That's what he said

Never a dull moment- as matter of fact as could be-

When I grow up into a daddy, I want to drive a school bus.

Visit with GmaLee and Uncle Speny

My mom and brother were in town the last week. We had a great time- fun filled. The kids haven't spent this much time with each other in such a long time- and loved almost every minute of the fun.

We took a little train ride to a petting zoo (poor dear animals- mauled by thousands of children)- kids loved the ride.

Grandmalee sporting a trucker hat- sheik.

Then we were blessed with some hot days- so we loaded up and went to the beach. I love living here. A day does not go by when I am not grateful for this place.
Thanks for coming guys- we really appreciate you both!

Getting bigger

Garage sale purchase- $15
Keeping up with dad on bike rides and feeling like a big boy- priceless
Mom waving and clapping while I rode down the road with dad- not yet embarrassing

Don't you hate it when....

it's April and it's normally in the 60's and it is in the 90's?

I must admit- it was AWESOME!
We get so spoiled sometimes- everyone here freaks out when it rains "storm watch 2009...." or if it's too hot "global warming...."- I love weather. I love when it changes and it makes for a fun day with people we love! Thanks for the visit Mom and Uncle Speny! The hot day wouldn't have been as enjoyed as it without you here!

Craig came home and a little water balloon fight ensued- it was so fun watching these novices- they hardly hit anyone- just the grass and the cement- so worth watching. They had the BEST TIME!!!

Petting Zoo Maddness

Pictures to come another night-
Lately Elliott has been killing me with his hilariousness- I think I will remember the things he says and then Craig and I will be laying in bed chatting and I will be trying to remember all the funny things E said or did that day and I had forgotten exactly- so today write this one down...
Nathan my nephew and Elliott together sometimes are a comedy show- complete with stunts- acrobatics and interesting thoughts....

Petting Zoo- lots of Guinea pigs and rabbits at our feet- EVERYWHERE- let's just say I do this for the love- I do not like little pets like this.
Anyway- digressing as usual- I look down to see a guinea pig with blood dripping out of his nose- Elliott notices too and starts to be concerned- (yes, this is the same boy who tries to "move" the little critters with his FEET so he can get a better angle to pick them up and squish their bellies....while trying desperately to hold them on his lap while gently stroking them with his cheek and saying in a high pitched voice "Ooooooo".

Oh mom, he is bleeding, poor guy.

(Nate my cute nephew approaches to see what the commotion is about)

Nate: Oh- Elliott that's not blood, it's jam.

Mom, it's not blood, it's raspberry jam, he's fine.

Well, problem solved. Later- petting zoo people were glad to know guinea pig was hurt- I mean- smeared with raspberry jam from who knows where?

Easter

E got a new white hat- I thought it was a perfect Easter hat- he is so good about hats. He knows it is either a hat or sunscreen. I am stoked he picks hats- I hate sunscreen too.

I remember growing up and my mom always making us have new clothes for Easter- and then taking pictures together. I loved that- so Elliott got some new Easter clothes and we attempted a family photo- yes, my eyes are a little blinky- oh well.

Kenyon, Nathan and Collin

Sweet Baby Collin

Elliott and Luke- man, these cars never get old- they are the gift that has kept on giving.

Beautiful Etta Jane

We had a really lovely Easter. We went to a church Easter party on Saturday and then to church on Sunday. Later that day we went over to Craig's parents and had a little Easter egg dying and hunting party. The older the kids get the more fun it is to watch the excitement. It is infectious.

After the big download, over half of my pictures are blurry- I was playing around with my camera and messed with some of the settings (okay- truthfully? Elliott was playing with my camera (there were like 200 pictures I had to delete that he had taken- of the floor, shadows, random people's feet, etc.) and a bunch of stuff was all whacked. I wish I had more!

Easter to come...

I'm so behind on everything- sorry. We had such a nice Easter weekend- I will post all the fun stuff this week.

What the heck with the Easter Bunny? I've got issues with the bunny. Does anyone know how that came about?

Tomatoes

Have you seen this comercial? Well- I thought they looked dreadful but liked the idea. Craig is ALWAYS a champ and a believer in my crazy ideas and dreams.

I love growing my own food- LOVE it- last year- thanks to my little bout of a strange cold that wouldn't go away- and then turned into pneumonia- I missed the whole planting season. I was really sad about that- so I am stoked that we already have this going! I wanted to try the whole upside down plant idea- I'd read some pretty cool things about them- and I liked the thought of not going outside daily to stake my tomato plants- so we got to it.

Not quite as ugly- not beautiful either- however, they will be totally beautiful when I want a fresh tomato and I open my sliding door walk 3 feet and pick one! Totally stoked!
I have 3 different tomato plants- 1 large orange heirloom, 1 cherry tomato heirloom, 1 roma tomato, 1 cucumber and a nice little herb pot!

My mom is in town this week and I am going to have her help me plant the rest of my garden. Our gardens growing up in Idaho were awesome. I totally took them for granted.

I've got E all excited to plant seeds and watch them grow. We've got:
pumpkins, beans, corn (could be interesting), peas, some more cucumbers (I figured out a few months ago that we spend about $40 bucks a month on cucumbers- E loves cucumbers- he eats them whole- funny guy.)- and some random bug repellent flowers to go around the garden.

And- can I say that Craig is AWESOME! I come up with the crazy idea and he helps me get it all together and make it work. I'll keep you all posted.

Sunday Hike

Left the house in his rain galoshes- Craig and I asked multiple times if he was sure he wanted to "hike" in rain boots. Of course he did. We got about 2 feet from the car and changed shoes.

E was a man on a mission. Too bad we never found exactly what we were looking for.

A few weeks ago we decided to go on a treasure hunt that just kind of turned into a hike. It was a beautiful day- perfect rather.

Lord of the Rings

Every other week or so Elliott goes to TOWN going through the adult games (sounds a little wrong- but get your minds out of the gutter- just not kid games- that's all.)

As of late his personal favorite is this- Risk- Lord of the Rings style. It is pretty hilarious- we sit with our morning smoothies and set up our armies. He likes to throw his men at mine and knock mine all down- then they have to be put away- HOWEVER- when it is my turn to take out his army I am NOT allowed to knock 1 single piece of his down. Most of the time I don't but sometimes on accident (hardly)- I knock a few down. He gets so fired up, it is so well worth it.

Then after the battle that he always wins- we sit and talk about it- it being the box. We have talked about the box a countless number of times. He wants to discuss the characters and if they are good or bad, who they are fighting, why they are fighting, who wins the gold ring (yes, the Risk game comes complete with the ring of power.) It is so exciting for him to just imagine this scene I set before him- and the best part? He says-

Mom, can I watch this sometime?

Yes, sometime you will be able to watch these movies.

When I am bigger?

Yes

When I am 5?

Probably when you are like 12.

Dad- Guess what? I get to watch this movie when I am 12!!!!

No clue that 12 is quite awhile away!

Love this boy!

That's what he said

Trying to get Elliott to try eating something new.

Does this make us pop into heaven? It won't make me die?

A few days earlier I had said "oh, Elliott you have to try these raspberries- they are soooo good- I've died and gone to heaven." It took me awhile to figure this one out- then after we talked it over- it rang a bell.

Note to self: Terrifying thing to say to a 4 year old- especially if I want him to try something new.