Yay, Spring! Oh, wait, that means yard work...

After great lamenting, wailing and gnashing of teeth, it appears Spring is finally here! I have spent the past three days working in the yard and loving it. But, alas, I face again, the great dilemma of which project to start first. There are so very, very many to choose from. (From which to choose?)

I am going to do that which scares me and post pictures of my wreck of a yard, in the hopes that it will spur me to action! The sad thing is that we have made huge strides since we bought the house...


Here are a couple of before and in progress pictures of our vegetable garden:



My very handy husband and I put these boxes together over the weekend and as soon as the drip irrigation is in place, we will fill them with dirt and start planting! Lettuce, radishes, beets, beans, peas, zucchini and squash are on the agenda, as well as anything else I can fit in there! Watch for more pictures to follow and wish me luck!

My Little Gabe-o-Lantern

Gabe lost his first tooth last night! He was so brave about it. Daddy coached him on what to do and Gabe wiggled and twisted and popped it out himself. He was a little freaked out by the blood, but was quite a trouper and was so proud when it was all done. He is getting so big!

Two New Dylan-isms and Why March Can Suck It

Instead of "Optimus Prime", it's "Octopus Crime"

Turquoise is "trick-toys"

***

It SNOWED. AGAIN! After I spent the entire day outside yesterday, enjoying the sunshine and making plans for my garden, it snows! And not just a little dusting, we have 4 inches and our grandparents have about 6. ERGH.

I feel OK about this rant on stupid March and it's stupid weather, because this is the first anti-cold weather post I have done all Winter. I told myself to just try and enjoy this weather and that it wasn't Spring until Easter, really. So, I went into it with that mind-set and things were great. But this is getting OLD! And apparently it is going to last all week. The one thing that made me feel better today was to pretend that it was still December. I think that is the survival plan for the week. That and not leaving the house...

***

As we speak, Dylan is threatening to "pack up all his stuff, go to Africa and then blast off to space", all because they ate the last of the Peeps and he is MAD about it!

Life is good!

While I have been a complete slacker when it comes to blogging, the rest of my life is going great! Maybe that is why I haven't posted? Too busy being happy. This is just one of those times in life to sit back and look around in awe and thank God for my wonderful family and friends. We are all happy, healthy and safe. Here is an update:


Dylan took this picture, can you tell?



To start off, my darling niece Cecelia had her first baby on January 30th, a beautiful little girl named Esther. She is so wonderful! Even Dylan was completely taken with her. When he first saw her he said "Oh, she's so cute!" He can be such a bruiser sometimes, so it was just such a thrill to see him being so tender and loving with her. We were lucky enough to drive up there a couple of weeks ago with my brother, Peter, for a lovely visit.



Which brings us to, my brother is home from Afghanistan! I'm pretty sure everyone knows this, but I just had to make an official post about it! I don't think I will ever forget the wave of relief that swept over me when I got his call telling me that they had just landed in Maine. I think I sobbed for a good few minutes before I could even speak. He was very much missed and worried about and prayed for constantly while he was away. And again, thanks be to God that he and his whole battalion made it home safely. He is not just my brother, but one of my best friends and I am so happy to have him home!

Dylan-isms

"That's 'scusting!" (Disgusting)

"Oh, I can't eat that...I'm 'llergic of it." (He is now allergic to anything he doesn't want to eat or do)

"You are a meanie!" (Anytime I say no to anything!)

"Mommy, I am so proud of you for wiping my bum!" (after I have said how proud I am of him for going on the potty)

"Any-of-the-Jones" (Indiana Jones)

"Robin-and-the-noodles" (Ramen noodles)

"Pirates-of-the-Scorpion" (Pirates of the Caribbean)

*Smile*

He's so cute.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!l

Let's pretend it's not really January 25th, but December 25th instead! I have been a poor excuse for a blogger lately and I want to make it right. Besides, I have so many reasons to be happy and thankful right now - two, in particular - that I really should share.

We had such a lovely holiday season this year. Our home was over-flowing with guests and family and craziness and love. Just as it should be.

It all started on Dec. 19th with a visit from one of my oldest and dearest friends dropping in for a visit. We spent the day chatting and reminiscing and drinking tea. Can't get much better! It is so nice to know that there are people out there who know you in and out and love you anyway - and that time and distance can't change that.

Later that night, my lovely sister Janie and her family drove down from Idaho to stay for a few days. Most of my family was in town for my nephew's wedding. So, even though it was just Janie and her family staying with us, my sister Amy was also down from Idaho, as well as my sister Tammy (mother of the groom!) and her family from Tennessee. It was so wonderful to see everyone after so very long. Again, love is love. We had a wonderful time catching up and we even hosted everyone at our home for a crazy and very cozy Christmas party. It was just madness - in the best possible sense of the word!




Just some of the nieces and nephews!


My sister and her fam left the day before Christmas Eve, but not before we all went and saw The Nutcracker together. I brought Gabe along, and even though at the time he seemed bored out of his mind, he now loves it and listens to the CD all the time. (He even asked me this morning if we could go see Madame Butterfly!) I was sad to have them all leave, but it gave me just enough time to finish up last-minute shopping and baking.

Christmas Eve was perfectly delightful, with a delicious dinner at Pa's (Aaron's dad) house and much spoiling of Gabe and Dylan by Pa, their Aunt Miyo and Uncle Ben. I think I mention this quite often, but it is so nice to be back home and be able to spend the holidays with family. And I am so fortunate to have in-laws that I love and adore!



Christmas morning just thrilled me! I loved watching the boys' faces light up as the surveyed the room and tried to decide where to start first. Gabe actually showed a lot of restraint, as I later found out, he woke up a half hour before we did and just sat and looked at everything. I'm pretty sure at that age, I would have at least partially opened one or two things!



They both loved their gifts and had a wonderful time playing with them all day. We took lunch to Grandma and Grandpa and just enjoyed being together.

New Year's Eve was just as anyone who knows us could have guessed - we stayed in and Aaron was asleep by 9:30! But Gabe was given permission to stay up until midnight and luckily, rose to the occasion! We played his new Mario Brothers game and watched movies. He is my kid, that's for sure - by 12:45, I had to draw the line and put him to bed!

All in all, a fantastic "goodbye" to 2008 and a great "hello" to 2009!

I Don't Know If This Is Good or Bad...

80 As a 1930s wife, I am Very Superior Take the test!

*Sigh*

I was just looking through old pictures and got nostalgic. My boys are getting so big! Look how cute and little they were. Total coincidence that both these photos were taken at the beach...it's not like I totally, and completely miss it or anything!

"Our Mutual Joy"

A thought-provoking story from Newsweek.

It's Snowing!

I never thought I would be so pleased to write the above phrase, but I am! It is the first snowfall we have had since October and I was getting antsy. We need snow for Christmas! And really, if it's going to be extremely chilly anyway, we may as well have some snow along with it, as opposed to just blah, brown ground.

Dylan is running around the house saying "It's Christmas, it's Christmas!" I guess I need to explain (again) that Christmas means more than just snow. When we put up the tree, he kept looking outside and saying "We can't put this up, there's no snow, so it's not Christmas yet."

I hope the snow sticks, because as I write this, Dyl is looking for carrots for our snowman!

My sister

Janie, her daughter Cecelia and me, Oct. 2008

Just a quick "Happy Birthday" to my awesome big sister, Janie! I am so lucky, so blessed to have her in my life, not only as a sister, but as a friend and mentor.

I love you, sis!

I'll Say One Thing...

The kid knows how to nap like he means it.

What a Week!

Gabe turned 7 and I got to see Coldplay in concert!




Doesn't he look excited?! He should...look at that awesome coconut cake! He asked for it, so I made it. I am rather proud of his sophisticated taste.

I know I say this every year, but I really can't believe how big and grown-up Gabe is getting. He is such a neat kid. So intelligent and loving and fun. And good - just a good kid. I am so proud to be his mom. He had a very fun birthday - it was Tuesday, so he had school, but he woke up to his birthday gifts on the table and that was all he needed. We had breakfast as a family and then Dylan and I went to lunch with him at school. That evening we had a nice dinner with Aaron's family and my mom - Japanese food this year, as well as a request for Ramen noodles, which technically are Japanese, but not what I had in mind! His party with his friends was Friday afternoon and was complete chaos, so of course, they had a blast! Kids everywhere. He was spoiled with gifts, and I was thrilled that he had so many friends want to come and share the day with him. He draws people to him and that makes me so happy! Even if I do have to clean up the mess...





Can you read the ticket? It says Floor! We got floor seats to Coldplay!!! It was my birthday present from my totally awesome, wonderful, amazing husband. Proof that he loves me! He even went with me and soldiered through, even though he had a headache. The concert was so much fun and they put on quite a show - very high-energy and entertaining. The paper butterflies in the pic dropped from the ceiling by the millions during one of their last songs - so cool! I was so excited and thrilled to be there, I don't think I stopped bouncing, jumping, clapping or moving the entire time. One of the highlights my year, for sure!

99 Things...

I have been feeling like a bit of a slacker for not posting more and then I saw this idea on my good ol' pal's blog and decided to steal it! I do that a lot...but this does fit with some things I have been thinking about - places I would one day like to visit and things I would like to do. The items in bold are things I have done and the ones in italics are things I plan to do. My brother, Peter, recently told me he would like to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro - sounds cool, so let's add that to the list! And one day I absolutely must visit Bora Bora and Palau. Other goals: run a marathon, get my Bachelor's degree (I start back next month!) and write the last great American novel (ha)!

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill - Oh, so many...
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping - water critters by my tender areas?! I think not...
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice - does a water taxi count?! Gondolas are expensive!
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - One day! Did you know they have 24 hour restaurants and you can eat all you want?!
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke - I'm not that mean!
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - No, but I was with my sis Tammy when she did and I was so proud of her!
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance - Well, partially - I made them let me out!
47. Had your portrait painted - Not painted, but sketched by my brother Dave
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching - I know I will cry my eyes out!
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma - I have tried, but I didn't weigh enough - totally not trying to be obnoxious...it is true.
65. Gone sky diving - HELL no.
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check - In my young and very stupid days.
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job - No, but close! See #23.
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper - Maybe when I do #80?
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - Um, does trout count?
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club - I am way too intolerant of other people's opinions...bad, I know.
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake - I waded in it.
97. Been involved in a law suit - Please, no!
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Sachi

My dog makes me smile. She loves to be near me and will basically lie by my feet wherever I am. When I watch t.v., she lies under my legs; when I read in bed, she is under it; and when I am on the computer, she is there, too. Also, she follows me from room to room, no matter how much I move around, she is always right there. So sweet! I love her!

My dog makes me crazy! She has to be near me and will basically lie by my feet wherever I am. When I watch t.v., she lies under my legs; when I read in bed, she is under it; and when I am on the computer, she is there, too. Also, she follows me from room to room, no matter how much I move around, she is always right there. Her little feet constantly click-clacking across the floor! Aack. Good thing I love her.

Fall!

On Sunday, I went out to tackle the mass of leaves that had become our backyard. Two hours later, I had made some decent progress, but had not bagged them. Tuesday, I was rewarded for my foolishness when Dylan, Gabe and his friend spread them back across the yard! What did I think would happen?! But they were good sports and grabbed the rakes and tried to gather them back in a pile, without much success. Oh, well - they had fun!

He did it, he did it, he did it!

YAY! I am literally weeping for joy. My husband, too. We have hope! Congratulations to President Obama! This is huge.

Happy Halloween!

With love from,

Jango Fett Gabe and Clone Trooper Dylan

The Boys

The boys got their pictures taken yesterday by their Aunt Miyo. They were so cute! For a small sampling follow the link to Miyo's photography blog.