Brycen is a very happy little boy. His favorite things to do include building forts, playing in the sand/dirt, and exploring the backyard. He loves to be outside! Brycen is always smiling and as you can see in this first picture, he gets that look in his eye that lets you know he is up to something. (His little hands start fidgeting!) We are very blessed to have such a wonderful son!
You can see Braden jump in his skin when Jacob surprises him! I could never tire of these moments. Jacob is such a good big brother and Braden loves nothing better than being with him.
Matt and I like to watch The Incredible Dog Challenge that shows on Animal Planet sometimes. It's a contest for dogs and their different ablilities in jumping and other events. We think Kya would be an excellent candidate!
Recently, we tried to put our pictures on Jay's new netbook, and thinking they were downloaded started deleting the ones Jayson didn't want at the time...yeah...we were deleting the pictures from the camera! We lost a bunch of good ones - mostly of Dallas being a cutie, a stinker, and other fun photos. Oh well. Since then I've taken a few more and I've just got to say that I have the cutest boys!! They are sooo funny and it's always fun to get the camera out and snap a few funny pics.
Dallas loves to climb up here and see what he can get into. He's into everything lately!
Now he's caught! This is the oh-so-innocent face
And then this is what he's really thinking...=)
It's always hard to get a normal pic of Tucker-he's always cheesing big or looking around...but that's okay! They sure love playing together!
Matt had a lucky break in his schedule this week and the weather has been just a touch unseasonable. With the afternoon off Matt took Kya out to Hauser Lake. For those of you not familiar with the finer points of Kootenai County, Hauser Lake is just northwest of Post Falls on the border of Idaho and Washington. Her previous owners told us she loves the water, but Matt wasn't sure how she would handle it. He definitely did not want to be THAT GUY who had to swim out and retrieve her toy himself. After a few short throws in the shallows he committed to the big one and she never looked back. They're not quite ready for the Dock Dogs competitions yet, but they're getting there.
I had to work all day, so I missed all the fun...poo
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Vroomm, Vroomm! Watch out Papa - He's practicing :)
Every now and then a really good deal comes along that you can't pass up! Yep...that's Dad being one wild and crazy guy on his new toy - A 1979 18foot Hobie Cat! - And my sweetheart let me buy it!!
(a little mistake in the year of the boat...)
It's only been on my bucket list for 25 years!
Yesterday afternoon, Michael Neal and I went out for my first lesson. He likes to start with the advanced lessons first I guess.
Loving it...Notice Dry Suit, Life Vest, Booties, etc...
and still got my hat..
Michael used to race 16' Hobies in his late teens and early twenties. Hobie sailing was just part of his dating Shannon and why she loves boating to this day.
We were out there going back and forth on the Columbia at least a dozen times - each tack Michael would teach me a new lesson on tiller control, Jib Control, managing the Main sail and so on...There is a lot to learn and remember ...and yes, I need more lessons.
So after a couple of hours, I'm on the Tiller, Michael on the main and Jib sails and we caught a pretty good gust of wind, and over we go...capsizing in the middle of the Columbia.
By the way, we were the only crazies out there besides one fishing boat we gave the camera to.
I lost my hat and it was only 10 feet from the boat so I jumped in to get it and swim back to the boat. Only the wind caught the boat and doubled, then tripled the distance from me to the boat in nothing flat. Michael managed to swim the bow after about 30 minutes so that the boat was not affected by the wind and I finally managed to swim and catch up to get back on the boat.
Two minutes later (it takes two to right the boat) we had it back up and sailing like nothing ever happened.
Another by the way...we were both wearing life jackets (of course), whistles, and dry suits. For me that seemed obvious, but a lot of people look at me like I'm crazy when telling this story and being out in 40 degree water in February.
Well, that much drama being witnessed from the shore from who knows who...somebody called 911.
We, being quite innocent, looked off on the distant shore while sailing along, noticed first a Police car's blue lights...then a big red fire truck and wondered what must be going on for some poor guy over on shore. Then we noticed a big green Police Boat with its lights flashing headed our direction...hmmm...we thought, "Someone must be in trouble"... grin...OH !!#@$ Do you think they are coming for US??!! They pulled along side, matching our speed, and we quite innocently asked "Is everything OK officer?"
Long story short...we were on channel 6, the 11 O'clock news last night, being praised as two very prepared sailers - a rarity around here I guess.
Can't wait to go again!!
Honest, you have to want to capsize to make it happen.
Jacobisms: These are my ash-lyes! Translation: These are my eyelashes!
So... every so often Jacob will say, "I need to go potty!" We'll take his diaper off, set him on his little potty, and he'll usually stay there for less than a minute before he gets up--nothing in the toilet. But, this evening... was different!
JACOB PEED IN THE POTTY FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY! Of course we made a big fuss, he got candy, and I got out this little gumball machine that I've been saving for potty training. We told him he'd get more candy if he put pee-pee in the potty and.... HE DID IT AGAIN!! Woo hoo!! I'm excited!!
Happy Birthday Jett!!!We sure love this kid! He is so great and is such a joy to have in our family! Jett is our BIG man and has grown so much this year! He is such a sweet kid and is obedient and kind. He loves playing with his brothers and he's always a good helper for Mom and Dad. He loves to play games and he's also a great reader and has been enjoying reading the Magic Tree House books, picture books and anything with words on it that he comes across. He also loves to do I Spy, Where's Waldo or Spot 7 books. He's also doing so great in his math - it always seems like he already knows it all, he picks it up so quick. It's fun to teach him! Jett loves to watch movies, play Wii and guitar hero when he can and he loves to play with his cousins, uncles aunts and grandparents. He's a sweetheart and we're looking forward to another great year with our man!
I had a great grocery shopping trip on Tuesday and I just have to share! Got these items in 2 transactions and on one of them a manager had to come over and approve it because I was saving so much money! A lot of times I feel like I buy these things just because it's such a great price, but then I think I could use a lot of these things for snacks at work and Matt really likes Hamburger Helper so there ya go!
I got 27 items for a total of $14.61!!
The transaction that needed manager approval went from around $21 to $1.03! It felt so good.
So this week, Dallas decided to be a big boy and start balancing and taking steps! We have fun practicing with him and he'll take 5-6 steps between us. On his own, he'll let go of the furniture and stand there for a little bit and sometimes try to take a short step by himself between the furniture. It's crazy! He'll be 9 months old on Saturday and he's threatening to walk soon! He's so much fun right now and always makes us laugh! We sure love this kid!!
Mom (the super-duperest) Awesome (duh) Nice Daaang pretty Young still (til next year! haha!)
Hope you had an awesome birthday Mandy! It was sooo fun to see you for Christmas and can't wait til the next visit. You are so awesome and a ton of fun to hang out with. You're such a great mom, you're a total babe, always fun to be around and you always make my day!
Now he's caught!
And then this is what he's really thinking...=)
A big windstorm brought down part of this old tree recently.
First time on the Trapeze
We sure love this kid! He is so great and is such a joy to have in our family! Jett is our BIG man and has grown so much this year! He is such a sweet kid and is obedient and kind. He loves playing with his brothers and he's always a good helper for Mom and Dad. He loves to play games and he's also a great reader and has been enjoying reading the Magic Tree House books, picture books and anything with words on it that he comes across. He also loves to do I Spy, Where's Waldo or Spot 7 books. He's also doing so great in his math - it always seems like he already knows it all, he picks it up so quick. It's fun to teach him! Jett loves to watch movies, play Wii and guitar hero when he can and he loves to play with his cousins, uncles aunts and grandparents. He's a sweetheart and we're looking forward to another great year with our man!
