
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I feel just so extraordinarily blessed by my children, husband and life. I couldn't imagine better kids, because even when they test us, I know that we are all growing. I can only imagine what mother's day will be like when Kieran is 6 and Makenna is 3. I look forward to those times, but I am certainly savoring the moments now.<br />
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5/17/2009<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.727272033691406px; line-height: 18.99147605895996px;">Our family officially became members of Grace Memorial today, and it feels like a perfect choice for us. They are very family friendly and spiritually it feels like the right place. I have been moved by every service we have been to, and love how open hearted the faith is there. I truly hope and believe that Kieran and Makenna will thrive there as they learn about and discover their own spirituality.</span><br />
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I think that it is really important that our family has a place and time set aside to join in community to contemplate our connection to the whole of life.<br />
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Today was especially serendipitous, because the theme was about loving and respecting the Earth and included worship outside and around the church. It couldn't have been better, and the kids were adorable. :-)<br />
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7/8/09<br />
I'm feeling a wave of tingly exhaustion after a long day at work, and fun evening out. Kieran is at my parents' place for the week with his cousins River and Joshy. I've talked with him several times and it sounds like he's having a great time.<br />
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We are enjoying our first true time with just Makenna. She is an absolute sweetheart and so much fun to care for. Her big smile melts my heart, and she loves using her hands to touch your face.<br />
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We also enjoyed some time as a couple tonight and went to see a talk by Bill Sullivan, our favorite hiking guide/author. There has been a lot of wilderness finally designated lately, and he showed lots of slides and trails to explore. Definitely inspiring, I signed up to be members, and look forward to being active as the kids grow up. I feel like we've really been laying the foundation of our values for the future and actively engaging in the things we care about. That feels good. I like being generous, and it really doesn't require that much to feel like you've done something. Although I think stepping outside your comfort zone is really the way to grow.<br />
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Plus our garden...just finished watering. :-)<br />
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9/3/09<br />
Today has been kind of a crazy day, but I don't feel like focusing on the work-related reflection right now.<br />
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I'm thinking a lot about the kids' stages right now, and how fleeting they are...for better and worse. Makenna has been teething really bad, and we're all feeling a bit worn down from lack of sleep. It's hard to not have her be her normal smiling, happy self. Her first tooth came in last week and we've had a roller coaster with a snotty nose and fevers ever since.<br />
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Kieran has suddenly reached a whole new level of curiosity, and asks "why?" for virtually everything. I remember this stage from kids that I babysat growing up, but now that he's hit it, I'm remembering the extreme amount of patience this stage requires. You want to answer every question and teach them about the world, but there are also times when it feels like you can't breath without being asked WHY?<br />
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The best moment of the day was bathtime . It was Makenna's first bath in the big tub...Kieran and I joined her. We called it a bath party and it was lots of fun. I kind of wish we couldn't have taken a photo...certainly a very special memory that I hope to keep clear in my mind forever.<br />
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11/25/09<br />
It's Thanksgiving Eve, and I feel so thankful for everything in my life. Makenna is ten months today. Kieran is back to being a healthy little boy after the worst flu bug I've ever witnessed. Kevin has been especially loving and helpful the past few months, and this Saturday we are celebrating 10 years since our first date. It seems like a lifetime ago, and I can only imagine what we will be able to create in another decade together.<br />
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Work is going well, but I'm also thankful to have four days of rest from being a full-time working mom. Life is very good, but this mini-vacation feels well deserved. I will sped more time than normal reflecting on all that I'm thankful for...<br />
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6/3/11<br />
Kids grow and life can change so fast. It's been almost a month since Wally passed away, and it's been a life altering experience in so many ways. I've decided that I wan to have a third child. I'm not sure exactly the reason, but my heart feels more open and ready to give. I can also see more clearly the impact of one person on the whole sphere, and regardless of the environmental impact of having one more person on the planet, I feel certain that I have the capacity to raise a child who will do more good than harm in the world.<br />
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I also want to have another child because our kids would love to have another sibling to bond and grow up with. Kieran has been pleading with us for some time now, and it's really impossible to resist. No doubt Makenna's life will change when she's no longer the baby, but it will only make her stronger and more able. I also feel like Kevin and I have been parenting long enough to take another child in stride. Plus, financially we'll now be able to afford it. Let's face it, families are expensive.<br />
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I also want to work part time, and feel like I'll be able to live my life more fully and not sacrifice my highest goals to a 40 hour week. Plus, parenting is tiring after 10 hours away from home 4-5 days a week. I don't want to race through life and like I can hardly keep up.<br />
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I'm really happy in life right now, but I'm truly excited about our next chapter as a family.<br />
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11/13/13<br />
Incredible. I just reread all of my previous entries over a cup of coffee with 11 week old Teagan nursing and now napping on my lap. It is truly remarkable to think and feel the few moments of motherhood that I've captured here so far. I only wish that I had written more, but I feel like I have another chance with a snuggly newborn.<br />
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So many feelings, so much to say, yet I know word really can't convey the joy I've felt in the past 12 weeks. With the exception of a few relatively minor hiccups, and one epicly rough day (me on crutches, Kevin with a kidney stone and Makenna holding Teagan upside down until I gave her nurse maid's elbow trying to rescue her...) our family has never functioned so smoothly, gracefully and joyously. I've had a few moments of stress and doubt, but few and far between. What's more is that I feel like this is a brand new beginning for us, and even though we've each had moments of regret, we are communicating openly about them and working as a team to make sure we don't repeat reactive habits (as much as possible!) And we are doing a better job of supporting each other. It doesn't mean that just this morning we had a vicious name-calling session (following a beautiful "Good Morning to..." song with snuggies, then dance/video party with our friends Jack, Brett and Michael Franti :-) but I have faith that by the time Teagan is their age (hopefully younger!) such blow ups will only happen rarely over things they really care about (not who is closest to the new constructed Lego castle at breakfast...I know, my fault for letting them bring toys to the table...)<br />
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Truthfully, I only feel guilty that Kevin still have to go to work each day...he wasn't feeling well this morning, but felt like he had to go in because he's missed so much. I know he's so work oriented that he needs that sense of satisfaction, I only wish that it could be dong something driven by him...watch out when that day comes...<br />
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As for me, I feel like that day has come. I took a full month of maternity leave together with Kevin, but when I started back in I felt so ready to go. It didn't matter that I was slightly sleep deprived...in fact last night I actually didn't sleep a wink! And even though there are moments of feeling overwhelmed or self-doubting, I still quickly snap out of it, realizing how incredibly amazing it is to be creating the life of my deepest desires and wildest imagination. I have absolute faith that I am laying the foundation for my life's work and calling. I may not yet know exactly what that will look like, and there will no doubt be life lessons along the way, but I am confident I have already begun to sow more seeds of beauty, joy and grace that I can even fathom. Just looking into the eyes of my children tells me this truth.<br />
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I feel like I could write all day, but alas there is laundry to do on top of a laundry list(s) :-) Suffice to say, I'm loving this gig...laundry and all.</div>
Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-58090613272752099872013-11-30T14:31:00.000-08:002014-12-10T14:32:13.298-08:00Family walk on Swan Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanksgiving weekend we decided it was the perfect time to take a several hour hike across Swan Island. It was a grey and crisp, but it felt great to be outside as a family. We roughly followed <a href="http://lauraofoster.com/">Laura Foster's</a> Portland City Walks #1. </div>
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<span id="goog_582356788"></span><span id="goog_582356789"></span><br />Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804312253472768368.post-20095688376824574522013-11-28T20:44:00.000-08:002013-12-09T12:45:10.234-08:00Thanksgiving 2013...so very grateful!Our biggest/best Thanksgiving yet...13 people for 2013!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomvu9G06HFustJZV67BZwAOLr3ekyhfGaEcqOcfkCMZielw9Z2_8koqtQXHNr419vmBhNf6aHt7aE4DSVHfPkigKCsZpgXLaQWwY9qzsyg_z4Mzh3v_ZWplUzaOPMM0c5L70Vd4vqX9M/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Abygail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiomvu9G06HFustJZV67BZwAOLr3ekyhfGaEcqOcfkCMZielw9Z2_8koqtQXHNr419vmBhNf6aHt7aE4DSVHfPkigKCsZpgXLaQWwY9qzsyg_z4Mzh3v_ZWplUzaOPMM0c5L70Vd4vqX9M/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Abygail.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Niece/cousin Abigayle...almost 2 with a healthy appetite!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EuHk-F6UYn4dtAvovO0KKuQJ_SeLuaODfdthwoE-O1gPogZGXXILYsR8t1R-B0oXZjf2HazSR1mil_2GFfjxIfKxpXCnYTLZYttDYcz8F-0UKD06VcTnn3cJ1pIHVYBc7Uk3XrdU49Q/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Aunt+Carol+Makenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2EuHk-F6UYn4dtAvovO0KKuQJ_SeLuaODfdthwoE-O1gPogZGXXILYsR8t1R-B0oXZjf2HazSR1mil_2GFfjxIfKxpXCnYTLZYttDYcz8F-0UKD06VcTnn3cJ1pIHVYBc7Uk3XrdU49Q/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Aunt+Carol+Makenna.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aunt Carol and Makenn being silly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Dad carving the turkey.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGgzvmzn4fwS3QNAcVBCSAazsPglkBHR1qYxB5y8aLY1PCzs9w7UWd8_Y-pmRPM-twWom_YNtZlwEWgkQ62pyoa9i2r5xj2zMKgJWc_q5IBPVVaCvSjZeFTCvYSR_ivwsz8wXvBE2RE8/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Feast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMGgzvmzn4fwS3QNAcVBCSAazsPglkBHR1qYxB5y8aLY1PCzs9w7UWd8_Y-pmRPM-twWom_YNtZlwEWgkQ62pyoa9i2r5xj2zMKgJWc_q5IBPVVaCvSjZeFTCvYSR_ivwsz8wXvBE2RE8/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Feast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A real feast!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighS6v4E-Pnc5UxCr7INtpbDaiNw9YZ8tecnB7CMfnlAbhyphenhyphenMaz-964ar6vQTKH9HZyaMI0iRKpJFwzIAhLmCwgO90LFPYDyV1IIpZtn65JuzKiVYPq68eW_BRnMTtJgLeTSm2b1PN-meY/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Jade+Darcy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEighS6v4E-Pnc5UxCr7INtpbDaiNw9YZ8tecnB7CMfnlAbhyphenhyphenMaz-964ar6vQTKH9HZyaMI0iRKpJFwzIAhLmCwgO90LFPYDyV1IIpZtn65JuzKiVYPq68eW_BRnMTtJgLeTSm2b1PN-meY/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Jade+Darcy.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My sister Jade and I...so happy to share the holiday together!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPluoTxXCNWQIClkfpBq0wN_J9-z5yxiWImY-SmxBOvAdeiA9uWzfLgmYKHpuHmuh7lHkqWUOn2O3U1cJS-vdRxkNeUF0lUsafcYenq41LmcwcIxQ6lX75A6miIcA3RyUMoCMB0IIT9mw/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Kevin+Teagan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPluoTxXCNWQIClkfpBq0wN_J9-z5yxiWImY-SmxBOvAdeiA9uWzfLgmYKHpuHmuh7lHkqWUOn2O3U1cJS-vdRxkNeUF0lUsafcYenq41LmcwcIxQ6lX75A6miIcA3RyUMoCMB0IIT9mw/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Kevin+Teagan.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kevin and 3-month-old Teagan...she stayed awake nearly all day, excited by all the guests. :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxiPHksjbyUcqz2wy3_eAKc-j4fu1Opro5rRgZRyftfJXk513a-jyvOnOoUqgormYxKEQiDHKIs2iLM8LLTIVN-HfGA4W9gKA5SfvOr2wOOarUuk2icOA3X8xftJvuFW80GAJcvn_k-0/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Kieran+Kevin+Makenna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlxiPHksjbyUcqz2wy3_eAKc-j4fu1Opro5rRgZRyftfJXk513a-jyvOnOoUqgormYxKEQiDHKIs2iLM8LLTIVN-HfGA4W9gKA5SfvOr2wOOarUuk2icOA3X8xftJvuFW80GAJcvn_k-0/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Kieran+Kevin+Makenna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran and Makenna both mentioned family at the top of their thankful list.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV33qXGMAwgZcVXaL7wTdij7yneWVxpMSI68covvMKOSOKqOcjFpJGSvO16gwg5c1UBMV1WBysIfKyHH7FqyAC2rlO8kNfUOzkwpmualDK2XC3VV9iutmfHYBNaqdSbjoSZOahHkg8DA/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Kieran+Teagan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV33qXGMAwgZcVXaL7wTdij7yneWVxpMSI68covvMKOSOKqOcjFpJGSvO16gwg5c1UBMV1WBysIfKyHH7FqyAC2rlO8kNfUOzkwpmualDK2XC3VV9iutmfHYBNaqdSbjoSZOahHkg8DA/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Kieran+Teagan.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kieran with his new love, Teagan.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhb6znEMUPWkyQPvv3tYk2tbb1Zu0MxUtxaWvnbbfvR86ptNwQhCPdYFu6sKd65XdR6b7tH4PgkfbeBHv3JkEcva8weiWzp8QQZ7efoO1oAIN-BsY0XFgBbGvMy3EoqGPnf5_DzMQj4M/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Maddy+Jim+Avery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhb6znEMUPWkyQPvv3tYk2tbb1Zu0MxUtxaWvnbbfvR86ptNwQhCPdYFu6sKd65XdR6b7tH4PgkfbeBHv3JkEcva8weiWzp8QQZ7efoO1oAIN-BsY0XFgBbGvMy3EoqGPnf5_DzMQj4M/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Maddy+Jim+Avery.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jade's boyfriend, Jim, and his girls, Maddy and Avery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ1bI32HkeApP1A0gf6k9-sx7D8g_XvXHOUucwfS8yRCWBR0eVgaIktHDBKOXsAU62eI_g8j2o-J4HWTTtGR2EWCAUjIUC0LjT1jtm_W2NNxdNxibq5P8IOCgHDcvZeHDvLh-2tg9uyg/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Makenna+Aunt+Carol.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuZ1bI32HkeApP1A0gf6k9-sx7D8g_XvXHOUucwfS8yRCWBR0eVgaIktHDBKOXsAU62eI_g8j2o-J4HWTTtGR2EWCAUjIUC0LjT1jtm_W2NNxdNxibq5P8IOCgHDcvZeHDvLh-2tg9uyg/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Makenna+Aunt+Carol.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Makenna decided to dress for Christmas on Thanksgiving!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZwzNEJLILa2xwtvz7GO1xyOYKOigH2IXDL-e_HqvCYOCeBOUmK7E_NQWaUUP-jC2DxRJ479dydn8YH4JSLw8tz2aDPCvEz8mtap0lvZK9aycTFUaYZCg2lBA1vM6sqT__uRcINnT_0s/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Makenna+Jade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYZwzNEJLILa2xwtvz7GO1xyOYKOigH2IXDL-e_HqvCYOCeBOUmK7E_NQWaUUP-jC2DxRJ479dydn8YH4JSLw8tz2aDPCvEz8mtap0lvZK9aycTFUaYZCg2lBA1vM6sqT__uRcINnT_0s/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Makenna+Jade.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So sweet!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCtdFcMCMz58HaBvAg-mDhCPJaRIcIg0L71vH1BS3KHqs6E8H9ZLATkVSQf5rdfL1uKA7UVGZKdUMhhcSGv_cYWl4YuITHIaXByWtHDp4nufNyYHSTCxym1IrtgM_hJrEnFnj8_mjG3c/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Moms+Gravy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCCtdFcMCMz58HaBvAg-mDhCPJaRIcIg0L71vH1BS3KHqs6E8H9ZLATkVSQf5rdfL1uKA7UVGZKdUMhhcSGv_cYWl4YuITHIaXByWtHDp4nufNyYHSTCxym1IrtgM_hJrEnFnj8_mjG3c/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Moms+Gravy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom's famous gravy...yum!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsIU3pezgzpMltBUWsgDThpz9SRa9YDJRg-hirWyI9DaNrPedutYgMv3xRNZoHWCU4AEeJm_4nWRYZ7gl4guKaOdyhXN4iyoNVVIuX3lhNT3lzGQwKiw-j-k6D2tlFjL7Q2moZnRlltk/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+our+table+keeps+getting+longer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsIU3pezgzpMltBUWsgDThpz9SRa9YDJRg-hirWyI9DaNrPedutYgMv3xRNZoHWCU4AEeJm_4nWRYZ7gl4guKaOdyhXN4iyoNVVIuX3lhNT3lzGQwKiw-j-k6D2tlFjL7Q2moZnRlltk/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+our+table+keeps+getting+longer.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We used every chair and added a table to make room for everyone this year.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_2LeSBcZTnpdE9bzkpOeBXa8dNahsJZvPlEJuii3hGW9u4USbLYTXLyLLaXjoQOArls6XPhQJWruJBYlwQPLagNoyQedJ6zawgUrGWnTsouJAMd-376Dbc4pXEAvfZkVGmpWuSkHx1o/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Papa+Roger+Abygail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_2LeSBcZTnpdE9bzkpOeBXa8dNahsJZvPlEJuii3hGW9u4USbLYTXLyLLaXjoQOArls6XPhQJWruJBYlwQPLagNoyQedJ6zawgUrGWnTsouJAMd-376Dbc4pXEAvfZkVGmpWuSkHx1o/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Papa+Roger+Abygail.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Abigayle and Papa Roger...she loves that bushy beard :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cxClOodXiqHxB7P_Mw8DHgUUVSRrq6YXsWHvQeB69AVGMEDuq7HEn0DewOyQGL7MUmtBnMA5Pg7tOeuLurcWCMmtfLQ0m34JtVpkZxiWLU7xI2ok6flNxaBLuGcuoVGrmsPcwCVq1eM/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+Teagan+Darcy+Kevin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cxClOodXiqHxB7P_Mw8DHgUUVSRrq6YXsWHvQeB69AVGMEDuq7HEn0DewOyQGL7MUmtBnMA5Pg7tOeuLurcWCMmtfLQ0m34JtVpkZxiWLU7xI2ok6flNxaBLuGcuoVGrmsPcwCVq1eM/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+Teagan+Darcy+Kevin.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us...blurry, but happy :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgSl6x8QrxeEbd2gVO9q8cmvulcWUcboigRLx3bJVVAl8x0g4Bp8k-VdjTbK-Z57gm2XB1c515vAri1YjEwixSRiCXQgh909dWfxXN9zemTbKjr1isH2MKaSMOlzQq_Xr3RbuSVQXCgY/s1600/Thanksgiving+2013+turkey+in+sunshine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgSl6x8QrxeEbd2gVO9q8cmvulcWUcboigRLx3bJVVAl8x0g4Bp8k-VdjTbK-Z57gm2XB1c515vAri1YjEwixSRiCXQgh909dWfxXN9zemTbKjr1isH2MKaSMOlzQq_Xr3RbuSVQXCgY/s320/Thanksgiving+2013+turkey+in+sunshine.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The turkey had a chance to bask in the sun this year :-)</td></tr>
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<br />Darcy Croninhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18172091837822794716noreply@blogger.com0