Not for human consumption

Random photos...........

2011-06-10T10:13:00.001-07:00

The kids at Sunriver. It had just started to snow.
It was beautiful and quiet. Awesome!

The view of our snowstorm at home from our yard.

Some strange children on Easter.

My first homemade lemon meringue pie.
It tasted wonderful.....

The Zatterbergs at the beach.

My boy smacking the ball.

One of my favorite people and me. :)

Dropped the ball.

2011-01-03T09:09:00.000-08:00

Well, so I made it halfway through the month...whatever.
Christmas was good, New Years fairly uneventful........but I am not complaining!
Here are some highlights!

Yay, scooters!!!

Oh yeah.......got some use out of that game at Christmas!

So excited about her guitar!

My very own scrapbook set!! GET OUT!!

The gift at the top of Ben's list....still not sure how the heck it works...

So there you are.......hope your Christmas was just as exciting!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!!!!

Thirteenth and Fourteenth

2010-12-14T09:38:00.001-08:00

Ok, so I am stretching out the tree decorating to cover a few days. So what? We did get the tree up and lit. When the kids get home from school today, they will put on the ornaments and finally that will be done! It is a great tree and reaches about 6inches from the ceiling. Just enough room for the angel! Still praying the kitties leave it alone. So far they just like to chase each other around under the tree. Maybe that will stop when I get presents wrapped and under there. Happy Tuesday!!!

12th

2010-12-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

Got our tree today. It is drying out on the porch, so we will probably get it up while the kids are at school tomorrow, so we can decorate tomorrow night. It is pretty tall and I am hoping it will fit without us cutting it off a little. We are trying to figure out how to make sure it is stable. We have not had kittens in a long time and I am almost positive they will try to climb it. Ugh......

.

Tenth and Eleventh

2010-12-10T09:56:00.000-08:00

Ok, Kimmy...I seem to be following your lead these days...............tonight will be Christmas movie night. I would like to watch Christmas Vacation, but I am betting the kids will vote for Elf. Will probably save CV for when I can watch with Richard. It is definitely our favorite.

Tomorrow Brooke and I are going with my mom and grandma to a holiday bazaar at the Salem Fairgrounds. We are meeting my aunt and cousin for an all girls day. Should be fun and I am hoping to get some great handmade gifts and make a dent in my shopping list. Wish me luck!!

9th

2010-12-09T16:41:00.001-08:00

Not much holiday-ish going on today. I did promise the kids if they go to the gym with me for Zumba, I will make "Snowman in a hot tub" (hot cocoa w/ peppermint ice cream)drinks when we get home before bed. I guess that counts. Really, it's gonna have to.

8th (updated)

2010-12-08T16:58:00.001-08:00

So after last nights difficult evening out......we are staying home and making THESE.
Let's hope tonight's activity ends happily and not with yelling. Happy Holidays!!

Here are how they turned out:

The kids had a lot of fun doing these. I used 7" x 7" paper and they came out pretty big.
We may make some more smaller ones.
Pretty cool!!

I give up...

2010-12-07T20:17:00.000-08:00

I just give up.
I am tired of Jekyll/Hyde children.

Seventh

2010-12-07T16:04:00.000-08:00

Tonight is the holiday gift workshop for the kids. LOVE IT!! All the crafts are under $5 and they are great gifts!
Tonight's is extra special because Richard is home and offered to take the kids for me so I don't miss Zumba class! YES!! He's a keeper!

6th

2010-12-06T08:09:00.000-08:00

After making pipe cleaner shapes all weekend, today I will put them in the borax, boiling water solution. I am excited to see how this project works out. I may even post pictures later.

Fifth

2010-12-06T08:07:00.000-08:00

Redid the candy canes. Turned out much better after getting a new candy thermometer. I think the day before's batch did not get hot enough. I think if I redid this project, I would do it by myself. It was a little tricky making sure the candy didn't get too hard or too soft. Oh well, the kids liked it and I guess that is the point.

4th

2010-12-04T21:13:00.000-08:00

Well, the candy canes did not turn out yesterday. Yuck! Going to try that again tomorrow, maybe. Today, Richard got the Christmas lights up. When he got all our lights out, he found a bunch that didn't work, so he decided to get new ones. He went with the old school, bigger, multi color ones and I am so glad! They look great!
Brooke and I went with my mom and grandma to a holiday bazaar at a church in town. Bought a few little teacher gifts and some things for my book group ladies. On the way out, this lady told Brooke that Santa was there and she could get her picture with him. Nope, not gonna happen. Once Brooke saw him and saw that he was OBVIOUSLY not Santa, she wanted nothing to do with him. Once we were out the door, she said, "Mom, his eyebrows didn't even match his beard. Who is he trying to fool?" Apparently, she is on to those Santa imposters. I will say he was a tad creepy. I wouldn't have sat on his lap either.

Day 3:

2010-12-03T10:11:00.000-08:00

Homemade candy canes as seen here at Homemade Mamas.

The kids are very excited. Ben didn't not want to go to school for the 3rd day this week. He has a cold, but I don't think it is worth staying home for. On Wed, I let him stay home and then after an hour, he felt fine. Thursday, he called me to pick him up at 11am. He seemed to be just fine. He did go to bed early and then this morning didn't want to go. I told him to suck it up and if he called me to pick him up and he didn't have a fever, he would not be making candy canes tonight. I am pretty sure he will make it all day.

December 2nd.

2010-12-02T13:06:00.000-08:00

The kids are going to do their Santa lists......or rather complete their lists, since they have been working on them for awhile.

Countdown to Christmas....

2010-12-01T15:50:00.000-08:00

Every year, I hear of friends doing something holidayish with their kids each day of December to countdown to Christmas. So this year I am going to try it......I am not planning a calendar, like my highly organized friend Sarah, but instead, I will wing it each day............I guess we will just see how far I can get!! :)

December 1st - Tonight the kids and I will watch "Polar Express". This movie is ALWAYS our kick off to the holidays and the kids are very excited.

We will also start reading our 25 Christmas/winter books. For some reason, this year when Brooke collected them all together, we only had 18. I will have to do some investigating.

Come back tomorrow and we'll see what I have next on the list!! :)

Thankful.

2010-11-25T09:14:00.000-08:00

For:

1. My 2 great kids, who surprise me everyday.

2. My great husband, who works hard EVERY day and doesn't complain, makes a point to spend time with the kids despite his odd schedule, and makes me laugh everyday.

3. Great friends.......new and old.

4. a healthy family with minimal drama.

5. my bookgroup that still finds the time to meet once a month after all these years. No judgments and I know each of them would be there for me, for whatever reason, no matter what.

6. a warm house, plenty of food, cars that run.

7. God, who is with me everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Something to read and think about...

2010-09-27T19:03:00.000-07:00

I found this post through one of my favorite blogs, Mom to the Screaming Masses and it really struck a cord....

Hope you all will read.

Thx.

Summer, summer, summer........

2010-09-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

I think it was a great summer. No real vacation, but a lot of close-to-home fun. Hung out at some new fun places with some new fun people. The kids and I made some new friends. Richard was thankfully a little more busy with work than previous summers. We started going to the Tunes on Tuesday in August. It was a bummer we didn't start in July, since we had so much fun! Went to the outdoor Carlton Pool a few times and camped with new friends. I really made the point this summer to try and keep the kids busy and not get into the comfortable rut of hanging out at home.

Ben played All Stars this year for baseball and that kept us busy for a few extra weeks. Then he had baseball camp with a lot of new friends and really had fun! Brooke had outdoor camp with a good friend and had a terrific time.

New kitties, meeting cousins, zoo, Rose garden, beach, camping...........on and on.........

Now we are getting ready for school to start! One more day of fun, tomorrow at the last Portland Beavers game and then early to bed. :) Both kids are in school ALL day this year and I can't believe it! They are both excited! Even Ben! I have never before had him care what he was going to wear the first day of school, but he already has it planned out!

Here are some random pics from the summer!

Ben relaxing between tournament games

St Paul Rodeo Parade with the Harveys and Abrahams

St Paul Rodeo......lots of sun!

Ben turns 9!!

New kitty, Smoky!

New kitty, Carly!!

Hanging with cousin, Mitchell from CA

Rose Garden

Beach visiting Julie with the Harveys

My boy is 9.........

2010-07-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

or...I am tired of seeing the same picture on my blog since March.

After all these years, I still love him and keep him around...especially since he is the only one who will sit still long enough to watch baseball with me!

Love you, Benjamin Bunny!!

2010-03-19T19:34:00.000-07:00

This is just a series of pics of Brooke enjoying the chunks of wood that Richard cut to hopefully get Ben to run around the backyard and not run through our bark and plants in the front. Apparently Brooke loves the new stumps more.

More pictures......

2010-03-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

Almost lilacs......woohoo!

Brooke and Willy enjoying the sunshine..(note: they are both barefoot)

Wonderful crock pot mac n cheese before the macaroni got too soft.
Better luck next time....we still ate it because it was REALLY yummy, just soft.

Just feel the need to post some pictures.

2010-02-24T07:24:00.001-08:00

Brooke's casual Guitar Hero playing

Some funny glasses Brooke got at the carnival

Even funnier on Richard

Puzzles.

2010-02-06T08:36:00.000-08:00

While I love video games, I usually leave them to the kids so I can have quiet time doing my own thing....But, I found a game that was made for me. Professor Layton and the Curious Village for the DS. It is puzzles, puzzles and more puzzles....oh my! I am in love! In fact, I actually thought about keeping the DS in my purse, in case I am somewhere that I can play the game. It is pure craziness, but it also keeping my brain alert! Love it!

Something to ponder...

2010-02-04T08:24:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite blog EVER. Just wondering what you all thought about her post from Feb 3rd and then the continuation on Feb 4th.

Personally, I feel the woman is crazy and I would not let my son go. It surprises me at how some people feel that 10 year olds are very innocent.....yet, there is always that one kid with the older sibling that knows a lot more than the others and that is where things start. I am pretty sure there were "make out" parties when I was in 6th grade........

Anyhoo, just wondered what your feelings where on this and needed to update the blog so Amy gets off my back! JK

Wishing...

2009-12-30T08:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I noticed on Facebook there had been a "light dusting of snow" in Newberg and Dundee. Somehow we had been missed. I was complaining to Richard about it and said " I wish we could get a few inches of snow...enough that the kids could make a snowman and just make everything look beautiful" He said, "yeah..and then it melts and everything is soaked" Whatever!
But then about an hour later.....it started snowing and snowing and snowing. The kids went out and played and then it stopped. But then it started again even harder than before and it was wonderful! It really was exactly what I had wished for. Apparently, I need to wish out loud a little more often.

The first of the snow...

Crazy, excited children with no hats

The second snow...

Making a snowman in the dark

Ben...very proud...and cold

This is an extra pic I wanted to throw in. My step brother's
wife crocheted hats for all the kids. Very cute!

Santa....

2009-12-14T16:16:00.000-08:00

for the last few years we have been going to "Kellyland" to see Santa. It is put on by the local Kelly Group real estate office and the kids really enjoy it. They have a Candyland trail through the office where the kids get toys and candy and fill their stockings. They also have fake snow blowing into the parking lot and this year had a big pile of real snow for the kids to play in. There is great Santa to see and free lattes and hot chocolate. Every time we have gone it is FREEZING cold, so we don't hang around for long. My favorite part is that they take great pictures of the kids with Santa and then email them to us.

Cancer Sucks!!!

2009-11-20T17:23:00.000-08:00

That pretty much sums up what I am feeling today.

Random

2009-11-16T19:10:00.000-08:00

In the last 9 days, Ben went to school 2 days and Brooke 1 day. That is bad. They have been fighting and fighting and fighting. Of course, Richard has been working and leaves right at that time of day when kids tend to fight and bicker and drive me crazy. Brooke has been screaming at me a lot. Irrational screaming......I swear she is 12 and hormonal.

Lately, all I want to do is be away from them, drinking in the corner. That is probably NOT a good thing........

My mom has now been in Newberg for 1 week. Of course, I haven't even been able to see her or take advantage of her babysitting services because Brooke had a fever all week........

I had a job interview today. I didn't really want the job, but went to the interview anyway. Now I want the job, but they probably won't call me. I would like the extra money but I don't like the schedule changes I would need to make......we'll see..........

New Moon...........my light at the end of the weekly, dark tunnel..........Jacob will save me. ;)

Halloween

2009-11-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

Well, apparently we went for the scary theme this year. My Snow White/ballerina/Cinderella/Little Mermaid daughter turned into a green faced scary witch. Let me tell you...she was in character ALL DAY! Ben decided to be "Hockey Mask Bob" from a cartoon the kids watch and I tried to explain to him that is really Jason from Friday the 13th. Of course, he has no idea who that is, but embraced the scariness of it anyway.

So after a couple glasses of wine (it had been a VERY LONG DAY), while Richard worked on Brooke's witch face, we set out with the Nelson's and trick or treated the night away. Another successful Halloween.

Ben hiding in the bushes

Very scary

Even scarier!!

Update...........

2009-09-23T08:13:00.000-07:00

Let's see........what is going on......where to start, where to start...

Well, first off school is going great for the kids. We are soooo happy to get back on a schedule. I get so much more done when I am busy, busy. Brooke is LOVING Kindergarten so much. She has missed 2 days due to some fever (with no other symptoms) and it is killing her not being able to go to school. She loves riding the bus, homework and pretty much everything about school. Ben is doing great, too. I was hesitant about his new teacher. She seems so calm and quiet and I was hoping for more firm and strict. But then I talked with her for awhile last night at Open house and she seems to be more of what I want for Ben. I had heard she wasn't very communicative with parents, but this year the kids bring home a binder every day with their work and journal and behavior chart, so I can see how he is doing every day. He is making some new friends and is doing great!

Football............well, he is still playing and loves to go to practice and games. He got the best coaches this year. One coach has been his soccer coach for 2 years, which is wonderful, since he knows all of Ben's quirks and knows what motivates him. We've had 2 games and won them both. Ben doesn't play a whole lot, but seems to be getting better each time he plays. He does not have a real "killer" instinct, but maybe that will come with time. :) He says it is his favorite sport that he has played.

Our big news of the Fall is that my mom is finally moving back to Oregon after 8 LONG years. My stepdad's company will be closing the warehouse where he works and we are waiting to hear if he gets transferred or layed off. We sure are hoping for the transfer! Either way, they are moving back by November. Their house is on the market and actually have some people interested, so we are hoping it all goes smooth and they get up here and get settled soon! It will be so wonderful to be able to see my mom whenever I want!

I am back to the gym! Rejoined a couple weeks ago and have been going 5 days a week. I love it!! Have been going to Zumba classes! They are the best! I feel a little uncoordinated, but it is the best workout and is over before you know it. I think after a while, I will get all the moves down and not feel so silly!

Well, I think that is about it................for now.

Hot, hot, hot...

2009-07-28T09:50:00.000-07:00

It is very hot....KGW news website says here in Newberg it will be 106 around 6pm. Seriously?? Thankfully, we have 2 window air conditioners and the house is pretty cool. But I hate the fact that the kids need to stay inside, since they end up doing mindless things like watching TV, playing on the computer and playing Nintendo DS or Wii. (We did play some board games yesterday) I guess it could be worse....and at least it is only for a couple days. The hardest thing is planning dinner that doesn't involve cooking.....it's even too hot to bbq. Yuck!

Hope you all are staying cool!!!

Nothing really to say...

2009-06-30T22:20:00.000-07:00

except that the kitten I didn't want, but totally fell in love with, passed away Monday morning. I had to post something today, since every time I open my blog to check other blogs, I see his little face and it makes me so sad. When I left him at the emergency vet Sunday night with high hopes that he would be fine in the morning, I still cried my eyes out on the way home. Almost to the point that I had to pull over. I don't even know why. It makes me cry as I type this. I took care of that kitten like it was my own child. Bottle fed him, got up in the middle of the night to check on him and feed him, wash his little bottom when he was having poop issues, kept him warm and held him more than I thought I ever wanted to hold a cat. I just can't believe he didn't make it and I wish I knew what more I could have done to help him. Yesterday, I kept wanting to check on him or go pick him up and I would look at his favorite spot by the door in the sun and he wasn't there.

And it is not just me. Of course the kids have been upset, but I have been surprised by how hard Richard is taking this, as well. He is very much a softie when it comes to kids or animals, but I haven't ever seen him cry about any of our pets dying. Maybe our cat, Simon, but we did have to put him to sleep and Richard was the one to take him in. I think that would get to anyone.

I keep reminding the kids that little Henry is in heaven playing with Simon and all of the other pets they have known to die. I think it is a reminder to me, as well, that he is happier now and healthier and in a better place. But it certainly doesn't make me miss him any less. We love you, Henry...........

The cat......

2009-06-23T18:24:00.000-07:00

has somehow become my project. I know you all are laughing, because...HELLO...how could I not see that coming. He really is adorable, but not eating well and having some poopage issues. So we are starting over with bottlefeeding every 4 hours or so...keeping records of it all ....no solid food. I think we got a little ahead of ourselves and he is just not ready to do more than eat, burp, pee, poop, sleep (preferably next to me) and then start all over. Richard had been dealing with the middle of the night feedings, but of course his work schedule this week won't allow that. So I was up at 1am blanket (rag) and bottle in hand, half asleep feeding the little guy. Ugh.... He just better start growing..........

I don't want a cat.

2009-06-17T19:31:00.001-07:00

I didn't want a cat last night, or this morning or now. I do not want to bottle feed this kitten, wipe it's butt, get a litter box or even hold it. But of course....I have to. I don't know how old this kitten is. I think probably 3 weeks. We are bottle feeding it because it seems too young to really lap up milk. So we went to Wilco to buy a baby kitten bottle and formula. FOR A KITTEN. Hmm...does this all sound familiar. I am pretty sure this may one reason I didn't have another kid. Crying/meowing throughout the night, breast/bottle feeding every 3 hours, holding and rocking until it gets quiet, and keeping a close eye on the dog (who is totally confused by the whole thing).

I was getting a little frustrated as I was trying to cook dinner, tend to the loudly meowing cat, and herd chickens back into the coop. I may have said "I DO NOT WANT THIS CAT!". So Ben comes over, sits down and puts his arm around me and says, "Don't get frustrated. Just try your best, Mom. "

Aaaaahhhhh!!

Update

2009-06-16T08:26:00.000-07:00

Wow, it has been so long since I have posted....

I have been so busy the last month and things have been crazy here.
Baseball, backyard projects, bbqs, family reunions, end of school, beginning of summer...........

Baseball: Was great this year! A huge step up from tball (ugh) and a great team with great coaches. We were worried that last years baseball disaster would make Ben hate the sport, but we renewed hope for his future professional baseball career. Haha Now we will see how football goes.......oh, my.......

Backyard: Still have only finished 1/3 of the flagstone patio. But that little section does look great! The storm a couple weeks ago wrecked havoc on the backyard...leaves, branches, trees down all over. Richard finally has gotten most of it cleaned up and I think we can resume working on the patio. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to help Richard with much since the cottonwoods that came down seem to be the trigger for severe allergy attacks. I pretty much have been sequestered in the house just watching him do all the work.

End of school: I pretty much spent the last week of school with Ben on field trips, Camp Dundee, and field day. It was all a lot of fun! We went to the Tualatin Valley Wildlife Refuge and Magness Tree Farm. I had a group of 3 boys that were awesome and totally interested in everything they were supposed to be learning about. That sure made it easy for me! I may actually go on other field trips next year (this was my first with Ben). The 2/3rd graders had a Camp Dundee Powwow where they sang songs and danced outside. It was fun to see all the teachers being goofy with the kids and having so much fun. On Friday, Ben and 2 friends rode the firetruck to school. They got to sound the alarms and sirens and I am sure all the neighbors appreciated that. Then they had field day, which was crazy, too. The best part was the competition between the classes. Ben's class won both of theirs, which was exciting.

School is out!!! We have been pretty much relaxing so far, but I am trying to keep some sort of schedule and not stay in my pjs until the afternoon! We'll see how that goes........

Here are some random pics from the last couple weeks.

Brookie's preschool graduation...so cute

My 40th birthday......yes, there are 40 candles on the cake
thanks to Richard....very funny.

Camp Dundee Powwow....stomping to the beat of the drum

Ready to ride on the firetruck

My crew on the field trip..........SEZ

2009-05-13T21:19:00.000-07:00

Just noticed that my friend Sarah tagged me:

8 Things I Am Looking Forward To:

1. The results of American Idol and Dancing With the Stars
2. Getting our backyard project started and finished
3. Meeting Jolene's baby
4. School finishing and summer starting
5. Beautiful warm weather ( I am sharing that with Sarah)
6. Sticking with WW and losing the weight I have already lost before
7. Lunch tomorrow with Nicole
8. Seeing Kristi later this month

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

1. Watched Ben's best baseball game ever
2. Folded some of the laundry
3. Cleaned the paper clutter off the counter ...finally
4. Watched Dancing with the Stars and American Idol (see a theme here)
5. Signed up for WW....again............
6. Thought about cleaning the computer/scrapbooking/guest room
7. Drank a lot of water
8. Beat Bryan on Pathwords........

8 Things I Wish I Could Do:

1. Give it all up to God
2. Go on What Not To Wear
3. Lose the weight I lost before and fit into all my clothes
4. Work outside more
5. Go on vacation with just my husband
6. Hold my own with my kids
7. Master Guitar Hero
8. Win the lottery!! :)

8 Shows I Watch:

1. Bonnie Hunt Show
2. CSIs - all of them
3. New Adventures of the Old Christine
4. Amazing Race - my new favorite show
5. American Idol
6. Dancing with the Stars
7. Criminal Minds
8. Without a Trace

6 People I Tag:

1. Wife of Harvesaurus
2. Kim
3. Jeanne
4. Kristie
5. Amy C
6. Kim

Mother's Tea

2009-05-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Brooke had her Mother's Tea last week at preschool. Unfortunately, it occurred the same day as Ben's field trip to the zoo. Ben was crushed, but I couldn't leave Brooke with out a mother at the Mother's Tea....
The kids sang some songs and then we had a nice luncheon with fruit and pastries. The kids painted flower pots and planted petunias in them for our gift. It was all very sweet.

Brooke and I at the Mother's Tea

Getting ready to sing.........

The kids singing their hearts out.....

Brooke's favorite chicks and her teachers

A day in the tulips...

2009-04-23T07:03:00.000-07:00

Though I have lived in Newberg most of my life, I have never gone to the Tulip Festival in Woodburn. So this was the year to go and we had a great time with Christy and Josiah. Here are some the of great pics Christy and I took. It was a beautiful day and perfect for tulips.

I want to cry.....

2009-04-15T18:44:00.000-07:00

because my daughter cut her hair AGAIN!!!! This time cut it shorter than her chin on one side and layered it. She also randomly cut it on the other side and in the back. I have been so excited lately for her to have longer hair. She can wear it in ponytails, braids, french braids... I had taken Ben for a haircut and left her here with Richard, who was playing GH when I got home and Brooke was watching cartoons. She comes into the kitchen acting like nothing was different...EXCEPT for the HUGE chunk of hair missing on one side of her head!! I really don't even think she cares and doesn't even act like she understands why I am so mad. Luckily, I got a hold of Angela, who cuts my hair and ranted a few minutes. She got me an appointment for tomorrow, but I have no idea how she will fix this . It is horrible. Unfortunately, I left my camera at the inlaws on Easter so I cannot post a picture of this travesty. Maybe I can get a before and after up tomorrow. Yes, I am sure one day we will laugh about this...........but probably not anytime soon. I just explained to her that she will probably have to get a "boy" haircut tomorrow and I think that was the first time she actually realized cutting her own hair might not have been such a great idea..........

Baseball....

2009-04-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

starts for us on Monday! I am excited..Richard is excited..and I really think Ben is excited. Last years tball experience was awful and I was hoping that it didn't ruin baseball for Ben. But we just came in from playing catch and he is ready! I just need to get a mitt so I can really play with him and not have him throw back underhand to me. His team has some great kids and great parents on it this year and I am positive about the coaches. Our last couple sports experiences haven't been the best, so I am looking forward to this baseball season . I feel that Ben has matured a lot this year and we won't be seeing as much mitt tossing and dirt sitting. Hopefully!
Play Ball!!

Shamrock Run.......

2009-03-16T13:38:00.000-07:00

So I did it and I didn't pass out.......I did walk a little due to my ankle bothering me, but at least I finished. It rained and the wind blew and we were drenched at the end. When Christy asked me to do the 5k with her back in Feb, at first I said NO, but figured it would get me running again. Well, I didn't have long to prepare......really only about 2 or 3 weeks, so I can't be too hard on myself for not getting a great time. I think I only even ran outside once before the race.
But Christy did great (about 10min ahead of me) and now I think I have a 5k partner for the future. We are maybe doing a run in May and who knows from there. I am hoping we do the 8K at the Shamrock Run for next year. We'll see........

Christy and I
7am on race day...standing in the pouring rain after about 3hrs of sleep.....Looking Good!

Just some pics.....

2009-03-05T08:23:00.000-08:00

It has been forever since I have written and really longer than that since I have written something halfway interesting. So today, I am just posting some recent pics.

Ben riding Butterscotch.

Zoo trip with Amy and our long lost friend Bryan.
Trillium, Brooke, Luke

Brooke brushing Butterscotch. All part of taking care
of her pony.

Brooke, Cole, Jade, Ben at OMSI

Happy Valentine's Day!!

2009-02-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

We are just sitting here waiting for my sister, Brenda. She is bringing my niece and nephew over to spend the night. Pretty romantic for us, huh??

Actually, I am excited since I don't see them often and now that we have 2 tvs and the Wii, we aren't all going to be on top of each other arguing about what to do next. We can all have our own space, but still spend time together. We are having pizza for dinner, movies or Wii later with popcorn and just hanging out.
Tomorrow I am taking all four kids and maybe Richard, to OMSI for the day. My mom got us a membership for Christmas and we are all (except Brooke maybe) excited to see the DaVinci exhibit.
Apparently, it doesn't take much for us to have an exciting weekend. :)

I hope you are all having a great Valentine's Day weekend filled with lots of love!!

Projects....(stolen from Sarah)

2009-01-26T07:53:00.001-08:00

I liked this idea, so I swiped it from Sarah's blog.

Here are a few projects that need to get done and I need to keep reminding myself:

1. Clean out closet under the stairs...aka: The Rabbit Hole

2. Reorganize the "office" - new moniter and desk needed for old computer.
Scrapbook stuff put away

3. Map out pricing and full idea for "patio" in the backyard. Need to be prepared to get it
all done when weather is a little warmer.

4. Scan and print and hang horse pics for Brooke's room and put up more horse Wallie's for her.

5. Get plan together with colors and ideas for Ben's room. Get done before Spring Break.

Ok, now I am feeling overwhelmed...........time to stop.

Grateful...

2009-01-16T07:31:00.001-08:00

for:

Dark, foggy mornings just drinking coffee in complete silence...

Friends who are still your friends no matter how often you see them

my husband..who doesn't count calories...his or mine.

coffee

my big, warm, dog Willy

days of sunshine, that just seem to come right when you need them

bus stops that are close, so you can hop in the car in pjs to take the kids

time in my day to write these nonsense blog posts..........

Still waiting...

2008-12-26T22:44:00.001-08:00

He did not come tonight......and the girl was none too happy. Does that mean we have to wait until Monday?? Does UPS come on Saturday??? I sure hope so................... Also, we haven't had mail since probably Monday. We do still have about a foot of snow in our cul de sac and it is a little hard to maneuver in. Is this the norm? Is everyone else getting their mail??

Waiting....

2008-12-26T15:50:00.000-08:00

for the UPS man. The one thing Brooke asked for this Christmas was an American Girl Hairstyle Kit for her doll. That was pretty much it. Anything else was just filler for her wish list to Santa. All she talks about is this kit she saw at Mudpuddles one night when we were shopping. Of course, I should have just bought it then. But I figured I could come back without her and get it. I was wrong and this is where it all went askew....

When I went back, it was gone. They said they would order it for me and for sure it would be here before Christmas. So of course they call me right when the storm hits and say it is in and they can hold it for 2 days. So we are right in the middle of the snowstorm and I am not driving. Richard says he will go to Sherwood to get the book. Of course, he gets there, feels it's not the right one, texts me a pic of the cover...nope, wrong book. Now it is 5 days until Christmas. I check Amazon....1-2 weeks. I finally find it on Barnes & Noble, pay extra for 3 day shipping and am so happy with myself. Then....storm gets worse..more snow..more snow. Delivery scheduled for 22nd. Sounds great...UPS drivers have chains...no problem. No delivery. Recheduled for 23rd. No delivery. Rescheduled for 24th...snow is better and roads are better, thinking for sure there will be a package on the porch when we get home Christmas Eve. No delivery. I am freaking out, trying to devise a plan. This one small thing is all she wanted and I couldn't get it for her. All Ben asked for was a Wii and that was purchased a month ahead of time.
So I decide to just tell her that since her letter to Santa didn't get mailed (due to the snow), I ordered her the kit to make sure she got and it should be here on the 26th. Which is what the UPS website says today. OUT FOR DELIVERY......those 3 words I have been seeing everyday when I check the status. So today she has been standing at the window every second waiting for him to come...and man, he better come today.............

SNOW

2008-12-20T17:44:00.000-08:00

Need I say more............this is CRAZY!!!!!

View from the porch

Our snowy house

It does say 8 1/2"...my camera needs batteries and
could not focus properly. I was freezing my butt off
and did not have the patience to mess with it.
Trust me.

I have lived in Newberg since I was 4 and do
not remember having this much snow for this long.
We never missed 5 days of school.....it is unbelievable,
but so beautiful. I could sit and look out the window all day!

Cow-girl

2008-12-09T22:39:00.000-08:00

Brooke spent the night with Grammy, who just got some new cows. She has had them in the past, but Brooke was too young to remember. Apparently she loves them.....we'll see how things go when it time for butchering..yikes!

Feeding apples to Uncle Donald

Brooke feeding either Huey, Dewey, or Louie...not sure which.

Happy Halloween

2008-11-01T07:56:00.000-07:00

We had a great night of trick or treating. No rain!!
We started out a little late, but that seemed to
be what everyone else was doing as well. At one point,
Brooke asked me to carry her bucket because it
was so heavy it was hurting her neck. Sounds a little wimpy to
me. But I did get paid well in candy. Another year down.
Now we change the clocks back tonight. Sure hope I
remember. At least it is the "fall back" and we can sleep in
a little extra!
Hope you all had a Spooky Halloween!

5

2008-10-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

my little girl is 5 today...well, really not until 10:02pm, but close enough. We are here in Sunriver, which is so nice and relaxing. The kids woke up at 6:30am and the clocks in our room are all off, so I didn't really realize how early it was until I was up and it was too late. Better adjust those clock today. We are doing puzzles...waiting for dad to get up so Brooke can open her presents. She is actually showing a lot of self control and has only poked the presents about a dozen times. We are looking forward to lots of bike riding today.....let's hope it warms up a little. Looks a little frosty out there.
So Happy Birthday to my sweet and sassy 5 year old! Let's hope this year brings a little more sweet and a little less sassy!!

Long weekend...

2008-10-16T08:56:00.000-07:00

I am sitting here waiting for Richard to get out of the shower so I can get in. I doubt there will even be any hot water left...but that is a whole other story...
We are leaving today for Sunriver...woohoo! I cannot wait to get away. Usually we go in the winter when there is snow, so this will be a nice change. The weather is supposed to be in the mid 60s. I envision lots of bike riding, playing at the park, or just sitting on the deck with a glass of wine in one hand, book in the other, watching the kids play. Doesn't get any better than that!! Hope you all have wonderful long weekends as well!!

16 years............

2008-09-19T07:04:00.000-07:00

of wedded bliss. Well, almost. They have flown by and I would do it all again!! There's nobody I would rather spend my life with!!
20 - HERE WE COME!

I also want to give a shout out to the birthdays today: My sister, Brenda, my mom, Arlys, my stepdad, Lee, and my aunt, Arlene. Hope you all get whatever you want today!!

Happy Friday!!!

At least I am trying

2008-09-17T18:03:00.000-07:00

I am trying my hand at organization. We are a very unorganized family. So this week I planned the meals for each night and then shopped accordingly on Monday. I made a promise not to go to the store all week. So far that is working fine. It is actually a little freeing, knowing what to prepare for dinner and alleviating that 1/2 hour before dinner where I just go back and forth from the cupboard to the refrigerator trying to piece things together.
So tonight I had planned on Orange/Cranberry pork tenderloin. It was in the crockpot all day and seemed to be progressing nicely. The house smelled good all day and I was kind of excited since the kids LOVE pork. The last 2 nights were kind of strike outs and I was looking forward to the kids actually eating and enjoying their dinner. Well, Ben (who was really looking forward to the pork) takes a bite and says...."Mom, I am sorry I have to say this to you, but this is the worst pork you have ever made." He did say it very politely and unfortunately he was soooooo right. It needed LOTS of salt just to get it down. Brooke took a bite, then quietly slipped off her chair and went to the bathroom to spit it out. Thank goodness for the noodles and green beans....

So it looks like my dinner ideas need improvement, but the kids manners are improving. I guess I will take what I can get.

Brookie's First Day of Preschool (4s)

2008-09-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

We had some extra fluffy hair issues, but other than that, things went off without a hitch.

Of course, she absolutely LOVES school and wishes she could go more than 3 days a week.

Can't believe next year she will be getting on the bus with Ben and off to kindergarten. Crazy stuff!!

First day of 2nd Grade

2008-09-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

Here he is....my big 2nd grader.

It was just Ben and I at the bus stop. How lonely...
There were only 4 kids total on the bus. Hopefully that
is just a first day of school thing.

So now it is just Brooke and I...what to do....what to do...

OMG!!!!

2008-08-18T21:45:00.000-07:00

I love Gossip Girl!! That show is sooooooooooo goooooooooooooooddddddddddd and soooooooooooo baaaaaaaaaddddddddddd!!! I love it so much...maybe even more that Veronica Mars. Maybe.
Does anyway watch this too?? Apparently my friends are above watching shows like this and it's just me and teenage girls. But I don't care. I love it!!!

Gumdrop plants...

2008-08-17T21:09:00.000-07:00

Brooke spent the night with her grandma last night. This morning my husbands cousin came over with her grandson who is 5. Before they went out to the garden for some harvesting, Richard's crazy uncle did some special plantings of his own.

These are "special" gum drop plants
that very few people have licenses to grow.

It's like Willy Wonka's Garden

Apparently the kids totally went for
it and believed every word he said.
He is the funniest uncle EVER. He
teaches the kids somewhat inappropriate songs
but then also calls the kids on Christmas Eve
pretending he is Santa.
We are so lucky to have our Uncle Jesse.

Is it really camping...

2008-08-13T08:33:00.000-07:00

when I am sitting here drinking fresh brewed coffee from my coffee maker and reading blogs on the laptop?? We are the only ones in the campground in a tent, so that gives us some extra points. It is BEAUTIFUL here and I was a little crabby when the kids woke me up at 7am, but now I am sitting here enjoying the nature around me and trying to keep my kids quiet because it seems that everyone (excluding the pack of teens in the tent trailer) goes to bed at 8pm and sleeps in. We saw some beautiful shooting stars last night, since there is a meteor shower this week. So we finally got the kids to sleep by letting them watch a movie on the DVD Player, then enjoyed the stars, the campfire, boxed wine and each other. Today we have some bike rides planned and hikes. Hopefully the weather will stay nice and low 80s, though thanks to Oregon Parks Wifi, I see that we are supposed to get a little heat wave.
Well, I am off to supervise a heated game of Battleship and just enjoy nature.

Lazy.....

2008-08-11T17:29:00.000-07:00

we are leaving tomorrow to go camping and I have done NOTHING. I did make a partial list of what we need to pack or buy, but haven't finished it. But I have:

Sat on the computer for a good part of the day.

Had a frozen margarita

Put chicken with salsa in the crockpot, mostly so I wouldn't have to move and make dinner.

Watched taped Olympics from last night.

Got dressed...no shower, just dressed

balanced the checkbook

checked the chicken coop for eggs

talked to Christy on the phone

connected with a cousin of my husband's on Facebook

made some more friends on Facebook

scheduled a trip next week to Enchanted Forest

quickly made soft tacos for the kids for dinner

"thought" about going to Freddie's to purchase items from the partial list

Seriously thinking about another margarita.

Hope you all are more productive today than me....

Woohoo!

2008-08-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

We finally got rid of 2 of the 3 roosters. A man came tonight with 4 little boys and picked them up. Of course, my kids cried. One of the roosters is black (we have no idea what breed they all are) and so is the hen that has started laying. So the kids have thought that the black rooster must be the dad and they were devastated that we were giving "the dad" away. They finally recovered and I set them up on the deck with a movie. Ben's friend Mac is spending the night, so I put the laptop on a table, laid out sleeping bags, made popcorn and bowls of ice cream, and started a movie for them. They really wanted to spend the night out there, but at about 10pm, they changed their minds and came in to go to bed. It was all a nice distraction and I hope the kids don't freak out again in the morning when they remember the roosters are gone. It will be so nice in the morning when I only hear 1 rooster crowing!

Does anyone out there LOVE THE OLYMPICS like me??? I am having such a hard time going to bed. Thank goodness for the DVR! I have all the evening Olympics set to tape this whole week, since we are leaving for camping on Tuesday. I don't want to miss a thing! Michael Phelps sure is adorable! Ok, off to bed!

toothless

2008-08-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

Ben finally lost his first tooth. He was driving us all crazy yesterday trying to work it out and finally my niece Jade said "do you have any small pliers? I am getting that thing out". And she did.
He is adorable. And apparently we have 2 tooth fairies around these parts, because Ben had more under his pillow this morning than he did when I went to bed. Hmmmmmm.....

Jade, doing her dirty work........future dentist, I think.

Yes, he does have the teensiest teeth ever and it
barely looks like he lost one.

Our first egg!!

2008-07-30T19:38:00.001-07:00

We got our first chicken egg today!!! Woohoo!!
It is so teeny (that is Brooke's little hands holding it)

I hope there is more tomorrow!

Book group

2008-07-29T07:56:00.001-07:00

Here is the not so distorted version of last night's bookgroup....

Bambi

2008-07-24T08:09:00.000-07:00

We have a few deer that like to hang out in the yard. I am always complaining that I never see them, since they are roaming at hours that I like to be in bed. Last night around 8:00, I look out the kitchen window and there is deer slowing making it's way towards the house. It is the deer with the "big" rack that Richard is always trying to get a picture of. So I grab the camera and creep out onto the deck. He just kept coming closer and closer and I was getting some great pictures.
Eventually Brooke came to the screen and said, "Mommy, where's the deer" and of course he bounded back into the tall grass. No big deal, since I took some good ones. Later, Brooke told me that she was so glad the deer left because she was worried he would attack me like the deer in "Are We There Yet?"
Pretty funny!

I liked this one, because he has a big leaf hanging
from his mouth.

This is right before he ran off.

SEVEN!!

2008-07-21T09:48:00.000-07:00

Ben is seven! We had an Indiana Jones adventure party and every boy we invited came. So we had 8 seven year olds and my 11 year nephew. We did a treasure hunt and pinata. Of course, they got through everything faster than expected, so we resorted to the old stand by of water balloons and water guns. It was in the upper 90s that day, so it all worked out marvelously.

Here are some of the few pics I took. (Slacker mom)

Here are the boys around the cool cake I made
(well, it was plain cake, but Ben put some cool lego
creations on it) Of course, I forgot to take a pic
of the cake.

Ben opening the ungodly amount of gifts.

Well, another year gone.......pretty soon he'll be driving.

update:

If someone out there is waiting for a
thank you from Ben, he is still cranking them
out....2 weeks later. It is seriously like pulling teeth.
Is this a boy thing?? Because Brooke begs to write
her thank yous. I am going CRAZY!!!

MEME

2008-07-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

This one is from Sillypants

I am tagging Kimberly

1. Name a movie that you have seen more than 10 times. Gone with the Wind

2. Name a movie that you’ve seen multiple times in the theater. So I Married an Axe Murderer

3. Name an actor that would make you more inclined to see a movie. Mark Wahlberg

4. Name an actor that would make you less likely to see a movie. Jim Carrey

5. Name a movie that you can and do quote from. Monty Python Holy Grail

6. Name a movie musical that you know all of the lyrics to all of the songs. Grease 1 and Grease 2, High School Musical, Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Wizard of Oz

7. Name a movie that you have been known to sing along with. See above.

8. Name a movie that you would recommend everyone see. Planet Earth :) Couldn't think of anything

9. Name a movie that you own. Pirates of Caribbean, Sleepless in Seattle, Gone with the Wind, Christmas Vacation
Those are the only adult movies we own.............and proud of it

10. Name an actor that launched his/her entertainment career in another medium but who has surprised you with his/her acting chops. Markie Mark

11. Have you ever seen a movie in a drive-in? We still have one of the few Drive Ins around and have been there a KAZILLION times

12. Ever made out in a movie? Oh, yeah......

13. Name a movie that you keep meaning to see but just haven’t yet gotten around to it. Crash

14. Ever walked out of a movie? Don't think so

15. Name a movie that made you cry in the theater. When a Man Loves a Woman

16. Popcorn? YES !!

17. How often do you go to the movies (as opposed to renting them or watching them at home)? Hardly ever....mostly kid movies

18. What’s the last movie you saw in the theater? Kung Fu Panda at drive in, Indiana Jones in a theater

19. What’s your favorite/preferred genre of movie? Drama

20. What’s the first movie you remember seeing in the theater? Deliverance...at the drive in. I assume my parents thought I was asleep

21. What movie do you wish you had never seen? War of the Roses

22. What is the weirdest movie you enjoyed? Blue Velvet....everytime I see it is on, I cannot help but watch it. It is soooooooo weird!!!

23. What is the scariest movie you’ve seen? Burnt Offerings and The Changeling

24. What is the funniest movie you’ve seen? Office Space, Christmas Vacation, Best In Show, Old School

Pics

2008-06-21T22:07:00.000-07:00

This afternoon, Brooke was out in the tall grass picking flowers and I could just see
a photo shoot coming on. Here are some of the better ones and I thought they looked good
in black and white.

Good news.............

2008-06-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

that is what I need. I have been inundated with cancer, people dying, more cancer, more people dying........please someone tell me something happy and inspirational. This other stuff is really
getting old.........

2008-06-16T18:41:00.001-07:00

On Saturday I had a garage sale with a couple neighbors, one of which was selling some old jewelry. Of course, all of our daughters HAD to buy a necklace. Brooke picked out one that was a little picture frame. Later that night, she came and asked me for some scissors. I was busy making dinner and cleaning up the mess that had happened while I was gone all day. I noticed she was over by her art desk cutting up pictures. When I asked her what she was doing, I saw she had gone through my drawer of scrapbook leftover pics and had picked out one of my grandma/her great grandma. She was trying to trim it down to fit in her necklace. I was a little choked up and couldn't say anything to her. She just said, "I miss her, too, mom."

This one is for Gram....

2008-06-15T20:57:00.000-07:00

Growing up I had 2 very different Grandma's. My mom's mom was the grandma that taught me how to cook, crochet, garden, and all the practical grandma-ish things. Then my dad's mom was the grandma that took us out to dinner when we spent the night....took us shopping for school clothes and school supplies... over to her friends for poker games, and danced in the living room with us on New Year's Eve. She was always the life of the party. A few years ago she moved into a foster care home. Her arthritis continued to get bad and she just couldn't get around by herself. A couple years ago she had to get a walker, then last year a wheelchair. On Friday morning, my grandma Mabel had a major stroke and passed away at almost 89 years.
Here are some of the memories I have of her:

When my sister and I stayed with her, we would go twice a day on her 2 mile walk and barely be able to keep up with her.

Watching her "stories" with her and having to keep quiet until the commercials, where we could then ask questions about what was going on.

She always had chocolate chips in a ziploc in the freezer and always acted like she didn't notice us sneaking them.

At night she would take her teeth out so she could chew bubble gum while watching TV.

Whenever we had heat wave we would call each other and complain about how hot and miserable it was since we were the only ones in the family that sweated like pigs in the heat.

Everytime I would leave after a visit, she would make sure she gave me something...like perfume she didn't like, knickknacks...random items from around her house.

She is the only person I have known that had a Jim Nabors album and played it regularly.

She ALWAYS had lemon drops in a candy dish.

She read a ton like me and would always give me books after she read them. All romantic novels.

My grandma was such a lively, crazy, fun person and when her health started going downhill, it really affected her. She had such a hard time having to be in a wheel chair and having to depend on others. I know her passing was a blessing and she is watching over me with cocktail in hand, still the life of the party.

I love you, Grandma! You are missed!

I am soooooooo tired....

2008-06-03T11:16:00.000-07:00

I do not remember the last time I got so little sleep.
Went out with some friends last night, got home 12:30am ish.
Chitchatted with Richard until he left for work at 1:30am.
Woke at 3ish to some loud noise.
Couldn't figure out what it was and went back to sleep.
Woke at 4ish to the sound of chainsaws.
Investigated further to find the neighbors humongous tree fell across (all the way across) the cul de sac, so he was sawing it up to move it out of the way with his super loud tractor.
That went on for a hour at least.
Then alarm went off at 6:30am.
Of course I had to go with Ben to school to help chop vegetables for the soup they are making today.
Surprisingly, I didn't chop any fingers off.
Then went to pick Brooke up at Grandma's.......chatted too long there.

I believe it is naptime...................

We are GREEN........

2008-06-01T15:41:00.000-07:00

So, a few weeks ago I mentioned to my MIL that I really wanted to put up a clothes line this summer. When Richard and I first got married, we lived in this little dumpy house in town and there was a clothes line from the previous tenants. Richard was horrified when I used it and kept telling me how "white trash" it was. So when I mentioned that I wanted one, I figured he would say NO WAY. Well, apparently now that we live out of town, clothes lines aren't so white trash. So his mom said, "oh, I have been wanting one too, so I will get one and you one for your birthday".

I didn't think much about it and then today she came over with the greatest clothesline ever.
It's the umbrella kind where you make a hole with cement and then you stick the pole and the clothes line just pops up and it is pretty darn big. You can take it back out of the hole and store it away whenever. I AM JUST SO EXCITED!! And not just for the electricity I will save, but I just love the smell of clothesline dried clothes and seeing sheets billowing in the wind.
Thank you to my wonderful MIL!!!!

I will put a picture up when we get the hole done and when we get some weather worthy of drying clothes on the line.

Just a few pics from here and there...

2008-05-31T08:37:00.000-07:00

All the lovely ladies from my scrapbook weekend.

Can you tell what Ben's latest obsession is???

Brooke trying to go along with Ben and the whole
Indiana Jones thing even though she really doesn't know
what it is about...what a good sister.

Brooke and her best friend Hailey at the end of the
year preschool carnival. Brooke picked out a dancing
hot pepper tattoo and HAD to have in put on her
forehead. Hmmm....

Obviously, we don't have much going on. Just biding
our time before summer vacation starts........I CANNOT WAIT!!!

What we have been doing....

2008-05-14T07:13:00.000-07:00

x

Brooke's horse riding field trip

This is seconds before Brooke's meltdown
where apparently EVERYONE was shoving her and getting
in her way.
Can you imagine Princess Brooke's subjects
treating her like that?? Crazy!

Ben playing tball.

Mother's Day Tea at preschool. Very sweet program.

Mother's Day at the zoo.
Ben was disappointed to learn he wasn't giving me
the "Rock On, Dude" hand sign as much as "I love you"
in sign language. So much to learn......

Cool pic of the sea lions.......

Well, that's it in a nutshell..........
I cannot wait for SUMMER VACATION!!!

You would think I would know better...

2008-04-18T11:42:00.000-07:00

than to brag about how we didn't get the flu this winter. Last night, Brooke was complaining about her stomach hurting, but being the caring, sympathetic mother that I am, I just kept telling her to finish dinner and try to go to the bathroom.
Well, about 3:30am, I got up to get some water and right after I layed back down, I hear puking and crying. Luckily, Richard hadn't gotten to bed yet, so he put Brooke in the tub, while I put her bedding in the washer and remade her bed. I figured she just had an upset stomach, because she was in a great mood and didn't want to go back to bed. She finally did and got up at 7am feeling good. But about 8am, I noticed she was warm and now has a 101 temp.
She just said her tummy hurts again. Please no puking!!!
I just hope she is the only sick one and gets over it fast~ Happy Friday!

Introducing..........

2008-03-31T19:43:00.000-07:00

The newest members of our family: Fuzzy, Salt, Pepper, Lenny, Snowflake, Snowball.....
not necessary in that order (as if I have any idea who is who).

They are possible the CUTEST chicks ever, don't you think........

Anyone want dibs on eggs. I was just thinking that if they each lay 1 egg a day, thats 1 dozen eggs every other day.
Hmmm...........I am thinking they may start building up, since we go through about 1 dozen each week.

As I have said before, we need to get the garden started, get a cow for beef, a cow for milk, and Silly reminded me about sheep so I can spin wool and make all of our clothes.

We are moving towards subsistence farming folks............Now you know where to go when the economy tanks..... :)

Little getaway...

2008-03-27T11:11:00.001-07:00

For the first time in 7 or so years, Richard and I went away ALONE for 2 nights.......
This is where we stayed...

and this is our view....

It was so nice and quiet...no interruptions and even a little
snow. We actually had whole conversations without others involved and had
long sessions of silence. It was heavenly. I read and read and read and am
a little embarrassed to say I slept in one day til 10am. That has truly not happened since
before Ben was born. It was nice to come back and see the kids,
but I do miss the quietness....

Yes, I do complain about the rain......

2008-03-22T15:00:00.001-07:00

....but I do know that without it, I would not have this green lawn.

I just LOVE the first mow of spring....can't you just smell it??

Happy Easter Eve...

2008-03-22T14:02:00.000-07:00

Eggs have been colored and a few tattooed......food has been bought......grandma is on a plane.......we are almost ready for Easter.
Just need to pick out a floofy enough dress for Brooke for church tomorrow and iron Ben's one and only nice shirt. Oh, and fill the eggs for the egg hunt tomorrow....no rain, no rain, no rain. Today is a beautiful, sunny, somewhat warm day and we have nothing planned. But tomorrow I am sure it will be pouring rain and we'll have to have the egg hunt in the house. Not that we haven't done that before, but it really isn't quite the same.

Hope you all have a happy Easter!!!

Fancy tattooing

Richard's watermelon egg

Nothing says Easter like BMX bikes.

Great start to vacation...

2008-03-21T19:50:00.000-07:00

kids are upstairs having a "slumber party" and watching Chicken Little for the hundredth time. It is so freeing to let them stay up a little late and know we don't have to get them up early. Ben asked when I was going to wake him up tomorrow. I said "I'm not"..."You'll just get up when you get up". He did not really know what to say about that. Please God, let them sleep in a little...

Though it was nothing compared to Silly's, we got an exciting delivery today for Ben. This week I was going through his clothes and pulling out all the clothes to hand down and I realized he has grown out of so much. He ended up with 1 pair of shorts and not much else for summer. So I placed a big order at Old Navy and he was so excited to get home from school and see all his new clothes. I got him his first pairs of boxer shorts, tons of tshirts and super cute shorts. It is nice to see him take some interest in style and appreciate the clothes I picked out. Lately, he just seems to be getting older and more mature. So weird to think he will be 7 in a few months. Geesh!

Other than that, not too much exciting stuff this week. Brooke had a field trip to Pogy's sandwich shop. The kids all got to make their own sandwiches. Thursday was her Easter egg hunt, which was totally chaotic and crazy. Ahhh......3 and 4 year olds. Kim, I don't know how you do it!!!!
2 days of helping out in one week was too much for me.......

Tomorrow my mom flies in and will be coming here on Sunday with my sister. She will be going back and forth between my sister and I for 10 days. She will be watching the kids Mon and Tues night while Richard and I get away. I will tell you how that goes after it happens. We didn't exactly pick out the 4 Seasons and we will be roughing it for 2 nights. Lots of togetherness and hopefully not too much rain!!! I'm sure we'll have a story to tell when it's all over. This will be the first time we have gone away from the kids together for more that one night. I really cannot wait, no matter what the accomodations are. Hopefully the kids will do well with my mom and behave.
g
Well, that is the big update. I am going to try and copy Silly and post a photo a day, at least for Spring Break. Should be interesting.......

The only way to make through 20 degree weather.....

2008-01-22T14:00:00.000-08:00

...turn on the gas fireplace, grab your towel and swimsuit and pretend you are at the beach..........

What we have done so far in 2008...

2008-01-15T16:10:00.000-08:00

which really isn't much, but enough to give me a reason to blog.

Happy New Year from the Princess Brooke

The kids are desperately trying to make it to 10pm.
They barely made it to 9pm. A very cranky 9pm.

Volcanoes.......that was a huge disappointment.

Mouse cupcakes

A little bit of sun and I finally conned the kids to go outside with dad.

Beautiful cake painting kits given to us by the wonderful
Wife of Dingus

The kids LOVED them.

Ant farm day 3 or so.

Ant farm day 10....lots of progress.
We waste way too much time watching the ants.

So there you go. Obviously we've had a slow start to the year.
But things are looking up.
Bookclub this weekend, little weekend trip in Feb.... good stuff.

And I will end the year with a post...

2007-12-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

can you believe it??? The last time I posted was July. Seems like it was yesterday. So I have decided to get with the program and blog more frequently...or at least post pictures. So here are some hopefully recent ones......

Brooke before her big preschool Christmas Program

The tree that ended up 2ft taller than we thought

The wind down Christmas Day evening ...

The miracle of snow on Christmas Day...this was
early on...the ground was white when we left for my sisters....
love it!!!

So there it is.....the year end wrap up!
Hope everyone has a Happy, Safe New Years Eve and a terrific 2008!!!!

2007-07-10T09:33:00.001-07:00

66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666

My boy is 6!!

Unfortunately, the shock of having a 6 year old child prevented
me from taking pictures and this was a pretty cool dinosaur
cake with a mini candy bar volcano and licorice lava shooting out.
Well, sorry you all missed it.....it was cool!

We had a mini birthday party for Ben with grandma, Aunt Brenda, cousins Jade and Cole.
We will be going to Chuck E Cheese Thursday with Ben's BF and Cole and then the boys
are having a campfire/campout in the back 40. We'll see if they actually sleep out there all night. I am betting "NO".
More on that later............

Some of Ben's gifts...

He will actually be eating from that lunchbox AT SCHOOL
next year!!! He will be there ALL DAY!! I am slowly starting
to realize that.......

His Modifighter "Big Mo"...most wanted birthday
present this year! Along with the Aqua Raider Lego set
in the background, "Lobster Strike".

The book I actually should have bought for my husband, since
it has reverted him back to his boyhood. He came outside
yesterday with "the best paper airplane ever". Next on his agenda
is a tree fort and go kart.

The funny thing about Ben's birthday is 3 relatives thought he was turning 5.
Six seems to be a hard age to stomach........

2007-07-10T09:16:00.000-07:00

so far...the best summer ever!
Probably due to the fact there has been alot of bbqing, beer, chips and homemade salsa and wonderful 80 degree weather! (We'll see how I feel after our little 100 degree heat wave)

But, anyway.....great 4th of July. Went to the rodeo parade with the Harvesaurs...much candy to be had and a nice lunch after.

BBQ with Richard's family later and then mucho fireworks.

OUCH!! Daddy got a sunburn!

Camping and boating on the 5th.

Rest of the weekend spent relaxing and enjoying our breezy beautiful backyard.

Big day at the zoo!

2007-07-03T10:06:00.000-07:00

The kids FAVORITE thing at the zoo today!
Mastadont bones - dinosaur bones just like "Night at the Museum".

Brooke riding hippo.

Ben rebelling against my rule of 1 piece of
camoflauge per outfit.

Ben riding elephant.

Looks very posed, but it wasn't

My first attempt at BBQing with the charcoal grill.
Chicken was good, but a little burnt. Probably means
I should just leave the BBQing to the expert....

Kids enjoying the fine bbq and corn on the cob.

The sad, sad truth..

2007-06-23T22:51:00.000-07:00

tonight I was putting Ben to bed and he says, " Mom, you know that car shirt?"

"Yes, the one gramma gave you last summer?" (My mom sent him a shirt last year that is the style of a Hawaiian shirt, but it has classic cars all over it. It was way too big when she sent it, so he has never worn it)

"I don't think I will ever wear it. I think people will think it is weird and laugh at me..."

" Why do you think that?"

"People will think I am old fashioned."

"Do you like the shirt?"

"Mom, I love that shirt" (can you hear my heart breaking?)

"Well, maybe you should just wear it and not worry about how other people feel about it?" (Isn't that what we are supposed to say as parents?)

" I don't want people to make fun of me."

"Well, wear it Sunday school tomorrow. You aren't supposed to tease people at Sunday school because God is watching everyone closer than usual." :)

" Yeah, we'll see.."

It is so sad to see my 5 1/2 yr old son realizing he must conform or be teased. How do we know where that line is and do we push them to be themselves even though they may be teased and hurt? I remember about 4yrs ago when my niece was in 4th or 5th grade and she wanted to wear a skirt over her pants and my sister wouldn't let her. I remember thinking she should let her be herself and everyone will see how "cool" she is and she'll be starting a trend. Now that I am at that point myself I want to tell Ben to just be himself and people will accept that....but will they? And will he be strong enough to not care if he is teased?
Parenting sure stinks sometimes...

2007-06-18T18:31:00.001-07:00

My beautiful, smart, talented niece at her graduation.
(in the middle)

Father's Day at the Air Museum

One fisherman and one fisher"lady" (as she prefers to be called)
No, they didn't catch anything...

Daddies, daughters and tanks...what a fine combination

I call this "Harassing Mom" (when she was quietly reading)

daily....no, weekly...no, monthly update.

2007-05-19T18:44:00.000-07:00

Yeah, that's it..........Obviously not much going on...........but here is the short list of exciting moments from the last few weeks:

Lots of landscaping...mostly on Richard's part. But I feel like we have finally made some progress with the yard and are heading in the right direction. He is awesome!!

2 garage sales...what can I say...hot...hand, foot, and mouth....got rid of many purses and bright, plastic kid toys...not enough high dollar stuff...but good overall

Summer vacation finally begins with a whole day of Spongebob for Ben. I am being lenient since this is day 1, but better weather begins tomorrow, so his butt is outside from here on out.

My mom and stepdad were here for 5 days and I am still recovering from driving her back and forth to meet my sister and being lectured about keeping my doors locked at night. Geesh!
I sure wish she'd just move back!!!!

Congrats to my niece who graduated from 8th grade last week and did so wonderful singing at the graduation! American Idol...here you come!! And to my sister, who bagged a teaching job this week at the school and class she was hoping for! God bless those who can teach 1st graders!!

Had some great, drunken, 3 generation sex talks with my 14 year old niece about just about everything imaginable. She is so lucky to have us moms, aunts, grandmas that are so willing to give her the straight talk about sex. Lord, I hope she remembers it all when my daughter goes to her with questions!

Great bookgroup this month!! I look forward to more outside bookgroups this summer! Just gotta remember the "reflection method" for our fires!! And not drink so much when it comes back around to my house! Whew!

Had a great Father's Day! We went fishing and to the Air Museum! The kids had a great time with their dad, which is so wonderful to see!

Well, that is about it! Looking forward to a terrific summer!! Lots of lounging, camping and fun family stuff!! Next year, I will have a 1st grader and preschooler!! Good Lord, I swear they were just born!

I will try to keep up on the blogging better than before, but I can't promise it will be interesting!

Love the bus!

2007-04-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

As the kids are getting in the car to go to swimming lessons, I hear Ben singing, " I love big butts and I cannot lie...". What??? Seems that he learned that from "Ryan" on the bus. I love all the things he learns from his fellow busriders. I cannot wait until first grade where he will be on there for 45 minutes after school.

Today is beautiful...

2007-03-29T13:50:00.000-07:00

My mom had been here since Saturday and we have been so busy! But today she went over to my sister's to help her pack and is staying the night there. It is a nice break. We were getting a little snippy last night. After meeting my sister, Brooke and I stopped and bought a ton of flowers/shrubs/plants and we are hard at work in the yard. The weather is terrific and I am getting so much done. Well, right now I am not, but I am off to get more done! Hope everyone is having a wonderful day, as well!!

2007-03-11T14:57:00.001-07:00

It is so warm here today, that I am actually wearing SHORTS. Yes, shorts! Luckily, I put self tanner on yesterday in preparation for the big auction and it paid off today. It is 67 degrees......unbelievable! No, there will be no pics to go along with this post. :)

Buyers remorse...

2007-03-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

is what I am having after the crazy school auction last night. We had a great time!! It was at a local winery, food OK, atmosphere great...it was in the wine storage (I am sure that is the technical name) warehouse with lights strung everywhere among the wine barrels. Pretty cool and lowkey. The auctioneer is a guy we went to school with. Pretty much has his hand in everything in town..real estate/businesses/ etc. A nice guy, though and a great auctioneer. Hysterical...knows everyone and knows just who he can offend and who he can't. Had teachers dancing on the picnic tables being auctioned and almost auctioned off a single "hot" teacher along with the pool party she was offering. All in all, lots of fun...except for the Ride to School in a Fire Engine that Richard got me to bid on and we paid too much for and now Ben says....."NO WAY, I AM NOT DOING THAT". Great! Hopefully he will change his mind. The fire chief who donated the ride happens to be the father of the girl (this month) that Ben is planning on marrying, so maybe that will help nudge him along. Get in good with his future father-in-law.
It was great fun, though we sat at the "less wild" table. Though it was probably a good thing that I didn't sit with my friend Debbie who spent $1500 on our kids class project which was a plant stand. Cute, but $1500 cute?...I think not. It could have been the competition with another parent that she dislikes, or the "couple" of glasses of wine she had before bidding. Watching that crazy bidding war was the highlight of my night!!
Well, off to check out playstructures and shopping at Costco!!
Hope everyone is enjoying Daylight Savings. Didn't morning come a little soon???

To give WOD something to read....

2007-03-09T19:03:00.000-08:00

Busy, busy, busy here...we just returned from a 4 day trip to Sunriver this week. We didn't actually stay at the resort, but in a house we rented. Which was actually pretty nice and inexpensive. The only issue I had was that there was only 1 tv and it was in the kids bedroom. At first it kind of drove us crazy, but after awhile it was kind of nice. I got some reading done and Richard and I had actual conversations without the kids interrupting. The kids watched WAY too much tv, but it was vacation. We rode bikes a little, played games, went ice skating, and drove up to Mt Bachelor and played in the snow. We planned on skiing, but they close at 4pm and we didn't get going early enough. All in all, it was a lot of fun and so nice to get away! I also unexpectedly ran into an old friend from college. That was a great surprise!! Hope we keep in touch!
Tomorrow night we have Ben's school auction. I am a little excited about that. A nice evening with only adults. I also love to see people out of the "school element" and see how they "really" are. Should be fun!! Now I just need something to wear. Nothing like waiting til the last minute. I guess I will be shopping a little tomorrow.

Here are some pics from the mini vaca...

Aaaah...so cute...they get along so well....hahahaha

portrait of Brookie

Dad and son...

Daddy and daughter......

for some reason, the kids wanted to "sled" w/o
the sleds....weird...

I am NOT weird....

2007-02-18T20:16:00.000-08:00

but since I have been tagged by Gazelle girl,
here are 6 weird things about me...

1. I HATE wearing shoes, though I really love to buy them. I really try to wear them when I leave the house, but I still have ugly, callous covered feet from going barefoot too much.

2. my husband and I do not pee/poop/fart in the presence of each other. We don't think this is
weird, but I have been told by others that it is not "normal".

3. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE removing slivers from myself and others.

4. It drives me crazy when people sleep/nap in the living/family room where others are "living". This is why we have bedrooms with beds...........Or when people (husbands) fall asleep in front of the tv. If you are tired, just go to bed.

5. I go out of my way to avoid people I see at the store/park/pool that I went to school with. Some others I know will stalk (or call/email) them down to find out juicy gossip or whatever. Right, Carrie???
I just want to avoid them, which is hard when you live in your hometown.

6. I am really uncomfortable around old people and I never know what to say...

See, I am really not that weird! But here are some weirdos..........Carrie, (oops, just one weirdo)
I think everyone else has already been tagged..........

Snow day....

2007-01-16T12:56:00.000-08:00

Woke up to this...
It is awesome!!!!

We played for awhile, then came in and the kids had craft time while I scrapbooked. While I was making lunch for Brooke....she cut her hair. I may post a pic when I recover from the loss of her "finally long" hair. Now it will need to be chopped off, probably to her chin. Wonderful...and of course, I am being blamed since "she is too young for scissors".

OBVIOUSLY!!

Here's another pic of the birdies fighting for food in the snow. I like this one.

Oh, and I LOVE this neighborhood! Of course, there is no traffic, so neighbors are out pullingeach other on inner tubes with their ATVs. Can't do that in the city!!

Finally, something to BLOG.......

2007-01-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

from Sillypants

Available/Single? Nope

Best Friend? Of course. 2 counting my husband (awww)

Cake or Pie? cake

Drink Of Choice? Water, coffee, red wine

Essential Item You Use Everyday? BRA, lipstick

Favourite Colour? Green

Gummy Bears Or Worms? Bears

Hometown? Newberg, OR...lived here since I was 4. Born Simi Valley, CA

Where exactly? ????

Indulgence? Nachos

January Or February? February.....it's closer to Spring and the days are longer

Kids & Their Names? yes. Benjamin, Brooke, Willydog

Life Is Incomplete Without? My family, my friends

Number Of Siblings? Sister Brenda, steps-Danielle, Niki, Shaun, Mike

Oranges Or Apples? oranges

Phobias/Fears? Heights, snakes

Quote, Favorite? 'If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be fulfilled"....by ???

Reason to Smile? Sunshiney day, kids are having "quiet time", R is asleep

Tag Three People? Heidi, Gazelle girl, hmmmm only 2....

Unknown Fact About Me? I had never been in the hospital until I had Ben at 32.
The worst ailment I had was chicken pocs until having my gallbladder removed after he was born.

Vegetable you don’t like? Cooked carrots

Worst Habit? Procrastination.

X-rays You’ve Had? Just dental ones , I think.

Your Favourite Food? Pizza

Zodiac Sign? Gemini

This is all I've got...

2006-12-07T21:47:00.001-08:00

The posts have been few and far between..lots of shopping, activities, blah, blah, blah....But here's a little funnie for you all (if you are still even reading this blog)...

I sent the kids into the bathroom to brush their teeth before bed while I checked email on the computer in the next room.

Ben: hey Brooke, want to use the toothpaste I got from the dentist (he isn't happy with the new Bratz toothpaste we bought today)

Brooke: OK!!

Me: (in my head) That toothpaste is long gone...his last appt was July. Better check this out.

So I get up and walk to the bathroom as Ben is saying: "Hey, Mom, this toothpaste is clear" Check it out"

Me: "Um, that my dear, is NOT toothpaste! It is Preparation H and it is for your bottom when it gets swollen after you have a baby. Maybe you shouldn't brush your teeth with it"

We haven't laughed that hard for a long time....

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2006-11-22T17:29:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone out there has a safe, happy, friendly, food filled Thanksgiving tomorrow!!
I am just excited we are going out to dinner and doing dessert afterwards with the inlaws. Sounds nice and relaxing and absolutely no time spent in the kitchen. Yahoo!!!