13 years

 We had our 13th anniversary this year.  Where does the time go?  We decided to do a 'Staycation' style anniversary.  I'm a homebody these days.  We took one day and loaded up the bikes on the boat and went to Catalina Island.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day spent with the person I love the most.  Great anniversary, great weekend!

Fair

Growing up in Idaho the fair came around once a year for a week.  We looked forward to going to the fair, I remember being so bummed that it was there during the first week of school and so we'd either have to leave early to get home to bed or we'd stay late and be super sleepy the next morning.  I LOVED the fair as a kid.

Here in California the fair is here for a month (in the summer) and it's just down the street from us.  It is HUGE and full of all kinds of things to see and do.  We took the kids one night while Josh and Janae were here and then went to watch Bull Riding.  They had such a good time.  Elliott was loving the bull riding- but the best part was the motor crossers that came during the bull riding.  Can you see how stoked he is here that one of the guys made his jump free and clear?

Monday Madness

As I write this, it is the first day of school.  Booo.  That's all I have to say about that.  I'm not a big school fan.  I'd much rather play and have Elliott home all of the time.  I miss him far too much when he's at school.  Who needs an education anyway?  

This summer we had a BLAST.  I knew that if I didn't have things planned we'd sit around and wonder what to do each day- so I planned a whole bunch of stuff ahead of time.  Now, I got the impression from a few that I was crazy- (I won't necessarily object) HOWEVER- we had SO MUCH FUN this summer.  When you have only one child- life is different.  Very different.  There are no siblings to play with, no one around besides mom to chill with and be entertained by.  Don't get me wrong, we had PLENTY of down time- a perfect amount.

Anyway- amongst the fun we planned Monday Madness.  Elliot looked forward each week to what we would do next- here are a few- the first- Marshmallow War.  The kids had fun- they kept asking me "when is the war going to start" like I'm some sort of general.  I thought- give the kids marshmallow shooters, marshmallows and some time and they'll create their own war.  They had fun- but round two a few weeks later was better!

We had a Whip Cream War.  That was BY FAR THE BEST EVER.  The kids had the best time!  There was whip cream everywhere but fun was had by all.  The pool was a beautiful creamy blue color for the next week and the kids hair and clothes smelled like rotten milk until about the 3rd washing- but- it was FUN!

Monday Madness will be back next year for sure.

That's what he said

I wish we were Lego guys so we could just change our hair.
August 12, 2011

Catching up....

I've been 3 months behind- sorry!  I know most of you don't care what we did back in May, however, I print up my blog for me and for Elliott when he's older- it's the only journal I've been keeping, so please be patient with me!

Coopaliciousness

Space before we built and put in the coop.

Their living arrangements pre-coop.

Living arrangements post coop- before we opened it up completely (since they've grown larger- it's all open and they can access the run, etc.).

Isn't this GREAT?  It fits the space perfectly- they have a little run- they are mostly out in the yard 80% of the day (not all day yet, those hawks may still carry one off)- but when they are not, I don't feel so bad because they have some room to move.

We looked at pictures, decided what we liked and Craig drew up the plans and built it.  We're happy with the end result- so are the teenage chicks.

Swimming

Every year E's swimming ability gets better and his confidence grows.  Thanks to Janae for the beginnings of that......  This year he is all over the slide and jumping off the edges.  Next spot- off the waterfall!  Sweet guy.

Chick Lover

Our chicks are anything but chicks at this point.  Today Elliott asked me if they were "teenagers" now.  They are about double this size as I write this post- it's been so long.  We should have eggs in a month or so.  Time flies when you're having fun.  We spend so much time watching these crazy birds.

We've had quite the experiences with these little ladies.  I can't believe I like these birds.  I really do love them- well, most of the time.  I still don't love to hold them.  I LOVED holding them when they were little fluffy chicks.  Almost grown chicken holding is well, really, NOT comfortable.  Elliott is constantly asking me if I want to hold them.  It is so funny to me- he knows it's not my thing.  It is, however, his thing.  He is always to be found catching them and loving on them- it's hilarious.  He talks to them in a little voice and yells out "Giiiirrrrrls" when he walks outside.  Then they come running to see what he might have for them- when they see it's nothing they run away as fast as they can- once caught they succumb to the madness and loving that is Elliott.

My very favorite little chick (Butterscotch) was taken by a hawk, whilst we were upstairs.  It was a sad day.  I had to explain the circle of life and revenge all in one moment to E.  He said next time he "see's that hawk, I'm gonna shoot him down....".  A bit surreal to see a huge beautiful bird in your backyard exiting with one of your little baby chicks in it's claws!  Crazy, stinking bird.  

Anyway, I'll post some pictures of the coop when I get them.  Craig has done the BEST job on it- I am so proud of him.  He is so talented and so smart.  Along with multiple other perks- we never have to water the chicks, they are all hooked up to the sprinklers- it's rad- RAD.  What more can I say?

Yard Worker

These pictures are CLASSIC Elliott pictures.  He's a lover of extremes.  Craig was working on getting this planter ready for my garden (which I've killed already) and E wanted to join in on the fun.  He takes is exit- only to re-enter with all this garb on.  The best part for me is the t-shirt.  It just adds to the silliness that is my Elliott.  By the time he'd gotten himself all ready- there was about 20 minutes of work to be done- perfect.

Running

E and his cousin did a little run way back in May!  They had a great time and were so EXCITED to be there.  Can you tell from the picture above that E was excited?  Just a bit eh?  We are still rolling from this picture!  it looks like we superimposed him into it- we didn't.  He was just wearing the shirt from last years race while everyone else wore their shirts from this race.  How cute is it that they are all #1?

How great is it that these little people get to be running right along our beautiful ocean?  I forget sometimes how lucky we are to be living here- so close to so much beauty.

 Our cousin - Go Luke!

End of a great race, same place, same time- next year.

Summer Begins.....

The Summer of 2011 has begun- first with a visit from Grandma Lauralee and the start of another summer with Josh and Janae staying with us (for a month).  

We had a great time with my mom.  She helped me plant a garden that I killed in 1 weeks time (I'm blaming it on my brilliant self deciding to plant it right next to some established trees.....) and she had a great time playing with the kids and doing little things to help both Shelly and I out.  It is always so nice to have her in town, we REALLY miss her when she is gone.  We need to figure out a way to keep her here!

Triathlon

 

  Just checking on the competition!

E did a kids triathlon with some of his friends and his cousins around Memorial Day.  They all had such a good time, they went around the course for a 2nd time.  E loved every part of it- in fact we are talking about doing a triathlon birthday party.  Should be interesting!

That's what he said

Whilst licking a knife-

It's a good thing we have tongues.

Saturday

Spring soccer season has come and gone.  We just finished our last game on Saturday!  Where in the world did that time go?  E LOVES soccer.  He loves being part of a team and he is pretty unselfish when it comes to the ball.  We'll see how long that lasts.  Whoever wants the ball, he is more than happy to give the ball.  He is funny!  He loves to be the one to do the corner kicks or throw-ins.  Next season we will have goalies- 

he is really looking forward to that.

  

 I couldn't help but put a couple more tooth shots.  Apparently, as I was wrapping my sweater around E I knocked his tooth out.  Darn!  I was so sad- 

Not at all sad!  Seriously- it's time for this protruding guys to exit.

We went to a youth auction at our church and picked up these beauties.  E wore his the next day- almost all day.  He kept saying things like 
" Dad is this what it feels like to have a mustache?".