Massanutten

My dad (Della) got a few days off in between training and actually going over to Afghanistan. So we all headed out to Massanutten to enjoy some family time.  Woohoo!  We sure did pack a lot into just a few days, and it was worth it.  So, without further ado, a little taste of our trip to the "mass o' nuttin"...

First up, we spent a day at the very cool and very fun water park.  No pictures.  I was too busy speeding down slides of water and stressing over how deep my boys were getting into the pretty intense wave pools.  Those two tiny boys sure did surprise a lot of people by going down every single slide.  Multiple times.  It was a blast!

The rest of the trip was much more low-key, but just as fun.  

We covered the condo floors with legos and all became pros at tiptoeing in order to protect our feet from pain and our ears from the wrath of little boys.

I took pictures of my little sister.  Because I don't get to see her often enough.  And because she's pretty.

We went hiking.  Four of the five most important men in my life are pretty tough.  The missing one is the toughest - and cutest - of all, but he wasn't there.  Boo.

We ate a LOT of ice cream.  My belly was happy.  My waistline... not so much.

We watched our neighbors the deer.  They visited multiple times a day.  We got to know them pretty well.  I'm sure they miss us as much as we miss them.

I fell in love with this baby.  And his tongue.  His mommy had two.  Think she'd mind if I brought him home with me?

We sped our way to victory at the go-kart track!  Jake talked the whole time.  My favorite quote: "This is the first time I've ever experienced anything like this!"

We played mini-golf.  The boys won big with some impressively high scores, if you know what I mean.  I, however, did not impress.  I needed Dan there to egg me on.  I always beat Dan :)

And yes, I subjected everyone to a family picture.  Nobody complained.  I guess there's a first time for everything!

Everybody needs a best buddy.

This is a picture of my dad with his.

Sometimes a song will come on the radio and I just can't help but sing along.  Sometimes it's a song that really, given my taste in music, I probably shouldn't even know, much less like enough to sing at the top of my lungs.  But guess what?  I do like those songs.  And I do sing them loud and proud.  (My apologies to those who have heard this happen.  I truly am tone deaf.)

I blame Della and Steve for this little idiosyncrasy of mine.  You see, they have been playing this music for as long as I can remember.  I can remember dancing to their songs at luaus and fairs as a little girl.  Usually with a balloon tied to my pony tail.  But that's totally irrelevant. Just part of the memory.  I remember many nights falling asleep with the two of them still singing in the other room.

And they're still at it.  After all these years, these two old geezers are still singing.

My favorites are "Wake Up Little Susie" and "Barbara Ann."  You see, those are their wives. It's kind of silly, but I think it's sweet.

Nine years ago today...

... I woke up in a cabin at Fairystone State Park.

... On the way home, I stopped at SVC, where I would not be returning for a third year.

... I spent a lovely evening with Dan, walking around DC and ultimately stopping at the Jefferson Memorial.

... I went to bed with a diamond on my finger.

It was a very good day.

Identity Crisis

For years I have bought and worn the same cut, style, and size jeans.  Old Navy Sweetheart size 2 short. It was wonderful.  Anytime I needed new jeans (or they were on sale) I could simply walk into Old Navy, find a pair, pay and walk out.  Let's face it.  I'm not a shopper anyway, and add two little boys to my trip... well, trying on clothes is way up there on my list of things I seriously don't like to do.  So Old Navy made my life much easier.

That is, until the last time I needed new jeans.  I was in a real pickle.  I'd put off any form of shopping for so long that I was down to one pair of jeans (which I wear all the time).  And then they got a hole in the knee.  A big hole.  Not good.  I'm really not a "hole-in-the-knee" kinda girl, you know?  So, even though my jeans were not on sale, I was desperate and ran out to pick up a new pair.  Easy peasy, right?

Wrong!  I got home to discover that my new jeans were HUGE!  Seriously, huge.  Yes, they were the right shape, style, and size.  Believe me, I checked.  Repeatedly.  And believe me, I have NOT gotten any smaller.  On the contrary...  So what on earth is going on?  Were they from a bad batch?  Has Old Navy changed their sizing?  Whatever has happened, they've really messed things up for me!

Well, fast forward to just the other day.  I got to go shopping all by myself (thanks for boy-watching Bubby and Poppa!), which meant I wasn't quite as averse to trying on clothes as normal.  So, since Old Navy was having a sale on jeans (yay!), I headed on over to figure out what on earth was going on with said jeans.  The verdict: Old Navy has changed their sizing.  I'm sure they'll deny it, but believe me it's true.  Those sweetheart jeans I used to love are huge on me.  What size bum to they think I have, anyway?

My day wasn't a complete waste, however.  I did find jeans that fit.

But I'm no longer a Sweetheart.

Nope, apparently now I'm a Flirt.

We ran away.

Sometimes I get tired.

This is not something I like to admit.  I like to be busy.  I like to have lots to do.  But I also am alone with two little boys.  Good boys, but BOYS nonetheless.  So, I'll admit it.  Sometimes I get tired.

Sometimes I need to run away.

So after church on Sunday I packed the boys, the dog (who is recovering from surgery since Friday), and our swimsuits into the car and we ran away.  To Bubby and Poppa's house.  That's where I've always run away to, so it just made sense.

We had a lovely time.  We ate sweets for breakfast.  We swam at all hours of the day.  We played.  We ate out.  I took a nap by the pool and went shopping all by myself.  Mostly, we vegged.  It was exactly what we needed.

It was exactly what I needed.

Now we're back.  And don't expect to hear any admissions of fatigue again.  And don't go repeating any of this!  I'll deny it!  Because I do not get tired.  And I do not run away.  Never. And then won't you look silly...

I never thought I'd say this, but...

thank goodness for video games!

Poor little Jake had a taste of kid-meanness this afternoon.  One of those, "I thought he was my friend, but now he likes so-and-so and he won't play with me" issues.  It was very sad.

But we have Uncle Clark.  And Uncle Clark has some really cool games.

Thanks to Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael, and Donatelo (not to mention Uncle Clark), Jake is feeling much better.

Me?  Not quite there yet.

If you love him, take him down.

I read once that wrestling between brothers is just an excuse to hug each other.

I believe that.

Sacrament Shenanigans

Really, what was I thinking today when I let Camden pick our seats in church?  What was I thinking when I happily plopped down dead center in the front row?

I certainly wasn't thinking about my children's Sacrament Meeting behavior, if you know what I mean!

Oh, you don't know what I mean?  Well, let me just share today's excitement.  It was a good one...

We made it through the Sacrament prayer before it all went wrong.  But then, well, it all went wrong.

Camden climbed into my lap and started asking, in his not-at-all-quiet little voice, "Why do you speak so mean to me?  Mommy, why are you always so mean?"  Over and over and over.

I shushed.  He said, "See?  You're talking so mean to me!"

I glanced up at the stand.  Yep, the bishopric had definitely heard.  I bowed my head.  See, I'm sitting here being reverent.  (That, and I'm avoiding all eye contact.)

And Camden's comments continued.  Then he paused, folded his little arms, and bowed his head for the next prayer.  Oh thank goodness!  It's over!

But no.  We said "amen."  Camden said, "Mommy, why are you so mean to us?"

And that's when it happened.  I lost it.  I got a case of the giggles.  I mean, really, the whole situation was so ludicrous.  And it struck me as very funny.

Camden did not see the humor.  "Mommy, stop laughing at me!"  That made me laugh harder.  And every time he told me to stop, my fit of giggles got worse.

I never once looked back up to the stand again.  But I'm sure they were entertained.  And that entertainment is going to have to carry them through all the coming weeks, when my little family will be sitting deep in the back of the cultural hall.  Where we belong.

New Rules Needed

Every year at our reunion, we have a pinata.

Every year the rule is the same.

Youngest to oldest.

Next year we may have to rethink that rule.

P.S. Camden is the youngest...

(but apparently not the weakest.)

The Crystal Orb

I can't think of anything to say.  I'm not sure this has ever happened to me before.  Must be time for sleep.  G'night!

Canoeing

Thanks for taking us out on the canoe, Poppy!

We LOVED it!

At the Lake

We had fun.  We got prune-y.

Letterboxing

Have you ever been letterboxing?  If you have, you know it's fun.  And if you haven't, you should!  Letterboxing is a way to encourage family exercise, an appreciation for nature, and teaches children - and adults - to pay attention and follow directions.

We went letterboxing during our reunion, thanks to Aunt Fran, who made and placed six Kung Fu Panda themed boxes along a trail near our cabins.  And now, we're hooked and ready to find letterboxes here in Stafford.  (They're everywhere, I tell you!  Pretty cool!)

Since I really had no idea what this whole letterboxing thing was a week ago, I figure many of you may not know much about it either.  So, without further ado, here's a little step-by-step demonstration, curtesy of my boys (with guest appearances by cousin Mic and Poppy).  You can thank them later :)

Before you can go out, you need to make a stamp for yourself.  We used erasers and carved our designs into them.  Let me just tell you, the simple designs work much better!  Or, if you really want to be like us, you can draw a very tiny, very detailed picture on your eraser and get very upset when your mommy tries to convince you to go a little simpler.  Then, your mommy will concentrate really hard and - after a lot of blood sweat and tears (you think I'm kidding, but I'm not) - your mommy will get that tiny, detailed picture carved into that eraser.

So, you've got your stamp.  Sorry no picture for that step.  This mommy was kind of busy with other things...  You'll also need an ink pad, a small log book or journal, and baby wipes (to clean off the stamps).

Now grab your clues and you're off!

You'll follow your clues and learn to follow trail markers and signs.  You'll also have to observe what's around you.  That fallen tree might just be the clue you're looking for!

And you'll hike.  Take the dog.  Dogs like to explore new trails.  Our dog likes to see how many ticks she can collect.  She thinks it's as great as collecting stamps in a log book.  I think it's gross.

After a few clues, you'll be led to a very special spot - right where the letterbox has been hidden by someone who came along before you!  You then have to do a little searching and you'll come out with a little, you guessed it, box!

When you open the box, you'll find a stamp and a log book, much like the ones you brought with you.  The idea is to stamp your stamp in the letterbox's log book and stamp the letterbox's stamp in your log book.  Later, you can look back in your book to see all the different stamps you've collected.  And someday, when the owner of that box goes back to it, he'll see all the different stamps that have visited his box!

We really enjoyed this fun activity, and will definitely be adding to our log books.  We've already learned of a few letterboxes hidden in our area and can't wait to get out to find them.

If you want to join the letterboxing craze, click here to learn more and find boxes in your area. Have fun!

We're Back

We had a wonderful time at our family reunion this year.  And now that we're back, and facing real life, it's time to relive a little of the magic.  Come along and share the fun!

What I See

I'm starting to forget what Jake looks like.

I'm not ready for this.

A conversation with Jake. Not sure where the subject came from. We were talking about choosing books at the library when...

Jake: "I hope I marry a girl named Kaitlin or Emily."
Me: "Oh. Because you like those names?"
Jake: "Yes."
Me: "So do you like those names because of the girls you know?"
Jake: "I only know a girl named Emily. I'm not going to marry her."

And the subject seemed closed. Fine with me! But then...

Jake: "Mom, you know I only like one girl."
Me: "Huh?"
Jake: "You know, Jillian!"
Me: (no words...)

Uh oh! Oh well, I guess we can be confident that this little crush won't progress too far since she's got the wrong name!

The Tastiest Part of Summer

Camden and I inspected the garden this afternoon.  And we came in with - drumroll please - our FIRST TOMATO!  We were pretty excited.  It was all I could do to catch a picture of it before Cam took a big bite.  Mmmm, yummy!  At least that's what he told me, since he didn't choose to share. I guess I'll be waiting for the next one.  I may not tell him when that one ripens!  Luckily, we're looking forward to many, many tomatoes this summer.  Currently, we have 46 more ripening on the vines!

P.S. We also brought in our second harvest of zucchinis and cucumbers (they're growing like weeds - hooray!).  But, come on, it's really not official until the tomatoes turn red!

Again

My dad left this morning for Afghanistan.  Again.

Be safe and remember we love you, Della!

Yoda

One day, many moons ago (when I was still a bratty pre-teen girl), my cousin Jeff showed up at our house with a very small kitten with very large ears.  His name was Yoda (due to the big ears) and he would be staying with us for a few days.  Just until Jeff's landlord stopped checking for cats...

Well, as I said, that was many moons ago.  As in, a long time.  And Yoda has been a member of the family ever since.  We love that cat more than you can imagine - and yesterday he left us.  It was his time, and we are all so grateful that we had a chance to be together as a family - with Yoda - for a holiday weekend and to say goodbye.

And now, for a few little thoughts on Yo...

Yoda was the runt of the litter.  He even had to be helped into the world.  But he made up for his tiny beginning by eating.  He definitely earned the nickname, Chubs.

When he was young - and skinny - Yoda would walk along the one-inch ledge by our very large and very high picture window.  Spooky-looking from outside... especially on Halloween!

Yoda didn't know he was a cat.  He greeted people at the door like a dog.  He was a good dog.

Yoda taught Sam, our other cat (who adopted Yoda and truly believed she had given birth to the little runt), how to purr.  He was a master at the art.

Yoda couldn't catch a bug to save his life.  He would try for hours, only to wear himself out and finally give up.  Then Sam would reach up and get that bug in one try.  Poor Yoda.

Yoda was very creative when he wanted attention - or food.  His latest trick was playing the piano, always the same tune, to wake up the household at breakfast time!

Yoda loved the movie "Jurassic Park," and truly believed he was a raptor.  You'd believe it, too, if you knew that cat!

Finally, because this could go on for a really long time, I'll sum it all up with Jake's words.  "Yoda was a nise cat."

Yep, that about sums it all up.  We'll miss you Yo-Yo.  You were a sweet boy cat.

Happy Independence Day!

I have a confession to make: Whichever holiday we are about to celebrate, are celebrating, or have just celebrated, is my FAVORITE holiday.

So, right now...

The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday! I love it. I love the parades, the food, and the bright colors.  I love decorating bikes and dogs and watching fireworks.  I love that we celebrate outside with family and friends. I love that whole communities come together to celebrate our country and our freedom.

So, without further ado, here are just a few snapshots from our Fourth in Buena Vista:

She's beautiful.  And very patriotic.

Ready for the parade through downtown Lexington!

Bob.

Nothing better on a hot day than a firecracker pop.

Mayo discovered a love for lemonade.

Cousins.  Amy, Jen and Natasha.  We're pretty cute.

It's not over until somebody throws a fit.