Admiralty Head Lighthouse

Part of our camping trip was going to see Admiralty Head Lighthouse. The boys were SO excited to show their grandpa this lighthouse. They know their Grandpa LOVES lighthouses and collects lighthouse things. It was nice to see my boys taking an interest in someone else and their interest instead of themselves. Warmed my heart.

So here is the lighthouse. A closer shot of the, well...the lighthouse part. I'm sure there is a proper name for that part but I don't know what.

The climb up the lighthouse...Ian, Grandpa and Lee along with Frank (and possibly Dru) braved the steep, winding flight of stairs up. I did it once pregnant with Eli and that was enough. Trying to go down those steps was something else when you can't see your feet and where they are going.So Grandma and I, along with Eli stayed behind so that we could wave up at them. I was surprised that the picture turned out so well behind the glass.

(notice my knees look very nice here...a shot before I found the pothole)

I think Grandpa had a good time at the lighthouse...he bought a poster and a hooded sweatshirt for Grandma. I'm glad we had the opportunity to go camping with Frank's family. Especially since my boys would get their grandparents all to themselves. I think it's important that they get their own time with them along with when we do big family functions too. They were so excited.

Update: On Great Grandma. She seems to be doing better. They, the Dr's, decided to shock her heart in hopes that it would make her heart get back into proper rhythm. They did that today and so far so good. Still not sure when she'll be out but at least that's good news instead of the alternative. Thank your for your continued prayers.

M.I.A

Well...Frank got off and into Detroit for his class this week. I'll be perfectly honest with you guys. I was fine with him leaving and had no qualms with him being gone for a week. That is, up until he got in his truck and pulled out of the driveway. THEN I was not OK with it. All I could think while he was driving away was...wait a second I'm not OK with this! I take it all back!!! COME BACK!!!

But alas...that is not to be. So in Detroit he will be for a week and when he comes back we'll be gone on a camping trip. I felt bad for Ian tonight...he started crying after saying prayers over the phone with his dad. I thought the kids would be OK, I was wrong! Ian was crying pretty hard. I had that totally wrong! I felt so bad. So after another talk with his dad he was better, but I have a feeling this could be a really long week until Thursday when we go camping and he'll have other things to think about. Like how to keep up with his older and favorite buddy...

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Here's hoping the kids and I make through the week alive and in one piece!!!

Remodeling

Sssssooooooo....for the last two days I've had a door in my kitchen that won't open. It's one of my pantry doors. Kinda important...well in my book anyway. Between Frank and I we have not been able to get it open. We tried everything...we just couldn't get it. Welllll come to find out the geniuses that put the door together put the door knob on...did it backwards!! Thank you very much folks! So...check out the video to see what we did and just get a picture in your mind of what kind of remodeling is going to be the next 'big' thing! Trust me, you'll all be jealous and want kitchens JUST like mine!

I have a prayer request...Frank's Grandma is in the hospital and is not doing well. She has been diagnosed with Congestive Heart failure and Pulmonary Hypertension...and now today they found a blood clot in her heart and have given her medicine to dissolve the clot. She's not doing well and is weak. I know she wants to come home and Grandpa does too. The two of them really thought yesterday they were going home but it didn't happen because of the blood clot. It's really scary and mind boggling how a healthy woman for the most part got hit and hit hard out of no where. So if you all wouldn't mind, could you please keep her and Grandpa in your prayers. I know I would appreciate it. Thank you!

I hope everyone has a good weekend...tomorrow Frank leaves for a week to take a class in Detroit for work. It will be hard on both of us but we can do it...if you don't hear from me in a timely manner...be worried :)

Ft. Casey

On our camping trip last weekend I might have mentioned that we spent the day at Ft. Casey. Well at least a good portion of the day. We walked all over and explored new things we hadn't seen before when we were there last. It was very fun! and I think everyone had a great time...well not everyone. Eli...well he was being himself...he had to be carried every where and if you tried to make him walked he howled like I was making him walk with a broken leg. I'm that kind of momma!

Here are a few photos from our day there and in no particular order either. And this is a overload of photos. Enjoy!

Eli and I in a bunker. Our final stop was the lunch table. What a spread we had! Frank's mom brought some of the best cherries I've had in awhile....yummy!
Lee was in one of his moods. I tell you that kid...*shaking my head*. Doesn't pick his times quite well. Love that boy but one of these days I'm going to figure out how to use his 'power' for goodWe were here 2 years ago at this spot and the last time I was pregnant with Eli. Eli of course wouldn't get in the shot. Maybe next summer. (you think these kids need sunglasses or something) Grandpa and Eli at the beach. I just like these kinds of pictures

This picture cracks me up. I ask for a picture and I get Frank and his mother and his dad is busy texting. Sign of the times I tell ya!

Dru and Lee with their pretend guns. Goofy boys!

Gotcha!

Whatcha looking at? Nah...we were all looking out at the ocean...what a beautiful sight to see! I love the ocean. I could look and listen all day to the ocean.

A fortress someone made...I was amazed at how many there really were on the beach.

Frank and his boys throwing rocks in the ocean. Boys will be boys!

We had a good day at Ft. Casey. Walked around until we saw all we wanted to see (we'll be back again to see more, we still haven't seen all we want to see there, somehow we manage to miss a chunk of it).

20+

Today was Mayhem and it ensued today! Not in a bad way though...a good way. The mom's group I'm in, MOPS, is getting ready for our annual garage sale this weekend. It is one of our big fundraisers of the year. And because I am who I am, I would rather not unpack and unload the garage we have all our stuff in. And if I did that I would have to bring with me my 4 angels to this thing and do it. So I would rather just stay at home and watch my kids and other people's kids so I don't have to. And that's what I've done, this year and last. Much more my speed! This year we had at least 20 or more for the better part of the day. Which sounds like a lot but I had at least 4 that were 8 so it was bad at all. So here is some of our day.

Girls!! We had girls at OUR house!!! It was sooo cool! Snack time!

This was the end of the day and we were winding down in the air conditioning house. We watched some cartoons and Shrek the Third. The kids look exhausted!

Zoning out.

Mine crashed hard when he stopped moving...for about 30 minutes.

The bouncy house I have. It was a lot of fun and I think the kids had a good time in it. Thank you Ms. Liz! I had it up for awhile. Eventually I pulled the sprinkler out and we did that for awhile.

I'm sure the mom's brought about 5lbs of sand home with them!

Eli in his car...he was not impressed if anyone else was using it. Even if he wasn't...gotta love two year old's!

Ian and Jackson in the bouncy house. These two were pretty active all day...

Posing for pictures...or being bashful. Not quite sure yet.

All in all it wasn't a bad day...tired for sure but not bad at all. But back to routine tomorrow...or maybe not. I may go out and get some blueberries or something. Who knows...the sky is the limit right?

Variety

So you have your variety of berries and I'm learning all kinds of new ones. Who knew there were so many to keep track of and I want to try them all!!! Today I went raspberry picking with my sister in law who kindly let me come and pick berries with her. Thank you Kylie! Anyway, we were talking about all the berries and of course trying to figure out what some berries were. Bumbleberries? Tayberries? Loganberries? Did you know there were such things as white raspberries? I didn't. Learn something new every day don't you?

Also while picking berries with my sister in law, we also picked Honkleberries ...no you didn't read that wrong. It's exactly as I typed it. According to Lee these are Honkleberries and not Huckleberries. Bet you didn't know there was such a berry did you! Thought not! I can't stop laughing...that kid can crank some good ones out...enjoy. I haven't quite figured out just what I'm going to do with these, but I'll think of something!

Cannon Shots

So here's the deal. When we went to Ft. Ebey in 2008 we walked all over Ft. Casey. While we were there Frank had the great idea to put Dru in one of the cannon's there. We thought it was hysterical that Dru fit in there. Ian and Lee however panicked! Out right screamed at their daddy to get their brother OUT of there!!! How could he shoot Dru out into the ocean!!!! They had people all around us stifling laughs. Screaming at their daddy to not to do it! I'm pretty sure we'll never forget that day, it was so funny!

Well this year we of course went back to Ft. Casey and did the same with Eli and went one step further and decided we'd all put the boys in the cannon this year. Why not live on the edge right?

So here is Dru in July of 2008 And Dru 2010...Can not believe how much this kid has changed in 2 years. It's not right...sniff..sniff!

Because we are sticklers for tradition why not put Eli up there in the tube? He was NOT impressed and was ticked off! He however did not pull the finger out so that's always a good sign.

Lee, he thought this was funny...and it was.

Ian kinda thought it was funny...really didn't know what to think you can tell in his face (like someone he knew would be looking?).

We had fun that day. It took awhile for the fog to burn off but when it did it got warm quick and fast in a hurry. There were a lot of people there and we left when the buses started pulling through the park. And just so you know, when the arrows are pointing one way that's the way to go, not the opposite. Some people were having a really hard time with that...apparently it's not obvious enough with really big, white arrows. I'm just saying.

Wounded Knee

So my family and I went camping this last weekend at Ft. Ebey. Ft. Ebey is on the Island (Oak Harbor). We have gone several times and enjoy it every time. We go to the beach, run through the gun battery, and bunker holes. We also spend a day at Ft. Casey walking around and exploring everything we want to. At Ft. Casey is a light house, Admiralty Head Light house. The boys love to go up the light house and look out. Frank took the boys up with their grandfather, while they were doing that I was out on the grounds with Frank's mother waiting to wave at the boys. While waiting and after I waved I managed to find the one AND only pot hole in a 5 mile radius of myself. I twisted my ankle pretty hard and landed on my other knee pretty darn hard too. I had Eli in my arms and was worried about him being hurt (I've fallen too many times with kids in my arms and hurt myself pretty bad in the process...that's another long, graceful story). Eli was looking at me with a look on his face like 'what the heck is your problem lady? Haven't you ever walked before? Honestly!?! It was priceless. So I fell and I had to sit for a few minutes so I handed Eli off to his grandmother. The picture that follows is pretty gruesome for a 32yr. old but go with it. I may be 32 I have the knees of an 8yr. old and I have a picture to prove it!

So here's my knee...pretty banged up...it doesn't look like this now color wise but it's swollen and I am definitely pretty sore. I have an ankle that matches that. Pretty sure I sprained/strained some tendons in my ankle. About par for myself. I'm still trying to figure out just how exactly I skinned my knee when I literally twisted my ankle and dropped to the ground. No sliding or anything like that to skin a knee. I've told you before and I'll tell you again...I have talent that many don't have. I did turn to my mother in law and told her this was exactly why I don't play sports or family games at family gatherings. That and things have a way of finding their way to my body to make me sport nice, bold bruises. Suffice it to say, I don't play catch with my husband because I've had a soccer ball, baseball and football (that I can recall) hit my forehead and leave marks. It's just not safe!!! Remember when I said I had proof my knee looked the same as an 8yr. old's? Well, here's my proof...my son Ian skinned his knee no more than a half an hour after I did. Do you notice anything? No? Well let me tell you what you might not notice/see. Ian and I managed to skin the same knee...does this family have talent or what? Yes I know it's probably the 'or what' part but still. That child is all mine...he may not look like me but everything about that child is me. Poor kid...I'm at a loss for words for him. More to come from our great camping trip! I just had to post this because it totally explains me and the poor children who are related to me, it also gives a lot of giggles to those around me. So laugh away because I am (not to the bank though and I should be...darn it). I hope everyone had a great weekend!

City Beach

Last weekend we went to City Beach for my Grandmother's 85th birthday. A long drive but we managed to break up the drive by taking the ferry. The boys loved it! They always do. This time though my dad went with us in our car...my boys just couldn't believe that Grandpa Jolly would be in our car!!

The drive there was long and exasperating! I made sure the boys all went potty before we left and wouldn't you know it, Dru had to go potty while we were in line for the ferry. Sigh...not once but twice!! Then right after Ft. Ebey he had to go again!!! Thank goodness I have finally decided to keep a water bottle in my car for these many occasions for Dru. The kid is unreal! What blows my mind is he had to go again, 10 minutes after we stopped!!!



Anyway, probably more than you wanted to know! We finally got to the park and we all spilled out of the car. Probably looked a bit comical but we got there and everyone was in one piece. And that's saying a lot!

It was a good day. The boys didn't get to do everything they wanted but that's ok to. Life goes on and the world is still spinning around.

Here is my family with my grandmother...what is that 3 generations there? Either way something I don't have a lot of. Happy 85th Birthday Grandma!
We did manage to make it to the water and throw some rocks into the water...it needed one more rock in it right? Eli had such a blast...no one was tellig him no and to not to do that. It was a good day for him.

Don't ask me why but for some reason that child was SET on taking all his animal crackers out and making a pile. He wasn't eating them, just piling them up. Early signs of hoarding or early signs of an unknown OCD? Who knows!Grandpa was showing and teaching them how to play horseshoes...so why is dad doing the sign for touchdown?

My grandmother. I have good memories of her as a child. She could spoil a grandchild rotten!

My boys at City Beach. All the times I have been here as a kid it's not my turn to bring them here. I certainly don't make it as often as I'd like and that makes me sad but I do try.

If I had my way I'd be living on the Island in a heart beat...I think if I wear Frank down enough I think we might have a chance to retire there...whenever that is going to be. We all have dreams, this is one that I'd like to see come to fruition.

Googly Eye

I don't even know where to start with this...other than if it's going to happen it will happen to me. Sadly, this particular event has happened before once upon a time. Come along with me on this highly hysterical journey that left me with a migraine...well not just from that but close enough.



My boys are going to VBS this week at a different church and having a blast! Dru especially because he gets to go and be in a class all by himself with out his brothers. I think that alone will be the highlight of his summer. He has a best bud in his class which makes it even better. Today they did a craft thing dealing with a snake of some sort...the boys really couldn't tell me what the deal was with the snake. I digress. On this snake it had coloring on it, some beading and a snake tongue along with some googly eyes.

Which was all fine and good until the kids were taking them off and sticking them on their bellies and making their belly buttons talk. Which was even fine doing that. Go forward about an hour and Frank had to leave and get us a tent and he was no more out the door 5 minutes before I heard a screech come from...(drum roll please...) Dru. He was screeching at Lee that a googly eye was up his nose! I wasn't paying much attention because I thought they were playing. Until I hear Lee say in a quite panicked voice "WHAT!?!" Then I hear "Mom Dru has a googly eye up his nose!!!!" To which I say WHAT!?!.



Anyway, they tell me he's got the darn thing up his nose and I went over there and looked and there was an eye on the couch and I asked if that was it...he said nnnooooo.... (remember he's 3) and I asked if there was still one up his nose...yyyeeessss.... *sigh* Let me look. I looked, I practically had that kid hanging upside down on the couch to see. And wouldn't you know it...that darn googly eye was in his nose!!!

WHY ME LORD!?! What did I do to deserve this? I'm pretty sure I won't know the answer to that, but still the thought crossed my mind. I will tell you I didn't panic, remember I've been through this before...I panicked then though if that helps at all. So I got my tweezers (didn't want to but couldn't think of anything else to pick at it...hahahaha I said pick). I went to work positioning Dru just so and peered up his nose and went to work...well it didn't go as well as I had envisioned. He would not sit still nor would he stop crying. I had him blow while holding one nostril shut. That didn't work either...Frank tried a thing or two and that didn't work either. To make this long, highly hysterical story short, we called our Dr couldn't get ahold of him we went to the ER. We registered and I tried the Dr a few more times, all to no avail. So I figured I'd try to get it out by blowing one more time. And just as I get through at the Dr office than Dru blew the eye right out his nose! YEAH!!!!!



So we let the registration desk know, get that taken care of and off we go. And no sooner do I get to the car than my Dr's nurses call. Go figure!



Anyway, here is the culprit in question...Googly Eye. Gave a whole new meaning to 'I've got my eye on you'. And I thought of that as I was trying to get the darn thing out! Here's Dru when we told him we had to go see a Dr at the hospital...he was NOT impressed in the least! When we were at the ER several people were laughing and smirking...at which point I did turn around and looked at one woman and quite jokingly told her she couldn't laugh. As we were leaving I told Dru no more sticking things up his nose and some big gentlemen was trying not to smile. How can you not laugh? This face is priceless! He was really concentrating on breathing through his mouth...

After all has been said and done I looked at Frank and asked or said I bet your mom never had to do anything like this. (I think this situation is a genetic thing) and he said well I don't know, he didn't remember. I'm not all together buying that...and let it just be said I'm positive it's not from this side of the family. I'm just putting that out there....

So I hope you enjoyed this...

Bowling

So last week we went bowling with some friends. My friend has 2 the same age as Ian and Dru. They get along together quite well. This bowling thing was a fantastic deal. I signed up for some free bowling coupons for the boys. What a GREAT deal this was! All I had to pay for was the shoe rental (which by the way Dru just LOVED those shoes and asked if he got to take his shoes home with him and was not impressed I said no and told his dad so!) We had such a good time, I'm considering going again.

Our friends and the boys getting all ready to bowl. Eli, he didn't bowl but he was a good sport and watched. He was more fascinated with the air blowing from the vent.

Ian was so excited to be bowling and even more excited when he saw his buddy there!

Dru...and look what he got to bowl with? You guessed it...an ORANGE bowling ball! Oh it was heaven!

Here's Lee...he was telling me I had stinky feet. Love that boys dimples!We had such a good time, we only had one injury, my child of course, but he's fine. I didn't see it because I was so busy taking pictures. I'm such a good mom that way. But apparently from what I can gather, he was running/walking fast up to the line and tossed the ball and somehow after that he fell and fell hard. Yes folks, that child is all mine!!! Poor Ian...he hasn't got a chance! The part I giggle at, well the other part of the whole scenario anyway, is that a worker came and asked if he could get Ian some ice for his face/eye. All they probably saw was lawsuit in this kid! If only they knew how 'talented' he really is! As I quite proudly say That's MY boy! You all understand I'm sure.

Almost Famous

So last Friday I was watching my nieces and nephew while their mommy and daddy went to a Mariner game. And because the game was on and my husband is a sports fan, we of course checked now and again for what the score was. This time would not be different...or would it!?!

Low and behold while we were checking we saw two faces we knew!!! What in THE world!!! There they are! They are too the right...I know hard to tell from this view... So here we are with a closer view...The fella with the grimace and the gal in white with sun glasses on are my in-laws. Their children were SO excited to see their parents on TV...they were calling and texting their mom. It was so funny! I hollered at the mom to make she wasn't picking her nose on TV! Important you know!

It was fun for everyone to see them on TV and I think for those two also...15 minutes of fame! They were almost famous!

Tailgate and Fireworks

Later that evening on the 4Th we met up with a friend and her family. They go early to the fairgrounds and tailgate with friends and family. This year she invited us to hang out with them and I took her up on that offer. It was a blast!!! We bbq'd hot dogs...yes I had my first obligatory dog of the summer...I'm good now! I will definitely be going back next year and tailgating...I just had so much fun. I missed my husband and wished he was there with us but this fourth was by far the best time I have had in a long time! Next year I hope Frank will be with us next time.
Here are my boys tailgating...I think they had a great time also. How can you go wrong with hot dogs and snacks? Eli...a little fuzzy but he was having a ball! Especially when the neighborhood started doing fireworks...he kept inhaling and yelling ma and pointing to the fireworks. It took me awhile to figure out why he was acting so excited and I remembered last year he was sleeping through the show last year. He was awake for them this year and just loved it!

One of my favorite firework shot I got. I did good I think (I actually was able to use my scene selection on my camera for fireworks...not sure I have before).

I liked this one because I thought it kinda looked a bit like a flower.

I love that all of them have smiles on their faces. They are truly having a great time! I love, love Eli's face. He laughed for just about all the fireworks and screamed and clapped. Look at his face! He really enjoyed the fireworks!! I can't put my finger on what about this picture that I love but it's in that baby's face...child-like innocence? Something...

It has been a long while since I've been able to say that I really enjoyed myself on some holidays...it was really nice to be able to do that this year for this holiday. It just might be that things might fall into place from time to time.

We are enjoying some wonderful weather this week, OK well today, but the rest of the week looks good. I'm getting some Vitamin D!!!!!