Sleeping

It is just after 2:00 on a wet Monday afternoon and you may want to know what is so special to make me come out of hibernation for? My kids fell asleep for naps in the same room and in their own beds at the same time! Logan was the first one out and James was out after sneaking out for a cup of juice (he left evidence on the kitchen floor. Both missed juice and the pitcher still sitting on the floor.). So now, I sleep! I love Monday afternoons with sleeping kids!

Things you've missed...

Our yearly drive to Leavenworth to see the leaves was a little late, but it was great to get out and play. The boys really liked the leaves in the center court. I tried to get something of the two of them for a cute Christmas picture, but when your working with a 3 year old and a 1 year old your wants are not on the top of the list. When I got out the Halloween costumes to see what we had to work with James fashioned this one for a few days. I was pretty sure he was going to want to live in it, but it has been successfully put away! PS this is his costume from 2 years ago!
Logan playing at Dan Porter Park with cousins. It has been great to call up Emily and say hey lets meet at the park to play!

Curtis and Logan in front of the tractor after the tracker ride at Hubberd Farms in Coupeville. It was pretty huge...it was also raining. We cheated because of the rain and didn't harvest our own at the farm, but we found some great pre-picked ones that made their way home with us!

Curtis and James waiting for the tractor ride to start! It was a lot more exciting than any other tractor ride I had ever been on!

Another First

Logan was so cute the other day at the Freeland Park. He kinda wondered away from me and crawled through the wood chips up the stairs and down the slide only to do it again and again! He had never done this before nor was he coached to do so! He really continues to surprise me!!!

Logan doesn't like gates

Logan doesn't take well to being penned up. But he was happy to see me. He sure did try to get past my sorry attempt to keep him safe! Its a good thing he is awesome at the stairs now. We only used gates until it just became a joke.

Dishwasher or Jungle Gym...you pick

My mom used to tell me stories all the time growing up about how I used to climb in everything and on everything...well here's mine! I love this kid. He follows me like a puppy and he's always very cute. Logan's favorite dishwasher action is while I am unloading the dishwasher and there is water in a bowl or a cup that spills out and pools up on the door. He splish-splashes all the day long! Then he tries to drink it!

A little river dance on the door!

Fat Smitty's

In Port Townsend there is little hole in the wall restaurant called Fat Smitty's it has burgers that are huge! We were over last month for the Lavender Festival in Sequim and on our way to a companions reception in Port Angeles and even though we were running late we stopped and enjoyed our surroundings. This hot dog was a foot long dog! James' eyes lit up when they put it on the table and... Curtis was in heaven! I don't know how he even got it in his mouth! But he did! Now that Curtis is in the insurance business he looked at these walls and the ceiling and just wondered what would happen if this place burned down or if they were robbed. It was covered from floor to ceiling in dollar bills, we even saw pass along cards.Look at how happy he is!

Daycare

After I started working again it quickly became apparent it would be too much to expect my parents to take both my kids, so James is in daycare 3 days a week. Thursday and Friday were his first 2 days and he loves it. He hasn't been willing to eat his lunch yet, but I am sure that he will get used to the circumstances and/or get hungry enough to eat with the other kids! On a side note the second day I dropped him off the inevitable happen...the lice watch out posters came out! Awesome :) So now we wake up eat breakfast and check for lice before getting dressed.

Pictures in the Grass

Our neighbors, bless their hearts, have been taking their time about mowing the grass so I thought that I would try to get try to get some pictures in the grass before they makes straw! Seriously its that long.

You left the Mormon in charge of a Bar?

I just started working again. I am lucky that I live right next to where I work. I walked in 2 weeks ago with my application for a server and the manager asked if I would work on Friday. I was surprised and asked if he meant next Friday...well the answer was NO he meant tomorrow. So I went to work wearing my moms black pants and my black high heels! I was styling! The schedule had just come out so I was basically on call working dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Anyways I got called in last night to work with the idea I was the only server and then my boss was going to bar tend. Awesome, or so I thought. I get there and there are 2 other servers working and 2 bussers and me. My boss stood behind the bar for 20 minutes and than left leaving me to man the bar. Awesome. All I know is that you count to 5 add soda or tonic. Needless to say I am not a bartender and I might have given away close to $250 worth of drinks! I had to go in today to let them know that won't be happening again. I had to bartend and close the entire restaurant. I love it!

Announcement!

Announcement. Announcement, we have an announcement!!! Logan has a tooth! My toothless wonder is no more! On Thursday I left the boys with my mom while I ran some errands and while I was gone it came! I haven't been chewed on yet, surprisingly, but I am just waiting for the time I get it.

We've been having fun!

This morning we headed off too early, but caught the 8:30 ferry and than stopped by to visit what I thought would be cousins and Curtis family, but found an empty house. At least I can say I really attempted. I need to get a new phone so I can have my numbers back. It has been over a month since Logan brutally killed my phone.

At Imagine Children's Museum James flew an airplane... made treats... made funny faces with James... shared a cliff bar with mom (or Linda as he prefers to call me)

My boys are so great! They are busy, but I couldn't ask for anything else. James is so curious that it drives me crazy, but I love it that he loves learning. Sometimes it seems like he isn't listening and that he's just yanking my chain, but he has started counting and talking better.

Logan has also been growing by leaps and bounds. I was doing the dishes and had the dishwasher open and when I looked down Logan had crawled into the dishwasher and was chewing on a spoon. I can honestly say that James never did that, but as my mom will tell you I was into everything all the time. There is more than one copy of baby Linda in the dishwasher, on the refrigerator and peeing on the upright piano! It also seems like he has thinned out. No more double chins or jowls, I went out to lunch with a friend this week and her son maybe bigger than Logan ever was.

Out in the Sun!

Here on Whidbey Island we have had some wonderful weather! James and Logan have some fantastic farmers tans going on too! We have done the gardening, watered the grass, bounced in the bouncy house and enjoyed beaches!

We went to the Chocolate Gardens. They only have plants that smell like chocolate! Its pretty awesome. We planted some outside the kitchen window and just to the right of the front walk way. I am excited for them to start blooming and enjoy the chocolate essence!

Logan didn't enjoy the flowers as much as I did, but he did enjoy the bird poop he found on this chair. Isn't he cute! I really tried to get one with both my boys but James couldn't sit still long enough to do anything for me!

Playing together

It has been so nice to watch my boys grow up together. They are 2 1/2 years apart in age, but during the last weekend they have become playmates. James has always wanted to play but alone. He has started playing with Logan and we even caught them wrestling. Logan just laughs and laughs he loves the rough play too! Look at that tongue

Our new train set from cousins. James loves trains and Logan loves to destroy everything James has created!

Family in Utah

Over the weekend I went to Utah with the boys to visit with my siblings and to be there when my nephew was blessed. It was a long trip, but so worth it. Curtis was in Texas all week and it made for a great escape from being a short term single parent. We left Thursday afternoon with my dad in my moms old car (my brothers new car) and headed south. We got as far as Pendelton, Oregon and we had 2 specifications when we hunted out our hotel room. 1. Must have a pool that's open and 2. Must have a free breakfast. Well we found it and enjoyed the idea of a pool since the pool was freezing, guess we forgot that in the thought process, and then a hot tub that was hot enough to burn your flesh off, guess we forgot to figure that into the mix too! The first night was good, boys slept great; we slept great. Friday we made it to Orem, Utah and after a quick dip in the pool with cousins we all went to sleep.

Saturday was a frenzy of errands and family. My sister in laws family was all there, but her mom, and they brought most of the yummy food. My little brother was nervous about the blessing, but did a fantastic job, not sure that there is such a thing as a bad blessing, but the spirit was felt and all went well.

Sunday we had a good laugh at church. James sat with me as well as my niece Claire (almost 5). While the sacrament was going around I thought that I would close my eyes and just ponder for a moment and enjoy the peace when my son, taps me on the shoulder and says, "mom wake up!" That was one of those moments that you laugh because it wasn't your kid...right it was mine...nice!

After sacrament meeting we left in moms new car headed North. My mom's new car is still very new and has now been broken into by 2 very sweet boys. Poor mom, she didn't want any juice or any food in the car, and when your driving with a 3 year old it's so hard to control everything he does. For the most part the boys slept good and played well. James realized that the car is small enough that he can open his own door while still buckled! That was fun!

When we got in the ferry line we were in lane 7 of maybe 20 lanes but when you start loading at lane 12 you don't think your going to make it. So I jumped out to get 2 Salmon Caesar Salads and one pasta bowl from the Ivar's restaurant. Well just in case y'all care, you can still make it on even being in lane 7. While I was getting dinner, mom and Logan were getting on the ferry and leaving us behind. Luckily we got our food and were able to explain the entire thing to the ticket lady and didn't have to pay again! Mom made it on the 7:00 ferry and James and I made it on the 7:30. Made for an interesting day at least.

Jace in my dad's glasses, now that's hot!

Lawrence and Garret! Aren't they sweet together?

My family Jace and Nancy with Garret. He is 3 1/2 months old and just starting to be more verbal and active. He is full of smiles and laughs

Sleeping!

I sent James to bed and after almost an hour James still wasn't down, but I finally got Logan tired enough, so I laid him down with a bottle and left the room. When I came back 10 minutes later this is what I found! Isn't that sweet? I love it! I gotta say I still love that thumb! It is just so darn cute...that on a 5 year old may not be so cute, but I gotta live for today.

5 months ago this one had a pacifier (boo), so hopefully it will be equally as easy, tall order.

Too Cute

Playing on the grass at the beach.

Gone Fishin'

Yup, some how I turned into that mom that lets her kids eat hot dogs even at 8 months! It doesn't get much cuter then that, right? And they did that on their own too!

So happy!

" Look mom a fish!" (Right after I took this picture the fish moved and James got scared! It was one of those moments that you probably shouldn't laugh as a caring parent, but you can't hold it in! After that he wasn't as sure about fishing!)

Getting the bait going! Papa dug up some nice juicy worms for us!

James went fishing for the first time! It was a blast! He was so cute with our old fishing pole. It hasn't been used since Nancy was little, so it didn't work all that well, but we caught 3 fish with that pole! James was there for every part of the process and loved being able to weigh his fish and then putting them on the line to keep them save.

Relay for Life

Just got back from our local Relay for Life garage sale! I had both of the boys most of the day and since I know a lot of people I had a good amount of help! I was happy to get rid of some of our extra stuff too. After I got there I realized there were a few boxes that I forgot to throw into the car...oh well I can totally take it to the thrift store myself, I guess. I over heard some one say that they made almost $2,500 for the American Cancer Society! It was great to be involved in such a good cause. I can't really think of anyone that has cancer other than my grandpa's lip cancer, but he was a farmer and he definitely didn't die from it. I even picked up some arm chairs! Don't really need them, but I have been looking for some for a while. I will post a picture when I have more time. They are french and have a handmade print from the early 1900's!

PF Changs

Hey yall, so I love lettuce wraps and P.F. Chang's is running a special right now. So go here and scroll down until you find the P.F. Chang's ad! Yum! http://luv2bfrugal.blogspot.com/

Good times at 2571!

Yesterday was a day to be a mom at my house! I was talking on the phone with my mom about what I needed while she was at Costco when James pushes Logan over in the walker and there is a light yellow liquid on his tray, meanwhile Logan was just sitting there with his big gummy smile splashing in the goodness. I sat there looking at it for a few seconds until I realize what it was...oh man...not a good day to be James!

This was the little banner I made for James' birthday party.

Oh, and this is our little house we're renting. I don't know if I ever got a picture up here. I think it is so cute!

Logan fell asleep eating strawberries! I have never seen something so sweet! He kept bobbing so I ran and got the camera while Curtis was telling me to take pity on the poor kid, but if I took pity than I wouldn't have these pictures or stories to tell him in 5 years!

Look at those gorgeous lips!

The Zoo with Papa

May 1st the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle, had the opening of the new penguin exhibit. This exhibit has been closed for a long time and it was just recently renovated. We are members to the zoo and got there 30 minutes before the exhibit was supposed to have their ribbon cutting, by the time we got there it was a quarter to and the line was over 500 people...so we went to see the carousel. James had a great time riding the horses and I stood back biting my nails watching him ride it alone without a seat belt.

After the carousel rides we walked back past the penguins there were people standing looking over the wall to the new exhibit so we snuck a peek. Aren't they cuties?!? I love my dad.

You may not be able to see her, but this is a mama gorilla and her baby. I got a really good video of her playing in a tree, ahh technology.

James playing in a little African hut. He was being so sweet playing in them, he is such an animated boy.

Playing on the elephant.

Sunday Fun

This last Sunday was Stake Conference and since James doesn't sit well we decided to have a good family day. So we loaded up the car and headed north to Cranberry Lake in the Deception Pass State Park. It was a park I remember hiking to as a little girl during summer camp and way better than I remembered it to be! We ate our packed lunches and then Curtis and James went on a walk. After lunch we wondered down to the Holland Happenings in Oak Harbor then down to Coupeville to the pound (I've been taking James once a week for 3 months now). James loves dogs and I guess looking doesn't hurt. After the pound we stopped by a friends house and then ate dinner at the beach house! So we did lots of beach time! Ever since we went to Utah Logan we rather play with the spoon then eat his food! How does he stay so stealth?

James playing on the beach just as the sun is going down. What a blessing it is to have so many great beaches near by.
Branson, a childhood best friends little boy (Bristol). Such a cute kid, almost a year younger than James but they play so well.

Thought this was kinda neat with the sun setting in the background. James and his sticks!