Monday, July 29, 2013

4th of July

Our 4th of July in a nut shell!
 
Pool time!
 
                                                      Swinging and jumping off them
                                                                        Sparklers!
                                                                  Our  Fireworks!


                                          Frank and the tub-o-fireworks!
 Eli
 The guys found this firework, I can't remember what it does but I do remember it was funny.  I'm 100% positive it had something to with it looking like it was pooping/farting.  Something totally 'guy'!
                                       Ms. Vanna ;)
  I know I'm late in posting but what is new, at least it's a new post right?  Have a good day tomorrow everyone!

A Great Picnic

 
 
 
 
Back in June I put together a picnic with The Greats and all the kids.  We had a lot of fun and I think the Greats had a good time watching the kids play.
 
 
 
Lunch time!  Man was everyone starving! 
(and I use that word loosely as you'll notice we don't look like we've missed many meals, just saying)
 The Greats with the kids and Auntie Megan
(and there's my kid again with the face...what is up with him?? LOL)



Muster

 
 
 
 
Alright people...I'm going through pictures and there are times I see pictures like this and wonder....
 
 
 
 
I wonder......
 
 
Is this really what Frank and I could muster at the time?
 
I'd like to present my evidence....
 
#1

                                                              #2

Apparently that's what we had at the time, LOL!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Then, I come across a picture like this and go all is made right.  There's my little boy!
Yes we have the right stuff!  HA!
 
 
 
 
BUT!!! I'm telling you, there are days that make me wonder if I'm sane...

Monday, July 15, 2013

Father's

 
 
Father's Day 2013
 Ian got Frank a cover for his smoker...good thinking Ian!
 Lee got Frank some apple and cherry wood chips for the smoker...Dad gets to burn his gift.  He found this very funny!
 Dru got Frank some skewers for kabobs and a utensil to cook beer chicken or smoke beer chicken...YUMMY!
 Eli...cheesball!
 Eli got Frank a new Mariner hat, which Frank loves and Eli was excited to give...he picked it out!
                                               My gift to Frank...a sign for his 'cave'.
                                  Happy Father's Day Frank!  Hope you had a good time and felt extra special on this day.

Promotion

Not that I've been lax in my postings...OK well I have but it's summer people give me a break! Why do I think every summer things will slow down and I'll just have more time in general?  I never do, well at least not since they've gotten older anyway.  I tried to remember back when they were super little and it seemed a more laid back time.  Funny though what I fail to remember until later is the fact that they were little toddlers and all that having toddlers entails.  No wonder I feel like I'm busy all the time. The kids are no longer toddlers and in theory that is easier...when in reality it's not easier it's just different.  Yes people there is a difference...how can you tell me that raising kids is different when every waking moment they constantly have you questioning your own sanity??  Tell me!
 
Well onto this post.  I don't think I've posted yet about Ian's promotion from 5th grade to Middle school.  On a quick side note, if they continue to have these 'promotions' will their high school or college graduations mean much to them or will they just shrug it off and go whatever?  Just wondering.
 
Anyway, they have a little ceremony at the school and it's very sweet and yes I cried, BUT only after a friend of mine started crying and looked back at me.  It was 0-V-E-R!  The kids brought a single rose to a parent...most took to their moms, of course!  It was all exciting for the whole family.  The little boys got to be a part of something exciting and something their big brother was a part of.  We all got to sniff back the tears for awhile and wonder at the memories flowing by asking where exactly did the time go with our babies?
 
 
                                                              Brothers
Silly boys!!
                                                         Frank and Ian
 A special picture with the Greats, it's so nice to be able to come and share with us.
 Grandparents too!  Wasn't it yesterday Grandma was showing me how to bath him in her sink??
                                                          Principal Beals and Ian.
                                                  Ian's 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Henderson.
 
 
All in all it was a good night and special for Ian.  He has a special diploma and got a gift certificate to a Fro-Yo place and a whole new outfit!  Score! 
 
Well and of course school is out for the summer!

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Pug-a...

This dog just slays me sometimes with his face and the way he looks at me.
 
 
 



Perhaps he's a Pug-a-fish here on the dock while we were fishing? And by we I me the royal 'we', just for clarification.  LOL!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Kokanee

 
 
 
 
This is from our camping trip this Memorial weekend.  Eli went fishing for the first time this year and he caught something.  When asked what he caught this is what he said:
 
Eli: "This is Batman.  He is a coconut (what he caught was a Kokanee salmon)
 
I about died laughing it was so cute! By the end of the trip though he had caught on to the fact he'd been saying coconut and not Kokanee.  I hate it when that happens! 
 
However, he didn't stop calling his fish Batman.  He was all about smoking Batman and giving a small piece to each of our dogs...he wanted to share.  They were thrilled, that kid is always looking out for them!
 
 
 
 



**FYI I have no idea if I'm spelling the name of that type of salmon right...it's a fresh water salmon if I remember correctly.**

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

It Pays...

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
...to have a super hero for a big brother!

Zoolicious

Well I'm still trying to play catch up with my blog, seems to be pretty standard these days much to my annoyance.  However I guess that means I have a life? I hope?
 
Earlier in June (seeing as how we are now in July, can you please tell me how that happened?) my friend Nikki and her brood (OK well a 1/3 of her brood) came and stayed with us for the weekend.  We planned on going to the zoo (love my passes!) and visit with each other. 
 
As always we have a good time together and our kids manage to create chaos in no time flat.  Now if they could put that much energy into something more productive that would be something for the ages! 
 
Off to the zoo we go, 2 moms and 6 boys ranging from 14 to 4..., let the show begin!!
 
We had much to see as the zoo has a new sting ray exhibit they just opened and a new baby tiger, Kali.  I was also hoping to get a sneak peek at the new baby snow leopard too but no such luck on that one.  Actually we were pretty lucky to have seen the tiger cub, Kali.
 
That is Kali below and I managed to get that picture WITH OUT the 'nanny' or zookeeper there. I have to tell you it was really hard to get a decent one with the keeper constantly holding her.  On a side note, they(keepers) don't really care if you are taking pictures either, because they don't try and get out of the way. 
 
 Ian, our friend, and Lee
 

Dru, Eli, Nikki, and her son.  We are waiting for the show to begin at the Outdoor theater.  I like watching this show and I LOVE how they incorporate different animals in their show.

Dr. Do-Nothing
                                                              Captain Adventure
 
                Wonder-Dog!!!! We all think this looks like Snoopy going after the Red Baron
 

One of our fave places to go is to see the animals that live in the water and we LOVE watching ET!  How can such a massive creature seem to fly in the water? 

These guys crack me up! I forget their names but they waddle when they walk and they get to these cliffs in their exhibit and then it takes them forever to decide if they are going to jump or not into the water...OR they just sleep.

Musk Ox...I want to take a comb to these animals!!!! On top of the hair issue they stink! 
 Red Wolf, I love taking pictures of these guys because when they cooperate I can usually get a decent one.  I managed to get this one before he set off pacing in at the door to go in or get dinner.
 
It has been really fun having my friend and her kids up, probably a nice change for her to being as we always went to her house.  Why it didn't dawn on me until a year or so ago to have them here I don't know! Special aren't I?
Anyway, we are looking forward to seeing each other again next week and going hiking and letter boxing with 6 boys.  Trying to get them all on the same page and engaged in what we are doing will be no small feat that's for sure! 
Thank goodness we are the Momma's and they are the Little's!!!
 

Music That Moves You

I don't know about you guys, but there are times in my life that are defined by music. The summer after I graduated High school was Tom...