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	<title>Mark &#38; Mandy</title>
	<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog</link>
	<description>thoughts and happenings from the sladden family</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 06 Aug 2011 21:04:34 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>First steps</title>
		<description><![CDATA[First steps a video by markandmandy on Flickr. Silas has gained a ton of confidence this last week and is now excited to take more than two steps.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/08/06/first-steps/</link>
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		<title>Silas &#8211; 1year apt</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas &#8211; 1year apt, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. Weight &#8211; 6oz (30th %) Height &#8211; 29 3/4&#34; (50th %) Head &#8211; 18 7/8&#34; (90th %) : big brain!! Dr. Kamon predicts walking any minute!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/07/19/silas-1year-apt/</link>
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		<title>Gymnastics at Kai&#8217;s birthday party</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Gymnastics at Kai&#8217;s birthday party, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/07/17/gymnastics-at-kais-birthday-party/</link>
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		<title>Round &#8216;em up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Round &#8216;em up, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. The kids are ready to go fishing and horseback riding (or back horsing as Elsie prefers to call it).]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/07/09/round-em-up-2/</link>
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		<title>Round &#8216;em up</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Round &#8216;em up, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. The kids are ready to go fishing and horseback riding (or back horsing as Elsie prefers to call it).]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/07/09/round-em-up/</link>
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		<title>Manly toys</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Manly toys, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. We&#8217;re up in Montana and Silas has found the best toy ever. The princess castle play set is the most fun he&#8217;s had all day and he&#8217;ll spend 20 minutes playing with it alone.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/07/08/manly-toys/</link>
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		<title>Cupboard exploration</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Cupboard exploration, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/30/cupboard-exploration/</link>
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		<title>Must destroy!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Must destroy! a video by markandmandy on Flickr.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/30/must-destroy/</link>
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		<title>Mohawk!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Mohawk!, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/24/mohawk/</link>
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		<title>Smiles</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Smiles, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. Lisa&#8217;s daughter Sloane makes a visit to Pam and Kevin&#8217;s to see her friend Elsie.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/18/smiles/</link>
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		<title>Walking to Harper and Madison (Billings,MT) for lunch</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Walking to Harper and Madison (Billings,MT) for lunch, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. It&#8217;s a lovely day in June when you feel like walking to the restaurant. Not too hot and a nice breeze.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/18/walking-to-harper-and-madison-billingsmt-for-lunch/</link>
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		<title>Elsie the entertainer!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Elsie the entertainer! a video by markandmandy on Flickr. Having a helper in the back seat rocks!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/15/elsie-the-entertainer/</link>
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		<title>A birthday party</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Elsie had a great time climbing on the &#34;big kid&#34; jungle gym at a birthday party today http://t.co/n5WrRJk]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/12/80031432101199875/</link>
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		<title>Summer is here</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Summer is here, a photo by markandmandy on Flickr. Sun protection (and wine) is very important on sunny days.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/06/12/summer-is-here/</link>
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		<title>Skiing with Elsie</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We headed up to the mountains this weekend with the Spruills. On Saturday we skied Vail and put Elsie in ski school &#8211; this is her 5th time in ski school and they still have her on the magic carpet. On Sunday we decided to take her up the Gondola at Beavercreek and see if [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/01/31/skiing-with-elsie/</link>
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		<title>Bottle holder</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas is still drinking milk from his momma &#8211; but he much prefers feeding it to himself]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/01/24/bottle-holder/</link>
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		<title>Aquarium</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We took a quick visit to the aquarium last weekend and Elsie got to meet some mermaids &#8230; Elsie was giving them all her mermaid wisdom &#8230; she had just fed the sting rays and was very impressed with herself. After the tour we ate in the Water room &#8230; Silas was too interested in [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/01/24/aquarium/</link>
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		<title>6 months</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas is officially 6 months old &#8211; which meant time for another doctor visit. He continues to GROW sticking it out in 60th percentile for both height and weight &#8211; very different stats from his sister. Stats Height: 26 1/2&#8243; (60th %) Weight: 17lbs 11.5 oz (60th %) Head: 17 1/2&#8243; (75th) Silas is already [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/01/24/6-months-2/</link>
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		<title>Team of destiny &#8230;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[you break my dad&#8217;s heart!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2011/01/24/team-of-destiny-2/</link>
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		<title>Mr. Stands-a-lot!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas loves loves loves to stand all the time. He can&#8217;t manage it on his own but while papa was here he staged a few photos. Cute Jammies from Auntie Patsy and Uncle Antony!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/12/02/mr-stands-a-lot/</link>
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		<title>Thanksgiving!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This year we stayed close to home and had a very mellow turkey weekend &#8211; Food was great, and the prep was easy this year.Here a few shots from the day My mom (mrs.crafty) decided to go a bit crazy with the cricut! We also got to use my Grandma Richau&#8217;s fall china &#8211; fabulous! [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/12/02/thanksgiving/</link>
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		<title>Meet Arielle</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Well my 5 months of maternity leave are coming to an end &#8211; I start back to work next Monday. I am both ready and nervous, but my know-it-all husband claims this was exactly how it was with Elsie, so off I go. Fortunately I am handing over my miniature to Arielle our new nanny [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/12/02/meet-arielle/</link>
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		<title>Tummy Time</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas despises tummy time &#8211; he now just rolls on over to his back, but I did get a few shots of him up on his strong arms &#8230; He is Mr. Giggle-pants after the roll]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/12/02/tummy-time-2/</link>
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		<title>4 month visit for Silas</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This is clearly almost a month behind, but hey better late than never. Silas had his 4 month check up and all is well. We snapped some photos and then looked back at Elsie&#8217;s 4 month apt and were amazed at the similarities (well in looks, Silas is clearly a biggety-big!) Weight: 15lbs 1 oz [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/12/02/4-month-visit-for-silas/</link>
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		<title>J-E-T-S!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yes, Mark is a Jets fan and this year his team of destiny is doing pretty well (despite their constant last minute wins). I decided to get a little crafty and turn a white sweatshirt (bought for Elsie&#8217;s Jellyfish costume) into some fan wear! I first dyed the sweatshirt Kelly green (mistake) and then moved [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/12/02/j-e-t-s-2/</link>
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		<title>Shades</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Every Sunday we eat breakfast at our favorite Walnut Cafe in Boulder &#8230; This particular morning Elsie was feeling a little Rock-star-ish!). She&#8217;s 3 going on 20 &#8211; SCARY!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/11/08/shades/</link>
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		<title>Happy Halloween Goldfish and Jellyfish!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This year Elsie requested a Jellyfish costume and trying to keep with the theme of &#8220;fish&#8221; I made Silas a Goldfish Costume (thanks to Martha Stewart for the pattern) &#8230; He wore the costume for a total of 25 minutes (really just to photograph so that I could document that I had in fact sewed [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/11/08/happy-halloween-goldfish-and-jellyfish/</link>
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		<title>Picture day</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/10/07/picture-day/</link>
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		<title>2 months</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas went to his 2 month appointment last week and got away with just two shots. Elsie was subjected to 4 separate ones on her 2 month appointment. Here he is looking angelic before the shots. Vital stats were: 11lbs 9.5 oz head: 15.5&#8243; height: 22.5&#8243;]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/09/21/2-months/</link>
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		<title>The joys of having a sister &#8230;</title>
		<description><![CDATA[get used to the dress up Silas!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/09/08/the-joys-of-having-a-sister/</link>
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		<title>Uncle Greg</title>
		<description><![CDATA[While in the States, Uncle Greg stopped by Boulder for a visit &#8211; he was a hit with the girls! While in the kitchen I heard a high pitched &#8220;WHY HELLOOOOO, I would love some cake!&#8221; We went into the front room to see Uncle Greg having a tea party &#8211; Greg was playing the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/09/08/uncle-greg/</link>
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		<title>Lost cause</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We took some photos of Grammie and Papa with the Boys &#8230; in most of the photos, Beck was searching for some milk from grammie.]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/09/08/lost-cause/</link>
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		<title>Official</title>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/09/08/official/</link>
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		<title>Trapped</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas isn&#8217;t a fan of being trapped in his car seat &#8211; here he is plotting an escape &#8230; If only he could control his hands!!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/28/trapped/</link>
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		<title>Bath Baby</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Yup, he&#8217;s really my son &#8211; he loves baths!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/16/bath-baby/</link>
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		<title>Attack!!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[He can&#8217;t actually control his hands yet but he does a pretty good job of playing &#8220;Dino Take Down&#8221; Beware TRex &#8211; you are next!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/16/attack/</link>
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		<title>Big Sister</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Much of my anxiety leading up to the arrival of baby silas was how Elsie would react to a new baby. When I initially told Elsie I had a baby growing in my belly &#8211; she declared that she also had a baby growing in her belly (I plugged my ears).  Grammie bought her a [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/16/big-sister/</link>
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		<title>Little helper!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[The best thing for recovering from a c-section is chocolate chip cookies &#8211; Elsie was happy to help!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/09/little-helper/</link>
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		<title>Phototherapy</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Silas, like elsie, struggled with his Billirubin levels &#8211; this time we were able to do Phototherapy at home through a little light paddle. Besides the daily foot poke to test the levels Silas didn&#8217;t seem to mind. We even took him outside to get a double dose of vitamin d! glowing baby below]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/09/phototherapy/</link>
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		<title>Matchy matchy</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This time I was over-prepared for the hospital including buying a matchy matchy outfit for me and Silas to wear &#8230; hat, jammies and mommy outfit &#8211; ridiculous I know &#8211; but Baby Silas looks great in Blue!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/08/09/matchy-matchy-2/</link>
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		<title>Silas Coster Arrives</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Mandy was due for a scheduled C-Section at 9am on Friday the 16th, but SIlas decided he was going to call the shots. She went into labor at about 2am and Silas arrived at 6am. 7lbs 4oz, 20&#8243; long and 13.25&#8243; head &#8211; very similar to Elsie&#8217;s measurements. Here is Mandy seeing Silas for the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/07/17/silas-coster-arrives/</link>
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		<title>Painting a mural</title>
		<description><![CDATA[If you think that painting a wall mural is a quick weekend project, you would be wrong. We spend over 18 total hours painting this retro picture of the Boulder flatirons over a couple of weeks. When our new baby grows up to be a rock climber, we&#8217;ll know why!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/07/09/painting-a-mural/</link>
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		<title>Toddler Wisdom</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Elsie is a chatterbox and some of her best wisdom comes on our drive to school in the morning &#8211; this weeks gems: 1. Some birds live in the forest, but some birds don&#8217;t 2. Giraffe&#8217;s eat leaves, but wolves eat rabbits &#8230; and they howl like this &#8220;AwwwWoooo&#8221; Both very true  :)]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/06/30/toddler-wisdom/</link>
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		<title>Akumal! (part 1)</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This year we headed south to Mexico for our annual Johnston/Sladden family vacation. We rented a house in Akumal (between Playa del Carmen and Tulum). We opted for a Memorial Day vacation instead of the usual Labor day retreat because of the upcoming arrival of baby Sladden (7 weeks away)! The house backs to the [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/06/02/akumal-part-1/</link>
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		<title>Barbie Jeep!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We got out the barbie jeep this weekend and finally elsie can both steadily press the pedal and steer making it a much better ride for saffie. Josh was on hand just in case we needed him (also note the beer in his hand, I actually am not sure I have a photo of Josh [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/05/26/barbie-jeep/</link>
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		<title>Super Girl and Batman!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We are gearing up for our annual vacation with the Johnston family and each year we bring matching outfits for the kiddo&#8217;s. Because Nicholas and Elsie are so into role playing I decided I would applique shirts with super hero logos &#8230; once I started it didn&#8217;t seem right not to have capes, arm bands [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/05/26/super-girl-and-batman/</link>
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		<title>Avid Adventure!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Each year at Mountain Shadows the Avid 4 Adventure crew comes in and puts on a mini-camp for the kids which includes rock climbing, kayaking and biking. This is Elsie&#8217;s first year at school and our first introduction &#8211; after school they let the parents come for a little show.  Elsie is still the youngest [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/05/21/avid-adventure/</link>
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		<title>Pedals!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[We are big fans of the Strider bike &#8211; a two wheel bike with no pedals designed to teach kids balance. We started taking Strider classes at Boulder Indoor Cycling. The Velodrome is amazing &#8211; its filled with ramps and obstacles for the kids to practice on and Elsie loves the class. The instructor recommended [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/04/30/719/</link>
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		<title>Cousins!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[Elsie and Saffie are great friends &#8211; Elsie likes to play the older cousin role and Saffie seems just fine with it. Something as simple as a walk between houses can be quite fun!]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/04/15/cousins/</link>
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		<title>Thanks Easter Bunny!</title>
		<description><![CDATA[This easter elsie was really into the Easter bunny. While at the mall she desperately wanted to sit on the Bunny&#8217;s lap and ask it some very important questions &#8211; sadly it turned out to be a Mute, but she waited patiently to get some tickles anyway. This is when my mom announced that Elsie [...]]]></description>
		<link>http://www.markandmandy.com/blog/2010/04/13/thanks-easter-bunny/</link>
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