Rambling

So, I feel like I have been neglecting things here on the ol'blog this month.

I look at the post total for the month and think "TEN???? In 28 Days???"

And then I sit down to write something, and my brain is tired.

And I ramble because I can't quite put the thoughts into order.

So, here's some rambling:

Ryan has a cute little friend at school named Lyla.  When I picked him up on Friday, she came running toward him and said, "RYAN! I need a hug good bye!"  And Ryan pulled her into a tight hug, then they both leaned back and gave each other a kiss.  Ryan is a good 5 inches taller than her... and as I stood their watching them, I chuckled because they looked like a husband and wife saying their daily goodbye. 

Evan informed me that Valentines Day should not be a holiday.  It's all about kissing, and that's gross.  He told me that we were NOT going to make cards for his classmates, but that candy would be okay... BUT NO HEARTS ON THEM!!

The weather is freaky weird here.  As in, it's January 28th, and I STILL HAVE PATCHES OF GREEN GRASS. 

The last snow we got was gone within a few hours, however, it stayed long enough for Evan to roll the entire front yard worth of snow into a GIANT snowball that is currently sitting in our back yard.  He moved it there so that it would be in the shade of the house and last longer. 

I introduced Evan to the movie "The Hunt For Red October" last weekend, and he keeps walking around saying Russian words.  He's also been working on an aircraft carrier with his legos for the last week.  Oh, and we often hear "RIGHT FULL RUDDER" and "ALL BACK FULL" being ordered as he plays. 

Okay, well... I'm going to go switch the laundry. 

Otters and Penguins and Sharks, Oh My!

Being a land locked state, there aren't a lot of opportunities to see sea life. 

 But we do have a itty bitty tiny aquarium!

They came to Evan's school week before last and did a presentation ... and told the kids ALLLLLLL about their newest residents... the River Otters.

Evan, of course, was in LOVE. 

We had planned on going last Monday when we were both off school/work, but when he got sick, I promised him we would go for Friday Fun Day.

So, I rushed home from work on Friday, picked him up and we headed straight over! 

That blur right in front of Ryan is a penguin.  They are quick little guys... and the lighting was so low, that's the best I could get! 

The otter was pretty dang cute... he would press his nose up against the glass where ever the kids would put their hands.  Ryan kept jerking his hand away saying "It BITE ME!!" and then giggling.

We got their just about 30 mins too late for the sting ray feeding, and since they had just ate, they were all sleeping in the deep end rather than swimming around, so we didn't get to pet them either.  Oh well.

Anyway, we had a lot of fun.  Evan found a fossil in the gift shop that we added to his cub scout collection. 

Creative People: Listen.

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Three Day Weekend Turns Violent and What I Accomplished Between Loads of Laundry.

Violently Ill that is.

Yeah. 

I spent last night cleaning up partially digested food and washing bedding.

BUT...

LOOK WHAT I FINISHED between loads of laundry!!

First... For Robyn:

It's funny, we tried and tried to come up with a plan for a set of frames she has in her dining room, and she wanted something that coordinated with her Fiesta ware, but that was versatile enough to flow into the adjoining rooms.

Nothing was clicking, and then I looked up on her shelf and saw a bin labeled "My Minds Eye"... and for those of you who have ever talked sbing companies with me know that I LOVE MME.  Esp the lines So Sophie and Stella Rose. 

And it dawned on me that Stella Rose was ALL of her dish colors... ALL of them.  I pulled out a paper and suddenly it started to come together.  And not just this one... but all 5 that we need to do for this frame!

And next, something I've actually been working on for awhile... but finally finished this weekend:

I have no idea what I'll do with it, but I really enjoyed the process!

Blog Neglect: Reason # (Uhh, I lost count, but he's cute)

My boys have a "cousin" named Trevor.

My boys BEG to spend time with Trevor.

My boys are very persuasive.

So we spent the last two days playing with Trevor.

This morning, we woke up to Ryan begging to spend MORE time with Trevor.

If only the laundry would magically catch itself up!

My Friend Shari

I have this beautiful friend named Shari.

No, really, she's BEA-U-TI-FUL!

Inside and Out. 

I met her working at Continental, and through job changes, babies, moves and all the other random life events that have happened in the last 12 years, we have managed to stay close.

The last few months, a song has been playing on the radio that just makes me smile and think of her EVERY TIME I hear it.

Maybe because Shari has always "screamed" Cali and beach and sunny to me.  I don't know.

But, Shari, I love you so much!!  You are one of those people that effect lives in such a positive nature.  I just can't tell you how much your bright, sunny, beautiful soul has effected my life.  And every time I hear this song, it reminds me of that. 

Thank you!   

Sometimes, I Don't Ask Why.

Contents of Wagon:

2 Cute Boys

(who happen to be wearing Nerf Armor)

1 Scooter

2 Nerf Guns

One Hard Hat.

Evan is "speaking" into an imaginary radio.

Ryan is defending the flank by pointing his Nerf and saying "Bang Bang".

Caution: Stupid Sign Ahead

Now, don't get me wrong, we LOVE the planetarium. 

But honestly, this sign just CRACKS me up. 

And I totally understand it's there so you can't sue them when your kid does this:

It's so much fun!!! 

A Scrappy Gift

Yesterday, I decided to create a little something to send to a friend.

She has no idea it's for her.

I guess, after she gets it in the mail, she'll figure it out... hehehe.

It's just a small thank you... A 5x7 scrappy/doodle inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.

Winter Vacation



Evan had school right up until the 23rd, so I decided to make the most of his week off, and took it off from work as well.

Most of our days involved NOTHING structured. 

The weather has been super nice... which means the boys have been playing outside a LOT.

And burning through every battery in the house having races with their Christmas gifts!!

We did take a trip downtown with the cousins to visit the planetarium... pictures coming soon!

Anyway, today is our last day... I asked Evan what we should do and he said, "See how long we can stay in our pjs!"

I think that sounds like a pretty good plan!

2011 Down...

Last night at dinner, I asked Evan what the highlight of his year was... and after explaining highlight, he told me:

This summer when I (Evan) got to go to three states... Washington, Montana and Florida.  Oh, and the Shuttle launch... because it was the LAST ONE!!!  Oh, and Christmas.

I asked Mark... and he said:

Finishing the basement.

And to be honest... that's one of my best moments too.

But another one would be this morning, as we were laying in bed snuggling, pretending it wasn't morning yet... and Ryan reached over, put his arm around my neck... pulled me close and said, "I love you so much." 

And every moment just like that.

We are surely blessed.