Pictures tell the story

Our children don't draw every day but when they do... It's something else.  These are Wilson 's drawings. This is one he drew at school of jake. 

This he drew the night I told him that we were having the vet come to the house and help Jake die. He asked what friends were in heaven with him and he drew what he thought Jake would look like in heaven. Catching salmon, of course. 

Here Jake is with my Papaw Lonnie and Obie... catching more salmon. 

Now for Nora's masterpieces...I have to say she impresses me for three. 

Nora's self portrait. 

Our family portrait. With Jake too. It's been over one month since he left us, but he's still in the picture. I hope she never forgets...

These children of mine have my heart...

and I still mourn for my dear best friend... it's amazing how sadness and joy can blend together. 

Playtime with friends

Hill House

When my Dad is here, we turn our houses into homes. Now that my garden in mostly done, we're making cool things for the kids.

Let me introduce our next project, the Hill House. A play house of a child's dreams.

My dad rocks!!!

We have had a rainy couple days in So Cal and our basket of chalk turned the perfect consistency for the kids to paint.


I had no idea they were doing this until I headed to bed.

I love my little cave children.

Spring Break 2012

We spent the break doing LOTS of fun activities...

...we visited the children's museum with 'Oria and her momma (Marcia aka Gramma Cici)

 

The crane was a total hit.  

 

Look at all those organic items!! (read: one thing I love about living here.).

 

 

 

 

...we made grapes float in water and learned all about density.  

We increased the density by adding sugar to glass #2. Then we made it appear to float in glass #3 by putting the sugar water on the bottom and regular water on the top.  

in glass #4 we decided to add salt to see if it also change the water.
This was such a FUN experiment, even little Nora enjoyed it.

We made ice cubes boil (discovering liquid, solid and gas and learning about thermodynamics).

 

 ...created an indoor dog park

 

 

(Chris' response to this picture: "Why did you take a picture? She was putting dog food ON THE FLOOR." My response to him: "HA! Sometimes you just let them be kids and explore.)  :)

... and we visited the Vancouver Aquarium... 

 

 The boys loved the Beluga whales.

and Stanley Park in beautiful British Columbia with our good friends, Caleb and Tracy...

We had a wonderful break! 

Ohio Jan/Feb 2012

After our six days in the sun we headed north to Ohio. The kids and I spent 8 full days there  (7 in G-town and 1 in Columbus) and Chris stayed 3. It was really wonderful getting "home". I finally got to meet my nephew and see my mom and step-dad's new house. It is beautiful!!! Just. Beautiful.

Plus, we spent quality time with lots of family and old friends, ate way too much (I think I see a pattern here), and I helped out with farm chores and I absolutely. loved. every. second of it.

The kicker of the trip was that I didn't stress out A. BIT. about being ANYWHERE. That is a new thing for me because I typically worry about who we need to see, who we haven't seen, who wants to see us and where I need to run every day of our trip. Don't get me wrong, I still missed seeing people and I truly missed (as in my heart misses them) seeing them but I can't do it all... And that is okay! Life is busy for everyone. I don't expect people to stop living just because I am in town and I hope that they understand we do our best and that traveling all over the country with young children and living on the other side of the country has some down sides...

 I know... HELMET! Please. 

 Kendra and her adorable little Wesley. 

 Not exactly the best picture of me but those babies sure are cute!! 

 My SIL (to be) and Nora

 My nephew Logan Wyatt and his very proud big cousin

 Mom's crew. 

 Mom and Michael

Those eyes... 

**p.s. I have more pictures to include here (specifically of Great Aunt Irene) but they're on a different computer so I will upload them later. Also, Babe- could you send me your pictures. I would like some of you guys. Thanks! 

ARRRghhh... Meeeowww

Halloween 2011 was a success. My little kitty cat and pirate had fun this year.

The kids loved dressing up and stayed in "character" all evening.

Nora meowed all the way to church (where we trick or treat) and Wilson tried to negotiate his way out of brushing his teeth later by declaring that pirates didn't brush their teeth, so he didn't need to brush after we got home from trick or treating because he was a pirate.

He also said, when I was helping him with his shirt that he could "Just be a Weather Man... if he added a tie!" He cracks me up! 

Only my kid.

Benny came with us.

They all had fun. Eating pizza, making punpkin crafts, trick or treating, and going through the famous maze.

The candy was good too.

I think she was after the sucker. What do you think?