Fun with Jonah

Well, Auburn may not be as exotic as Hawaii, but it is still fun to have visitors! Jon's brother has been here since Wednesday evening visiting his son, Jonah. Jonah is ten, and Juddah and Zion are absolutely in love with him. Ryan and Jonah have had lots and lots of fun touring Seattle. We have enjoyed both of them at our house. Jonah played all night with the boys. They thought he came over just for them.


They played forever in our [awesome] backyard. They would come running inside, out of breathe. Juddah would beg, BEG Jonah to come play another game. Jonah even let Juddah play with his game boy. Juddah didn't exactly make anything go, but he sure looked cool with the headphones on, and game boy in hand.


With so much excitement the boys have had a hard time sleeping at night. Zion loves his uncle Ryan and Jonah so much. Night #1, Zion cried and cried at bedtime saying "uncle Ryan, No sleep, play guitar, Now. I need it." Night #2, Jonah got ready for bed the same time the boys did, so when Zion went to sleep he said, "Night Jonah, don't let bugs bite."




I think Jonah is staying the night again. Maybe I will snap some more photos. How fun to have a cool cousin so close to us. I hope he will come and play again!

Dandelions

I have been waging an all out war against the dandelions growing in the yard. My front and back lawns are virtually covered with these dang weeds. When I heard that vinegar was an effective way to get rid of these pesky plants, I tried it out. The day after my "test spraying" of some dandelion leaves, the dandelions were brown and dying. I danced a little jig, made a special trip to Safeway, and bought a ginormous bottle of the sour smelling stuff. Yesterday while the boys were napping I started on the front lawn. Gosh, there were so many plants to spray. I went through 32 oz of vinegar, and I didn't even get them all. Not to mention I watered the vinegar down before I started spraying. I am so pleased with how effective it was.



See all those brown dots? Now I need to invest in some grass seed, and a scare crow so all the neighborhood birds won't eat my yard up.

I know dandelion leaves are suppose to be nutritious, and people drink dandelion wine and tea, but why, why, why did the Pilgrims bring dandelions with them? Didn't it take over their herb gardens back in the old country?

Nap Time

How'd I spend nap time today? On hold, waiting for the "next Specialist to be available." I needed to do a change of address for my US Bank account (whoops, we've been here for a month and I still hadn't gotten it changed!!) I motivated myself to listen to the gauntlet of touch tone prompts. Once I finally navigated my way through, I had three and a half minutes for the next available operator. Not too long to wait, right? So I did a quick toy pick up, moved dishes to the sink to load... still waiting. Then I was connected to an operator. She couldn't help me so she transferred me to a "specialist." Sheesh, this change of address stuff is complicated. I had to wait fifteen minutes. All the while listening to "do do ba boom ba, la la la la, We appreciate your call. All specialists are with other customers right now. We are doing everything we can to help you take care of your banking needs. Please hold... Do do do do bop, wa wa" Over and over again. I even had time to snap this photo of me waiting.


I look so official playing spider solitaire, waiting to get my call through. Awesome! Anyhoo, banking stuff done. But the elevator music is still playing in my head. AHHHHH

Grandma and Zion. I wish I had a picture of Juddah and, Zion and grandma

Grandma Roberts

I also need to dedicate a post to my Mother-in-Law this Mothers Day.

From the first day I met her, she has made me feel like part of the family. After living on her farm I really got to know how this lady operates. I have never seen anyone multi-task like her. She can out-work anyone I have ever met. And she is so excited to tackle a new project everyday. She has taught me about farm animals and gardening. (I hope my flowers and veggies survive! We'll see how much knowledge I retained!) Karen has also been a great friend and garage sale companion to me. That woman loves a bargain!

Karen has truely been like a second mom to my boys. She would call and ask "Can Juddah and Zion come out to play?" It was always such a treat to leave the boys with her, and know they were all having the best time together. Our new distance has been hard on all of us, but I know the boys are the most sad about being so far away from Grandma and Grandpa's farm.

Thanks Karen for all you have done for us. I don't know how we would have survived without your love and support over the years. Happy Mothers Day!

Grammy and a few Grandkids in Utah

My Mom, yep, Mine

Let me tell ya about my Ma. First off, she raised seven beautiful daughters. I don't know how she did it. Just having two kids makes me feel all crazy and sweaty most of the time. I can just picture us grocery shopping at Raley's. Riding under the cart, hanging off the side of the cart, adding many treats to the cart, running around the store, and then the nightmare, the check out stand, so many treats to beg for and to grab. I know I forced her to leave many times due to screaming and crying.

I don't know how she got anything done. She was always sewing curtains, or clothes, or making blankets for us. She has also had many side jobs that she could do at home. She has made Christmas tree topper angles, tutored elementary kids, and has also made ceramic buttons, to sell at craft shows.

My mom has always kept nice flower gardens. Now she weeds almost two acres of raspberries. Oh, selling raspberries, there is another one of her at home projects.

My mom has the cutest laugh....Sigh! She also does a mean "shuffle off to buffalo." I have such a great picture in my head of listening to the nutcracker suite one Christmas, and my mom busting into a jig.

My mom has also been so positive and supportive to each of us girls. I know we have all done things that have been hard to swallow, but through it all she has loved us, and done anything for us. I can't believe some of the things I have put that lady through, ug. And now that I am a mom I expect to get my payback tenfold. I also understand more clearly the sacrifices she made to help us all grow up. What a time, and life, and money, and, and, and....etc investment she has put into us girls.

And the list doens't even end there. She has like a million grandkids, and she is such a sweet grandma to all of them. I know my boys love their grammy.

Thanks Ma. I love you so much. You are so cute and great.

Bombs Away

The weather has been very nice here, and the last couple of days it has really warmed up. Juddah (who never forgets any promise I make to him)reminded me that we hadn't yet played with the water balloons. When I first started filling up the balloons I was surprised that the boys didn't try to throw them right away. After round one of the water fight, it was very hard to get a full bucket of balloons to throw again. It was so hilarious to throw the balloons at the boys. They squealed and ran around so excited. They both teamed up against me. And Lets just say, they won!


Juddah and Zion coming after me


half way through the bucket! Man, those tiny balloons are so hard to tie.


This backyard ain't big enough for the two of us...

Charlotte's Web

This morning when I got out of the shower, Juddah came up to me, Talking about "Charlotte's Web." I assumed he was asking to watch the movie, until I suddenly noticed the "web" he had created.
Juddah intricately wove and wrapped a long black rope all around our house. It went from our coffee table, around a couch, to the table, around chairs, to the office, and down the hall.


He was so proud of his creation. We have had fun climbing through the web.


Thanks Grandma Roberts for sending us the movie. What an inspiration!!

Hood River

Mom and Dad. Aren't they so cute?!?


"Tag Your it" Juddah and Peter playing "whoooo whooo" tag. I don't know exactly what "whoo whoo" means, but when you are the "whoo whooo" everyone runs away from you as fast as they can!


Auntie Ernie and Grampy


All the cousins, and Grammy and Grampy


Our Trip to Hood River was so amazing. The drive there and back were so easy too, which makes everything that much better! It is crazy how much that town has grown, and changed. It is still beautiful, it is just different. I had a great time seeing Rose and Jewelie. It was so fun to have a "girls Night out." It has been years!
Saturday We spent the whole day with family. The cousins all had a great time running after each other too. My parents were a pure joy to be with. Erin, mom and I spent time shopping in Downtown (might I mention, without the boys!!) We enjoyed Dairy Queens indoor playground (mmm and ice cream,) and just being with everyone was so much fun.
For me this weekend was such a treat. I was able to spend time with friends and family. The boys had a great time with Grammy and Grampy. They love Auntie Ernie, and all the cousins. It was hard to say goodbye. But, it has been nice to get back to the routine. Vacations are so fun, but there is no place like home.

Tomorrow we are heading down to Hood River to see my folks, a sister and her family, and some friends. I am so excited to see everyone, I hope I can get to sleep tonight. Scratch that, I am always so tired by bedtime, I know I will have no problem falling asleep! Anyways, the sun is shining and I need to get the last of my flowers in the ground. I think I need to start some tomatos again. The ones I planted look so yellow and sad. Everything else is looking great though. Here are some pictures of the boys playing around the house. Enjoy!