Baconbits

Saturday, May 21, 2011

First Day of Summer

The boys and I decided to drive to the Eagle River Nature Center and tromp along the Albert Loop. It is a wonderful hike that we've only done a handful of times since it is typically closed from July to September because of Salmon in the river and hungry Bears in the area. There were boardwalks and bridges, single track, and the perfect midway stopping point at the river's edge.
One of the greatest advantages to having a 12 passenger van is that is allows the boys to invite friends on our adventures.

Christian, Harry Turner, and Tanner
Christian and Harry played this hike with your eyes closed game from the halfway point to the end.

Asher, Sam, and Gavin
I could barely keep up with these three and their Harry Potter wands.

Tanner

Mudge throwing rocks in the River.
He happily rode in the backpack.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Here's to the Arizona Warners!

Thinking of you Greg, Jess, and Auburn.

Father and Sons

Eric took ALL seven boys to the Fathers and Sons Campout this weekend. Seven you ask? Yup, six seemed too easy so we invited one of Christian and Tanner's friends Harry to join the madness. I think the boys had a great time and if it wasn't for the littlest one trying to swim across the river Eric would have had a great time too.

About four a.m. I woke up to a little one crying. At first I was disoriented, this was after all my night off, but quickly realized that Eric must have dropped off a little one sometime in the night (the perks to camping only five minutes from home). I gave him a drink of milk and he was soon back to sleep in a nice warm cozy bed.

Eric sure is a great dad. The boys look forward to spending time with him. Today they spent hours playing "D-A-D" (Dungeons and Dragons) together. It is their favorite thing in the world to use their imaginations and jump into a world of adventure with him.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Fwd: Summer Fun

Talmage has turned into a little dare devil. He's quite partial to
the blue ride on toy and will push it up the neighbor's driveways,
plop down on it backwards, throw his hands in the air, and speed down
as fast and he can. He's already face planted a handful of times,
ran into a lawn chair, and a tree. Of course, I'm having heart
failure and he's laughing. Go get 'em Tiger.

I love the feet in the 1st video. Hyrum has been an excellent partner in Adventure. From the moment he wakes up until we put him down at night, Mudge is craving outdoor fun.

Favorites

I love my babies. Period. The End.
I get asked a lot, "What is your favorite stage?" Babies. It has always been babies.
But I've sensed a shift recently. A lot of my friends are having babies. I am SO happy for them, but when I think about me and a baby I feel woozy. Obviously it isn't the right time. The past few months I really felt the need to get my bearings and not only focus on helping my boys grow up but to do a little growing up of my own.

And in all that growing and thinking I've discovered that I really, really, REALLY LOVE five and six-year-olds. There is something magic about being five. Hyrum is SO EXCITED about life. He is discovering and questioning. He is trying new things and pushing himself. Yesterday I asked if he wanted to learn how to play the piano and his face just lit up. His first lesson was this morning and he is did SO WELL. Hyrum believes. . . in everything. In family, in love, in Santa and the Tooth Fairy and Leprechauns. Today as we walked hand in hand to school we had a whole conversation about Leprechauns and how sneaky those little guys can be. Legoes still come alive and fight and conquer bad guys. When Hy grows up he wants to be a garbage man or a seminary teacher. . . or maybe a dragon fighter. At six a box of legoes is the greatest gift in the world. At six three friends at a party is perfect. At six Popsicles and cupcakes hit the spot. Somedays I wish six would last a whole lot longer than 365 days. . . because I really, really love six-year-olds.

Corbin, Hyrum, Shyan, and Ajay

GrandDougle

What do you get when you mix Black Reeboks with Black Socks and Pearly White Legs?
GrandDougle. (My Dad)

Tanner came up after church this week wearing this and I couldn't help think of my Father.

Little Moments

Sam at the beginning of 3rd grade:
A follower. Volatile. Silly.
Sam at the end of 3rd grade:
A Leader. Controlled. Silly.
It has been a big year for Sam. There was a whole heap of growing up here. With Christian and Tanner I rode them pretty hard when they were little and I believe it paid big dividends almost immediately. They were both so easy going, kind, content [and silly of course]. Sam was so different in so many way. As a mother I really struggled to discover what he needed and how he needed it packaged and delivered. The fruit of our labors came YEARS and years after the effort began. Very little of this accomplishement had anything to do with significant parenting by Eric or I, but rather with the right timing and lots of love.
I like the quote:
The most important thing to remember is this: To be ready at any moment to give up what you are for what you might become.
- W. E. B. Du Bois
This year was compiled of several of little moments.

Dirt and Rocks and Water--Oh My!

In preparation for the Father's and Son's campout this weekend, we drove to Palmer where our pop-up trailer had been slumbering all winter long. It was a beautiful drive, but the boys would all agree that playing near the Little Susitna River was their favorite part. At the base of Hatcher's Pass, and with the winds blowing straight off the glaciers, it wasn't more than 35 degrees out there. Our little boys were in boy heaven jumping from rock to rock. I love little moments like this where they are all so content doing something so simple.

Bills, junk, and "boring old people stuff" usually make up the contents of our mailbox. But once every couple of months we get these. . . the Lego Club magazine. It is a coming of age to not only receive the magazine but to be able to read the entire thing.

Sam and Hyrum

By the months end these magazines are ratty. Earmarked. Torn apart. Crumpled. Loved.
I remember when Christian and Tanner were little they loved Playmobil. We would go to the fancy toy store in Flagstaff and pick up the years catalog and they would pour over every page. At the years end we would usually get them a set for Christmas which ironically almost seemed a let down after all the looking and dreaming and imagining for an entire year. If I had it to do over, rather than giving the toy at Christmas I'd probably just give them the next years catalog and let the earmarking, crumpling and loving begin all over.

Monday, May 02, 2011

Sick

Throat Sore.

Ears Heavy and Stuffy.

Nose Running.

Sinus' Popping.

My Sickness Coping Skills:

Days 1-3 Complete Denial. I ignore everything, hoping that my symptoms will simply go away. I ALWAYS start in throat which moves quickly to the ears and then the sinus'.
Days 3-6 Embrace the sickness. I start taking naps. I take stock in all medications: Tylenol, Motrin, Sudafed, Nyquil, etc. I let out periodic sighs.
Day 7-9 Frustrated and Angry. I can no longer taste food. My teeth, in the morning, have paste on top of the paste. I could swear something in the back of my throat died.
Day 10 Chug the Nyquil. Pop the Ibuprofin. Inhale the Sudafed. Despite the drug induced stupor, finally some relief. Why do I wait so long to medicate?

Monday, April 18, 2011

Awesome

We've always known our Dad is awesome. . . it is nice that so many others think so too. Last night Dad received The Wolverine Achievement Award for Lifetime Achievement (38 years). He was the only award recipient that received a standing ovation. Here's to you Dad-de-O!!