Where have we been.....

I'm sorry it has yet taken me forever to update. Summer brings with it a garden that has taken up a chunk of my time- hence the blueberries (they have been AWESOME!)- visitors- both long term and short term- and no more preschool----so- we've been a little busy. I have a ton to post so I will get on it as soon as possible.

Craig's 40th

Craig and his sister Mandy- At one point poor Elliott thought that Craig was being hurt- he broke down crying. Pretty intense- sumo wrestling.

This was one of the little gifts within the present- all shrink wrapped inside of a bed pan.

Craig turned 40 last week. Man, my man is 40. I remember when my parents turned 40- I remember all to well thinking "oh boy- they are getting old- what am I going to do without my parents around?"- yeah- here I am- living it.

We had a surprise party for him. I can't believe that he had no idea we planned this party. I am the WORST at secrets. I kept wanting to tell him things and then I'd remember that it would ruin it- so in the end it worked out great. We rented the sumo suits- so funny to watch some of the people do it.

We have such good friends and family- two of Craig's sisters were able to travel to be here- it was a fun night. I have decided that I'd much rather go to a party than plan and host a party. I feel like I hardly saw anyone for more than a couple of minutes. Strange.

And lastly- we have some HILARIOUS friends- they know who they are- that put together the little lovely above- I mean- seriously! It was so funny. Later that night when Craig and I had time to talk- we pulled it out and laughed at all of the madness inside! Thanks guys- that will be the gift that keeps on giving- guaranteed. Craig led the group with one of the first 40's- wait and see what you all get from that package on your 40th.....

Thank you everyone- it was a really good time- honoring a really good guy.

Rockin' the 40

Happy 40th babe!

I am imagining if your thoughts on the future come true- about growing your beard out completely when you are old.......
How about you start that one when you are 80?

We hope it's the best one yet! You are the best!
We love you!

That's what he said

Today after getting a small lecture after bending the key to my ignition-

mom, you cut my heart in half with a knife

WHAT??
After saying sorry for being grumpy he told me-

my heart is still broken

THEN..
later tonight after talking about the moment with Craig-

I said I was sorry and she was still grumpy and it broke my heart

(tear, tear)- seriously- he knows how to pull on my heart strings like no one else.

That's what he said

Prayers the other night

...and please bless my family to get far away.

Interpreted to mean-
...and please bless my family that are far away.

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.

Ferocious

A few years ago I stocked up on the sales after Halloween of costumes- (99 cents these were!). The other day E says "mom, I need a good shield" what kid says that out of the blue? Well....come to think of it, humm, had a shield! What mom gets to say "okay, give me just a sec" and pulls out these beauties?

I was a hero- (for like 1 minute- but a hero nonetheless). These are our ferocious knight faces- and yes- the bulging neck muscles were just an added touch I mustered up for the photo.




Is this not the best "mean knight" face? We call it stink face- I catch him practicing his stink face in the rear view mirror sometimes and it is HILARIOUS!!! Sometimes I just say "gimme some stink face" just to be silly and get something WAY crazier than this. But today- he could not come up with anything more fericious. I adore this little stink face.

Yes, yes- the one above is a good one.

So worth every little penny and more. I love having things stashed away. And- being a hero. I don't feel like the hero very often so it felt damn good- even for 1 minute.

Totally random but I find that the words- damn, bastard, bloody, hell and cheeky have snuck their nasty little heads into my vocabulary as of late- in no particular order and not always together but sometimes a few of them find themselves placed every so nicely next to each other- not intended to offend- they just seem to fit in quite well with what I seem to be saying- well---and feeling at the moment.
Sorry mom. You know you love it- secretly... deep down- you say them too....
For some reason I'd rather hear Elliott say damn instead of crap any day or hell- wouldn't that be hilarious? He drops a bite on the floor... "oh hell mom"- Or- well- you get the point. I'd die laughing. If he only knew that I thought this, I can only imagine his fowl mouth- kidding, kidding. I save all of this for those above a certain age. Like you fine folks.
I said it was random.
I'm on one tonight.
Goodnight!

Something to say?

Shouldn't I have something to say by now? Cute little somethings? Of course- but to be completely honest I'm sick of most of the blah, blah, blah blogging on everyone's blogs. So I've assumed you all felt the same :-)!
Don't fret- I have my personal faves that will never be blah to me- but for some reason I've just had enough of a few of them! Don't worry- it's not yours!

Just had to get that off my chest.

Time flies....

I don't know where the time has gone lately. I don't find that we are totally busy or anything in particular- just living and moving along. Sorry that it has been so long.

Yesterday we found some quality time to take our superhero's out for some fresh air. Elliott has some of the craziest scenarios for his guys. I think yesterday Bizarro had "magnet power" and spider man had to lift a large building off with his "magnet power" also. It is crazy weird how fast time is flying with Elliott. It makes me rather sad actually.