We have been busy, busy, busy over the past week or so. The sad side of it, is that we've been busy doing things you probably wouldn't think were very exciting. I've been in meetings for the past two weeks and trying to set up my classroom on the side, while Jess has been doing his thing and working some overtime. The only downside to all the trainings (which they have been very informative by the way, so it's not as if they're the pointless revisit the same thing for the millionth time - very good stuff to know) is that I am a morning person. By the time the afternoon rolls around and things wind up, I am shot. I am ready to go home and play with my boys. I am easily distracted and don't get much accomplished in the late afternoon. I am such a morning person it's not even funny.

I am close to being ready for the first day of school, but I have more things that I want to put up in my room and get things laid out and really ready for the first week. At this point, I still have things to put away! I have piles of curricula sitting all over my room while I've been going through it and trying to organize. Yeah....I think I've made a bigger mess. My goal for today and tomorrow is to get everything accomplished and ready to go. :) I CAN DO IT!

Other than that, we're looking forward to taking Eli to his first Cougar game this weekend. We got him a jersey and let me just say how stinkin' cute he is in it! GAME DAY is in 2 more days! FUN! We are very excited to see everyone, and Don! It's been way too long.

The past weekend

Before my post about our weekend, I wanted to send many warm wishes, prayers, and thoughts to my cousin, his wife, and daughter. They had a beautiful little girl, Samantha, this morning at 5:25. Samantha weighed in at 2lbs 15oz. They were able to spend an hour with their beloved little girl before she passed away. They were blessed to spend that hour with their little girl. If you could include them in your thoughts and prayers to help guide them through this difficult time, I know they would appreciate any kind words you have. They are strong in their faith and could really use some guidance and strength right now.

Raleigh, Anna & Macy - We love you all and are here for you in any way we can be.




We went to Warrenton this last weekend to see some of Jess's family. While we were there we took Eli out to the beach to see the Pacific Ocean for the first time. We went down last summer, but it was so windy and rainy we never did make it out to the water. This time it was foggy and cold so we were only out for a few minutes but didn't get any pictures. We know he was there! On Saturday before we came home, we went to Fo.rt C.lats.op where Lewi.s and Cl.ark had one of their forts along the Co.lumb.ia Riv.er. (In case you're wondering about the random periods - it's so the blog doesn't come up in searches done online. Who knows - a trick I learned from my nifty friend KC!) Eli really enjoyed sitting on the porch and waving at cars/trucks as they drove by. I'm not sure what he thought was more humorous though, actually waving at the cars going by or the fact that we were all waving at the cars going by. At any rate, he LOVED it.

Laughing at the cars


Jess's Mom and Lacy


Our shadows in the river: Eli, Jess, me, Shelley


My cute little family


My boys. I love them so much!


Me and Shelley - she's a great M-I-L


Daddy and Eli hiking


Nana, Daddy, and Eli


Us again at Ft. Cla.tsop

Backyard fun

Ok, the Backyardigans has to be the greatest kids show ever. Eli loves it. When they sing he is so into it, claps, and "sings" along. Way too stinkin' cute. We have it Tivo'ing at 4:30 every morning so we can watch it later.

Fun.

Thanks for the recommendation McColley! :)

Summer Countdown Has Begun

I started this whole blogging thing splendidly, however, I am really lagging in the posting aspect of things. I love reading everyone else's posts, and when you don't post in a while I find myself wondering what's been going on. "What are they doing? I bet there's going to be a great post about what's been going on in their lives." Then I think, "Woah...I hope they aren't thinking that about us!" HAHA

We've actually kept pretty busy around here since we got back from our Spokane trip, although, except for seeing the Maguires, we haven't really done a whole lot. Our fabulous friends, whom we have missed terrible since they moved cross country, were out for her sister's wedding. We got to see them at a birthday party for Mac. How in the world this little boy will be two in a matter of days (3 of them to be exact), I don't know. That means in 4 months and 4 days Eli will be 2....and in 3 months, less one day, Forest will be 2. Our trio of boys are getting so big! It's cliche' but, man, time sure is flying by.

I'm sad the picture I got of KC was less than desirable, so I am going to save her and not post it. Oddly enough, I didn't take very many pictures while we were there - which is SO unlike me. I am typically hiding behind my camera. I didn't even get any pictures of the boys playing together. How is that possible?!?! I borrowed this one from Katharine - thanks!


We've played outside, inside, and everywhere in between. Literally. Eli has decided that the lazy-susan corner cabinet was a great new hiding place - for himself and his trucks.


I've also been working on a few projects. I am working on a design for a lunch bag. I have one completed, but totally changed the pattern and am going to add some elastic on the inside to hold silverware - and am thinking about a water bottle. I'm not sure about the waterbottle since they come in so many different sizes. Now that I think about it more, probably just for silverware and a little pocket. I am also going to add a button close (elastic to stretch around it) again, I'm still working on this idea. My second project is a pair of denim capris. I got a pattern for this so it's not all me. I started working on them last night, but haven't finished them yet. And my final project was the bathtub faucet. The builders put in this horrible little plastic handle thing that has to be replaced every year. When it broke again yesterday, I decided I'd had enough. I bought a nice Moen one, however the pin (I don't know what else to call it - some little part on the inside of the mechanism) is the wrong size and to get that to fit you have to completely change some of the piping - yeah, not going to do that. At least not without my dad's help! :) I'm really bummed it didn't work out - 1) I hate the plastic thing, and 2) I had to go back to the store at 6:45 to get the plastic parts so Eli could have a bath last night before bed! Here is my first attempt at a lunch bag and my last blanket - I love the construction fabric!


In other news, this is my last week of summer vacation. Next week I have new-hire trainings 3 days, the other two I desperately need to go in and get my classroom up to par. I have unpacking to do and of course getting ready for the first day of school! So much to do! Maybe Eli and I will go in at some point this week to work.

Yesterday we had a lot of fun playing together. After his snack, which he decided on lemon yogurt, he was in a fabulous mood so he and I had to take a picture of ourselves (further justifying the camera situation). I love this kid more than anything! He's such a sweetheart - even though he has hit some of the dreaded "Terrible Two" moments. We deal with these as they arise....
At my baby shower before Eli was born, Jess's mom brought over the cross that was hanging in his room as a kid. We totally forgot about it and I ran across it the other day. I decided to surprise Jess and hung it up in Eli's room.

Spokane, Summer '08

We took a few days and went to Spokane to see Jess's family. We had a great time and got to meet our niece, Brooklynn. Instead of posting individual pictures, I thought I would try something new. Of course, I have a ton more pictures that I could share, and still might, but here is what I have so far. :)

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

I'm really sad we didn't get to see Jeremy and Claire or Brandon and Lindsay. We had both hoped to get together with you guys. Soon!

A New Spin on Lunch (and my masterpiece - I added more)

I don't know about you, but I often find myself asking Eli the same questions repeatedly during any meal:

"Are you done?"
and
"Do you want down?"

There's something about a toddler and their food that just because they are not eating, doesn't mean they are actually finished. Heaven forbid if you get them down before they are truly finished either. Yeah....that doesn't always go over well. Today, Eli insisted on having his car with him while he ate. It was a great prop and added to my questioning. Here is roughly the last 10 minutes or so of lunch today, and yes, it is a photo commentary (and a little reading into what he's was really thinking). How else can you describe this scene?

Me: Eli, how's your lunch? Are you finished?
Eli: No.
Me: Do you want down?
Eli: NO! (Can't you see the fork? I'm still EATING!)



Me: Eli, it looks like you're playing. Are you finished with your lunch?
Eli: No.
Me: Do you want down?
Eli: Nooooo. (I'm feeding the passengers in my car, can't you tell?)



Me: Eli, you have quite the mess. Are you ready to get down now?
Eli: NOOOOOOOO. (And if you ask that question one more time, Mom, I swear, I can, and will make today miserable for you. No, go. Leave me to my passengers.)



Me: Eli, I think you're done. Let's get down.
Eli: Yeah. (I'm done. Take this pea laden car away from me. I need a nap.)



Ahhhhh, yes.

Today is also Liam's last day over here for the summer. We've had fun. Eli and Liam have had a blast playing together and enjoying our summer (where's the summer weather?). Both kids have runny noses today, but here is a picture for our final summer '08 day together.


*****************EDIT*****************


Ok, so most of you know I have some sewing capabilities and do random little things here and there. Blankets, sheets, pirate costumes, whatever tickles my fancy. Well, I just finished my latest....concoction(?).....project....yet this time added an extra degree of difficulty. Our fabulous neighbor, G, was to be the target in a dunk tank today and wanted to carry out the theme of the event and wear a turn of the century swim suit. Unfortunately, neither of us could find the right pattern for this or even a place to buy one online/costume store/etc. Using a t-shirt and pair of shorts he had, I created something similar. The fabric was definitely eye-catching as it was bright, bright orange, but I guess it was a major hit. People were stopping him and asking for pictures with him. The legs are a little wide, but we were cutting it short on time and he was very pleased with them. I was able to get pictures of him this evening when he picked Liam up (thanks again for wearing it over G-Dogg). Keep in mind, this is after the event so it's all chlorinated and whatnot.

It's been a while since I last blogged, we haven't been too busy the last few weeks, but I figure I should update anyhow.

Oliver has been a pill lately. Whenever we left (yes, this even involves just leaving the room to go to the bathroom or upstairs for a minute) his little beagle nose would get him in serious trouble. He would climb on the back of the couch, venture on to the counter and start grubbing on that was left on the counter. Not that we often left food out, but if there was anything on a plate in the sink, or a pan that was too hot to wash, this little thing was chowing down. So, we pulled the crate out and Ollie is crated anytime we go outside: to play, to get the mail, or when we aren't home. He's actually doing a great job with it. I thought he would be putting up more of a fight, but he is being quite cooperative. Eli truly loves the crate too. We've known about his obsession with crates since before he could walk. He loved(s) getting in and out of Marco's crate-one of my parents beagles-heck anyones would do. Here he is having a fabulous time inside Oliver's crate.

Oliver doesn't quite know what to think about Eli being in his crate. He's just sitting back and waiting for him to get out. Oh, and because you're wondering, Eli closes the gate on his own. We do not lock him in there!
I had to prove one more time that Eli really is my son too and he did get something from me. Whenever anyone sees Eli, their first comment is always "Wow, he looks just like his Daddy." I am totally ok with this, but every once in a while would be nice to hear he has something of mine. We have all seen Eli's hilarious little "cheeseball" face, if you don't remember, look at some of my early posts. One day I decided to cheeseball with him, and CLEARLY he has my mouth. It is a dorky picture, but hey, he looks like me! hee hee
The other morning I realized how big he is getting. Not thinking about it, I was giving him his breakfast when it dawned on me. He was sitting at the table. Eating a bowl of cereal. Drinking milk out of a cup. This is what happens when he keeps giving his goofy cheeseball grin and I ask him to smile normal. What a cutie!

Today we went to the Red Hook Brewery, had lunch and did the tour with my parents and an old family friend. Not old as in age, but she and my mom were best friends when they were in school. They grew up together in MT and have been friends ever since (seriously, they've known each other for 54 years. Now THAT is a friendship!). First, Eli ate like a champ at lunch, and had a good time weaving in and out of our legs and going back and forth during the tour. You would have thought he had some beer while we were there, of course he didn't. He was just in a fabulous mood and was having a super time with "Gaampah" and "Gaamma".

Daddy and Eli are checking out the brewery.
Us at the end of the tour.
My Dad, Becky, and Mom. What silly kids. :)
Playing at the brewery.
Me and my sweet boy during the tour.

What a great day (two weeks)!