find joy in the journey

we are living in a lego world

Can I just tell you that we are living in a lego house?  Those boys are elbow deep in legos every day.  There's the pirate legos (about 4 different sets) that they bring together to create a mega pirate ship that sometimes engages in battle against the duplo pirate ship.  Then there's other Star Wars legos which were originally designed for creating Boba Fett's ship (I think Conner's christmas gift in 2005) and now fuel the creative imaginations of 2 little boys with endless space-ship designs in their brains.  The soccer legos come out from time to time, but currently hold a backseat to the pirate ships.  And there's the tub-o-legos that Payton got for Christmas and is loving.  A mixed supply of colors, shapes, & sizes where the creation possibilities are endless.  Payton's design of choice -- a house.

When Conner started getting into legos (I think he got that pirate lego set at age 5) I thought, oh great.  This is going to make a disastrous mess . . . all the little pieces everywhere . . . what about the baby . . . . it's going to drive me crazy.  And it did for a little while.  We made rules.  And I was paranoid about lost pieces -- especially the kind that fell down the heater vent.  There were more than a few.  But I mellowed out soon enough and now I love it.  I love watching them meticulously following the steps in the instruction booklet.  I love seeing their little fingers at work securing every piece in its spot.  I love the looks on their faces and sense of accomplishment they feel when they build something new.  I love seeing their creative minds at work, taking a bucketful of tiny pieces and creating something totally unique.

Yes, we are living in a lego house.  Several times a day I open up a bedroom or playroom door to find a boy surrounded by lego pieces scattered in a two-foot radius.  I should get a picture of that sometime.  For a moment I hold my breath, smile, ask them what they're building, and leave with a little reminder to clean things up when they're done.  And they do.  Usually.

The extent of this lego infiltration on our family really hit me today when Anna was running around with the cannon from the pirate ship, shooting the cannon ball/missile at me, the tv, the pile of laundry and saying "Anna's legos".  I think I need to keep my eye on the pink princess legos for future reference.

If you look below I've posted an update on the Star Destroyer saga.

snow day

sleep in . . . . check

snow pants . . . . check

snow ball fight . . . . check

snow/grass angels . . . . check

snowman . . . . check

hot chocolate . . . . check

melting snowman . . . . check

all in a days' work.

lego 6211

1327 pieces

150 page instruction book

23 inches long

3 die hard star wars fans

How long do you think it will take them to assemble it?

START TIME:  Sunday, January 20th @ 1:00pm

May the force be with them.

status update #1  MUCH of this was done by Conner & Payton on their own.  With Conner working as the contractor (putting everything together) and Payton the sub-contractor (fetching all the pieces).  It has been put away to be worked on another day.

status update #2 The boys are doing a GREAT job.  Conner is really good at this stuff -- Scott only had to correct his mistakes a few times.  And Payton is just bursting with excitement every step of the way.  Scott was about to add one of the large pieces to the top and Payton said, "I'm going to close my eyes and open them when you're done."  He is so funny.  And he's a great little builder too.  I think one more building session is all we need to finish this puppy.. 

party weekend

party #1:  the work party

The annual holiday party for Scott's company is always a date to look forward to.  Picture this:  a night away from the kids, all dressed up for anight in the city, seated in a ballroom of the Art Museum, roses and candlelight grace the tables, steak and salmon dinner, and Moonstruck chocolates to take home.  Works for me!

You know what also works for me . . . a new dress.  I was determined this year to find a *dress* -- not a skirt & top, nothing that required layering on the top or had me worrying about the length all night,  something that could just *be* on it's and just be fabulous.  I was very happy with what I found.  My favorite part is the tulle peeking out the bottom.  And here's the curly hair -- not exactly what I was imagining, but it works.

party #2:  the "work" party

When Scott first asked Conner to join him in the crawlspace his response was, "it's too creepy down there."  Payton's reaction:  "That's awesome!  I can't wait to go under the house!"  This weekend we began (and mostly accomplished) checking things off our home inspection list.  It's not too much:  clean out the crawlspace, and the gutters with some minor repairs, etc.  So things are moving forward.  Although, a few days ago we (along with our realtor) were really thinking that the sale was going to fall apart on both sides.  Friday morning we got the miraculous news that everything was going to be just fine.  Phew!

Well, the boys ended up enjoying their adventure under the house very much and came back up bursting  with excitement.

And when all the work was done a nap was needed.

party #3:  the ward Christmas party

The hit of the night:  Santa and ham.

Check out the chunk in that kid's hand!  And Anna wasn't going to be left out -- she pounded a sizable portion of ham as well.  The kids were cute with Santa and spent plenty of time sharing their Christmas lists.  Even Anna walked right up to him with arms reaching out -- good to see she's not a Santa-phobe.

I think that the Christmas season is officially in full-swing!  All of our holiday parties are done, shopping is finished, cards are in the mail, and the tree is up!  Now we just get to enjoy our family time, do some baking, ooo and ahhh over the Christmas lights, and count down the days. 

the return of the sac

This 20 second video is just a sample of what went on for the next 20 minutes. 

my Scott is back in town

We have had a great weekend with Scott back home with us.  We've played, shopped, eaten out, watched movies, and even went out on a date.  But now as I think about it, probably not the most relaxing weekend for him after spending a week on the road in West Virginia.  And with plenty of misadventures:  a 6 hour delay on his departing plane, then missing his connection, which meant renting a van and driving the rest of the way, arriving at 4:30am only to show up at the client site at 8:30am.  And then there were the bed bugs . . . What he really deserved was a big nap.  But instead I gave him a haircut, which seemed almost equally appreciated.

Friday night we went to a Blazers game.  Scott won two tickets at work -- I guess he was really good at the game where you have a celebrity's name on your back and you have to go around asking questions to figure out who you are . . . he was George Bush.  Some prize!  It was a fun date.  Definitely something different.  One of the most fun parts of the night was near the end and the Blazers had 98 points on the scoreboard.  Everyone in the stands starts chanting "cha-lu-pa, cha-lu-pa".  We were clueless, but I guess when they score 100 points everyone at the game gets a free chalupa from Taco Bell.  With less than a minute to go the Blazers scored a 3-pointer and the crowd erupted into cheers.  And sure enough, as we exited the arena there were attendants passing out coupons for a free chalupa.  Thanks Taco Bell!

and for my local ward friends . . . we found out that Brother Q. moonlights as an NBA referee.

Saturday, Conner had a very rainy soccer game at 9am (he scored 7 goals -- with 8 and 3 the previous two weeks).  Then we all went into town together for errands.  At Joe's Scott updated the kids' winter/ski clothes -- can't believe it's almost that time, and that Payton is going to start lessons this year!  I'm a little bit nervous for him - he's so little!  Then Costco where I got the new Josh Groban Christmas CD.  Love it.  And finally, our favorite kind of lunch -- happy meals for the kids, Chipotle burritos for mom and dad.

A good weekend, busy Sunday, and the kids are quietly in bed.  I think it might be time for us to enjoy some apples & caramel dipping sauce.  Because you know that's the only way Scott would ever think of eating an apple. =)

what do you do in the summertime?

on a hot, 90 degree day we do this

and treat ourselves with this

The end of summer is upon us and I'm having a hard time letting go!  Yes, I'll be happy to get the kids in school and have a little more quiet during the day.  But I'll miss the {cough} sunny days, trips to the park and the pool, and the freedom of doing whatever.  We have had a great summer and from the beginning we decided to make the most of it.  During a FHE in June we had the boys each tell us two things they wanted to do during the summer and we added that to our own list and the things that were already on the calendar.  Remember Stacy J's idea?  Ours wasn't as cute - just post-it notes stuck to a dry erase board on the fridge, but it got the job done.

Here's our summer fun list for 2007:

• visit grammer Valerie and papa Dennis
• visit grammer Teresa and papa Dan
• go to the library
• swimming
• picnic in the park
• Chuck E. Cheese's
• bowling
• camping
• the zoo
• play tennis
• go to the beach

We didn't quite get to tennis and the beach (sad for me), but I guess the beach will still be there when we find time.

I hope you have had a wonderful, memorable, fun-filled summer too!

go beavers

Tonight we went to a Beavers baseball game, compliments of Scott's employer.  It was a big employee appreciation type event with a hamburger dinner, goodie bags for the kids, peanuts and licorice to munch on during the game, Conner & Payton both came home with foul balls (one found in the eating area, and another given to us to by someone sitting nearby), and just a great time spent as a family in the outdoors (even though it hit 92 today, we didn't feel it at all in our shaded seats). 

the girls and the boys

eating dinner on the sidelines, our view, goodies awaiting us

and a cute girl enjoying the game.

we forgot to roast the Peeps!

This weekend was our once-a-year effort to go camping as a family, made possible by the ward campout.

   

we roasted hot dogs, made s'mores, told ghost stories by the fire,

I unsuccessfully dodged Anna's car-sick vomit, played in the sandbox,

went on a nature walk with all the kids, examined craw-dads (aka "lobsters"), 

 

fielded Payton's sleep-walking and Anna's sleep-talking,

and according to Conner, it was "the best camping trip ever!"  I type that with a laugh because just about everyday Conner will use the "best _____ ever" phrase to describe something. 

So now we're home, happy, and bathed.  Although, that was some windy road -- the closest to real car sickness I've experienced in a long while.  We've been home 4 hours now and my head is still spinning! 

memorial day

This weekend we had the pleasure of Scott's parents (Dennis & Valerie) and his youngest brother Randy come up for a visit.  They arrived on Friday afternoon and it was play time all weekend long. 

Much of our playing centered around the Nintendo Wii.  Scott and Randy played golf & other things, but the little boys really wanted to join in with bowling.  So far in life, our boys have rarely (if ever) touched a video game or computer game.  We decided to let them join in too, but these new-fangled interactive, cordless controllers required a level of skill & coordination that a 4 and 6 year old do not have right off the bat.  Frustration began mounting on both sides - parent and child.  And we came up with a new approach . . . .

Scott and Randy stood behind the couch (with the activated controllers) and bowled while the children played under the belief that they were in full control of their bowling characters, and totally unaware of what was going on behind them -- I guess just too wrapped up in all the excitement. It was a crack-up!  Over the course of the weekend Conner figured it out.  As for Payton . . . Scott continued to be his phantom bowler.  But we found a cow racing game that he could handle pretty well on his own.

Other highlights:  the men managed to get in 36 holes of golf.  Valerie and I put together an 8x8 school album for her (it looks very cute).  There were about 10 games of hide-and-go-seek each day with Grammer.  Randy took way too many naps.  The boys sang "I Love to See the Temple" in sacrament meeting and did a fantastic job.  We found out that Anna really likes to get presents -- clapping and nearly hyper-ventilating every time something new came out.  We BBQ'd on Memorial day and I made my favorite ice cream cake.  Randy went out with a girl from our ward (go Randy!).  Conner lost his 4th tooth -- that's right, 2 on top and 2 on bottom missing in just one month with no sign of new ones coming in!  But he's doing okay; he somehow managed to eat corn on the cob (his favorite).  Scott and Randy stayed up 'til 3am one night playing world of warcraft.  Discussing the 5 love languages with a few of us actually taking the test for the first time.  And swimming at the hotel pool.

lots of lovin'

sometimes Payton and Anna really do not get along.  And sometimes they really like each other.  Today they played the "hugging game" at Conner's t-ball game.  I love to see this kind of stuff . . .

. . . . and backwards baseball caps on cute boys.

Anna wore this cute headband in her "hair" the whole game.  And took some time to fraternize with the little boys in the dugout.

Conner had a "thumbs up" game today.  He got to play his favorite position (pitcher) in the first inning.  That happiness/excitement carried him through the entire rest of the game.

And I got a new washer today (ours died yesterday).  Happy Mother's Day to me!  No, I know Scott wouldn't do that to me.  =)

smorgasbord

here's a few recent things . . .

It's a barrette in Anna's hair!!  And it stays!  This darling clip is from Giddy Giddy.  I think the felt of the flower is what helps it stay put -- gives her hair something to cling to.  I've tried other bendy/snappy clips on their own, but they just slide off of her fine hair.

The Great Peeps Hunt!!!  First thing Monday morning after dropping Conner off at school Payton, Anna, & I had a great time hopping in and out of stores collecting Peeps in the post-Easter 50% off sales.  Safeway - zero.  Everything, gone.  Walmart - 7 boxes.  In fact, we cleaned out their shelves.  Just as we put everything in our basket a lady came around the aisle and I heard her mention to a nearby store clerk that she was looking for Peeps.  We high-tailed it out of there because we were not going to share our goods. And then we found the mother load at Red Apple - 12 boxes (and we were generous enough to leave about 10 boxes behind). 

Why, you might ask, are we collecting Peeps?  Let me help you paint a picture.  Summer . . . . campfire . . . roasted Peeps.   

Conner had his first t-ball game yesterday.  The real first game on saturday was rained out, and even this one was delayed an hour due to rain.  Anyways, such is the pacific northwest.  He did a great job.  We had really been stressing to him the importance of staying at his position when the ball is hit.  You know how t-ball games go -- ALL the kids go running for the ball.  And he was doing a good job at not wandering too far.  But after playing 3rd base for 2 innings he was a bit disgruntled because the ball was not coming his direction, ever.  At one point he did run for a ball that was hit to the pitchers mound and in a dog pile of five 5-6 year old boys he came out victorious with the ball.  Happy for him, but not something we wanted to see happening.  So we reminded him again about the importance of staying at his position (stressing it over & over again as we sat near the 3rd base), and he was not happy about that.  Folding his arms, grunting, but thankfully keeping it together.  Each time the ball was hit and he kept his position we told him "great job!" and Scott gave him a big thumbs up to which he would turn and do this . . .

   

a big . . thumbs . . .down.  I love it!  No, I don't love his bad attitude . . . but this definitely made the game entertaining for us.  This gesture is his attempt to get us all upset, but he's got to realize that his parents are not played that easily.  And we don't have much sympathy.  Just shake it off kid.

I feel bad I don't have a story about Payton at the moment.  I'll have to think of something soon.

I got my carpets cleaned today.  {no picture for that one}.  But it was looong overdue.  Right now the kids are watching tv bundled up in blankets as we've got windows open to help air things out.  I think that in the future I'll remember to do this in the summer time.  Or at least on a day above 55 degrees.

spring break: day 9

Gorgeous day today.  Just absolutely gorgeous.  The kind of day that staying indoors really should be a crime.  I took the kids to an extra special park for picnic and playing.  They had so much fun.  Completely occupied for 2 solid hours.  I was snapping a few pics here and there when I heard Payton call for me, "Mom!  Come take my picture!"  You better believe that I went running.  Payton often ditches group shots and shies away when I put the lens on him.  He was such a cutie today -- I'm so glad I was able to capture that sweet face.

The rest of the day:  watched Charlie & The Chocolate Factory, t-ball practice for Conner, and Fruit Loops for dinner.

spring break: day 6 & 7

day 6

The painting of the eggs.  We used birthday candles as our paintbrushes.  In the morning the boys picked out a recipe for FHE treats and we made them together -- basically rice krispie treats but with cheerios. 

day 7

I don't know what it is but the noise & running around & arguing & general "getting on mom's nerves" is quickly escalating.  I decided that maybe we've been cooped up too long so we took a trip to Fred Meyer.  Conner was sooo sad that he is too old for the playland (only for kids 2-5).  But Payton thoroughly enjoyed the toys and watching Pinocchio for the hour that the rest of us shopped.  Not much else going on.

spring break: day 2

Play-Doh.  The kids played, squished, rolled, and created for almost 2 hours straight.  As in, they never left their chairs.  I had to put an end to the fun when it was time to clear the table for lunch.

The Park, take two.  We only stayed for a half hour but the kids had a really great time.  As we were loading into the van Conner said, "Thank you mom for taking us to the park for two days."  And the entire ride home was graced with their silence, each staring off into space, I'm guessing pretty worn out.