That's what he said

I can't help myself on this one-

Yesterday we were discussing rhyming words- E and I are working on rhyming words with our little home school stuff and we were all practicing.

Craig says- How about Zurbert?

E says- Pervert, that rhymes with zurbert.

Well- yes it does- he has no idea what pervert is- it was pretty great.

I LOVE....

this time of year!

(no, not a picture from here- it's Southern California-
just different season changes here!)

That's what he said

When I'm 10 I'm going to juggle fire...

(seconds later- I can totally tell he is thinking about what he just said)

When I'm 10 I'm going to juggle fire- with dad when he is close beside me.

Cousins

Sophia - Sept 15, 2009 2:05am
1 pound 10 ounces, 13 inches

Lukas - Sept 15, 2009 2:26am
1 pound 10 ounces, 14 inches

My cousins Jake and Lacie just had these two sweet little babies. They were born at 27 weeks. As you all know- that is NOT the right time for babies to be born.

You can see their personal story at http://bastowmiraclebabies.blogspot.com It is quite amazing and they are still really struggling to keep these babies here on this earth. If you can or want to donate any money to help them out there is a way- one of my other cousins (who have been through similar circumstances and found themselves struggling to pay medical bills) have set this amazing thing up! Please keep them in your prayers. These truly are little miracle babies!

3D Book

Josh and Janae sent E a little birthday package with a bunch of stuff- one of which was a 3D Shark book. Thank you guys! You are missed! We love you!

Last few days....

This summer we have spent some QUALITY TIME in the pool. Elliott has learned to swim and he is getting pretty good at it. The actual swimming came first with a pair of regular goggles. He would put his head under water with the goggles on- then became more confident- then became a swimmer. Well- as of recent he has discovered the snorkel gear. He first was interested and stoked about the mask- then this last week he decided he wanted to try the snorkel. He's pretty good at it- he snorkels around and tries his best to "talk" to us through it. He thinks we can hear and understand whatever he says- but we can't. I love it. The summer swim days are coming to and end- it was a GOOD SUMMER!

Blue Dragons

Well, I am officially a soccer mom. I never thought I'd like it as much as I do. Elliott LOVES playing soccer- his enthusiasm is contagious. He makes me so excited just to sit there and watch him run around! Here are the things I've spotted on the field the last two games from my "Blue Dragon"-
-as the ball was right under his feet- in perfect position to be kicked by him- he jumps over it while looking at us- huge proud grin on face while waving.
-chatting it up and making friends with the other team- while he should be playing.
-squatting in position- but on the opposite side of the field where the action is- all by himself.
-a very PROUD little SOCCER player.

5

Elliott turned 5 with a science party. Everyone had little lab coats, goggles, name tags and we all participated in multiple science experiments- volcanoes, geysers, toothpick towers, etc. I think they all had a good time- I know that Elliott was stoked because he has been into science more than ever since we had Josh and Janae living with us (ie- science experts). He chose the theme- he is VERY into SCIENCE. He talks as if he and Bill Nye the Science Guy have a personal relationship. The other morning as I expressed to him that I wasn't breathing as well as I'd like to be that morning he said- "mom, Bill Nye told me that if you breathe with your diaphragm you can breathe better." He is always pulling a "well, Bill Nye told me...". I love it- he is learning a lot and loves to learn.

Help

If you know of anyone who is looking for the most WONDERFUL family to place their baby with- please pass along this information. It has their contact information right on there- with links to their profile and details about how FABULOUS they are!
Adoption can change lives- Craig, Elliott and I are livng proof of the sweet miracle of adoption!

Happy Birthday Elliott!

sweet
hilarious
smart
curious
gentle
stubborn
kind
inquisitive
crazy
ambitious
silly
friendly
cautious
thoughtful
imaginative
ours

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY SWEET ELLIOTT!!!
Rock on, hang loose, we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you!

59

These three crazies- want to say...

Hip

Hip

Hooray!

Happy Birthday Papa Mark! We love you!

That's what he said

A few days ago E and I got into a little fender bender- well- a girl decided to back up into us. No big deal, car is already fixed and we were totally fine.

However, I question my sons strange need for revenge-

Mom, let's just go ram back into her and hit her car....

(all with complete and utter innocence and questioning....)

That's what he said

While cutting for our letter of the week- C- and with complete frustration...

My scissors don't listen to me- they don't keep on track!

Eleven

August 1 was eleven years of marriage for Craig and I.
I couldn't be more happy with my life with Craig.
Yes, 11!

Mondo Waves

A crazy swell from Tahiti came our way and these sick waves were the result. It was incredible. The surfers and boogie/body boarders were crazy.

Elliott loves this weird book called "Rhinos that Surf"- it's very strange and full of all this surfer lingo. He was cracking us up while we watched the waves.

Mom, did you see that mondo wave- was that a mondo wave?

Dad, was that guy in the green room?

Morning fun

This morning Elliott decided to play dolls.
Kenyon my niece has a little box of polly pockets, little house, and barbies that she keeps here. Every so often E likes to get them out and play with them.
I was surprised that this morning he'd remembered asking me last night if he could play them when he woke up.
So- we got them out- took them outside and played for 20 minutes or so. Got them dressed, bought some candy from the candy store and played with a little crocodile that was inside the box.
I started to wonder if E was going to be the doll kind of boy. Not too worried- but my mind wondered for a moment.

Then-

Mom- I'll be right back, I have to get a few things.

5 minutes later he surfaces again- with---

2 toy handguns completely intact and his dog "Rogue".

There, that's better- let's play.

Dolls and guns. He's such a boy- but a cool boy that can still indulge his momma with a few girly things- once in awhile.

My guy-

Never a dull moment with my little man. He says:

Mom, maybe tomorrow or some day I could shave your head.

Sunscreen Information

I keep having people ask me which sunscreens we use- then they tell me they have the hardest time finding one they feel like is trustworthy and okay for daily use.

I have enjoyed taking time to read many things from the Environmental Working Group. Every year they come up with a list of sunscreens- good and bad and tell you what is in them that you want to avoid, etc. They also have other lists on different products (beauty and others) for your viewing. You can even find a water quality report for your area within the scope of their site. Don't be too overwhelmed- the site is massive and one could spend all day reading up on different things-- take is slowly and find things that matter the most to you.

I find it interesting that so many "green" people are so worried about protecting the earth and they seem to not care that much about their bodies- I think we need to start with us first- taking care of our bodies and doing right be them first- then take the next steps to work on the world around us!

Enjoy!

Sunscreens

The last few months in a nutshell-

We spent the day of Craig's 40th at DL. A good time was had by all!

Elliott and Craig got me some rad pots and plants for Mother's Day. They both worked very hard putting in a little self-watering system. I LOVE MY PLANTS.

My brother Josh and his wife Janae moved in with us for the summer. They needed a change of pace and some different jobs- so we told them to head on down. We have loved having them here...so far. Kidding! They are awesome with E and fun to have around.

About the same time that J and J moved in- so did these lovely little birds. As most of you that know me well know that I do not fancy birds all that much. However, I've quite become a lover of the pretty sounds I get to hear all of the time and the beauty of some of the birds that fly in and out of my yard. These guys were in our banana tree right outside our sliding door in the kitchen- we could watch them come and go all day. I belive they are North Golden Finches or something similar. Anyway- it has been so much fun watching the two parents take turns with the nest- feeding the birds and keeping watch on the nest from various parts of the yard. Now, I am loving paying attention to some of the other birds in the area- I know, nerd alert.

E ended his last days at this particular pre-school. We are hiding behind the hat because he was having a rough time- he is such a sensitive little soul. He was sad to say goodbye to some of his buddies and teachers. He has loved this pre-school.

E started a little tennis class that has now ended but we plan on picking back up in August. He really enjoyed it- he quite loves the sport of tennis. Who knew? He's pretty good too. The first day he was a little bothered that "Coach Randy" didn't let them "play tennis". He wanted to "play tennis".

We've been into science this summer. Totally into different aspects of science. It has been fascinating for us all. I couldn't help myself when I saw the safety goggles at the dollar store- Elliott wears them to eat corn on the cob once in awhile. I have a feeling you will be seeing the goggles quite often this summer.

I had some allergy testing done on myself to see if eliminating some foods in my diet would help with my breathing. I found out that I have some intolerances to a few different foods. Wheat being one of the main ones. So- why this picture? I have found myself spending way more time in the kitchen. Elliott (he has a wheat intolerance also) and I have both now pretty much eliminated wheat from our diets (not easy). So- along with weekly get togethers, trying to keep my sweet guy from feeling too different than everyone else, and summer outings- I have been working hard creating wheat free things. I'm getting pretty good. I plan on posting a few of my recipes and finds as of late one of these days....

We had a little church activity and the kids were suppose to dress up like their favorite scripture hero. E had a hard time deciding. He is into these guys (I'm so glad)- he decided that Ammon would be the hero of choice. Little did he know that a good friend of ours was doing a big story/play/interpretation of Ammon's story and needed a volunteer to play Ammon. E was STOKED! He was so PROUD to be Ammon and get to reinact the story. It was such a good day for my little guy.

Rockets and experiments have been on the adgenda every single day. "Something to do with these goggles- hummm." So far, so good. Nothing blown up or broken- yet. I know he is 4 but do you know my husband and his family?

Lazy days of pool fun and beach fun. Man, we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area! Our little mini-paradise on earth. Seriously! The beach is so close- the weather is fabulous. We can't complain!

Sweet Kenyon was baptised last Friday. I can't belive how fast these last 8 years have flown by. And what better picture could I possibly have? This is our "everyday" crew.
We are so proud of this little lady!

4th of July- this was our view! Is it not spectacular? I do not take for granted the things I have been blessed with- especially my freedom, my country and the beautiful land that I live in. Having Elliott around and explaing to him why we celebrate Independance Day has been awesome. It has given me many moments to just think about my blessings and my country.

Lastly- (for now- who knows could be a few months the way I've been going lately...)- We took this picture last night-we took some of our wedding photos here almost 11 years ago.
In August I get to celbrate 11 years with this sweet man. I consider myself the luckiest.


Sorry it has taken me forever to get some posts up- mostly sorry to my family. This is the best way they see these things! I'll try to get back on my schedule! Having Josh home from his mission this last year has thrown off my weekly update that I'd do for him.
I will try to get back on that schedule!