Summertime, and the livin' is....busy!

Brace yourselves.....this is going to be a long one!

Livin' is supposed to be easy in the summer. Well, our summer was just plain busy. Corinne graduated from elementary school, that is right, she is a middle schooler now. She got a presidential award for academics in 5th grade, and she tested into 8th grade math for the coming year. She is a smartie and a cutie. She turned 11 on the 11th of June.

Corinne got to go with her dad's family to Puerto Rico. While she was gone, I took the two boys with me to go and visit my dad in California. I found a really good plane fare and decided to be brave and take them on my own. I am sure people thought I was nuts as they watched me lug 2 car seats, 2 suitcases, a diaper bag, a purse, and two little boys on the airplane. I was thankful my dad had a pack-n-play and a stroller at his house or that would have been insane. During my visit there we got to help my dad and his wife Trudy with gardening, we got to go to a 50th anniversary party of our old ward members, visit Monterey Bay aquarium, catch up with my childhood dance teacher, visit my step-brother in San Francisco and see a Giants game. We also got to eat at my step-brother's restaurant, (Paragon) and it was SOOOOOOO good. We caught some fish and stocked my dad's home aquarium with some new fish, and had a great time. The boys did so well traveling. I was glad to be able to visit my birthplace and old stomping grounds.

We got home from our California vacation and we immediately started to get ready for our Oregon coast vacation. We rented a beach cottage in Pacific City and we brought Brian's mom with us. Again, the kiddos were excellent travelers, especially since we had to drive slow (Oregon speed limits, ARGH!) and it was a long drive. We stopped at the "fruit loop" by Mt. Hood and enjoyed the beauty of the orchards and the majesty of the mountain. Then we took a slight detour and visited the Portland Temple. It was so gorgeous.

While in Pacific City we hiked up this giant sand dune mountain. Seriously...this was the largest and steepest sand dune I have ever seen. People were actually skiing down it. The view and the wind at the top was amazing, but only amazing enough for me to hike it once. Corinne hiked it 9 times!

(this blog is still in progress....I have many more pictures to add, but I got the text down.)

At the base of the sand mountain were some tide pools that we all loved. Brian really loved them and would trek out to the very far reaches of the rocks and find some crabs and starfish.

Each day we would venture out from our cottage and travel up and down the coast. One day we went to Lincoln City and flew our kite and made sand castles. Lincoln City was close to Pacific City so we also stocked up on groceries there.

On another day we stopped in Depoe Bay and took a whale watching excursion. We all piled on a boat and they took us out into the ocean to look for whales. Our captain kept commenting on what a great ride we were having that day. The water was calm and the whales were very friendly. Each time they would surface and blow their spout, and then take a dive and show their tail. As soon as one whale did this, we would see another surface to put on a show for us. It continued for a couple of hours and the weather started to turn. It was time to turn back anyway and then when we were done, it started to rain. We had such luck to have such a great experience and not have a miserable day out in the cold and wind

Oregon coast has 9 lighthouses and we saw 2 of them. The first one we visited is the tallest lighthouse at Yaquina Head. This lighthouse is rumored to be haunted, but it was closed that day and we couldn't go inside. It is beautiful and near the base of it are some terrific tide pools. A little boy was finding these crabs near the pools and they totally grossed me out. I guess they look too much like spiders for me.

We took some time in Newport to go and see the aquarium there. We all really liked it and had a great time looking at all the fish and sea creatures.

Glass blowing is an art that can be seen all along the coast. Corinne and I had the opportunity to make a glass star fish at one of the galleries. we got to pick the colors and spin the glass in the big furnace. Then Corinne pulled the legs and shaped our piece of art. So fun and a great keepsake for our home.

The second lighthouse that we went to see was up by Tillamook. It was the shortest lighthouse on the coast. Also in Tillamook we saw the Air Museum which housed a collection of WWII aircraft. The museum is one of the largest wooden structures ever built. There are 7 acres inside and the letters on the outside of the building are 100 ft. tall. We got to hear stories about the brave men and women who flew these planes and it was a very touching place to visit.

Also while in Tillamook we visited the famous cheese factory. The ice cream in there was yummy too.

So that was Oregon. When we got back home we had a visit from my dad because my new nephew was being blessed at church. On theth of july we had a neighborhood breakfast in the park where I was asked to play "Taps" on my trumpet to honor veterans. There was a fly-over by 3 Apache helicopters right before I played. My sister, mother and I sang the national anthem at our baseball stadium for the 4th and we stayed to watch the game and the fireworks.

A few days later we left for Yellowstone to attend a family reunion. We camped in Island Park and got to drive into Yellowstone a few times. We were fortunate to see lots of animals, and Brian, Corinne, and Landon got to see a bear. While they were away on our final morning finding their bear, I was back at our site to take down our trailer. Tradgedy struck as I left a curling iron on a low shelf and Sawyer grabbed it. He got second degree burns on all the fingers on his right hand. We did some first aid in camp and waited for Brian to get back. Fortunately we were able to find a doctor in Rexburg that was open on Saturday and Sawyer was treated there. He did not have to have any surgeries or anything except being wrapped up for a couple weeks.

We continued down to Utah where we listened to our nephew give his talk in church before entering the MTC in Provo. He is preparing to serve a mission in New York.

After the family reunion, the next weekend we had a work retreat for Brian's office. We stayed at a cabin in Cascade and rafted the Salmon river. All the while, we were treating the burn on Sawyer's little hand.

The following week brought more family into town. My younger brother, Matt, and his family moved back from Alaska. All the cousins are now in one place and that makes my mom really happy. We are having a wonderful time with them back and we are now trying to convince them to move into our neighborhood. Then my older brother, Jake, came home for the weekend and we had family pictures.

Meanwhile, we decided to paint the exterior of our home. It used to be a peachish color with pinkish trim. I always pick that color of home for some strange reason. Now it is a beautiful dark gray with white trim. It looks like a whole new house and it is fun to have a fresh new look.

The following weekend I led the young women on an overnight campout/hike. The hike was as strenuous as the sand mountain...but longer. It led us up to a huge rock balanced on this very small point. They call it balance rock. I was extremely grateful that my heart could stand the strain of all that climbing since I hadn't hiked for about 9 years before the sand mountain. I am terribly out of shape but my heart surgery was successful. We had a great time. The girls' favorite part was me teaching them how to skip rocks in the river. Ah...the simple joys of life.

Finally, the following week we took off for Girls Camp. This year I was called to be the Assistant director. With that calling I was put in charge of certification, hikes, swimming, music, skits, dutch oven meal, and we spoke on a bishopric panel. It was stressful but so much fun. I participated in many pranks. All the others at camp said I was "one of the girls" since I spent so much time and had so much fun with them.

So as you can see, we had a busy summer. I am kinda excited for school to start and the schedule to slow down a bit.

No more monkeys!

Landon is a good boy. At night his energy levels are up, especially when it is time for bed. He applies every stall tactic he knows, and then after those have been exhausted, he stays awake singing church songs in bed. Last week after a long Sunday he was waiting for Brian to come in and sleep with him for 7 minutes. It was just after 11:00 and everyone else was asleep. I was brushing my teeth and I hear a giggle and thud. Then I hear crying and see Brian carrying a bloody boy into our bathroom. Landon was jumping on his bed and fell back into the wall, hitting the corner of the window sill. There was a large cut on the back of his head and it was bleeding pretty well. Both Brian and I did not think the idea of waking everyone and driving to the emergency room sounded very fun. I also just gave Landon a hair cut and I didn't want them to shave his head to give him stitches...thus ruining his handsome hair. We applied our first aid measures and got the bleeding stopped. Then we wrapped Landon's head up tight. It is healing nicely and we have shared with him the lesson of "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" (Well, maybe a little jumping, but be very careful.)

Mean Mom

I don't really think I am a super mean mom...but maybe I am moderately mean. I especially feel that way since I reached my breaking point of changing Landon's poopy underwear or diaper. Gross! I took a tip from a friend, (thanks Pam) and started giving cold showers. I didn't just use a cup or two though...we have a sprayer in our shower that I pulled down to use. I warned Landon that if he made a mess in his pants that I'd have to clean him off with a cold shower. He screamed and screamed as I turned the water on cold and sprayed him down. Brian couldn't bear to do it, so I got to be the mean one. On the bright side....he hasn't pooed in his pants for a week and is starting to collect stickers on his poo chart, and I only had to give him two showers! I think we have finally turned the corner.

Do you believe in Fairies?

I am a new believer of the Binky Fairy. I am not sure if the binky fairy is a boy or girl, but I am certain it is a genius! Landon at the old age of three was mighty attached to his binky. He always had to have one while sleeping and he would find them and chew on them during the day. With Sawyer still using a binky, I was unsure how we'd break Landon of the habit, since Landon wasn't particular whose binky he used. I decided to take a tip from the Supernanny and summon the Binky Fairy. With very little resistance, Landon tossed his binky into a bag and we hung it out on our front doorknob for the Binky Fairy to come and retrieve it. He then went right to sleep without a binky. When the Binky Fairy takes it, in it's place the Fairy will leave a small gift. Landon got some cool little spinning tops the next morning. He asked once for his binky the next afternoon for his nap and we reminded him that the Binky Fairy took his. He just smiled and said, "Oh yeah!" Then he went upstairs for his nap. He hasn't stolen any of Sawyers binkies, and hasn't asked for one since. I love that Binky Fairy!!!!

He's got a ticket to ride

Landon got a sweet Harley trike for his birthday this year and Sawyer got a sweet push car. While they both love the trike with all its bells and beeps, the push car seems to be a bit hit as well. What is funny is that Landon will sit on the car and put his legs up while Sawyer gets behind him and pushes him around. We are almost positive that Sawyer will be bigger and stronger when they get older...but it may come sooner than we expected.

How Do You Rate?

The other day I was with Corinne at ball practice. Landon was busy playing in the dirt and Sawyer was snuggling with me on a camp chair with all the other moms and dads. Just then Landon came over and found a place on my lap beside Sawyer and got a little cuddly himself. He looked at me with a sweet face and said, "We are Mommy's boys..." Then he kinda got this funny grin on his face and continued in a loud voice,"'Cause Daddy is not here!" He was quite content with his declaration while the other parents started to giggle. I am painfully aware that when Brian is around, I am in second place in Landon's heart. I asked him a few clarifying questions to clear things up for all the other parents. "When Daddy is here, whose boy are you?" "Daddy's." "And when Daddy is here, whose boy is Sawyer?" "Mommy's." You see...he wants Daddy all to himself.

Potty training makes me pooped!

Landon has done really well with potty training, however, he hasn't done well with #2. I have tried many things. There is a chart up with one sticker on it...I have bribed him with candy, crayons...etc. I put him on the potty for a time and he got very silent. I peeked in the bathroom and he had fallen asleep. After one picture, he adjusted his positon and continued to doze. I thought it was so funny.

Easter Happenings

Brian and I held our breath for an entire Easter weekend. Last year was when Landon fell and sliced his little hand open. We watched him like hawks as we went to different family activities, always remembering the tragedy of last Easter. We are grateful to report that the weekend was uneventful in the way of injuries...and we celebrated well with lots of family. On Saturday, Corinne had a scrimmage for softball and afterwards we went over to our cousins' house for the annual egg hunt. My mom had just had knee surgery two days earlier so I got to be the handicap bus. There was great food and good times.

Brian and I gave the lesson in church on Sunday to the young women. It was a nice easy-going Sunday. We had a small dinner at our home with Brian's mom and I took a plate over to my hobbling mother, and got her settled in for the night.

On Monday, we decided to extend our weekend to include a family get together. My sister-in-law works on the weekends so we colored easter eggs and had another little hunt in our yard.

We hope you all had a happy Easter!

Guess I'll Go Eat Worms

Landon is always exploring and learning new things. He constantly follows Daddy and gleans information by being "Daddy's little helper." While working outside, Brian left the hose on the lawn and very soon after there were very large worms that came up to the surface. We explained to Landon that worms help your dirt and I picked up a few so he could touch them. He thought it was great and was fascinated watching them wriggle their way back underground when it was time to say goodbye.

Not only are worms interesting but ants and strange bugs found in our backyard are amazing. He even loves to watch the birds in our pond. We found this weird bug while pruning our roses.

Sawyer gets jealous watching Landon run around outside since he loves to be outside too. Brian and Buddy were chillin' with him out there on one of our warm days.

Batter Up!

Corinne started softball this year. I really have no problem with this since I played when I was young, and my mother is a softball star. We all don't know why softball has to be played during the craziest part of spring where there are 80 degree temperatures and also 35 degree temperatures. Corinne's first game was during a 35 degree day and the wind was blowing like crazy. There was even a possibility of snow that night! Her favorite position is first base, which just happens to be the favorite postition of her mother and grandma. Grandma ended up being one of her coaches and we are having a great time.

Milestones

I know I have not blogged in a while. Our schedule has been busy with the holidays, bathroom remodel, birthdays, sickness, etc. that it would be quite overwhelming to blog it all, but I will hopefully hit the high points in a few attempts. I will also try to do better and have more regular entries like days of old. Eventually I will finish my entry from Christmas time.

Right now I will share with you two milestones in our home. MILESTONE # 1: Both Landon and Sawyer have their birthdays in February. Sawyer's came first on the seventh. He is growing up so fast and is quite the delight. We had tried to encourage him to take some steps since he traveled around the furniture all of the time but he would take about two and fall on top of me. On the night before his birthday we had a family dinner with Brian's family where we gave him his own little cake. He devoured it like a regular pro.

After I cleaned him up he stood up and started to walk across the room. He was a baby on a mission to be a walker before the ripe ol' age of one. we thought it was funny he chose leass than 12 hours before his birthday to do it, but he made it. He became a walking maniac right before our eyes. It took him about two days to stand himself up in the middle of the room instead of on the furniture to start off. It is so cute! Unfortunately those photos are on Corinne's camera and will have to be added later, but I do have a video taken today of him walking.

MILESTONE # 2: If you are a friend of mine on facebook you may have seen what milestone number two is all about. Landon is in the midst of potty training. That also means I am in the midst of training myself how to train a little boy. Landon absolutely refused any attempt to train earlier with the excuse that he wasn't three yet and he couldn't do it after his big boy birthday.

He had his birthday, complete with BYU cake and Mac 'n' Cheese dinner. Brian swore that he had nothing to do with Landon picking BYU cake, but we all know that Brian has been influencing (brainwashing) Landon since birth. We had the family over and our kids got so very spoiled.

I let it go for a couple of days after his birthday and then I got right into the training. His old arguement of not being three didn't hold water any longer so I won that battle. Landon is actually doing very well in this endeavor. He doesn't have any anxiety about different toilets, he loves wearing underwear, and he hasn't had any real accidents. He is about 50/50 during naptime, and he has only made one poo in the toilet, but I will celebrate our victories. It is easier than I thought and I am pleased with his progress.

On a side note we took the kiddos to an indoor playground for Landon's birthday. Corinne was just excited we pulled he out of school for a couple of hours. We got some great pictures of them playing around as it rain/snowed outside.