I won! I won!

I didn't win a car like umm...one of you, but I did win an 80GB iPod!



I'm so excited! I usually don't win anything ever!



If you go to http://www.resources.family.org/, you can enter also. The iPod also comes with all of the Adventures in Odyssey loaded on it. They're giving away three a day for 7 more days.



(hint: read the contest rules. it'll help your chances of winning)

Yeah me!

I elfed my family

click here to see my elfin' family. I'm laughing so hard, I'm crying!

Thanks Megan!

Hello everyone!

Here's a happy face for all of you! I came home from work one day to find that Shane had made this for me, all on his own. I had to share it.

I just haven't blogged in so long! I've been so busy working. Thanksgiving flew right by, and now we're heading toward Christmas!

We had a quiet Thanksgiving at home as a family. We had ham, turkey, stuffing, cheese potatoes, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and rolls. Basically, D said I made way too much food! After dinner, we went out to see the new Disney movie, "Enchanted". We loved it! It's quite humerous. Disney kind of poking fun at it's own princess stories.

I want to be better posting, and visiting all the blogs I usually read. Unfortunately, I think I won't be back to my normal blogging schedule until after Christmas. I'll catch up though!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday Theron!

Theron,

Wow, you're a teenager now. Imagine that. I still remember finding out I was going to have you. Your dad and I were so happy! You have had to go through so many moves with us, and I know it's been hard for you. You've come through them all stronger.

Remember reading all those truck books over and over again? Your first word wasn't mom or dad, it was car.

You are the smartest, strongest 13 year old I've ever known! When things get crazy in the house, when we're busy getting everybody everywhere, you're the one who keeps me sane. You tell me to go relax for a few minutes while you stir dinner. You absolutely blow me away with how caring you can be.

You still look exactly like this when you wake up in the morning. Well, your hair still sticks up everywhere...

First steps to greatness right here. Wow, dad looks REALLY young and skinny! Wait a second, is that even him? Nice military TLF (temporary lodging facility) there. This was amidst your first military move. Dad was a brand new 2nd LT.

You have a faith in God that most people never experience their entire lives. I know you will follow Him all the days of your life. He's ignited a fire in you that I know will only burn brighter and brighter. Don't forget to share it!

Check out how young your mom and dad look here. And, wow, did I have great taste in glasses or what? Those are stylin'!

I look forward to the day when you become the inventor you want to be. I hope someday you get that Corvette you've been wanting. You keep dreaming big, and you'll make it just fine!

Here you are getting your iHome for your birthday. Did you know when I was your age, we had cassette tapes and had to play them in WalkMans? I know, it's scary.

Pack that backpack, and take the road less travelled my son. You'll be glad you did. Just don't forget to call, e-mail and text your mom.

Mom

Bella

Hey everybody. I get regular updates from a Christian organization, and I received an e-mail this week about a new movie that is out this past weekend.

It's called Bella. They are trying to get the word out about this movie. I have not seen it, but I plan to see it this week. It might not last long in theatres. It has won tons of awards already. It is a love story with positive Christian values.

Go to the website at http://www.bellathemovie.com/ and check out the trailer. I like to see positive movies in the theatres these days. They're hard to find sometimes, and I think we need them!

Seriously?

Ok, so on our recent trip, I was going to try to get a nice picture of all three boys. Maybe put it in our Christmas cards, something like that.

Unfortunately that's easier said than done. Take a look at this...

Nope, no good, Theron's eyes are closed... Not to mention the look on Collin's face.

Nope, not gonna work. Theron has an "I'm mad because you're taking my picture" look on his face.

Wow, everybody looks ok, but who's that in the background?

Nope, not gonna work. Shane's eyes are closed (and he's forced smiling), and oops, the person is still in the background.
This one isn't bad, but Collin's not smiling, and Shane is squinting.

How about this, we'll try a new location. But, wait, what kind of look is that Collin?

Shane, I know the Bible tells you to pray without ceasing, but can you do that later?
OK, Shane's eyes closed, and doing something with his tongue...

Oh, well, you can't say I didn't try. I tried, really I did. Perhaps I'll just put a picture of our dog in our Christmas cards.

Theron's birthday was this week, and as soon as I can get some baby pictures scanned in of him, I'm going to post them. He was the cutest baby! Now, well...he's a teenager. Waaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Trip picture overload

OK, so sorry it took so long for these pictures! And these aren't even all of them.

Here's the cabin we stayed in. I was trying to be all "artsy photographer" by taking this picture, with the fishing pole, and the reflection in the door. I'm such an amateur though.

This was the view from outside our cabin looking down. You can see the line of cabins on the left that we stayed at. It was so much fun to have the river right outside our door!

Here's my precious baby boy posing for me. He's the only one that willingly poses for me now.

Ha! I caught you!
And, here Collin is fishing.

Yea, ok, I'll touch it, or I may do the screeching thing dj's do with records.... What a mean man. He puts a hook in his mouth, takes it out, and then throws him back. Nice bed head, time for a cut! Ah, look at the beautiful scenery. Yea, great dad, can we go back to the car?

So, this was so funny. As we entered the park, there were tons of cars parked on the side of the road. D said, you want me to stop? Yea I do. It must be something incredible. So, we got out, and this was it. Of course it was neat to see, but we were laughing, because of the way they were just standing there looking at everybody like, "what's the big deal?" Oh my goodness, beautiful aspen trees in the fall...

Oh my goodness, more beautiful aspen trees in the fall...
Top of the world, baby...

Apparently at the top of the world, two out of three boys can't keep their eyes open for a picture. I think it was the wind. At least Shane's enthusiastic!

Yeah, man we don't know offered to take our picture so I could be in a picture, but you can only see my floating head. Oh well.
Funny picture D took. Can't those elk read?

OK, I'm trying to make some time here, do you mind?

Shane at the rock shop. As you know, that dude loves rocks. In fact, he would love a rock from Hawaii...hint...hint...
That's all folks...
"Cue Andy Griffith theme song now..."

All I need to know...I learned from Collin

(in the mountains...)

Mommy, did you know that the elk come out at rush hour? Really Collin? How did you know that? Cause that's when the people don't bother them, cause they're busy rushing around.

(dropping him off at school this morning...)

I love you, Collin! I love you too mommy...even when you're in heaven, I'll still love you.
Wow! let's not get out the shovel just yet.

So, Collin's class lines up in the morning before they go inside. Everytime a girl gets in line behind him, he does a little bow and says, "ladies first" and lets them get in front of him. The girls are EATING IT UP! They giggle and smile. They love it. The other boys, well, they hate it. At first they got really mad at Collin! They would say, "no they don't" or "nuh-uh!" or "they're cutting!" Well, today I noticed they're warming up to the idea. I noticed at the end of the line was Collin...and five boys behind him. Way to go Collin! Way to start a new "Chivalry Revolution!" I'm proud of you bud!

Well, for those of you who were wondering, yes, we were in the good ole Rocky Mountains over the weekend. I had three whole days off from work, so we booked it out of town! We had a wonderful time. We stayed in a cabin with a river right outside, so the boys fished any time they wanted to. We went up the continental divide, and got to see what it's like above the tree line. The boys really enjoyed that. And, yes, it was elk rutting time. The wonderful, magical time of the year when the elk are finding their mates. We had to walk away a few times, just before it turned all Wild Kingdom on us! I thought of our good friends Mike and Mindy, and how they got to witness the glorious rutting time a year ago, and missed them terribly!

I took about 300 pictures. So, I haven't sorted through them all. I hope to have some posted by tonight or tomorrow!

Brat, two can play that game!

For all of you who are readers of my lovely friend Wendy's blog, let me just say for the record, two can play that game....

I am somewhere far less exotic...

Wildlife abounds....

A river runs through it....

I am in a cabin...

Where am I?

Ha Ha!!!!

Fall

Ah, the crisp cool air.

Ah, the beautiful leaves. Ah, the cool rustling sound they make when you're walking.

Ah, the sweet sound of silence because the kids are in school, ummm...I mean ah, the sweet sound of young boys walking in the door after a productive day of "mind-molding."

Anyway you cut it, I love fall.

Wow, it's just been so long since I've updated anyone on what's going on here. I've been so busy working, and D has been too. He's been filling in for a co-worker.

So, I'll fill everyone in. Shane is in a running club. He's loving it. He's such a fast little bugger! He's still doing his guitar lessons, and is progressing well. He's also started up Cub Scouts for the year.

Collin, oh my goodness, my baby is a Tiger Cub now! Where did the time go? Seems like just a few minutes ago I was changing your diaper...

Theron is doing well in middle school. He's playing the snare drum in band, and is in art. He's one point away from getting straight A's at this point. Go, Theron, go. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of him doing his activities, because, well, he never lets me take his picture.

So, last weekend, I had a day off, so I was determined to make the best of it! We went and had a great day whirling, twirling and getting nauseous! A perfect day for three boys. Me, well I had to buy some dramamine at the snack shop. At least they sold them! That's ingenious of them.

So here's D and Collin riding the Tilt-A-Whirl.

Pure joy!

And, here he is with his arms up in a defiant "my mommy can't spin this bucket around enough to make me nauseous" stance. MuHaHaHa! Your mommy knows how to spin one of these. All the other pictures D took of me riding rides were a terrible likeness. I had like terrible looks of hideous terror on my face, and I was all weird looking. So, since it's my blog, I picked this one. At least I'm smiling. And, it's cute of Collin, with his little arms up.

Here's the boys on the Sky Ride. Collin and I were on another car passing them up going the other way. Collin ended up crying on this one. He didn't like it. Me, well, I hated the ferris wheel. It was freaky scarey!

So, this totally shows the personalities of both of them...trying to survive the Tilt-A-Whirl.

So all you mothers of cute little kids that you dress in cute little outfits...just remember some day, they'll have their favorite sweatshirt, and want to wear it everyday! Yes, I actually do laundry.

So, this weekend I work again, but next weekend, I have three days off. Yes, you heard correctly, three days off. I'm planning an awesome weekend with the family out of town. I can't wait! The pictures are going to be fabulous.

A Mom's day in under 3 minutes...

Shane and I just saw this on a morning news show. We loved it! I know I have older children than a lot of the other moms that read my blog. So, I understand all of the things she's saying. My little baby will be a teenager in less than a month! Urgh! Well, it's not him that I have to worry about...it's Shane. Anyhoo, enjoy. I haven't been on in a long time, so somebody else might have posted this, I just don't know. If you have, sorry. I just thought it was hilarious! Collin says I say all these things, except I say "feed the dog" instead of "feed the cat". Personally, I don't remember saying the "hay" comment, and um, er...at least a few of the others!

How's everybody doing? I have pictures to post, and I don't work tonight, so I'm going to get on. Thanks for hanging in there for another post!

Duck vs. Cougar

Is this what the world is coming to? I mean really. During the 80's and Ghostbusters, it was dogs and cats living together. Now, it's duck pitted against cougar. You would have thought the cougar would have won, but this duck has some....webbed feet. And, the cheerleaders are laughing! Brings me right back to high school.

Mindy and Mike, you are particularly going to like this, seeing as you're from Oregon and all....don't mess with the Duck!!!!

A great weekend at the game!

Well, last weekend was the official start of the college football season. We went out and tailgated and had a great time. Theron isn't in the tailgating picture, because he was at home with a headache. Uh oh, I hope he isn't inheriting my migraines! He felt better later though, and D went to get him. He saw the last part of the game.

We had a special visitor with us for the weekend. Collin's godmother, Tammy came to see us and went to the game with us. Tammy is a childhood friend of D's. The boys had a great time, as you can see from the photos, and we all hope Tammy had a great enough time to come visit us again!