Not Looking Back

With updates (seriously short and not detailed enough) about the kids complete. I can move on and forward with the blog. No more looking back, it's my mantra.

Earl, basically over a weekend, became a chicken farmer and we are forming a partnership with my parents and buying into the family business. It's dirty work, but the rewards will be plenty. Although not everything  nothing has went smoothly in regards to our move, our biggest family lesson is that we are one. We can survive together, through whatever life throws our way.  And that feels good. This feels good.

Mill Creek HomeGrown 

Wowie Owie!

Tough Girl! She barely cried (less than two minutes).

Day two, the black eye emerged!



You know, we gots to do something while E is somewhere in smoke.

Avalanche!

Look at Mason! He skiedtumbledlaughedcriedgiggledand went really fast at the bottom, down Rock Garden at Anthony Lakes. That would be his first Diamond. Ever. I just so happened to be on the lift with some gals and caught him in action. Then I hurried off to catch up. Nearly creating an avalanche.

For reals, nearly creating an avalanche. Or at least, given the conditions, it really felt that way.

HAPPY SPRING BREAK! The kids are with JJ and Grandpa Dan. Whoa. Time to get busy!

Can you believe this before picture?

Ew.

Here it goes.

The hubs and I hit the slopes today. Minus kids. And well. First of all, I forgot how to ski nonfamilystyle, if you catch my drift. No mother rock jumping here. And, I really hate to say this but. My max powder is 2 feet. I learned today that three and a half feet of POW is too much for me. My legs are burning and E is begging for more.

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Baby, Baby. You're the world to me.

I'm one lucky wife. This man, he takes care of me us.

We Like to Ride our Bikes. STP 2011

WHOOP!

Daddy's First Race!

Saturday was race day! The kids and E participated in the annual Solstice Triathlon/Duathlon at Morgan Lake. Earl rode his mountain bike (in my place) for a team. I think, underneath the mud, you would see a little bit of a smile. Minus the small bike issues, he kind of  really liked it.

 Mason LOVED the mountain biking, too. The run, not. so. much.

Pictured below the Duathlon's youngest competitor! And number 80, because that and her medal were all that mattered to this doll.



Here's to more races! More family! And more fun! Because that is what these days are all about!

3 Rivers Race - 82 miles

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Let it Roll

It is the season to roll with the punches. Or should I say, the uncertainty of unpredictable fires. Even when one tries to, it doesn't work out. As soon as I predict a return home date, I'm wrong. The return home hours in the buggy's change ten or twelve hours on the road as compared to sixteen on the drive to the fire. In this case the HORSE SHOE 2. Or right when I've depended on a 9P phone call, I don't get it. Then three days later, he calls home at 7:30 and the kids finally get to talk to him! It's been on long dispatch. With an end in sight. I'm pretty sure Saturday, but you clearly never know. I'm not holding my breath...

...Because big things have continued to roll at the house, too. Our dog Jet is nearly big enough to come home. We're talking Friday or Tuesday, I think. The house we've called home for a long five years, is FOR SALE--listed Thursday and already shown. Here's hoping for a quick sale. Of course MaKenna turned four. E turned thirty-five and this year (the only year ever) I am thankful that I did NOT throw a big shin-dig. I wanted to. It felt like the right year. And then, the day after I was supposed to send out invites, he's gone. I dodged that ball.

So here we are. Waiting. Patiently. For more adventures to keep on rolling our way. We can handle it. We can roll with it.

Watch Out

She's F.O.U.R! Today, May 18. At 4:51 am. I remember it like it was only yesterday. Most moms do. But there was something extra special about you MaKenna. Making your entrance so fast. I think you knew that I just couldn't wait any longer to know. Were you a girl or a boy? You were perfect! In every single way.

Everyday you have brought happiness and laughter. You certainly have your own mischevious side. You know exactly what you want. And MaKenna, you do what you have to to get it. I love that side of you. You are a go-getter! Don't ever change. You are perfect, just the way you are. I can't wait to see what the Adventures of MaKenna - Four Years Old, are. I don't doubt that they are going to be full of excitement. You, are full of excitement! In fact, our house should be jumping Saturday as we welcome all your girl friends over for your birthday party.

I love you MaK!

Mommy

Taken during the Heidi Ho field trip to the fire station on 5/19/11.

*Published only 1 day late, but with good excuse. Darn viruses. However, since it is 5/19, a special shout-out to Daddy--Happy Birthday, we LOVE you!

Ba...batt...batters...Batters UP

It's the very first game of the season and we didn't get rained  snowed out! Let's Go BIG Blue!

Run #5, RUN round those bases as fast as you can!



Just imagine 9 kids out on the field all in their "ready stance." Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. For some. Kind. Of. Hit. From a parents stand point, I will say this is 10 times better than t-ball. All the kids were able to field the ball, throw the ball, hit the ball. Have Fun.

Mason, take it to home plate and let's call it a game. I'm sure the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees during those 3 innings.

And that my friends, was our first game of the season. 13 to follow.

Blah.

This might be the first, but it certainly won't be the last week during this long training schedule that I pretty much bomb. Don't get me wrong, I worked out. I spun my heart out twice. We had many family outings that resulted in activity. Like Anthony Lakes and walks to and from Central School. I went out for a run Sunday and was gone for 45 minutes. I walked for about 15 of those. So. Not. Feeling. It. Blah. Kind of like my little Morgann on ski's. You want me to mooovvvveee?

On a brighter note, the hubs and I had a super fun date night. I helped a great co-worker/friend retire in style. Complete with Jaeger and Lemon Drops. That might have something to do with the missed Shamrock Shuffle, 10K, I was supposed to participate in.

And even better than that? I found a running partner for Monday's during the lunch hour! Cheers, to better weeks of running. And the good life.

Hey Dad!

Give me MY bike back! That's MY bike Daddy! Mine. MIne. MINe. MINE! My bike. Mine. I'm two. My bike. Mine. My bike.

Spring has sprung! Our bikes are out. The yard is calling our names. Kid by kid. But, just so you know. Morgann is always the first to go! She loves the outdoors!

WELCOMING HOME UNCLE ALEX!

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Full of Big Kids

After a full two days of practice, I think it's safe to say that Morgann uses the toilet now! 

And this weekend she went from the crib into MaKenna's toddler bed! (MaKenna moved to Mason's twin bed and Mason to a new full size bed). I think moving up feels good to our smallest.

We just made some serious progress in one weekend! She even takes her own cups and plates after dinner to the sink and loves to put forks out for everyone!

If she chooses not to stick with the toilet, that's fine. But I kind of think she's digging this BIG GIRL thing!

The Twenty One One

We'll Do Second Chances. We'll Do Grace. We'll Do Real. We'll Do Mistakes. We'll Do I'm Sorry's. We'll Do Loud, Really Well. We'll Do Hugs. We'll Do Family. We'll Do Love!

*Picture courtesy of the hubs. Point Promise LookOut into the Eagle Cap Wilderness. And guess what? Just when he thought it'd be years before he was on a snowmobile again, he was wrong! For work he had to help repair the lookout. And there happens to only be one way to get there this time of year! 

Dispatch, Baby

About two weeks ago I thought if there were to ever be a summer that my hubby didn't dispatch, it'd be this one. And that would be fine by me. He's picked up a ton of extra duties around the house and I've trained and travelled and enjoyed myself. Honestly. He's the best.

While I partied hard in Whistler (baby), he allowed a seven kid slumber party where french toast was breakfast, made super fab oatmeal/raisin/chocolate chip/peanut butter chip cookies, did all the laundry, and gave out some invites for Morgann's upcoming birthday party. Those are just the things I noticed. And I know better than anyone a lot goes unnoticed.

Tuesday, E worked 26 hours straight. Part was travel to Central Oregon. Dispatch, baby!

Picture taken by yours truly at the fair, a few weeks back. And just because, I'll share a few more!

Check it out,

my hubby is so handy! I think we figured that we saved over eighty dollars, while creating a fun family project. And the site we found is inspiring lots of other wood projects (almost), Knock Off Wood.

We so needed this snow day!

I needed a day with my kids and friends.

And especially with Mason. To know his capabilities.

To watch him interact with his neighbor friend. Happily showing him that he can turn well enough to be a "chairlift" only kind of kid.

But that he still had to be packed by us. Because, yes, walking uphill in his ski boots remains hard.

And he has to be pulled by me on flats. Even if he tried his hardest to go "straight" down earlier each time up the lift.

I needed to know that at a last minute decision I could ditch the girls and the hubby and have a ski day with my son.  I love knowing that we would be able to do it, together.

That despite being stuck in the lodge all afternoon with a 2 and a 1 year old, my husband still loves me. He is fine because, someone had to stay with the girls. But from here on out, unless MJ is on ski's we won't take them. Deal.

Deal, she says. Because only making a few appearances out in the sled, wasn't that much fun anyways.