NoWhere To Run Baby

All About RHETT

2012-01-24T15:13:00.000-08:00

Rhett woke up on his 3rd birthday (December 29th) and asked WHERE his birthday was! This kid keeps me laughing, for sure. He didn't start talking until 2 months ago and what do you know, his words came out in full sentences. Not too long ago, out of the blue he said to me "mom, people like my hair." Clearly, he has been "with us" much longer than we thought. His red hair is fading but his cowlick still remains. He wants to do everything Macrae does (including going to school). He's a lefty and already has a pretty good arm on him! (Brandon is so proud) And although his diet is pretty well rounded with fruits and vegetables, he loves carbs and sugar! (Gannah is so proud) Also, this boy will NOT do what he does not want to do. He is very strong willed! (STUBBORN-his gannah is so proud!)

(oh, how i wish this photo was in focus)

This boy loves bowling! So for his birthday we went bowling with all his cousins...and he loved it!

he was thrilled that it was HIS birthday this time. whenever we celebrate someone else's birthday he has to take a turn at blowing out the candles. so this time, the candles were all his and he was quite pleased.

When he was born I thought for sure I would have another child. Until he started moving. And then I thought, he was my "sign" that I was done. He is so busy!! He is getting a little less high maintenance but has no interest in potty training.

SNOWMAGEDDON 2012

2012-01-18T23:22:00.000-08:00

Did this "storm" really get dubbed Snowmageddon? Yes, truly, it did. I heard it on the news a few times and laughed to myself. I mean, it's only 6-9 inches. But whatever. A true winter storm around the Pacific Northwest is a rarity. So when the snow predictions started last Sunday, I was more than skeptical. I thought it was bunk. Steve Pool was assuring us that the storm was coming. And it was going to be anywhere from 6-12 inches. It started on Sunday with an inch or two and then melted but each day has been a little more snow...until today, we got dumped on. And it is glorious!! Since our city has one lowly snow plow school, work and most activities are completely cancelled. Everyone just gets out and enjoys the snow. It's like Christmas (without the presents!)

Rhettsy loved it from the moment he saw it and spends most of his time just digging and swimming in it. Jumping up and landing on his belly or backside and then doing the crawl stroke. Good thing I got him this one-piece snowbunny suit because even though he's immersed in the snow he stays completely dry.

Snow ball fights...someone always ends up crying but they love it anyway.

After all of our snow was used up yesterday, we went to Gannah's to mess hers up! She doesn't need it anyway. Great idea, huh?

And tonight...another adventure picking the icicles off of the light.

On January and more than you ever wanted to know about what goes on inside my head

2012-01-17T12:19:00.000-08:00

WARNING: this post is about to get a little crazy and a lot long. read on if you dare. move on when you bore.

The holidays around here were quite a blur. I don't think I took more than a dozen photos. I will post those later but seriously, we were so busy it just flew by!

We made gingerbread houses, baked at my mom's, did a service scavenger hunt, a white elephant party, bowling, Rhett's birthday, family dinners where we each took turns cooking. But the most important event was sneaking the Madsens back into the country to surprise my parents! We had planned a full week's worth of activities but no one really had their heart in any of it until the Madsens arrived on Christmas Adam (donned, "Christmas Madsen," this year). Honestly, it really wasn't Christmas until they arrived.

I video'd my dad's reaction because my sister-in-law had her video on my mom. But if you can tell, my mom is crying. And my dad has no words. Both of these reactions are totally out of character for them. My mom never cries, and my dad is NEVER short on words.

Thoughts on January: I love the idea of a new start!! Who doesn't love a clean slate? When i was in college i loved the first week of school. It was a Fresh START...the new syllabus with all the outlines of projects and the possibility of perfect scores on tests. (what a nerd.) i also loved a new notebook, calendar, and pens to keep track of all my soon-to-be accomplishments. it was exciting! but of course, life gets going, the semester moves forward and although you are learning, you never quite make the perfect A on every assignment or test (at least I didn't) and it is...deflating.

My life no longer includes a syllabus and shiny new pens every semester. However, January and September both offer new starts for me...in my mind. I want to be and do all those things in my mental syllabus. The closets to organize, the recipes to perfect, the weight to lose, the house to keep tidy, wardrobe to overhaul, the blog to keep up, the new hobby to nurture, the vacations to...well, vacation, the photos to take and the memories to keep. And all the while, nurturing, loving, teaching, and enjoying the children. It's a lot to do! So much to do that I can never get it all done! And even though there is no professor handing my "term paper" back with a red C+ on it, I still feel as though I'm not quite measuring up. Ugh.

This is why I haven't been blogging. It's just the one on the list that I had to let go for a while to decide where I wanted to be in my life. I still don't know. But I do know that I am going to blog more. Last September I decided that my camera and I needed a little break from each other. I felt too much pressure to try and capture the moments...so much so that I felt like I was really just missing all of it. Being behind the camera sometimes feels like you aren't IN the fun. I'm trying to learn a little balance with this. So the blog may be less photos and more talk. I hate my "voice" but well, it may be all I have on here at times.

When January 1st came, I thought, okay, it's my new start. I can start blogging today! And I can begin all those projects that I never finished last year...what were those projects anyway? And then the month started to move along. And all of a sudden I realize, it's more than half over and I'm still sitting at the same spot I was 3 months ago! I think I just got a B- on my first exam!

Here I am, with my B- staring me in the face and feeling like it's time to raise my grade! I'm going to get organized with my life. Do I need a planner? A gagillion sticky notes on my monitor? A journal where I write down all of my dreams and plans? I don't know. I only know it's time to do something!! If you are still reading, and you have an idea will you please email me??? I don't care if we don't know each other IRL, I need help here people!!

All my life I played sports or worked out or both...so since having the two boys at such a close proximity, I haven't had the time to work out and it is definitely something that I have greatly missed in my life!! A month ago, my sister Marion joined a bootcamp gym at BeFit Tacoma and asked me join with her because she wanted moral support. I wanted to join but I wasn't sure how to fit it into my schedule. I sort of thought I would go for a month and make it work and then be in great shape and be able to quit and just go back to running. Seriously, the thought of that makes me laugh! My body composition is in such bad shape that I need more like a YEAR before I will feel confident in exercising on my own! It feels so good to finally get exercise back into my life! My body is thanking me. Actually my muscles are sore all the time but I know this is good. The trainers are awesome! I couldn't recommend it highly enough!! I can honestly say that this class, the trainers, the other people who go there, have changed my life. I have more energy and happiness in my life and all I have to do is sacrifice 3-4 hours a week. Totally worth it.

And now I will leave you with a photo of my boy this morning watching the snow fall.

Happy Halloweens n Things

2011-11-08T16:25:00.000-08:00

I couldn't narrow down the Halloween photos. This year was the first year we actually trick or treated our own neighborhood! And Rhettsy was by far the most brave. He figured out the deal really quick and not even a barking dog was going to keep him from the chocolate!

After we hit the neighbors, we went on to the trunk or treat at the church. I have to say, it's an easy way for the kids to score a ton of candy, which they love. But I hate how quick it goes and also how many strangers there are there. I just liked it better when I felt like I knew all the kids. It's nice that the church is providing a safe place for the community to come on Halloween. It's just so impersonal now. I wish we could boycott altogether and make our kids work for their sugar! Like the old days, with pillowcases as bags, running from house to house so you can get the maximum candy before it's time to go home!

We were supposed to be the Wizard of Oz but Rhett refused to wear the Tin Man costume (as seen here) which meant I wouldn't bust out my Dorothy and Brandon wouldn't don the scarecrow. So, here we were.

We ended the night at my parent's house with pizza and lots of candy watching It's The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

How to choose

2011-11-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

How could I possibly expect them to choose pumpkins when I can't even choose which photos to include/not include in the blog post about the pumpkin patch. Anyway, the barrage of pumpkin patch photos continued...

It's the Great Pumpkin

2011-11-01T12:42:00.000-07:00

We went to the Schilter Farm for Macrae's Preschool field trip. Upon arrival the boys started directly into a game of hide and seek. Seriously.

Harvesting

2011-10-31T22:29:00.000-07:00

The fall came upon me too quickly. I was mourning the loss of summer through the whole month of September. I didn't want to let it go. The sunshine was still making an appearance here and there and I did not allow myself to believe that it was waning. I was in a rut. I was bored. Tired. And I didn't want to let the cold into my world.

Until October hit. I decided if I missed out on fall I would feel cheated (just like I had felt about the summer) and could possibly regret it later. So I bought some fall scented candles at Bath and Body Works. Um...it changed my life. (okay, dramatic but still...) I know it's ridiculous. But have you smelled this or this? Because if you haven't I couldn't recommend those scents ENOUGH!

Okay, the second thing I did was to finally paint my entry way and finish some decorating I have been mulling over in my brain for oh, 4 years! And well, that really did change my life.

Steilacoom Farmer's Market

2011-09-19T09:30:00.000-07:00

The fall is surely here now. I can hardly allow myself to enjoy it yet. I love summer. Everything about it. BBQ's, heat, sunshine early in the morning, going on walks with the kids, flowers, lakes, boating, fresh produce, swimming in the pool, no school... and did I mention I love the heat? So before our summer fades completely I need to post one more ode to my favorite things to do in the summer, Farmer's Markets.

The one in Steilacoom is the best! It's less than 5 minutes from our house, the parking is convenient, it's contained so the kids won't get lost, and it still offers everything the other markets offer.

FREE Chocolate milk? yes please!

kettle corn, my favorite!

Fresh flowers, Isla's favorite!

Until next summer....I'll be missing you!

Happy Birthday Spider Man BOY-Macrae

2011-09-16T10:19:00.000-07:00

Macrae was so excited to have ice cream cone cupcakes at his school and balloons to give to each one of his friends. Green for the boys and Pink for the girls. 4 years old is great because he thought the school cupcakes and balloons = a birthday party so it was easy for me. And then he wanted teriyaki from Hana which he calls "that place where we ate with Barret." This kid is a DREAM! I don't know if it's the middle child thing or just his disposition but he's agreeable and sweet. He loves his mom and gives me as many kisses as I want. Also he always holds open the door for me. What a gentleman he's becoming!

He wanted a GREEN Spider Man Cake. So, here it is.

Happy Birthday to my best boy!

The truth is

2011-09-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

(My) Boys are pretty easily entertained

He got so big

2011-09-12T18:25:00.000-07:00

But not so big that he could leave his blanket and crocodile at home on the first day of pre-school.

Things we do for fun with Ganz

2011-09-08T08:40:00.000-07:00

First Day TODAY

2011-09-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Another summer has come and gone. I couldn't be more bummed about sending her off to the big bad world.

As we dropped her off this year it was clear she was ready to be back with her friends. No tears. Nothing unsure about the routine. It made me a little sad to see her brothers hug her while she got right to work.

So grown up, she even changed her own earrings! (It only took her 6 months to get up the courage)

Clearly, it's a theme. Kitties are her favorite thing.

Banks Lake 2011/August

2011-08-25T12:11:00.000-07:00

Boys + Camping = Happy All DAY

the get up around 7 or 8 and play all day in the sand and water. It's easy to entertain them. This is what the mornings look like.

DREAMY

This trip was particularly lovely with water levels lower than we have ever seen them (apparently it even made local news). I could walk from the beach/campsite to the car (without hiking the mountain) and drive into town for a fountain diet coke. WHAT? you didn't actually think I'm the camping type, did you? Well, I am! As long as I can get my diet cokes cold and on tap.

See you next summer!

Banks Lake 2011/July and thoughts on photography

2011-08-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

I don't know what it is. But taking photos gives me a bit of anxiety. I'm worried that I will miss the shot. I'm worried that my camera will get wet/dirty. So I pretty much just leave it up to my sister, kjrsten to do the photo taking while I just sit back and enjoy my vacation and the lovely photos she takes. I must admit, it's a bit disappointing to go on vacation without her now. I can never do what she does with film. Anyway, here's how I remember the July Banks Lake trip.

navy seals in training.

we are sisters, but one of us is a little darker than a normal Caucasian.

yummy boy.

twinsies and BFFFFF.

"and thank thee that we can go fishing on booboo's party barge." (macrae's prayer, daily.)

And here's how Kjrst does. See what I mean?

Aloha oe (Dyer-style)

2011-08-21T21:24:00.000-07:00

Hawaiian Vacation at BooBoo Island looked like this.

Obviously these are all Kjrsten's photos.

Family Photos

2011-08-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

Another session by my incredibly talented, sister.

(Full advantage taken before she jumped the pond to the UK)

what boys do

2011-07-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

when it's a rainy summer day

the end.

The end of Tball Season

2011-07-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

For Isla

And for Macrae

(more photos for him since he's a little funnier to watch)

the coach said "macrae is a man of few words. but one thing he always did was take a swing and then pose." that's right coach! macrae's posing to make sure his mom saw him and got a photo!

She's all growed up

2011-06-30T11:54:00.000-07:00

Isla insisted on a "friends" party this year.

And since she is now 7 she had to have it her way.

THE PARTY

isla and her besties at BUILD-A-BEAR.

THE CAKE at Gannah's

THE WISH

She's my one and only girl and it breaks my heart to see her grow up. I can still remember our first day together in the hospital. I was dead tired but could not sleep. For the first year of her life I felt as though I had won the lottery. And, truly, I had.

This year isla quit biting her nails cold-turkey so she could get her ears pierced. Our previous rule was that she had to be 8 years old but told her if she didn't bite her nails for a week, she could have pierced earrings. She did it. No cheating. No problem!

She loves to read and write. And her favorite thing to write is SONGS.

She also is the best big sister to Macrae and Rhett. She helps out with anything they need. And I recently taught her how to change diapers.

Memorial Day-cation

2011-06-29T09:47:00.000-07:00

I will be with these people, doing something (sort of) like this on July 4th too...

All photos taken by my talented sister, Kjrsten. She also happens to be showcased HERE.

And by the way, you should VOTE for her!

Some things have happened

2011-06-28T23:54:00.000-07:00

a few months ago i was having daily headaches/migraines. life was stressful and difficult. so i started seeing a massage therapist who was amazing and ultimately led me to a chiropractor who put my body back into alignment and i started to feel better. the headaches were gone, life was normal. but a couple weeks ago, they returned. sure, i could have gone back to weekly massage and chiropractic care. but i am a busy mom. and honestly, i just couldn't see myself living my life hitting up two appointments every week for the rest of my life. so i decided to make some other changes. i also live with anxiety. and i started researching how what you eat can effect your body other than just in terms of fat/muscle. sure, many of the studies i have read contradict each other. everyone has their own theory on whether or not veganism or vegetarianism or raw foodism or whatever is healthy. and i am neither one nor the other of these things. i am trying to cut out things that have preservatives and chemicals in them. i just want to live without headaches and anxiety. so i changed my diet a little here and there. and it's working. i haven't had a headache in 2 weeks. i'm not strict. but i'm working on changing some of my habits. i hope not to become one of those weirdos who won't eat at family functions. you know what? who cares anyway. one thing is for sure. i love to cook. i love to bake. and i still love food. but my world is changing here.

(sheesh, don't think i'm all weird. last saturday i ate all kinds of deep fried zucchini and other shameful appetizers.)

here are some of the recipes i like:
a salty snack
a chocolaty craving
a summery salad

oh, and i can go a day or two without a single sip of diet coke! gasp!

Spring Recap: Little Slugger

2011-06-14T00:51:00.000-07:00

she got her dad's genes. lucky girl!

Spring Recap: Tball BABY

2011-06-14T00:44:00.000-07:00

he's only 3.

and he's a little baseball player now.

Secret's Out!

2011-06-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

this is how i get my tan...

(click on image to buy)

and also

2011-05-25T11:21:00.000-07:00

PLEASE PLEASE GO

HERE

AND VOTE FOR MY GIRL, HEATHER!!

WHO lives here?

2011-05-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

guys, this is serious. since we moved here we have heard many owl calls. a couple different kinds. lately though we have been hearing this screeching from many different trees. turns out, baby owls screech when they are hungry! these guys are sitting on the tree right behind our house. there are actually three of them, the third was in a different tree.

aren't they ridiculously cute??

listen up please

2011-05-02T14:33:00.000-07:00

please go here and leave a comment about my best girlie, heather and how she would be the most entertaining mormon bachelorette ever!

kthanksiloveyoubye.

Spring Recap: Tea for Two

2011-05-02T10:38:00.000-07:00

since one of isla's besties is moving to north carolina this summer, we decided to have a little celebration before she leaves. i decided we could have a tea party, just the two of them. isla continually asks me if emily is going to move back and if i think they will forget each other. it's so cute how the little 6/7 year old heart is so tender.

Spring Recap: Estelle's Birthday at Oaks Park

2011-05-01T23:10:00.000-07:00

last minute trip to PDX for estelle's 9th birthday celebration. it was spring break and with junk-weather abounding everywhere within a 12 hour drive, we stayed in town. except for this day. it was grand~!

try it, you'll like it!

2011-04-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

Cake pops!

i have a new favorite blog!

{for step-by-step directions to make cake pops (and other delicious food ideas)}

rascally

2011-04-10T12:01:00.000-07:00

a happy boy to be wearing his brother's spider man sock (he could only find one i guess) and hand-me-down shoes, finding his blanket in the laundry, and won't stop for a split second so i could properly document it.

he's a bum-bum.

Kobyashi

2011-04-09T14:33:00.000-07:00

i want to live here.

it's peep again!

2011-04-08T17:16:00.000-07:00

This year made last year's peep activity look...well, lame. i mean, boring!

cupcakes vs. graham crackers?

no contest!

amazing!

2011-04-07T14:31:00.000-07:00

not 1 but 2 bald eagles in Chambers Creek.

and there was another one soaring above!!

what he sees

2011-04-07T13:53:00.000-07:00

i let macrae borrow my camera for a few minutes just because i wanted him occupied while i was getting dressed. (until his dad noticed and then he put the nix on it.)

what i found on my memory card was a bit miraculous. i did not edit these at all... from macrae's point of view, this a peak of our life.

Dress-ed

2011-03-28T18:54:00.000-07:00

complete with girl underwear, macrae let isla dress him. (some things you just don't take pictures of-like boys wearing purple flower underwear)

he said "mom do i look creepy?"

and then after 2 minutes "i want to wear a boy dress now!"

i wish

2011-03-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

he would have orange hair forever

isla's art

2011-03-26T09:32:00.000-07:00

Hello, good-morning

2011-03-19T17:08:00.000-07:00

i have been spending all of my free time at the hospital with my mom.

last night i crashed at 9:30 and this morning i could not get out of bed until 10am. exhausted. it is draining. but when i am with her i am not sad. i am happy and i feel peace.

update

2011-03-14T10:41:00.001-07:00

on my mom

My life

2011-03-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Pretty much looks like this every day. It is not glamorous. But it is lovely.

OCD Much?

2011-03-12T09:31:00.000-08:00

after feeding the kids last night i started to clean up. when i came around the island i looked down and found this...

Better than me

2011-03-08T11:27:00.000-08:00

When I was little my dad used to tell me that I would be a better person than him. He said that kids are always better than their parents. My juvenile mind could not comprehend the idea that I would be BETTER than my dad! The great, amazing, perfect dad that he is!

And then it happened, I started my own brood and I began to understand...

Somehow mine have been made better than me already. What a relief!

It was Isla's turn to give a talk a few weeks ago. She wanted to write it all by herself. Proving my dad right (again) that your kids will just be better than you, here's a copy of her talk.

And by the way, Dad, Happy Birthday to the best dad a girl could ever have! I love you!

We got it!

2011-02-25T17:02:00.000-08:00

Isla said it felt like Christmas.
Macrae said it was the most beautiful day.
And Rhett pointed and said "no!" (SNOW)

Just a little

2011-02-23T16:39:00.000-08:00

A few moments of snow followed by a little sun...leaves very little snow on the ground.

The kids don't care...something about snow is pure magic.

Rhett was so excited just to be outside he wouldn't come near me for fear I might drag him back in the house. (See the smile on his face?)

Macrae was just happy that both his coat and boots are green. "Green's my favorite color! Thanks for my green coat, mom!" Apparently it's been so long since he put it on, he forgot it was green.

You can't see it but Isla made a nametag today that read "Mrs. Parker" because she was planning on playing school with the boys. Oh, and she brought her hand sanitizer outside because all good teachers use sanitizer.

My Funny Valentine

2011-02-15T19:02:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the fact that 2 of my friends "liked" two of his friends, in 1992 we went out on our first date;

It was a Valentines Tolo Dance.

We didn't really talk, let alone even dance together.

Our jeans couldn't be any tighter (but I'm glad they are back in style. haha) I'm pretty sure he weighed a buck fifteen. Luckily my "mall bangs" were tamed-ish that night.

In 2002 we were reunited. It took us a couple months to realize we had been meant to be together for every Valentine's Day hereafter.

love you, babe!

Happy birthday my man

2011-02-12T17:40:00.000-08:00

(it's a few weeks late. but i'm just digging through photos.)

happy birthday my best friend and companion for...ever! i love you!

-loved all my boys blowing out the candles together.

It was THE BIRDS

2011-02-10T15:33:00.001-08:00

The sun was shining. I had an old loaf of bread in the fridge. I took the boys to feed the DUCKS.

It didn't go as planned...

Stupid Seagulls SWARMING

Rhett runs for his life!

THE END

Brother Love

2011-01-31T11:08:00.000-08:00

a few weeks ago Isla came to me and said "MOM, macrae is always following me everywhere i go! and i'm so tired of him following me! "

before i could even think of a response macrae (who was just two steps behind her) says, "that's because i love you, isla!"

isla was flattered and they ran off together.

imagine my surprise when two days ago macrae says "mom, rhett is always following me and i don't like him following me!"

i reminded him that he follows isla and he does so because he loves her...so rhett must love him too.

the last week has been crazy. the two boys have been serious BOYS. lots of wrestling, mess making, and running going on around here. it's driving me crazy. i am not sure how to deal with the noise and chaos. i don't like it. but what am i to do? put the kibosh on their fun?? sometimes i get angry with them when they sneak out of the backyard and end up down the street. (it's a bit embarrassing when the neighbor brings them home right?) and i do make them stop when i find them covered in toilet paper, pieces all over the bathroom and the bites out of the roll? or the endo files all over the carpet...

but ultimately, i'm trying to relax and let them be brothers.

On copyrights and other questions

2011-01-20T22:24:00.000-08:00

tonight's dinner conversation between isla and macrae was about copyrights and who had the copyright to the pattern of mandarin orange slices and the way they were laid out on the counter. i wonder what is being taught in elementary school these days? i'm getting my moneys worth. that's for dang sure! and macrae is now asking me how to spell things...since he goes to (joy) school now. these kids...this life...it is beautiful!

it's been a struggle to sit down and write. what should i say? i have thoughts that i should be recording here but well, i am not sure how to express them without seeming as though i'm crying out for help. i certainly am not crying out for help. (okay, sometimes i am.) but this time in my life is difficult. it is sad. it is confusing. at times i am so overcome with sadness that i can barely breath. but all of the melancholy feelings are also lined with the joy of what i have...the life that i live.

questioning eternity and all of that. it's a bit heavy.

look at baby joshy. if you want to kiss his face off i won't blame you. i do! if this is what eternity is all about, then count me in!

Just so you don't feel down after reading my post here, watch the following video. I'm not a photographer but Scott Schuman really inspires me.

"you never know what it is...you just let it happen...it's almost like falling in love a little bit every day..."

this is how i feel about my life...i'm falling in love a little bit every day. if you don't already know The Sartorialist, it's time you did.

Rhettsy Bum Bum

2010-12-29T18:47:00.000-08:00

is TWO today!

he had to put his own candles on the cake. Aunt Mare made this cake...um, it was ridiculous!

and just like a 2 year-old he had a melt down before the celebration.

luckily it was short-lived.

And he's a big boy now!

Santa's Work

2010-12-25T02:06:00.000-08:00

is what i have been doing the last month.

promise to blog more soon...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Houses (Scenes from Christmas)

2010-12-23T22:25:00.000-08:00

Ganzies tradition with the chicklettes...although this year it was mostly just the boys.

Snowflake Lane

2010-12-23T20:50:00.000-08:00

Complete with faux flakes and all...just don't get one on your tongue!!

babies love toy soldiers

Where Keeber?

Santa's Lap (Scenes from Christmas)

2010-12-22T19:13:00.000-08:00

Nordstrom Santa...even though it might be a really bad photo (year after year) it's tradition.

Rhettys says "hello creepy photographer."

Little Ballerina on Santa's lap...

thankful for (final)

2010-11-29T22:41:00.000-08:00

it's pretty obvious, i have been slacking on the gratitude posts.

so, let me just sum it all up here since november is almost over!!

1. my sisters (both blood and in-law). they are amazing. they are loving. they lift me up. they make me laugh. they make me want to be a better sister. i love them so!

2. my brothers (again, pete, included). they take care of me. they make me feel special. they make me laugh and they even make me laugh WHEN make fun of me. i couldn't ask for a better band.

3. my childrens. i'm all twitter pated with joy when i kiss their faces and see their smiles. they are my daily bread.

4. my parents.

5. cousins. aunts. uncles. and especially cousins. my own kids and i have it so good in that department!!

6. family movies, games, scavenger hunts, jokes, songs, traditions, and more!

7. the holidays. spending time with all of the above

8. Most importantly, my Savior.

and finally, i will leave you with a little gem from the past week...

Macrae with his cousins after the scavenger hunt

thankful for (11)

2010-11-23T17:07:00.000-08:00

my boyfriend.

how did i get so lucky?

sorry babe, i know you're shy(...love you!)

photo credit

thankful for (10)

2010-11-22T10:57:00.000-08:00

snow days

(and dads who send their kids out in the snow dressed like this)

thankful for (9)

2010-11-19T15:27:00.000-08:00

Morning Runs

i love running with my sisters.

thanks for getting the endorphins flowing this morning Mare!

thankful for (8)

2010-11-18T19:18:00.000-08:00

WEIRDNESS

when i was growing up, kjrsten was the weirdness factor in my life. it took me 3 kids to get one of my own. (i'm talkin 'bout rhettsy bum bum.) it must be something about being the 3rd child!

he does something weird every day.

today he's into these:

and so am i!

thankful for (7)

2010-11-17T12:03:00.000-08:00

Dyer Family Theme Songs

I ran into Duff at Fred Meyer this morning and our conversation led to singing this song. It was then that I realized this is a Dyer family favorite right now. It's so special to us that Keith played it in Joshua's delivery room. (sorry jenny)

thankful for (6)

2010-11-16T12:43:00.000-08:00

A Post-surgery, healthy boy! He was brave. He drank 12 oz of juice before leaving the hospital and ate a Sonic ice cream sunday (complete with a cherry, whip cream, and reese's) on the way home! What a champ!

And the handsome guy holding him was a champ too!!

his voice is a lot higher (for now) and isla started to cry when she heard it because it made her sad.

thankful for (5)

2010-11-15T12:12:00.000-08:00

girlfriends who are more like sisters than friends

and this is what we really look like...

thankful for (4)

2010-11-14T12:46:00.000-08:00

my perfect fairy princess

thankful for (3)

2010-11-13T15:45:00.000-08:00

14 years of laughing with this girl.

thankful for (2)

2010-11-12T09:29:00.000-08:00

my first (dyer) nephew.

he is thriving.

he is home.

he is gorgeous.

he smells like heaven!

thankful for

2010-11-11T12:28:00.000-08:00

boys

Happy Birthday to ME

2010-10-26T22:39:00.000-07:00

it was delightful! lunch with my mom, keirra, and mother-in-law. oh, and duff, the best party crasher!

dinner with my kids, husband and parents.

yes, i'm 35. one year older. tonight my dad asked me what i want to do this year? good question, let me think on that! last year was more about just getting through the year. it was rough. but now the boys are getting older and i can breath a little. so who knows, i might have some time to actually do something for ME this year!

i have a delightful brood and an amazing husband. what more is there?

jammer time

2010-10-21T12:23:00.000-07:00

this is Bill. he's a city cowboy. with a real horse. and the horse, he's Jammer.

my horse girl can't wait to ride him! she's been talking about a horse named "Stubby" since we saw it on the beach in Ocean Shores 3 years ago. She didn't even get to ride Stubby because by the time it was our turn to ride, his foot was hurt.

Now she has a new horse to love...

And she even got to ride this horse!!

and thanks to my dad (a cowboy at heart) my kids have cowboy boots. Red Riding boots, to say the least!

Check out Emry on Jammer! (yes,that's a carrot in her mouth. She's THAT cute!)

Thanks to the Parkers for sharing Jammer with us!

really need to blog

2010-10-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

but sometimes i am just thinking about THIS.

promise to put something up this week!

not my baby

2010-10-01T16:56:00.000-07:00

but i love her anyway!

lots of swings at the cupcake...

and then, candy everywhere!

she's a doll baby!

cute big brother, cru.

happy 1st birthday emry!

the parkers throw great parties for the kids and parents!! thanks for the fun!

We DID IT!

2010-09-29T17:57:00.000-07:00

this year's trip to the Puyallup Fair was a bit crazy! not only did we choose to go on the last Saturday but also, the only sunny and hot day! i have never seen it so crowded. ever. i'm not kidding, there were some barns you couldn't even get into! and don't even ask about the lines for rides and food. (let's not talk about the 50 person line up for scones!)

also, brandon had been sick all week and wasn't feeling up to going, so it was just me, isla and macrae.

but we made sure to get our krusty pups, scones, and ice cream as well as hit a few rides and see the sheep and cows.

macrae loved this one!

macrae had high hopes for this one but i think he was a little confused about riding backwards in order to use the guns

always a favorite, it's like chuck e cheese in a box.

this was the best ride of the day!

Macrae's Party Party

2010-09-21T12:07:00.000-07:00

i'm in love with baby emry...see why?

she's adorable! oh, those eyes!

we had to let Cru take a turn at the candle.

oh man, the chocolate face!

macrae got a baseball T from his dad...even rhettsy had to try it out.

isla made him this special birthday crown and wrapped her own gift to him (which was one of her ken barbie dolls!)

da boy.

my very best.

there are a million reasons

2010-09-18T19:06:00.001-07:00

that my life is full

(photography talent)

please pray for my mom. her cancer has returned.

The BOY is 3

2010-09-15T10:13:00.000-07:00

yes, he's ALL BOY! but he's also my sweetheart. my good boy. my very best. i love him to pieces.

today he got a postcard in the mail from his nursery teacher, sister call. he got the biggest grin on his face for a full 10 minutes! he was so thrilled. he wanted to call her to say thank you and when getting off the phone with her, he told her that he loved her. my heart was swollen. i love this boy!

happy birthday macrae dwight! love you!

(photos from her-of course!)

Heaven on earth

2010-09-15T00:12:00.000-07:00

Banks Lake. i swear it is.

we spent 3 fulls days and night living and loving electric city's finest and coulee city's even finerest.

it was the best time of all times.

i wish it would never have had to end.

we roasted more hotdogs than any family should ever claim to have eaten. (turkey dogs were plentiful too!)

i took more photos in one trip than i have ever in my life. (600 or so?)

rhett ate more sand than he did real food. and he also borrowed a million pairs of shoes throughout the week.

the chicklets sang a taylor swift song and were accompanied by soni! whereupon, lexi serenaded us with her own "chocolate" and i will say i saw booboo with wet eyes.

i laughed harder than i ever have while watching my brothers and husband duke it out on the kneeboards. and by DUKE i mean, he was the ultimate fight champion of all winning 3 rounds out of 4! and also, might i add that kneeboards are clearly urban legend since i haven't seen another person riding one (other than our family) since 1997.

on the last day i learned to wake surf and loved it so much i cursed myself for not trying it on the first day!
in my last moments on the lake i wakeboarded on the most buttery water i have ever boarded. i knew once i let go it would be my last cut until next year!

and with that, i give you a montage of photos. for more photos check this out

and speaking of next year, did you know we will be adding 2 more dyers to the clan and thereby, integrating them into our heaven on earth???

rainy days and tuesday

2010-09-02T20:30:00.000-07:00

always get me down.

we were so sad when isla went off to school on tuesday. even the sky was crying.

(these were taken backwards while driving)

oh man, i need to get a sonic diet coke with fresh lime!

I'm dreaming you and you're dreaming me

2010-09-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

8 years

ago i fell in love at Banks Lake with this man.

A month later we were married!

He still makes my heart skip a beat.

And i'm the luckiest girl in the world.

(( photos from my talented sister ))

there she goes

2010-08-31T10:28:00.000-07:00

"see ya!"

it is literally heartbreaking to see my girl grow up and move into the big bad world on her own. "it's just 1st grade" you say? well, i happen to know that even in elementary school it's a dog-eat-dog world. i was there once, myself. and as i see my precious children get older it's hard for me to let them be a part of the world where they are not loved and adored and nurtured every minute. i saw the happiness of childhood in her this summer and realized that even a kindergarten school-year stole a little of her spark. i shudder to think of what 1st grade, 6th grade, and so on will take from her bright little innocence.

the precious (and joyful) job that is mine every day! to love, protect, and teach these little ones is more apparently neccessary to me today than any other day of the year.

three things

2010-08-30T21:47:00.000-07:00

1. My Boys. Wear pink lifejackets at the pool. And diapers the rest of the time.

2. The Backyard. Is finished.

3. S'mores S'more S'mores. All Summer Long!

(i am mourning the end of summer. luckily we have 2 TRIPS coming up before i let it go completely.)

The Smell of the Warm Summer Air

2010-08-30T21:14:00.000-07:00

MIA from blogging...that's me.

if you need me, you can find me

HERE.

feliz cumpleanos

2010-08-30T20:57:00.001-07:00

all hands on deck! he's got the lungs of a 64 year old!!

kitchen remodel. check.

2010-08-30T20:56:00.000-07:00

(note: brandon is finishing up the fence in the following photo...)

Cousins

2010-08-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

what is this game called? ninja? i don't know but it's hilarious to watch these girls pull out their best kung fu moves on each other.

best cousins playing in the sand

pink diaper? nope. just a lifejacket. weirdo!

gorgeous girl!

maxin and relaxin. nothing better than a good book on the beach. i borrowed lucy's book hunger games for a day and finished it.

cutest cousin conversation ever.

Rhettsy Banks

2010-08-19T10:55:00.000-07:00

the very best boy

IT WAS ALL A DREAM

2010-08-01T20:35:00.000-07:00

you know very well who you are

lost and FOUND

2010-07-23T00:33:00.000-07:00

i lost a memory card during the whole remodel. i was sure i had put it somewhere very special. INDEED! i put on a coat to head out to the park today (yes, it was that cold) and what was in my pocket but the very important memory card! i have been wanting to post some of these photos since i lost it so here they are.

it is our plague

2010-07-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

when macrae gets a cold it almost always turns into a cough.

and the cough turns into something wheezy.

and we end up nebulizing.

stinking baby RSV!

i'm classy like that

2010-07-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

this is dinner (HEY, don't judge! there's oatmeal in those!)

this is my kid

this is my other kid (yes, that's a diaper and we are out in the neighborhood).

this is my pouting kid (that wants to go swimming).

that's right. i'm totally mother of the year!

Zoo Closed Today

2010-07-16T16:43:00.000-07:00

sure, we had been to the zoo on monday. but my kids wanted to go to the zoo again today!

the pt defiance gardens were going to have to do.

rhettsy just kind of went where he wanted to go and we followed him.

Roses For Grandpa

2010-07-14T15:21:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2010

We celebrated the life of Richard Avery Dyer

i love you grandpa. i have peace knowing that you are with grandma.

Morgan Hill Aquatic Park

2010-07-13T08:09:00.000-07:00

More Fourth

2010-07-11T22:51:00.000-07:00

first there was this really awesome parade. let me say that dyers don't really do parades. come again? dyers? well, my grandpa dyer who is so patriotic he passed away on the 4th of july this year would probably do parades. but the danny-dyer clan, we don't do parades because (of ADD?) apparently they are long and while somewhat entertaining, they are long. did i mention they are long? just kidding. but really, this one was a little too long for my taste. sorry aptos, your parade is too long.

but la selva, you guys got it down. 20 minute parade and then it's on to the 4th of july festivities! now, that's "dyer style" celebrating!! here's rhettsy in his first la selva beach diaper dash! he got a ribbon for 1st place but colin was quick to note that he took 3rd, not first! ha ha. (you can see macrae in the background, he was already tired out from the parade and ready for a nap. otherwise i am certain he would have easily taken home the real blue ribbon. and the fact that he was the biggest kid there in diapers would have had NOTHING to do with it. ha ha)

then there was lots of wrestling and playing at elaine's sister's house in la selva. i never thought my "girlie-girl" isla would love playing with the boys as much as she did.

Sampling OK but (please) no GRAZING

2010-07-06T18:29:00.001-07:00

Gizdich Farms U-pick (and eat) Strawberries

Rhettsy thought it was a buffet

you will be missed

2010-07-06T17:34:00.000-07:00

grandpa dyer.

the man who's patriotism transcended into the next life.

Happy Fourth (from California)

2010-07-05T16:47:00.000-07:00

We hope yours was smokey and sulferic smelling like ours was!!

water babes and the mother of the year

2010-06-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

summer is really here.

to me, summer means swimming. when i was growing up we had seasons passes to wild waves until we got a boat. every day was filled with water games.

we don't have a boat and there's no way i would take my little babes to wild waves enough times to justify a seasons pass. so we swim.

sure, the kids can take swim lessons year round at the YMCA or the high school. but i don't like indoor pools and i also don't think it's nearly as much fun to swim when it's cold outside. (am i the only one?)

right now the two older kids are in swim lessons. and after swim lessons end we usually end up at a pool. of course, my mom's house has a pool and it's likely we could be found there most days. but my kids also love wading pools and spray parks. a little variety is good for everyone.

it's no secret i'm a little stressed out most of the time. what, with trying to keep up with the two boys, remodeling still going on in my house, and well, a non-fenced backyard...i'm wound tight and i know it.

but seeing my kids enjoy the spoils of summer makes me feel like mother of the year!

the summer...it is grand!

don't worry, isla pulled him out of the water right after i snapped this one.

little swimmers

2010-06-28T17:27:00.000-07:00

the unsure: macrae

(2 years old)

(it only took him 2 days to get up the courage to join his class)

the little fish: isla

(6 years old)