Lydia's kids 1

Day 1 In which Owen and Lylian learn about their cousins.

Since Lydia left to visit with Grandma Gen Sicily and I got to have her adorable kids to ourselves! Lylian made sure our fish stayed in the fish tank, and observed the snails in the bowl for the same reason. (don't ask about the snails...)

The explored our vast back yard and discovered sprinklers, rocks that needed re-arranging, and helped mow the grass. (trucks have to haul something after all.)

Owen met each dog (we have three of the darlings now) and was great at keeping them out of trouble. He and Calvin had a terrific time playing Star Wars. (Which is little more than walking around the yard humming the Star Wars theme song while caring light sabers high above their heads)

Lily enjoyed playing out side for most of the day too, coming inside at random intervals for a new hair style, and snuggles. (My favorite part)

Everyone went to bed without a hitch. I will confess to hearing a few giggles, but over all it was quite. Everything was great until about 2am when I was awakened by an adorable little pixy. Wide awake and wondering where everyone was. Hummm.

We sat in the dark looking around the room. (I confess to nodding off a few times, I am out of practice after all.) Lily just sat there and didn't make a peep. I tried to think of something but I may have been experiencing a brain cloud... (I heard about those once... LOL)

At about 3:30am I decide to throw in the towel... Who am I fooling? I have to get up and take care of kids in the morning... "Ok Lily we are going to have to go to bed."

Tiny "No" squeeks out of her.

I tried, and when we reached my room she was very serious. It was a no go. I asked her if she would like to lay next to Owen. So she crawled in at the end of his bed, I talked to her a few minutes more and told her I would see her in the morning. I hoped she would sleep in... ahh, no.

6am. My eyes spy the same little pixy beside my bed.

By 7am I beg Sicily to wake from her sleeping coma to help me. (as seen here in her PJ's) It was about a half hour later that we realized something was amiss... Vomit has a way of bringing things like that to your attention... Hard to miss. Her PJ's, Sicily's blanket, the couch, the carpet... each had a nice coating.

These are the days that you are thankful for carpet shampooers! Worth every penny ;)

Sicily and I split up. She bathes Lily and I bathe everything else.

Then I figured while I was at it I would do the entire floor, and hallway... then the boys room. To my dismay Jonah's dog had left a gift in there during our excitement we neglected our duties to the dogs... Terrific. It was a few more minutes.

After her bath, and the house was cleaned Lily and I snuggled on the couch. Can I just say that I love having a 12 year old with a solid head on her shoulders? I was out, Lily and I both were. I woke about 2 hours later and got a few snaps of her sleeping on my arm. She is so adorable I had to have a couple.

Owen was a champ! and ready to play outside after it cooled off. (about 5 or 6)He crawled up on Jaden's lap for some snuggles, Jaden was only to happy to hold him, and visit. He talked with her for a few minutes. When he was done he handed Jaden his shoes. I'm not sure which face was more funny to watch at that point. He was waiting for the big person to help him and she was waiting for the little person to explain what she was holding his shoes for. HILARITY.

Can I just say that I Love kids? they crack me up.

Lylian was right as rain after she woke up. She wanted her hair fixed a few times, and they played dominoes and watched a bit of T.V. It was fun to have them.

Calvin Loved having Owen to play with, they have similar playing ideas and they enjoyed Lego's, Truck, Swords, and their Imaginations. He took them on a tour of the house and bless their hearts they couldn't remember how to get back. Sicily and I took turns being tour guides until they figured it out. :)

Recent events...

Trip to Idaho Falls to visit Grandma Gen was just the 'guys' this time.

They goofed off a lot during the 4 hour drive, and seems Jonah honed his gaming skills for a rematch with his brother when they got home ;)

Grandma is the type of Grandma that draws a crowd. Since her heart attack a week ago she has been in functioning with 15% heart function. She is happy that she has been so healthy for 92 years. We would love to keep her around another 92 years.

James took some pics of the drive home.

Visit to Oregon.

Sicily went to Oregon and visited my folks for a few weeks. Well I decided I would travel with my sister Teri to pick her up.

We visited Astoria, we saw the Lighthouse. It was a day of laughter, and discovery for all the kids. We had a picnic lunch, played on the beach, and got covered in sand.

I loved the view from the top of the hill where the lighthouse sat. It felt like I was on top of the world, looking out over Oregon I could see how green and lush it was compared to Idaho. Looking across the water I could see Washington. There are so many places I have never seen, Lewis and Clark must have wondered how they could ever see it all.

I had to have a picture of all 4 of these kids swinging. I was pushing them by myself for a good 20 minutes. All that running back and forth you would think I was skinny. Nope.

I had to show Sicily and her BFF Delia how to run through the waves. There is a skill to this you know, and I knew all the tricks. She is thoroughly educated now.

We found shells, and critters all over the beaches. (We explored three) This jelly fish was captivating.

No trip to Oregon is complete without a visit to Tilimook.

Some pictures capturing the joy of the moment.

Had to throw in the boys and grandpa at the game, they are all so happy, and Sicily being a good cousin to Eli.

summer nights

Hot days, warm nights, summer in Idaho is really nice. Time for movies outside, cooking on an open fire, camping, fishing and most of all... fun.

When we go to the Shore's we know we will have a good time. Laiken's B-day/Movie night was terrific! We can't wait to have parties at our house. It's not likely that we will have a roaring fire, but the kids have consoled themselves with the idea that we will have pool.





At first blush it may not seem like kids swimming near a fishing hole is a good idea.

The guys had been fishing for a while, and were starting to wonder if the noise was the problem.




Jonah caught his first fish in about five minutes. lol.