tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69753242842023995542024-02-21T08:54:07.864-06:00Click. The Good NewsSpreading happiness and joy through clicks of the mouse and the shutter.Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.comBlogger1146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-62111826128500847562010-08-09T16:12:00.001-05:002010-08-09T16:38:01.081-05:00**MOVING**<center><img class="size-large wp-image-1402" title="Click. The Good News Original Blogger Format, February 2009" src="http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Oldblog-700x414.jpg" alt="Click. The Good News Original Blogger Format, early 2009" height="414" width="700" />
<br /><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Click. The Good News Blogger Format, 2009-2010</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;">I am moving on up in the blogging world to <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/">CLICK. THE GOOD NEWS!</a></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Please update your feed reader to </span><a style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/feed/">http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/feed/</a>
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">As of Saturday August 6, 2010, I've posted 1,144 posts on the old Blogger format & invested literally thousands of hours over the past 3 years. I stopped to think about how much I really enjoyed blogging, forcing myself to finish my photos & get them online, not getting too far behind in life (well, except the past 4 months!), capturing the day to day normalcy that is our life, reminiscing about each of our big trips overseas, documenting all the funny & adorable things the dogs do, and so much more. I decided to make the major investment that will allow me to grow & for all these memories to be properly backed up and accessible for the future.
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<br /><img class="size-large wp-image-1401" title="Click. The Good News Original Blogger Format, 2007" src="http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/home-page-old-700x447.jpg" alt="" height="447" width="700" />
<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Click. The Good News Original Blogger Format, 2007</span></span>
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<br /><p style="text-align: center;">I love that I have it all here in one place. I consider this a new hybrid between keeping a diary and making a scrapbook. Doing all the transfer & site maintenance to get to my new location, I spent quite a bit of time going through the blog & straightening things up. Seeing how my blogging has evolved over the last 3 year is both surprising and encouraging. I've learned so much about photography, picked up a few coding tips, immersed myself in so many other wonderful blogs that I read & have really begun to value how much this blog means to me.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9Pz4aOpfM_pbewixhfM1DFVRsbbmRUvfXZm7RNXdumsB8bDE1gbV_i_zFpC-Lj6xiV6ygMnNgHajTa_gMpb_r6QE_kzzeAd1p9TBznhtfTitKbYKVguCfYbhWA-NcqvMIHm_a7-KK1k/s1600/CLTG+Stat+counter.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 497px; height: 479px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9Pz4aOpfM_pbewixhfM1DFVRsbbmRUvfXZm7RNXdumsB8bDE1gbV_i_zFpC-Lj6xiV6ygMnNgHajTa_gMpb_r6QE_kzzeAd1p9TBznhtfTitKbYKVguCfYbhWA-NcqvMIHm_a7-KK1k/s400/CLTG+Stat+counter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503376002829045650" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;">With over 107,000+ views on the old Blogger web page, I hope that many of you follow me over to Wordpress. I've officially got a domain name & some fun new features.
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<br /><img class="size-large wp-image-1403" title="Wordpress Back End" src="http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Wordpress-700x347.jpg" alt="<span class=" error="" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" />Wordpress Back End" height="347" width="700">
<br /><p style="text-align: center;">I've got a lot to learn about WordPress & how to use all the functionality that comes with a real fancy blog format. I can't wait to see how blogging changes over the next 3 years.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">Things I'm looking forward to changing</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">-Neater layout & organization
<br /></p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">-Important things just 1 click away at the drop down menu's up top</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">-Photo upgrades- border, watermark, galleries, easier uploading</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">-New banner (still to come) & background</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">-Easier & safer long-term back up options</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">-Optional privacy for future posts</p><p style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">
<br /></p><span style="font-size:180%;"><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.clickthegoodnews.com/">CLICK. THE GOOD NEWS!</a></span>
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<br />See ya on the flip side~
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<br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;">GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Finally! Been working on this a few months & I'm excited to move ahead even if everything isn't finished yet.</p></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-36543005051392484842010-08-07T08:38:00.000-05:002010-08-07T08:50:40.871-05:00D'Vine Wine<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4832965370_5769d5f5e5_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4832965370_5769d5f5e5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few weekends back, we found ourselves at <a href="http://www.dvine-winebar.com/">D'Vine Wine Bar</a>, a newer place just around the corner from us. I'm not sure why we've been driving all over town & hadn't tried this wine bar, but I'm glad we did! They have a smaller room that you can use for semi-private events.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4832965508_3ab9837c24_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4832965508_3ab9837c24_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They have a full meal menu as well as great accompaniments for sipping on wine. We enjoyed the cheese selection & thought they had a great range on the wine bottle prices.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4832965680_e621187830_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4832965680_e621187830_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><center><br />We went pretty early in the afternoon & had the place to ourselves for quite a while. My other favorite thing is that they are open at noon most days & 2PM on Sundays.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4868851118_6ffe935cd4_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4868851118_6ffe935cd4_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I can only dream about the fall when the death heat is gone & we can sit outside again enjoying wine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4868851250_2eeedf1bba_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4868851250_2eeedf1bba_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They don't have a full bar, but do serve beer for the non-wine drinkers and their selections of desserts was wonderful.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: The high today is only going to be 91- woohoo! We might venture downtown for the <a href="http://microapp.houstonpress.com/mas2010/">Houston Press Music Awards</a> or the <a href="http://www.jazzeducation.org/">Intentional Jazz Festival</a> or <a href="http://whitelinennightheights.com/">White Linen Nights in the Heights</a>.<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-23745482874568621732010-08-06T12:54:00.000-05:002010-08-06T12:54:00.311-05:00Kidz at Barton Springs<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4839106340_4de7d8801a_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4839106340_4de7d8801a_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our last stop in Austin with the kids was at <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm">Barton Springs</a>- an amazing natural fed pool that has been an Austin favorite for decades. We tried to go on Saturday afternoon, but were discouraged by the crowds. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4838494251_266eb7d619_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4838494251_266eb7d619_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We showed up early on Sunday & it was pretty empty around lunch time, but quickly filled up in the afternoon. I'd been as a child & somehow missed hanging out here when I was in college.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4839106178_cf2ebc37c9_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 443px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4839106178_cf2ebc37c9_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just below the dam is a cool dog park area where owners & furry friends hang out in the water too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4839106798_a841126dd5_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4839106798_a841126dd5_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The water is a very chilly & it was quite a show to see who would take the plunge first. Hunter does it with style!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4838496299_d359a7d887_z.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 640px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4838496299_d359a7d887_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The diving board was quite popular & the kids had fun doing some stunts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4839108102_e503dd558d_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4839108102_e503dd558d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was pretty entertaining to watch everybody, young & old, have fun getting some air.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4839108242_a4bbb3dc2a_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4087/4839108242_a4bbb3dc2a_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hunter can do front flips.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4839108600_33de8daba5_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4839108600_33de8daba5_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Haley does a wicked canon ball.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839109204_09962119a9_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 561px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839109204_09962119a9_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The rocks on the bottom make it irregular & very slippery.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4839109672_95ca1ed8c4_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 679px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4839109672_95ca1ed8c4_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The kids had a race where they both stumbled and slipped.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4838498481_71c22bf0be_z.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 535px; height: 640px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4838498481_71c22bf0be_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Haley goes down first...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4839110120_bc2404d034_z.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 482px; height: 640px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4839110120_bc2404d034_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They had to much fun together, just hanging out & being silly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4839110252_0ee28abbb2_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4839110252_0ee28abbb2_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's so great to catch real smiles out of these two.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4838498967_8fa877f575_z.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 640px; height: 429px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4838498967_8fa877f575_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They were laughing hysterically & we were quite entertained. We stayed until we got hungry & the park was getting crowded, then drove back to Houston.<br /><br /><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Kidz made it home safely from their mission trip in Mexico & I'll be stealing Facebook photos over the next few weeks.<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-73549270511230385082010-08-03T14:46:00.003-05:002010-08-03T14:53:48.031-05:00Kidz & College<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839105026_4469828883.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4124/4839105026_4469828883.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our next major stop was the campus at the University of Texas. Hunter has some interest in going there & it's just a beautiful campus. I don't think either of them have really walked around a college campus before & it was a cool experience.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4838493699_a2cbcf3535_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 669px; height: 1000px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4838493699_a2cbcf3535_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is one of my favorite scenes around campus.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4838493465_f5b83641d5_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4838493465_f5b83641d5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's hard to believe Hunter will be a junior this year & starting to visit colleges. He's interested in engineering, thinks he wants to go to a college in Texas & outside of Houston. We'll see how those plans evolve over the next 2 years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4839105466_45c13ac037_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4839105466_45c13ac037_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We missed the evening showing of the Congress Ave. bats, but there were still a few fluttering around when we walked into town.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4839105694_8644b58677.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4839105694_8644b58677.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />No real trip to the University of Texas is complete without a stop at their satellite campus- aka 6th street. We caught a late movie & ended up having a late dinner. It was around 11:30 when we finally made the walk through the wild side. They were funny- I think my brother was a bit overwhelmed with all the partying & my sister was just ready to go. <br /><br /><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: My easy-going August just got a lot busier as I picked up some work trips & so did H.<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-47990606941841315532010-08-02T16:43:00.001-05:002010-08-02T17:37:12.232-05:00Mt Bonnell & the Capitol<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4838492319_b6969e7144_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/4838492319_b6969e7144_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The next stop on our Austin trip was <a href="http://www.austinparks.org/apfweb/park.php?parkId=287">Mt Bonnell Park</a>, overlooking the Austin skyline and Town Lake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4839104370_a934574f0a_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4839104370_a934574f0a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just a few steps off the main trail & you can get some great views of the lake & surrounding hillside.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4839104256_82a2bb6b0e_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4839104256_82a2bb6b0e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />::le sigh::<br />I miss Austin & would love to live in this urban wilderness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4839104456_8e360f4ab1_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4839104456_8e360f4ab1_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Next stop was a quick walk around the <a href="http://www.tspb.state.tx.us/CVC/home/home.html">Texas Capitol</a>. I guess kids these days don't take field trips to see it anymore :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4839104658_8848fae82f.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4839104658_8848fae82f.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love that my sister is a little shutterbug & getting quite into taking photos, which I can later steal on Facebook.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4854461837_bfc5617095_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 540px; height: 720px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4854461837_bfc5617095_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She caught Hunter & I walking down the steps at Mt. Bonnell. When did my hair get that short?!?!!? And when did my brother get so tall??<br /><br /><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: August snuck up on me...I can't believe we are 7/12ths of the way through the year!<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-61118391365406251672010-08-01T18:21:00.003-05:002010-08-01T18:47:39.933-05:00The Oasis Austin<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4839102266_ea24456c91_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4839102266_ea24456c91_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Last weekend we grabbed my brother & sister and headed to Austin to explore. Our first stop was at <a href="http://www.oasis-austin.com/">The Oasis</a> on Lake Travis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4838490851_d9029cd06b_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4838490851_d9029cd06b_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are famous for their layers of decking that provides awesome views of the sunset and all the partiers out on the lake.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4838490705_65d43f219b_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/4838490705_65d43f219b_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I loved my years living in Austin during college & couldn't believe the kids hadn't been up there to do any sightseeing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4839102828_c680a7021c_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/4839102828_c680a7021c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The lake was pretty quiet for a sunny Saturday, but there was still a crowd at Windy Point Park.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4838491243_25f8540058_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/4838491243_25f8540058_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I tried explaining to them how the Colorado River, through 3 dams, formed the 3 Austin area lakes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4839103138_06f4b88b84.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4128/4839103138_06f4b88b84.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was just blown away by how much The Oasis is growing. Way back when, it was a little local restaurant that was pretty simple & basic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4839103630_37ea31154a_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/4839103630_37ea31154a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They are expanding and getting into the events (weddings!) and hotel area of things.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4838491613_5ed357bffd_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4103/4838491613_5ed357bffd_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We jealously checked out all the amazing houses on the lake & schemed about how we might get our own one day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4838492119_9309f5cbbf_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/4838492119_9309f5cbbf_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's so big and fancy now- I hardly recognize it :(<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4838492221_04f11cd2b6_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/4838492221_04f11cd2b6_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><center><br />Like all of Austin- rampant construction and expansion. I'm kinda sad to see the little dive restaurant gone, but such is progress.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Looks like we are going to Belize for our anniversary! Sooooo excited about that ;)<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-21472224162616555212010-07-30T06:15:00.000-05:002010-07-30T06:15:00.188-05:00VBS<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4838505810_47a558ee08_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 719px; height: 405px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/4838505810_47a558ee08_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My brother and sister volunteered last week at Vacation Bible school at our church. Thank to the abundance of cell phone cameras, I've got lots of cute pics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4837892487_c8c7def3b8_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4837892487_c8c7def3b8_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They enjoyed hanging out with their friends as much as actually volunteering.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4838505906_e645d6dfa2_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 372px; height: 352px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4092/4838505906_e645d6dfa2_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Apparently my brother showed off his acting skills in a skit & the little kids wanted his autograph afterward.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4838505938_32c945814b_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4084/4838505938_32c945814b_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So cute to see my siblings working with the real little kids who are adorable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4838506018_7d44caa7c0_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 720px; height: 540px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4147/4838506018_7d44caa7c0_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><center><br />Haley finally has a driving friend- Sam.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4837892383_f23d8f7eae_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 540px; height: 718px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4837892383_f23d8f7eae_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not technically at VBS, but this is Haley's new friend (i.e. Hunter's old friend & possibly future girlfriend??). Anyways....can't wait to see how the young-love romance drama unfolds.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: The kidz & Brenda are in Mexico for 6 days on a mission trip outside of Mexico City.<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-70870337129403373852010-07-29T06:11:00.000-05:002010-07-29T06:17:03.166-05:00Wicked, We're Wicked<center><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvQn6NkFf6p42VNgyChTD6zQtlbN3FabILvEYPZoo1e5n81-PpO-q-LkwGqcMtXpPgG0gZFkFlr-SnZKfDfzpew05BcdAwodw_few6qk_0h96JBJHyZ1ua5PycKxEy-h3lKH8ERFqDNk/s1600/wicked0606.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 362px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499283728452151042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJvQn6NkFf6p42VNgyChTD6zQtlbN3FabILvEYPZoo1e5n81-PpO-q-LkwGqcMtXpPgG0gZFkFlr-SnZKfDfzpew05BcdAwodw_few6qk_0h96JBJHyZ1ua5PycKxEy-h3lKH8ERFqDNk/s400/wicked0606.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A few weekends back we went to see the highly acclaimed Broadway show Wicked!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgNGCUkx465dlAsaurvBBQg0C3hJ7FRzwGQqxOUx6RJJ04srJojnLsuvI8wmZW6Wk2Swla-MJUG03B5v5fd4shUHrB6pjd_-dQLsGVfpCS4NEczMSHPkPj6RFPMYW27mMsPdbApehvak/s1600/wicked-defy8-741217.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499283740150870706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgNGCUkx465dlAsaurvBBQg0C3hJ7FRzwGQqxOUx6RJJ04srJojnLsuvI8wmZW6Wk2Swla-MJUG03B5v5fd4shUHrB6pjd_-dQLsGVfpCS4NEczMSHPkPj6RFPMYW27mMsPdbApehvak/s400/wicked-defy8-741217.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I'd been wanting to see it for a while & even had toyed with the idea of driving to New Orleans to catch the production. Luckily it came to Houston & I snapped up some tickets.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PX6k37bSkPr2_l7IkHbvM-VwakXRMUTpZZl1D73oqBInXt9TLUSDam1r8QcTiLDFbeInenSYSVStGDgBeGBidkBDqC0gMjEUWl85vER_XfoY4EMYHMbUA_qbM1lI1vK5mLzPabZrIDw/s1600/wicked2.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499283725467113762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8PX6k37bSkPr2_l7IkHbvM-VwakXRMUTpZZl1D73oqBInXt9TLUSDam1r8QcTiLDFbeInenSYSVStGDgBeGBidkBDqC0gMjEUWl85vER_XfoY4EMYHMbUA_qbM1lI1vK5mLzPabZrIDw/s400/wicked2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />What can I say that hasn't already been said about Wicked? We LOVED it. It's funny and entertaining, the music is modern and enjoyable, the characters and costumes are amazing.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO06eiJGFKogxlUam96HTKprbHl22ycZn6OEEnkehHjfrCTPi9-uNZiRVpMJvrFgzBUrBOxn4ppmAOKueKF9_P0wEvoXx7hwk_R02mJCr3b946ZvmTAIr5X-6kJS7pOm3cu-kG8eejVtE/s1600/07wicked3.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 291px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499283721956934322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO06eiJGFKogxlUam96HTKprbHl22ycZn6OEEnkehHjfrCTPi9-uNZiRVpMJvrFgzBUrBOxn4ppmAOKueKF9_P0wEvoXx7hwk_R02mJCr3b946ZvmTAIr5X-6kJS7pOm3cu-kG8eejVtE/s400/07wicked3.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Now I want to go back and re-watch the Wizard of Oz with Glenda being the not-so-good witch.<br /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4832965798_18361149fe_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 622px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4108/4832965798_18361149fe_b.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>We went to an early Sunday afternoon show with our friends & then out for dinner and drinks after the show- it was a perfect way to end the weekend.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4832965964_9c95db2b6b_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 525px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4832965964_9c95db2b6b_b.jpg" /></a> </div><div> </div><div>One of the few shots I actually took with my camera- I didn't want to take any during the actual performance.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4832356245_297cd2969f_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 525px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4106/4832356245_297cd2969f_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />All in all, I highly recommend seeing this show if you get a chance, even if you aren't typically into musicals.<br /></div><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Doing my civic duty today and reporting downtown for jury duty this morning.</center></div><br /></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-66278872157428171642010-07-28T12:11:00.000-05:002010-07-28T12:34:30.265-05:00Good Thing<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4832924618_9bd02efecb_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/4832924618_9bd02efecb_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><center><br />It's a good thing these dogs are so darn cute....<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/4832315099_434d221539_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/4832315099_434d221539_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />...otherwise I might still be mad about things like this! I'm looking at you little dog (Mia~)!<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: The <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/all-star">Major League Soccer All-Star game</a> is tonight in Houston!<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-24207358576540987952010-07-27T12:04:00.001-05:002010-07-27T12:04:00.047-05:00Ship Creek Walk<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4409044503_8901bbaea8_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4409044503_8901bbaea8_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our last real stop on our journey up the west coast to Fox Glacier was at <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/west-coast/south-westland/walks-north-of-haast-township/">Ship Creek Tauparikaka Walks</a> along the beach & on a boardwalk through some heavy vegetation.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4409814346_00cbfc1d93_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2769/4409814346_00cbfc1d93_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The boardwalk was a great little path through the sand dunes.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4409045441_4cedd761a6_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4409045441_4cedd761a6_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I like that the official NZ description is swamp forest- it's a pretty fitting name. There was a small covered area with some educational diagram & an observation tower for great views.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/4409049435_19c9cd3127_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2515/4409049435_19c9cd3127_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We hiked along the boardwalk & were soon into the think (and very tall!) brush.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4409818270_f46ce36cb7_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4409818270_f46ce36cb7_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The trail led us out to the beach area, which was desolate and some pretty big waves breaking on the shore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4409052839_6254daec66_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4409052839_6254daec66_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was a second little lookout deck, barely visible in the photos, that you could hike up to in just a few minutes for a different elevated view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4409820784_afd7714872_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4409820784_afd7714872_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's interesting to see two different ecosystems- the beach & the swamp forest, so close together.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4409057041_619648dc68.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 335px; height: 500px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4409057041_619648dc68.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is also the one and only place where we were attacked by the sand flies. I don't think I've ever been attacked by so many bugs at one time!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4409058913_a80178f949_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4409058913_a80178f949_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />From the first observation tower, you could see a beautiful mist forming at the base of the mountain where waves were crashing down.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4409827242_34f97572f2_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4409827242_34f97572f2_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><center><br />This quiet little tide pool had some birds and fishing just hanging out.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Done with all the photos in the Wanaka folder- just Fox Glacier & our return trip to Christchurch to blog.<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-19797818782833545282010-07-26T08:10:00.001-05:002010-07-26T08:10:17.658-05:00Gates of Haast<center><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4409810390_23fccc25ed_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2782/4409810390_23fccc25ed_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>Our next point of interest on our journey up New Zealand's west coast was the Gates of Haast, which takes you through the Haast Pass in the Southern Alps.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4409803116_c4ba1c2ecb.jpg"><img style="width: 335px; height: 500px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4409803116_c4ba1c2ecb.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Although a typical one-way bridge and on the main road, there was still so little traffic that you could walk out along the bridge and check out the raging Haast River below.<br /><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4409038709_bd3fd16ae6_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4409038709_bd3fd16ae6_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These boulders were huge & the water was creating quite the torrent around them.<br /><br /><img style="width: 411px; height: 613px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2704/4409795684_9a0d76afe1.jpg" /><br /><br />The walls of the surrounding mountains are incredibly steep & some are practically vertical.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4409037645_74eff24084.jpg"><img style="width: 335px; height: 500px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/4409037645_74eff24084.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's a neat little place for a driving break & to appreciate the power and enormity of mother nature.<br /><br /><div><div><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY:5 whole weeks ahead of me with no work travel scheduled (well, at least yet!).<br /></center></div></div></div></div></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-18667097034279719492010-07-25T17:48:00.000-05:002010-07-25T18:32:37.739-05:00Wanaka to Fox Glacier<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4409729350_a86e076928_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4409729350_a86e076928_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm posting all out of order, but it will just have to do for now! Departing Wanaka & heading up the west coast to our next destination, Fox Glacier, we enjoyed driving along two stunning lakes- Lake Hawea & Lake Wanaka.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4409731968_c9c83f4516_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2684/4409731968_c9c83f4516_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The water in both was a brilliant blue & they were flanked by spectacular mountains for shorelines.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4409733104_c28466f387_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4409733104_c28466f387_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We pulled over at a few places & look-outs to learn about how the glaciers came to carve out this area & learn a little bit of history.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4408969065_e9f6290a0d_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4408969065_e9f6290a0d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the Lake Wanaka Lookout, I was reminded of some of the terrain up in Alaska on the Klondike Highway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4408972473_cb6faaf6f8_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4408972473_cb6faaf6f8_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was still pretty chilly in these parts, even in summer & the strong winds made a jacket a necessity.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4409738010_b9cacfe002_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2788/4409738010_b9cacfe002_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This little rock beach made me wish we'd packed a picnic to sit on the shore and enjoy the waves.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4409739644_b05c03d920_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4409739644_b05c03d920_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I loved catching glimpses of far-off peaks piercing the sky through closer valleys.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4409740256_1fc8878079_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 428px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4409740256_1fc8878079_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We also started to see many smaller glaciers clinging to the mountain face in this area.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4408974439_afcd33dcc7_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4064/4408974439_afcd33dcc7_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love all the layers in this photo- flat valley floor, gentle river, rolling hills, towering mountains, a glacier, blue sky & puffy clouds.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4408976355_92d5d53148_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4408976355_92d5d53148_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We traveled along the lovely <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makarora_River">Makarora River</a> for quite some time on the journey & H kept wanting to stop and fish (if we had any fishing gear!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4408977243_1befecfc9d_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4408977243_1befecfc9d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We kept driving further north & deeper into the mountains, but it was looking like rain ahead.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4409744796_4a0a8163ff_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2757/4409744796_4a0a8163ff_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We couldn't resist pulling over for another picture beside the idyllic river.<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Survived Austin with the kids & have no plans, other than relax, next weekend!<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-61683835045552544672010-07-24T07:48:00.000-05:002010-07-24T07:48:00.783-05:00So Fast<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4811381459_91f47bd900_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 683px; height: 1024px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4811381459_91f47bd900_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I was going through some of my old wedding photos & ran across some of the kidz. They are growing up so fast! Although only 3.5 years ago, there are so many changes in the teenage years and so much happening.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4812005170_d6c4bcd9ea_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 591px; height: 887px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4812005170_d6c4bcd9ea_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />For that reason, we are taking my brother & sister to Austin today to explore and spend some time with them. Hunter is now 16 and been driving for 6 months, going to be a junior in high school this fall. He starts taking AP classes this year, stops doing wrestling and starts more serious dating!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4811380845_a4257425f1_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 728px; height: 485px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4811380845_a4257425f1_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Haley will be 15h this September and will start all of her practice driving. She's entering the big, bad world of high school and all the girl drama that entails.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4812005836_4e023a2856_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 734px; height: 489px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4812005836_4e023a2856_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I love these pictures so much- they are so priceless & capture so much of the personality of both of them. I can't wait to hang out with them as they get older, find their own path in life, start exploring the bigger world outside of northwest Houston and grow into amazing people.<br /><center><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >Photos courtesy of the amazing Trista Lerit</span><br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Austin! and my brother and sister! What more can I say?<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-69650374395665779122010-07-22T05:44:00.001-05:002010-07-22T05:44:00.748-05:00Silly Squid<center><object height="505" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2M_urca2JCQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2M_urca2JCQ&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="505" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />Mia loves to pull Zoe around all the tile and wooden floors downstairs. She's still twisting and turning and pushing against Zoe in their epic battles.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: 3 months until we are headed back to Puerto Vallarta for an amazing wedding!<br /></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-44219702310180142052010-07-21T04:34:00.000-05:002010-07-21T04:34:00.139-05:00Blue Pools Hike<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4663753041_456a1b535d_b.jpg"><img style="width: 597px; height: 664px; cursor: pointer;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4663753041_456a1b535d_b.jpg" href="http://not-a-real-namespace/http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4409772698_30719a6bb4_o.jpg" border="0" /><br /></a></center><br /><center>After our heli-flight, we headed out on the next segment of our drive, over the Alps & up along the west coat to a tiny town called Fox Glacier.<br /></center><br /><center><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4033/4409772698_30719a6bb4_o.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br />One of the walks that we'd heard about repeatedly is the Blue Pool hike just north of Makarora, which is a very small portion of the <a href="http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/otago/wanaka-area/blue-valley-track/">Blue Valley Track</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4409789334_6f236bc425.jpg"><img style="width: 335px; height: 500px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4409789334_6f236bc425.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The train was easily accessible to most people & it's so peaceful to walk through such ancient forests surrounded by giant trees.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4409775962_5957b90dc4_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4044/4409775962_5957b90dc4_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Just a few minute hike from the car & we were crossing bridge and seeing spectacular water.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4409774020_a7764ba509_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2705/4409774020_a7764ba509_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The pools weren't as blue as I've seen them in some photos, but they were gorgeous nonetheless.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4409777086_2d71416794_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4409777086_2d71416794_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We walked a bit further down the trail until we could walk along the river's edge.<br /></center><br /><center><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4409014447_cfc4f59ab9_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4409014447_cfc4f59ab9_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Gotta love a well-placed rock & the self-timer on the camera.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4409784144_b6f8831f43_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4025/4409784144_b6f8831f43_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />There was this really interesting geologic area. It was a giant wall of very brittle, thin sheets of rock.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4409786860_54756c1bbc_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4042/4409786860_54756c1bbc_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Up close, this rock wall was just crumbling and flaking apart.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4409791088_3793620f93_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2700/4409791088_3793620f93_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />See the fish? H wished we'd had a pole!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4409025249_f04ff727af_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4071/4409025249_f04ff727af_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><center>There were two narrow suspension bridges to cross the Makarora River. It's a easy, fun little hike & a nice break during a long day of riding in the car.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Headed to Miami today for work...hopefully it won't be death-heat down there.<br /></center></div></div></div></div></div></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-29903543807378082412010-07-20T05:55:00.001-05:002010-07-20T05:58:08.057-05:00Fundraiser<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4811089310_381e1cdffb_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4811089310_381e1cdffb_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back in May, H's office held a fundraiser for one of their clients who is based in Nashville & who had many employees lose everything in the flooding. They decided to make it a crawfish picnic with a raffle to raise money.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4811089586_43af1e0c2d_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4811089586_43af1e0c2d_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was great that his boss was cool with most of the company spending Friday preparing for the big shindig. They had a giant tent delivered, dozens of table & chairs, many BBQ pits & boil pots, a DJ, tons of yard games.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4811089712_e8d430e91d_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4811089712_e8d430e91d_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was sort of like a company picnic for many of the employees & I got to see some of his coworkers that I hadn't seen in a while.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4810466847_985d20320f_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4810466847_985d20320f_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Many of the boss men from corporate headquarters even showed up on a Friday afternoon to support the party.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4812028594_ab7c91e725_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 699px; height: 467px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/4812028594_ab7c91e725_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The owner of the company even showed up and made a generous contribution to the fundraiser.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4811089816_54907447b5_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4811089816_54907447b5_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mmmm, mmmm, mmmm!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4810466965_71ae658f0a_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4810466965_71ae658f0a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />His customer has an office located here & some of the employees came out to support their coworkers in Nashville. H's mom also works with the company & made it out for the fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4810467241_220b53c0e1_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4810467241_220b53c0e1_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In addition to the raffle, the other fundraiser was $5 Pie Throwing Contest, where hubby & the President of the company volunteered to take a pudding pie to the face to raise money.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4810467099_1d0297eaa3_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4810467099_1d0297eaa3_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Everybody in the office was excited for a chance to toss objects at these guys!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4810467393_e4eaebc4f4_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4810467393_e4eaebc4f4_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />H got off easy at first, but ended up with a few direct hits.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4811090668_3439295d85_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4811090668_3439295d85_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is where the trouble started...one of the employees wanted to skip the throwing part, so she did a drive-by pie in the face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4811090802_18e40b116e_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4811090802_18e40b116e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Boss man pays her back with a nice little hug to cover her in pudding too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4811090944_3c539da47f_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4811090944_3c539da47f_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She retaliates by dumping a whole can of pudding on him! Unfortunately, he cut his hand pretty bad on the lid & most of the fun was over.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gickr.com/results4/anim_e990886b-7d64-28d4-ed9f-507cf07f47e6.gif"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 302px;" src="http://gickr.com/results4/anim_e990886b-7d64-28d4-ed9f-507cf07f47e6.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of H's customer's got up-close dumping privileges and she was hysterical.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4811404885_014f143656_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4811404885_014f143656_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Soon after, a massive gigantic storm hit & we were all soaked. There were several inches of standing water in the yard, people were running around cleaning up & packing up. It was a giant, fun, wet mess.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Just found out that H won a mini-vacation from work. It's going to be in Houston, but we get to take a few days off & relax in August.<br /></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-6252092758386343752010-07-18T18:25:00.000-05:002010-07-18T20:04:54.444-05:00Smokin' At Home<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4792558785_74d5c72483_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 759px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4792558785_74d5c72483_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />A few weekend back, H finally got around to putting together his birthday present- a smoker! He wanted one of the big fancy, wood or coal burning smokers, but we decided to start him off with an electric one while he learned the art of grilling & then he can move onto mastering the fire portion of it ;)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4793192798_a73947ebf6_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 625px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4793192798_a73947ebf6_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We marinated the meat on Saturday & he woke up extra early on Sunday morning to put it on the smoker with some wood chips.<br /><center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4793192870_65fa1ab08e_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4793192870_65fa1ab08e_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Early afternoon, we pulled it off & it was delicious! Don't mind that little bite missing from the corner- somebody had to have a taste test! We learned a few lessons and are eager to smoke more things- like some salmon and ribs.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Took the pups to the beach yesterday & had a blast!<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-28251507234202081942010-07-16T05:42:00.000-05:002010-07-16T05:42:00.387-05:00Toy Time<center><object height="525" width="660"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PjAAunrI78g&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PjAAunrI78g&hl=en_US&fs=1?color1=0xcc2550&color2=0xe87a9f&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="525" width="660"></embed></object><br /><br />New toys at our place entail that each dog gets 1 & then Zoe promptly tries to acquire both of them for herself. The quacking duck was quite a hit and quacked for almost 20 minutes before the girls killed it. <br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Fabulous Friday! Hubby and I are celebrating by staying home and cooking.<br /></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-45799409113422148972010-07-15T20:41:00.000-05:002010-07-15T20:41:00.293-05:00Cru Woodlands Wine Bar<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/4627795762_e017182292_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 504px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/4627795762_e017182292_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We've actually been to <a href="http://www.cruthewoodlands.com/">Cru in the Woodland</a>s quite a few times & I just haven't had the opportunity to take pictures & gather old photos for the blog. They are located in a great area of the Woodlands- right on the <a href="http://www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com/">Market Street</a> town square. Perfect for shopping & to people watch at they cruise the strip.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/4627795856_46999ebdc8_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/4627795856_46999ebdc8_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The serve a full menu & have some smaller snacks that they offer. including some great cheese plates. The bar is a great place to sit & I like that you can see all the wines in the cooler on the back wall.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4627190089_3bf335a8c0_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4627190089_3bf335a8c0_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">There are a variety of wine flights that they offer & several times a week they have specials/events that add a nice variety. Sign up for their email newsletters to find out about all the fun stuff or see their bars <a href="http://www.cruawinebar.com/locations.htm">in other cities</a> (Denver, Austin & Dallas).<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4627190185_dfb04e4f75_o.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4627190185_dfb04e4f75_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The restaurant/bar is decorated nicely, with touches of a wine theme all around. The cellar is visible on the wall & they have enlarged wine labels to poster size for the walls. A great bar, usually very busy & very active. It's convenient to meet up here with our friends before or after dinner somewhere else in the Woodlands.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4793193008_48e9f50678_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4793193008_48e9f50678_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our first trip was actually last Christmas when we met up with some friends at night & the Christmas decorations added to the ambiance nicely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4792558909_b4221c23f2_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 459px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4792558909_b4221c23f2_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And just because the night included some funny stories & I'll always remember being there with these two, I had to put this photo in the post.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: John has had 2 surgeries in 2 days to remove blood clots in his leg and hopefully will come home tomorrow feeling much better.<br /></div></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-11225519674045487432010-07-14T11:15:00.000-05:002010-07-14T16:37:27.369-05:00Mia Mania<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4792548465_5818845739_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4792548465_5818845739_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are some older Mia photos from April that I never got around to posting. I'll admit- I'm really burned out right now with my New Zealand posts. 47 trip posts so far & I've got several more days worth of trip and probably 2 dozen more blog posts. I'm just going to take a break for a few weeks & then I"ll be back to finish the NZ posts.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4793182672_db92c9b9d4_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 469px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4793182672_db92c9b9d4_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Apparently Zoe wasn't share the couch on this day. And the random piece of fluff on her nose cracks me up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4792548677_77f2c7fcc3_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 525px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4095/4792548677_77f2c7fcc3_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Perhaps this is why Zoe wasn't letting her on the couch that day...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4792548619_f55db8d04c_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 479px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4792548619_f55db8d04c_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />She looked up all innocently when she heard my camera.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4792548863_6fe67399de_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 384px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4792548863_6fe67399de_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Any toy, any treat, any stuffie- on her back rolling around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4793183112_5cd979109a_b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 700px; height: 524px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4793183112_5cd979109a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><center><br />She play paws at it with her feet and generally growls at most things in her mouth.<br /><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: All my major work traveling and panics are finished.<br /></center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-38390210486687132272010-07-11T13:53:00.000-05:002010-07-11T13:53:00.571-05:00Sights Above Wanaka<center><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4408950583_1685c9dbc9_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4408950583_1685c9dbc9_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Leaving our private lake, we flew a slightly different route back to Wanaka and were treated to even more stellar views.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4409713408_9c6e87a197_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/4409713408_9c6e87a197_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Still no view of Mt. Aspiring, but it was impressive even surrounded by clouds.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/4408949479_a7fd8b702e_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2657/4408949479_a7fd8b702e_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back down the flat valleys, away from the big peaks.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4408945633_1e35fcbb2e_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4408945633_1e35fcbb2e_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Times like this I wished I'd take geology and knew more about the how's and why's of mountains.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4409710446_2f75a5cd6a_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/4409710446_2f75a5cd6a_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lots of clouds made for a very speckled sunlight & a bumpy ride.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4409719300_78df032830_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4409719300_78df032830_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We pass by the city of Wanaka and get a great shot of the inlet where the town and surrounding areas sit.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4409725178_bc54f300de_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4409725178_bc54f300de_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And back by the airport, we fly over a commercial deer farm.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4409721758_ed6a369913_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2726/4409721758_ed6a369913_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It's so strange to see deer grazing like cows or sheep.<br /><div><br />GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: <a href="http://www.wickedthemusical.com/">Wicked</a> this afternoon!<br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-59710850247058339312010-07-09T14:43:00.001-05:002010-07-11T11:40:06.128-05:00Private Alpine Lake<center><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4409708292_0ae40879e3_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4409708292_0ae40879e3_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The heli-flight continued past Mt. Aspiring and over some spectacular rock formations.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4409687144_fdaaa7075e_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4409687144_fdaaa7075e_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Being near the tops of so many peaks was an amazing experience.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4409705434_4be5ba4d42_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4409705434_4be5ba4d42_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />You get a unique appreciation for all the patterns and formations of the mountains and can only imagine how mother nature formed such beauty.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4408921983_484f812da0_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4408921983_484f812da0_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We ended up near this amazing lake at the top of a mountain.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/4409691208_dc85ed455b_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2437/4409691208_dc85ed455b_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The pilot landed & we were able to stand on the shores & be surrounded by cliffs still towering above us.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4409694722_014cb94307_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4409694722_014cb94307_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As a snow and glacier fed lake, it was incredibly clear and a beautiful shade of blue.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4409698224_b4bc2e23de.jpg"><img style="width: 335px; height: 500px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4409698224_b4bc2e23de.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was so unreal (and cold!) to be standing there...where so few other people had ever been.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4408929969_81d7b75a71_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4408929969_81d7b75a71_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The rocks on the shoreline were these cool flat, round, thin guys.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4408934247_e21e51206f_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4408934247_e21e51206f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We watched as wind lapped little waves along the shoreline.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4409701010_87cdd69721_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4409701010_87cdd69721_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />One of the many gorgeous peaks towering over us.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4409702034_1ec71e9026_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4409702034_1ec71e9026_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Another one of my absolute favorite photos from our trip- top of the world, gorgeous and private.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4408937417_d76a878eed_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/4408937417_d76a878eed_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />On the way back to Wanaka, more striking mountains mixed with greenery and snow.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4408936705_34b4722960_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4408936705_34b4722960_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bye-bye beautiful lake!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4409704734_373ac9ef2f_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4409704734_373ac9ef2f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As we took off, we got some great views of the little beach area where we'd landed.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4408943459_a40b587904_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 439px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4408943459_a40b587904_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Getting ever further away, you get some perspective on how small this little lake is compared to the surroundings and how it's perfectly tucked into the mountain.<br /><br /><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Headed back to San Diego today...hopefully to have some fun!</center></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-3035189886457137482010-07-08T13:06:00.000-05:002010-07-08T13:06:00.072-05:00Mt. Aspiring from Above<center><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4408914337_736381896f_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2784/4408914337_736381896f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We finally approached Mount Aspiring only to be met with a wall of clouds.<br /><br /></center><center> </center><center><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4408914563_1dca497abb_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4408914563_1dca497abb_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4409680978_940a226f65_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4014/4409680978_940a226f65_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Fresh snow in a few places on the peaks.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4408915159_6be6718651_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4408915159_6be6718651_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I loved all the really jagged peaks and spires.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4408915915_063c0d2eb8_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 428px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4408915915_063c0d2eb8_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We got close enough to catch a few of the glaciers coming down the face of the mountain.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/4408915371_399878b612_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2592/4408915371_399878b612_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />They had amazing textures and patterns and just a hint of the beautiful blue hue.<br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4408916199_0de88604ce_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4039/4408916199_0de88604ce_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The glaciers looked like they were suspended and clinging to the sheer cliffs.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4408916837_46ab0f67df_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2679/4408916837_46ab0f67df_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Beautiful!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4409683318_83c7c3bee2_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4005/4409683318_83c7c3bee2_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We even caught sight of a very faint rainbow.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4409685268_d7d27f4b2f_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/4409685268_d7d27f4b2f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Lots of twisting & turning, bumps and rolls with all the turbulence made it hard to get a level photo sometimes.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4408917871_17752e7c9f_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4408917871_17752e7c9f_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4408920099_82e60a3e0a_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2742/4408920099_82e60a3e0a_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Not only is the snow fall cool, it makes the most fascinating patterns and designs on the peaks.<br /><br /><div><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4409687144_fdaaa7075e_o.jpg"><img style="width: 700px; height: 469px;" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4409687144_fdaaa7075e_o.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Although we didn't technically get to see the peak of Mt. Aspiring, the helicopter ride around it was amazing nonetheless. Plus we got to stop and walk around an amazing lake (coming tomorrow!).<br /><br /><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: I'm so happy the people of New Zealand are so proactive and protective of their beautiful environment.</center></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-22258376826986415172010-07-07T17:15:00.005-05:002010-07-07T17:45:46.922-05:00Wanaka Valley Heliflight<center><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4409666534_c743b4cc4e_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4409666534_c743b4cc4e_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>The next day, we headed back to <a href="http://www.wanakahelicopters.co.nz/">Wanaka Helicopters</a> to see if we the weather would cooperate enough for us to take a heli-flight. It wasn't perfect weather, but we decided to go for it anyway. H had the back seat to himself...</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4409666834_0efb0e3d12_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2734/4409666834_0efb0e3d12_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>....and this was my awesome view up next to the pilot for our <a href="http://www.wanakahelicopters.co.nz/scenic-flights/mt-aspiring-and-glaciers.html#">Mt. Aspiring Circle Trip</a>.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4409667090_e127a33488_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4070/4409667090_e127a33488_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>The airport is quite a few miles outside of town, so we got the scenic view of the valley back towards the lake.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4408901383_9337b8d1da_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4408901383_9337b8d1da_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>Flying along the Cardrona River was quite beautiful.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4409669438_57beb68d14_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4409669438_57beb68d14_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>As we approached Lake Wanaka, much of the land in this area was very dry & desert like.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4409669092_0ca3af579e_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2793/4409669092_0ca3af579e_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>I'd really like to live next to a beautiful blue and green river...</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4408903255_2f3729a371_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4408903255_2f3729a371_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>Lined with trees & a few little rolling hills.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4408903737_fee75b38cb_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2720/4408903737_fee75b38cb_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>I imagine there is some good fly fishing in this river among these rocks.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4409673216_025f48f92b_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4409673216_025f48f92b_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>We caught site of the Rippon Vineyard again.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4409673830_5e536efaee_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2795/4409673830_5e536efaee_o.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4409673534_ed1411405e_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2796/4409673534_ed1411405e_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>I loved this cool little peninsula in the middle of the lake. I'd put my house there if I could!</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4409674476_88f4fecc26_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2756/4409674476_88f4fecc26_o.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/4408909077_83d204b50e_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/4408909077_83d204b50e_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center> </center><center><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4408909779_e887ca6936_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4408909779_e887ca6936_o.jpg" /></a></center><center> </center><center>On the far side of the lake, we started flying over the Matukituki River and though a broad valley.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4408909393_be0a250ec3_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4408909393_be0a250ec3_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>The mountains rising straight up near the water's edge made for stunning scenery. </center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4408911855_0547967fc9_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2724/4408911855_0547967fc9_o.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2686/4408909779_e887ca6936_o.jpg"></a></center><center>Supposedly Mt. Aspiring is up there in those clouds....</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4409677816_400964acd9_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4409677816_400964acd9_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>Such unique and striking landscape formations everywhere we turned.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4408912579_cb697db761_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4408912579_cb697db761_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>It's an amazing vertical drop from the river bed to the nearby mountain peeks.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4408912811_64d3239a5e_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4408912811_64d3239a5e_o.jpg" /></a> <center> </center><center>We finally are getting closer, but still seeing lots of clouds. </center><center><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4409679830_6719b2f01e_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 398px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4409679830_6719b2f01e_o.jpg" /></a> </center><center> </center><center>A few of the mountains had received a recent dusting of snow mid-summer.</center><center><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4408913207_f8188899b9_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4408913207_f8188899b9_o.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4409680110_3cf2ebb9d2_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4409680110_3cf2ebb9d2_o.jpg" /></a><br /><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4408914145_99eaa7b147_o.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2728/4408914145_99eaa7b147_o.jpg" /></a><br />Certain slopes and side of mountains were greener from the way the weather would drop rain and moisture on them.</center></center><center> </center><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Well, now officially 3 trips behind on blogging- another 5 days in New Zealand, Washington State & Pennsylvania.</center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975324284202399554.post-32473436754988793762010-07-03T16:37:00.002-05:002010-07-03T16:37:00.307-05:00Hang Time<center><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4752641737_51816ab8d3_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4752641737_51816ab8d3_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />She's so serious when it comes to pool time...jumping is no joke!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4752642117_60186ff82e_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4093/4752642117_60186ff82e_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In an instant- she's airborne a few feet over my head.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4753282854_75f843056b_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 467px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4136/4753282854_75f843056b_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />That's a puppy smile if I've ever seen one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4752642241_03b77ea88d_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4752642241_03b77ea88d_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />She's got a totally different jump form than Zoe, she rounds her back & start trying to eat the water below as she goes into the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4752642503_c937569b85.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 335px; HEIGHT: 500px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4752642503_c937569b85.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The only real problem is that she has zero sense of where she's actually jumping or if she's about to hit a wall/steps in front of her.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4752641859_96b42ddb6a_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4139/4752641859_96b42ddb6a_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Last weekend was the highest I've ever seen her jump...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4752642625_10cf8f5f0c_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 469px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4752642625_10cf8f5f0c_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We need at least a few hours of swimming week to wear Mia out. It's too hot for the park in the afternoon right now, so I'm loving the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4753283602_222c823199_b.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 700px; HEIGHT: 504px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4138/4753283602_222c823199_b.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Excellent form!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://gickr.com/results4/anim_db2f0b6c-6226-2904-5193-fad60eac8d34.gif"><img style="WIDTH: 450px; HEIGHT: 673px; CURSOR: pointer" border="0" alt="" src="http://gickr.com/results4/anim_db2f0b6c-6226-2904-5193-fad60eac8d34.gif" /></a><br /><br />And of course, no action post is complete without an animated GIF.<br /><br /><center>GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: H's mom is kind enough to watch Mia this weekend while we are out of town...hopefully she'll be on her best behavior. </center></center>Amanda @ Click. The Good Newshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00191024270357804640noreply@blogger.com1